EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
As well, the department continues to offer to the asset holders in the form of operational training and client case management in the area of career development. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The Department of Education is involved in the development of a new adult mature graduation diploma.
Will this program be delivered through online distance education, through community learning centres, or both?
This matter related to the (interpretation ends) mature high school graduation diploma (interpretation) is actually the (interpretation ends) Nunavut Adult High School Diploma.
The department is currently working towards staffing a position dedicated to the mature high school graduation, and I’m providing this for background information for the member, which has been renamed to the Nunavut Adult High School Diploma.
The position that is dedicated to this project was approved last summer and as part of the creation of the Career Development Services Division following recommendations outlined in the Nunavut Adult Learning Strategy.
Again, Nunavut Arctic College is working closely with the Department of Education and other stakeholders to develop options for review in the spring of this year.
In terms of the actual method of adult learning, I will have to get back to the member whether online learning opportunities will indeed be part of the learning program.
Will the minister make a strong commitment to working with her counterpart, the Minister responsible for Nunavut Arctic College, to ensure that all adult learners who are trying to improve their education and career prospects have the necessary support in place and will not be hampered by a lack of coordination between her department and Nunavut Arctic College?
Absolutely, as this is an extremely important matter. A committee has already been struck to look at these issues and is collaborating on dealing with matters related to the adult learning positions and plans for filling.
Yes, the officials from Nunavut Arctic College and the Department of Education are indeed collaborating as this is a matter of high importance.
Question 285 – 3(3): Status of Collective Bargaining (Ell)
Ms. Ell (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) My question is to the Minister of Human Resources.
As you all know, last week, members of the Nunavut Employees Union held a demonstration outside of this building to express their concerns regarding the current round of collective bargaining with the government.
According to information from the union, mediation between the union and the government has now reached an impasse.
Can the minister advise the House if we will be in a strike or lock-out situation in the near future?
We are still in mediation, even though the mediation has stopped, and until we get the mediator’s report, there’s still mediation going on and I can’t comment on any other details on it at this moment.
Your second… first supplementary, Ms. Ell.
Ms. Ell (interpretation): I think our Speaker has forgotten to count.
The union has released publicly their position, both in digital and printed formats, that it has proposed a three-year contract… .
I’ll read it in English. (interpretation ends) The union has publicly stated that it has proposed a three-year settlement of 3.25 percent per year.
The union has also publicly stated that the government is offering 1 percent, 1 percent, 2 percent, and 2.75 percent over four years.
Can the minister confirm if these numbers are accurate?
These are figures from the union, not from the government.
This time it is your second supplementary, Ms. Ell.
Ms. Ell (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I believe that we all support a collective agreement that is both fair to our hard-working frontline employees and affordable to taxpayers and the government.
Can the minister give us an estimate of what the total cost to the government would be under the two different proposals that I just described?
No, I cannot comment on that at the present time.
I thank the minister. (interpretation ends) The union has also publicly stated that the government’s offer proposes to freeze Nunavut Northern Allowance rates at their 2010 levels.
Can the minister explain the government’s position on this issue?
Minister of Human Resources, Minister Schell.
No, I can’t comment on it because it’s still in negotiations.
Question 286 – 3(3): Contract for Optometrist Services in Pangnirtung (Oshutapik)
Good afternoon, my fellow residents of Pangnirtung.
I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Health and Social Services. My question today is related to my previous question from last week.
I wanted to ask whether or not the services that optometrists provide are governed by contracts. That is my question and the minister can reply if he has that information.
Hon. Keith Peterson: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank Mr. Oshutapik for the question.
Yes, Mr. Speaker, I believe it’s a specialist service and they are contracted out.
Mr. Oshutapik (interpretation): I thank the minister for his response.
The reasoning behind this question relates to Inuit in the communities. Most of us know people who need to wear glasses to correct their vision and I am one of them.
I also need bifocal lenses and I sometimes even need to wear reading glasses.
In my community, the optometrists only seem to come in once a year, although the majority of the population requires corrective lenses. By the time they arrive, the appointments are already fully booked. Some of the residents find out belatedly and a backlog of people then queues up.
Some residents miss out and it can lead to a longer wait in between eye checkups. Several people have surpassed the two-year checkup requirement and their glasses are no longer correcting their vision, but because our prescription has not been updated, we just get the old prescription.
It would be even more beneficial if this service is indeed governed by a contract to encourage their contractors to remain in the community until they complete their appointments or, alternatively, to ensure that there is advance notice of their pending arrival into the community.
Can the minister look into this matter and task his officials to check on this?
