EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Mr. Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation) Minister, I thank you for telling us how you inform the rest of the world.
However, in your statement, you stated that you would be supporting the people of Nunavut in their efforts to adapt to climate change.
What sort of support are you talking about?
During the meeting in Lima, Peru, when governments from around the world were talking about the climate, with the governments that are working on climate change, there is a committee that has been struck that consists of aboriginal peoples.
The work in Peru was in an effort to support that. Inuit are part of the aboriginal world community and that’s where we tried to express our support.
We wanted to make sure that they know about the people of Nunavut.
The other aboriginal people have their own knowledge about weather, but we bring our knowledge about the arctic weather. The Arctic is one of the first indicators of climate change. It’s where we experience the effects first before anyone else.
That’s what I mean by support.
I’ll try the third time.
I’ll quote from the tabled document. It says that “The Government of Nunavut is committed to supporting climate change adaptation initiatives across Nunavut.” That means initiatives within Nunavut.
What is the government doing to help Nunavummiut adapt to climate change?
We know that the climate is changing and we know that the weather is changing, as to how it’s changing, and the land is changing. We try help as the climate and land changes.
Question 548 – 4(2): Diverting Offenders from the Correctional System (Angnakak)
Mr. Speaker, it has become clear that Nunavut’s corrections system is inadequate. The lack of physical infrastructure and rehabilitative services has been illustrated in a number of past reports, including the Auditor General of Canada’s recent Report on Corrections in Nunavut.
For this reason, it is especially important that the department is doing everything it can to prevent crime in Nunavut and to divert offenders from the correctional system when it is appropriate.
In its 2015-18 business plan, the department indicates that it will produce Nunavut’s Crime Prevention Strategy in the 2015-16 fiscal year.
Can the minister inform us today when he will be releasing this new strategy?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I thank my colleague for the question.
We continue to work on ways to try and meet our challenges in community justice. I was very pleased to attend a training session for all our community justice workers just over a month ago. They’re developing more skills and trying to acquire more tools to tackle the challenges they’re facing.
I tabled the Crime Prevention Strategy Report just earlier last week. I hope that we can have a good discussion with that and try and find the best strategy for our territory in terms of crime prevention for all of Nunavut. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you to the member for his response.
I was going to ask him a question about community justice training, when it was going to be held, and he answered that.
Can the minister commit to tabling the report on the outcomes of that training session?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I look forward to providing more information on what the purpose of the training and what the outcome was. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
On February 25, 2015, I asked the minister a number of questions concerning one of my favourite topics, which is the department’s plans to establish a wellness court in Nunavut, which will divert offenders from the corrections system to address mental health, addictions, and cognitive impairments.
At that time, the minister indicated that his department was reviewing options on how it can develop more initiatives in this area.
Can the minister indicate when his department will make a final decision on whether it will pursue the establishment of a wellness court in Nunavut?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) As this matter will require additional resources, we need a bit more time to plan it properly to make sure that we can provide the space along with the programming that will be needed for supporting a wellness court. That work is ongoing and we need to put in place proper supports for it to be very effective here in our territory. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 549 – 4(2): Accessing NIHB Coverage (Mikkungwak)
Mr. Speaker, as the minister is aware, a number of health benefits are provided to beneficiaries under the Non-Insured Health Benefits program (NIHB).
In most cases, when a medical client goes into a health centre or sees a doctor at the hospital, the health administrators do all the paperwork to make sure that NIHB benefits are accessed on behalf of the patient.
However, in some cases, such as when a beneficiary ends up in a southern jurisdiction to receive medical care and treatment, they have to fill out the paperwork again in order to access their NIHB benefits.
Can the minister clearly explain how patients who are receiving medical care outside of Nunavut are supposed to access their NIHB benefits?
Hon. Paul Okalik: The non-insured health benefits are programs that are covered by the federal government.
There are numerous benefits in the plan.
I would like to get more detail on the question, if you don’t mind, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The Non-Insured Health Benefits program provides funding for such costs as medical travel, drugs, eyeglasses, and dental work.
Can the minister clarify what additional medical benefits, if any, are provided under non-insured health benefits for specialized treatment or for specific types of illness?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) The Non-Insured Health Benefits program is a federal program.
They have a list of medication that is approved that can be obtained from the federal government, along with medical supplies and equipment. We also are covered for dental and vision issues.
Those things are covered by the Non-Insured Health Benefits program, along with the contracts we have with boarding homes and medical travel in some cases.
We have those under the Non-Insured Health Benefits program. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Sometimes medical clients are put on waiting lists because, as they are told, new paperwork has to be submitted to NIHB for coverage.
