EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
You’re asking for another $500,000 for 2016-17.
How much of the $4 million to date has been spent?
You have $4 million sitting there that has not been spent and you’re asking for another $500,000, and you know that it is not enough for a budget.
I don’t know the workings of government, but how did you figure out it’s not enough without spending any money? Did you just put out a bid?
No money has been spent and you know that the money that is allocated is not enough.
I was just wondering how you came to that conclusion.
Minister Ell-Kanayuk
Initially when this was first estimated, it was thought that it could be purchased for $4.5 million. However, after the request for proposals was out and closed this fall, it was determined that the preferred system would be at a higher cost.
Just for the benefit of the members here because we’re not familiar with how all this stuff works, when you ask for a request for proposals, are they free or does the government pay for someone to write a proposal?
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you very much. Minister Ell-Kanayuk
A request for proposals is normally a request to ask vendors to let us know what their cost would be to do XYZ.
In this case, it’s software and systems for the Motor Vehicle Information System.
To the actuals, I will ask Deputy Minister Suvega to answer that question.
As the minister mentioned, we do work with the Procurement Division of Community and Government Services to try and determine what some of these projected project costs might be.
Sometimes the bids will come back at a higher price and we have to rethink or redetermine what the request might be going forward and that has happened in this case.
A few factors to mention in that the market for these types of systems, the market price for things like software and design increase this year.
It’s not something within our control.
We are looking at this with the Department of Community and Government Services to see how we can best look at dealing with this requested increase.
Depending on the direction or the decisions coming out of here, we will have to relook at these options, but it will be in partnership with Community and Government Services.
I don’t think we have any qualms about the cost of the project because that is out of your control, but it’s just the process here that I’m questioning.
You have $4 million that you have not spent.
You’re asking for another $500,000, which you absolutely know for certain is not enough and you’re going to ask for a supplementary appropriation to come up with an appropriate amount.
In my opinion or in my way of thinking, wouldn’t it be easier not to even ask for this $500,000 and just include it in a supplementary appropriation?
You know that this $500,000 that you’re requesting is not enough.
The total budget you have is not enough and I’m just wondering why it’s being done like this.
I’m just questioning the process of how you’re going for the money, “piecemealing” it instead of just coming back and say, “Okay, this is how much the project costs, it’s out of our control, and we need this much more extra money to do the complete job.”
I would just like an answer on why this way.
Hon. Minister Ell-Kanayuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
We’re here right now for the purpose of getting our capital estimates approved. I’m not a finance person, but for things like this, we need to plan way ahead of time as to how much these capital projects are going to cost.
When it was initially discussed, we worked with other departments and we had options.
There was a $4.5 million price tag. We put the request for proposals together this spring, the RFP came out this summer in 2015, and it closed in September, I believe it was, or it might have been at the end of August.
When they were looking at the RFPs, it became very obvious that the whole thing is going to cost more.
There’s no infrastructure put up with the project that we’re working on. There’s no building.
It’s a computer system and the price of computer software really fluctuates out there and we cannot control that.
We can’t even estimate or we can’t even say exactly how much the system will cost at the end.
I really don’t know how to answer that question, Mr. Chairman.
I’m not questioning the amount of the project.
I would just like to see it completed because we all hear the stories where it takes a year to renew your driver’s licence and it takes forever before you can get your ID, and you have to have these IDs to travel, even if it’s for medical.
We would just like to see the project started and completed. If you need more money, then ask for it.
When is the sup bill going to come?
We need this project to go ahead because we have heard so many stories about people taking so long to get their driver’s licence or their general ID.
We have been talking about it since I have been elected and it is two years now.
Maybe they talked about it before that, but when do we expect to see a sub-bill to complete this project or to at least start it?
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, very much. Minister Ell-Kanayuk.
Once the RFP has ended, negotiations will commence with the company in collaboration with CGS and my department.
If these discussions go well, we expect in the winter session to get the assistance of the finance department to help us put together a (interpretation ends) supplementary (interpretation) request at that time.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, very much.
The member is done.
We will reconvene with the other members tomorrow.
