EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
One was for TV spots, radio spots, as well as posters as well as looking at co-operation with Pauktutiit. It was a multi-media campaign and we haven't actually sat back to evaluate what the impact has been just on the TV spots.
We do know however Mr. Speaker the member is correct, the posters have been very effective.
Speaker: Is there a supplementary.
Don't get me wrong here I support the anti-smoking program that the minister brought out.
As we know the minister had the addiction himself and kicked it and he has been very successful at it.
I commend the minister for giving up smoking.
I think he is going to have a long healthy life by doing that.
But the fact of the matter is that I am not against advertising on TV.
But up here the direct impact would be better if it was utilized between Education, Health and Social Services to get right to the root of the issue, our young people smoking at 12, 13 years old.
I wonder if the minister would give more of a commitment on this anti-smoking campaign to using the resources that he has to target the children in the schools and maybe get other people involved in it, like Education.
Mr. Speaker, that is one of the things that we are actually doing right now.
As I said earlier in my statement, we will run a competition in Nunavut schools on posters for anti-smoking and we have been working with different groups within the schools themselves.
As the members know the posters have actually appeared in almost every school and we provided packages to all the Members of the Legislative Assembly.
I think an interesting note Mr. Speaker, is that recent information to us demonstrated that of 38 new cancers diagnosed in Nunavut, 20 were lung cancers directly attributed to smoking. So almost 60% of new cancer in Nunavut can be attributed to smoking.
We have the highest rate of child smoking and adult smoking in Canada by far.
Mr. Speaker, quitting smoking is almost like alcoholism.
Once you are an alcoholic you are always an alcoholic.
It is the same thing with smokers.
Once you quit smoking you are always a smoker.
Mr. Speaker, it is a tough habit to break.
Question 389 - 1(5): Distribution of Prescription Drugs
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister Responsible for Health and Social Services.
I'd like to ask the minister if he is aware of any concerns that have been raised over how prescription drugs are distributed throughout the Baffin region.
Minister Responsible for the Department of Health and Social Services. Mr. Picco.
Mr. Speaker, I am aware of a letter from one of the owners of the drug stores in Iqaluit concerning that.
Can the minister elaborate on what the concerns, I believe he was probably indicating Valupharm that has been the one pharmacy here in Iqaluit that has distributed prescription drugs, not only to the hospital but to all the other communities as well.
Hon. Ed Picco: First of all Mr. Speaker, the letter that I have received from the owner of the establishment is not before the House, it is not a public document.
It wouldn't be fair for me to comment on a letter that was sent to me.
I can say Mr. Speaker, that I had an opportunity to speak to the owner of the establishment this past Saturday about it.
We are following up and doing a review into his concerns.
Mr. Tootoo: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, could the minister indicate what his policy is as far as obtaining and distributing prescription drugs.
Mr. Speaker, of course as the member knows, it depends on who you are.
If you are living in Grise Fiord and there is no access to a private pharmacy or a drug store in the community, drugs are provided through the health centre.
If you are Iqaluit for example, where there are now two drug stores, when you get your prescription, you can ask the person that is prescribing the medication to you, would you like to take your prescription to one or the other.
That's that policy that is in place right now, as opposed to before the public at large receiving prescription drugs.
Mr. Speaker, I am not sure about the public at large, but could the minister indicate what the department's policy is in obtaining those prescriptions for the health centres in the communities.
Mr. Speaker, as the member knows, when we integrated the three health boards on April 1, 2000, last year, there were different policies in place that they had in place, agreements, standing orders and contracts with different agencies, organizations, suppliers.
Those included for example Mr. Speaker, drug suppliers or prescription or over the counter prescription drugs and suppliers.
Mr. Speaker, the policy of the government is to get the best value, the best deal that is available for the consumer as well as for the Government of Nunavut.
That's the policy that we have in place as a department, but it is also a policy that the Government of Nunavut has put in place.
Specifically with this supplier, there is some information that he sent to me that we are reviewing.
