EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Nunavut is a beautiful land.
There is no better proof of that than spending time fishing, camping and hunting and just enjoying life outdoors.
Mr. Speaker, with David Serkoak, Meeka Serkoak and Meeka Curley just this past weekend we enjoyed an excellent time out on the land.
Mr. Speaker, we were successful in our hunting trip and I managed to let Mr. Irqittuq to know how I managed to get my skills of skinning a caribou from about two hours to about half an hour this past weekend.
Mr. Speaker, with my youngest son Pakak, we I travelled down the bay and built a couple of Inukshuks with him and we had a picnic.
As Mr. Alakannuark said earlier this morning in his statement it is important for our children to know their culture and the land.
Mr. Speaker, there is no better time to do that than now in our springtime.
Mr. Speaker, Iqaluit is blessed with good hunting and fishing and I look forward, like the members of this House, to spending more time out on the land with my family this spring.
Member’s Statement 400 - 1(3): Rankin Inlet Dog Team Races
Hon. Jack Anawak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I know about Inuit handling dog teams and I had dogs myself when I was sixteen years old.
I know how to handle them and take them to harness and do whatever you have to do with your dog team.
There are many people in Rankin Inlet who own dog teams.
Perhaps not the same ones that we had in the past, but I know they have to take care of their dogs and handle their dogs on a daily basis.
We recently had a dog team race in Rankin Inlet and the individual that won in the competition is very young.
His name is Warren Palfrey and the second winner was David Oolooyuk, and third was Eric Tatty.
There were not just people from Rankin Inlet who participated in the dog team races, also involved were Jimmy Mackpah, Philip Kigusirunaq, John Hicks, Moses Kigusirunaq, Larry Ussak, Barney Kalluak, and Andy Kautak.
I would like to congratulate those individuals and to recognize the people that raise and work with dog teams.
I am sure that their daily chores are very tedious and I would like to congratulate them for participating in the dog team races recently.
Member’s Statement 401 - 1(3): Appreciation for Sessional Support
Perhaps we will not complete our business today but I would like to have the opportunity today to thank all the Members of the Legislative Assembly and to thank the staff who have worked tirelessly assisting us for almost two months from the beginning to the end.
At the cabinet level I would like to thank my assistant Bob Best and Sheila Kolola for assisting me during the session.
For the people that I represent I would like to thank them as well for them assisting me in suggesting the things that I have to do as a Member of the Legislative Assembly.
I would like to say also Mr. Irqittuq is better at skinning caribou than the member beside me.
I would like to thank my wife Rosie for supporting me, putting up with me and taking care of our children.
All the members know that our spouses have been able to assist us and support us during the session.
Member’s Statement 402 - 1(3): Response to Minister Ng’s Member’s Statement – Out of Order
Mr. Speaker, today I rise to conclude the statement that I started on April 19th.
Members know now that it is longer and I will be seeking unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
Mr. Speaker, on Wednesday the 19th I was talking about the cost of the school in Cambridge Bay.
Mr. Speaker the member told this House that the total temporary facility construction cost is 2 million, 22 thousand and 766 dollars.
He then listed other figures including contingency and Fire Marshall requirements which he then proposed to deduct from his proposed budget of 14 million, 9 hundred thousand, in effect to get the true cost.
After deducting over 4 million dollars he then indicated to the House that the cost of the new school will be 10 million, 191 thousand, 566 dollars.
This divided by the 34 hundred square meters works out to under just 3 thousand dollars a square meter.
The member quoted the documents that were tabled before this House.
The documents that were tabled clearly state that when the renovations and I will quote them “renovations to temporary facilities are included in the total cost of replacing the high school.
The total budget cost is actually 16 million, 915 thousand and 763 dollars”.
So if the minister proposes to deduct these costs I wonder why he did not use the total budget as a starting point.
Furthermore Mr. Speaker, the budget really in the books is 14.2 million dollars, not 10 million dollars as the minister suggests.