Your committee has been considering Bill 3 and the capital estimates, and would like to report progress. (interpretation ends) Also, Mr. Speaker, I move that the Report of the Committee of the Whole be concurred with.
(interpretation) Thank you. (interpretation ends) The motion is in order. (interpretation) I apologize. (interpretation ends) All those in favour.
A reminder to members that there’s a meeting of the Standing Committee on Legislation at 10:00 a.m. in the Nanuq Boardroom.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) This House stands adjourned until Thursday, October 23, at 1:30 p.m. (interpretation) The documents are written incorrectly.
It should read October 22. I apologize.
>>House adjourned at 18:03 Appendix – October 21, 2015
Return to Oral Question
Nunavut Maligaliurvia Legislative Assembly of Nunavut Assemblée législative du Nunavut
Asked by: Mr. Akoak
Asked of: Nunavut Arctic College  Number: 7-4(3) Date:
Subject: Need for Improved Adult Basic Education
“In February of 2012, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced funding of over  $11 million from 2011 to 2016 to improve adult basic education programming across Nunavut.
Can the minister provide an overview of what these funds have been spent on to date and specifically how adult upgrading programs have been improved as a result of this spending?”
The additional funding has been used improve and expand program delivery with a focus on investing in research in best practices.
Highlights of Nunavut Arctic College’s enhancement of Adult Basic Education include investment in:
* Researching on a wide range of topics including the best ways to collaborate with elders, using project-based learning, improving Inuktitut language, making English assessments move relevant and accurate, and integrating new  learning technologies to benefit ABE learners;
* Increasing professional development for instructors including assessment, essential skills, and Inuktitut language instruction;
* Developing and adapting resources focusing on culturally relevant curriculum materials, processes, and assessments.
The College’s new resources and instructional processes adhere to high national standards for ABE, built on a foundation of Inuit knowledge and learning.
As a result of this funding and dedicated work from Nunavut Arctic College staff and its partners:
* The new Nunavut Adult Placement Assessment (NAPA) was completed and is being implemented.
NAPA is Canada’s first culturally relevant placement tool developed for a college system.
It assesses English reading and writing levels using Nunavut specific reading prompts.
It was developed and piloted over 27 months with a College team of educators and students.
* The new ABE Inuit Language Curriculum is now completed.
It includes new course outlines, integrated teaching and learning resources, as well as evaluation rubrics and assessment tools.
* The Adult Basic Education program is using a number of new Nunavut specific Inuktitut and English instructional resources.
Other resource development and program development is ongoing.
With the help of this funding, the college has been able to expand the delivery of the program and increase interest as well as enrollment.
In 2011-12 academic year, 47 students were enrolled in ABE courses.
In 2014-2015 academic year, the college delivered 29 Adult Basic Education programs across 25 Nunavut communities to 214 adult learners.
Details of the improvements are detailed in the Innarnut Ilinniarniq: Enhancing Adult Basic Education in Nunavut report, which I tabled this in the Legislative Assembly on March 10, 2015 and included as an attachment to this return to oral question.  Return to Written Question
Asked by: Simeon Mikkungwak, MLA Baker Lake
Asked of: Hon. Keith Peterson, MLA  Minister responsible for theWorkers’ Safety and
Compensation Commission
Number: 1-4(3) Date: June 2, 2015
Subject: Administration and Enforcement of the Workers  Compensation Act.
Within the meaning of section 134 of the Workers’ Compensation Act, what were the results of each inspection conducted by the Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission between January 1, 2013 and May 31, 2015, within the municipality of Baker Lake and at the Meadowbank mine site?
Within the meaning of section 135 of the Workers’ Compensation Act, what were the results of each search conducted by the Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission between January 1, 2013 and May 31, 2015, within the municipality of Baker Lake and at the Meadowbank mine site?
Within the meaning of section 141 of the Workers’ Compensation Act, what penalties were paid between January 1, 2013 and May 31, 2015, by entities located within the municipality of Baker Lake and at the Meadowbank mine site?
Mr. Speaker, the information that is requested is considered confidential under the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, S.N.W.T. 1994, c. 20 as amended by s. 76.05 of Nunavut Act and as further amended by statutes of Nunavut.
