EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Mr. Sammurtok: Mr. Speaker, as I indicated, I am disappointed at this project because the building and location was perfectly designed for its original purpose as a children’s home.
Can the minister provide some explanation as to what kinds of changes will be necessary to convert this home into a home for adults facing mental health issues?
Hon. Tom Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I don’t have that level of information.
As I indicated, this project is being led by another department.
Once we get direction from that department, we would be able to proceed with the work. (interpretation) Thank you.
I appreciate that our government needs to make difficult decisions to allocate resources and infrastructure as they are needed.
Can the minister confirm that it will be still possible at some point in the future to once again repurpose this facility and convert it back into a children’s group home?
Hon. Tom Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I’m not able to answer that question. We are a service department.
Until such time that we are given direction by a program department, I just don’t have that level of information. (interpretation) Thank you.
Question 412 – 4(2): Feasibility of Waste-oil Furnaces (Savikataaq)
Mr. Speaker, the department’s five-year capital plan indicates that it plans to begin the design and construction of a number of municipal garages in the 2016-17 fiscal year.
As the minister will be aware, installing waste-oil furnaces in these garages can be used to recycle used oil and generate free heat.
Can the minister indicate if his department has considered installing waste-oil furnaces in the newly constructed garages?
Hon. Tom Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I thank the member for that question.
As a service department, we are always looking at emerging technologies and existing technologies to determine what would be the best solution to, for example, heating of any municipal buildings. (interpretation) Thank you.
Will the minister commit to investigating the feasibility of installing waste-oil furnaces in up-and-coming garages that are going to be built in the future?
During the preplan/predesign stage of any project, we are always looking into different technologies that may be available out there.
Any time we enter into that phase, we are always looking at different technologies that might be useful. (interpretation) Thank you.
I will try one more time. Will the minister commit to investigating of municipal garages that are coming on to have waste-oil furnaces as part of the package in the early stages, not as an add-on, but right in the beginning stages?
Hon. Tom Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) Again I stress that we are always looking into different new and proven technologies.
I’m sure that my department will be looking into the feasibility of whether waste-oil fired heaters might be one of the things we could look at.
However, once we determine what would be the best solution for that situation, that’s the method that my department would likely follow. (interpretation) Thank you.
Question 413 – 4(2): Ethics Officer (Enook)
Part 6 of Nunavut’s new Public Service Act comes into force in a little over three weeks from today.
This section of the legislation deals with protection for public servants who disclose wrongdoing in the workplace.
In the minister’s recent Budget Address, he indicated that he would be announcing the appointment of the new ethics officer “very shortly” and that the individual will “take office on April 1.”
Mr. Speaker, my question to the minister is: can he describe what actions his department has been taking in anticipation of the coming into force of Part 6 of the Public Service Act?
Mr. Speaker, on April 1, we will be officially opening the office. The individual who was selected as the ethics officer has been appointed by the cabinet.
The other action is we will be bringing the individual to Iqaluit, I think, on March 15 to introduce him hopefully in the House and to all of our Government of Nunavut employees.
We’re very much looking forward to this office opening on April 1.
As the minister is aware, I have not been alone in raising concerns about public servants who feel muzzled or intimidated when they attempt to bring forward concerns to appropriate authorities, including the elected Members of this Legislative Assembly.
Can the minister describe what actions his department is taking to ensure that all levels of the public service are clearly aware of the rights and responsibilities of employees and managers?
Mr. Speaker.  Speaker (interpretation): Thank you.
It is no secret that the Government of Nunavut has quite an extensive set of Human Resource Manual directives. They are available to all management and senior management and, of course, to all employees. It is all spelled out in the Human Resource Manual directives.
I don’t want to be telling people what they should do, but it is incumbent upon managers and supervisors to be very familiar with those policies. It’s also incumbent upon employees to educate themselves about the policies. They are there to protect the individuals.
Under the Public Service Act, of course, again there is more information for employees.
From time to time, we do put out Helpdesk directives. Helpdesk, to the public, is Internet information to our employees.
They are to update them on the information. We do make our employees aware that in the Department of Finance, we do have employee relations folks who you can contact.
They are available to act as mediators in disputes or issues that employees may have with their supervisors.
As this will be a new initiative, can the minister describe what information is being provided to Government of Nunavut employees so that they know how to contact Nunavut’s new ethics officer?
I thank Mr. Enook for the question. Mr. Speaker, I just recently received approval from the cabinet for a new Human Resource Manual directive.
