EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
You have all probably heard that my sister was sent to the hospital here in Iqaluit.
I visited her at the hospital and the staff has been very good to her. I really appreciate the assistance of all of the wonderful staff here at the hospital in Iqaluit.
I would like to thank the staff on behalf of my family. They have very demanding jobs but do them extremely well.
Member's Statement 065 – 1(4): Appreciation to Sanikiluaq Residents
I would also like to make a statement on the time zone similar to Mr. Iqaqrialu’s.
I am very glad to say that the Sanikiluaq time correlates with the rest of the Nunavut time zone and the capital of Nunavut now.
I would also like to say that I am very proud of our elders living in Sanikiluaq.
When I was growing up they took care of me, especially my dad and my uncles and aunts, as well as the rest of the Sanikiluaq residents.
In those days I used to follow the dog teams when they went out and for those Sanikiluaq residents that can see me on the TV I would like to say how proud I am of you and that you have given me a good sense of direction in life.
I would like to say that I am very proud of the Sanikiluaq elders for guiding us through our lives.
Member's Statement 066 – 1(4): Nunavut Land Claim Negotiators
Today I rise to make a statement regarding the making of Nunavut.
We worked hard for Nunavut and the Nunavut Land Claim Agreement and I would like to talk about why we worked so hard for this.
I do lament that the people of Sachs Harbour, Tuktoyaktuk and others that could have been a part of Nunavut but because of the activities during the time of the negotiations, they weren't able to be a part of Nunavut.
These were mostly oil exploration activities that forced them to settle a separate land claim early.
But we are still the same people.
I would like to recognize the people that worked hard, Tagak Curley, Josiah Kadlutsiak, John Amagoalik, Meeka Kilabuk and many others. I would like to recognize these people for their hard work towards creating Nunavut.
Perhaps some people outside of Nunavut don't understand why they worked so hard for this.
As people we work well together and at one point the regions seemed to be working on their own, but Mr. Speaker, I think these people worked very hard together in order to create Nunavut.
They worked hard together so our people could have a good life.
I think we have to remember that even though we make mistakes, we can learn from those mistakes.
We must remember the reason why we worked so hard towards this.
Member's Statement 067 – 1(4): Alcohol Abuse Impact on Nunavut
Mr. Speaker, I rise today on an issue that continues to plague our Territory.
It is an issue that we as government leaders in our communities, and as individuals cannot afford to be complacent about.
I am referring to the wide spread impacts of alcohol abuse in our Territory.
On April 1, 1999, Nunavut began its life as Canada's newest Territory.
By the end of September 2000, Nunavut has been in existence for a year and a half.
An interesting statistic over that period of time shows that during those 550 days over 3 thousand alcohol incidents were reported by the RCMP across Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, on average that works out to more than 5 alcohol related incidents every day since Nunavut's existence.
Mr. Speaker, the abuse of alcohol does not only lead to consequences of drunkenness and health problems for the individuals who drink.
Alcohol is associated with a wide range of criminal offences that affect the rest of society.
Alcohol is frequently a factor in fights, assaults, domestic abuse, homicides, and suicides and is often implicated in criminal activity.
As our community continues to grow these types of incidents will continue unless we make commitments to deal with alcohol abuse.
In light of the closing of our regional treatment centre what kinds of solutions has our government offered for this kind of problem.
Sometime ago the Department of Health & Social Services buzz word was the holistic approach to health care.
Since then it appears the responsibility for addressing these issues is being referred to the newly established Committees of Council.
Many of these are just now receiving initial training and funding to carry out their role.
Mr. Speaker, the government should take the lead in holistic approaches such as holistic treatment programs to help abusers.
The communities can not be expected to deliver these kinds of services individually and on their own.
As an example the government has taken the lead in delivering alternative rehabilitation programs such as the Department of Justice's on-the-land corrections program outside of Arviat.
I strongly urge the government to support the Department of Health & Social Services in establishing a healing centre where holistic programs could be implemented as well as being a resource and a training centre.
We have to start somewhere in tackling this problem that plagues our communities.
Return to OQ 016 - 1(4): Staff Housing Policy
The Assembly is being televised and I probably look bigger than what I really am.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to provide a response to a question posed by the member for Iqaluit Centre, Mr. Tootoo, on October 24, 2000.
Mr. Tootoo asked when the staff housing policy was approved.
The staff housing policy was approved by cabinet on April 13, 2000.
Copies of the policy were provided in English and Inuktitut to the Members of the Legislative Assembly in May.
For clarification purposes, Public Works and Services has changed the title of the policy to the Staff Housing Allocation Policy, because it addresses the allocation of staff housing units.