So I fail to see how the cost per square meter can be calculated from a number that is not listed in the Main Estimates.
This is a more expensive school, period.
Mr. Speaker, as to the no limits by cabinet.
The member quoted me as saying shame on the government for continuing to blindly support all aspects of the school project…
Speaker: Mr. Ng. Your point of order.
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Mr. Speaker my point of order is I believe you just ruled on this matter.
I do not know if the member is trying to perpetuate a continuance in respect to debate on this matter.
I ask that you consider your ruling earlier.
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Ng. In reference to the discussion we had earlier this morning on the two points of order.
In reference to my preamble, not necessarily to the fact that the words that were used would be considered unparliamentary, but to my general preamble.
Our main purpose in being in this House is to conduct the business of this House on behalf of the people that elected us.
I think there comes a point in time where we have to look at the role of the member and the role of the business in the House trying to ensure that the work of the House is carried out in an effective and efficient manner.
I fail to see at this point in time that we are accomplishing this by any banter that takes place between two members.
There was a ruling this morning on the points of order.
Do I make myself clear as to the fact that we have to separate the personalities from the issues, and when we fail to do that the issues that we are dealing with are not political issues they are personal issues.
I originally thought that on Mr. Tootoo’s statement, for him to continue with it is somewhat harmless.
However, given the fact that I spent quite a bit of time on the preamble in reference to personalities and issues, given the fact that we are very close to finishing off our work here in reference to the budget, I feel that Mr. Ng does have a point of order and I would rule Mr. Tootoo’s statement or continuation of it, out of order.
So with that let us try and get to the business at hand and complete the budget and complete the work that is before us on behalf of the people that elected us.
Item 5. Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. Mr. Picco.
Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure today to welcome to the Assembly CHRs from all over Nunavut who are here in Iqaluit attending Arctic College for professional development.
Mr. Speaker, the CHRs are very valuable resources in all of our communities and they work tirelessly on behalf of our constituents and in our constituency.
Mr. Speaker, they will be giving me a helping hand this coming fall in the anti-tobacco program which will be launched, I am hoping in September, to coincide with the new school here and targeting youth.
That is one of many things that our CHRs do.
With that Mr. Speaker, let me introduce the CHRs.
Originally from Apex living here in Iqaluit and Apex, Cathy Michael.
Could you stand up please, thank you.
Joan Qanuaq CHR from Baker Lake, Pitseolak Kilabuk from Pangnirtung, Louie Nowdlak who is a well-known entertainer and who is going to make a song for me on anti-tobacco this fall, Simon Arreak from Igloolik, an old friend of mine Mr. Speaker.
Martha Jaw from Cape Dorset, Beatrice Ikkidluak from Kimmirut, Roger Malinaq from Taloyoak, Rhoda Natanie from Clyde River, Simeonie Kuppak from Repulse Bay, Sipora Sheese from Grise Fiord, Rosie Kakak from Kugluktuk, Carol Greger who is from Nunavut Arctic College, Mr. Speaker Robbie Kamookak, CHR from Gjoa Haven.
Mr. Speaker, I also see in the back there Errol Fletcher, a well known entertainer and an all around good guy and a college instructor from Iqaluit.
Did I miss anyone, I do not think so.
Mr. Speaker, with that let's welcome these wonderful people to the Legislative Assembly.
Just before Mr. Tootoo, I would like to recognise a person from my home community if I may. Now living in Iqaluit, Mr. Brian Aglukark and another gentleman, another friend of mine. From Arviat, Mr. Luke Suluk.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognise a group of future leaders here in Nunavut to the Gallery. The grade 4 Inuktitut class from Nakasuk school.
I would like them to please stand with their teacher who is Rhoda Ungalaq. I would like to welcome them to the gallery.
Speaker: Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. Mr. Barnabas.
Mr. Picco has already recognised her already. I would like to recognise Sipora Sheese from Grise Fiord, from my riding.
Speaker: Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. Mr. Puqiqnak.
I wish Mr. Picco would recognise only people from his constituency.
