EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
You hear from time to time, that government employees are now trying to move into, or some of them have moved into public housing because they only pay 25 percent.
This affects the shortage of housing even more.
Will the minister review to ensure that the Housing Corporation Policy on Rental Scale abides by the government directive?
Minister for Housing, Minister Akesuk.
Yes, we are following all policies in dealing with housing for GN staff and for the public in the communities and we have available for the public, houses that can be rented, and we have tried to treat the GN staff and the public equally.
The minister keeps stating that the people that don’t have employment usually stay in public housing but I know that there are people that work for the hamlets, and housing associations and other companies that are living in public housing and they have very good jobs.
Then the government staff envy them because they pay 25 percent of their wages for rent.
I would like to ask the minister to look at that, to review the policy, and if the government wants to reach 85 percent Inuit employment the government has to make sure that they review their policy properly in regard to housing.
Minister for Housing, Minister Akesuk
Yes, we will review the policy and to me if they rent public housing they have to follow the rental scale. They pay 25 percent of their wages and we have some benefits for those individuals.
Question 156 – 2(4): Airport Heavy Equipment Investigations (Curley)
I would like to direct a question to the Minister of Transportation and my question is quite clear.
A lot of communities in Nunavut have been given essential equipment to be used at the airports from the Department of Transportation but we have heard that the airports’ operational equipment have been used to make community access roads, although not in all cases.
Can the minister investigate to see whether that heavy equipment was being used to do other things besides airport work and can he give us a report when he has done his investigation?
Minister for Transportation, Minister Simailak.
Yes I can investigate to see whether this is true or not if the member can give me some information as to which community has been using this equipment.
Can the minister not just investigate, but question the people that have seen this type of activity going on?
I think there is already an agreement in place that this equipment is not being used for other purposes.
If there is an agreement, can the minister...because there is could be an emergency at the airport and that is airport equipment, if they want to use those kinds of equipment they can ask the private sector to rent that equipment.
Speaker (interpretation): Minister for Transportation. Minister Simailak.
I will look into this and if it has to be resolved then we will have it resolved. I will talk with the Hamlet Council to try and find out if the equipment is being utilized for other things rather than what they are supposed to be used for
Question 157 – 2(4): 3 Vacant Units in Sanikiluaq (Kattuk)
I would like to direct a question to the Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation.
I think there are three staff houses that have never been occupied. I would just like to ask the minister what he is doing about those vacant houses in Sanikiluaq.
Minister responsible for Housing, Minister Akesuk.
I will look into this to see whose houses those are and to see whether they could be occupied by staff or what purpose they are there for. I will find out which department those houses are allocated to.
The local housing organization was wondering why these houses have not been occupied.
Perhaps just give them to the local housing authority and they can assign them as public housing.
Yes, like I said, I will try to find out which department these houses have been allocated to and after finding that out, perhaps talk with the local housing organization.
But I still have to first investigate to see which department is holding that staff housing before I can commit to something.
Just to elaborate or provide more information to the Minister. I know that they had been occupied previously but today they are empty, just to give you some clarification.
I will talk with my staff to see if they can investigate which departments these houses are allocated to and then let the member know.
Like the minister said, he will talk with his staff.
I just wondered if the minister could talk with the local housing organization to see whether they can take over those houses.
I will look into the member’s concern to see what we can do as a department and look into the GN staff such as nurses and teachers. They will have to be provided with housing. But I will look into those unoccupied houses that the member is talking about and work with other departments.
Question 158 – 2(4): Muskox Management Zones (Alagalak)
He might not be able to answer it but I would like to bring up the issue of Muskox in MS 21A and MS 21(18).
In MS 21 and (A) they have a management zone and we’ve heard that they were going to do away with the management zones.
I’m not exactly sure but I think they were going to be revamping them and getting rid of the management zone in the Keewatin area, if that’s the case.
I haven’t been briefed on the issue of musk ox and the only briefing that I got on musk ox was the pair of baby muskoxen adopted by a camp.
I believe the Nunavut Management Wildlife Board covers this issue.
I’m well aware but I just wanted to know if you knew about the management zones, as you are closer to the NWMB.
I do go musk ox hunting by snowmobile and there has been drilling in that area for quite a while in MS 21. It seems like starting last year we don’t see any more musk ox in that area and it seems like their herd has moved to another area. Is it possible for your department to look into this and do a study?
In regard to the development, the Department of Environment is concerned with the helicopter surveys that are being done.
We will look into this issue.
