EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
We all know that hunters work very hard to feed their families and in trying to sell the skins.
Mr. Speaker, the hunters have to purchase gasoline, supplies, food, ammunition, and other equipment.
They have to have outdoor clothing because it’s very cold up here.
Their equipment is very expensive.
When the hunters catch seals, they sell the pelts, and usually if they make a lot of money out of those hunts, the dollar amount is deducted from their income support application.
It’s extremely difficult for the hunters.
At the appropriate time, I will be asking question to the Minister responsible for Income Support.
Member’s Statement 286 – 2(2): Congratulate and Commend the Gymnastic Club
Before I start off with my Member’s Statement today, I would like to wish a very well known resident of Iqaluit and a good friend of Mr. Picco, a very happy birthday today and that’s Mr. Gordon Rennie.
He turned seventy six or sixty seven or thirty eight and a half; I can’t remember what it was that he told me.
He said he wasn’t sure, but I would like to wish him a happy birthday and he is very much looking forward to hearing Mr. Picco singing him “Happy birthday.”
Mr. Speaker, I would like to rise today to congratulate and commend a group here in Iqaluit, that’s the Iqaluit Gymnastics Club. A couple of weeks ago they put on an advanced clinic with the aid of an instructor and a teacher from Rankin Inlet that was up here, Lisa Kresky.
The coaches Ron Kennedy, Caroline Mallory and Krista Keats put in a weekend clinic for advanced student in the club here and there were probably over fifty participants in the clinic.
It went over very well.
Also one of the volunteers, Bridgette Ligiere, was there to help out.
It was very much appreciated by the kids that took part in the clinic.
Just over the weekend you could see the improvement in some of the things that the students that were participating in the clinic were doing, right from flips off the beam, things that they would never have tried before.
So I think that is a great opportunity for young people to participate in activities.
That wouldn’t be possible without the great contribution of the volunteers and the coaches that I mentioned.
Also I would like to thank Sport Nunavut that helped bring Ms. Kresky up from Rankin Inlet to be an instructor in the clinic.
I would like to ask all the members of the House to help me and join me in congratulating and thanking the coaches and the participants in the clinic.
Member's Statement 287 – 2(2): International Award for Iqaluit
This Friday, April 29th in Vancouver, the City of Iqaluit will receive the prestigious international E.D.R.A. Award for their Core Development Plan.
The Core Area and Capital District Plan is an overall redevelopment strategy for the future of Iqaluit’s central area.
It defines the future of our City in a way that is sensitive to the Arctic environment, respects Inuit culture and creates a vision for the new capital of Nunavut.
A network of civic, ceremonial and public spaces linked throughout the core area will respond to the Arctic landscape, will reflect Inuit heritage and will make Iqaluit a capital that represents all of Nunavut.
Join with me in congratulating Nunavut’s capital, Iqaluit, for being presented this important international award.
Member's Statement 288 – 2(2): Netsilik Cup
Recently Taloyoammiut hosted the Netsilik Cup where teams from Gjoa Haven and Kugaaruk traveled by snow machines and airlines to participate in the weekend event.
The final game took place in a packed arena in Taloyoak and lasted until three in the morning during a blizzard.
The final game was between Gjoa Haven and Taloyoak, both communities which I represent.
The team from Gjoa Haven eventually won the game during a shoot out to claim the Cup.
I would like to congratulate all the players from Taloyoak, Gjoa Haven and Kugaaruk who participated.
In particular I would like to offer my congratulations to Billy Koonak, Brian Qirqut, Dennis Qirqut, Geordie Pauloosie, Kenneth Pukiqnak, Corey Aglukkaq, Eric Porter, Stanley Porter, Andrew Porter, Brandon Okpik, Luke Takkiruq, Chester Agvik, Kirby Tugilik and Warren Rudolph.
Next year’s event will take place in Kugaaruk.
I would also like to acknowledge the hospitality of Taloyoammiut and all the volunteers who participated in the event, and thank Taloyoammiut for doing a great job in hosting the weekend event.
There are none at this time.
Question 360 – 2(2): Domestic Violence
Today I would like to direct my question to the Minister Responsible for Health and Social Services.
Mr. Speaker, it’s unfortunate there are occasions in our society when we fear for the safety of individuals in a situation of domestic violence.
It is fortunate however, that there are services in place to protect those individuals until issues can be resolved and I would like to ask the Minister of Health and Social Services what policies are in place to determine where to send an individual in need of protection from domestic violence.
An example would be like the women’s shelter here in Iqaluit.
Speaker (interpretation): Minister Responsible for Health and Social Services. Ms. Brown.
I will try and answer that question.
Yes, this is a very important issue and in Nunavut we have always tried to make women’s shelters available, but of course there are not enough.
(interpretation ends) The department supports shelter programs across the territory as one way of addressing the problem of family violence.