I would like to recognise some of the community health representatives from my community. I believe there are two of them here so I would like to recognise them. I have two communities that I represent.
First from Taloyoak, Roger Mannilaq, if you would stand up please.
On the other side from Gjoa Haven is Robbie Kamookak.
Item 4. Item 5 rather.
I would like to recognise Simeonie Iyerak from my community, he is one of the community health representatives. Also a long time ago in 1966 I was going to school and my instructor who has never changed is here, Beatrice Ikkidluak.
Speaker: Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. Mr. Nutarak.
I would like to recognise two people, when I was the member of the Nunavut Planning Commission, Brian Aglukark who was the program director and Luke Suluk who is one of the staff members of NPC, are both here.
Speaker: Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. Mr. Iqaqrialu.
You did not see me when I had my hand up, anyway I would like to recognise visitors who come from my community, Rhoda Natanie from Clyde River and also Jeannie Audlakiak from Qikiqtarjuaq.
I am very glad they are here.
I would like to recognise all the CHRs and I would like to recognise the Minister of Health and Social Services because I am sure the two million dollars we had talked about for smoking cessation will be well used by the CHRs.
I want to assure the members that whether you are recognised first or last or in the middle you will still be recognised, so bear with me.
I know most members have an obsession about recognising first but we will get to you.
You just shut me up.
I would like to recognise a few of my constituents today but before I do that I would like to welcome all the CHRs to the Legislative Assembly also because I do not think they realise how much of a job they do in our communities.
I would like to congratulate Mr. Picco again for kicking the habit and all these CHRs in here if he can stop smoking for this length of time.
Other than that I would like to recognise a constituent of mine who has been a CHR for a long time I am not sure how many years.
Every time you go into the health centre or around town she has a smile on her face and it just makes you feel welcome.
I would like to recognise Joan Killanak, one of my constituents.
I would also like to recognise a long-term friend ex-business partner one of the first Inuit businessmen in the Keewatin.
He is President of a couple of the development corporations. He is also on the Power Corporation board and I think he is one of our Canada post representatives, Mr. David Simailak.
Speaker: Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery, Mr. Kilabuk.
I also would like to welcome again the people who were recognised.
We also have people who are here from Pangnirtung. Mr. Picco had previously recognized them but first of all my older brother's wife Pitsulak Kilabuk and on her right, whom I am sure you have heard through her singing, Louie Nowdlak and also the last person from Pangnirtung Mina Ishulutak.
Speaker: Item 5. Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. Mr. Akesuk.
I would like to recognize the two people from my constituency, from Cape Dorset Martha Jaw and Beatrice Ikkidluak from Kimmirut.
Also Brian Aglukark with whom I took management training.
Question 565 - 1(3): Costs Associated with Power Plant Fire
Mr. Speaker, my first question is directed to the Minister responsible for the Nunavut Power Corporation.
I know it must be premature to start discussing the Sanikiluaq generators that burnt down.
But I would like to know, because we are spending quite a bit of money in Clyde River for their station and on top of that this recent incident happened and I am sure that government departments are trying to accommodate the needs of Sanikiluaq.
I would like to know where the money will be coming from to try to provide a generator for Sanikiluaq.
Speaker: Minister responsible for the Nunavut Power Corporation, Mr. Picco.
Mr. Speaker, first of all I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the staff of the Power Corporation here in Iqaluit and throughout Nunavut who have been working overtime and extra time to make sure the people of Sanikiluaq have their power on and their generators in place.
They have done an excellent job and I think they need to be recognised by the Members of this House.
Mr. Speaker, the costs involved are covered by insurance.
There is at this present time, I can't give an actual dollar amount of out of pocket expenses that the Government of Nunavut may have to incur, but I can say the replacements of the generators do work and the rest of the logistics and administrative costs are covered under the insurance for the generators.
Mr. Speaker, if it happened in any community in Nunavut with the loss of power in such a community of 600, a population of 600, Mr. Speaker, if the insurance coverage is exceeded, does the minister have contingency funds in order to accommodate the costs for transporting the generators.
