EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
One of the great advantages of Family Services since its formation is that our CDOs and our income assistant workers, for the most part, are co-located. Any person that comes in for an income assistance assessment needs to go through an initial screening in which we determine need in our regulations. In many cases, before they are able to apply, we will encourage them to apply for employment insurance and other benefits that might be available to them.
All income assistance clients must have a productive choice unless they are 60 or older or have a permanent disability. A productive choice could be parenting as well as seeking counselling services, but also to pursue training and education.
Clients that have identified, including young people, that that is their productive choice, then they are referred to a CDO to receive career counselling and information on what services and supports are available.
I think one of the areas and opportunities for Family Services as well is strengthening that connection and strengthening that referral process so that we have good information from both the career development system and the income assistance system, and integrating those two systems so that there is clear information on progress of pursuing the productive choice.
It is not just a one-time intervention; it is an ongoing intervention.
I just have a couple of more questions around this. If one comes in and they want to apply to the income assistance and then they go there, like you say, you try and get them to go on other programs or go back to school and that.
In the meantime, if they are not on other programs or going back to school, can they access the money while they are trying to figure out what they want to do for the next few years?
I want to know if we are going to have a lunch break.
Chairman: We are meeting until we have reported ourselves out.
I would like to hand it over to Brandon Grant to explain a bit more.
Any client that comes through our doors and demonstrates a need has a right to an assessment and support, but everybody has a requirement outside those two exceptions to have a productive choice.
Our workers will be working with clients on pursuing that productive choice and making progress in those areas, and that includes assisting with the referral to the career development office in tracking their progress.
A productive choice is checked from month to month and an updated action plan should be happening month to month with that client.
Any client that demonstrates need as a client in need as defined by regulations is entitled to support.
I always think that was my last question. Just by your comment, it just made me think, my goodness.
How many career development officers do you have there in the office where the income support service is provided? How many clients are coming in versus how many career counsellors? Just by what you have said, it sounds like they are very busy.
Brandon Grant will give you some figures.
I’m going to confirm for you. I believe there are 15 CDOs across the territory, but I will confirm that figure.
They are busy and I think it’s an area in which we need to really look at strengthening that relationship.
I think one of the areas in which we will be putting forward is a new program, a job readiness program, for our young people and those that want to build skills, that transition piece between being on income assistance and receiving good job readiness training so that they can enter into the workforce.  Our CDOs are working hard.
They see a lot of clients. Not every community has CDOs, but our CDOs do travel to communities to assist with that. I think that’s one of the areas in which the Career Development Division and the Income Assistance Division need to strengthen that relationship.
On the same page, page 123, I have some questions related to income assistance.
Mr. Chairman, the minister is aware that I have raised questions on this issue and have conveyed my concerns about income assistance and possible cases of abuse or potential misuse of the funds.
Let me ask this question firstly. Your usual reasoning when responding as the minister is related to confidentiality or privacy concerns that your department can’t force the client to expend the income support funds for specific things.
I have asked in the past whether or not the department can’t have a written set of rules to outline the purchases eligible for this income support, something like a list of goods that can be bought.
You have responded in the past and if we were to read the Blues, it is due to confidentiality concerns or privacy matters that this information can’t be released.
Nevertheless, I really heard the previous response when you responded to an earlier question. The member was asking about how the workers would determine if the client is earning money on the side.
The response I heard was that the workers can check into the client’s bank accounts, in English, (interpretation ends) check bank statements.
(interpretation) With your departmental position of confidentiality, why does your department have the ability to access that confidential information, but not the ability to enforce these rules? Isn’t this also (interpretation ends) a privacy issue (interpretation) that is a confidential matter?
Doesn’t this impact on the clients’ right to privacy?
Why does the department have that authority to access the statements?
Based on my understanding of this issue, there are only a few cases where a client’s bank statements can be accessed.
The other aspect related to this question is the fact that the majority of clients in Nunavut don’t hold a bank account.
Mr. Enook (interpretation): Mr. Chairman, I didn’t ask about that particular issue. (interpretation ends) That wasn’t my question. (interpretation) What I was asking about was based on your prior responses as the minister that a resident’s right to privacy is under the (interpretation ends) Protection of Privacy Act (interpretation) that you can’t force clients to use the funds for specific purchases. (interpretation ends) But on the other hand, (interpretation) you stated the opposite that you can access their bank statements.
I don’t understand this at all and that’s why I’m enquiring about this.
The (interpretation ends) deputy minister (interpretation) will respond to that question.
The only way we can access the bank statement of the client is because of their approval to access their bank statement, which is part of the form they fill out, allowing the worker to check their bank accounts.
Due to their approval, we are able to access the bank statements with written approval.
