EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
After that is completed, it gives you an overview of what needs further work and when it’s going to be open to the public. That’s usually what that amount is used for. That’s called the closeout phase of the project.
Again, in your opening comments on page 3, regarding the renovation of the children’s group home in Rankin Inlet, I would like further information before I ask my question.
It states that “This facility will provide case management and northern-based support systems for clients returning from mental health treatment or addiction treatment programs in southern centres.”
Could you elaborate further on this paragraph, (interpretation ends) Hon. Minister?
The children’s group home in Rankin Inlet is going to be converted to a mental health transition house. That is the intention of our department. You probably know about the Cambridge Bay Mental Health Transition House.
Some of them are for 24-hour care.
Some part of it is for walk-in patients.
Perhaps I’ll say this in English. (interpretation ends) The purpose of the facility would provide services such as assessment, stabilization, residential treatment, respite care, counselling, life skills development, substance abuse intervention, medication management, and family and community programming.
The place would have six beds.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you very much. Mr. Enook.
Thank you for that response, Madam Minister.
If I understood her correctly, it will be converted to a mental health transition house and it’s likely geared towards adults. It’s unfortunate that there are way too many children and youth with mental health issues in Nunavut.
They are usually sent out to be treated in southern institutions.
It seems like we haven’t improved services. It seems like we are decreasing the services provided. We would like to see more and more services being provided in Nunavut whenever possible.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you very much. (interpretation ends) Hon. Minister Ms. Ell.
It is going to be similar to what is provided at Akausisarvik here in Iqaluit.
Since that facility opened, we have repatriated some of the patients that were housed in the south. After the facility opened in Cambridge Bay, we also repatriated some of the patients that were in southern institutions.
On mental health issues, we have a facility in the schools. The Department of Health and the Department of Education work together so they can have a (interpretation ends) school-based, positive mental health framework (interpretation) that we are developing.
We have been preparing this framework for about 12 months now.
We’re hoping to have that in place and we have also initiated a new program for health workers in the communities.
We have also initiated a new program through the health department. The federal government has provided us with funds to provide mental health services.
We are being proactive and we will provide mental health services in all communities in the future with the help of local-based workers.
(interpretation ends) Further, Mr. Chairman, this would increase the professional development supports provided to the frontline staff.
From what I understand, the mental health patients or mentally stressed clients are sent out of the territory for treatment.
They are sent out to southern institutions. If I understood it correctly, these three facilities will be taking care of clients that require those types of services.
Yes, we have fewer clients going south for treatment.
I am sure that is not going to stop certain circumstances, but we are hoping to see a decrease in the number going down.
Can the people of Nunavut expect to see mental health patients and clients being treated up here and none of them having to be treated outside of the territory? Are we looking at having services provided in Nunavut in the near future?
This is just the beginning of providing the services up here in Nunavut. Some of the mental health patients will be treated in the communities, but there are a variety of mental health issues.
If we can’t treat them here in Nunavut, they will have to be sent out of the territory for treatment. We hope to see a decrease in the number.
Also, on top of that reason, we aren’t just looking at people who hear voices in their heads, but other mentally stressful addictions such as alcohol abuse, since certain services can be easily offered here in Nunavut and that is our expectation.
This will probably be my last question.
With respect to mental health services, we can say that we are planning for the long term.
Have you been planning this for the last five years or is this a new initiative of our fourth government?
I hope that was clear, Mr. Chairman.
Hon. Monica Ell (interpretation): Can my colleague rephrase the question, please. I didn’t hear the entire question, but I did hear the first part.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like to provide a proper response.
I, too, want to rephrase my question so that you can provide me with a proper response.
I’m asking about the plan in providing more mental health services in the territory, physiological or otherwise, or for various addictions.
You stated that you have been planning this for quite a while.
We can say that we can plan for tomorrow or we can plan for something in the future.
I do know it costs a lot when it comes to facilities and providing services and employees.
My question was: could you elaborate further on whether these were planned in previous governments or have this come about during the fourth term of our government?
I hope that was clear. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Hon. Monica Ell: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I thank the member for that question.
There are a lot of things that are being done under mental health.
For instance, we are looking at reviewing the Mental Health Act.
We also have the facility in Cambridge Bay which has beds in there. We have Akausisarvik here in Iqaluit with beds as well as day clinics.
We’re currently looking to do a similar thing in Rankin Inlet. We’re trying to improve the health services that are available.
Currently, we’re also looking at the Mental Health and Addictions Framework for Action, which is currently available.
There are four key areas under the framework that we’re focusing action on: quality programming across the service continuum, human resource capacity development, community capacity building, and resource leveraging.
You said that you would provide a proper response and I thank you for being very clear.
I would like to ask my final question.
In your opening comments, you stated that you’re going to try and use a common design for new health centres. I believe this is being used now.
