EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
I particularly know it can be very inconvenient for people who have to go through medical travel. When they are trying to get back home, especially in the springtime, the flights are always full and sometimes they have to wait an entire week while trying to get back home because the flights are fully booked.
I understand, but I wish more could be done to improve the situation for my constituents because they are not happy, especially the elders. They end up having to stay at the Tammaativvik Boarding Home.
There must be a way to improve the situation in terms of transportation into and out of the High Arctic.
Hon. Monica Ell (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank the member for his questions about the High Arctic.
For carriers, it is obvious that they are interested in keeping open discussions with us.
We know they also go through hardships and the member can write to the airlines independently to address his concerns because that will help convey the message that there are issues that need to be addressed.
We will continue to address issues with the airlines as they are brought to our attention and as they arise.
Question 522 – 4(2): The Need for an Elders Care Facility in Rankin Inlet (Sammurtok)
Mr. Speaker, on May 26, 2015, the government provided a response to a petition from the community of Rankin Inlet for an elders care facility.
I would like to thank the government for its response, which simply indicated that a long-term care needs assessment would be undertaken.
Can the minister provide an update on when he anticipates the long-term care needs assessment will be finalized?
This is under review and the work is ongoing.
I can’t say right now when it will be finalized, but it’s being assessed properly.
As I indicated in my Member’s Statement, the statistics, the demands, and the number of Rankin Inlet elders who are already placed in elders care facilities should already prove that there is a need for an elders care facility in Rankin Inlet.
Can the minister clearly explain why another needs assessment is being conducted instead of getting right through to determine where to build Rankin Inlet’s new elders care facility?
Yes, it would be good if we could address all of our needs, but we can only do so much.
We will have to see how the facility will operate and how much staff it will need.
We have to look into all of these things first.
It’s going to be an expensive matter, so we have to set it up properly so that it can operate well into the future.
I appreciate that Rankin Inlet is not only community which urgently needs long-term care solutions.
Will the minister commit to tabling the long-term care needs assessment during the 2015 fall session?
Although I can’t say when the assessment will be completed, I’ll be able to table it in the House when it’s done.
Question 523 – 4(2): Status of Standing Offer Agreement for Government of Nunavut Medical and Duty Travel (Enook)
My fellow residents of Pond Inlet and Nunavummiut, good morning.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask my question to the Minister of Health.
On March 3, I asked the minister a number of questions concerning the government’s administration of its contracts for medical and duty travel.
At that time, the Assembly was informed that the current contract will expire on August 31, which is just three months from now.
I would like to ask the minister: as we were notified that Canadian North and First Air have signed an agreement, I would like to ask the minister: how will this affect the government’s agreements about medical travel?
To date, we have been saving $15 million a year.
We will be extending our contract after looking into it properly. If we try to create a new agreement, it will just cost more. We spoke to the airlines and decided that we will extend their contract.
Do I understand that the minister is saying that the agreement was going to lapse in August, but they have extended it for another year? This co-sharing agreement will be extended for another year.
At the time, I was asking a question. As the minister will recall, there has been ongoing confusion about which department of the government is responsible for administering the duty travel contract.
Earlier this year, the Legislative Assembly was informed by the Department of Community and Government Services that it is actually the Department of Health which is responsible for administering both the medical and duty travel elements of the contract.
Can the minister clarify this matter once and for all as to who is responsible for administering that?
I can respond by saying that the Department of Health deals with the daily operations of medical travel with dedicated staff.
We have an agreement with the airlines to cover both the medical and duty travel. We have the same airline, but according to my knowledge, each department has their own responsibilities for duty travel.
Question 524 – 4(2): Review of Extended Health Benefits Policy (Angnakak)
My question today is for the Minister of… . I have the wrong paper.
Bear with me one minute. It’s hiding.
Mr. Speaker, according to the Department of Health’s 2015-18 business plan, a new extended health benefits policy was to have been completed by March 31, 2015.
Can the minister provide an update on the status of the review and the revision of the Extended Health Benefits Policy and clearly describe what changes or enhancements will be available under the newly revised policy?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) From what I understand, that review is still being undertaken and the goal is to have a new policy by March 31 of 2016. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I thought maybe I would ask that and check to see how things are coming along with it.
Mr. Speaker, information provided in response to my written question about this program almost one year ago indicated that close to 400 Nunavut residents were active members under the Extended Health Benefits Program.
Can the minister clarify whether any of these active members of the Extended Health Benefits Program were consulted during his department’s review of the policy and, if not, then who was actually consulted on the review of the policy?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) As I mentioned in my reply, this policy is still being reviewed, so it’s not complete.
I hope that we will be able to have an exhaustive policy for all concerned by March 31 of next year. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I would have thought that the staff would have told him in his briefing how things are coming along with this and perhaps given him some ideas of who they have been speaking with.