Nonetheless, if a person is eligible for income assistance, we have to provide that support according to their needs, but we can’t tell them they can only purchase certain items or a set number of products.
I want to be very clear in my response here. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I keep raising this issue through my queries.
The other response we hear often whenever the question is raised is if the department feels that abuse of the program is occurring, you can conduct an investigation.
Another issue I have raised and which I have spoken about is that you may have that ability, but there are no rules to govern this area.
You stated that you can’t force clients to purchase certain products with this income support, but what rules are in place to investigate possible misuse of the Income Assistance Program?
I don’t see anything written down to this effect, although we keep hearing that you have to follow the legislation and that your department can conduct investigations, but with no set rules written anywhere. The income support funds can be used for any purpose.
We need to have this clarified so that everyone understands.
So that you can have a clearer understanding, I will have my (interpretation ends) deputy minister (interpretation) respond to your questions.
There are no programs that don’t have a policy. We need good policies and regulations to govern them.
The reason for the policies is to reduce abuses. Sometimes a client may state that they received this amount or the client redirects the cheque to another person, which is abuse.
Since this is (interpretation ends) public money, (interpretation) we have to account for all of the funds and that is why we have to inform the Minister of Justice if we feel theft of funds or abuses occurred.
I am not talking about things like sugar or tea, but for cases where theft occurred or abuse was found.
Let me try to state it in English. (interpretation ends) If there was fraud or misuse, we have guidelines and a structure in place that my department must communicate to the Attorney General, who is the Minister of Justice.
In turn, they would turn it over to the RCMP.
There are cases and we have a few cases that are in that situation, that is, fraud and a misuse of money for maybe altering cheques or anything like that.
I hope I’m clear, Mr. Chairman.
I will speak in Inuktitut as the majority of my constituents who use these programs are mainly Inuit residents and their mother tongue is Inuktitut, so they understand it clearly.
Mr. Chairman, as an example, I have brought cases to the minister’s attention where I felt abuse may have occurred when I overheard a child stating that since their mother was able to get income support, they received a $300 iPod.
In my opinion, that constitutes abuse. Our government also states continually that they can’t force people to purchase specific items since it would violate a person’s privacy rights.
As I speak about these issues of potential abuse, the minister has also stated that they would have to discuss the issues I have raised or asked about with the Minister of Justice. Has this discussion taken place?
Where are you now on this issue?
I will ask Brandon Grant to respond to the question.
As the minister stated, as we deal with issues of fraud, we have a requirement to inform the Attorney General and the Comptroller General. We receive information on when we proceed with RCMP charges.
In terms of abuse and suspension periods, we are putting forward changes to the regulations on how we deal with suspensions when we know of abuse. We have verified abuse and fraud and suspension periods. We have met with officials from the Department of Justice to have discussions with this and once we have drafted those regulation changes and seek approval, we will be sharing them with the House.
That clarifies the issue.
Although I hadn’t asked about that matter, they responded with that answer, so I now understand that.
What I was trying to ask about was the past responses of the (interpretation ends) Hon. Minister (interpretation) in this House that she would speak with the Department of Justice regarding this and any perception of fraud that I question and the rights of individuals.
I was only asking to see if you have had any dialogue with the department. What is the status of this issue? Where are you now?
I would like a break; I need to go to the washroom.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you very much. (interpretation ends) We will take a five-minute break.
>>Committee recessed at 13:11 and resumed at 13:20
I would like to call the committee meeting back to order.
Just when I asked my question, the minister asked for a break when she would have responded. Should I repeat my question or should she respond to my question?
Chairman (interpretation): So that she can remember your question, please repeat your question, Mr. Enook.
My question earlier was with respect to the line of questions I have raised in the past about possible improvements and in response to my questions, the minister responded and it is also in the Blues that the minister has to work with the Department of Justice to see what can be done in this area.
I will just repeat the question I asked earlier. Have you discussed these issues with the Department of Justice and where are your discussions at?
The member has asked the same question several times and we have tried to respond clearly each time. I can’t respond to the member at this time.
I didn’t quite understand the response. I have repeated this question since she informed me last fall that her department has to work with the Department of Justice.
We haven’t met this winter and we are already approaching spring season, so I ask again: has your department initiated discussions with the Department of Justice based on your response that you would need to discuss it with that department?
Have these discussions taken place? If discussions have commenced, where are you now?
I had responded to this question earlier, the exact same question.
The minister tasks her officials to investigate, as our employees inform the minister if we suspect any cases of fraud or theft.
Whenever a case arises, we hold discussions with the departments of Justice and Finance as to what measures will be undertaken for this case. Decisions are made for every case where abuse or fraud is suspected.
