EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
We did discuss what has been happening with this issue yesterday, but I would like to ask for more information.
Yes, that question was asked yesterday regarding the collaboration with the non-governmental organizations and whether we have a close working relationship on the issue of poverty reduction.
Mr. Chairman, in our round-table discussions on poverty reduction, we do work together with the stakeholders and various organizations. For example, Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, NGOs, and the private sector provide services at the community level and also create programs and services.
As a government, we collaborate with those organizations. We have round-table discussions on education, for example. We also have discussions on harvesting.
The communities are going to be working together with us, for example, the hunters and trappers organizations. We are looking at ways and means of how we can alleviate the issue of poverty at the community level.
Mr. Joanasie (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) What I’m partly trying to get at with the roundtable or the other stakeholders is: what does their support look like?
Poverty has many facets to it and there are different areas that we look at in terms of trying to address poverty, whether it’s housing, food security, and these types of things.
As an example, are there construction companies or retailers willing to participate?
I know these are big stakeholders that are in the territory. What does their buy-in or support look like in this roundtable?
When we talk about businesses, it’s about small or large companies.
Unfortunately, I haven’t participated in a round-table discussion since assuming this portfolio. Ms. Turner can elaborate further and respond to your question, with your permission, Mr. Chairman.
In terms of business participation in the round-table gatherings, the two main grocery retailers in Nunavut, Arctic Co-Op and North West, are members of the roundtable as well as the Nunavut Chamber of Mines and the Baffin Chamber of Commerce.
In terms of their participation, the grocery retailers provide their information and expertise in terms of the food supply chain management system.
They also pay for their own costs for participation in the round-table gatherings.
Mr. Joanasie: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thanks for that response.
In the report, subsection 2.4 includes a discussion on food security and it describes a number of programs to address the needs in this area.
How have the local retailers been involved in this food subsidy initiative with a view to subsidize the costs of healthy foods? What more can you say about their involvement in this roundtable?
I will read it here and it’s from my department.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Chairman, the role of the Food Security Coalition is to inform how policies and programs can better support food security. The coalition supports community-based initiatives, but does not provide direct food relief.
Coalition projects to date include:
Country food guidelines that make it easy and safe for government-funded facilities and community-based programs to serve country food;
Funding for community-based food security projects;
Core recipes that help Nunavummiut learn skills in choosing and preparing healthy foods within a small budget; and
Making recommendations to the Nutrition North Advisory Board.
(interpretation) I hope I came across clearly regarding food security.
On May 9 of this year, the Nunavut Food Security Coalition announced the participation of Nunavut food banks in the “Every Plate Full Food Drive.”
Can you update us on how successful this initiative has been to date?
I don’t know personally, so I will refer that question to Ms. Turner.
The “Every Plate Full” campaign is a campaign to raise awareness about food insecurity. One of the goals of the Nunavut Food Security Coalition is to support community-based initiatives.
At the Department of Family Services, we often receive phone calls from individuals from the south asking how they can help or how they can make donations.
In this regard, we developed a list of all of the food-based organizations in Nunavut with their contact information and published this as part of the “Every Plate Full” campaign as a resource for increasing resources to community-based food organizations.
The role of food banks is increasingly important in many Nunavut communities as well as communities across Canada.
How are the activities of food banks across Nunavut monitored and evaluated?
Hon. George Kuksuk (interpretation): Mr. Chairman, as the Department of Family Services, we’re not responsible for monitoring food banks. Those organizations run their own fundraising efforts, for example, by holding bingos and raffles in the smaller communities. They usually submit a report which shows the pertinent details of their licence or permit on where and how they will raise funds and what they’re raised for, such as for food.
They do so through bingos, Nevada tickets, or other methods. They submit their own reports to their sponsors. That’s the only response I can provide.
In this media release that was issued from the Nunavut Food Security Coalition on May 9, they did provide the link which shows, broken down by each community, the different food programs and contact information.
My next question is in relation to that.
I looked through the list, and out of all the 25 communities, it looks like there are five communities without a food bank.
Does your Poverty Reduction Division look at that and say how we can provide further support to these communities? Is there a need for a food bank or that sort of thing?
Hon. George Kuksuk (interpretation): Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. I again thank the member.
I don’t have the information on why those communities don’t have a food bank. Perhaps Ms. Turner can explain if and how our department deals with communities that don’t have food banks.
She can fully discuss Family Services’ role in the communities.
Our staff in the communities, including those in Income Assistance, are able to help out in communities that don’t have food banks. Those communities can request assistance about food banks from our staff and office.
This will probably be my final question.
