EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Mr. Keyootak (interpretation): Due to reasons such as this, people who call into these shows have even stated that the term used in Inuktitut, inuliriji, shouldn’t even be used since they know nothing about Inuit, our culture and our lands.
Perhaps the department should hire people with better understanding of the north or people used to living in the arctic regions.
Can the minister look into this issue and see if improvements can be made?
I also thank my colleague for sharing his concern and other people’s concerns.
Yes, we are reviewing the social worker shortages and have started to try and produce more homegrown workers.
(interpretation ends) Nunavut Arctic College (interpretation) is our partner in this process to try and develop the curriculum to be more in line with the needs. There is a social worker course offered in Cambridge Bay that lasts for two years.
The barriers we have run into are slowly being removed in getting social workers.
The other factor members have to remember is the tremendous workload social workers have, which can result in stress, and turnover rates are atrocious.
Let me use an example. Every community has two police officers, but generally only one social worker is responsible for that community.
The stress levels in these two positions are about the same, including their legal responsibilities.
Different types of improvement initiatives are being discussed to try to get social workers locally.
These are the types of initiatives we are working on and I can only respond to my colleague with that.
Question 399 – 4(2): Incorporation of Inuit Qaujimanituqangit (Shooyook)
I want all of my colleagues to know I am genuinely happy today that I have the opportunity to ask questions.
I have yet another question related to my question from yesterday due to my ardency on this subject.
I am directing my question to the (interpretation ends) Hon. Minister (interpretation) responsible for Inuit traditional knowledge.
Yesterday, the minister responded with this answer when I queried you about this issue. His response was that this originated in 2003 with the directives laid out in the Pinasuaqtavut Mandate.
Although I get that, I wonder if you can provide more information on the original meaning behind those words.
I hope my question is understandable. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I expressly thank my colleague from Quttiktuq very much for his outstanding questions on this subject of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangat.
Ever since he became a Member of the House, he continues to raise the profile of traditional knowledge. It’s also obvious in the Chambers that he is our resident expert when it comes to Inuit Qaujimajatuqangat and I derive much pleasure and lessons from his questions, hence my continual appreciation for his questions on this subject.
Mr. Speaker, his question yesterday referenced different components that I included in my response, and I believe he is asking about more details about that mandate document and the meanings behind the wording.
With respect to Inuit traditional knowledge, or IQ, or to use the language system as an example, the government was directed to implement the mandate within its operations, with a committee established to provide advice. The Inuit Language Authority was also established by the government that directs the language requirements pertinent to each (interpretation ends) department, (interpretation) as several departments are impacted.
The Department of Family Services and the Department of Economic Development and Transportation, amongst others, have to incorporate IQ into their operations.
IQ has different meanings depending on the department mandate, as IQ is also compartmentalized. That is the area I was trying to clarify yesterday in my response.
Depending on the department, there are different requirements to be incorporated, whether it is related to social services or education, as each department is implementing specific directives aimed at their mandates.
Mr. Shooyook (interpretation): I also thank the (interpretation ends) Hon. Minister (interpretation) for clarifying the situation in my mind as I now have a clearer understanding and his response was clear.
Nevertheless, my enthusiasm for this subject remains and I am fervent in my desire to protect our elders who are still with us, to try to have this implemented while they are still alive.
There are still components of IQ related to social interactions, as Inuit had social rules from time immemorial.
The legislation we follow today stems from the NWT government and it is chock full of barriers. I want to see a system that Inuit can adapt to and the legislation needs to be changed.
With that being the situation we face today, the reasoning behind my continued push applies specifically to spousal relations and instances of discord betwixt them. Inuit had traditional counselling methods tried and true over generations. Our elders held the role to counsel both older and younger couples.
This plan to incorporate traditional knowledge, what is your position on this issue and have you developed any plans on incorporating this next fiscal year or will the plan be commenced at that time, perhaps in the year 2020? I am unsure of the date, but I wonder if your department has finalized the plans to incorporate traditional Inuit knowledge into government operations.
I would also like to thank the member for his question as that is a clear question.
Yes, the issue you raised in your question lies with the one (interpretation ends) Act (interpretation) that was enacted in the Northwest Territories and no amendments have been implemented.
I see eye to eye with the need to review this carefully, as you pointed out, so that it will better fit Nunavut and to start incorporating the IQ aspects to this area that our people want integrated into this system.
I totally agree with the need for a comprehensive review.
However, I would need the support of this government to work towards that and this includes our colleagues in the House, as the review of the legislation and the preparations for this may occur in the future.
I completely understand the response. I also understand that you support this and I look forward to it.
