EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
The question has been taken as notice. We will move on with question period.
Question 105 – 3(3): Homeowner Fuel Rebate Program (Rumbolt)
My question may not seem appropriate for this time of year, but it’s a follow-up question from the winter session.
Mr. Speaker, on March 3 of this year, I asked the minister questions about the Government of Nunavut’s Homeowner Fuel Rebate Program, which was not mentioned in his Budget Address. In response to my question, the minister informed the House that he had “gone back to his officials” and that the government would be “looking very closely at the program to see if there’s a way that we can consider funding it again this year.”
Can the minister inform the House today what he has decided to do in response to this program, which both he and I agreed in the House is a very good one for our constituents?
Hon. Keith Peterson: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank Mr. Rumbolt for the question and follow-up.
Mr. Speaker, that was a one-time program. We extended it to the second year to help homeowners when the fuels were very high.
Our decision upon closer review is that we would not fund it.
Since the minister and I both agree that the Homeowner Fuel Rebate Program is very good, we have to determine whether the government can afford to deliver the program again this year.
The minister informed the Legislative Assembly earlier this year that approximately 1,300 Nunavut homeowners took advantage of the program and that it cost the government between $600,000 and $700,000 to deliver it.
Given that the government’s most recent annual procurement report indicates that the Department of Finance could find $540,000 to pay the Donna Cona corporation for various consulting services, it seems to me that the government should take a second look at this issue to see if it can spare a few dollars for Nunavut homeowners, especially lower income residents.
Will the minister commit to looking into this program again?
I thank Mr. Rumbolt for advocating so strongly on behalf of homeowners, of which I am also a homeowner.
Certainly we appreciate a little extra money in our back pockets during the periods when the fuel is very high.
But, Mr. Speaker, I know that everybody is aware of the government’s financial situation. Just the other day, I announced some work that we’re doing to look at trying to save money and streamline and be more efficient.
We reviewed that program very carefully. It was a one-time program.
We extended it to the second year.
We dealt with applications retroactively for one and then two years, but I’m not going to commit to it the third time. If fuel prices go to $200 a barrel, we will see, but right now, at $100 a barrel, that’s much lower than when it was first considered.
Since the minister could not commit to looking into this program again, Mr. Speaker, I would like to commit to the minister that I will submit similar questions in the winter sitting when, no doubt, it will be much colder outside and the cost of fuel will probably go up in the fall.
Going to Oral Questions.
Question 106 – 3(3): Request for a New Health Centre in Baker Lake (Aupaluktuq)
My questions are directed to the Hon. Minister of Health and Social Services, the Hon. Minister Curley.
Mr. Speaker, I have stated to my colleague’s staff and the House that the Baker Lake Health Centre is outdated and doesn’t meet the needs of our growing population as well as development, especially in the areas of increased development in Baker Lake.
Our population is growing naturally with the residents of Baker Lake and those coming to work.
Mr. Speaker, with that, I want to state that there is an increase strain and demands of staff and resources at the health centre in Baker Lake.
As I have stated before, it is outdated, too small, lacks space, and I have mentioned before that the health centre is too high for the elderly as well as those with disabilities.
My question, Mr. Speaker, was: can the minister confirm whether or not his department officials have received and considered the request for a new and larger health centre and a dental clinic for the community of Baker Lake?
As to whom or from which organization made that request, I haven’t heard any requests from the hamlet for replacing the health centre.
Some of the health centres that are past their operational life are assessed by our officials. This assessment is to determine the overall condition of the facility.
The Department of Community and Government Services conducts those assessments.
We haven’t yet requested the department to conduct assessments since we are focusing mainly on the three health centres previously identified as needing replacement and these centres are in Repulse Bay, Taloyoak, and Artic Bay. These three communities are currently our focus for this year.
The department is aware of these old health centres and we are concerned about their deterioration. However, we cannot access other funds as the capital project funding is chronically inadequate. Nonetheless, I can tell you that the old health centres suffering from dilapidation and old age are prioritized by numbering them, and that is all I can speak to at this time.
In Baker Lake, we haven’t received any form of request for the replacement of the local health centre and that is all I can speak to, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) Thank you.
Mr. Aupaluktuq: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’ll be sure to follow up with my counterparts in Baker Lake to follow up with some of these questions, and I know for a fact the minister had also addressed the needs of other communities and that’s understandable.
I just wanted to ask as well for the record in relation to this as a follow-up, Mr. Speaker: will the minister commit to including a project for a new health centre for Baker Lake on the next capital plan for Nunavut?
