EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
As the member noted last week, attracting people, especially in the managerial directorships or specialized levels, it’s very difficult for this government. One of the retention tools is, of course, salary.
I encourage all casuals and Nunavummiut to apply into the government. We have been trying to get more Nunavummiut to get employed within the government.
Of course, school being our number one priority in our Sivumut Abluqta Mandate, there are great opportunities there for graduates to further their careers while they’re working, whether it’s for the government or other organization.
There are opportunities there for them to get working experience within the government and further their careers.
There are also other training programs that we have, including furthering their careers through education, college, and universities in other jurisdictions.
I have no more names on my list. We will move on.
Item 13. (interpretation) Member for Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu, Ms. Angnakak.
Tabled Document 019 – 4(2): Waste Management Correspondence (Angnakak)
I would like to table a letter from Mr. Adam Malcolm, a high school science teacher in Gjoa Haven.
In my Member’s Statement on Monday, June, 2, 2014, I spoke of the importance of waste management initiatives and the need for all of us, residents and government alike, to work together for the future.
Mr. Malcolm’s letter is a good example of the kind of initiative we need to encourage and support.
Hon. Minister Quassa.
Tabled Document 020 – 4(2): Nunavut Arctic College Annual Report 2012-2013 (Quassa)
Hon. Paul Quassa: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation) I am pleased to table the Nunavut Arctic College 2012-13 Annual Report.
Tabling of Documents. (interpretation ends) The Hon. Minister of Justice, Mr. Okalik.
Tabled Document 021 – 4(2): 2012 Annual Report under Section 12.1 of the Labour Standards Act (Okalik)
As promised, I am pleased to table the 2012 Minimum Wage Annual Report under the Labour Standards Act. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Chairman (Mr. Mikkungwak): I would like to call the committee meeting to order.
We wish to commence with the review of the main estimates for the Department of Family Services and, if time permits, we will commence with the review of the Department of Justice.
Are we in agreement that we first deal with the main estimates for the Department of Family Services?
Bill 02 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2014-2015 – Family Services – Consideration in Committee
Chairman: Thank you. (interpretation) Thank you very much. (interpretation ends) I would now like to ask Minister Ugyuk, do you have officials that you would like to appear before the committee?
Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk: Yes, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman: Does the committee agree to let the minister and her officials go to the witness table?
Iqsuktii, please escort the witnesses in.
(interpretation) Thank you very much. (interpretation ends) For the record, Minister Ugyuk, please introduce your officials.
On my right is Deputy Minister Simon Awa and on my left is David Kolot, Finance.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you very much. (interpretation ends) Please proceed with your opening comments, Minister Ugyuk.
Mr. Chairman and the hon. members of the Committee of the Whole, I am pleased to be here today to present and discuss the proposed 2014-15 main estimates and business plan for the Department of Family Services.
On April 1, 2013, the Department of Family Services was established to provide a single window approach of social supports for Nunavummiut that provide for basic necessities and promote self-reliance.
During this first year, the department has focused on identifying its needs and priorities and gaining a sound understanding of how the divisions that have come together will support each other to achieve the mandate of the new department.
There have been numerous gains in many of our program areas over the past year, such as planning for the progressive rollout of the income support delivery system, the department’s strong presence at the federal/provincial/territorial table regarding discussions relating to the renewal of the labour market agreement, implementation and staff training with respect to the Child and Family Services Act amendments, and the continued development of the Five-year Poverty Reduction Action Plan.
Mr. Chairman, for 2014-15, the Department of Family Services has been allocated a budget of $122,411,000, which represents an increase of 7.6 percent, or $8,620,000, over the last year’s main estimates. The staff compliment for the Department of Family Services has increased from 180.6 PYs to 196.1 PYs in the 2014-15 main estimates.
Additional funding of $2,816,000 for social assistance contributions in the social assistance program.
Increased funding of $437,000 for homelessness contributions.
Increased funding in the amount of $300,000 for shelter contributions.
Additional funding $2,500,000 for residential care placement contracts.
An increase of $2,621,000 in compensation and benefits.
A small decrease of $54,000 in other O&M expenditures.
The Corporate Management Branch has been provided with 5 percent of the department’s 2014-15 budget and is responsible for setting overall departmental direction and leadership in key areas of strategic planning, policy development, Inuit employment planning, financial management, and poverty reduction.
Over the upcoming year, our corporate management priorities are designed to allow us to continue to build organizational capacity and establish a sound foundation for the Department of Family Services.
