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According to these terms of reference, Tuttarviit is a committee comprised of representatives from each department with the mandate to consider the recommendations of the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Katimajiit for implementation within their respective departments.
Can the minister indicate if the terms of reference for the Tuttarviit committee have been revised since that date and, if so, will he commit to tabling the most recent terms of reference in the House?
Minister of Culture and Heritage, Minister Kuksuk.
Hon. George Kuksuk (interpretation): Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I say “good afternoon” to my fellow Nunavummiut.
I would like to thank the member for asking a good question.
In regard to the member’s question, the Tuttarviit committee is an interdepartmental committee that deals with Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit and they meet bi-weekly.
If I understood his other question, whether we have revised the terms of reference, I don’t have that information in front of me, so I can’t respond to the second question.
However, the Tuttarviit committee is going very well within our department.
Can the minister indicate if every government department currently has a representative on the Tuttarviit committee and, if not, why not?
I apologize. I don’t want to respond without really understanding the question. Maybe he can rephrase his question.
Speaker (interpretation): Mr. Shooyook, please clarify your question so that the minister can respond properly.
Can the minister indicate if every government department currently has a representative on the Tuttarviit committee?
That was my question. If not, why not?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you for the clarification.
Hon. George Kuksuk (interpretation): Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I would like to thank the member for rephrasing his question.
We have various departments that have representatives on the Tuttarviit committee, if I understood his question.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Minister Kuksuk.
According to the terms of reference for each committee, the director of Culture and Heritage’s Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Division provides administrative support for the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Katimajiit and serves as chairperson on Tuttarviit.
Can the minister indicate what other positions in his department, if any, are designated to provide support to the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Katimajiit?
Mr. Speaker, at the time when we had a hearing with the committee, we understood that they didn’t have their terms of reference and that Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit is not recognized in this House.
As the Minister of Culture and Heritage, I urge you to set up the terms of reference for each of these committees for Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit so that they can have daily operations within the government.
It is something that I am very passionate about and would like to see it implemented.
Could you ask for monies so that we can have a division dedicated to Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit and the Tuttarviit committee? Could you work with the Department of Finance to set aside some funds?
You have the power to create a division within your department.
I again thank the member for that good question.
Mr. Speaker, if I understood the question correctly, the member is requesting that we provide funds to create a division to work on Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit and to implement Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit within the government.
I will have discussions with my deputy minister and the department and if possible, I will provide a response to your question before the end of this session.
Question 028 – 4(3): Western Hudson Bay Polar Bear Management (Savikataaq)
Today, I would like to question the Minister of Environment again.
Mr. Speaker, yesterday, I was questioning the minister on the total allowable harvest about the disputed numbers and as the minister is aware, the polar bear hunting season is coming up in Arviat and other Kivalliq communities.
I believe that the TAH has not been issued, so there are no polar bear tags released.
I am asking the minister if he can release, if he has not, the 24 tags for the western Hudson Bay, as I believe that number is not in dispute.
The 24 tags are not disputed. I will have to inform the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board about the total allowable harvest, but from what I know, there are 24 tags available.
Mr. Speaker, that is the only response I can provide.
The minister stated that he believes these tags are released.
I would like the minister to make sure that these tags are released and are available to the RWOs and HTOs because my understanding is that they have not been released to the RWOs and HTOs for the western Hudson Bay.
Can he confirm that these tags are available for hunting as of today?
If they haven’t received the tags, I will look into it and make sure that they do receive the tags.
I will look into it and make sure that they do have the tags and if they don’t have them, then you can ask me further questions at a later date.
Just for absolute clarity then, the minister is going to check that these tags are available for hunting as of immediately and that these tags should be and are released to the RWOs and HTOs and if they’re not available for hunting immediately, that they will be.
As I indicated in my earlier statement, I will make sure that those tags are available and if they’re not available, I’ll make sure that they are.
There are 24 tags that should be made available immediately.
Question 029 – 4(3): Status of Government of Nunavut Operational Audit (Angnakak)
One of the major commitments that was included in the Sivumut Abluqta Mandate statement was that the government should undertake a comprehensive review of its programs to “determine what is working well, what needs improvement, and what we should stop doing.”
Can the Premier update us today on the status of the government’s operational audit?
Premier of Nunavut, (interpretation ends) Premier Taptuna.
Mr. Speaker, the operational audit has been ongoing. As I indicated in a letter to her, the status of the operational audit is that we’re awaiting the final report for the first phase of the audit and we expect that immediately.
An important part of this work is the objective of “ensuring that recipients of Government of Nunavut funds are providing the outcomes we expect from our investment.”