Health centres continue to be the focus of our concerns in Nunavut and we have prioritized them based on their age and condition. We work closely with the CGS officials to deal with emergency maintenance repairs and where this is required, we collaborate with the department to ensure that the strain on the health centres doesn’t incapacitate them and we keep the communities informed.
Currently, I cannot advise the member in this House as to which community health centre will be the next priority as I don’t have that information, so I’ll leave it at that.
It is rather obvious, as per my previous statements in the Legislative Assembly, the Department of Health and Social Services suffers from a chronic lack of funding. This can have an impact on the daily lives of Inuit when the facility is old and the residents are aware of the issues, such as those faced in Baker Lake. I imagine that we are not alone and they face the same situation elsewhere in Nunavut.
I want to express my gratitude to Minister Curley for allowing me to speak to this concern and in replying to my questions.
This is not a question; it is more of a comment. (interpretation ends) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
We will move on with question period.
Question 107 – 3(3): Health Insurance Coverage for Nunavut Residents (Elliott)
Mr. Speaker, the dynamics of Nunavut’s population is undergoing a small but significant change. Over the past 50 years or so, more and more non-Inuit who travelled north to work stayed in the north, raising families and making this beautiful land their home. As they enter their retirement years, many non-Inuit are raising questions and concerns, especially as benefits, such as those provided to Inuit through the Non-Insured Health Benefits program, are not available to them.
Can the minister update the House on how his department tracks and measures the changing demographic nature of Nunavut’s population and how this information is used to anticipate future needs for health care, services, programs, and the necessary coverage?
Yes, with respect to that matter, as of today we have not yet determined if we are going to identify it as it has not caused any undue concerns.
However, with respect to the federal government’s work on demographic information here in Canada related to population studies, we work in conjunction with them on health issues.
That information is used to prepare plans to measure the changing dynamics of Canada’s population. We try to get the information collected by the census survey of Canada on specific issues as they are very useful for planning cycles. Our department doesn’t conduct a separate census survey due to the fact that we’re not overly concerned about Inuit overpopulation nor are Inuit receiving more Non-Insured Health Benefits as an aboriginal people than is our due, but it has assisted many people.
If it weren’t for Inuit living in Nunavut, there would be no Nunavut government.
Due to this reason, if the Inuit population were to increase substantially, we’re not overly concerned as we have adequate support programs in place provided by the federal government. The rights of Inuit and the benefits they receive are protected by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. I cannot even state that we are being short-changed at this time here in the House.
In late 2000, I raised the issue of health care benefits and insurance coverage for all Nunavut residents. I was very pleased to note that the Department of Health and Social Services’ new website provides information on third party health insurance options for Nunavummiut.
I would like to commend the minister and his staff for addressing this important issue.
Can the minister clarify for this House and the listening public whether his department has provided any assistance to individuals trying to obtain third party health insurance and, if so, how successful have their efforts been?
Certainly the Department of Health and Social Services is not responsible for negotiating terms and conditions or benefits that are normally included in the collective bargaining process. I believe that all of the major union members particularly have a very good program included in the collective agreement.
I don’t think the member is alluding to that part, but we probably have one of the best provisions in those union employee related agreements.
So in that regard, no problem with that one, but in terms of the others, I don’t… .
As I stated in the winter session, we cannot compel private companies to enforce additional health benefits that are not included in the universal health care provisions, but I think it’s up to the companies themselves in many respects.
If we’re talking about the private sector, they should consider allowing for members or their employees to have extra extended health provisions in their insurance coverage.
In terms of whether or not there are any other areas that we need to cover, this department has extended health benefits that do subsidize to a certain amount some provisions and benefits needed particularly for the elderly as well as other aboriginal individuals who do not qualify for our own Nunavut, what do you call it, that program that we offer to Inuit.
In March of this year, the Legislative Assembly approved an increase in the 2011-12 budget of the department’s Extended Health Benefits program. Can the minister clearly explain how this increased funding will be spent and, if it includes an increase to benefits, how will that increase be distributed?
If it has been increased and approved by the Assembly and the appropriate approval processes, then it’s in our base.
The only way that I can respond to that further is that it is based on a needs basis.
We certainly don’t want to compel people to take advantage of it because it’s related to people who have a particular health issue.
If they qualify, then the department as well as the Non-Insured Health Benefits administrators track those individuals who are qualified for that benefit or don’t and as a result of that, they apply to particular programs.
So it’s not necessarily based on, in the status of the economic situation, where it should go.
It’s based on a needs basis, so it’s kind of difficult for me to respond specifically.
The information on the department’s website is a very good start.
Can the minister describe to this House what other steps will be taken by his department to make sure that all Nunavut residents are made aware of their health insurance coverage options and what steps they must take to ensure they are covered?