I hardly ever have the chance to do this but I would like to recognize an elder in the gallery who is from my constituency.
He is a well known person from Iqaluit, Celestine Erkidjuk, welcome.
Speaker (interpretation): Welcome to the Legislative Assembly and thank you for coming to the House.
Question 059 – 1(4): Policy on Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit
As I have stated before during the appropriate time I would be asking the Minister of Culture, Language, Elders & Youth about Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit.
I would like to ask the minister if they have any policy or written objectives on using Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit, as to how we are going to utilize it in the government system.
Especially when it is going to have an impact on Nunavut.
Speaker (interpretation): Minister responsible for Culture, Language, Elders & Youth.
I can respond by saying that there is nothing written to date as to how the government is going incorporate Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit.
I think the minister is aware that as a government we say we will incorporate Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit in the government system, especially when we make decisions that are going to have an impact on Nunavut residents.
We tell our people this.
We want to get input from the elders on incorporating Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit.
Since the minister has stated that nothing is written, does he plan to have something in place in the upcoming days or months within this year.
I think that we are all aware that the Nunavut Government cannot make decisions on our own and we do not want to make the decisions on our own.
We would like to involve the Inuit in the communities in decision making as to how Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit will be incorporated into the government system.
So therefore the residents of Nunavut have to be involved.
I cannot tell you when I plan to do that.
I can say to you that we will involve the residents of Nunavut.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Minister.
The minister has stated as a government we can not make our decisions on our own.
For that very reason the minister plans to strike up a commission, like the government has established the law review commission.
We have Language Commissioners, Privacy Commissioners.
If you value Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit do you plan to establish a commissioner for Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit.
I know that we have been quite concerned about this for some time now as to how we are going to incorporate Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit into the government system.
I can say yes we could strike up a committee that deals with Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit and they will be established sometime in the future.
I know that we will give a small mandate to the committee of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit.
Your last question Mr. Arvaluk.
The minister has stated that there is nothing written as to how we can involve Inuit and the government does not have any objectives as to how we are going to incorporate Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit, but the government keeps stating that they want to incorporate Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit.
Before we draw up the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit policy, will the minister be working with the Minister responsible for Petroleum Products since the increase of 13.9 cents for fuel prices is going to have a negative impact on people.
I would like to know if we are utilizing Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit.
Speaker (interpretation): There is a point of order on the floor.
My point of order is that as an Inuk person, I was raised as an Inuk. I was raised by the elders and my parents are elders as well.
We are being told by the member that we Inuit people in here don't know about Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit.
That is why I am making this point of order.
He has switched his line of questioning to petroleum products while his original question was about Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit policies.
Regarding the point of order that has been raised, I would like to ask the member whether he is directing his question to the Minister of Culture, Language, Elders & Youth.
I will allow you to ask that question if it is going to be directed to that minister.
I was using an example, I was using the Law Reform Commission as an example, the Privacy and the Language Commissioner.
There was no point of order when I was using those examples.
I don't know why there is a point of order now.
What I was trying to say is if the government's decisions are going to be having a negative impact on Nunavut residents, for example, I was going to ask the minister if before he sets Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit to paper, if he is going to work with the Minister responsible for Petroleum Products.
Hon. Manitok Thompson: Point of Order
My point of order is that the members of cabinet, all of us have discussed this and approved the fuel price increase.
The member for Nanulik, I will allow you to ask that question of the Minister for Culture, Language, Elders & Youth.
Although I may not be having an impact on the other department, I would like to thank the member for raising her point of order.
I know that Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit was worked on prior to the fuel price increases that the cabinet agreed on.
My question at this point in time is will the Minister for Culture, Language, Elders & Youth urge, whether it is the petroleum products division or not, it is just an example, or will your department make sure that other departments incorporate Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit before any policies are drawn up. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
It feels like I am in court, that's the way I feel right now.
However, I respect the question, and the responses the minister gave the other day were very interesting about the fact that Inuit have to work together, especially the hunters and the homeowners.
She also mentioned that we are looking at ways to assist those people.
Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit doesn't only include oil prices and we constantly hear in the Assembly that the procedures that we follow within the House should also include Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit so that our procedures will be appropriate.
I don't know if I answered his question or not. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 060 – 1(4): Support & Services for Education Authorities
I just wanted to reiterate my colleague Mr. Picco's statement about the Elk's Club and their kind donation to the children of Iqaluit in regards to their hearing disabilities. Far too often we don't recognize the volunteers working in our schools, and the money that they contribute, whether it is fund raising or for things like that.
Today, Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Minister of Education regarding the dissolution of the Education Boards.