Can the Premier describe how the operational audit process is measuring and evaluating the extent to which we are getting “bang for our buck” when it comes to contributions to different organizations and programs?
The operational audit will identify that because that’s one of the things that was lacking in the past.
We want to ensure that money spent on programs, towards contributions, and other various programs’ funding to the communities has had an actual result.
There’s a corporation that does that very well by creating jobs, recording the number of jobs, part time and full time.
Mr. Speaker, we intend to ensure to the public and the members across here that the investments we make on programs actually benefit Nunavummiut.
I thank the Premier for his response, but I didn’t really get about how they’re going to evaluate. I will go on to my next and final question.
As the Premier is well aware, I have strongly urged the government to take a hard look at the impact that the elimination of the standalone Department of Human Resources has had on our public service.
It’s no secret that I have raised a number of concerns about how this structural change has impacted our government’s progress in such areas as Inuit employment and employee relations.
Will the Premier commit to ensuring that the government’s “operational review” initiative specifically considers the benefits of re-establishing a standalone Department of Human Resources?
As I indicated, we’re reviewing our programs and I will certainly be speaking with my colleagues on that particular side of the question about the Department of Human Resources.
We have changed it in the past. There’s no reason why we can’t find ways to improve it and we will certainly look at ways to do that.
Question 030 – 4(3): Status of New Rankin Inlet Arena (Sammurtok, T)
(interpretation ends) The government’s new five-year capital plan was publicly released yesterday when the Minister of Finance introduced the 2016-17 capital estimates.
The residents of Rankin Inlet have been waiting patiently for construction on the community’s much anticipated new arena to begin.
I am very proud to have been a strong supporter of this project, which will contribute significantly to the community and to the entire Kivalliq region.
For the record, can the minister confirm when construction is scheduled to start on the new arena?
Hon. Johnny Mike (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank my colleague for that question.
At this time, the new arena in Rankin Inlet is at the planning stage. We are currently working on the location of the new arena. I’m sure that it’s going to become too small some time in the near future.
It’s at the planning stage right at this moment.
Mr. Tom Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) Can the minister confirm that the government is investing over $23 million in Rankin Inlet’s new arena?
Hon. Johnny Mike (interpretation): Thank you for that question.
It’s going to be a little over $23 million. About $25 million is going to be invested in the new arena for Rankin Inlet.
That’s from the beginning of the construction to the end.
Mr. Sammurtok, your final supplementary.
Mr. Tom Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) Also, can the minister confirm what discussions have been taking place between his department and local municipal leaders in Rankin Inlet concerning the design of the facility?
Yes, it is currently at the planning stage.
We are looking at altering the design. We are going to be putting out an RFP for the design phase.
It’s going to be constructed not too long from now.
Question 031 – 4(3): Addressing Homelessness (Sammurtok)
My question is for the Minister (interpretation ends) responsible for Homelessness.
Mr. Speaker, I received a very touching letter from a constituent who, in raising their concern about homelessness in the community of Rankin Inlet, also proposed a solution.
They noted that there are a number of unused and unoccupied buildings all across the community of Rankin Inlet which could be used as temporary housing.
Can the minister clarify whether strategies for addressing homelessness in Nunavut have considered using vacant buildings as temporary shelters?
Minister responsible for Homelessness, Minister Ugyuk.
I would like to thank the member for his question regarding homelessness.
The poverty reduction committee is holding meetings on homelessness.
My staff is listening.
When we receive a letter or a copy of a letter, we will deal with the issue, but we have to wait for the letter first to reach our department.
We can factor in or consider the possibility of using unoccupied buildings.
Mr. Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) My constituent is rightfully worried about the many homeless individuals and even families who are wandering the streets hoping that someone will let them into their home for a night or two.
Can the minister inform this House what the current numbers of homeless people in Nunavut are?
During the past summer, the poverty reduction committee did a survey by calling the communities, asking about people who are living in tents, that are not living in actual houses, and the number we received was 98.
They get counted after a certain number of months have passed for us to keep track of how many homeless people there are.
The cold and dark days and nights of winter are coming.
Will the minister commit to looking into the possibility of using vacant buildings, such as the unused FOL military base in Rankin Inlet, to provide temporary shelter for those who desperately need it?
Yes, the Department of Family Services’ poverty reduction committee has the following practice. If a group or a hamlet wants to manage an initiative like that, our department is open to discussions.
However, this would require adequate oversight. If the group is approved for this initiative, we would have to approach the Department of Finance to budget the operational funds for this project.