Your second supplementary, Mr. Alagalak
I’m sure that they’re very aware and careful around the animals but usually all they’re concerned about is putting in their stakes. There was even one case where there was an abandoned baby musk ox and once a herd of muskoxen runs they will leave their calves behind.
If they see something black they’ll go to it and you have to scare them away, or hurt the musk ox.
I think we have to know or find out where the musk oxen are moving to.
They might not be moving very far and you might not finish a tank of gas but we have to know where they have moved because they’re obviously not in the same location anymore.
Is it possible for your department to look into this issue?
I will commit to looking into this issue.
We do know that we’re very careful around our wildlife and herds of animals but we have to make sure that there is a plan so that we can continue having the wildlife around.
I’m well aware of it but we are concerned about the movement of these herds, and we have to look at what is available in these management zones.
We don’t want to be breaking the rules when we’re hunting musk ox and we will be concerned if we do not meet our total allowable harvest.
We have to make sure that they are managed properly. They go all the way behind coming into Baker Lake.
Around MF-20 and MF-18 there is also uranium development, and if all of the musk oxen move to the Kitikmeot area, then there won’t be anything left in the Keewatin.
Question 159 – 2(4): Activities during Mental Health Week (Peterson)
Mental Health Week was held in Canada the week of February 4 to 10 in 2007.
My question for the minister: what mental health activities did the Department of Health and Social Services plan and support in Nunavut during that week?
There are a number of initiatives that have been undertaken by the department.
Not only are we looking at trying to build our own capacity but we raise awareness on mental illness in our communities.
Each group in the communities have, through their community health officers, announced and identified initiatives around community-based projects by community.
The issue around mental illness is one that, I guess for lack of better word, is raising momentum around Canada on treating individuals with mental illness as any other illness in our society.
So the initiatives that had been undertaken were related to raising awareness at the community level.
Mr. Speaker, Seasonal Affective Disorder, otherwise known as SAD as an acronym, is a well documented mental disorder.
In Cambridge Bay the wellness centre created a room in their health centre that has a special light that allows Seasonal Affective Disorder patients to be treated. And, from what I’ve heard from the wellness staff, it has been quite successful to date with several of these units.
My question for the minister: has the Department of Health and Social Services determined how prevalent Seasonal Affective Disorder is in Nunavut given our long period with no sunlight and the extreme isolation of our communities?
Hon. Leona Aglukkaq: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am not aware of any initiatives under way in Nunavut to research the impact of that in our territory so I am not able to respond to his question in terms of how many people in the communities are impacted by that.
Obviously, in Cambridge Bay it is a mental disorder, and the wellness centre, again, being innovative and creative have identified a way to help people get treated.
I encourage the Department of Health and Social Services to follow up with the Wellness Centre in Cambridge Bay to see how successful they would be with that initiative.
Many Nunavummiut likely require psychiatric counselling from fully qualified professionals.
My question to the minister: how does the Department of Health and Social Services ensure that psychiatrists are available to help residents who require this type of professional help?
I think first we need to recognize that in most communities we also have mental health workers that provide support to individuals that require that service.
In responding to the individual’s question, like many of the programs that we provide in terms of services, we need to bring in those specialists into our communities on a scheduled based by regional needs and community-based needs.
So like any other service when we bring in specialists that is one of the areas that we organize in order to provide that service to our citizens.
Mr. Speaker, there are several major types of mental disorders, there’s schizophrenia, there’s mood disorders, and by mood disorders I refer to depression and manic depression, there’s anxiety disorders, eating disorders, personality disorders and those can all affect our residents.
My question to the minister: does the Department of Health and Social Services have a system to track and record the major types of mental disorders that are affecting our residents?
Addictions and mental health services are offered to many Nunavummiut through the health centres and social workers and mental health programs.
In terms of a database in terms of tracking down the number of individuals with the different types of illness is; I don’t believe that system or program is available from the territorial context. Within each community and region I would assume that would be the situation.
But having said that, I think one of the things that also need to be recognized is that within the department we are looking at recruiting a Director of Mental Health and Addictions to implement some of these territorial initiatives around mental health and addiction.
I look forward to reporting progress on that. But the position of Director of Mental Health has been non-existent. We are looking at trying to shape our programs and services more around this area but I don’t believe we have had much coordinated effort in the past.
Having said that, I don’t believe we have the data to track every illness from the headquarters office, and I don’t believe we have those statistics.
