EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Is it the policy of the Department of Health and Social Services that once they have seen a doctor then they have to make their own flight arrangements?
Will this continue where they have to call the hospital or the health centres to go home?
Mr. Speaker, we are trying to make improvement. Again, I said earlier about booking appointments with the specialist.
When the person has to see a doctor down here in Iqaluit, we are trying to develop a system where that is tracked through an electronic means.
As it is right now, this is done on a manual basis, and when the person is done, the information about their appointments have to be transferred.
Some people can make the call themselves and make their travel arrangements, but in the case of unilingual individuals we provide that service.
So, it depends on the individuals themselves, but the system we are trying to improve is the coordination of efforts between the health centres in Baffin, as well as the hospitals and the airlines, and the patient.
So there are a number of people involved in that, but there is a difference between the booking of the appointments and the travel, and different groups are involved. So, we are trying to improve that through coming up with an electronic system and we hope to have that in place in the next week or so in partnership with the airlines.
Your final supplementary, Mr. Arreak.
Mr. Arreak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I would also like to thank the minister.
I would like to ask the minister why the patients have to call the transportation officer when they have seen the doctor and tell them that they want to go home.
Some of them, if they call they might go home without even seeing the doctor.
Why is it that they have to call the transportation officer on their own?
Some patients, when their appointments are done, the information is conveyed to the travel coordinator.
The travel coordinator then makes the arrangements on behalf of the patients, particularly in providing the service to unilingual individuals.
There are also medical travel arrangements or medical appointments that we make for Government of Nunavut employees, for example who, when they are done their appointments, can contact the airlines to make their own arrangements to go back.
The point I am trying to make here is that individuals that require the assistance for travel arrangements or appointments, that service is provided by the Department of Health and Social Services staff.
In some cases individuals themselves will contact the airlines when they’re done their appointment.
In our situation, the service that we provide is that we notify the travel coordinator staff to make the travel arrangements for a patient whose appointments have been completed, but not until such time.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Minister Aglukkaq. Question Period is now over. Before we proceed, we will take a five-minute break.
>>House recessed at 11:30 and resumed at 11:41
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you for coming back.
Under Orders of the Day. Item 7.
Return to Written Question 010 – 2(3): Government of Nunavut’s Expenditures on Advertising for Employment Opportunities (Clerk)
Return to Written Question 011 – 2(3): Crown Agency Expenditures on Advertising for Employment Opportunities (Clerk)
Return to Written Question 013 – 2(3): Impact of the 2002 Budget Measures Implementation Act (Clerk)
Return to Written Question 014 – 2(3): Government Contract Regulations made under the Financial Administration Act (Clerk)
Return to Written Question 015 – 2(3): Intergovernmental Agreements Between the Government of Nunavut and Other Jurisdictions (Clerk)
Return to Written Question 016 – 2(3): Individual Education Plans (Clerk)
Clerk (Mr. Quirke): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m tabling Returns to Written Questions 010 – 2(3), 011 – 2(3), 013 – 2(3), 014 – 2(3), 015 – 2(3), and 016 – 2(3) that were filed in my office while the House was in recess.
Returns to Written Questions. (interpretation) Item 9.
Today, I wish to table...I apologize, we’re having technical problems. (interpretation ends) Thank you.
Tabled Document 113 – 2(3): Statutory Tabling Requirements of Reports and Other Documents in the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut – June 2006 (Speaker)
Today, I wish to table the Table of Statutory Tabling Requirements.
This list is regularly updated by the Legislative Assembly and tracks the status of legally required tabling requirements for government annual reports, financial statements, and other documents.
The current version of the document indicates what documents have been tabled as of June 1, 2006.
Tabled Document 114 – 2(3): Health Coverage – Students Studying Outside Nunavut (Tootoo)
I wish I didn’t have to do this, but I do. I would like to table a copy of the Government’s own policy here for students studying outside of Nunavut where it clearly indicates that students living outside of Nunavut attending school will continue to have health care coverage.
Please bring the documents to the Clerk’s table.
(interpretation ends) Tabling of Documents.
Tabled Document 115 – 2(3): 2005-06 FANS Benefits (Financial Assistance for Nunavut Students) (Tootoo)
I’d like to table another one of the government’s own documents and that’s the 2005-06 FANS benefits package. Within the package, there is a note to the program guide.