I would like to meet with my colleague to talk about homelessness.
Question 032 – 4(3): Status of Department of Health’s Independent External Review (Joanasie)
Mr. Speaker, almost exactly one year ago, on November 6, 2014, the Minister of Health announced that an independent external review would be conducted into the death of a Cape Dorset infant. While it took some time for that review to get underway, it has been ongoing.
Can the minister provide an update on when he will be tabling the results and recommendations of the independent external review?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank my colleague for the question.
The review has been travelling. It went to Cape Dorset, Pangnirtung, and they have held meetings with staff in Iqaluit as well.
I would like to acknowledge the representative because he went on the radio with the reviewer.
The person has started putting the report and recommendations together, but it is not completed yet.
I should have the final draft at the end of November. The work continues today and we know that we will have to do more work after we see the report coming out of this review.
I recognize that the recommendations of the independent external review may suggest changes to the department’s current policies in health centre operations.
Can the minister inform this House what immediate actions the department has taken or will be taking as a result of the independent external review being completed?
We haven’t received the recommendations yet, so I cannot really respond as to what we will be doing.
However, we will be ready and available for it and we know that we will need to correct or revise some of our policies because we try to be open to everybody when it comes to health.
After the review is done, we will be open for any changes that are needed.
The residents of Cape Dorset, especially the parents of the young infant who died, continue to seek answers.
Will the minister commit to visiting the community of Cape Dorset to present the results of the independent external review?
We are all aware that it’s difficult to say if we will continue to be ministers.
If I get approved to continue to be minister, I will want to go and be a part of that visit to Cape Dorset to present the results because we will need to properly report to the parents of that young infant as to what we found. We have to be more open in this instance.
Question 033 – 4(3): Settlement between NTI and the Federal Government (Hickes)
My questions today are directed to the Premier.
In the spring of this year, a settlement was reached between the federal government and NTI regarding the implementation of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement.
As part of the settlement, the federal government agreed to pay just over $255 million, of which $175 million will be used for providing training to Inuit to help fulfill the requirements of Article 23.
Mr. Speaker, an important part of the agreement is the establishment of a new Nunavut Inuit Training Corporation, which will have seven directors, two of whom are appointed by the Government of Nunavut.
Earlier today, the government and NTI announced that the Premier himself and the Minister of Education will represent the government on this new entity.
Can the Premier describe what the Nunavut Inuit Training Corporation’s immediate priorities will be over the next 12 months?
Mr. Speaker, we haven’t had our initial discussions on that yet for our first meeting that is scheduled for next month.
With that, although our terms of reference are already completed, at the end of the day, once we have our initial meeting with the other board members or other directors of the corporation, we will have a set path.
As you know, Mr. Speaker, this is targeting Article 23 and we want to find ways to have more Inuit working in both governments, not just within the territorial government but also the federal government.
I thank the Premier for that response and I’ll look forward to seeing further activities from that corporation.
Another part of the settlement agreement is a requirement for the federal government to complete a new Nunavut Inuit labour force analysis in close consultation with NTI and the Government of Nunavut.
Can the Premier update us today on the status of this work?
Once I have the initial reports on the status of how that’s going to be going and moving forward, I’ll certainly bring the information to the member across there.
As the settlement was agreed to earlier this year in spring, maybe just an initial observation is it doesn’t seem like there has been a lot of activity or consultation. I’ll just ask one final question.
Another part of the settlement is a requirement for the federal government and the territorial government to, and I quote, “each establish a central Inuit employment and training coordination office.”
As I indicated, we haven’t had our first meeting yet and that’s scheduled for next month.
Once we have that with our partners, Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, we will certainly be moving forward on these files, including the establishment of training centres, among other things.
Mr. Speaker, this work is ongoing. It’s not like it has been sitting there. We’ve had all our officials working on this since the agreement was signed in May and it’s ongoing.
Once we establish an action plan, we will certainly be sharing that with the House.
Question 034 – 4(3): The Need for Addiction Services (Mikkungwak)
Mr. Speaker, in my previous life, before I became an MLA, I was very involved in addictions and counselling.
There is a desperate need for addictions services all across our territory as well as in the community of Baker Lake.
Can the minister clarify what specific addictions services are currently available to the residents of Baker Lake?
On this day, I can say that we reached agreements with hamlet councils in the communities.
There are only six we have agreed with so far and they are Clyde River, Cambridge Bay, Kugluktuk, Coral Harbour, Rankin Inlet, and Arviat.
We have reached agreements with their hamlets and we support them and they have workers that help people with addictions.