Mr. Speaker, my last question then will be: once this policy is developed, would he commit to tabling the policy in the House?
Motion 025 – 4(2): Extension of Question Period (Mikkungwak)
(interpretation ends) Pursuant to Rule 39(7), I move, seconded by the Member for Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu, that the time allotted for oral questions be extended.
The motion is carried and question period is extended for an additional 30 minutes.
Question 525 – 4(2): Support for People with Disabilities (Mikkungwak)
Mr. Speaker, I am very appreciative of the measures that can be taken to help improve the comfort and lifespan of people with long-term health conditions and disabilities.
However, it seems that with one step forward, we often face a new unanticipated setback.
For example, some individuals need additional oxygen to help them breathe and stay alive, and they can now have the oxygen tanks in their homes.
However, operating the oxygen tanks leads to a huge increase in their power costs which they cannot afford.
Can the minister clarify what financial support is available to individuals with long-term health conditions or disabilities who need to operate expensive machinery to stay alive?
I would like to look into how it becomes expensive.
I will look into it and provide a response because I can’t provide a response at this time in regard to the question of people having to use oxygen tanks in their homes.
It does not seem right that individuals should face increasing financial burdens just so that they can stay alive.
Can the minister clarify how his department evaluates the needs and resources available to individuals with long-term health conditions or disabilities?
For any patient that goes to the clinics, they have to review the patient’s needs and if they need support, whether the patient requires support from the doctors and nurses, they provide a plan.
Therefore, I need to look into how this was planned. I need to look into this and provide a response.
Mr. Mikkungwak (interpretation): Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) To make matters worse for individuals with long-term health conditions or disabilities who require expensive equipment to keep them alive, the cost of the power to operate these machines recently increased.
Will the minister commit to working with his counterparts at the Qulliq Energy Corporation to look into subsidies for the power costs of individuals with long-term health conditions or disabilities?
As I stated, I want to look into the details in regard to how we can provide the support required for the patient.
Question 526 – 4(2): Government of Nunavut Program Review (Hickes)
Last year, there was an RFP that came out to review all the programs and services from across the government to identify what’s happening to either improve or eliminate some of the programs that are not beneficial to both the government and the people of Nunavut.
Earlier in my discussions with the Minister of Finance, we all recognized that we need to accomplish a lot with the limited funds we have.
I would like to get an update from the Premier on the status of the program review.
Mr. Speaker, I did make a ministerial statement on that yesterday to update all the members and the House, including the Nunavut public, on where we stand with the operational audit.
I attended an event with the Minister of Justice yesterday and I neglected to follow up with that ministerial statement.
If the Premier could maybe just give me an anticipated deadline of when that review will be concluded.
As I indicated, we are hoping that we could complete the first phase of the audit by the fall. Continuing on, as I indicated, there are 258 programs that we’ve got to look at, including the 68 corporate programs.
I have indicated that it’s a huge task and we want to complete the first phase by the fall time.
Mr. Joanasie (interpretation): The minister I would like to question is not at his seat.
Mr. Speaker, I’ll allow another member to ask a question.
The minister I would like to question is also not at his seat.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Sammurtok.
Question 527 – 4(2): Seafood Expo North America (Savikataaq)
Yesterday, he tabled the ministerial trip report to Boston there and earlier today, the finance minister talked about value for our money when he was answering one of the questions. I would just like to question the minister on the value for the money on this trip.
According to his tabled document, it took five people for this report and it appears that he had a one-hour meeting with the DFO minister. There were also no Nunavut exhibitors at the event.
I just want to know the reasoning for the trip.
Regarding that trip, it’s an annual event where the Nunavut government officials attend the show in Boston.
At that time, it was approximately for an hour that I had a meeting with the minister, but we attend because it is regarding fisheries and there’s networking with the people involved.
We attend the show in Boston so that we can showcase Nunavut and what we do regarding fisheries.
We have private companies that do fishing up here. We attend to showcase our industry and Nunavut. There are also other meetings held and networking at that time.
As noted, he stated earlier that there were no Nunavut exhibitors. Does his department have any plans to maybe put a Nunavut exhibitor on there to promote fisheries and the products of Nunavut?
Yes, we did have a booth in later years and I don’t know why they stopped having their display.
I will look into it and while we’re on this subject, he was concerned about Nunavut not having a display or a booth.
We will look into it and see what we can do and find out why they stopped having a booth at the Boston expo.
Question 528 – 4(2): Status of Piqqusilirivvik (Keyootak)
I would first like to ask my question to the Minister of Education.
We know there is a school in Nunavut called Piqqusilirivvik, which is dedicated to teaching our culture.
Can the minister tell us whether Piqqusilirivvik is fully staffed?
I thank the member for that question and I welcome him to Iqaluit.