In particular, the information sought by the Honourable Member is not collected under the Workers’ Compensation Act, that is, safety inspections are conducted either under the Safety Act or the Mine Health and Safety Act, depending on the nature of the enterprise.
Further, the results of such safety inspections are subject to the protection of privacy legislation under the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, cited above, and in particular, s. 24(1) which states,
,,, the head of a public body shall refuse to disclose to an applicant
(b) financial, commercial, scientific, technical or labour relations information
(i) obtained in confidence, explicitly or implicitly, from a third party, or
(ii) that is of a confidential nature and was supplied by a third party in compliance with a lawful requirement;
Based on these points I am not at liberty to release this information.
Asked by: Alexander Sammurtok, MLA Rankin Inlet South
Asked of: Hon. Paul Okalik, MLA Minister of Health
Number: 005-4(3)
Date: Wednesday, June 03, 2015
Subject: Administration and Enforcement of the Public Health  Act
Question 1: Within the meaning of section 25 of the Public Health Act, what inspection and enforcement activities, broken down by applicable regulation and community, were undertaken by the Department of Health during the 2012-2013, 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 fiscal years?
Response: The Department of Health undertakes inspection activities under the Public Health Act on a regular basis.
During the time between the years 2012 to 2015, 2090 inspections were conducted by the Department.
Please see attached table for a further breakdown by fiscal year, regulation and community.
Question 2: Within the meaning of section 23 of the Public Health Act, what prosecutions for alleged contraventions of the Act or regulations were undertaken during the 2012-2013, 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 fiscal years?
Response: During the years in question the department of Health has not undertaken any prosecutions within the meaning of Section 23 of the Public Health Act.
Question 3: What was the disposition of each matter referred to in question #2?
Response: N/A
Hon. Monica Ell-Kanayuk
Thursday, October 22, 2015
Pages 100 – 158
Opening Prayer 100
Ministers’ Statements 100
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 111
Oral Questions 111
Tabling of Documents 127
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 127
Report of the Committee of the Whole 157
Thursday, October 22, 2015 100
006 – 4(3): Suicide Crisis in Nunavut (Taptuna) 100
007 – 4(3): Response to Suicide Inquest (Okalik) 102
008 – 4(3): RespectEd Programming in Schools (Quassa) 102
024 – 4(3): Healthy Workplaces in the Public Service (Angnakak) 103
025 – 4(3): Congratulations to Ms. Kaviok (Savikataaq) 106
026 – 4(3): Suicide Crisis Deserves Urgent Attention (Akoak) 106
027 – 4(3): Integrating Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit into Government Initiatives (Shooyook) 107
028 – 4(3): Pangnirtung Search and Rescue Volunteers (Mike) 107
029 – 4(3): Recognition of Tusarvik School’s Staff and Students (Mapsalak) 108
030 – 4(3): Appreciation of Premier’s Visit (Sammurtok, T) 109
031 – 4(3): Opening of New Health Centre in Taloyoak (Ugyuk) 109
032 – 4(3): Waste Drop and Swap in Iqaluit (Hickes) 110
033 – 4(3): Appreciation for Support for Barrieau Family (Joanasie) 110
025 – 4(3): Improving Medical Travel Services (Mikkungwak) 111
026 – 4(3): Update on Capital Plan for Francophone School (Hickes) 113
027 – 4(3): Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Katimajiit and the Tuttarviit Committee (Shooyook) 113
028 – 4(3): Western Hudson Bay Polar Bear Management (Savikataaq) 115
029 – 4(3): Status of Government of Nunavut Operational Audit (Angnakak) 116
030 – 4(3): Status of New Rankin Inlet Arena (Sammurtok, T) 117
031 – 4(3): Addressing Homelessness (Sammurtok) 118
032 – 4(3): Status of Department of Health’s Independent External Review (Joanasie) 120
033 – 4(3): Settlement between NTI and the Federal Government (Hickes) 121
034 – 4(3): The Need for Addiction Services (Mikkungwak) 122
035 – 4(3): Overdue Departmental Reports (Angnakak) 123
036 – 4(3): Oral Health Screening Program (Sammurtok) 126
015 – 4(3): 2014-2015 Annual Report on the Operation of the Medical Care Plan (Okalik) 127
016 – 4(3): Chief Medical Officer of Health’s 2014-2015 Tobacco Control Act Annual Report (Okalik) 127
Bill 03 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2016-2017 – Economic Development and Transportation – Consideration in Committee 128
Bill 03 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2016-2017 – Nunavut Housing Corporation – Consideration in Committee 140
Mr. Tony Akoak, Ms. Pat Angnakak, Hon. Monica Ell-Kanayuk, Mr. Joe Enook, Mr. George Hickes, Mr. David Joanasie, Mr. Pauloosie Keyootak, Hon. George Kuksuk, Mr. Steve Mapsalak, Hon. Johnny Mike, Mr. Simeon Mikkungwak, Hon. Paul Okalik, Hon. Keith Peterson, Hon. Paul Quassa, Mr. Allan Rumbolt, Mr. Alexander Sammurtok, Mr. Tom Sammurtok, Mr. Joe Savikataaq, Mr. Isaac Shooyook, Hon. Peter Taptuna, Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk.