Like I said earlier, we don’t target a particular economic group or less fortunate individuals or whatnot, who qualifies and doesn’t qualify, because our health care system is based on the universality of the programs, that people who require medical treatment will get medical treatment.
As to how and who should pay for some aspects of the health care or medical treatments that are not covered, the department ensures that we do have a program.
Therefore, the Extended Health Benefits program somewhat helps individuals who may need that program. Obviously we need to do better program announcements and publicizing it. We will do whatever we can.
That information is probably available at the local nursing stations.
If there is not already a publication or pamphlet, we will make sure that information or that program is available. That I will commit to do so.
Question 108 – 3(3): Medical Referrals (Schell)
I didn’t do this on purpose, but it looks like it’s the day for the Minister of Health and Social Services. So my question is for the Minister of Health and Social Services.
There was a 27-year-old female who went to the Cape Dorset Health Centre with a lump on her breast. There is a history of breast cancer in her family.
A nurse examined her. A week later, an infant went to the health centre with a swelling in the lower body. The same nurse examined this child.
My question for the minister is: who determines when patients are sent out to the hospital?
Hon. Tagak Curley: Mr. Speaker, I can’t speak for that particular individual, but I think there’s a joint arrangement. If the person has to be sent to the hospital, we cannot compel individuals, whether sick or not, to leave.
It has to be a joint arrangement. If a person requires further treatment or examination, the doctor and the local nurses do the primary assessment of an individual.
That’s all we have with the smaller communities, the primary assessment and the local nurses do the examination. If they do require more referrals to the larger centres, local nurses make that recommendation.
In both cases, the nurse at the health centre recommended that both patients be sent out, but the doctor at the hospital refused to have them sent out. In both cases, the family paid for the flight to the hospital. The female had the lump surgically removed and sent to determine if the lump was cancerous.
The infant had an ultrasound done and it was determined that it was a hernia.
How many other cases are there in other communities but families can’t afford to send them out? The minister keeps on mentioning that he agrees with second opinions. My question for the minister is: if families can’t afford to pay for the flights for a second opinion even after the nurse recommends it, are they just supposed to stay at home and die?
Mr. Schell, I must remind you that you can’t seek an opinion of a minister. You may choose to rephrase your question asking the minister about a patient’s next steps for them to do.
Yes, I’m not asking for the minister’s opinion.
What I’m asking is: what is the family to do if they can’t afford to fly out and the nurse recommends for them to go, but the doctor or the hospital refuses to pay for the ticket?
Speaker: Thank you. That’s better.
Hon. Tagak Curley: Mr. Speaker, I’m not sure whether or not I can fairly respond to that kind of case. I know that the health care providers that we have normally do the best they can and it really is not up to a doctor at one end or the other whether or not the person should be referred to a particular institution. If there is any information that the member can provide to me on a side note, I certainly would be happy to look into it.
All I can say is that we are obligated to treat any illness or examine any illness that a person has. If a person needs further examination, they must have that option.
That is all I can say, Mr. Speaker.
This nurse in particular is not one that just came out of schooling. She has 30 years nursing and 20 years in the north, and I would kind of figure that she would have a pretty good idea of whether a patient should be sent out or not.
So my question is: if she determines that the patient should be sent out, yet the hospital will not pay for it, is there an appeal process or something that the patient go to or should they just sit at home and wait until things get worse?
Hon. Tagak Curley: Mr. Speaker, as I said earlier, we are committed to providing health care services and treat individuals that require treatment. That is our role. We are committed to that and if there is anything that we can do to expedite it, I certainly would be glad to look at that individual case.
It is something that I cannot discuss in terms of the details in this particular case.
I don’t have the facts and I need the facts in order to resolve any discrepancies with the medical procedures or whatnot, referral procedures.
I certainly would be glad to look it up with our officials and respond to the member fairly, but I don’t think it’s something we can debate here in the House because I always said we cannot afford to politicize the health issues that individuals face in Nunavut.
Question 109 – 3(3): Realistic Dates for Devolution (Elliott)
My question is for the Premier. Mr. Speaker, as MLAs all know, the Government of Nunavut has publicly committed itself to achieving an agreement on devolution.
My questions for the Premier are based on the issue of devolution.
In light of the Mayer Report on Nunavut Devolution released in June 2007, the recommendation to adopt a go-slow approach to devolution was made.
Can the Premier give us a clear and candid assessment of what dates and goals are realistic for the Government of Nunavut on devolution?
As you have heard me saying many times the fact that Nunavut is ready to carry on with the devolution negotiations, so is NTI, but we do not have the third party negotiator, which is the federal government.