Could the minister provide some information on what support and resources are being provided to train education authorities in their new responsibilities.
Minister responsible for Education. Mr. Premier.
I am pleased to say that we are reviewing how we can provide additional training at the local level, the local education authorities.
We are currently reviewing proposals from the communities and we will be reviewing it along with the monetary issues we are considering for the upcoming fiscal year.
The minister is moving right forward on this which is good.
My biggest concern Mr. Speaker on education boards is, being involved with them myself and with the regional offices, there sometimes seems to be a shortage of trained and qualified staff to go out and work with the local DEA in regards to their accounting procedures.
Can the minister maybe make that a point that when they are going out and helping the education authorities, if they could look at providing some kind of accounting training to the local DEA Secretary Treasurers.
They seem to be taking on a lot of responsibility with not very much training.
Hon. Paul Okalik: Ma'na Uqaqti, Mr. Speaker.
Yes, that is one of the considerations put forward by the local education authorities and we are currently reviewing that. Ma'na Uqaqti.
On the orders of the day.
Question 061 - 1(4): Day Care Funding
I have a question to the minister of education.
Just a while back he made a statement on day cares.
In his statement he said “ we addressed the funding formula, as recommended in the report, from funding 100% on attendance basis to 50% attendance basis and 50% licenced seats”.
Exactly what does that mean.
Before the new policy we could only pay if the children were in day care.
Only if they were in attendance.
If there were a number of children that did not go to day care then the amount would have been lower and that created big problems for day cares all across Nunavut.
We said that we would fund them 50% of their licensed capacity and if there is full attendance we would pay them the other 50%.
A lot of times children might go on holidays or be sick or be away if there is an emergency.
So in those kinds of circumstances they would not have been provided with funding.
He also stated that before they were given funding quarterly and now it will be on a monthly basis.
I would like to know where that money will be kept.
I believe they are paid from the government offices.
My question is will that funding be transferred to the communities so that the day cares will be paid monthly.
Minister of Education Mr. Okalik.
The day care centres funding will be directly deposited to the day cares.
Before it used to be quarterly after we received a report.
This was one of the major issues and they had to wait three months before they had the additional funding so we reduced that to one month.
So they will not go through so much hassle and so much hardship.
To the same Minister of Education.
He also said more elders would be involved.
How they are going to be involved.
Will there be a parent or adult at the day cares.
Will the age have to be 50.
I am not clear on this.
I stated we have employees and that includes elders who help with programming.
We want to involve Inuit Organizations because they also provide funding which is given to day cares to the tune of 3 million dollars. We want to be able to work with them on how to include the elders within the day care system.
Question 062 – 1(4): Assistance to People in Spring Camps
Families who go out camping, especially in the springtime, are they assisted, or are there any kinds of assistance programs for those people.
Sustainable Development Minister.
At this time the funding is provided to the hunters within Nunavut.
If they are going to go out for a weekend, we do not have funding available for that short length of time.
We do have programs that can assist them while they are out, the fur marketing program for example can be of some help.
But we do not have any other kind of program that can assist the type of springtime activities that the member speaks of.
I understand his response because I know in our community people go out to their summer camps and they are gone for almost the whole summer and I don't think there are assistance programs for that.
I failed to mention that there are some families that wish to go out on the land to outpost camps on a more permanent basis.
They can get funding for fuel, materials, gas and for transporting those items.
That is one of the assistance programs that we use.
At this time if they want to get assistance where would they go.
Hon. Peter Kilabuk (interpretation): I do not think I fully understand his question.
Maybe he misunderstood me.
If he could rephrase his question please.
Mr. Alakannuark could you rephrase your question or clarify it please.
The question is, if those people who go out even for just a couple of days to go camping, which department could they direct their request to for that assistance.
Speaker (interpretation): Minister Kilabuk.
Hon. Peter Kilabuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Alakannuark as far as I know, especially in the Baffin region and maybe in the other regions, if they are going to go to an outpost camp they are assisted through the HTOs and Wildlife Officers can also help them fill out their application forms.
Question 063 – 1(4): Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit & Fuel Price Increases
The response he gave earlier about petroleum products, it does not have anything to do with Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit.
He stated earlier that as MLAs when there is an opening of the session the qulliq is always lit.
That is our tradition, so it will keep us warm.
Once it is lit it was meant to keep us warm.
During the Bowhead whale hunt that almost became extinct because of the fat, and that directly involves Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit.
It effects how we live that some animals exist that can keep us warm.
Maybe the minister in some way can look at this situation again as to how else it can be brought up in the future.
I will ask the Minister of Culture, Language, Elders & Youth to respond to the question.