Speaker (Mr. Joe Enook) (interpretation): Mr. Shooyook, can you say the opening prayer, please.
Good afternoon, Nunavummiut. Welcome to your Legislative Assembly.
Premier Taptuna, Ministers, and Members, welcome to the House.
Moving on in the orders of the day, the first item is Ministers’ Statements.
Minister’s Statement 006 – 4(3): Suicide Crisis in Nunavut (Taptuna)
Hon. Peter Taptuna (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) Good afternoon, colleagues, (interpretation) members, and residents of Kugluktuk and Nunavut.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, today, we address an issue that has been affecting our territory far too long.
There is not a Member of this House or a family in Nunavut that has not been affected by suicide.
The recent coroner’s inquest and the subsequent recommendations have resonated across Nunavut and throughout Canada.
Our family, like many families, was touched by the personal and heart-wrenching testimonies at the inquest.
I want to thank every individual that appeared before the inquest to present their constructive views.
Mr. Speaker, swift action needs to be taken now so that we can:
- Better share information between  partners;
- Further engage with youth;
- Provide the relevant people with  adequate training; and
- Strengthen our programs to better  prevent people from taking away their
Mr. Speaker, today, we declare suicide as a crisis in Nunavut.
Overwhelmingly, Nunavummiut are saying we need to do more at the senior government level, at the hamlet level, at the local level, and at the family level.
Precious lives should not be lost. We have heard the recommendation loud and clear. To that end, we have struck a special cabinet committee that is mandated to follow and implement recommendations from the coroner’s inquest.
Suicide is a result of a complex series of factors that are both personal and connected to wider social influences. There is no single reason why someone may try to end their life, but in large part, this is preventable.
Mr. Speaker, the special committee is going to be led and chaired by the Minister of Health and includes the ministers of housing, education and family services, as well as myself.
This committee is cross-sectional, as no single department can take sole responsibility.
To support the work of the cabinet committee, an associate deputy minister will be appointed in the coming days to specifically direct and coordinate cross-departmental initiatives.
The position will feed into and work with our partners, NGOs, hamlets, and various government departments.
Shared responsibility is essential if we are to have any chance of success.
The immediate task ahead for the associate deputy on suicide is to manage and outline, with the Minister of Health, new monies and a costing process to identify the needed funds, new staffing positions and recruitment efforts, along with new program dollars, training programs, and supports to implement the inquest recommendations, as well as support the broader suicide strategy.
The Minister of Health will bring those costed and analyzed requests to the House in the winter session.
These new dollars will be base funded within the budgets of the lead departments, who are on the frontline to implement recommendations from the inquest.
These new funds will directly assist the Nunavut Suicide Prevention Strategy and Action Plan, and cross-governmental programs that work to reduce suicide risk factors and reinforce prevention efforts.
There will be more funding supports included for frontline workers and organizations, as well as government departments that deal with the issue every day.