On page 2, where it talks about residency it says, “If you’ve been away from Nunavut because of work assignment, schooling, or medical reasons you may still be considered a resident of Nunavut.”
Tabled Document 116 – 2(3): Response to Letter of Expectation – Nunavut Arctic College Board of Governors (Picco)
It gives me great pleasure today to table a response of the letter of expectation updated to March of 2006 from Nunavut Arctic College.
Can the document be presented to the table, please.
Tabled Document 117 – 2(3): Kivalliq Chamber of Commerce Annual General Meeting Resolutions 2006 (Curley)
I would also like to table a document dated May 1, 2006.
It was a letter written by Ellie Cansfield, who is the President of the Kivalliq Chamber of Commerce. It also states that there were ten resolutions that were tabled at their meeting.
Motion 017 – 2(3): Appointment of Speaker – Notice (Arreak)
Mr. Arreak Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I give notice that on Monday, June 12, 2006, I will move the following motion: I move, seconded by the Member for Iqaluit East, that Peter Kilabuk, the Member for Pangnirtung, be appointed Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut.
At the appropriate time I will ask for unanimous consent to deal with my motion today.
Motion 018 – 2(3): Legislative Assembly Appointments – Notice (Mapsalak)
I give notice that on Monday, June 12, 2006, I will move the following motion:
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the Honourable Member for Iqaluit East, that James Arreak, Member for Uqqurmiut, be appointed Deputy Speaker and the Chairperson of the Committee of the Whole and that the appointed of Peter Kilabuk, Member for Pangnirtung, be revoked.
AND FURTHER I MOVE that Levi Barnabas, Member for High Arctic, be appointed Deputy Chairperson of the Committee of the Whole and that the appointment of James Arreak be revoked.
AND FURTHER I MOVE that Honourable Peter Kilabuk, Member for Pangnirtung, be appointed to the Management Services Board.
AND FURTHER I MOVE that prior appointments for Peter Kilabuk, Member for Pangnirtung, to standing committees be revoked.
At the appropriate time I will seek unanimous consent to deal with my motion today.
Thank you. (interpretation) Sorry, that was Item 14.
Bill 16 – Family Abuse Prevention Act – Notice
I give notice that on Monday, June 12, 2006, that Bill 16, the Family Abuse Prevention Act will be read for the first time.
I apologize; I didn’t see you, Mr. Simailak.
Bill 17 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act #1, 2006-07 – Notice
Mr. Simailak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Monday, June 12, 2006, that Bill 17, Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act #1, 2006-07 be read for the first time.
Bill 18 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act #1, 2006-07 – Notice
Hon. David Simailak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Monday, June 12, 2006, that Bill 18, Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act #1, 2006-07 be read for the first time.
Bill 19 – An Act to Amend the Revolving Funds Act – Notice
I give notice that on Monday, June 12, 2006, that Bill 19, An Act to Amend the Revolving Fund Act be read for the first time.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Minister Brown.
Bill 20 – Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2006 – Notice
Bill 22 – Settlement of International Investment Disputes Act – Notice
Hon. Ed. Picco: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Monday, June 12, 2006, that Bill 20, the Miscellaneous Statues Amendments Act 2006 be read for the first time.
Also, Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Monday, June 12, 2006, that Bill 22, the Settlement of International Investments Disputes Act be read for the first time.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Minister. Are there any other Notices of Motions for First Reading of Bills?
Bill 21 – An Act to Amend the Financial Administration Act #2 – Notice
Hon. David Simailak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Monday, June 12, 2006, that Bill 21, An Act to Amend the Financial Administration Act # 2 be read for the first time.
Notices of Motions for First Reading of Bills. (interpretation) Item 16.
I would like unanimous consent to deal with my motion today.
Motion 017 – 2(3): Appointment of Speaker (Arreak)
Mr. Arreak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Members.
WHEREAS the office of the Speaker is vacant;
NOW THERFORE I MOVE, seconded by the Member for Iqaluit East, that Peter Kilabuk, Member for Pangnirtung, be appointed Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut.
Speaker: Thank you. The motion is in order. To the motion.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Members of the Legislative Assembly.
It is with great sense of humility that I accept the responsibilities that you have chosen to bestow upon me as your new Speaker.
As I follow in the footsteps of our late colleague, and friend, I know that your expectations of me are great.
