EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
They also do tourist establishments, hotels, bed and breakfasts and tourists’ homes, daycares, recreational facilities, gyms, community halls, pools and areas, personal service establishments, such as barbershops, hair dressers, tattoo parlours, massage parlours, tanning salons, and spas.
Public housing units may also be inspected if a complaint is received.
The department is developing a communications plan to better communicate the function of the environmental health officer.
That is quite a list.
I am wondering if the minister can provide with a list of the number of facilities that the health inspectors have inspected over the last year.
I do not have that information in front of me, but I can commit to providing that information.
Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you for that.
That would be great to know.
Under population health, one of the services is to deliver public health programs, including food security and school health. Does this include breakfast programs for schoolchildren? If not, how does the Department of Health address this area?
The food security program includes breakfast programs.
Ms. Angnakak: I don’t have any question, but I just wanted to state that I’m very glad to hear that because I think this should be a priority of the government to ensure that when children go to school that they have something to eat.
It just leads to kids attending school more often and being able to learn better with a full tummy.
My first question, while we are talking about the subject of health on page 100.
I know some of the members have asked questions in the same area, but I will ask from some other perspective regarding inspections, such as the water inspector that inspects drinking water.
There are reservoirs that trucks are used. My first is are those inspected too; the water reservoirs?
I will get my deputy minister to answer the question. The first question had to do with the school breakfast programs. I just want to get my deputy minister to answer the question.
Ms. Keenainak: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Just to add on to what the minister said about the breakfast program. It is funding that the department provides.
It is community driven. So if the community identifies that as a priority that is one of the ones that the department would fund. I can also add that its part of the Food Coalition’s food security strategy is one of the working groups under that food security are specifically on breakfast programs as well.
Onto the issue of environmental health officers, and inspecting municipal facilities like water treatment plants, that is what they also do as well.
I forgot the rest of your question.
Sorry, Mr. Mikkungwak.
My questions were answered. I would now like to ask a question about the water utilidors. In many Nunavut communities many do not have water utilidors, although they have asked for them.
Has the department looked into getting utilidors in the communities?
We don’t have the response in front of us. I look into the member’s question and get back to him.
On another topic that was asked by my colleague, do they just inspect the public houses that are being run by the housing association or do they also inspect privately owned houses?
Hon. Monica Ell (interpretation): It’s just got to do with public houses.
We do not have anything written down that talk about private homes, but after we find out we can provide information to the members.
When they do inspections of public houses, do they do renovations? Do you do inspection of building codes as well?
The building code is not part of our job, but we provide anything to do with health.
I will ask a question in English. (interpretation ends) The Public Health Act, would that not impact the building codes when they are environmental health inspections?
I already answered the question.
While we are talking about the Public Health Act, in 2014-15, how many changes will you be making to the Public Health Act?
The member is asking what changes will be made to the Public Health Act.
The Act has been in existence since 1957.
We want to make some changes to the Act to ensure that this is a new Act because today, human rights legislation have to be considered as well when we are making changes to the Public Health Act, promotions, and other changes to make it a little bit more new for today.
I thank the member for her answer.
I will change my line of questioning.
While we are talking about many peoples’ health….I know that in Baker Lake they have a health representative committee.
The health committee in Baker Lake works very hard. (interpretation ends) The grants and contributions section of your draft main estimates includes $250,000 to be allocated to community-based health committees or councils.
Does every Nunavut community have a health committee or council?
Community health and wellness committees are active in most communities.
Community health development coordinators are also working with some communities, like Resolute Bay, Grise Fiord, Rankin Inlet, Sanikiluaq, and Gjoa Haven to start with their community health and wellness committees.
The community health representatives in communities receive money, but the money is inadequate for their operation, and once they have spent their money, the health services integration fund, you have an amount of $822,000.
Can those committees access funds from that?