At Piqqusilirivvik, the staffing positions are filled this year and we had about 25 students.
Yes, as far as I know, the teaching positions are all filled.
I was in Clyde River for a constituency visit and went for a visit to the school. Not all staffing positions were filled.
The manager of the facility needs more assistance and said he could use more employees.
Can the minister tell us if he is aware that they need more employees at the higher administrative levels of Piqqusilirivvik?
Thank you to the member for the question.
I’m saying that this year, we’ve had 25 students and they had the appropriate number of teachers, but in terms of the Piqqusilirivvik manager, I have not heard about this issue.
I do know that the teaching component is well set and the 25 students did go through all their learning requirements.
I, too, was recently in Clyde River and visited the school. This issue was not brought up to me.
I’m hearing this for the first time and we will check into this and get back to the member.
Can the minister tell us if Piqqusilirivvik will run on its own or if it will be run under the adult education program or whether you have thought it might be run as its own category?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, (interpretation ends) The Hon. Minister for Education, Mr. Quassa.
To date and since it was moved, it is part of Nunavut Arctic College and there has been no change to date.
Question 529 – 4(2): Baffin Island Caribou Moratorium (Shooyook)
Mr. Speaker, the minister made an announcement earlier this year about the moratorium on caribou harvesting.
What is happening with that situation?
Regarding caribou on Baffin Island, we will have to do a count of the polar bear population.
They are currently underway and the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board is also making decisions on the harvesting of caribou.
They have held hearings in the communities, but we haven’t received any correspondence yet. NWMB held hearings and once that’s completed, our department will be notified and at that time, we will decide on the Baffin Island caribou. I’ll be able to make an announcement then.
Mr. Shooyook (interpretation): I thank the minister for that information.
Mr. Speaker, as was mentioned, when you said that there’s going to be a population count, does that mean that the review is not completed yet?
You indicated earlier that you would make an announcement some time in June of this year.
Have the survey and the population count not been completed to date?
Yes, it’s not completed yet. We haven’t had any correspondence from the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board on the Baffin Island caribou.
We’re just waiting patiently to date.
I’m referring to the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board holding hearings in the Baffin communities.
Once we have that information, we will make an announcement, but under my department, we are looking at doing a population count. NTI and NWMB will have to finalize their report.
We will get back to you. Once we have that information, I’ll be sure to do a follow-up.
I would like further clarification from the minister about the caribou survey. I look forward to having that moratorium lifted some time in the future or next year.
Is that going to be the goal of your department regarding harvesting of caribou on Baffin Island?
Can the minister assure us that he will make an announcement some time in the future or in the fall about the lifting of the moratorium on caribou harvesting?
NWMB held hearings in March of this year. After the conclusion of the hearing and once the NWMB board of directors have concluded their report and made a decision, they will make a recommendation to me as the Minister of Environment. They will make recommendations to our department.
I know that I’m the minister responsible for this issue, but there are agreements that we have to follow. I will have to receive a report and the recommendation from NWMB before making the final decision as the Minister of Environment.
Once I have the information, it will be up to this government to make a final decision on how we will proceed with the Baffin Island caribou.
Question 530 – 4(2): Support for People with Limited Mobility (Sammurtok)
Mr. Speaker, I am confident that the minister will recall that on March 5, 2015, I asked him about the transportation support for individuals with limited mobility for Rankin Inlet.
The minister replied that he would look into this issue further and see where his department stands on this.
Over the last three months, I’m sure that the minister has had an opportunity to look into this issue, and I would like to ask him to provide an update on where his department stands on this issue.
We have looked into how it would be the best to service each community in regard to people with disabilities in each of the communities in Nunavut.
As I mentioned in March, there’s a handicap van in the community of Rankin Inlet which could be used to transport individuals with limited mobility. At that time, the minister indicated that he would look into the availability of the van and pass on the information. I have not received any information from the minister to date.
I would like to ask if he is prepared to pass on the information to me now.
Local transportation services will be discussed.
The federal government’s agreement is expiring soon.
I think we will have to come up with a new agreement next year and I’m sure there will be discussions on local transportation services.
Mr. Sammurtok: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In March, I asked the minister to commit to setting up a contract or MUI with the appropriate agents to provide transportation to those with limited mobility.
Can the minister provide an update on whether he has a commitment or is willing to commit to making the necessary arrangements for transportation services in Rankin Inlet?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As we are the government for all of Nunavut, we have to treat all the communities equally and we have to carefully go through them if we will be setting up new transportation for the handicap.
We are looking at of how it would be the best to set a new system.
It is still in the process at this time.
Question 531 – 4(2): Nunavut Suicide Prevention Strategy (Joanasie)
I would also like to direct my question to the Minister of Health.
Mr. Speaker, we had the highest numbers of suicide in 2013, a shambled signal of the state of our society in Nunavut.