Tabled Document 075 – 2(4): Pangaggujjiniq Nunavut Quest 2007 - Letter from Niore Iqalukjuak, Organizer (Barnabas)
Mr. Speaker, I would like to table a letter I received from Niore Iqalukjuak, the organizer of this year’s Nunavut Quest Dog Team Race.
This letter provides a brief history of the Nunavut Quest, describes how the race is organized, and lists some of the supporters and volunteer efforts that make the race a reality.
Some additional benefits of the race include learning experiences for young support crews and celebrations in the communities that host the quest.
Tabled Document 076 – 2(4): Contract Activity Report for Fiscal Year 2005-06 – Government of Nunavut (Brown)
Tabled Document 077 – 2(4): Procurement Activity Report for Fiscal Year 2005-06 – Government of Nunavut (Brown)
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to table the following report. Government of Nunavut Contract Activity Report for Fiscal Year 2005-06 and Government of Nunavut Procurement Activity Report for Fiscal Year 2005-06.
Can we have that document brought forward to the table please?
Motion 008 – 2(4): Location of Health and Social Service Positions (Arvaluk)
My motion is about the relocation of positions in Health and Social Services.
WHEREAS there have been persistent problems associated with coordination of medical travel services for the Baffin region ever since the transfer of elements of this function to the Pangnirtung office of the Department of Health and Social Services;
AND WHEREAS the Department of Health and Social Services is currently proceeding with the establishment of the Client Services Coordinator function;
AND WHEREAS the preservation of positions in decentralized communities is an important principle;
AND WHEREAS grouping all Baffin regional medical travel functions together under one roof may help reduce inefficiencies and improve communication;
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the Honourable Member for Quttiktuq, that the Legislative Assembly recommends that the Department of Health and Social Services bring forward a plan to establish the Client Service Coordinator function in the department’s Pangnirtung office and relocates that office’s medical travel coordination functions to Iqaluit.
Before we start with the motion I will remind the members.
Any one of the members can speak once to the motion for 20 minutes.
And the mover of the motion may speak to the motion first and the seconder can speak to the motion next.
The mover of the motion will have the opportunity to make the last statement to the motion. (interpretation ends) To the motion.
I’m pleased to have this opportunity to speak to the motion that I have brought before you.
As you will be aware from issues and questions raised by members of this House over the past few sittings, there are persistent and ongoing problems with coordination of medical travel services for the Baffin region.
I think it’s safe to say the number of complaints and problems in this area have escalated ever since the establishment of the Baffin region client travel office in Pangnirtung.
In the past, medical travel for the Baffin region was coordinated out of one office in Iqaluit.
The medical travel staff in Iqaluit made travel and accommodation arrangements for patients traveling to, and from, their home communities for treatment at the Baffin Regional Hospital and for patients travelling for treatment in southern Canada.
The coordination of medical travel services worked very well out of this office.
It is not clear why the department of Health and Social Services saw the need to fix it by splitting up the service delivery function and locating them in two different communities.
The Department of Health and Social Services recently announced that the transfer of 17 finance position from the Department of Health and Social Services to the Department of Finance where there is a larger and more stable unit for processing payments.
This move was made in the name of simplicity and unity. This move brings the providers of similar services under one roof. Mr. Speaker, a move like that make sense.
I look forward to seeing the positive results of consolidating efforts and expertise. It should now be clear to everyone that doing the opposite and splitting up functions which have similar practices and objectives only creates problems and inefficiencies.
It is also extremely hard on those individuals who are already having problems with their health or the health of their family members to have difficult experiences with their travel and accommodations.
I wish to make it clear that I’m in full support of decentralization. Since the regional office of the Department of Health and Social Services are located in Pangnirtung, it seems fitting that policy-type functions such as those provided by the Client Services Coordinator be located in Pangnirtung.
Mr. Speaker, I was very pleased to note that the Department of Health and Social Services will finally be bringing forward a praiseworthy initiative of the Client Service Coordinator.
Members of the Legislative Assembly have been looking forward to this for some time. It is important for both the minister, and her officials, as well as the members to try and support the constituents, have established processes which protects the rights and privacy of the clients of the health system while assisting them in resolving their concerns and complaints relating to their medical care.
Mr. Speaker, I believe that the motion currently before the House brings forward a solution to our client situation: bringing all Baffin medical coordination services together under one roof will help reduce inefficiencies and improve communications. To establish the client services coordination position in Pangnirtung will help to complement the type of services and functions that are already delivered out of the office.
Best of all, the spirit of decentralization would remain supported.
As the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, I believe that we should make decisions that make sense. I ask all members to join me in support of this motion.