The hamlets receive a grant of $10,000 each year to support them with their community health and wellness committee operations. The community health wellness centres can also apply for additional funding to support their health promotion projects and activities.
In terms of the health service integration funding, training framework for community health development coordinators is being developed, which will provide capacity building to support the community health and wellness committees this fiscal year.
Here in Iqaluit, we all know that there is a fire at the dump and we are affected by the smoke coming from the fire.
For that reason, Mr. Chairman, I would like to make a motion to report progress.
We have a motion to report progress, and the motion is not debatable.
I will now wish to report progress.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Item 21.
Speaker: Thank you. There is a motion on the floor. Is there a seconder?
This House stands adjourned until Thursday, May 29, at 1:30 p.m.
>>House adjourned at 16:58
Pages 228 – 311
Opening Prayer 228
Ministers’ Statements 228
Returns to Oral Questions 234
Revert to Item 5: Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 248
Tabling of Documents 249
Report of the Committee of the Whole 310
Orders of the Day 310
Thursday, May 29, 2014 228
017 – 4(2): DEA Office Manager Training (Quassa) 228
018 – 4(2): Excellence in Water Stewardship Award (Taptuna) 229
019 – 4(2): Mental Health First Aid Training amongst Correction and Probation Staff (Okalik) 230
055 – 4(2): 2014 Baker Lake Graduates of Nunavut Sivuniksavut (Mikkungwak) 230
056 – 4(2): The Need for a Children’s Group Home in Nunavut (Sammurtok) 231
057 – 4(2): Tribute to Knowlton Nash (Ugyuk) 232
058 – 4(2): Alcohol Education Committee of Igloolik (Quassa) 233
059 – 4(2): Iqaluit’s Gwen Healey (Angnakak) 233
060 – 4(2): 2014 Graduates of Nunavut Sivuniksavut (Joanasie) 234
Return to Oral Question 015 – 4(2): Status of Planning for New School in Coral Harbour (Sammurtok) 234
067 – 4(2): Support for Social Workers (Mapsalak) 235
068 – 4(2): Support for Search and Rescue (Akoak) 236
069 – 4(2): Review of Harvester Support Programs (Mikkungwak) 237
070 – 4(2): Annual Reports under ILPA (Joanasie) 239
071 – 4(2): The Need for a Children’s Group Home in Nunavut (Sammurtok) 240
072 – 4(2): Arviat Water Treatment and Distribution (Savikataaq) 241
073 – 4(2): Legal Services Board of Nunavut (Hickes) 242
074 – 4(2): Nunavut Tourism (Angnakak) 244
075 – 4(2): General Managers of LHOs (Enook) 245
076 – 4(2): The Makimaniq Action Plan (Hickes) 247
014 – 4(2): Public Service Annual Report 2012-2013 (Peterson) 249
Bill 02 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2014-2015 – Health – Consideration in Committee 250
Bill 02 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2014-2015 – Community and Government Services – Consideration in Committee 269
Speaker (Hon. George Qulaut) (interpretation): Mr. Shooyook, can you say the opening prayer, please.
Welcome, Nunavummiut, Members of the Legislative Assembly, and Ministers.
Before we start this session, (interpretation ends) on behalf of all the Members of the Legislative Assembly, I would like to extend our best wishes for a full and speedy recovery to one of our long-serving interpreter/translators.
(interpretation) Blandina Tulugarjuk had a snowmobile accident last week and she is now recuperating in Ottawa.
We look forward to welcoming Blandina back soon. We miss her voice and we would welcome hearing her voice here again in the Legislative Assembly.
Ministers’ Statements. (interpretation ends) Hon. Minister of Education, Mr. Quassa.
Minister’s Statement 017 – 4(2): DEA Office Manager Training (Quassa)
Thank you to the people in my community who are watching in Igloolik and in Nunavut, as well as my fellow MLAs.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to say that district education authorities play an important role in our education system. (interpretation ends) The district education authorities work with the school principals and their communities to develop school programs that reflect local needs and values and incorporate Inuit culture.