I want to be clear on this in my response with respect to abuse of the program. We have the process laid out and which departments are to be involved. We have to inform the ministers of Justice and Finance on these cases to ensure that a decision is made to resolve the issue.
The answer I heard is not related to the question I asked about. Perhaps it was one of my colleague’s earlier question, but certainly not one of my questions.
The question I keep trying to get a response to is this: (interpretation ends) Hon. Minister, (interpretation) you have stated that you will be discussing income support legislation with the Department of Justice regarding amendments, especially when it has an impact on privacy and confidentiality issues.
You have repeatedly made statements in the House regarding privacy issues.
Have you discussed this matter with the Department of Justice and where are you at now with this issue?
Yes, we have initiated discussions with the department on the income support legislation that is outdated and we want to update the legislation.
We also have a lawyer working with our department to review the areas causing problems legislation-wise and what needs amendments.
We also have to be careful about not impacting anyone’s personal life and we continue to discuss these issues with the department and that started in the fall. We need to update a lot of old regulations and legislation. When Mr. Rumbolt was asking the question, we responded to those questions.
Perhaps I will ask two questions, but I would like to combine them if you will allow it. This may be my last question if I can ask it.
The issue that is causing misunderstanding is that members feel the Income Assistance Program is specifically only for purchasing foodstuffs from the local stores.
I also believe, since you stated that you have met about these issues, that this could be improved by amending the legislation.
Let me try to ask this last question, which I hope is the last one.
Your department has stated, “To identify, review and evaluate policy and procedural matters surrounding the delivery and administration of income assistance programs.”
When will you be completing this initiative?
I believe I have raised questions on this issue for about three years now. The rote answer is always the same, which is the issue is under review, being reviewed, or is up for review.
When are you going to complete the review?
The figures are contained in our proposed main estimates and once the budget is approved, we would appreciate it so that the work could commence.
Upon approval of the main estimates, when will this review be started and when do you expect this review to be completed?
Once our proposed main estimates are approved, we would commence the work and we could then identify the timeframe for the completion of the review.
That is what I can respond with currently.
Now with respect to the proposed main estimates, if I were to approve the budget and with the departmental position that you will conduct the review, does your department have any idea of how long the review process would take place?
I imagine your department has taken this into consideration since you have already written down the action items.
I will have Brandon Grant respond if he could estimate when we could complete this.
At the department, we have put together a document for the oversight committee for social assistance reform under the mandate, which is the deputy minister and Quality of Life [Committee] that will review the scope and size of the public engagement process.
In our Sivumut Abluqta implementation document, we stated that we will initiate the reform review starting this year.
Once we get approval from the DM and Quality of Life on the size and scope of the public engagement process, we will start right away with implementation of the changes in 2017 and a review of the effectiveness of those changes within that year as well.
It’s important to note too for the member that we’re making changes now within the program, including improving our compliance and expenditure controls, by beefing up the deployment of our income assistance deployment system.
We’re going to be bringing forward, as I stated before, regulatory changes that we’re going to be receiving on March 31, as well as to make changes that we know are issues there, some of the issues that the members have brought up, as well as changing our statutory training program and improving training for our staff too.
We’re not waiting for the public engagement process to go and we’re working now as a department and as a division on making positive changes within income assistance.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Item 21. Third Reading of Bills. (interpretation) My apologies. (interpretation ends) Item 20.
Mr. Mikkungwak (interpretation): Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) Your committee has been considering Bill 16 and the main estimates, and would like to report progress.
Mr. Savikataaq. (interpretation ends) The motion is in order.
Just a reminder that the Standing Committee on Legislation will meet this afternoon in the Nanuq Boardroom at half past two and that the same standing committee meets tomorrow morning starting at ten o’clock in the Nanuq Room.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) The House stands adjourned until Monday, March 9, 2015, at 1:30 p.m.