I appreciate that addictions and substance abuse issues are critical right across the territory.
Can the minister clarify what addiction treatment services are available for Nunavut residents who are unable to overcome their addictions with counselling and guidance?
Services have not stopped. I would like to inform you that after the people did the review, they directed the government to put together a plan for suicide prevention.
That will be included in the work that is done with addictions services and we will see how it goes in the future.
I understand that the Department of Health has offered a mobile treatment program in different communities and will be offering certain mental health services in Cambridge Bay.
Has the minister given any further consideration to providing permanent addictions treatment services in every Nunavut community or establishing one larger addictions treatment facility here in the territory to provide services for all Nunavummiut?
We will be dealing with that in the upcoming year.
My colleagues will be preparing answers.
I can’t tell you exactly how we are going to answer this question, but addictions will be a part of it.
Question 035 – 4(3): Overdue Departmental Reports (Angnakak)
On May 27 of this year, the minister tabled the government’s quarterly report on Inuit employment for the period ending December 31, 2014.
As of today, we have not seen any quarterly employment reports for the first nine months of this year.
Can you tell us why they are so late?
Mr. Speaker, we like to table accurate information and there were some concerns with the accuracy of the information, so we had to correct it and then the timing of taking it to cabinet for approval was an issue, as well as the timing and coordination of the sittings.
What we have recently had approval to do is post the reports on our website so that we don’t have to wait for cabinet approval and then tabling in the House, so that there would be more timely reporting of those reports throughout the year. Also, we will be tabling the annual reports when they’re complete so that we don’t have to go to cabinet to get approval. That hopefully should speed up the process and alleviate Ms. Angnakak’s concerns.
I thank the minister for his response. It leads me to my next question about the annual report.
I want to ask him why the annual report is so late as well.
We’re experiencing some technical difficulties. The interpreters are not able to hear the audio.
We will take a five-minute break while it is being fixed.
>>House recessed at 15:13 and resumed at 15:34
Speaker: Mr. Premier, ministers, (interpretation) and members, I’m sorry, but we were experiencing some technical difficulties.
I believe it has now been fixed and we can proceed.
Ms. Angnakak, we had to go on a break while you were asking your first supplementary question.
I will ask that you repeat your first supplementary question and we will go from there.
The government’s 2013-14 annual report on the public service was not tabled in the Legislative Assembly until March 17, 2015, and that was almost a full year after the end of the fiscal year.
The 2014-15 annual report is nowhere to be seen. I’m wondering if the minister can tell us why these reports are so late.
I thank Ms. Angnakak for asking the question.
Mr. Speaker, that particular report isn’t a statutorily required report. I am aware that we are up to date on all our statutory reports as of the tabling of the outstanding reports in May.
The report that Ms. Angnakak is referring to is traditionally tabled in the winter sitting and that’s what we’re on track to do in our winter sitting of 2016.
I could possibly ask my department to speed up the process and maybe table it in the fall of 2016 after this current fiscal year going forward, but that leads to inaccuracies and other issues.
It could be very cumbersome trying to get reports in on time.
If I am not mistaken, these reports were tabled in the Legislative Assembly on a much timelier basis when the government had a standalone Department of Human Resources that had the time and the resources to focus on a clear mandate.
Would the minister acknowledge that the elimination of the Department of Human Resources has had a negative impact in a significant number of areas, including accountability to the Legislative Assembly?
I have been listening fairly intently to Ms. Angnakak’s speeches, questions, and reading the online posts that are very negative and nasty about the very hard-working employees in all government departments in Nunavut.
When Ms. Angnakak has come to me with her issues on behalf of constituents, of course, she has discussed that there are two sides to the story. Usually, when she comes, I check out the information and I get back. There are two sides to the story.
It is very difficult in this government to manage.
You’ve got the chain of command, you’ve got the ministers, the deputies, the directors, and you’ve got the staff and then the poor managers and supervisors in the middle.
Mr. Speaker, back in 2010, the Auditor General of Canada issued a report on the Department of Human Resources. It was a very hard, scathing report, we all felt. We had been hearing issues about the human resources department for many years.
I remember asking the questions to HR ministers over the years when I was MLA.
The government at the time chose to do… . I was the Minister of Finance and we looked at a restructuring of the Government of Nunavut.
It took two years and there were a lot of consultations. Ms. Angnakak was an executive assistant and she is well aware of the work that went into it. A recommendation was to dissolve the Department of Human Resources and put some of the department in Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs and then the rest in Finance.
Every government department has a human resources person now.