My time is running out, I believe. On page 45 of the report, in subsection 2.5, (interpretation ends) in the annual report, it addresses housing access.
My question is relation to the public housing rent scale that was introduced in February 2014.
To date, are you aware of any specific aspects of the new rent scale which are problematic for low-income tenants?
I’m not able to respond to that question because the paying of rent is also under the responsibility of the housing corporation.
My ministerial colleague who is responsible for the housing corporation can probably respond to that properly.
Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation, (interpretation ends) are you prepared to answer that question?
Hon. George Hickes: Oh, sorry. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I got so used to seeing you in the Speaker’s Chair, Mr. Chairman, earlier this week.
With regard to the rent scale, we haven’t got any complaints or seen any major issues with it.
If anything, it has helped bring some stability to people’s rents, especially for the low-income families so that they know what their rent obligations are.
To answer the member’s question, I’m not aware of any concerns and I haven’t been made aware from the Department of Family Services that have any concerns from the Income Support side of things.
Chairman: Thank you, Minister Hickes.
With 10 seconds, Mr. Joanasie.
I will use my 10 seconds wisely.
My last question is on homelessness.
What are the current numbers of homeless individuals in Nunavut?
Can they provide numbers that list absolute homeless and then hidden homeless, if those figures are available?
In Nunavut, if we look at the number of absolute homeless people, there are 98. There are 68 individuals who have to rely on shelters. People living in places that are not meant to be houses are 30.
There are 17 communities in Nunavut that don’t really have absolute homeless people.
However, the numbers change.
The numbers don’t just stay the same. Sometimes the numbers decrease and increase in the different communities. I want to point out that the number isn’t static.
Following my list of names, Mr. Mikkungwak.
Yesterday, one of my colleagues asked a question about people who go through Family Services and career development officers, some of whom go for training.
However, after they had started their training and they need more support, they hit hardships, along with the family they have left behind. Whenever they hit these hardships, they quit.
My first question will be about that. If they did not finish what they signed up for, do they get billed for it?
Mr. Chairman, with respect to his comment about people taking training, they get support with their training, including learning materials and other resources.
If I didn’t understand your question, I’ll regret it and you will have to ask it again.
I can say that if there is tuition or travel to pay for their training course and that person did not pay all the expenses related to their training, those expenses are then treated separately and we can cover those unpaid expenses as per our policies.
If it was a loan from somewhere else, then it’s looked at as money that they owe. Once that is fully paid, we will be able to compensate them.
Mr. Mikkungwak (interpretation): Just to clarify the matter, if an Inuk wants to go for training, they have to get financial support before he or she goes for training.
We know that the Department of Family Services helps people who are in need.
I am talking about FANS, which has a policy that has to be followed.
I have been called in my community about students that didn’t complete their course for whatever reason and these students did not complete their training, so they got a bill. How is that helping people get out of poverty?
Let’s say the student deals with the problem that they had. After the problem at home has been taken care of and that student wants to go back to training, will the fact that the student quit the first time hold them back from getting reassigned to the training?
Hon. George Kuksuk (interpretation): Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. I understand your question now and thank you for clarifying it.
If a student owes money after taking training, you’re asking if that student can get financial support from the government to pay for his or her bill.
My assistant deputy minister has all the information about FANS. I would like Irene Tanuyak to explain that, about having bills and how they can get approval to get assistance for paying the bills. Mr. Chairman, with your permission, I would like Ms. Tanuyak to answer my colleague’s question. (interpretation ends) Thank you.
Ms. Tanuyak.
Ms. Tanuyak: Thank you.
The current practice right now that is in use is if any individual has been sponsored by FANS and they decide to quit their program for no reason and go home, normally, if they decide to go back to school, they will not be approved by FANS because they would end up owing money to the FANS program.
If they had quit their program with a very good reason, a good cause, it can be looked at.
It’s case by case, but normally, because they decided that they wanted to go home, they would need to speak with the FANS people if they want to get sponsored further. (interpretation) Thank you.
In the report that you have tabled on page 5, the minister’s requirement to table an annual report on the activities that have to be carried out and the policies that have to be followed, in the second bullet, I believe, I would like an explanation so that I can understand it.
It states, “A description of budget measures and government programs, policies and initiatives to reduce poverty.” How much work have you done with that and how many policies have been changed?
I’ll have Ms. Turner respond to that.
The Poverty Reduction Division has, in the last year, focused its efforts on reviewing the work to review and reform the Income Assistance Program, as well as our work to do some research and analysis on the federal Nutrition North Canada Program and make recommendations on that program.
We have also been working to look at the grants and contributions policies that we give out for homelessness for the operation of emergency homeless shelters.