>>House adjourned at 13:36
Monday, March 9, 2015
Pages 2178 – 2263
Opening Prayer 2178
Ministers’ Statements 2178
Members’ Statements 2181
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 2185
Oral Questions 2186
Tabling of Documents 2203
First Reading of Bills 2204
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 2204
Point of Order 2209
Report of the Committee of the Whole 2262
Orders of the Day 2262
Monday, March 9, 2015 2178
113 – 4(2): Canada’s Outstanding Principals (Quassa) 2178
114 – 4(2): Celebration of French Language and Culture in Nunavut: Les Rendez-vous de la Francophonie 2015 (Kuksuk) 2179
115 – 4(2): Improving Diagnostic Services (Okalik) 2179
116 – 4(2): Territorial Parks Projects Move to Master Plan Phase (Mike) 2180
249 – 4(2): Google Maps Streetview in Sanikiluaq (Rumbolt) 2181
250 – 4(2): Congratulations to Charlene Ukutak (Savikataaq) 2181
251 – 4(2): Congratulations to the Rankin Inlet Bantam Hockey Players (Sammurtok) 2182
252 – 4(2): Baker Lake Artists Recognized in the UK (Mikkungwak) 2182
253 – 4(2): Recognition of Youth Programs (Angnakak) 2183
254 – 4(2): Iqaluit’s Outstanding Principal – Sonja Lonsdale (Hickes) 2183
255 – 4(2): International Women’s Day (Joanasie) 2185
408 – 4(2): Kitikmeot Language Framework Project (Akoak) 2186
409 – 4(2): Medical Escorts for Elders (Mikkungwak) 2188
410 – 4(2): Status of the New Wastewater System for Sanikiluaq (Rumbolt) 2189
411 – 4(2): Progress on Capital Plan (Sammurtok) 2190
412 – 4(2): Feasibility of Waste-oil Furnaces (Savikataaq) 2191
413 – 4(2): Ethics Officer (Enook) 2192
414 – 4(2): Activities of the Qulliq Energy Corporation (Joanasie) 2194
415 – 4(2): Strategy for Elders (Angnakak) 2195
416 – 4(2): Projects under the New Building Canada Fund (Hickes) 2197
417 – 4(2): Support for Cancer Patients (Mikkungwak) 2198
418 – 4(2): ITK and Climate Change (Savikataaq) 2200
419 – 4(2): Duty Travel Administration (Enook) 2202
110 – 4(2): 2015 Council of the Federation Winter Meeting (Taptuna) 2203
Bill 20 – Legislation Act – First Reading 2204
Bill 16 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2015-2016 – Family Services – Consideration in Committee 2204
Bill 16 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2015-2016 – Justice – Consideration in Committee 2236
Bill 16 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2015-2016 – Finance – Consideration in Committee 2256
Speaker (interpretation): Good afternoon, ministers, (interpretation ends) Premier, (interpretation) members, as well as my fellow Nunavummiut, visitors, our staff and interpreters.
Minister’s Statement 113 – 4(2): Canada’s Outstanding Principals (Quassa)
Hon. Paul Quassa (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Good day, my colleagues and my fellow residents of Aggu, Igloolik, and Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, as Minister of Education, I am honoured to recognize Sonja Lonsdale, a leader in our school system who was recently named as one of Canada’s outstanding principals.
As Principal of Joamie School in Iqaluit, Sonja Lonsdale is one of 40 principals from across Canada to receive the 2015 Canada’s Outstanding Principals Award.
Mr. Speaker, Sonja is a strong leader who is guided by the Inuit values of Piliriqatigiinniq and Aajiiqatigiinniq.
She believes that building positive relationships with her staff, students, and the community is the best way to encourage learning.
(interpretation ends) The Canada’s Outstanding Principals program was developed by the Learning Partnership and is now in its 11th year.
The program recognizes the importance of strong leadership in education.
Mr. Speaker, Sonja works hard to strengthen family and community engagement in her school.
She initiated the Joamie Parent Committee and she supports Family Group Times and Spirit Days to help make all students and parents feel valued in the school community.
(interpretation) As the principal, Sonja has established a vision for learning that is shared by elders, staff, and parents based on Inuit societal values.
Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating Sonja Lonsdale, a strong principal who has provided the leadership needed to make Joamie School a safe, nurturing, and inspiring place of learning for all its students.
That’s my Minister’s Statement and I would like to thank you, Mr. Speaker, for giving me the opportunity.
Minister’s Statement 114 – 4(2): Celebration of French Language and Culture in Nunavut: Les Rendez-vous de la Francophonie 2015 (Kuksuk)
Hon. George Kuksuk (interpretation): Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I say “good day” to my fellow Nunavummiut, as well as my fellow residents of Arviat and the people of Whale Cove.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, from March 6 to 22, 9.5 million francophones and francophiles will celebrate the French language and culture across Canada as part of the 17th edition of Les Rendez-vous de la Francophonie under the theme La joie de vivre: Ça nous rassemble! (interpretation) I hope you got that.
My department is a proud partner of the programming of Les Rendez-vous de la Francophonie 2015 as part of its general mandate to support the vitality of the francophone community in Nunavut.
For example, the department will contribute $30,300 to the Francophone Association of Nunavut, which will host a series of cultural and community events during Les Rendez-vous.
With this contribution, our government recognizes the importance of heritage, cultural contribution, and value of the francophonie in Nunavut and affirms its commitment to protect and promote the French language and the vitality of the francophone community in Nunavut.
Enjoy the Rendez-vous!
Minister’s Statement 115 – 4(2): Improving Diagnostic Services (Okalik)
Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to provide an update on the Department of Health’s ongoing work to improve diagnostic services.