EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Mr. Speaker, with respect to the issues the member raised, yes, the community of Sanikiluaq will get new positions that have been opened. The funding for the positions was approved and Sanikiluaq is among the listed communities in line for a new social worker. They will work with the Department of Family Services.
Further, at this time, this process is moving forward with work undertaken by our departmental staff and other departments, such as the Department of Finance, to ensure that this process moves forward successfully.
It is important that when new positions are added to the staff listing, the other requirements for these individuals to be able to do their job will also be considered. Can the minister provide further details on what steps have been taken to make sure that office space is available for the new family resource worker in Sanikiluaq, specifically when was the request for office space submitted to Community and Government Services?
With respect to this particular matter of office space, I don’t have the details on the status, as it has not been part of my briefings. However, we will continue dealing with this issue, as they are under this responsibility, and I have no doubt that the office will be established. Nonetheless, I can look into the matter and work with CGS to see where the project is at and, alternatively, to assess if any concerns exist.
What I can state currently is that this is moving forward and Sanikiluaq is included in the list of positions working with the Department of Family Services. The details are being looked after, but the approval was submitted and I have no doubt that this position will be filled. That is what I can relay to the member.
Now, with respect to the actual question the member raised about the location of the office, I can respond to it at a later date.
As I indicated earlier, the ongoing delays in bringing jobs online, whether it’s delays in the staffing process or delays due to lack of office space, can be very frustrating for potential employees and the community as a whole.
I have been bringing the lack of office space for my community to the government’s attention for the past seven or eight years. It has been demonstrated by me and also by Community and Government Services’ visits and studies conducted by Community and Government Services that Sanikiluaq is lacking office space.
I would even go as far to say that the GN is no closer today to adding office space in Sanikiluaq than it was seven or eight years ago.
Can the minister clarify whether the new family resource worker position in Sanikiluaq will be kept on hold until a designated office space has been identified?
Mr. Speaker, as per my earlier statement, seven communities were chosen for the new position to work with the Department of Family Services and the communities.
We have identified Sanikiluaq as one of the communities that will be part of this initiative.
With regard to the member’s question about whether the position should have been put on hold due to the lack of office space or the identification of office space, as per my earlier statements, I have no doubt that office space will be procured.
However, I don’t have the information on whether his community has concerns about office space availability.
I will look into this matter and respond once I have the information handy and provide it to the member.
Question 346 – 4(3): Air Transportation Sector (Mikkungwak)
Earlier this week, the minister tabled her department’s submission to the Canada Transportation Act Review Panel and I thank her for doing so.
In its submission, the department recommended that all Nunavut airports be, and I quote, “upgraded to the GPS Instrument Approach Procedure that is appropriate for each individual airport.”
This is an issue that I have raised on many occasions in relation to Baker Lake’s airport.
Can the minister describe how her department is currently working with federal authorities to prioritize airport upgrades in Nunavut?
What I can state to my colleague about the Department of Economic Development and Transportation involvement in the (interpretation ends) Northern Air Transportation Association 2016 (interpretation) AGM is that they participated.
Further, they were able to have meaningful discussions when resolution drafting took place and the need for this equipment in the Arctic regions.
We have continued to work with our partners on these issues. As well, I tabled the document outlining the report the member alluded to, the (interpretation ends) CTA review panel (interpretation) report for 2015. They visited Iqaluit that year and many issues were discussed at that meeting that resurfaced in the submission.
What I can relay to the members is that we also wrote to the Minister of Transportation and he sent his response stating a committee would be struck, which I am very pleased to notify my colleagues.
The Arctic region will be the primary focus of this committee and we are partially expecting their arrival, although it hasn’t been finalized, to Iqaluit this summer.
I think she’s really on par this morning.
In its submission, the department recommended an expansion of the funding for the Transport Canada Airport Capital Assistance Program, as the minister indicated, and a “dedicated ‘carve-out’ for northern jurisdictions.”
This issue was also identified at the recent annual general meeting of the Northern Air Transport Association.
When will the minister be meeting face to face with the federal Minister of Transport to discuss this issue?
As I said in March of this year, I replied to the federal minister to commend him on the release of the report and highlight the importance of many of the report’s recommendations, including the establishment of a new northern airport capital assistance program.
I also asked in my correspondence for a meeting to further discuss the report’s findings.
I am glad to say that they will have a focus on the north and this could provide an opportunity to bring forward some of the issues raised in the NATA resolutions. I understand preparations for a possible summer meeting here in Iqaluit are now being discussed.