I also believe that you said that it has already saved you a substantial amount of money by using the common designs for new health centres.
Do I understand that whenever possible, whenever you’re going to be building new health centres from now on, you will use the same common design, maybe using the last two designs that were used?
The design for the building has always been adjusted.
We want to keep on improving it. For the facility in Repulse Bay, in 2011-12, the cost to construct it was $24.23 million. The facility that was constructed in Taloyoak in 2013-14 was $29.6 million.
In Arctic Bay, we are going to be constructing the facility in 2015-16, with your approval, and it’s expected to cost $32 million.
The construction of the facility in Arctic Bay should be less expensive than we originally thought. We expect that it will be approximately $29.14 million by using the common design.
That’s how we’re going to be saving money.
Following my list of names, Mr. Rumbolt.
In the 2014-15 capital estimates, the Assembly approved funding under the Department of Community and Government Services’ preplanning section for three health centre replacement projects in the communities of Cape Dorset, Qikiqtarjuaq, and Sanikiluaq.
Those projects do not appear in the 2015-16 capital estimates.
Hon. Minister, Minister Ell.
Hon. Monica Ell (interpretation): The estimates are set up for a number of years, and what we’re planning for the coming year isn’t always right there.
The plan for the facility in Sanikiluaq has not changed. It will be the third on the list. The Arctic Bay facility is the number one priority and then the one for Cape Dorset would be next.
That follows the plans we have established.
For construction, we expect that in 2018-19 and 2019-2020, we will be able to announce the details of these plans.
From the minister’s answer, it sounds like those preplanning studies have been completed that were budgeted for this year. Is that correct?
I would like Ms. Keenainak to respond to that.
The preplanning budget amount was this fiscal year, so it’s still being undertaken.
We could provide an update at a later time through a letter from the minister exactly where they are in terms of the preplanning.
When these preplanning studies are complete, how does your department prioritize which projects will be brought forward in the five-year capital plan?
There are a number of factors that determine the priority listing.
It’s not only age; it’s also the condition and how it has been maintained. Those are some of the factors that are considered in the priority listing of a facility.
There are some facilities that are older that are well maintained that are not bumped up, but it is a number of factors that will determine their priority.
I have brought it up on many occasions with the conditions of the health centre in my community and it’s no secret that it’s quite overcrowded there.
The working conditions can be greatly improved if we could get a new health centre there.
Once your prioritization list is completed, how long will it take before we see money in the capital plan for these outstanding, not necessarily outstanding, but these health centres that need to be constructed?
Hon. Monica Ell (interpretation): I would like Ms. Keenainak to respond to that one as well because preplanning is her department.
Due to some issues that needed to be repaired in Sanikiluaq, we do have some money for this year to do some minor work just to prolong the life of that facility.
After the preplanning is done, we’re expecting that construction would begin in 2017-18 with a completion date of March 2020.
That’s what we currently have for Sanikiluaq.
We are on Health.
Questions on capital estimates. Mr. Shooyook.
Although I understand what is being said, I would like to express my thoughts as well.
I totally understand about the proposed Arctic Bay Health Centre.
I understand that it’s a substantial amount of money that is set aside for the design in 2014.
Is all that money for one project or does the cost of the building come from the same design concept?
Is that what they are all going to cost now?
For Arctic Bay, as work progresses in the coming years, the preplanning has been done and the design is completed. For 2014-15, work was approved. For actual construction, $14 million is budgeted for 2015-16.
In 2016-17, we’re planning to use $16,360,000 for this project. For completion in 2017-18, we figure that it will be around $15,000.
We expect the actual completion of the health centre in Arctic Bay to take place in March 2017.
I just have a couple of questions for the minister.
Earlier, my colleague asked for an update on the status of the renovations at the Baffin Regional Hospital. It was stated that it was going to be completed in December of 2015.
Are those renovations on track budget-wise?
Hon. Monica Ell: I believe the completion date is November 2015.
I’ll have Ms. Keenainak answer the other part of his question.
Yes, the project is on time. We do get regular updates from the contractors on how they’re progressing, after they complete, and what their next phase of the project is going to be.
Working with CGS, it is progressing now and it is on time and on budget.
The Akausisarvik Mental Health Facility in Iqaluit has been mentioned a couple of times.
What is the resident capacity of that facility?
Hon. Monica Ell (interpretation): The Akausisarvik facility in Iqaluit has a 22-bed capacity, I believe.
At this time, I can’t recall the actual number of beds that are available at the Akausisarvik facility. I do know there are quite a fair number of beds.
It is not at full capacity, as the arrangements are set at one-third, one-third, and one-third into three sections for transients awaiting home placement, permanent residents, and temporary residents.
That is why it is operated in a three-pronged approach based on the type of care that they require.