Now, this is an issue I am fervent about since this government continually states their position that they are here to fulfill the wishes of their residents.
We want to see more Nunavut-specific legislation that our residents can abide by.
I don’t hold any enmity towards any of the cabinet ministers. I am extremely proud of their legislated mandates, but again I am opposed to the antiquated legislation, just for clarity.
This legislation is the bane of Inuit and has to be changed.
Due to these realities, I want to reiterate that I am not opposed to this government. Nonetheless, I have picked today to showcase the need to change that draconian legislation by making an official protest that can be seen by the audience and this government.
Once I have sat down after this question, I will not return to the Chambers today as a sign of protest.
This is for the information of the public.
Hon. George Kuksuk (interpretation): Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I completely understand his comments.
However, I didn’t hear a question and I do apologize if he did have a question. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 400 – 4(2): Handicap Van in Rankin Inlet (Sammurtok)
Mr. Speaker, I am confident that the minister is aware that medical clients in Rankin Inlet who are in wheelchairs or with other physical disabilities have no designated vehicle to take them to and from their appointments at Rankin Inlet’s health centre.
Can the minister describe what transportation support is currently available to individuals with limited mobility so that they can get to and from the Rankin Inlet Health Centre for their medical appointments?
I will want to look into this issue further and see exactly where we stand on this.
I can’t respond to his question at this time.
I appreciate that the Rankin Inlet Health Centre doesn’t have its own handicap van to provide transportation to clients with limited mobility. However, there is such a van in the community that has occasionally been used by the health centre staff.
I would even be happy to table photographs of this van if the minister would like me to. Can the minister clearly explain why this van is not used to provide transportation to the medical clients who use wheelchairs or have other mobility issues?
I would also like to thank the member for clearly indicating that there is a van available. I will look into it and once I have the information, I will consider the matter.
Mr. Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I recognize that there are issues with health centre staff providing transportation to medical clients.
Will the minister commit to setting up a contract or [MOU] with the appropriate agents to provide transportations services to medical clients in Rankin Inlet who are in wheelchairs or have other mobility issues so that they can get to and from their medical appointments?
As I indicated earlier, I will look into this issue and see what we can do.
Question 401 – 4(2): Activities of the Office of the Chief Coroner (Rumbolt)
Mr. Speaker, my questions today are for the Minister of Justice, whose department is responsible for the administration of the Coroners Act.
Mr. Speaker, during yesterday’s proceedings the minister announced that there are currently 23 coroners in Nunavut.
I would like to note that some communities have multiple coroners while other communities do not have a resident coroner at all.
Can the minister indicate which communities currently do not have a resident coroner?
Today, in reviewing the documentation regarding the communities without a coroner, there are ten communities that don’t have a local coroner and are under the jurisdiction of the chief coroner of Nunavut who is located in Iqaluit.
Mr. Rumbolt: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I asked if the minister could name the communities.
Mr. Speaker, on March 19 of 2014, the minister tabled the Office of the Chief Coroner’s 2011 annual report. This report indicates that “recruitment of local coroner is done by the Coroner’s Office.”
Can the minister indicate how his department supports the coroner’s office with the recruitment of local coroners, and when can we expect to see coroners in the remaining communities?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We try to provide as much support as we can to coroners throughout our territory.
The coroner’s office submits an annual recruitment advertisement to the hamlets, local health centres, and police detachments, asking for local interested people to act as coroners locally. This is sent to every community and this recruitment process is undertaken annually. Last summer was the last recruitment effort, but it is done annually.
Mr. Rumbolt: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I recognize the important work that coroners provide in the territory. I also feel that it is very important that each community has a resident coroner to perform investigations in the tragic times that they become necessary.
I note that the Office of the Chief Coroner is an independent body and I am not asking the minister to interfere with its work.
Can the minister explain what actions the Office of the Chief Coroner takes in the event that an investigation is required in a community that does not have a resident coroner?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) The chief coroner performs those duties where there is no coroner in place locally. At the same time, the chief coroner also assists those coroners where there is a coroner. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 402 – 4(2): The Northern Residents Deduction Program (Hickes)
As per my Member’s Statement, I have some questions today for the Minister of Finance.
Mr. Speaker, in 2008, the Conservative Government of Canada recognized that the Northern Residents Deduction has not kept pace with inflation and made a 10 percent inflation adjustment at that time.
My question to the minister is: what discussions has he had with his counterparts with the federal government on another inflation adjustment to the Northern Residents Deduction Program?
I’ve had no discussions with my federal counterpart about any further increases to the Northern Residents Deduction.