Member for High Arctic, Mr. Barnabas
I am in support of this motion since I’m the seconder of this motion, because our elders don’t operate the way the Qallunaat people do, they often don’t make phone calls.
When they don’t have any escort, they get stuck for many days here in Iqaluit.
And another thing I found out when I visited Ottawa Larga and I spoke to the Manager of that Baffin Larga, he indicated to me that sometimes there are 27 patients that arrive to the boarding home that have no plans, and when the boarding home is already filled to capacity, then he has to make arrangements to accommodate these patients.
That’s how it is, even though the system was working properly. Now, it’s not operating efficiently, especially when this region has the largest population.
And one of the reasons is that the patients, when they come to Iqaluit, usually they board at private homes.
In my High Arctic community, there are too many patients that wait at the airport who are elders, who are sent back home, instead of taking the flights to the communities. This is not acceptable.
The set up with the transportation office in Baffin region was set up properly when the office was here, when the patients could go to the transportation office. After they were finished with the doctors they could go to the transportation office and make the travel arrangements right away.
The way the system is set up now, the elders are going through hardships. Sometimes they don’t even have plane tickets set up even though it’s time for them go home.
For that reason I will be in support of this motion.
And I urge all my colleagues to support this motion.
I will be in support of this motion because I’ve made statements in regard to this issue, when this transportation office was moved. A lot of my constituents are not pleased especially the patients that come here, not just the elders, every patient that comes here is not pleased with the relocation of the transportation office.
Sometimes when they phone the transportation office, they don’t even answer the telephone. So this has created a lot of problems in the Baffin region and we have heard the problems out on the street and when we go home to our communities, we usually hear people complain through the local radio station.
This is one of the biggest, major problems that they complain about, because it was not broken and it was fixed, and so that’s why it created problems. So I would like to see this motion pass and once this motion has passed I would like to see it implemented.
So I urge all my colleagues to support this motion.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Arreak. (interpretation ends) To the motion. (interpretation) Minister of Health and Social Services, Minister Aglukkaq.
I appreciate the opportunity to debate this issue further in the House and also to provide some clarification to the understanding of some of my colleagues.
First of all, I am not in support of this motion and I’ll just explain some of the reasons why.
First of all the motion is not in support of decentralized operations, that’s first and foremost: Cambridge Bay and Pangnirtung.
The Client Services Coordinator is a territorial position and I have indicated in my letters to the members that this position would be located at the headquarters operations of Health and Social Services in Cambridge Bay to work alongside the Assistant Deputy Minister of Operations.
The closer the working relationship, the better they will be able to address territorial wide issues around client services as well as travel coordination and the decision was made to move forward in that plan, in that direction.
Moving this to a regional operation would not work well. Pangnirtung is the regional operation for the Baffin, not a headquarters operation.
So that is one clarification I think people need to understand in making that decision.
I think we need to be well informed in making a decision of this nature.
The second part I need to clarify for you is that the jobs in Iqaluit were never moved. The travel office in Iqaluit is at the hospital to provide a service to the patients at the hospital.
I need to clarify that. The positions that were created, they are brand new and created in Pangnirtung to deal with travel for patients traveling from up-island and to other services, not so much the hospital.
Some of them don’t need to go to the hospital here.
Because every year the file is getting larger and larger and I think I shared last year’s statistics, you have last year’s statistics: 14,000 travel tickets a year in 12 months in the Baffin.
So as we were dealing with that situation we tried to separate and manage the workload better and allow the hospital staff to provide better services to the patients at the hospital.
Before, they were dealing with patients that never even entered that building.
So in order to manage the file a bit more effectively we made this change.
Did the problems exist before this change?
We, on average, received 200 to 300 complaints before this change.
So what we are trying to do is improve the services in providing services to our patients. Elders, or youth or unilingual, whatnot, we had put that plan forward.
As a matter of fact now we receive fewer complaints.
The hospital staff here is dealing with patients directly at the hospital and I think that needs to be clarified.
Supporting this motion will mean laying off two individuals in Pangnirtung because those positions were not moved from here.
That’s the direction that we are working with in trying to provide the regional travel coordination through the Pangnirtung regional Health and Social Services offices.
So I will not support this motion. If anything this motion is saying ‘don’t fix it’.
It is a problem that existed long before this move, but unfortunately for an individual experiencing a travel problem they can see from the outside that it may appear to be because of a change in the office location for travel, that there’s a problem.
But at the end of the day, the problem existed before and what we are trying to do is fix that problem around travel.