Mr. Speaker, that is an interesting question.
There are different aspects of this relief effort that are underway in this relief effort in Sanikiluaq.
Mr. Anawak yesterday in this House declared a state of emergency along with the mayor in Sanikiluaq, which gives the people and the Nunavut Government access to federal funds if needed.
The actual cost for the replacement of the generators and the building, as I understand it this morning may have to be replaced and the infrastructure that is required in Sanikiluaq for the operation of the power plant including new generators.
Those will all be covered under insurance.
I would like clarification Mr. Speaker.
Does that mean that is going to be an increase in our power rates just in case the insurance doesn't cover all the costs. If we go over the insurance limit does that mean we are going to increase the rates in order to pay for the building.
Hon. Ed Picco: That is another good question.
Mr. Speaker as the member knows we have in place the Nunavut Public Utilities Board, which has to review any rate application being brought forth.
In this case if the total cost were not covered by the insurance then we would not anticipate a rate increase.
But again the mechanism is in place for a rate application, but we don't see that occurring in this instance.
I also want to take the opportunity to welcome one of our dedicated Nunavut and Northwest Territories Power Corporation board members, Mr. David Simailak from Baker Lake who has been providing yeoman service on the Power Corporation board representing Nunavut over the last few years.
Question 566 - 1(3): Financial Impact of Sanikiluaq Power Plant Fire
We all realise there is a tragedy down in Sanikiluaq and the power plant and a life threatening situation.
We all know that it is going to cost between 5 to 7 million dollars to replace this power plant and we know insurance is probably going to cover most of it.
My question today to the Minister of Finance, is this going to jeopardise any capital projects this year.
Question 567 - 1(3): Response to Capital Commission Report
Mr. Speaker, my question today is for the Minister responsible for Community Government and Transportation.
Last year the honourable member from Iqaluit East tabled a report in the House called the Capital Commission Report.
I am just wondering if the Minister responsible for Community Government and Transportation has had his department review that and does he have any recommendations or suggestions that they are looking at possibly implementing as a result of that report.
As soon as the session has concluded we will be looking at the recommendations.
Our staff have reviewed the report but I have not talked with them thus far.
So as soon as we are finished with this session we will be dealing with them as soon as we can.
We will keep the three members of Iqaluit informed as to the progress of the recommendations.
Mr. Speaker this is an item that I don't believe only affects the members from Iqaluit. It affects every Member in this House.
I would like to ask the Minister if he would be willing to bring the topic up in the upcoming Nunavut Association of Municipalities meeting to see if there is any possible feedback or any presentation there from the rest of the communities in Nunavut.
I think that is a very good idea and I will be sure to mention it to the mayors when they are here next week during the Nunavut Association of Municipalities meeting. As well as when I am addressing them in discussions about the other areas that we will be discussing with them as the Minister responsible for Community Government.
I think it is a good suggestion and I will be sure to follow it.
Speaker: Oral Questions. Mr. Iqaqrialu.
Question 568 - 1(3): Timely Cancer Diagnoses
I am not really sure whether it is a question to be directed to him or not but let me know if I make a mistake.
Some Inuit in the Nunavut area get sick and they do not diagnose them right away.
Some of them go to see a doctor but are told there is nothing wrong with them.
Sometimes they get cancer and then they finally find out when it is too late.
I think there should be a way whereby those people could be diagnosed properly.
Speaker: Minister responsible for Social Services. Mr. Picco.
Mr. Speaker, this is a very difficult area to discuss in this forum. But I will try.
Mr. Speaker, as you know, as the members of this House know, with different diseases and medical problems that arise with individuals we try to give the best type of care as possible and we know that the professionals working in our communities do that.
After saying that Mr. Speaker sometimes there are cases where different diseases are hidden and sometimes they are missed based on the considerations being brought forward by the patient.
Sometimes different symptoms disguise themselves as different diseases.