I thank Mr. Oshutapik for the question. Mr. Speaker, it seems like a common sense question.
I’ll ask my officials to follow up on it and talk to the contractors.
I think the contractor does the testing and then there are contractors who provide the glasses, but we will look into it.
When you have limited access, you can really see the need as this provides benefits to the way we lead our lives because people need their vision to lead their lives productively. Additionally, it is especially more important in the springtime, when we need to wear our glasses while we’re out on the land as we enjoy the scenery, at least some of us are out there.
I thank the minister for his response. I would like to ask the minister if he has a timeline as to when we can see an enhancement in the services provided and I am asking on behalf of my constituents. When can we expect to see changes in this service or in the number of visits to the community?
I thank Mr. Oshutapik again for his question. I appreciate his concern for his constituents. Yes, of course, eyesight is very important to all of us, not only when you’re on the land but also when children are in school and when we’re in our workplaces and driving.
I can’t give a timeline, but my officials are probably watching us as we debate and they will look into it. I can give him some information at a future date that he can share with his constituents.
Question 287 – 3(3): Definition of Tamapta and Self-reliance (Ningark)
I would like to direct my question to our Hon. Premier (interpretation ends) of this government. (interpretation) How do you define Tamapta and self-reliance as a government and as our Premier?
Tamapta, to me, means collaborating towards our eventual self-reliance.
We started calling the mission statement Tamapta when we had a retreat in Cape Dorset to identify our objectives and missions.
We named our goals as Tamapta and tried to have a good definition because it means that we cannot work alone as a government.
All of us have to work together. Tamapta means working together, including the Inuit organizations and the federal government.
It is important to work together and that’s why we re-titled it Tamapta.
We are all trying to work together.
It really means that collaboration is the most important aspect when we’re trying to achieve or strive for our objectives that we need.
Also, on the self-reliance issue, to practice self-reliance, whether it is through communities, within Nunavut, and I can cite this example.
If we talk about economic development, it can mean different things to different people. The different types of economic development, whether it is non-renewable, such as mining, or renewable as in the land’s resources that can be utilized commercially, all of these activities develop capacity, both as individuals and as a government, so that our government can conduct its operations without so much federal assistance. We have to strengthen our capabilities so that we become more self-reliant as a territory here in Nunavut.
That is why, in this field, the meaning is different to various sectors.
We talk about our capabilities, and I tend to speak about our forefathers, who survived in this harsh land without the aid of any government and they were completely self-sufficient and self-reliant.
This capability is still inherent in Inuit and is held close to our hearts and in our lives.
However, we have no choice but to live in our current modern lifestyles, but we can still utilize that capability.
Mr. Ningark (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to thank the Premier for her explanation for completing my comprehension of this matter.
Self-reliance is important, whether we are practising it in our lives, community, and government here in Nunavut, and further our communities, whether they are smaller or larger.
Communities have been recognized as separate local governments.
This recognition of their authority in light of Tamapta and the issue of self-reliance, including self-governance, should be utilized to allow the smaller communities to empower their community health committees via their hamlets.
In this case, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.  If communities are healthier, then they become more self-reliant.
Furthermore, if we look at it when people are healthier, they are able to look for employment and they are able to go hunting more often to obtain their sustenance from the land.
I believe that this government could provide more authority to the communities in light of our Tamapta Mandate and the meaning of self-reliance.
The local community health committees would be better utilized and could provide a much better service with more authority. Does the Premier agree with this concept?
I thank my colleague for raising that issue and in speaking of the matter of self-reliance.
This is indeed part of the work towards self-reliance, especially within our communities.
These committees, when struck, can determine their priorities and they can brainstorm as to further capabilities that they can look at to meet their challenges, especially in trying to look at dealing with their local issues.
To use this example, the policy exists within EIA that is specific towards enhancing self-reliance and perhaps to state the term in English for everyone’s benefit and our interpreters, it is community empowerment.
Since a policy already exists for this issue, they can also use this to research ways to enhance their authority.
I also thank our (interpretation ends) Hon. Premier. (interpretation) Since she spoke of community empowerment, which was what I was going to speak to next, I understand it better.
If we utilized this community empowerment policy, then we can provide more authority to the community health committees to deal with health issues since it can be very difficult to ask health-related questions in this legislature and to get specific answers, especially since we want to assist our constituents who have to go on medical travel or who have experienced difficulties with health services.
At this time, Mr. Speaker, it is very difficult to properly deal with health issues as the regional health boards are no longer part of our health system.