I just happen to have it here. Internal disclosure of wrongdoing is part and parcel with the ethics officer. That will spell out the various steps that employees may follow to report internal wrongdoing.
I have to point out that we encourage the employees to go through those steps, but if they feel that there are safety issues or health issues or there may be reprisals against them, then they can go directly to the ethics officer with their complaint.
We are treating it very seriously.
If supervisors, managers, and anybody else mistreats employees during this process, there can be some very serious consequences.
Mr. Speaker, because we want people to be able to use this new initiative, we have developed an information package and I believe it will be sent out to all Government of Nunavut employees and we will promoting it on our website.
Question 414 – 4(2): Activities of the Qulliq Energy Corporation (Joanasie)
Mr. Speaker, the Nunavut Energy Centre defines “net metering” as a “program and billing practice that allows electricity consumers to produce their own electricity and use it to offset all or a portion of their electricity bill.”
This is intended to support the development of such alternative energy sources as wind or solar power.
The Qulliq Energy Corporation’s most recently tabled annual report for the 2012-13 fiscal year states that a net metering policy is “being developed to allow small amounts of alternative energy from our customers to be introduced to the power grids.
The limit on any Net Metering installation will be 10 kW with additional limits based on the individual communities as to the total amount of alternative energy QEC will accept.”
Can the minister update the House today on the status of QEC’s implementation of the new Net Metering Policy?
Hon. Keith Peterson: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank Mr. Joanasie for the question.
Mr. Speaker, I have been a strong advocate of wind turbines and alternative energy for many years.
When I was MLA on that side, I used to ask the QEC minister questions of the day.
In Cambridge Bay, we had some wind turbines that some friends of mine were operating.
I can tell Mr. Joanasie that the status of the Net Metering Policy is it is in the draft stages and it is being reviewed by our QEC legal counsel, then it would have to go to the board and finally to myself.
It’s not just about the metering policy. There are other considerations we have to work on, interconnection guidelines and bonding and grounding guidelines, so it is part and parcel.
We take our power grids in our communities very seriously.
Any harm or potential risk to those power grids can put our entire communities at risk, so we have to tread very carefully with the Net Metering Policy.
The Municipality of Cape Dorset has expressed interest in exploring the use of solar power to offset the high cost of electricity in relation to operating such facilities as the community’s arena, and I would encourage QEC to work with the municipality in this area.
The municipality has also requested that a lower power rate be charged to the municipality for the operation of recreational infrastructure.
Can the minister indicate whether QEC is able to apply to the Utility Rates Review Council to charge differential power rates for municipal operations of municipal infrastructure, including arenas?
Hon. Keith Peterson: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Joanasie certainly knows his power questions today.
Mr. Speaker, I don’t have that level of information here with me. We are already busy with Cape Dorset trying to get a new power plant.
As Mr. Joanasie stated so eloquently the other day, we want to get it in his lifetime. That’s our number one priority for Cape Dorset.
Mr. Joanasie: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Qulliq Energy Corporation’s most recently tabled annual report for the 2012-13 fiscal year also states that “Wind monitoring equipment was erected in Cape Dorset in the fall of 2012. (…) The 12 month collection of data is the first step required for any further development of a wind site.”
When I raised this issue last September on the occasion of our hearing on QEC’s business plan and annual report, I was informed that the corporation was working to “determine what our next step should be.”
Can the minister update the House today on the status of the Cape Dorset wind power initiative?
I certainly commend the community of Cape Dorset for their dedication to alternative energy, wind turbines, and solar power.
I believe the information that I have available to me is that QEC has collected the data necessary to do an analysis.
I just don’t have any further update for Mr. Joanasie today.
Question 415 – 4(2): Strategy for Elders (Angnakak)
Mr. Speaker, last Wednesday, the Premier provided an update on his winter meeting with Canada’s premiers.
He stated that amongst other things, this group agreed to “ongoing collaboration on senior’s care and aging,” my favourite topic to talk about. He further indicated that he has committed to being a member of the Council of the Federal Task Force on Aging.
I am confident that the Premier’s participation on this task force will provide some insight on issues that elders face across the country.
However, I would greatly appreciate it if the Premier could provide an update on what steps have been taken to develop a comprehensive elders strategy here in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, as I indicated last week, I made myself available to the task force and the working group that we have formed through our premiership discussions.
Mr. Speaker, at this time, one of the initiatives that I undertook was to have all the senior programs and initiatives channelled through my department directly to me from all the departments.
That’s one of the first steps I have taken.