Mr. Speaker for example a disease can be in a person for quite a while before it becomes evident.
So that is why we are proactive as a government and medical professionals in the field that provide pap smears for example Mr. Speaker, to be able to give an early warning.
Those things are in place for the designation and diagnoses of diseases.
Yes I like the response from the minister and from whatever else that he wants to get that he was going to look into this business of diagnosing patients. I just wondered whether he uses tele-health in the communities. I just wondered whether those tele-health computers will create any problems.
Will you be reviewing to make sure tele-health computers are working properly and not making a misdiagnoses of patients, and to make sure the nurses in the communities know how to use those tele-health computers. I just wondered whether those tele-health computers are okay to operate and to make sure they do not make a mistake in misdiagnosing patients.
Speaker: Minister responsible for Health and Social Services and the Power Corporation, Mr. Picco.
Mr. Speaker the member is correct.
One of the assets of the tele-health network is the ability to access over long distances diagnostic help on diseases.
For example Mr. Speaker, in Pond we talked about before how there was a skin rash evident in some patients in Pond Inlet and by using tele-health we were able to make a diagnosis from the doctor in Iqaluit and they did not have to travel.
Mr. Speaker we have also been using tele-health for diagnoses with some of the mental illnesses that we have been encountering and also helping with therapy with the mental health side of things.
Mr. Speaker, as you know and this House knows we just recently signed a MOU with the Newfoundland government for tele-health and also with the Australian territorial government there with tele-health. So we will be able to look at some aspects of the innovations they are using and bring it forward.
Mr. Speaker, as you know a million dollars was approved in this House when the health budget was before us, for training and also implementing tele-health throughout Nunavut.
So hopefully with the equipment in place we will be able to make a diagnosis quicker and those diagnoses will be more reliable like we have been doing in Pond and like we hope to do in some of our other communities.
But, again Mr. Speaker, tele-health is just one more tool that we are trying to bring forward and as health ministers in Canada have been trying to say and I have another meeting sometime this week Mr. Speaker, we are trying to reform the health care system.
Here in Nunavut Mr. Speaker, I think it is safe to say that we are on the leading edge.
We have integrated our health boards.
We have brought forward tele-health and Mr. Speaker we are training Inuit to be nurses.
So we are trying to reform the health care system and that is part of the process the member is talking about.
I understand your response clearly, but I would like to be able to get clarification.
Maybe perhaps the patients do not visit at the health centres as often as they should.
Maybe that is why they get misdiagnosed or perhaps they go to the hospitals or the nursing stations and they don't get a regular medical check-up.
Maybe that is why they do not get a good diagnosis.
Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for the clarification of the question.
I want to thank him again because he gives me another opportunity to talk about another initiative that I announced last week. That is 4 million dollars a year going to the Nunavut Government from the Federal Government to train people in our communities to be able to provide home care support for people with illnesses and diseases, but also to help be an advocate for health care and home care.
In addition, Mr. Speaker, the people that were just here in the gallery, the CHRs their role is to bring forward the concerns that the member was just talking about. To make sure appointments are on time, to make sure that the communities are informed about the health care operations through the community health promotion programs, because Mr. Speaker we don't want to be just treating diseases and problems we want to be able to prevent them.
That is what we refer to as the up stream model as opposed to some people who want to be downstream.
The Nunavut Government prefers to be upstream in health care and be proactive.
So that was a good clarification and I hope that answers Mr. Speaker, gives the member some level of comfort on his original question.
Yes I understand his response and another thing that I would like to clarify.
There are two elders in my community who were brought out of their community alone.
One of them was very sick and the bones were very brittle because perhaps this individual was diagnosed at this time.
I wonder what the reason was that individual was misdiagnosed.
There might be a lot of people in the Nunavut Region that have people that have been misdiagnosed and that is why they get sick.
I was just wondering what the reasons were.
Mr. Speaker, in this forum as you know I cannot comment on an individual's health care problems or needs or diagnosis that has been presented.