I’m just going to go on to my next question for now. I’ll follow up with that comment in my final supplementary.
Mr. Speaker, with some of the statistics that I had mentioned through my Member’s Statement, throughout its 27-year history in Canada, it is my estimation that we are almost 84 percent behind inflation in this program.
According to my calculator, the adjustment for inflation to the Northern Residents Deduction should be $13.78, not the current $8.25.
The minister kind of caught me off guard a little bit by saying that there have been no discussions in the previous seven years since this last increase on the adjustment for inflation. Forgive me if I am stumbling on my words a little bit, Mr. Speaker.
I guess my next question is: when is the minister anticipating having contact with his federal counterparts on bringing this issue up?
As I stated in my comments, my concern is that if we continue to be silent about the inflationary impact on this program, then it again will likely be and it appears that it has been overlooked by all governments.
I’m sure that Nunavummiut are appreciative of Mr. Hickes for bringing it up again.
There have been discussions. The premiers of the three territories, in 2012, directed the finance ministers for the three territories to raise this issue.
The three finance ministers, and I was the finance minister at the time, directed our officials to work on it. Following the conclusion of their work and their analyses, it was our conclusion as finance ministers that our efforts as the three territories are better served focusing on lobbying for infrastructure type items.
Consequently, we informed the premiers of the day that we would do that.
They agreed and we focused on lobbying for the gas tax, the [Building] Canada Fund, medical travel, housing funds, and resources for energy.
That has been our focus.
Mr. Hickes has done a considerable amount of work.
I recall at the time, in 2007, this House, in fact, passed a unanimous motion calling on the Government of Canada to increase the Northern Residents Deduction.
As Mr. Hickes stated, we were successful in 2008, but in 2012, our analysis showed us that, with our limited resources personnel-wise and financial-wise, we should focus on lobbying Canada for funds that would benefit all Nunavummiut, and that’s what we did.
Like I stated in my opening, I understand that there are many priorities and that this government is working with its federal counterparts on a number of significant initiatives that will have a benefit to our constituents.
At the same time, I understand that this isn’t a money donation or a money contribution or even anything added to our transfer agreements with the federal government; this is residents of Nunavut keeping their tax dollars in their pockets.
At this time, I would like to ask the minister if he will commit to committing to raise this matter with the appropriate ministers, with the Government of Canada, and request that the Government of Canada take steps to support working Nunavummiut.
I ask the minister to table correspondence on that matter at the minister’s earliest opportunity.
As Mr. Hickes pointed out yesterday, I’m not fond of making commitments and I won’t make that commitment.
I do know that in the latest stats for 2012, 9,300 Nunavummiut saved $18 million in taxes, so it is a benefit to Nunavummiut.
It cost the Government of Nunavut, I think, a little over $4 million in lost revenue.
The payoff/tradeoff between putting money in the back pockets of Nunavummiut versus the government’s lost revenue to cover the Northern Residents Deduction is fairly insignificant to us as a government, but helpful to Nunavummiut.
However, again, as I said, we are lobbying for all the funding from Canada, and I do have three proposals into the Government of Canada right now, as I said the other day, energy, housing, increase the debt cap, and I know other ministers are lobbying.
Ottawa reads the Hansard, so they’re well aware of Mr. Hickes and this exchange, I’m sure, is being listened to as we speak.
I will talk to my officials, but I can’t make that commitment that I can write letters.
It is a considerable effort to push these kinds of things along.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Oral Questions. Member for South Baffin, Mr. Joanasie.
Question 403 – 4(2): Status of New Cape Dorset Power Plant (Joanasie)
Mr. Joanasie (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon, Nunavummiut and my colleagues.
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister responsible for the Qulliq Energy Corporation.
As the minister is aware, I have been asking questions since the beginning of the Assembly about the urgent need for a new power plant in Cape Dorset.
The power plant in Cape Dorset was constructed probably around 1964 and it has been in service for over 60 years.
As I speak, I’m fully aware that the Utility Rates Review Council approved the major project permit for a new power plant. I’m aware that QEC has included the project in its capital plan.
My question for the minister is: what specific factors are delaying the start of construction of Cape Dorset’s new power plant?
Hon. Keith Peterson: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank Mr. Joanasie for the question. Mr. Speaker, I recall, I think it was in mid-2012, there was an article in Nunavut News/North, Opportunities for the North, and there was a story about infrastructure in Nunavut.
The Cape Dorset Power Plant replacement was one of the stories and the estimated cost at that time was it could be $12.5 million.
Here we are almost three years later and there has been no further progress on the development of that project.
I believe this specific issue with the delay in the project is over land in the community.