The local committees have the ability to deliberate on their priorities, what services they can provide, and what they wish to accomplish in their community.
They can also request assistance from the Department of Health and Social Services to look at what they can do in order to be able to provide more services or to be a liaison body.
What I can state is that the committee members have to carefully deliberate on how to meet their challenges and try to negotiate changes with Department of Health and Social Services officials.
Mr. Ningark (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) Final supplementary, Mr. Speaker, (interpretation) the minister stated that it would have to be negotiated between the local government and the Department of Health and Social Services.
At this time, can the Premier state that her office and the Department of Health and Social Services, especially in the case of Repulse Bay and Kugaaruk and perhaps the other communities, can commence negotiations?
Let the government initiate this and start this process to empower the communities.
The communities have the right to ask questions about areas that they would like to empower.
Question 288 – 3(3): Role of GLO in Applying for Firearms Licence (Elliott)
My questions are for the Minister of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs and are regarding the Minister’s Statement that she read earlier today.
My questions are specifically around the responsibility of the GLO.
In her Minister’s Statement, she said, “This conference allowed our GLOs to meet with GN staff to learn more about our government. They also spent time with Service Canada learning how to assist with many of the federal programs that all Canadians are entitled to.”
Recently, I think we are all happy with the decision of the federal government in regard to the long gun registry, but recently I’ve had a number of individuals come to me and constituents asking about renewing their firearms acquisition certificate.
In going to speak to the MLO and GLO, they were not sure whose responsibility it was.
If their FAC runs out, they are not even eligible to purchase bullets because they are required to have the FAC to purchase them.
Is it the responsibility of the GLO to help in assisting to fill out the application form for a firearms acquisition certificate?
Yes, there are all kinds of services that the GLO and MLO can provide to our residents.
One of the requirements is that the GLOs have to be bilingual, in Inuktitut and English, in order to better assist the residents of their communities, such as translating a document that may only be in English. They have to be able to provide assistance.
Let’s say that a hunter cannot be assisted by the HTO. The GLOs can assist with any forms that they need to fill out or translating printed materials for clients.
One of the huge stumbling blocks is the requirement to have a photograph.
I think this translates over both into the FAC, or the firearms acquisition certificate, and getting a passport.
I’m just wondering: is this a responsibility of the government liaison officer? Will they have the cameras to be able to take the photographs?
I’m not really sure whether they’re going to be able to take photographs. It doesn’t state that in their job description and I’m not sure whether they will be taking pictures for such things as licences, FACs, and whatnot. However, we want to hear from the communities as to what kinds of equipment they require to fulfill the duties that some of the GLOs have to do and we are open to any recommendations to improve the identification process requiring photographs.
GLOs give out information from the community to the government and give services to the public. We would like to hear all the services they would like to help with as much as they want to do.
We want them to give better services to the people of the communities.
We would like to be able to have them give us information about what’s happening in the communities as well.
In the past, it was the MLOs, or the municipal liaison officers, who had the cameras.
I remember announcements being made and cameras being sent to municipal liaison officers to allow them to take photographs for passports, driver’s licences, and the firearms acquisition certificate.
There was a lot of discussion and debate over the last two years in not duplicating programs and having the MLO’s responsibility and the GLO’s responsibility determined as to who is responsible for what.
Is it the MLO’s responsibility to take the photographs?
With respect to MLOs and GLOs, I currently don’t have a copy of their job descriptions, but I can get back to the member with further information as to who exactly provides photography services in the communities.
Do you have another supplementary question, Mr. Elliott?
Okay. The clock has indicated the expiration of the time allotted for oral questions.
We will move on in our orders of the day. Item 7.
Written Question 014 – 3(3): Suicide Prevention Activities (Elliott)
The issue of suicide continues to plague our communities and territory.
It is important that we continue to find ways to address this issue, from voicing our views to accessing training in prevention activities.
We must all work towards embracing life.
My written question relates to suicide prevention activities conducted by the Department of Education.
On October 21, 2010, the Coalition of Nunavut DEAs passed Resolution A10-21-07: Suicide Alertness and Intervention Training. The resolution stated:
BE IT RESOLVED that the Nunavut Coalition of DEAs urges the Department  of Education as a matter of the highest priority to make suicide alertness and intervention training available to all staff in Nunavut schools who wish to take it, as soon as possible and on an ongoing basis.
As of February 29, 2012, what actions have been taken by the Department of Education to follow up on the Coalition of Nunavut DEAs’ Resolution A10-21-07?
As of February 29, 2012, how many Nunavut teachers and support staff have been trained in suicide alertness and intervention training?