As Speaker, it is my solemn responsibility to uphold the rules of the Legislative Assembly.
The Speaker will safeguard the dignity of this House and preside in an impartial fashion over our proceedings and deliberations.
I pledge to do so to the best of my skill and ability and I thank all of you for your trust.
I would like to take a moment to express my gratitude to my constituents in Pangnirtung.
They have supported me since 1999. I have always worked for their best interests in mind.
I can assure my constituents that I will continue to vigorously represent their interests and aspirations from my new position.
I wish to take a moment to address the people of Tununiq as we share in your loss and join in on your mourning. The memory of our late colleague will endure.
On behalf of all members I would also like to address the two matters of consequence for the people of Pond Inlet. The by-election to elect your new Member of the Legislative Assembly will be held on October 16 of this year.
The instruments to formalize this decision that we have taken will be prepared at the appropriate time.
Until your new member takes office, the concerns of the community may be conveyed to either the appropriate Minister or to the Chair of the Regular Members’ Caucus of the Legislative Assembly, Mr. Joe Allen Evyagotailak, the Member for Kugluktuk.
I would again like to thank my colleagues for their support.
I’m sorry. I had skipped a person. I am just on a learning curve.
Item 16. Notices of Motions.
I would like to seek consent from the members, just like Mr. Arreak, to deal with my motion today.
Speaker (interpretation): The member is seeking consent to deal with his motion today.
Since there are no nays, Mr. Mapsalak, please proceed.
Motion 018 – 2(3): Legislative Assembly Appointments (Mapsalak)
Mr. Mapsalak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I made a mistake. I apologize when I said a bill instead of a motion, and I also would like to thank my colleagues.
(interpretation ends) WHEREAS section 42 and 43 of the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act provide for the appointment of a Deputy Speaker and Deputy Chairperson of the Committee of the Whole;
AND WHEREAS section 38 of the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act provides for the appointment of Members of the Management Services Board of the Legislative Assembly;
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the Honourable Member for Iqaluit East, that James Arreak, Member for Uqqummiut, be appointed Deputy Speaker and Chairperson of the Committee of the Whole and that the appointment of Peter Kilabuk, Member for Pangnirtung, be revoked;
AND FURTHER I MOVE that Levi Barnabas, Member for High Arctic, be appointed to Deputy Chairperson of the Committee of the Whole and the appointment of James Arreak be revoked;
AND FURTHER I MOVE that Honourable Peter Kilabuk, Member for Pangnirtung, be appointed to the Management and Services Board;
AND FURTHER I MOVE that prior appointments of Peter Kilabuk, Member for Pangnirtung, to Standing Committees be revoked.
To the motion. A question has been called.
All those opposed. (interpretation) Thank you.
Please wait a moment as I am missing a document.
Item 19. (interpretation ends) Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters. (interpretation) Thank you.
Members, before we read the Orders of the Day, I would like to read and inform the members of a letter from the Deputy Commissioner:
“I wish to advise that I recommend to the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, the passage of the following bills during the Third Session of the Second Legislative Assembly:
Bill 17, Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act #1, 2006-07
Bill 18, Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act #1, 2006-07.
Nakurmiik.”
(interpretation) That is the letter from the Deputy Commissioner Helen Maksagak.
Thank you. (interpretation ends) Item 22.
Orders of the Day for Monday, June 12:
A reminder to Members of the Regular Caucus, there will be two standing committee meetings scheduled for 3:00, and that will probably commence now at 2:00.