Question 390 - 1(5): Hamlets Act Amendments
Could the minister tell me about the Hamlets Act and whether it is currently under review, or what the status is.
We have completed the revisions, but they are still to be reviewed as Bills 16 and 17.
They will only become effective after they have been approved.
That will probably be in February 2002.
The Commissioner will also have to give assent to these two bills.
Speaker: Minister just a caution to Mr. Iqaqrialu. These Bills are before the standing committee and they will be dealt with very soon.
So Oral Questions.
Thank you for your caution.
I will then redirect my question to the Minister of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth, if you would allow me Mr. Speaker.
I have a question about youth.
Are you going to be allocating more funding to the youth, as per the suggestions we have given over the last few days.
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Iqaqrialu, that is as you are probably aware not only a new question, but also a new minister.
So time is up.
Question Period is up, so we will have to save your questions for tomorrow.
Return to Question 013 - 1(5): Capital Expenditures for Culture, Language, Elders and Youth
I have a return to a question that was asked by Donald Havioyak about the 2001/2002 Capital Estimates of the Government of Nunavut.
The Government of Nunavut provided for nearly 1 million dollars in capital expenditures for the Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth.
There is a lot of detailed information here so I will just table it for the House rather than read it.
The minister has tabled the return.
Tabled Document 065 - 1(5): Statutory Requirements for Tabling of Reports & Other Documents
Speaker: I have a document that I wish to table.
I am pleased to table today a comprehensive list of the statutory requirements for the tabling of reports and other documents in the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut.
This list will allow all members to be aware of what statutory requirements exist for tabling in this House certain documents and whether these obligations are being met.
Tabled Document 066 - 1(5): Public Meeting Held October 25, 2001 on Rankin Inlet Birthing Centre
This is unintentional, but I forgot to table this document.
I wish to table this is a report on the Birthing Centre meeting in Rankin Inlet.
Motion 017 - 1(5): Extended Adjournment
Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Cambridge Bay, that notwithstanding Rule 4, that when the House concludes its sitting in Iqaluit this week, that it shall be adjourned until February 20, 2002.
Further, that at any time prior to February 20, 2002, if the Speaker is satisfied Mr. Speaker, after consultation with the Executive Council and Members of the Legislative Assembly, that the public interest requires that the House should meet at an earlier time during adjournment, the Speaker may give notice and thereupon the House shall meet at the time stated in such notice and shall transact its business as it has been duly adjourned at that time.
Tabled Document 41 - 1(5), Nunavut Liquor Act report.
With Mr. Iqaqrialu in the Chair.
Members we will break for twenty minutes and I will call on the Sergeant-At-Arms.
>>House recessed at 3.33 p.m. and resumed at 4.00 p.m.
In committee of the whole today we will be dealing with Bill 13 Supplementary Appropriation Act No. 2, 2001/2002.
Ms. Williams (interpretation): Mr. Chairman, we would like to deal with Supplementary Appropriation Act No. 2, 2001/2002, Bill 13.
Does the committee agree that the minister may approach the witness table with his staff.
Would you assist the staff. Thank you.
Thank you Mr. Ng. Would you introduce your staff Mr. Ng.
Bill 13 - Supplementary Appropriation Act No. 2, 2001/02 - Consideration in Committee
Hon. Kelvin Ng: I have with me again Mr. Ted Dingle, Senior Financial Analyst with the Expenditure Management Division in the Department of Finance.
The minister already made opening remarks as did the members.
We are on page 6.
Perhaps I can get the members to go to the Supplementary Appropriation No. 2 in this booklet, page 6.
Just to let the members know that we are on the Legislative Assembly, 5 million 179 thousand.
Not previously authorized, 664 thousand.
Main estimate supplementary No. 1, 5 million 179 thousand.
This is where we were the last time we were here on Friday.
Total Office of the Clerk, 664 thousand.
Total Legislative Assembly Expenditures, 65 thousand.
Turn the page to 7.
Office of the Speaker, 9 thousand.
Total Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, 10 thousand.