In its submission to the Canada Transportation Act Review Panel, the Department of Economic Development and Transportation recommended that there be, and I quote, a “formal monitoring process available to establish economic consequences of airline code share and/or other market partnerships.”
Can the minister describe how she envisions this responsibility being shared between the federal and territorial governments?
I’m not sure I understood the question fully, but I can say that we have been participating in these meetings and participating at the federal-territorial level.
Nunavut’s presentation of this report is comprised of six sections: land and people; air system; marine system; highway system; and for the panel’s consideration, and so forth.
I think it’s good news that they are thinking of coming here this summer.
Question 347 – 4(3): Assessing Power Rates (Okalik)
We occasionally hear from homeowners that they get a suddenly increased bill and they can never get an explanation as to why the power bill suddenly increased.
Can the minister explain where these homeowners can turn to for a proper explanation of the increases in their power rates and how they can lower their bill in the future?
I thank the member for that question and it gives me an opportunity to highlight the process that is involved.
I am only aware of a couple of instances that people’s power bills did spike. There have been some cases of some electrical issues with residents.
There is possibility of different usage that some people don’t anticipate. Sometimes with those little heaters that people use under their desks, they don’t realize how much power they actually draw. It is a possibility that it has happened in the past where there is a faulty meter.
I do want to commend the customer service group that do work at QEC.
They work very hard to make sure that the customer has a clear explanation on why the bill has increased or rectify the problem and put a fair price in front of the consumer.
I just wanted to thank the member for giving me the opportunity to highlight the good work that they do and the process to contact the customer service office and they will work through any issues that need to be dealt with.
Mr. Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank the minister.
I checked online as to where people can turn to if they have concerns about their monthly bill. However, when I looked online in the payments section, there is no information on where you can go if you have a suddenly high power bill.
I would like to know if that information could be made available online.
When we develop a website, we try and put forth as much information as possible, but to deal with every potential occurrence that could occur to include that within a website could be very labour-intensive and costly to maintain.
I do want to reinforce that people can call the customer service line at 1-866-710-4200 or email at customerservice@qec.nu.ca for any questions that may arise with their billing system or any other issues that they feel QEC should be made aware of.
Question 348 – 4(3): Nursing Services in Pond Inlet (Enook)
Good morning to the people of Pond Inlet and fellow Nunavummiut.
Mr. Speaker, as my colleagues will be well aware, the community of Pond Inlet has faced some challenges recently with the unfortunate spread of a communicable disease, that is, whooping cough.
Before I continue, I would like to give a very big thank you to the nurses in the health centre in our community. They tirelessly help patients in our community. We thank all the nurses, nurse aides and interpreters in Nunavut.
While it is certainly understandable that dealing with this situation has put sudden and additional demands on our nursing staff, it also means that community residents with other pressing health issues feel pushed aside as services are prioritized.
My first question is: can the minister provide an update on what additional services and resources have been provided to the Pond Inlet Nursing Station in recent weeks as staff and community members deal with the recent health situation in the community?
Hon. Monica Ell-Kanayuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank the member for mentioning the excellent services during the recent hardship they just experienced.
What I want to explain is that there are now fewer cases of people with symptoms.
Whooping cough causes coughing internally, particularly in smaller patients, called (interpretation ends) pertussis (interpretation) in scientific terms. It was confirmed in Pond Inlet. As well, there was a suspected case here in Iqaluit, but after results came in, it turned out not to be whooping cough.
In the same week, another result should be coming in for tests done earlier.
Our department sent an extra nurse to Pond Inlet to provide assistance on the extra work while dealing with this crisis. Further, we have provided public service announcements in Pond Inlet about the need for vaccine shots amongst the younger segment of their population. We have asked that they receive vaccine shots to combat this particular infection.
That is what transpired up there. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Some communities have a nursing shortage that comes with its own challenges. We have heard of cases where sick patients wishing to go to the health centre do not get on the list of appointments due to the lack of space. The number of appointments is limited for each day, as only part of the day is set for appointments.
Quite a few sick people who want to schedule an appointment are refused since the appointments for the day are full or that even the next day is booked solid.
Due to their sickness, this person is calling to set an appointment but is not receiving treatment due to the lack of nurses or the way health centre operations schedule appointments in the communities. This experience has happened to people and they convey their consternation over this lack of service.
I want to ask about cases where a person does not get an appointment even though they may be sick, whether it is due to the extra workloads or the set times for appointments in the day.