This House stands adjourned until June 12, 2006, at 1:30. (interpretation) And I would like to ask the members and the staff to go upstairs to the committee rooms. (interpretation ends)
>>House adjourned at 12:06
Minister of Health and Social Services; Minister Responsible for Status of Women Council
Minister of Economic Development and Transportation; Minister Responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation
Deputy Speaker; Chair of the Committee of the Whole
Chair, Full Caucus; Deputy Chair, Committee of the Whole; Regular Members’ Caucus
Government House Leader; Minister of Education; Minister of Energy; Minister Responsible for Multiculturalism, Homelessness and Immigration; Management and Services Board
Monday, June 12, 2006
Pages 1936 – 1987
Speaker: The Honourable Peter Kilabuk, M.L.A. Legislative Assembly of Nunavut
Opening Prayer 1936
Ministers’ Statements 1936
Members’ Statements 1940
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 1947
Oral Questions 1948
Written Questions 1967
Reports of Committees on the Review of Bills 1969
Tabling of Documents 1970
First Reading of Bills 1972
Second Reading of Bills 1974
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 1978
Report of the Committee of the Whole 1986
Orders of the Day 1986
Monday, June 12, 2006 1936
092 – 2(3): Minister’s Tour of Communities (Brown) 1936
093 – 2(3): $5 Million for Small Community Economic Development (Akesuk) 1937
094 – 2(3): Update on Polar Bear Status Review (Netser) 1938
095 – 2(3): Heavy Equipment Operator Program (Picco) 1939
096 – 2(3): Pan North Projects – Torch Relay (Tapardjuk) 1939
241 – 2(3): Congratulations to NTEP Students (Alagalak) 1940
242 – 2(3): Igloolik High School Graduates (Tapardjuk) 1941
243 – 2(3): Relocation to Grise Fiord (Barnabas) 1941
244 – 2(3): Ninth Annual Nunavut Mining Symposium (Peterson) 1942
245 – 2(3): Congratulations to Qikiqtarjuaq High School Graduates (Arreak) 1943
246 – 2(3): Congratulations to Taloyoak Nunavut Arctic College Graduates (Aglukkaq) 1944
247 – 2(3): Shortage of Nurses in Rankin Inlet (Curley) 1944
248 – 2(3): Recognition of Peter Irniq (Picco) 1945
249 – 2(3): First Poetry Slam held at Inuksuk High School (Tootoo) 1946
287 – 2(3): Recruitment of Nurses Contract (Tootoo) 1948
288 – 2(3): Update on Nunavut Housing Corporation Plans on Construction of Houses (Peterson) 1951
289 – 2(3): Urgent Need for Registered Nurses in Rankin Inlet (Curley) 1953
290 – 2(3): Improvement of Flight Services to the Smaller Communities (Evyagotailak) 1955
291 – 2(3): Medical Travel Escort Policy (Barnabas) 1956
292 – 2(3): Update on the Construction of Breakwaters (Arreak) 1959
293 – 2(3): Health Coverage for Students Outside Nunavut (Tootoo) 1960
294 – 2(3): Obtaining Passports (Barnabas) 1964
295 – 2(3): Contractors Provided a Credit Balance (Tootoo) 1966
Written Question 017 – 2(3): Government of Nunavut Contracting Practices (Curley) 1968
Written Question 018 – 2(3): Correctional Facilities and Other Matters (Evyagotailak) 1968
Committee Report on Bills 004 – 2(3): Bill 11 – An Act to Amend the Fire Prevention Act (Curley) 1969
118 – 2(3): Nunavut Association of Municipalities Annual General Meeting 2006 Adopted Resolutions (Peterson) 1970
119 – 2(3): Polar Bear Up-listing to “Threatened Status” Under the U.S. Endangered Species Act Response to Mitch Taylor (Netser) 1970
120 – 2(3): Grise Fiord Community Concerns – Letter to Premier from Larry Audlaluk (Barnabas) 1970
121 – 2(3): Nunavut Lottery GN Department of CLEY Financial Statements Ending March 31, 2006 (Tapardjuk) 1970
122 – 2(3): Letter Regarding: Employment from Eddie Amagonalok (Peterson) 1971
123 – 2(3): Minister’s Tour of Communities – Report from the Department of Community and Government Services (Brown) 1971
124 – 2(3): Nanisivik Mine – Correspondence with Minister of National Defence Gordon O’Connor Regarding An Armed Forces Training Site (Barnabas) 1971
125 – 2(3): Utility Rates Review Council of Nunavut – 2006 Annual Report (Okalik) 1971
Bill 16 – Family Abuse Prevention Act – First Reading 1972
Bill 17 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act #1, 2006-07 – First Reading 1972
Bill 20 – Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2006 – First Reading 1972
Bill 18 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act #1, 2006-07 – First Reading 1973
Bill 19 – An Act to Amend the Revolving Funds Act – First Reading 1973
Bill 22 – Settlement of International Investment Disputes Act – First Reading 1973
Bill 21 – An Act to Amend the Financial Administration Act #2 – First Reading 1973
Bill 16 – Family Abuse Prevention Act – Second Reading 1974
Bill 17 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act #1, 2006-07 – Second Reading 1975
Bill 20 – Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2006 – Second Reading 1975
Bill 18 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act #1, 2006-07 – Second Reading 1976
Bill 19 – An Act to Amend the Revolving Funds Act – Second Reading 1977
Bill 21 – An Act to Amend the Financial Administration Act #2 – Second Reading 1977
Bill 22 – Settlement of International Investment Disputes Act – Second Reading 1978
Bill 11 – An Act to Amend the Fire Prevention Act – Consideration in Committee 1979
Bill 20 – Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2006 – Consideration in Committee 1984
Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Honourable Olayuk Akesuk, Mr. David Alagalak, Mr. James Arreak, Mr. Levi Barnabas, Honourable Levinia Brown, Mr. Tagak Curley, Mr. Joe Allan Evyagotailak, Mr. Peter Kattuk, Honourable Peter Kilabuk, Mr. Steve Mapsalak, Mr. Patterk Netser, Honourable Paul Okalik, Mr. Keith Peterson, Honourable Edward Picco, Honourable David Simailak, Honourable Louis Tapardjuk, Mr. Hunter Tootoo.