As of February 29, 2012, broken down by grade, school, and community, how many suicide alertness and intervention training programs have been delivered in Nunavut?
As of February 29, 2012, how many Nunavut teachers and support staff have been trained as trainers in suicide alertness and intervention training?
As of February 29, 2012, how many Nunavut students have been trained in suicide alertness and intervention training?
As of February 29, 2012, what steps has the Department of Education taken to establish a business case and budget for the development of a plan of delivery to act on the Coalition of Nunavut DEAs’ Resolution A10-21-07?
The member is requesting that his written question be entered into the record as read.
Do members agree?  Some Members: Agreed.
Speaker: It shall be so that the written question is entered into the record as read.
Tabled Document 157 – 3(3): Letters from Pond Inlet Youth on the Issue of Suicide (Enook)
I say “good afternoon” to the people of Pond Inlet and my fellow Nunavummiut.
Mr. Speaker, I wish to table a series of letters from the grade 11 class of the Nasivvik High School in Pond Inlet.
Mr. Speaker, these youth feel passionately about the issue of suicide, how it affects them, and how they feel it could be addressed.
As an MLA, I speak on behalf of my constituents, but sometimes it is even more important to let the voices of my constituents be heard directly in their own words.
These letters describe what these young people know and feel about suicide.
It is an issue that affects us all.
Tabled Document 158 – 3(3): 2010-2011 Annual Report of the Nunavut Public Library Services (Arreak)
I am pleased to table the Nunavut Public Library Services Annual Report for 2010-11.
Tabled Document 159 – 3(3): Exchange of Emails Concerning RFP Process for Medical Travel (Curley)
I wish to table today a copy of an exchange of emails between senior officials of the Department of Health and Social Services and the Department of Community and Government Services concerning the contracting process for medical travel.
Bill 25 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 6, 2010-2011 – First Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Rankin Inlet South and Whale Cove, that Bill 25, Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, No. 6, 2010-2011, be read for the first time.
The motion is carried and Bill 25 has had first reading.
Bill 26 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 3, 2011-2012 – First Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Rankin Inlet South and Whale Cove, that Bill 26, Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, No. 3, 2011-2012, be read for the first time.
Bill 27 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 1, 2012-2013 – First Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Rankin Inlet South and Whale Cove, that Bill 27, Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 1, 2012-2013, be read for the first time.
Bill 28 – Write-off of Assets Act, 2011-2012 – First Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Rankin Inlet South and Whale Cove, that Bill 28, Write-off of Assets Act, 2011-2012, be read for the first time.
Minister Peterson, Minister of Finance.
Bill 29 – Write-off of Assets Act, No. 1, 2010-2011 – First Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Rankin Inlet South and Whale Cove, that Bill 29, Write-off of Assets Act, No. 1, 2010-2011, be read for the first time.
Bill 30 – Building Code Act – First Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Rankin Inlet South and…
…seconded by the Hon. Member for Cambridge Bay, that Bill 30, Building Code Act, be read for the first time.
Bill 31 – An Act to Amend the Consumer Protection Act – First Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Cambridge Bay, that Bill 31, An Act to Amend the Consumer Protection Act, be read for the first time.
Bill 32 – An Act to Amend the Legal Services Act – First Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Rankin Inlet South and Whale Cove, that Bill 32, An Act to Amend the Legal Services Act, be read for the first time.
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Rankin Inlet South and Whale Cove, that Bill 33, An Act to Amend the Labour Standards Act, be read for the first time.
The motion is carried and Bill 33 has been read for the first time.
Bill 25 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 6, 2010-2011 – Second Reading
Hon. Keith Peterson: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Rankin Inlet South and Whale Cove, that Bill 25, Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, No. 6, 2010-2011, be read for the second time.
The motion is carried and Bill 25 is referred to the Committee of the Whole.
Bill 26 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 3, 2011-2012 – Second Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Rankin Inlet South and Whale Cove, that Bill 26, Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, No. 3, 2011-2012, be read for the second time.
The motion is carried and Bill 26 is referred to the Committee of the Whole.
Bill 27 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 1, 2012-2013 – Second Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Rankin Inlet South and Whale Cove, that Bill 27, Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 1, 2012-2013, be read for the second time.
Mr. Speaker, this bill makes supplementary appropriations to defray the capital expenditures of the Government of Nunavut for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2013.
The motion is carried and Bill 27 is referred to the Committee of the Whole.
I request unanimous consent to go back Item 5 in the Orders of the Day.
The member is seeking unanimous consent to go back to Item 5 in the Orders of the Day.