We have also been working, as the report mentions, with our partners to identify the right indicators and the right data to measure how well we are doing in reducing poverty.
We are in the final stages of developing this list of indicators and will be including that analysis in the next minister’s annual report.
It’s obvious that this was intended for the minister. One of his officials talked about the federal government earlier. The federal government’s carbon tax will affect poverty here in Nunavut.
As the Department of Family Services, how do you plan for this in the event that the cost of living increases?
Although he asked a good question, as the Department of Family Services, we haven’t had any consideration on the carbon tax.
Perhaps it can be answered by someone outside of our department. I can guess, but I can’t provide an answer because we don’t have the information in front of us. (interpretation ends) Thank you.
Yes, I’ll ask this question to someone else.
Also in your report on page 6, in the second paragraph, it states that “Through the Nunavut Roundtable for Poverty Reduction we continue to engage with the public, organizations and the private sector to understand the issues, and take action together…”
However, it states further, “...to address the underlying causes of poverty.”
With it written that way, do you have an idea now whether this is a priority on reducing poverty?
I will try to provide a short answer.
There are many factors I referenced in speaking about this issue yesterday, as to which areas contribute the most towards poverty and homelessness, including absolute homelessness.
Housing encompasses many areas, especially if they don’t own their home. With that being the case for the majority of residents, we have to instil pride in life even without any opportunities. There are various factors contributing to poverty and I am using this example.
There are many reasons that play into the poverty prevalent in Nunavut. However, one of the biggest issues is housing in our communities.
On that very same page, “Measuring the effectiveness of government programs,” on that particular subheading, paragraph 3, “This report does outline, however, the government’s social safety net programs that help vulnerable Nunavummiut in meeting their basic needs.”
How do you identify “basic needs” in Nunavut? As we all know, in other parts of Canada, their basic needs are met by an annual salary threshold scale.
How does the Department of Family Services identify meeting basic needs for Nunavummiut?
He is asking about a big issue and we have to look further into it to provide a proper response.
I can’t provide a response off the top of my head as to how much of a benefit it is. Mr. Chairman, with respect to his question about different studies, Ms. Turner can provide a response.
Our work identifies food and shelter as basic needs.
Nunavummiut’s most vulnerable have the public housing system and the emergency homeless shelters in Iqaluit as supports in that regard.
The Department of Family Services has been working in partnership with EIA through the Nunavut Food Security Coalition to support the Nunavut Food Price Survey. This survey takes place every year and it is helping us to understand the cost of food. This data would help to inform what the cost of living is.
Mr. Mikkungwak (interpretation): I will move on to another matter on page 7.
It seems obvious with the various meetings being held as well as the participants at these meetings, there are two main issues being dealt with, at least in following the written documentation.
They are the Makimaniq Plan and the Five-year Poverty Reduction Action Plan that was developed earlier.
With these plans already in place, what phase or stage are you on?
Are you in the middle or have you just started the initial work, or has the other plan that was just completed become the focus?
Which stage of the plan are you at in relation to these issues?
The Makimaniq Plan will continue with the planning work ongoing. The Makimaniq Plan is still being developed by the people we mentioned earlier whom we are working with.
Further, one of the most important parts of the Makimaniq Plan is the Income Assistance Program where recipients receive monthly funding for food assistance. This will be included in the review, along with recommendations to improve the Income Assistance Program, to see what progress has been made with respect to the Makimaniq Plan.
The monthly assistance amounts are also being reviewed as part of the Makimaniq Plan and how it will be included. It will be clarified later, but at this time, it is still under development.
With these meetings taking place, it will be good to see the details on paper and I look forward to that.
Article 32 of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement is mentioned here, which is good to see.
Nonetheless, Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated yesterday was mentioned by one of our colleagues. You responded that it was clearly written on page 10 that the Department of Family Services expended over $400,000, if I recall your response correctly.
However, on page 10, it states that the Department of Family Services will pay for the “administrative costs of the roundtable.” It also states that “Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. contribute staff, staff travel and in-kind resources to the initiative.” They had signed a memorandum of understanding.
Is that still in practice today?
Yes, the memorandum of understanding is still in effect. (interpretation ends) Thank you.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) With 22 seconds, Mr. Mikkungwak.
Twenty-two seconds is valuable.
On your document again on page 11, “Nunavut Food Security Strategy and Action Plan 2014-2016 approved,” how far along has this been completed, the Nunavut Food Security Strategy and Action Plan?
It’s very specific, 2014-16.
I will read (interpretation ends) some examples of actions (interpretation) concerning his question.