The hamlet is seeking a court decision on a specific lot in the community that they can turn over to the Qulliq Energy Corporation to proceed to design a plant and then eventually construct the plant in the community.
Mr. Joanasie (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you for that response.
As the minister will recall, I presented a petition last year in the Legislative Assembly that was signed by many of my constituents concerning the urgent need for a new power plant. In its response to the petition, QEC stated that once the location for the new plant has been legally transferred, more in-depth planning can begin.
This was almost a year ago. What specific discussions are currently underway to resolve the land issue once and for all?
As we all know as legislators, we have laws that we have to abide by. The Hamlet of Cape Dorset is proceeding through a legal process, I understand, to secure the land and when they secure that land, we will be in a position to proceed with the design. Our officials are, of course, monitoring the situation and hopefully the situation will be resolved soon, and then we can proceed to start designing a power plant for that specific piece of land in the community.
Mr. Joanasie (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the minister for that response.
Mr. Speaker, Cape Dorset residents cannot wait forever. My last question to the minister is if he is prepared to consider using every tool at his disposal, including the power of expropriation, to ensure that construction of Cape Dorset’s new power plant begins in our lifetime.
I certainly hope the issue is resolved before the end of Mr. Joanasie’s life.
Mr. Speaker, as the former mayor of my community, I prefer to resolve issues locally and go through a process where all parties have their day to defend themselves, whether it’s in court or before the hamlet council.
I’m not prepared at this time to go to the extreme measure of expropriating land.
Member Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu, Ms. Angnakak.
Question 404 – 4(2): Resources for Inclusive Education (Angnakak)
Mr. Speaker, I greatly appreciated the level of detail provided by the minister and his staff during his appearance before the Committee of the Whole to discuss his department’s proposed budget for 2015-16.
I understand that the department is soon expecting a report on the review of its inclusive education program.
Can the minister provide an update on exactly when that report will be completed and when it will be made available to Members of the Legislative Assembly?
I would also like to thank the member for asking that question because education is very important.
I know that people are interested in hearing this.
With regard to the member’s question, we have stated that we are reviewing inclusive education. We have started the review of inclusive education.
I can’t tell you exactly when the review will be completed, but it will go ahead.
During yesterday’s discussion, it was noted that under the current system, to determine a student’s learning disabilities, a parent needs to get a referral to an educational psychologist.
Can the minister clarify how that referral process works?
With respect to that question, obviously we have procedures in place that we follow.
By utilizing these procedures, we are able to handle them and the policies lay out that process.
Now, another important aspect to this is the kind of testing provided to our students to determine the extent of their disabilities.
Our goal is to continue to follow the process. However, we want to have an appropriately designed test to do it properly.
I can only respond to you that way.
I didn’t quite get a good understanding of how the referral process works, but I will go on to my next question and perhaps get back to the minister on that at another time.
Mr. Speaker, I recognize that our education system, like many others, faces challenges in allocating resources where they will be the most effective.
Can the minister clarify who pays for the services of an educational psychologist to diagnose a student’s learning disabilities, and after the diagnosis is completed, how does the Department of Education provide for the specialized interventions or learning resources that may be recommended by an educational psychologist for a student with learning disabilities?
I also thank my colleague for that question, as this is a very important matter she raises.
As per my earlier response, a detailed procedure is laid out for various tests similar to what the member is referring to.
The testing is done in the school following the detailed procedures, as they can only conduct the testing with these procedures. I can only respond with that at this time.
However, as I stated earlier, wherever policies are required to govern certain procedures, it is laid out for that kind of testing and who has to conduct the testing.
Question 405 – 4(2): Plebiscite on Alienation of Municipal Lands (Savikataaq)
Now that the dust has settled a bit from the questions that were asked earlier this week and the Premier has informed us that the land plebiscite vote will happen in March 2016, I would like to ask the minister to give us an update on when the government will make its final decision on which of its departments or which entity will be the formal plebiscite authority for the purpose of next year’s vote on the issue of disposal of municipal lands.
Hon. Tom Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) As I indicated at one point, we’re still awaiting direction from EIA as to when this will be brought to cabinet. Once that happens, the decision will be made as to who will be the plebiscite authority. (interpretation) Thank you.
When the residents of Iqaluit voted a couple of years ago on municipal borrowing initiatives, only ratepayers had the vote.
As the minister is aware, the Plebiscites Act also provides that if the plebiscite authority wishes to direct the question to be asked in a plebiscite to a group or class of persons other than the class of persons with the right to vote under section 1, the writ shall set out to establish the qualifications of the voters entitled to vote at the plebiscite.
In plain English…