However, if a medical professional has already started the care, diagnosis, and treatment process for a client, it is not clear why it is necessary to start the administrative process all over again.
Will the minister commit to working with his department to ensure that access to NIHB benefits is no longer such a difficult and delayed process for Nunavummiut?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) As I mentioned in my reply, the Non-Insured Health Benefits program is a federal program, so we have to work with what is in and what is covered under the program and to make sure that we meet the requirements for the patient when we administer the program on behalf of the client.
We will continue to do our utmost to make sure that we deliver the best care possible for our citizens and meet the requirements that are set out in the plan. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
We will move on and go back to the orders of the day. Item 7.
Item 11: Reports of Standing and Special Committees on Bills and Other Matters*
Committee Report 008 – 4(2): Report on the Review of the Auditor General’s 2015 Report to the Legislative Assembly on Corrections in Nunavut (Hickes)
I rise today to present the report of the standing committee on oversight of government operations’ review of the Auditor General of Canada’s 2015 Report on Corrections in Nunavut to the Legislative Assembly.
Mr. Speaker, as you will recall, the Auditor General’s 2015 Report on Corrections in Nunavut was tabled in the House on March 10, 2015.
The standing committee held its hearings on the Auditor General’s 2015 report from May 5 to 7, 2015.
Witnesses from the Office of the Auditor General and the Government of Nunavut’s Department of Justice appeared before the standing committee.
The hearings were open to the public and news media to observe and were broadcast on local radio, cable and satellite television.
*See Appendix for full text of Committee Report 8 – 4(2).
Transcripts from the hearing have been posted on the Legislative Assembly’s website in English and Inuktitut.
Mr. Speaker, the objective of the Auditor General’s audit was to determine whether the Department of Justice has met its key responsibilities for inmates within the corrections system.
Focusing primarily on the Baffin Correctional Centre and the Rankin Inlet Healing Facility, the office examined the department’s management of inmates and correctional facilities.
In his report, the Auditor General concludes that the department has not met its key responsibilities for inmates within the correctional facilities.
Mr. Speaker, under the Corrections Act, the Corrections Service of Nunavut is responsible for the safe and secure housing of inmates.
The Corrections Service also has the responsibility to provide rehabilitative and treatment services for inmates within the territory, including mental health services.
Mr. Speaker, during its hearing on the Auditor General’s report, the standing committee raised a number of concerns.
Consequently, the standing committee has made ten specific recommendations to the Department of Justice.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to highlight the thematic areas that are addressed in the standing committee’s report:
In his report, the Auditor General made 17 specific recommendations to the Department of Justice.
The standing committee notes that the government has agreed with all of the Auditor General’s recommendations.
However, it is important that the department addresses these recommendations in a strategic and efficient manner.
During its recent hearings, the standing committee noted with concern that the department had not yet prepared an action plan to outline the timeline and specific actions that it would take to address each of the 17 recommendations made by the Auditor General.
Mr. Speaker, the standing committee has recommended that the department provide an action plan that includes detailed timelines and information on the specific actions that it will take to address the Auditor General’s recommendations.
Mr. Speaker, the lack of physical infrastructure to appropriately house inmates within Nunavut has been an ongoing concern since the territory was created.
In his report, the Auditor General notes that the current capacity of Nunavut’s facilities will fail to meet its future correctional needs and that the territory does not have the physical infrastructure to securely house maximum-security inmates.
The standing committee emphasizes the importance of comprehensive and strategic planning in this area to ensure that all correctional facilities are properly utilized according to their appropriate capacity and security levels.
The standing committee notes that the department is currently undertaking a mould remediation project at the Baffin Correctional Centre and emphasizes the importance of planning fiscally responsible solutions to address the deficiencies at the Baffin Correctional Centre.
The standing committee notes with approval that the department has taken actions to ensure that staff at all correctional facilities are completing required evacuation drills and contingency plans and encourages the department to provide oversight measures to ensure that this work continues.
Mr. Speaker, in his report, the Auditor General notes that the department is not meeting its own requirements to ensure that all placements of inmates into segregated confinement include proper justification, authorization and regular review, and that all of these requirements are documented.
In his report, the Auditor General also indicates that searches of cells were conducted irregularly and incidents of contraband were not properly documented.
The standing committee emphasizes the importance of providing correctional staff with the resources and direction to begin documenting segregation placements and incidents related to contraband at the earliest opportunity and until such a time as its new electronic tracking system becomes fully operational.