I’m not too sure if I got the answer I was looking for, but there is something I can follow up with in regard to the elders strategy.
Mr. Speaker, housing for elders is a concern across our territory.
Can the Premier clarify whether any direction has been given to the Minister of Health, the Minister of Family Services, who is also responsible for homelessness, and to the Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation to work together to address the specific housing needs of elders?
Mr. Speaker, maybe I should have made myself clear. The coordination is going to be coming through me through Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs from all the departments. As you know, there are at least seven departments that deal with seniors’ programs, so we want to coordinate that to be more effective in delivering programs.
When it comes to housing, there is a major housing shortage in Nunavut, as everybody knows.
Mr. Speaker, at this point, we are short approximately 3,600 units just for Nunavummiut and, of course, that includes elders.
We continue to talk to the federal government for more investment in bringing up the housing numbers that we desperately need in Nunavut.
Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the minister for his response.
I think that is encouraging to hear and I certainly hope that we get that money before I need that kind of housing.
Mr. Speaker, assisted care for elders is another important area which needs immediate attention if we want to ensure that our elders are able to live comfortably, securely, and in the best health possible.
Will the Premier commit to finding solutions to ensure that our elders in Nunavut receive the most comprehensive supports possible?
Mr. Speaker, again, we do our best to ensure that we do the best possible thing. We are coming up with a strategy to determine exactly how we’re going to be doing that in cooperation with the housing corporation.
As members are well aware, there is a strategy taking place. It’s being formed and it’s called blueprint for action.
That is one of the things that I take a personal interest to. These situations are very difficult for our elders and our seniors.
As most members know, there is quite a shortage for long-term care facilities and 24-hour care facilities throughout Nunavut. We are taking a close look at that and we will continue to do that.
Question 416 – 4(2): Projects under the New Building Canada Fund (Hickes)
As with some of my colleagues, I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Community and Government Services.
Mr. Speaker, during the Committee of the Whole’s consideration of his department’s draft 2015-16 main estimates, my colleagues and I asked a number of questions related to the New Building Canada Fund.
In response to these questions, testimony indicated, and I’ll quote, “all departments have submitted a list of projects for consideration in the New Building Canada Fund” and that these projects “have been ranked and prioritized.”
Can the minister explain in further detail how his department ranked and prioritized infrastructure projects to be submitted for funding under the New Building Canada Fund?
There is a committee of departmental staff and also members from outside the department.
When these requests are received, the committee meets and determines how these projects can be ranked.
Once an agreement is reached, they are submitted to the federal government. (interpretation) Thank you.
Can the minister indicate how his department involves local organizations and municipalities when determining projects to be submitted under the New Building Canada Fund?
Hon. Tom Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) As the member is probably aware, Inuit organizations are now eligible to apply for this program as well, so we do involve other non-governmental organizations to be on this board, such as NAMA and NAM. (interpretation) Thank you.
Can the minister provide a list of projects in Iqaluit that have been submitted for funding under the New Building Canada Fund and an approximate budget for each project?
Hon. Tom Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) Currently, these are being reviewed by the federal government and until such time we receive approval for any of these projects, I am not able to provide that level of information at this point. (interpretation) Thank you.
Question 417 – 4(2): Support for Cancer Patients (Mikkungwak)
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I am asking this question on behalf of a constituent who was recently diagnosed with cancer despite being repeatedly told by the nurses at the local health centre that she simply had a virus.
My constituent went south to get the appropriate treatment and now has to stay there to be close to the necessary services.
Other members have raised similar concerns in this House in recent months.
Can the minister clarify what supports and resources are offered to Nunavutmiut who are suffering from a serious illness and have to move south to get the treatment that they need?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) Currently, for cancer treatment, our territory only has the capacity to provide oral treatment for cancer patients. The majority of cancer patients are treated in southern facilities, as they have the proper facilities to care for these cancer patients.
I would appreciate the name of the person confidentially from my colleague so that I can get this reviewed by my department to make sure that we avoid this in the future. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
At the appropriate time, I will meet with the minister.
Mr. Speaker, my constituent and her family have been fundraising and seeking financial help to pay for accommodation so that she can be close to the facility where she can receive the necessary treatment to keep her alive.
Can the minister clearly explain what kinds of financial support can be made available to individuals who have to find accommodation in the south to be near the facility which provides them with life-saving medical treatment?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) Each situation varies depending on the individual.
If the individual is an employee of our government, then there is a different program in place to assist the individual and their family.