Much of this work related to our corporate management priorities will entail working collaboratively with other government departments, agencies, and partners and we look forward to building on the relationships already established over the past year and advancing these important priorities.
The Children and Family Services Branch has been allocated 44 percent of the department’s 2014-14 budget and provides a range of support services for children and vulnerable adults who may require assistance and other specialized support.
Key business plan priorities for 2014-15 focus on ensuring wellness, safety, and quality care is delivered to clients.
The Income Assistance Branch has been allotted 38 percent of the department’s 2014-15 budget.
This branch assists Nunavummiut 18 and over in achieving their goals for independence and self-reliance by offering a variety of benefit programs that provide financial and other support to satisfy basic needs for shelter, food, and clothing and to assist in the transition towards employment.
A key priority of the Income Assistance Branch is to conduct an Income Assistance Program review.
The work will be guided by the government’s key priority of healthy families through strong and resilient communities, as outlined in Sivumut Abluqta 2014-18.
The Career Development Branch has been allocated 13 percent of the department’s 2014-15 budget.
This branch researches, develops, and implements a coordinated plan for labour market training programs and apprenticeship and administers the Financial Assistance for Nunavut Students Program.
These main estimates reflect the transfer of the responsibility for the governance of the Student Financial Assistance Act and the Apprenticeship, Trades and Occupations [Certification] Act from the Department of Education to the Department of Family Services.
Accordingly, the main estimates have been restated to reflect this transfer.
This transfer now allows the governance and delivery functions to be reunited under one department, which supports one of our key priorities for 2014-15 of integrating the apprenticeship program into the Career Development Division of the department.
Mr. Chairman, 2014-15 will be an important year for the Department of Family Services as we continue to build upon our foundation and collaborate with key departments to streamline programs, services, and processes to build capacity and acquire the infrastructure required to help support us in achieving our mandate.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you very much. (interpretation ends) Does the Chair of the Standing Committee on Social Wellness have opening comments?
Members of the Standing Committee on Social Wellness have reviewed the 2014-15 main estimates and business plan of the Department of Family Services.
The 2014-15 operations and maintenance budget for the Department of Family Services is approximately $122.4 million, which is almost $9 million more than the budget for 2013-14 when the department was newly established.
The creation of this department included the transfer of various divisions and programs from other GN departments, and the standing committee appreciates that the Department of Family Services still faces a number of transitional issues and growing pains.
Members encourage Department of Family Services officials to continue working closely with their counterparts in other departments, especially the departments of Education and Health, to ensure that no Nunavut resident encounters problems while accessing services and opportunities during the ongoing transition period.
Mr. Chairman, the standing committee supports the concept of providing a single window approach for social support services for Nunavummiut, providing protection for the most vulnerable in our society, promoting self-reliance, and working towards improvements in standards of living.
Frontline workers, such as social workers, income assistance workers, and career development officers, must receive adequate training and support, as well as the necessary resources to carry out their responsibilities.
Mr. Chairman, members of the standing committee have expressed concerns regarding the number of clients requiring specialized care and support who are being sent south to other jurisdictions for residential care.
It has been noted that facilities such as children’s group homes in communities such as Iqaluit and Rankin Inlet are being re-profiled, which has required alternative placements for the children who were originally receiving care in those facilities.
Members caution the minister in this regard and encourage her to work with her officials to find alternatives to sending Nunavut children to other jurisdictions.
Standing committee members stress the importance of making greater efforts to keep children close to their families and communities in Nunavut and look forward to updates on the department’s efforts in this area.
Mr. Chairman, members are aware of the many challenges facing the department in delivering services to children, youth, and adults in vulnerable situations.
Members look forward to updates on departmental initiatives, such as the review of the Aboriginal Custom Adoption Recognition Act, the implementation of the Family Violence Prevention Strategy, and the development of a homelessness strategy.
Mr. Chairman, the Department of Family Services has the responsibility of delivering Nunavut’s income assistance programs, which are directed towards assisting families and adult individuals to meet their basic needs.
A number of concerns have been raised with respect to income assistance policies in such areas as assessment and eligibility, the abuse of benefits received, and support for income assistance clients facing housing issues.
The standing committee looks forward to the results of the department’s upcoming review of the Income Assistance Program and anticipates that the findings of this review will also address issues relating to poverty and food insecurity across Nunavut.
Mr. Chairman, the Department of Family Services, as well as the Department of Education and Nunavut Arctic College, administers a number of programs and resources related to adult and post-secondary learning, including the provision of financial assistance under such programs as FANS, the Financial Assistance for Nunavut Students Program.