I would like to ask Mr. Netser to say the opening prayer.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Premier, Ministers, and Members.
Minister for Community and Government Services, Ms. Brown.
Minister’s Statement 092 – 2(3): Minister’s Tour of Communities (Brown)
I recently had the opportunity to tour 15 communities in Nunavut. I met with mayors and council members and saw first hand the many challenges our communities face.
Aajiiqatigiinniq, one of our guiding principles, and stresses the importance of decision making and communicating with Nunavummiut through face to face meetings, and this was clearly appreciated by the communities I visited.
The meetings with the mayors and council members were an excellent opportunity to get a better understanding of the issues. I was particularly interested in the challenges faced by the smaller communities.
During the community visits, I toured offices, recreation centres, hamlet garages, and water and sewage facilities. The opportunity to see things first hand and communicate in person is invaluable.
During meetings with hamlet councils, priorities were identified.
Some comments made were unique to specific communities and others were mentioned by two or more. Much discussion focussed on the significant challenges created for municipal governments by population growth and the need to replace or add to aging and inadequate physical facilities.
Council members told me that there are questions on hamlets operating budgets caused by cost increases, particularly in utilities and transportation. They described the impact of increasing construction cost which is slowing down the ability of all levels of government to provide more infrastructures.
These visits will assist the department in; planning, policy development, and program creation to better meet the needs of all communities.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased with the hospitality shown to me and the opportunity I have had for discussions with the council members.
I admire the dedication and commitment of all municipal council and staff.
Minister’s Statement 093 – 2(3): $5 Million for Small Community Economic Development (Akesuk)
Mr. Speaker, I wish inform the members of this House of a new funding program, the Small Communities Initiative Program, with $5 million dedicated to supporting economic development in our smaller non-decentralized communities.
Members will recall the Minister of Finance announcing in his 2006-07 Budget Address the creation of the Northern Strategy Trust Fund, which includes $5 million for small community economic development.
First, a $1.4 million fund. The Small Communities Initiative Fund will allocate $100,000 to each of 14 communities to support community economic development initiatives identified in their community plans.
Second, a second fund, the Small Communities Development Fund makes $3.6 million available for development projects in smaller communities that support growth in strategic economic sectors.
In the coming weeks, community operations staff from the Department of Economic Development and Transportation will visit each small community to provide hamlet councils with detailed program information.
Both funds are available now to non-decentralized communities.
I know this House recognizes that more support will be provided for the development of local economies in our non-decentralized communities.
These funds together, create the Small Communities Initiative Program and offer a step towards independence.
I look forward to reporting to this House in response to our smaller communities to this innovative program.
Minister Netser.
Minister’s Statement 094 – 2(3): Update on Polar Bear Status Review (Netser)
The US Government is conducting a review on whether or not polar bears should be listed as a threatened species under the U.S. Endangered Species Act.
If they decide that polar bears are threatened, then importing polar bear products into the states would be banned. Obviously this will harm many people in Nunavut who depend on American sport hunters for valuable income.
Mr. Speaker, it is becoming clear that some environmental groups are using the health of polar bears as a symbol for the impact of climate change. Those of us, who live in Nunavut, and amongst the polar bears, are aware that each population area is different and must be considered individually.