Without the three parties discussing, it’s very hard to look at the timeline at this point.
Mr. Speaker, the Government of Nunavut’s Department of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs has had an entire division dedicated to devolution for at least five and a half years.
I wonder if the Premier could give us an update on what the department is doing with respect to moving the devolution file forward in Ottawa.
I am continuing to discuss the issue of devolution with Ottawa.
I just had a meeting with our Member of Parliament just a few weeks ago and we agreed to discuss the issue on an ongoing basis.
Since the new election of the federal government, I will be engaged in discussing this matter further with the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs.
There’s a new acronym now. So I have to think about that with Minister Duncan, as well as trying to get an appointment to meet with the Prime Minister.
I certainly hope that they have been gathering a lot of good information for future negotiations, if they should occur.
Mr. Speaker, in the Mayer report, one of the recommendations stated that if Nunavut’s “human resource capacity cannot be satisfactory dealt with, then the right conditions will not be in place to transfer federal responsibilities.” It is an interesting quote.
My question for the Premier: to deal with that recommendation, what has the Government of Canada done to help Nunavut to develop programs and training for Inuit to prepare for the technical, scientific, and professional positions that would be devolved when devolution occurs?
There are a number of training initiatives that the federal government has provided to Nunavut at various levels, not specific to devolution, but in our devolution protocol agreement, it is stated that the capacity issue will be discussed in parallel with the devolution negotiations.
I certainly hope that the federal government is listening and paying attention. They came out with the report, but they don’t actually say how they’re going to help us.
In May, you wrote a letter to our newly re-elected MP, Leona Aglukkaq.
I would like to thank you for sharing that letter with all of the regular members. In your letter, you specifically mentioned moving forward on devolution. You had mentioned that you had conversations with our MP.
I was wondering in terms of one of the reasons that we don’t seem to be moving forward on devolution, it has been said that with NTI’s current lawsuit for $1 billion, it seems to be hindering any further negotiations. Was that discussed when you were speaking with her?
If you could explain if that is, in fact, one of the reasons why the federal government is moving so slow on this.
This is precisely one of the issues that I sought an opinion and information on from our Department of Justice whether the lawsuit has any bearing on the lack of movement in providing a negotiator at the federal level and I believe that is not the case.
There is no bearing on NTI’s lawsuit.
In fact, NTI has numerous discussions in regard to land claims issues while the lawsuit of NTI is still on.
So it goes to show you that that is not the issue that is stopping the movement forward on that.
Members will note that the time for question period is over.
Written Question 005 – 3(3): Cancer Screening and Prevention (Ugyuk)
I have a written question for the Minister of Health and Social Services asking for an update on the issue of cancer screening and prevention.
By year, for each year since 1999, what was the leading cause of death amongst Nunavummiut?
How does the Department of Health and Social Services record and track diagnoses of cancer among Nunavut residents?
How does the Department of Health and Social Services record and track the stage of cancer at which cancer diagnoses are made among Nunavut residents?
How often does the Department of Health and Social Services publish cancer statistics for the territory of Nunavut?
What programs are available to teach women across Nunavut self-examination procedures to help them detect the signs of cancer?
What programs are available to teach men across Nunavut self-examination procedures to help them detect the signs of cancer?
What diagnostic tools are available at community health centres to help health centre staff detect the signs of cancer in Nunavummiut?
What specific programs does the Department of Health and Social Services deliver on a regular basis to screen for cancer among Nunavummiut?
What specific programs does the Department of Health and Social Services deliver on a regular basis to prevent cancer among Nunavummiut?
The Canadian Partnership Against Cancer is a federally funded organization that works with provinces, territories, and aboriginal communities to help reduce and prevent cancer among Canadians.
How does the Government of Nunavut work with the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer to help reduce and prevent cancer among Nunavummiut?
What specific funding is allocated by the Department of Health and Social Services for cancer prevention programs for Nunavummiut?
What specific funding is allocated by the Department of Health and Social Services for cancer screening programs for Nunavummiut?
Do the members agree that the written question be entered into the record as read?
The written question will be entered into the record as read.
Written Question 006 – 3(3): Update on New Taloyoak Health Centre (Ugyuk)
Again I have a written question for the Minister of Health and Social Services asking for an update on the new Taloyoak Health Centre.
The question is lengthy so I ask that it be entered into the record as read.
On May 31, 2011, a letter from the Hamlet of Taloyoak was tabled in the Legislative Assembly (TD 41 – 3(3)).
The letter identifies the need for a new health centre in the community of Taloyoak and describes the community’s understanding of what has happened to date towards the completion of this project.
The letter concludes with a number of questions on the status of the project.