Total Office of the Independent Commissioners, 11 thousand.
Total Department, 759 thousand.
If members have any questions or concerns, please put your hand up.
Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs, not previously authorized.
Directorate, 409 thousand 500 dollars.
Mr. Chairman, in here it mentions supplementary funding of 307 thousand 500 for the Ikuma II working group.
I was wondering if the minister has any information on that.
Is it going to be the same working group that did the first Ikuma report that's doing this one.
Mr. Chairman I can't say it's exactly the same but certainly a component will be because of the individuals, the resources that were available in undertaking the first Ikuma report and the experience that they already bought to the table in respect of that project.
We're still at Total Directorate, 409 thousand 500 dollars.
Total Evaluation and Statistical Services, 27 thousand.
Communications Policy and Planning, 42 thousand.
Turning the page, Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs.
Intergovernmental Affairs, 49 thousand.
Nunavut Cabinet, 127 thousand.
Commissioner of Nunavut, 4 thousand.
Total Department, 658 thousand 500 dollars.
Department of Finance.
Directorate, 49 thousand.
Fiscal Management, 3 million 309 thousand.
Mr. Tootoo: Thank you, Mr. Chairman Mr. Chairman, in here there's 175 thousand for the Department of Finance for short term financial leasing.
I'm just wondering if the minister can explain what that is.
Mr. Chairman, this is support required to enter into and negotiate the development agreements with the three regional proponents for the health facilities and the hospital.
So it is not the lease itself it is just to hiring someone to negotiate the leases, is that what he's indicating.
Also it mentions legal services associated with the service contracts.
Is that again someone else, or is it the same people doing both of those services.
It is the same individual doing the work with support obviously from Government of Nunavut personnel in different departments.
Mr. Chairman, just looking I don't know if it something to negotiate the leases, do we have something that the government put out a request for proposal or invitation for tender, or is it they just go and hire someone on their own to do that for them.
Mr. Chairman, in this particular case it was a sole source contract through Coles & Associates, I believe is the formal name of the group, who had undertaken a significant amount of work under the P3 scenarios when those projects were still viable.
So there was a lot of experience from the perspective of development agreements and legal contractual arrangements and so forth.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Ng. Ms. Williams.
Ms. Williams: Qujannamiik, Itsivautaq.
On that same line 175 thousand, it talks about leases.
Am I in the right place here.
In leasing, would the government eventually own those health facilities or are we going to be leasing them forever.
Qujannamiik, Itsivautaq.
Mr. Chairman, the government's decision at this stage is to enter into leasing arrangements which would provide for pre-payments or pay downs I guess.
That's all stuff that is being worked on right now in respect to trying to finalize the development agreements, with the intent that the government would own the facilities at some point in time.
Whether it is through accelerated payments of the principle owing or else at the end of the lease term if it is deemed to continue on into the long term lease arrangement.
Mr. Chairman, we all know that there was the one lease that has been finalized and signed off, the one in Rankin.
This amount of 175 thousand, is that for that one lease, or is that going to cover all three.
Mr. Chairman, first of all to clarify, there isn't any lease that is signed off to date yet.
The intent is to work towards signing off those lease agreements, but the development agreement precedes that and that sets the terms and conditions.
So it is generally the intent and the principles that you are trying to adhere to in the final agreement.
That's what we are working towards.
This money right now is to cover all the projects and obviously if there are additional requirements then we would come back at some point to the legislature.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you, Minister Ng. Anything further members.
We are on page 10.
Total Financial Management, 3 million 309 thousand.
Turning to page 11.
Department of Finance. Operations & Maintenance.
Informatics planning and systems development, 30 thousand.
Controllership and Regional Financial Services, 31 thousand.
Total Department, 3 million 419 thousand.
Ms. Williams (interpretation): Thank you. I’m sorry Mr Chairman on page 11 it mentions an intergovernmental transfer of 61 thousand dollars.
Can the minister explain what is in Parnaivik that the government has.
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Sorry Mr. Chairman.