(interpretation ends) Some examples of actions that have contributed to the achievement of the objectives of the Nunavut Food Security Strategy and Action Plan include, (interpretation) as I had talked about earlier when there was a question about it, (interpretation ends) facilitating access to country food through the Country Food Distribution Program and Harvester Support Program, (interpretation) using that; (interpretation ends) the review and reform that I just mentioned a few minutes ago, the review and reform of the Income Assistance Program; and also the country food guidelines that make it easier to serve country food in government funded facilities. (interpretation) These are the various examples that can be beneficial.
Mr. Alexander Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) On page 39 of your annual report, community-driven food security initiative, (interpretation) it is written in there that (interpretation ends) “Many of the government programs involve support for the harvesting, storage, distribution and sharing of country food...”
(interpretation) My question is: how many communities in Nunavut are using those programs?
Mr. Chairman, in regard to some parts of his question, as the Department of Family Services, we’re not the only ones responsible for country food programs and we are working with other departments within the Government of Nunavut.
The Department of Economic Development and Transportation is mainly responsible for country food distribution. Mr. Chairman, through you, perhaps the Minister for ED&T can provide a response to the question.
Minister of Economic Development and Transportation, would you like to respond to the question?
Hon. Monica Ell-Kanayuk (interpretation): If the member can ask the question again.
Chairman (interpretation): Mr. Sammurtok, please ask your question again so that the minister can respond.
On page 39 of the report, it mentions (interpretation ends) government programs to support the “harvesting, storage, distribution and sharing of country food....” (interpretation) My question is: how many communities in Nunavut are using those programs, such as (interpretation ends) hunter support programs, for distribution and sharing of country food?
I believe that question has been explained. Minister Ell-Kanayuk.
The (interpretation ends) Country Food Distribution Program (interpretation) was realigned so that more communities can benefit from this program and allow harvesters to have a greater say.
This program has been heavily used in the communities. For fiscal year 2016-17, funding has just started with $1,576,000 allocated.
To date, since it’s a new fiscal year, $499,639,000 has been expended.
I can tell you that each community is allocated $30,000. We expect that this funding that is allocated will be fully spent in the 2016-17 fiscal year.
Mr. Sammurtok: Thank you, Iksivautaaq. (interpretation) My question was: of the 25 communities in Nunavut, how many communities are using this program?
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Minister Ell-Kanayuk, are you prepared to answer that question?
If you are, (interpretation) go ahead.
As I said, each community in Nunavut will be allocated $30,000. I expect that $30,000 to be depleted in the new fiscal year.
Under (interpretation ends) Schedule B, (interpretation) there are a number of different areas where the funds are spent.
A community may wish to make an adjustment, for example, if a community wanted to get a new community freezer. Sanikiluaq and Arviat are now in the process of that.
Arctic Bay, Cape Dorset, Kimmirut, Pond Inlet, Qikiqtarjuaq, Rankin Inlet, and Resolute Bay are also now working on these programs.
We are also working with Cape Dorset, Kimmirut, Pond Inlet, Resolute Bay, Whale Cove, Rankin Inlet, and Sanikiluaq on their requests to get new community freezers. For Kugluktuk, Rankin Inlet, Pond Inlet, and Pangnirtung, we are now working with the staff in those communities.
In your report, you talk about storage.
In some communities, it is usually run by HTOs and it costs money to store the food in the community freezer.
For those programs that are going to be used at the local level, who pays for the storage?
(interpretation ends) Your department?
We are not responsible for the payment of storage.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. Mr. Sammurtok.
Mr. Sammurtok (interpretation): On page 39, it states, (interpretation ends) “Department of Environment supports harvesters through their various Harvester support programs when needed, and the Nunavut Development Corporation has guaranteed a set price for purchasing country food from harvesters.”
What is the set price?
NDC has regional development corporations which are operating these programs. For example, Kivalliq Foods in Rankin Inlet is responsible for that.
They set a price for purchasing and they have their own board of directors.
That is why I cannot respond to the question.
NDC is under the Department of Economic Development and Transportation and they set their own prices.
With that, I cannot respond to the question, so I would like to ask my ministerial colleague to respond to that question because her department is responsible for the programs in question.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Minister responsible for NDC, (interpretation) are you prepared to answer the question regarding economic development?
Hon. Monica Ell-Kanayuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like to acknowledge Zacharias Kunuk, who is a member of the board.
I didn’t quite understand the member’s question. Is he asking a question in regard to funding for harvesters? I would like the member to elaborate further so that I can respond properly, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Kunuk, welcome to the Legislative Assembly.
Mr. Sammurtok, please clarify your question for the minister.