The standing committee encourages ongoing communication and coordination between all departments to support Nunavummiut wishing to enter the labour market and to encourage apprenticeship and trades training opportunities.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you very much, Mr. Joanasie. (interpretation ends) Do members have any opening comments?
(interpretation) I have no names on my list for general comments.
We will proceed with the page-by-page review of the department’s main estimates starting with page D-4. (interpretation ends) Family Services. Branch Summary. Corporate Management.
Welcome this afternoon to the minister and her colleagues.
In the business plan, it states that the department will establish a vision in collaboration with the public, outside partners, and other departments and agencies. I’m wondering: where are you at now with this exercise?
I would like to have my deputy minister provide a proper response.
I can use one example to answer your question.
I can use the Nunavut Food Security Coalition as an example.
Many of us are partnering in that group, for example, the government, NTI, and the different government departments are a part of this in this coalition.
Last month, the coalition held a meeting in Iqaluit. That is one example.
I can also say that outside of Nunavut there are different jurisdictions like the provinces, the federal government. We get involved through federal and territorial meetings when they were dealing with all of Canada. We are involved in that.
I would like to remind the Members of the Legislative Assembly when you are asking your questions please let us know what page you are asking about.
I see that the department went through an exercise to address the strengths and the weaknesses in the three key areas; financial and in their policy and admin structures.
What is the status of this review and what did you find out?
Simon Awa would like to respond to that.
The Department of Family Services has been running for a whole year and we are still discovering where we need to be fixed or strengthened and where we need to do more work. We are finding more and more of that out.
For example, when the Department was created they did not have any policy and planning department or branch and we had to create that.
The finance department and human resources falls under corporate services. They needed more staff and help.
There are other things that are not quite settled yet. I think some of the Members of the Legislative Assembly know that some of the work is still being held by the Department of Family Services.
Some of the things that are now under our department are still being handled by other departments.
Like the minister said in her opening statement, there are some challenges in this coming year that we need to work on to set up the Department of Family Services properly.
Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. thank you for that answer, minister.
I see, too, that an assessment is being done to address the adequacy of resources in order to provide the programs and services as per the mission statement.
What have you found out from this review?
I would like Mr. Awa to respond to that as well.
Chairman: Thank you. I will allow Mr. Awa to respond. Mr. Awa.
The areas where we need more help are our local community staff people, our social workers, our income support people, and the frontline workers in the communities.
We need to support them more from headquarters and the regional centres. We need to give them more support.
That’s because we have many staff members and the department hasn’t really settled down yet. We have many staff members who get paid by the hour.
We really need to concentrate and give more support to the local frontline workers.
I also see that the department is reviewing legislation to identify areas that may require attention.
Can you elaborate what the outcome of this review was and which ones you have identified as a priority?
Mr. Awa will respond to the question as well.
We were told to make sure that we look at the actual Act that the Department of Family Services falls under.
In the Sivumut Abluqta Mandate, right now, the Department of Family Services has not set an absolute priority yet.
After we set up the priorities, we will have to table them to the government and try to get approval for the things we want to prioritize.
For example, there was a lot of debate about how we can correct the Custom Adoptions Act, so we have to really look at it. For example, do Inuit traditional adoption laws need to be reviewed again?
Does that need to be studied some more?
There’s also the income support money.
There are many different things that we need to make policies and priorities for, and we will need to get approval for them once we set them.
I remind members to state which page you’re referring to in the business plan.
You recently went through an exercise to identify, review, and assess the priorities for the department as a whole.
Can you tell us what the outcome of that exercise was?
In the past year, the executive met to see how we’re going to proceed going forward, what we’re envisioning for the future, and what should be the priority.
The Department of Family Services recognizes that this work will proceed as the year passes.
In your business plan, page 111, it talks about the draft Social Services Transformation Plan.
Can you tell us what that means?
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you very much. (interpretation ends) Thank you for referencing the page.
Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): Please wait a moment while we look for the information.
In regard to the question as to how we envision Family Services.
On the transformation plan. How do we envision negotiation or discussion on Family Services. We based that on the Office of the Auditor General’s recommendations in 2011 when they made recommendations to Family Services.
We are working on those recommendations.
Also, Family Services is now working on what their priorities are. We are also considering an amendment for family and child legislation.
We are also considering the new entity Child and Youth Family Representative.
So those are our priorities to respond to your question.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. Ms. Angnakak
I would like to go now to the business plan of page 112 where it talks about the Makimaniq Implementation Plan.