In other jurisdictions, health departments often have call-in lines where concerned residents can call in to ask questions of a qualified health professional.
Can the minister indicate whether any consideration has been giving to setting up a health care hotline service in Nunavut?
Hon. Monica Ell-Kanayuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank the member for making that clear.
My officials are continually researching options that can provide more services to our people, whether or not it is new technology. As an example, some communities now have (interpretation ends) telehealth (interpretation) that connects them via camera with a doctor. We distributed this technology to some communities and most are up and running.
Doctors cannot travel immediately to all the other communities. In emergencies where a doctor is not available, the nurse can use the telehealth technology to check on the patient’s ears, nose, or skin with the doctor looking on.
This can provide a big service, as it is a videoconference and not just a verbal discussion.
This technology is providing better service and nurses can call a 1-800 number to get in touch with a doctor.
Another matter we commonly hear about, which is quite objectionable to listen to, relates to patients who keep going to the health centre to complain about health concerns, but told that they are fine. We often hear people mention this type of experience, which is quite disturbing and extremely distressing to hear about.
There are examples of people misdiagnosed many times when they were actually suffering from an illness. Even people who state they feel ill get advice that they are fine and receive painkillers to alleviate their pain.
What I want to ask about is if Nunavummiut will ever be able to complain if we feel a misdiagnosis occurred since people, at least I, will state, “I am sick because I know my body and I can feel when something is not quite right.” The reason why I determine my sickness is due to my intimate knowledge of my body.
Even though some patients have this physical self-diagnostic ability, they are told that they are in good health.
They relate this experience of their self-diagnosis as being irrelevant and many people bring that forward.
When a person feels a misdiagnosis occurred or if any person in Nunavut feels that they are sick but just hear that they are fine, what avenues can they take to try to get a different diagnosis or, in English, (interpretation ends) a second opinion (interpretation) medically separate from the health centre?
Is there anything a person can do when they keep going to the health centre, but told they are in good health?
Now, more than one nurse generally provides services in the community and anyone who feels they have been misdiagnosed can approach other medical professionals.
However, if anyone has gone to the health centre several times and believes that they are not receiving the right service or being misdiagnosed, they can call a helpline we have set up for complaints where they would receive extra assistance. The helpline is called the (interpretation ends) Patient Relations Office (interpretation) that they can call. I would urge people to call the office so that discussions can begin on alternative options for the person who is concerned about their health.
Question 349 – 4(3): Sealing Day on the Hill (Angnakak)
My second question today is for the Minister of Environment.
Mr. Speaker, earlier this week, the minister delivered a statement regarding the recent Sealing Day on the Hill event.
I realize that this event was held by the federal government in cooperation with the Nunavut Arts and Crafts Association and that the minister and his department may not have had the final decision as to who was invited.
However, I note that the department does have the responsibility to support the sealing sectors in Nunavut.
According to the Minister’s Statement, the event served to emphasize the government’s continued commitment to Canadian sealing and to educate and inform a wide range of parliamentarians, such as us, on the issues and challenges facing the sector.
Can the minister indicate if his department has any influence in forming the invitation list for this event and, if so, can he indicate what specific organizations and representatives were invited to the event?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) The Hon. Minister of Environment, Mr. Johnny Mike.
Hon. Johnny Mike (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank the member for that question about sealing issues.
We follow the invitation list and we are just one of the parties invited to these meetings.
However, with respect to sealing issues, we are involved in various areas.
The groups invited to meetings include this government and we are treated just like any invited group. It is also noticeable that discussions around sealing occurred in Ottawa just this month.
I was invited to that meeting and that is how it was set up.
Can the minister explain how an event such as the Sealing Day on the Hill will improve the presence of Nunavut’s sealing industry in the European Union and around the world?
Yes, indeed, due to the changes in governments, the circumstances may change a bit, but it usually involves the same groups in sealing and the commercial sale of sealskins, where they feel it is acceptable.
The groups are generally the same ones.
With respect to how we can disseminate this information globally to understand our reasoning for sealing, now in Brussels, the past minister of DFO, Hunter Tootoo, was with me when we attended meetings.
The way it is set up now, including past delegations, Nunatsiavut, Nunavik, Nunavut, and the other regions that deliberate on sealing issues are provided public exposure.
However, it rarely changes in terms of optics.
What I can state now is that when we got together at the event, there were many representatives at the Ottawa meeting. The event was at Parliament Hill and included MPs and the Speaker of the House. It included senators, such as Senator Dennis Patterson and others.