I wasn’t quite sure what the member’s question was, maybe I can ask her to indulge me and repeat that.
My question is 61 thousand dollars from the Department of Finance to Public Works for leases for this 4.54 square meters in the Parnaivik Building.
My question is does the government have an office in the Parnaivik Building.
Mr. Chairman I don’t believe we have moved in yet but the agreement has been signed off for some office space in there.
This is to reflect the current year's cost for the space that has been obtained.
Who would be moving in there.
The Department of Finance, Mr. Chairman.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you, Minister Ng. Department of Finance.
Ms Williams.
I just want to get some clarification. Does the Department of Finance now have three or four different locations in Iqaluit.
If they do, are they thinking about coming into one place, maybe so they can work better together, it seems like there are three or four places.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you, Ms Williams.
Yes, it would be good to try to consolidate but having said that, the whole Department of Finance won’t necessarily be in the Parnaivik Building.
It will give us an opportunity, because it is a larger space, to relocate from a couple of the smaller location where we are based right now.
For example, the payroll division would move back into one of the two spaces and I believe that its intent is to have two prime office spaces for the department.
Mr. Chairman it indicates here a transfer of 200 thousand from operations and maintenance to capital.
I wonder if the minister has a listing of where or what programs the 200 thousand dollars came from, out of O&M.
It came from the other expenses that were under spent Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Tootoo: Thank you, Mr. Chairman I think one could automatically conclude it came from expenses that were under spent, but does the minister have any detail as to which areas specifically those funds came from.
All I know is it’s not from salaries and contributions, Mr. Chairman. Thank you.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you, Minister Ng. Any more comments Mr. Tootoo.
Mr. Chairman, I was wondering if the minister can commit to providing us with information as to where those funds are coming out of an O&M and where they are being moved into the capital.
Hon. Kelvin Ng: I'll try to find out.
It is a pretty detailed request.
But having said that, if it is readily available I'll commit to providing it.
Otherwise if it is going to take extraordinary work then I'll speak to the member I guess about it.
Total Controllership and Regional Financial Services, 31 thousand dollars.
Total Department, 3 million 419 thousand dollars.
Page 12.
Not previously authorized, 31 thousand. Agreed.
Total Human Resources, 31 thousand.
Interdepartmental transfers of 13 thousand in the Department of Human Resources to Justice for the Akitsiraq Law School program.
Can I get some clarification on what that is for.
That is basically to transfer funding from the Department of Human Resources as a contribution to Nunavut Arctic College towards the administration of the student support funding for the Akitsiraq Law School program.
On the same 13 thousand dollars.
Was there some federal funding to do some administration or to contribute to this Law School program.
Mr. Chairman, I am not aware from my recollection that there were other contributors to the program.
I don't have that detail in the Supplementary Appropriation that we are dealing with right now.
I just have the specifics of the internal Government of Nunavut transfers.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you, Minister Ng. Ms. Williams any more comments.
Just one more comment that when they go to page 15, it looks like this 13 thousand dollars is in two places.
Just so we could speak to it again.
I don't think you have a question there.
Mr. Chairman, the minister indicated, I am sure he will correct me if I didn't hear it right, the administration of student support funding for the program.
This funding is going towards staffing or for funding going to the students participating in the program.
Mr. Chairman, I am not exactly sure but the wording that has been provided by the department certainly shows towards administration versus the students.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you, Minister Ng. Any more comments, Mr. Tootoo. Mr. Tootoo.
Mr. Chairman, I was just wondering, if the program is strictly through the Department of Justice, and their staffing would have been included in there.
I don't understand why there needs to be additional funding for staffing from other departments. Especially the Department of Human Resources. I don't see the link there.
I am just wondering if maybe the minister could explain.
Mr. Chairman, in fact also the Department of Education later on has another 13 thousand dollars as well.
I think from the perspective of trying to support the Akitsiraq law program, there were discussions between departments as to who would fund the programs and this is the mechanism that we are using to put the money in place to provide support for that program Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Chairman, the mechanism that the minister talked about, is that something that is in place and is brought up specifically to this department, or could it be used for other programs for example the nursing program or teaching programs, to provide support for those programs as well.