In terms of the five-year Poverty Reduction Action Plan, can you elaborate on how the action plan will help Nunavummiut who suffer from having the highest poverty rates in Canada?
Will they actually get food on their plates using this plan?
Yes. During our initial meeting in Rankin Inlet we were making plans for five years for our policy planning. As to how we can have five-year poverty reduction action plan and what are the reasons there is poverty.
During that meeting in Rankin Inlet we discussed child rearing and also for elders during June 2013 meeting.
We have considered that and I know that we want to achieve our goal and the member is asking how we are going to provide support through this action plan. It’s impossible to provide support right away to the people who are needy but we are now moving towards providing support towards poverty and have poverty reduction.
We are now accumulating or compiling information on how we can utilize the legislation.
According to the list of my names, Mr. Enook.
I believe we’re on page D-4 in English.
I believe that this page can have many issues, but in your business plan on page 109 states that using the Inuit societal values as their guiding principles.
How are the Inuit societal values being utilized in your department?
As the member is aware of how Inuit societal values can be incorporated into Family Services.
When the legislation was amended there were six guiding principles to be used for family services training programs: there is respecting each other, providing service, negotiation, and working together. Those were our guiding principles were passed in 2013. They’re all in the legislation now.
What the minister have just stated, we are all aware of that, because those are our Inuit societal values, and we’re very proud of them. I’m not too sure if they’re being used at the local level.
It seems like the practice of Family Services usually run into stumbling blocks, and any elders say that our family is being broken up because of the Family Services guidelines.
Have you ever considered reviewing this issue or are you just paying lip service?
Are you going to try and put those into practice?
I also would like to thank the member for providing support to Inuit societal values during our tenure.
The social workers and childcare workers have to abide by their own policies and regulations and follow protocol. Inuit societal values are now included in the legislation. There is no choice but to abide by them.
That is why I’m asking these questions, Hon. Minister, because I took part. I also believed that Inuit societal values were going to be utilized.
I also took part and was lead to believe that societal values were going to be used, because they’re in the legislation. Today, they’re not even being used.
That’s why I’m asking the question; what do you do to encourage the Family Services staff to utilize Inuit societal values?
I cannot tell you exactly how they are going to be utilized, but I can tell you that they are being used to train the social workers.
Mr. Enook (interpretation): Perhaps I should ask my question by saying that the social workers have a very challenging job and they have lots of issues to deal with.
We want Inuit societal values to be utilized with the department to be used to deal with family issues.
How do you train your staff to use Inuit societal values?
Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I know that the social workers are listening and they use the policy regulations and protocols. We use various Inuit ways of dealing with counselling.
We can request for support to help in providing social counselling. I can only tell you that we can ask for help, because some of us know what the Inuit societal values are. We have to abide by the legislation and proper protocols.
I just want that to be known.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. Mr. Enook.
While we’re still on the topic of legislation, we’re on page D-4.
Mr. Chairman, although I’m not going to identify a page, but if you allow me to ask a question, back in March 2013, when you were on this side as a regular member, you suggested that the implementation of the Family Abuse Intervention Act contributed to homelessness in Nunavut.
You stated this when you were still a regular member.
Do you still hold that view?
I’m not going to respond to that question.
It’s also in the Poverty Reduction and Homelessness Strategy, I think you just tabled the document yesterday on the survey results. Just to get clarification. I believe in there it states that homelessness is contributing to a lot of social issues in Nunavut, not just in Rankin Inlet, not just in Iqaluit, and not just in Cambridge Bay.
When you were drafting the legislation, are you going to involve the smaller communities?
The question was asked previously. My staff is going to the regional communities to ask questions and to meet with the public, organizations, and the hamlets to see what kinds of stuff that we can assist the communities with.
We’re going to be including all the communities. That’s the answer that I can give the member.
The reason why I asked the question is because the hon. minister didn’t respond to the question at the time because she didn’t know the answer.
Are you going to be conducting the survey in just the three regional communities? There are about 23 communities that have homeless people. Are you not going to the smaller communities and you will only be looking at the three communities?
What is my understanding?
I stated last week that this was the first survey that we are doing on people who live in tents and shacks in the regions.
The hamlet councils will be asked about what kinds of information we can get from them with respect to homelessness.
Mr. Enook (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) Hon. Minister, (interpretation) you stated that the regional centres will be given a survey, but will you be going to such communities as Pond Inlet and Rankin Inlet as well?
When we go back to the regions, we will be going to the smaller communities.