It is important to help the district education authorities and their staff to gain the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to administer their organizations effectively and efficiently.
Mr. Speaker, in March, we held conferences on financial management for DEA office managers in all three regions.
Funding for these conferences was provided through the Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs Program Development and Training Fund.
We contracted three bookkeeping firms that have experience with the DEAs to deliver training on following correct financial processes and developing, organizing, and maintaining proper financial records.
My department and the Coalition of Nunavut District Education Authorities have worked together to develop a DEA training manual that supports the training being provided at these conferences.
We have worked together with the coalition to develop this manual so that DEA staff and elected members may use it as a comprehensive reference guide.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, my department is committed to providing high-quality training to ensure that the DEAs have the skills needed to meet the financial reporting requirements under the Education Act and the Financial Administration Act.
I am sure this training and the manual we are creating will help the DEAs fulfill their important role in our communities. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Minister’s Statement 018 – 4(2): Excellence in Water Stewardship Award (Taptuna)
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to stand before my colleagues here today to announce that the community of Pond Inlet is Nunavut’s recipient of the Excellence in Water Stewardship Award.
Hon. Peter Taptuna: I look forward to formally presenting the award to the community in the near future.
The Council of the Federation, which is comprised of Canada’s 13 Premiers, awards this honour for outstanding achievement, innovative practice, and leadership in water stewardship. It is part of a larger strategy to improve stewardship of our water resources and foster best practices across our nation.
Mr. Speaker, Pond Inlet is working on a project to build more capacity to monitor fresh water quality in a changing climate. Their research involves producing baseline information on the quality of drinking water sources in Pond Inlet, as well as documenting local knowledge, practices, and views related to obtaining drinking water from traditional sources.
This work was led by Tim Anaviapik-Soucie and supported by researchers from the Dalhousie University Centre for Water Resources Studies, the Nunavut Research Institute, and ArcticConnexion.
This project helps the community of Pond Inlet gain an understanding of how changing weather or new activities are impacting their water source. It also helps the community be confident that their water is safe.
Mr. Speaker, water is a fundamental, valuable resource in Nunavut, Canada, and of course, throughout the world. The Excellence in Water Stewardship Award publicly recognizes leaders in the field of water stewardship and rewards remarkable achievement.
Congratulations again to the community of Pond Inlet.
Ministers’ Statements. (interpretation ends) The Hon. Minister of Justice, Mr. Okalik.
Minister’s Statement 019 – 4(2): Mental Health First Aid Training amongst Correction and Probation Staff (Okalik)
Today marks the beginning of a three-day Mental Health First Aid training program for 32 corrections and probation officers.
Delivered in Iqaluit, the program will be offered across the territory.
Historically, the department offered suicide intervention training. To better equip correctional staff with tools to identify and treat the immediate risks of varied mental health situations amongst inmates and colleagues, including depression, traumatic stress, as well as suicidal behaviour, correction and probation officers are now trained in Mental Health First Aid.
This year, a northern component has been added to provide staff with a more in-depth look at some unique factors that are present in northern communities and how our communities support those in need of assistance and how we can introduce more cultural stuff into it.
Mr. Speaker, one in three Canadians will experience mental health problems during their lives.
Like getting a cold or infection, mental health problems must be detected and treated early.
Mental Health First Aid will give our correction and probation officers the skills needed to provide early help on an individual’s road to recovery.
Member’s Statement 055 – 4(2): 2014 Baker Lake Graduates of Nunavut Sivuniksavut (Mikkungwak)
I say “good day” to the people of Baker Lake and everyone in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, I am very honoured to rise today to recognize the following youth from Baker Lake, Nunavut:
Eric Ikoe
Atuat Tagoona
Shawna Seeteenak
Nicole Hachey
They graduated from their first year at the Nunavut Sivunuksavut program along with  Paula Piryuaq, who completed her second year.