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Well thank you Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Chairman, the specifics of what we are discussing right now is really for the Akitsiraq law school program.
But having said that, I mean if there are other program needs out there and support for it, certainly that type of approach with other departments, co-operating and trying to identify funds and a mechanism to structure a program, it could take place.
But right now this is specific for the law program.
Going back to Human Resources, 21 thousand.
Deputy Minister, 93 thousand.
Total Job Evaluation and Organizational Design, 30 thousand.
Total Training and Development, 46 thousand.
Labour Relations, 38 thousand.
Mr. Chairman, just on this amount, I just wonder if the minister could inform us as to how many PY's that covers in that area of Labour Relations.
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Well Mr. Chairman, I don't have the org chart or the capital estimates or the main estimates for the Department of Human Resources.
This is just for the Northern Employees' Union increase.
As I said with all departments there, it is just broken out into the different divisions in every department and that's why you have the different amounts.
We could have put in one block amount for each department, but based on the accounting structure we just conformed to each division.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you, Minister Ng. Any more comments, Mr. Tootoo.
Thank you. Total Labour Relations, 38 thousand.
Next page, 14. Human Resources.
Decentralization, 16 thousand.
Total Department, 275 thousand.
Department of Justice. Operations & Maintenance. Not previously authorized, 120 thousand.
Total Directorate, 6 thousand.
Law Enforcement, 6 thousand dollars.
That was the other 13 thousand two times from the Department of Education and Human Resources. I just want to get some clarification.
On page 11, there was 13 thousand dollars from Human Resources and again there is Human Resources.
Is that 26 thousand dollars now.
Can I get some clarification Mr. Chairman.
If you read the document.
It is pretty clear but Mr. Ng please proceed.
Hon. Kelvin Ng: The member is correct, it is 26 thousand dollars.
Thirteen thousand from Education and 13 thousand from Human Resources.
I can add that much.
But on page 12, Human Resources gave some money to Justice.
At page 12 and page 15 is another one from Human Resources to Justice.
Does that mean Human Resources is giving 26 thousand dollars.
Page 12 has to do with Human Resources and 15 is Justice.
Can you clarify this Mr. Ng.
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Mr. Chairman, this 13 thousand dollars is coming from Human Resources through the Department of Justice. There is 13 thousand dollars coming from the Department of Education to the Department of Justice.
So there is 26.
It is basically a transfer from the two departments to make up the 26 for the Department of Justice that we are seeing here.
We are still on Human Resources.
We are still under Law Enforcement, 6 thousand. Law Enforcement, 6 thousand.
Page 16. Justice. Operations and Maintenance.
Not previously authorized. Legal Services Board, 24 thousand. Any comments.
Lawyer Support Services, 137 thousand dollars.
Mr. Chairman, if I could ask the minister, this looks like it is for hiring a lawyer for the Department of Sustainable Development.
I wonder if the minister could inform us as to why they need to hire lawyers.
Mr. Chairman, it is because the Department of Sustainable Development operates many programs.
They require ongoing legal advice to ensure that the policies are developed and implemented within the accepted legal framework.
It was thought that having a dedicated legal counsel dedicated to the needs to the department was most appropriate way of dealing with that goal.
Mr. Chairman, I know I understand that we need a lawyer helping with their stuff but wouldn't they just use a lawyer from the Department of Justice, it's already existing there, I don't understand why they have to go out and hire someone else to do that and if this is, it says here transfer to Justice for that person.
Is it something the department needs, why don't they just get PY for it, to be there all the time instead of just you know whenever they need one they just, looks like they're just hiring someone that's on salary from the Department of Justice to work for Sustainable Development.
I'm just wondering, if that what happening with a lawyer working for Justice doing work for Sustainable Development or is it just someone else just coming in, someone else that's outside the public service just coming in to do that work.
Minister. Ng.