I hope that the number has stopped since.
Can the minister tell us how many Nunavummiut have died in the 2014 calendar year with the cause of death classified as suicide?
Yes, we all know that the suicide rate is very high here and we are still working on this issue and this will be because it is a very difficult issue. As I said, there will be a coroner’s inquest, but to date in 2015, there are 16 individuals who have taken their own lives.
That’s the response I can provide at this time.
The 2014 numbers should not be forgotten, so I will want to find out how many there were.
I would like to ask the minister what the Nunavut Task Force on Suicide Prevention and its partner organization have been doing to help address the alarming issue of suicide in our territory.
I was looking through the information and last year in 2014, 27 individuals took their own lives.
The Embrace Life Council is not within the government and they operate on their own, so I can’t respond immediately.
I will have to find out what they have been doing and their staff and director are working on it right now, from what I know.
I can’t answer that question right now.
I thank the minister for providing those numbers.
Mr. Speaker, ASIST training can play an important role in preparing people to recognize the signs of suicidal behaviour and to provide support to individuals who are suffering from suicidal thoughts.
However, our society would also benefit from programs which encourage people to develop self-confidence, self-esteem, and the ability to deal with emotional trauma.
Can the minister clarify what programs are available to promote and support healthy emotional development and mental well-being?
We know that the issue of suicide will not go away and we will keep pressing to address it.
Just recently in March here in Iqaluit, we held a major conference with respect to mental health.
A number of experts facilitated the conference and I am still awaiting their report. Their work is of great value even as we await their report.
I wish to express my gratitude to my colleagues once again for agreeing to allow our mental health professionals to participate in the conference and play a very large role there.
We will continue to seek solutions and offer more programs to the homes of those in need of mental health intervention.
We are also in the middle of planning another meeting in Rankin Inlet to continue spreading the word to the outside world.
My colleagues, I would like to inform you that the time for question period has expired.
Hon Minister of Environment, Mr. Mike.
Tabled Document 156 – 4(2): 2015 Report of Annual Activities under the Environmental Protection Act (Mike)
Tabled Document 157 – 4(2): F/P/T Ministerial Report on United Nations’ Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of the Parties of COP20 in Lima, Peru, December 1 to 12, 2014 (Mike)
I am pleased to table the 2015 Report of Annual Activities under the Environmental Protection Act and the F/P/T Ministerial Report on United Nations’ Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of the Parties of COP20 in Lima, Peru, December 1 to 12, 2014.
The Hon. Minister of Economic Development and Transportation, Ms. Ell.
Tabled Document 158 – 4(2): Nunavut Business Credit Corporation’s 2012-2014 Procurement and Leasing Report (Ell)
I am pleased to table the Nunavut Business Credit Corporation’s 2012-14 Procurement and Leasing Report.
Members are welcome to attend a round-table discussion with the visiting parliamentarian from Australia at 1:30 in the Tuktu Boardroom.
Motion 24 – 4(2)
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) This House stands adjourned until Monday, June 1, at 1:30 p.m.
>>House adjourned at 11:00
Monday, June 1, 2015
Pages 2823 – 2869
Opening Prayer 2823
Speaker’s Statement 2823
Ministers’ Statements 2823
Members’ Statements 2825
Returns to Oral Questions 2836
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 2837
Oral Questions 2838
Reports of Standing and Special Committees on Bills and Other Matters* 2861
Tabling of Documents 2865
Motions* 2866
Assent to Bills 2868
Orders of the Day 2868
Monday, June 1, 2015 2823
157 – 4(2): Environment Week 2015 (Mike) 2823
158 – 4(2): 2015 Laura Ulluriaq Gauthier Scholarship (Peterson) 2824
159 – 4(2): Appreciation of Assistance during the Pangnirtung State of Emergency (Mike) 2824
321 – 4(2): Tribute to Iqaluit Dogsledders (Ell) 2826
322 – 4(2): 2015 High School Graduates of Kugluktuk (Taptuna) 2826
323 – 4(2): Concerns about Tammaativvik Boarding Home (Keyootak) 2827
324 – 4(2): Patients Receiving Health Care Outside of Nunavut (Sammurtok) 2828
325 – 4(2): Congratulations to Sanikiluaq’s 2015 Nunavut Sivuniksavut Graduates (Rumbolt) 2828
326 – 4(2): Appreciation for Ministerial Visit (Mikkungwak) 2829
327 – 4(2): The Death of a Young Person in Constituency (Akoak) 2829
328 – 4(2): Congratulations to Athletes from Constituency (Kuksuk) 2829
329 – 4(2): The Death of Sammie Peter (Okalik) 2831
330 – 4(2): Congratulations to Athletes from Pond Inlet (Enook) 2831
331 – 4(2): Tribute to John T. Maurice (Hickes) 2832