Yes, perhaps due to the new government in Ottawa, more MPs were present at this meeting than in years past.
It seems like a lot of people were, indeed, interested in attending the event.
Can the minister indicate if his department is currently planning any specific events to promote Nunavut’s sealing industry in the near future?
Yes, the Nunatsiavut government in Labrador will be hosting another event and we have been included in the planning for the event.
Further, the important aspects used in Nunavut revolving around sealing are presented and they do travel to the communities to deliver presentations on sealing. We are trying to promote the seal hunters in Nunavut and people who sell sealskins by providing assistance to them in order to sell their skins in Nunavut as well as in Canada, particularly across the ocean in Europe where we hope to sell sealskins.
Another matter which I feel has the most impact outside of Nunavut is the (interpretation ends) Northern Lights (interpretation) Trade Show in Ottawa that occurs in the winter.
Yes, we are trying to utilize all avenues wherever we can promote sustainable sealing.
Members, the time for question period has expired. Going to the orders of the day.
Committee Report 012 – 4(3): Report of the Striking Committee on Revisions to the Structure and Terms of Reference for the Committees of the Fourth Legislative Assembly of Nunavut (Joanasie)
I have the honour today of presenting the Report of the Striking Committee on Revisions to the Structure and Terms of Reference for the Standing Committees of the Fourth Legislative Assembly of Nunavut.
Rule 83 of the Rules of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut requires that a Striking Committee be established to report and recommend to the House, with all convenient speed, the membership of the standing committees of the Legislative Assembly.
As members will also recall, the first report of the Striking Committee was received and adopted by the House at its sitting of March 6, 2014.
The present committee structure of the current Assembly was established at that time.
The consideration of proposed legislation;
The scrutiny of main estimates, capital estimates, and business plans;
The holding of televised hearings on the annual reports of independent officers of the Legislative Assembly and other entities; and
The work of standing committees allows for significant public and stakeholder input into the development of new legislation.  *See Appendix for full text of Committee Report 12 – 4(3).
The televised hearings that are held on the annual reports of independent officers of the Legislative Assembly and other entities serve to enhance government transparency and accountability.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, for the benefit of the permanent public record and Nunavummiut who are following our televised proceedings today, I wish to take this opportunity to review the mandate and structure of each of the Legislative Assembly’s standing committees.
As my colleagues will recall, the Regular Members’ Caucus of the Legislative Assembly determined, in the interest of stability and consistency at the beginning of our term of office, that the standing committee structure which was in place at the time of dissolution of the Third Legislative Assembly should be maintained.
As we approach the final year of this legislature’s term, members have determined that it is now the time to modify the structure.
Members anticipate evaluating the success of this structure at the end of our mandate and making recommendations for the consideration of the incoming Members of the Fifth Legislative Assembly.
Mr. Speaker, the current mandate and membership of the Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and Privileges will remain unchanged, as will the current mandate and membership of the Standing Committee on Legislation and the Striking Committee itself.
The most significant change to the structure is the establishment of a new Standing Committee on Government Estimates and Operations, which will consist of all regular members.
The mandate of this standing committee is to consider the main estimates, capital estimates, and business plans of all of the government’s departments, in addition to the Nunavut Housing Corporation and Nunavut Arctic College.
The establishment of this committee will enhance the level of scrutiny of the government’s expenditures and activities.
Mr. Speaker, the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, Independent Officers and Other Entities will be responsible for considering the public accounts and reports of the Auditor General and other independent officers of the Legislative Assembly.
It will also have oversight responsibility for a number of Crown agencies, territorial corporations, and other entities, including the Nunavut Business Credit Corporation, the Nunavut Development Corporation, the Qulliq Energy Corporation, the Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission, the Human Rights Tribunal, the Inuit Uqausinginnik Taiguusiliuqtiit, the Legal Services Board, the Liquor Licensing Board, the Qulliit Nunavut Status of Women Council, the Utility Rates Review Council, and the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Katimajiit.
Mr. Speaker, this standing committee will also consist of regular MLAs.
I would like to take a moment to note for the record that a number of very successful televised hearings have been held during the current Assembly on the annual reports and business plans of a number of the entities that I just listed.
Mr. Speaker, that concludes the report of the Striking Committee.
Consequently, I move that it be received and adopted by the House and that the Terms of Reference for the Standing Committees of the 4th Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, which is attached to this report as an appendix, be deemed to have come into effect as of this date.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Do members agree that the report of the Striking Committee be received and adopted by the House?