Mr. Speaker, the standing committee’s report notes that the department has recently developed an overarching vision for its Corrections Division.
The standing committee recognizes that each correctional facility may share the overarching goals of the Corrections Division.
However, it is clear that each correctional facility in Nunavut has distinct capacities, security levels, programming, and community supports.
The standing committee’s report notes the importance of developing distinct visions and specific operating procedures for each facility.
Mr. Speaker, the standing committee’s report notes with concern that the Corrections Service directives contain little guidance on how Inuit societal values can be incorporated into all aspects of the corrections system.
Mr. Speaker, the standing committee’s report notes that the department must provide a comprehensive and detailed action plan that includes timelines and specific actions by which it will integrate Inuit societal values into all aspects of the corrections system.
Mr. Speaker, ineffective case management may prevent inmates from accessing rehabilitative programs and therefore prevents inmates from receiving support that may have assisted them with successful rehabilitation.
In his report, the Auditor General notes that the Corrections Division is failing to provide adequate services related to the assessment of inmates’ needs, the development of case plans, providing consistent and relevant rehabilitative programming, monitoring inmates’ progress against their case plans, and preparing release plans to prepare inmates for successful reintegration into the community.
The standing committee notes that the department intends to create a compliance-oriented position that will be responsible for conducting “annual audits on the completion of assessments and case management plans.”
The standing committee emphasizes the importance of providing necessary training and oversight measures to ensure that correctional staff are developing case plans specific to each inmate that include benchmarks for progress and which identify any mental health needs until such a time the new  compliance-oriented position is created and filled.
Mr. Speaker, in his report, the Auditor General states that the rehabilitative programs offered to inmates are intended to “minimize the negative effects of imprisonment, help their personal development, and prepare them for successful reintegration into the community.”
During the standing committee’s hearings, the department did not provide clear information on how it determines program schedules and the financial and human resources required to operate programs.
In order to adequately evaluate the current programming that is being delivered, the Corrections Division must also ensure that it is keeping comprehensive documentation related to programming schedules, attendance, and inmates’ progress.
The standing committee’s report also notes with concern that the department has not yet determined a method by which it can assess its rehabilitative programming to ensure that programming is relevant to the inmates and that any gaps in the Corrections Division’s current programming are identified and addressed.
Mr. Speaker, as a part of its mandate to provide treatment and rehabilitation to inmates, the Corrections Service is responsible for providing mental health services to inmates.
In his report, the Auditor General indicates that correctional staff have recognized that the mental health services within correctional facilities are inadequate and raised concerns about the lack of psychological support and counselling available to Nunavut inmates.
During the standing committee’s hearings, departmental officials recognized that the division needs to improve its documentation and tracking of mental health services and indicated that it plans to perform a review of its mental health services in all correctional facilities.
The standing committee’s report emphasizes the importance of enhancing the mental health services within correctional facilities until such a time as the Corrections Division’s mental health services are comprehensively reviewed.
Mr. Speaker, in his report, the Auditor General notes that the department did not have a fully trained staff complement for its correctional facilities and is relying on casual employees and overtime.
The standing committee recognizes that the department has recently issued a Request for Proposals for a Staffing, Overtime and Organizational Review of the Nunavut Corrections Division and that the purpose of this analysis is to identify the underlying causes of staffing challenges within the division and to determine solutions to address these issues.
Mr. Speaker, the standing committee strongly encourages the department to ensure that its corrections directives are relevant, detailed, and comprehensive so as to provide staff with clear direction on the division’s expectations and operating procedures, especially given that it is currently facing challenges with staff turnover.
The standing committee’s report emphasizes the importance of ensuring that all correctional staff receive the necessary training to undertake their duties in a way that provides a safe and secure environment for inmates and staff within correctional facilities.
Mr. Speaker, a number of detailed written questions have been asked in the Legislative Assembly in recent years requesting specific information related to the Corrections Division’s staffing, programming, and services, including information concerning the extent to which the programs have reduced the rate at which offenders reoffend.
It is important that the government provide detailed and current information on its actions and initiatives to fulfil its responsibilities as mandated by territorial legislation.
Consequently, the standing committee recommends that the Minister of Justice begin the practice of tabling a comprehensive annual report in the Legislative Assembly on the administration of the Corrections Act, starting with the 2015-16 fiscal year.
The standing committee notes that such an annual report must include detailed information concerning such matters as inmate population, correctional facility planning, facility incidents, staffing, programming, mental health services, and initiatives to integrate Inuit societal values.