It’s obviously the ones who toughed it out graduated after eight and a half months. The program obviously has taught them a lot.
They went through challenges, but they learned a lot.
They even have their own webpage now, more importantly, who they are, where they come from, and most of all, their potential as individuals.
We know the students sacrificed a lot; leaving their friends and loved ones. They learned life skills for today.
They talked about growing individually and growing together with joy, tears, homelessness, and sometimes feeling alone and wanting to go home. Through it all, they succeeded and graduated.
I was informed of the graduation speeches with emotions, crying, happiness, and gratitude to the Nunavut Sivuniksavut faculty.
They thanked their teachers and their fellow classmates. I’m aware that the parents of the graduates, as I indicated… .
My apologies. (interpretation ends) The member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement.
There are no nays. Please proceed, Mr. Mikkungwak.
As I was saying, I know that the parents felt the hardship and loneliness for their children who are at school.
As I am aware, one of the graduates is a young parent who has overcome the hurdles of being away from her child for long periods while the parents take care of her child. She did that in order to ensure a better life and future.
I can honestly say that parents of these graduates are grateful for a program like Nunavut Sivuniksavut, which I know helps students in their endeavours and their lives.
I also know they went to Panama this year, which they really enjoyed. So they are also learning abroad.
It would be nice to see more students applying to a very good program. The program is run very well. I would like to acknowledge our Hon. Member of Parliament, Minister Leona Aglukkaq, who came by and spoke to the graduates. Thank you very much.
Lastly, I wish the best of luck to Tracy Nateela, Eric Ikoe, and Nicole Hachey, who have applied for the second year portion of the program. I do sincerely wish they get accepted.
Member’s Statement 056 – 4(2): The Need for a Children’s Group Home in Nunavut (Sammurtok)
I send my condolences to those in Rankin Inlet who have lost loved ones.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I rise today to add my voice to the growing concern that our government no longer supports children’s group homes in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, the children’s group home in Rankin Inlet provided support and service to children with varying levels of need until September 2012.
Some of those children were in the group home because their parents were found to be unable to provide the necessary level of care for them.
It concerns me that once the department made its decision to close the group home, those same parents were suddenly considered able to provide the level of care their children needed.
Mr. Speaker, I recognize that some of the children placed in group homes have multiple problems, both physical and developmental.
I understand that when the group homes closed, those clients were sent south to receive care because a regular private home setting would not be able to accommodate all of their needs.
However, Mr. Speaker, this just underlines the fact that we should have children’s group homes in Nunavut.
Just as in every population, some of our children end up needing a greater level of care than what can be provided in the family home or even in a foster home.
Just because their needs are different is not a good excuse to send them away.
Mr. Speaker, I ask the government to reconsider its decision to no longer support children’s group homes in Nunavut and give full consideration to reopening, maintaining, and operating a children’s group home so that our children can stay in Nunavut and receive care at home, close to their families and communities. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Member’s Statement 057 – 4(2): Tribute to Knowlton Nash (Ugyuk)
Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) Yesterday, they held a funeral for the late Knowlton Nash in Ontario. I would like to pay tribute to him. Although I have never met the man, I could say that he has been in my home through my children.
When my two oldest children were preschoolers, one Saturday morning, they recorded themselves on a cassette tape. They were mimicking Knowlton Nash and Barbara Frum. Because they were preschoolers, they had a lot of fun recording themselves mimicking Knowlton Nash and Barbara Frum.
My son said, “The news today is I’m going to have rice crispy cereal.
We’re going to play outside.” I’m so sorry that we lost that cassette tape after moving a few times. His sister announced that she was Barbara Frum and they were going to watch Sesame Street and the Muppet Show.
When I watched The National last night, I remembered him very fondly. When my son finished being Knowlton Nash, he said, “Goodnight,” when it was just the beginning of the day.