If they are not employed by our government or are not covered and if they are Inuit, then they are covered by our department to make sure that they get proper care and assistance in our southern contracted facilities. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Mikkungwak (interpretation): Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) It is important that our government recognize the needs of Nunavutmiut who are suffering from serious illness and to provide the support that they need.
Can the minister confirm that he will review this situation and adjust departmental policies accordingly so that people in similar situations to my constituent can feel confident that their government will support them in their hour of need?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) We are continually looking for ways to diagnose patients earlier. As I announced earlier today, we are increasing more capacity for the communities and we will continue to look for ways to improve our diagnostic tools throughout our territory so that we catch the ailments earlier and treat them earlier to prevent further deterioration of patients. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 418 – 4(2): ITK and Climate Change (Savikataaq)
I would just like to get clarification from his Minister’s Statement on March [4] and the Minister’s Statement was on the conference of the parties that he attended in Lima, Peru.
I would just like to question him on the very bottom when he said, and I’ll quote, “COP meetings provide an opportunity for Nunavut to share Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit and set an example to other nations for incorporating traditional knowledge into climate change decision-making.”
I would just like to ask the minister how Inuit Qaujimajatuqangat is being used to make decisions on climate change.
Actually, when talking about Inuit Qaujimajangat, it relates to the land and environment, particularly the impacts on the land due to the changing climate, but it also relates to the waters and weather patterns, as people have noted the changes.
The Inuit knowledge and traditional knowledge speak about constant change in weather and climate. We have tried to inform the global community of the benefits of Inuit traditional knowledge, especially in adapting to a changing climate.
This government doesn’t want to be left behind and want to be involved in climate change adaptation.
Not everything associated with climate change is negative, as our department has tried to ensure that every aspect can have positive changes as well.
That is why the wording is written that way.
Can the minister give us one example of how Inuit Qaujimajatuqangat is being used in their decisions on climate change?
When I was first given the portfolio for environment, one of my first duties as minister was to work on the CITES polar bear classification attempt.
The global consensus was that polar bears were declining. As part of this polar bear debate, Inuit traditional knowledge was used to showcase the need for reality checks, especially if Inuit knowledge was incorporated into management decisions.
Using that same analogy of polar bears, we can do the same thing with IQ and climate change.
The Inuit living in the circumpolar world ought to be included in any global management effort to deal with climate change. Inuit are impacted by climate change and if Inuit are asked for their opinion, they can provide both sets of knowledge.
Further, Inuit can be involved in various management system deliberations, as IQ can be very helpful to determine the cause and effect of climate change and how best to utilize IQ in this field.
It is obvious that northerners are the most impacted residents in the world and we are the ones who started to share our concerns.
I can provide many other examples of how Inuit Qaujimanituqangat can benefit climate change, but I will stop there for now.
I thank the minister for the explanation on how he is using Inuit Qaujimajatuqangat on polar bear talks and stuff related to polar bears.
I encourage the minister to use Inuit Qaujimajatuqangat on when establishing polar bear quotas because most elders and most people in the communities are always saying that there are a lot of bears and that the quota or total allowable harvest should go higher.
If there are elders saying that, then I believe that is Inuit Qaujimajatuqangat.
I would like to ask the minister if he’s using Inuit Qaujimajatuqangat to its full extent when establishing polar bear quotas in Nunavut.
Yes, that is the only way to do so and it is included in the process.
As per my previous comments about the CITES polar bear classification efforts, no Inuit traditional knowledge was included for any of the decisions by the global polar bear management authorities.
Due to that exclusion, I stood and stated that in Nunavut, all aspects of IQ relevant to polar bear management would be incorporated into decisions.
As another example of incorporation of IQ into management zones, particularly with respect to the polar bear management zone near Arviat on the western coast of Hudson Bay, there was a sudden change in scientific estimates resulting in a sudden decrease in the total allowable harvest.
With that severe decrease, several things occurred that ended up changing the way decisions were made in the Nunavut government.
Based on hunters’ statements about the increasing population, including the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangat collection on polar bears, the compiled knowledge was instrumental in changing the parameters used for population estimates. The IQ and hunters stated that polar bears were increasing.
With more advanced technology backing up that knowledge, the quota was again changed due to the inclusion of this IQ knowledge aspect.
Whenever a management decision is required for issues such as climate change, especially in relation to animals or polar bears, it is obvious that the NWMB public hearing noted many aspects of IQ knowledge about polar bears. They will also include that information when presenting their management decision to our department.