Mr. Speaker, I would note for the record that the standing committee, pursuant to Rule 91(5) of the Rules of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, is requesting that the government provide a comprehensive response to the recommendations included in this report.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) The member has moved that the report of the standing committee be received by the House and entered into the record as read. Do members agree?
Speaker: It is agreed.
Tabling of Documents. Hon. [Minister] of Economic Development and Transportation, Ms. Ell.
Tabled Document 159 – 4(2): Review of Sanaugait: A Strategy for Growth in Nunavut’s Arts and Crafts Sector (Ell)
I am pleased to table the July 2014 Final Report on the Review of Sanaugait: A Strategy for Growth in Nunavut’s Arts and Crafts Sector. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Tabled Document 160 – 4(2): F/P/T Conservation, Wildlife and Biodiversity Ministers’ Meeting (Mike)
Hon. Johnny Mike (interpretation): Mr. Speaker, I am tabling the F/P/T Conservation, Wildlife and Biodiversity Ministers’ Meeting, February 12 to 13, 2015.
Tabled Document 161 – 4(2): Report of Members’ Absences from Sittings of the House and Meetings of Committees and Caucuses for the Period January 1, 2015 to March 31, 2015 (Speaker)
Tabled Document 162 – 4(2): Speaker’s List of Outstanding Statutory Tabling Requirements (Speaker)
(interpretation ends) Thank you, Members. I wish to table the Report of Members’ Absences from Sittings of the House and Meetings of Committees and Caucuses for the Period January 1, 2015 to March 31, 2015.
I also wish to table today a list of outstanding statutory tabling requirements. This list is current as of the end of the May 29, 2015 sitting of the Legislative Assembly. (interpretation) Thank you.
(interpretation ends) Item 13.
Item 14. Notices of Motions for First Reading of Bills.
Item 15. (interpretation) Motions.
Member for Quttiktuq, Mr. Isaac Shooyook.
Item 15: Motions*
Motion 024 – 4(2): Modification of the Terms of Reference of the Standing Committees of the Fourth Legislative Assembly (Shooyook)
Mr. Shooyook (interpretation): WHEREAS section 17 of the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act provides that the Legislative Assembly may establish such committees to aid and advise it as it considers necessary;
AND WHEREAS the current terms of reference for the standing committees of the Fourth Legislative Assembly were adopted by the House at its sitting of March 6, 2014;
AND WHEREAS all Regular Members of the Legislative Assembly serve on the Standing Committee on Oversight of Government Operations and Public Accounts and the Standing Committee on Legislation;
AND WHEREAS the Legislative Assembly wishes to modify the terms of reference for the Standing Committee on Oversight of Government Operations and Public Accounts and the Standing Committee on Legislation to explicitly address the integration of Inuit societal values and Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit into the laws, policies, programs, and services of the Government of Nunavut, including the holding of public hearings on the annual reports of the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Katimajiit and the annual reports on the status of Inuit culture and society that are prepared under Article 32.3.4 of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement;
*See Appendix for full text of the terms of reference adopted in Motion 24 – 4(2).  Before we proceed with the debate on the motion before us, I have a few comments to make as to the procedures:
Every member has the right to speak once to the motion for a total time of 20 minutes;
The mover of the motion speaks first and the seconder speaks second; and
(interpretation) To the motion.
I have been working on this issue for a while. I would like to see this for the future. This is going to take quite a long time to be enacted.
I would like to see this motion to be used in the future.
Seconder, Mr. Kuksuk.
Hon. George Kuksuk (interpretation): Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker and my colleagues.
Mr. Speaker, I feel that the motion that was moved by Mr. Shooyook and as the seconder of this motion, I am in favour of this motion that is before us today.
Mr. Speaker, Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit is very important. Since we separated from the NWT up to today, we are still alive and doing the same thing that we have been doing when we were with the NWT. There are eight IQ principles.
They also have the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Katimajiit. The committee meets and they discuss what has to be fixed.
(interpretation ends) The katimajiit regularly meet two to three times yearly. The next meeting is in October of this year, 2015.
The katimajiit is supported by Tuttarviit, an interdepartmental committee that is responsible for addressing advice and/or recommendations to and from IQK. They meet on a biweekly basis. Government departments seek advice from Tuttarviit on Inuit cultural issues in their programs and services.
(interpretation) Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this motion. (interpretation ends) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I wish to inform the House that I have no more names on my list. Does the mover, Mr. Shooyook, have any last reply? Mr. Shooyook.
I would like to have a secret ballot on this.
Speaker (interpretation): I apologize. We need to have a recorded vote. This cannot be a secret ballot.
(interpretation ends) We will now vote on the motion.