The response I gave earlier, I said that Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit does not only effect petroleum products.
That is the only thing that I said, that Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit covers a large area of different things. Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit is not only about petroleum products.
You asked if I was able to rephrase it.
I am sure during committee of the whole if you ask it again it will be answered.
Question 064 – 1(4): Holistic Approach to Treatment
Mr. Speaker, my question today, you can probably guess because of my member's statement, is directed towards the Minister of Health & Social Services.
I would like to ask the minister, as I indicated and as I said the buzzword that health was using in the past was holistic health care.
In the area of treatment, I am wondering if the minister can apprise us of any developments or any initiatives that they are looking at in pursuing that approach outside of the already mentioned local community councils that he has quite elaborately explained to us here in this House.
Minister of Health & Social Services. Mr. Picco.
Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the member’s earlier statement and I appreciate the question.
It does give us an opportunity as we had last week in some discussion and debate on suicides to bring up another important area under Health & Social Services, Mr. Speaker, the issue of alcohol and drug treatment programs.
I guess we need to back up a little bit referring back to the member's statement on the drug and alcohol treatment centre in Iqaluit located in Apex that was closed.
Of course, that was not closed by the Government of Nunavut.
The Baffin Regional Health and Social Services Board closed that in 1998.
It followed the closure of almost every treatment centre in the North including Northern Quebec, Northwest Territories, and the Yukon.
Mr. Speaker, when we talk about the holistic approach to treating drug and alcohol problems we have to talk about the whole person.
The holistic approach means treating the whole person.
When we look at the treatment centre Mr. Speaker, in Apex, treatment centres were designed in the south to deal with specific substance abuse problems.
When we say substance abuse problems we are talking about illicit drugs.
Mr. Speaker, we are talking about over the counter drugs that the people are addicted to and Mr. Speaker, we are talking about drugs that are provided through pharmacare as prescription drugs.
Mr. Speaker, we are also talking about sniffing and Mr. Speaker, we are also talking about alcohol problems.
So when the Department of Health & Social Services talks about the holistic approach we are trying to deal with the whole person and Mr. Speaker, when you talk about the holistic approach to healing that brings us back to what we talked about in Rankin Inlet in February.
Do we take Mr. Speaker, Ed Picco out of his community of Clyde River, out of Hall Beach, out of Gjoa Haven.
Do we send that person who has a substance problem to Iqaluit to be treated.
What about the family.
What about the problems that the person is dealing with at the community level, the drinking problem in this case.
If you do not treat those situations, you come down here to dry out for 6 weeks and when you go back to the community you are dealing with the same problems. Mr. Speaker, that is the holistic approach, you have to deal with the whole person.
You can not just deal with just the problem.
Mr. Speaker, we have very few people in Nunavut who have what we would call an addictive or a substance abuse problem where they are addicted to a drug for example, cocaine, heroin.
Where they need that shot in the morning.
Mr. Speaker, our problem with alcohol is binge drinking.
People binge drink probably to escape or to deal with problems that they can not deal with in normal daily life.
That is why Mr. Speaker, we put our money into training drug and alcohol counsellors and getting professional development.
As an example, 20 drug and alcohol counsellors just finished professional development over the last few months.
Also Mr. Speaker, it is important to point out that under the NADAP program alone we spent over 300 thousand dollars this past year on training, counselling and professional development of our community alcohol and drug counsellors.
I thank the minister for his quite elaborate and extensive answer.
Mr. Speaker, he indicated that there are drug and alcohol counsellors being trained for the communities.
A holistic approach is saying we will just let the community take care of it.
Mr. Speaker, I realize that is the approach they are taking in some cases.
Mr. Speaker, where treatment is necessary, what are we doing with those people now.
Are we sending people to the south, what kind of treatment are we giving them, are we just leaving them to these newly trained individuals.
Just to clarify the point here.
I am not using notes here. I don't have a written speech.
I am trying to explain what the Department of Health & Social Services has been trying to do on their alcohol and drug treatment programs.
I appreciate the opportunity that the member has given to me by asking this question.
As the members know we have the Nunavut Arctic College Alcohol Counsellor Program that is running right now.
Mr. Speaker, we have had several students through that program who are trained.
We are not leaving and abandoning anyone in Nunavut.
As I said earlier Mr. Speaker, the treatment centres, 99% of the time are for people who have a physical addiction to a substance.
For example Mr. Speaker, a cocaine addiction or is an alcoholic.
Mr. Speaker, they don't go to a treatment centre just out of the blue.
They are usually clinically or medically referred or number three, Mr. Speaker, that they feel they have a problem and they approach someone at the community level where they say okay, does this person need a treatment program.