We will ensure that the ASIST training continues and is broadened in delivery. We will also enhance supports to groups and non-profits like the Embrace Life Council, the Help Line, and for local community support agencies. We will also continue to support other government programs, such as the RespectEd programming in schools.
Today’s commitment aims to support a range of initiatives that directly and indirectly contribute to reducing risk factors for suicide and aiding in prevention.
We need to also enhance the mental, physical, and domestic health of Nunavummiut. This approach absolutely requires collective action with communities, families, and outside partners.
Mr. Speaker, we need to place families at the centre of service delivery.
This means better integration of health, education, housing, family services, and of our external partners to improve outcomes and results for Nunavummiut.
Mr. Speaker, I call on all our partners to continue to work with us and take action. There has been some positive progress, and there is no denying there is room to improve. We must all stand together to end suicide in Nunavut.
Speaker: Qujannamiik, Premier Taptuna. (interpretation) Ministers’ Statements.
Minister’s Statement 007 – 4(3): Response to Suicide Inquest (Okalik)
Nunavut’s suicide inquest ended three weeks ago.
I thank the chief coroner for undertaking the inquest and the jurors for accepting their challenging task.
As some of you know, I lost my older brother to suicide when I was 13. I was traumatized.
Years later, as I contemplated suicide, it was my older sister Ida who saved me with her love.
We all have a role in suicide prevention.
Members will recall in February of this year, we allocated an additional $5 million to staff the Mental Health Transition Home in Cambridge Bay, adequately fund out-of-territory treatment, and place psychiatric nurses in Qikiqtarjuaq, Kimmirut, Iqaluit, and Grise Fiord/Resolute Bay.
Currently, design work is being undertaken to renovate an existing building in Rankin Inlet for the addition of beds in the Kivalliq.
Public consultations on the Mental Health Act will begin this fall to ensure the bill incorporates Inuit societal values and builds on the successes of local organizations.
While clinical services are being added, the jury made a number of recommendations to streamline decision-making processes and cooperation between departments and agencies to put the client first.
To that end, a new cabinet committee on quality of life has been formed to demonstrate cabinet’s commitment and to focus the work of departments, with the support of an associate deputy minister for quality of life.
Many of my colleagues and I will be taking an Uqaqatigiilluk! ASIST workshop in November.
As Members of this Legislative Assembly, we are each committed to doing our part in prevention and reducing the stigma.
I am honoured to be assuming the role of Minister responsible for Suicide Prevention.
I’m here today and, in my sister’s memory, I want to give Nunavummiut words of hope.
Surround yourself with loved ones. There are many.
Spend time on the land learning our ways from our elders.
Challenge yourself and the system by getting an education.
It is the reason I got a law degree.
Believe in tomorrow for a brighter future for the people of Nunavut.
Minister’s Statement 008 – 4(3): RespectEd Programming in Schools (Quassa)
Mr. Speaker, the recent suicide inquest has reminded us of the importance of working with staff to expand their ability to support students to handle life’s challenges with resilience.
We are continuing our three-year partnership with the Red Cross. Together, we have trained 606 teachers in RespectEd healthy relationships and violence prevention; 240 teachers are from the Qikiqtani, 190 from the Kivalliq, and 92 from the Kitikmeot.
Mr. Speaker, a team travelled to Hall Beach last week to do RespectEd training with 35 youth. The team was also able to provide suicide intervention, prevention, and postvention support. This life-enhancing support is about hope, help, and healing.
As a result of the training, the youth did some community planning and the hamlet committed to putting in place some land-based and skill development activities.
As a result of receiving RespectEd training this September, Igloolik made a school plan to promote a bullying-free environment.
Gjoa Haven has been using the information since their training in early 2014. Baker Lake trained two counsellors in 2013 and they have been using the material in the school wherever they can.
In Kugaaruk, the staff are using the material regularly with students and have trained a group of youth facilitators. Taloyoak is using the activities in elementary schools.
Rankin Inlet has incorporated bullying-prevention and healthy relationships for the past three years into school programming.
Mr. Speaker, we are committed to continuing our partnership with the Red Cross to deliver the RespectEd training in all Nunavut communities in the near future.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Minister Quassa.
There being none, we will move on with the orders of the day. Item 3.