Under the one-third, one-third, and one-third, the minister stated that it’s not at capacity. Is there one specific out of the home placement, temporary placement, or the full-time living that is not at capacity consistently?
We don’t have that level of detail the member is asking for.
If he wishes for that detailed response, we can give him a letter of response from me.
I thank the minister very much for that commitment. I’ll look forward to that information.
Just a final or maybe it’s not the final question, since the split with Health and Social Services to the Department of Family Services, how many of Nunavut’s community health centres continue to share space with staff of the Department of Family Services?
Space is still shared with Family Services in the following communities: Arviat, Chesterfield Inlet, Coral Harbour, Gjoa Haven, Igloolik, Pangnirtung, Pond Inlet, Repulse Bay, Sanikiluaq, and Whale Cove.
Maybe it would have been easier to get an answer for which ones don’t share space.
With your cabinet colleague, the Minister of Family Services, what strategy is ongoing to alleviate those pressures?
As my colleague from Sanikiluaq has mentioned, there’s a number of health centres in the communities that are very tight on space and, in a lot of cases, over capacity.
With the division in responsibilities, is this going to be a continued practice to share space or is there work being done to actually have that divide infrastructure-wise, not just department-wise?
We all know that the need for additional workspace is a challenge in most Nunavut communities. We are working with CG&S in trying to find adequate office and treatment space.
As we all know, this is a challenge in many health [centres].
I look forward to ongoing progress in that nature for both their departments’ sake.
I just have one final question; I just have to satisfy the Curious George in me. In the minor projects, it has got one of the proposed projects of a room in the 2016-18 renovation at the Qikiqtani General Hospital.
Just to satisfy my curiosity, could the minister describe that project, please?
Hon. Monica Ell (interpretation): I would like Ms. Keenainak to respond to that question, Mr. Chairman. Thank you.
I don’t know the specifics of that particular one, so I will have to get back to you.
I am sure that space will be utilized to maximum efficiency.
Maybe it’s a dialysis machine coming to Nunavut, Mr. Chairman.
Hon. Monica Ell (interpretation): I don’t believe that was a question, but we will get back to the member, through you, Mr. Chairman, and provide that information.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you very much. (interpretation ends) Health.
Branch Summary. Directorate. Total Capital Expenditures.
Mr. Joanasie (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) I just want a bit of clarification on the item that Mr. Rumbolt asked on the three different health centres in the preplanning stage. Are these three preplanned health centres using a common design?
I would just like to remind the members to please raise your hand ahead of time.
Hon. Monica Ell: Yes, Mr. Chairman, they are using the common design.
Is the minister able to say which designs they are being based off of?
Hon. Monica Ell: We have prepared a letter to the committee, and one of the questions asked from the committee was a copy of the common design and that will be provided.
Mr. Joanasie Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Moving on, I would just like to get an update or some information on what the current status and occupancy levels are for the continuing care facilities in Igloolik and Gjoa Haven.
Chairman (interpretation): We are reviewing the capital estimates of the Department of Health, but Minister Ell may wish to respond. Minister Ell.
With respect to the continuing care centres in Gjoa Haven and Igloolik that the member asked about, the one in [Gjoa Haven] opened in 2009 and the one in Igloolik opened in the fall of 2010 with an approximate capacity of 20 beds.
We are on questions on capital estimates.
I appreciate you allowing me to ask those questions.
I will move on to one more question and it’s involving the department’s small capital items, which include a number of vehicles, all of them Ford Escapes.
The minister’s department’s vehicle inventory information indicates that a number of vans and pickups are owned by the department.
Can the minister say how many of those types of vehicles need replacing and when they will be replaced?
We have not reviewed that. I don’t have (interpretation ends) that level of detail, (interpretation) so I’ll ask Ms. Keenainak to respond to that question.
With the minor projects and small capital, we do an internal call letter from the regional offices for them to kind of identify what needs to be replaced and that is reviewed on an annual basis.
We do have a call letter for 2015-16, so we’re reviewing that now and we will be finalizing that list for the next fiscal year. Once it’s finalized, we will provide a tentative list.
As we have indicated in this year’s letter, it’s subject to emergencies and issues that arise.
We can give you a preliminary list of what’s being planned for next year.
I believe Minister Ell would like to supplement the response.
Hon. Monica Ell (interpretation): No. I responded earlier to my colleague when he asked about the facility in Gjoa Haven, which is Uqsuqtuuq, not Uluqsaqtuuq.
I was trying to say Uqsuqtuuq.
I’m just trying to correct my mistake and I thank you for pointing that out.
We’re on (interpretation ends) Health.
Branch Summary. Directorate. (interpretation) Capital Estimates 2015-16.
Following my list of names, Mr. Sammurtok.