Those are my fond memories of Knowlton Nash.
Member’s Statement 058 – 4(2): Alcohol Education Committee of Igloolik (Quassa)
There have been committees in Nunavut, especially alcohol education committees.
In Igloolik, the alcohol education committee has provided a lot of assistance. For example, there was a fishing derby and they provided financial resources.
For people who are physically unable to go out fishing and hunting, that group was able to assist all of the people like that, such as all the favourite fishing holes. This is directed more to them. The alcohol committee was able to provide tremendous assistance.
They also provide other assistance, for example, providing meals on Canada Day or people’s birthdays, and they are able to provide free meals.
I would like to recognize alcohol committee in Igloolik for their tremendous volunteer help.
Let us provide assistance in any way possible to organize such entities that provide services and assistance to people with physical infirmities.
The financial resources are able to stay within the community and utilized within the community.
Member’s Statement 059 – 4(2): Iqaluit’s Gwen Healey (Angnakak)
Ms. Angnakak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I was hoping that the Members’ Statement I was going to be speaking about, the lady I am speaking about would be here, but she isn’t.
Anyhow, thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an Iqalummiuq who does tremendous work in the area of health research in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, Gwen Healey was born in Iqaluit and is a graduate of the Inuksuk High School.
She is currently working toward her PhD in public health, which has focused on collecting perspectives from parents and adolescent children on health and relationships in Nunavut communities.
Mr. Speaker, Gwen Healey founded the Qaujigiartiit Health Research Centre as an independent non-profit community research centre with Gwen as the lead researcher and four full-time research staff at the centre. Their goal is to enable health research to be conducted locally by Nunavummiut in a supportive, safe, and culturally sensitive and ethical environment.
Since Qaujigiartiit was formed in 2006, the centre has delivered workshops across Nunavut on health research methods, research skills, health promotion planning and evaluation, proposal writing, and ethical conduct in research.
Over the past eight years, the centre has brought over $6 million into Nunavut for community-led projects and training.
Mr. Speaker, Qaujigiartiit promotes the inclusion of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit and western science. The centre has developed community research projects examining parenting, food security, child and youth mental health and wellness, family health, primary care, and public health.
Mr. Speaker, I am very proud of Ms. Healey’s accomplishments and I am confident that we will be hearing more of her success in the future.
Member’s Statement 060 – 4(2): 2014 Graduates of Nunavut Sivuniksavut (Joanasie)
I rise this afternoon to congratulate Nunavut Sivuniksavut that graduated a number of students in the past week. I wish them the best of luck.
Having completed the program, they have become a little bit wiser; they are able to understand more about the history of Nunavut.
The students’ lives have been affected tremendously in a positive way.
I thank all the students who have gone through that program and they should be able to go into universities or colleges and would be able to apply more for jobs.
I would like to recognize Jutai Toonoo Jr. I applaud him for having gone through the program, including all of his fellow graduates.
They will be able to look forward to building their future positively.
Returns to Oral Questions. (interpretation ends) Hon. Minister, Mr. Sammurtok.
Return to Oral Question 015 – 4(2): Status of Planning for New School in Coral Harbour (Sammurtok)
Hon. Tom Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) This is a return to oral question asked by Mr. Mapsalak, No. 15 – 4(2). The question he asked was:
Planning for a new school is in the initial stages. A budget to complete the planning during fiscal year 2014-15 has been approved. The current school enrolment and availability of land for a new school is being investigated.
The next step to be undertaken in the planning is a consultation in the community, which is planned to occur during the fall of 2014.
Orders of the day. Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery.
Question 067 – 4(2): Support for Social Workers (Mapsalak)
Mr. Mapsalak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Family Services.
Mr. Speaker, it is a fact that there is a high turnover of social workers across Nunavut communities.
They are stressed out and do not receive enough support. As a result, they leave and someone new comes in until they too face the same challenges.