Although it’s not in the capital estimates, I do have a question for the minister.
As she is aware, in the Kivalliq, the Rankin Inlet Health Centre is the most frequented by doctors, along with patients from surrounding communities.
However, (interpretation ends) in the capital plan, (interpretation) I still have not seen plans for a transient centre. (interpretation ends) Are there any future plans for a transient centre?
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you very much. (interpretation ends) Minister of Health, Minister Ell.
Hon. Monica Ell (interpretation): The boarding homes for patients are all operated through contract agreements with independent operators not owned by the Nunavut government.
In negotiations with the federal government, the number of beds for the boarding homes is determined.
That’s how it’s set up.
So have you had any talks with any of the private contractors or organizations in regard to leasing a transient centre?
We’re dealing with the capital estimates, but the Minister of Health may wish to respond. Minister Ell.
Not with private organizations, but when we’re establishing a new boarding home, it requires discussions with Health Canada. Discussions with Health Canada regarding a Rankin Inlet boarding home have been initiated.
Mr. Sammurtok (interpretation): Yes, I completely understand (interpretation ends) that we are on capital expenditures, (interpretation) but I want to ask another question to (interpretation ends) the minister.
Has the department ever considered approaching organizations such as Sakku Development?
As we have just begun initiations with the federal government on this type of discussion, we cannot go to a private organization at this time until we know what Health Canada’s position will be.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you very much. (interpretation ends) We are on Health. Branch Summary. Directorate.
Capital Estimates 2015-16. Following the list of names, Mr. Savikataaq.
I’m going to follow along the lines of my colleague. I’m going to have a question because it’s not in the plan.
As the minister is quite aware, Arviat has the highest birth rate in Nunavut.
I would like to ask the minister if there are any plans to put a birthing centre in Arviat.
At this time, no, but if his population keeps growing, we will think of it in the future.
Yes, it is growing every day.
I thank the minister for saying that she will put a birthing centre there because she said that if the population is growing, they will put a birth centre there. I thank the minister for her well-chosen words.
It would save the department money too.
On another matter, they talk about the common design of health centres. I haven’t seen the common design. I also know that there is a shortage of staff housing and sometimes it’s an issue for hiring health centre staff.
Are there any houses attached to or part of the new nursing stations?
The one that was built in Repulse Bay that was completed did include [housing] for health centre staff.
The one in Arctic Bay, I believe, will not be. For the future, we’re hoping that they will be separated.
I guess they’re not quite common designs then if one has staff housing and the other one doesn’t.
Is that why one turns out to be cheaper than the other because there’s no accommodation attached to it?
As we noted earlier, the common design was requested by the committee when we met with your committee.
As such, we will be providing the common design.
As I was saying, when buildings are completed, we have staff and other technical experts go look at the way the building was completed and give us ideas on how to make improvements.
Working with CG&S, it was found that in the common design, if the buildings’ staff housing units were built in conjunction but separately, it would reduce costs.
With that, we’re moving forward.
Going on to a different matter, the regional health centres in Cambridge Bay and Rankin Inlet have been open for some time now.
Can the minister inform us whether they are operating at full capacity and, if not, what are the current levels of service at these two places?
I don’t have that information in front of me. I will ask Ms. Keenainak to answer that question.
I don’t have the exact numbers with me, but we can provide that. At the Cambridge Bay health facility, the outpatient unit is fully staffed, but the second floor is not fully staffed, so we do have a high vacancy rate there.
In the one in Rankin Inlet, there is a bit of a vacancy rate, but not as high as the one Cambridge Bay.
We can provide a bit of a snapshot in time through the minister.
You can rule whether this is appropriate or not. Is the amount of service being provided due to staffing issues?
I will have to get back to the member through a letter through you.
Directorate. Total Capital Expenditures. $17,150,000.
Back to page H-2.
Health. Detail of Expenditures. Total Capital Expenditures. $17,150,000.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you very much for your approval.
Does the committee agree that we have concluded the Department of Health?
Minister of Health, Minister Ell, do you have any closing comments?
I would like to thank the officials for appearing before the committee.
I also thank the staff of the Department of Health because they work very hard and they are very dedicated.
The Department of Health has been concluded.
Colleagues, we will take a five-minute break, and then we will start with Nunavut Arctic College.
>>Committee recessed at 14:39 and resumed at 14:50
Bill 08 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2015-2016 – Nunavut Arctic College – Consideration in Committee
The committee meeting will now come to order. (interpretation ends) I would now like to ask Minister Quassa: do you have officials that you would like to appear before the committee?
Hon. Paul Quassa (interpretation): Mr. Chairman, yes, I would like to have officials with me at the table today.
Do my colleagues agree to bring in the minister’s officials?
(interpretation ends) For the record, Minister Quassa, please introduce your official.