Shelters are part of the continuum of services for victims of family violence.
Shelters often provide services including counseling and emergency relocation.
We have a few communities equipped shelters but not all communities have them.
When the need arises, sometimes women in crisis are removed to regional centers.
For example, if we’re speaking about a situation in the Baffin, we will bring them here to Iqaluit and in the Kivalliq Region, some times they will bring them to Rankin Inlet.
Mr. Speaker, my next question deals with cases where people can be accommodated here in Nunavut for the appropriate protection.
Are there any policies in place to decide whether it would be appropriate to send an individual in need of some type of protection to a shelter outside of Nunavut?
Social Services Workers do the assessments and I’m not sure to date how many have been relocated down south, but I do believe there have been some cases of that.
I don’t have the numbers here with me but it is one area that is being utilized.
Sometimes individuals are sent south but we try and retain them here in Nunavut.
As we all know, we live in a very small territory with a small population.
As many of us can attest to, you can’t walk down the street without running into someone that you’re related to and I would just like to ask the Minister if she could clarify for the house whether policies for sending victims of domestic violence to shelters takes into account circumstances such as when relatives of an abuser work at the shelter that the victim may be sent to.
And whether that is taken into consideration when they are looking at whether or not to send someone to a shelter within the territory or outside the territory?
Whenever possible and appropriate the department staff try to find the victim a safe place to stay in the home community.
If this is not possible, they may be sent to a shelter outside their home community as a last resort, outside of Nunavut.
The spousal assault checklist and safety planning guide assists the staff in making decisions about when and where to send a woman to a shelter.
Speaker (interpretation): Final Supplementary.
The checklist that the Minister talked about, if a victim of domestic violence indicates they are not comfortable, whether rightly or wrongly, are going to a shelter because a relative may work there, is that one of the questions that is on the list to ask, or if it is raised does the department look at different options in dealing with that particular case, on a case by case basis.
The department staff avoid sending clients to shelters operated by close relatives by either the victim or the abuser.
This might be dangerous or a conflict of interest.
If a family conflict is evident, the victim would be sent to another shelter.
The staff of Social Services tries every way to accommodate those victims in question to a safe place to make sure that they are safe from abuse.
The Member for Rankin Inlet North.
Question 361 - 2(2): Policy on Flag in Half Mast
I would like to ask the Premier.
We usually have to lower a flag when say a police officer has lost their life.
I am just wondering in Nunavut when you have to lower the flags, which ones do you have to lower? It seems like it is just some of them that are lowered.
I had a letter from one of my constituents about Hamlet flags being up while others were lowered.
Does the Government of Nunavut receive notice on these types of things, I am just wondering whether in Nunavut if there is a policy to have the flags lowered.
I am not quite sure about that, but I could look into it.
We, as a government, are responsible for that through our departments.
As a government, we are all different, but we try to have discussions to see what has to be done.
We are all affected by what occurs in Canada. I can look into this and see what the procedure is.
Mr. Curley (interpretation): Thank you. I received a letter from one of my constituents regarding having the flags at half mast.
With the recent growth of Nunavut, the attention of the world is on Nunavut.
(interpretation ends) Sometimes he is concerned with that.
The main reason was that when someone passes away, and the other communities or the hamlets follow this practise, sometimes they are not recognized when they have their flags at half mast. Sometimes they are not placed into their top position for long periods of time.
If the Premier could assure me of which of the departments would be responsible; whether there’s a procedure or not.
I think it would be a good idea to have a procedure in place for this, and if there are regulations or policies in place, at some point if you could elaborate on that issue.
We have heard of this on many occasions and we have practised this on some occasions in the past. Our Clerk knows of this. We are trying to come up with ways and means to address this properly, once we are able to formulate an answer we will relay that to you.
Member for Uqqurmiut. Mr. Arreak.
Question 362 – 2(2): Funding for Ilisarksivik Society
Mr. Arreak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Health and Social Services.
At our last sitting, I brought up an issue in regards to the recognition of the Ilisarksivik Society.
The group has been asking for funding to operate the society and I had asked the Minister if her department can provide funding for the operation of the society and she responded yesterday.
At this time, she is unable to provide funding.
I would like to ask the Minister, why can’t the Department of Health and Social Services provide funding for such an important cause?
Speaker (interpretation): Minister of Health and Social Services. Ms. Brown.
I will try to respond adequately.
I have been told that the Department of Health and Social Services provides $50 thousand a year and amongst other departments as well as the federal government.
My department, Health and Social Services, will continue to provide funding, but we can’t give the society core funding.
Speaker (interpretation): First supplementary. Mr. Arreak.
Can the Minister explain specifically how community wellness organizations such as the Ilisarksivik Society will be supported in her department; ‘Care Closer to Home’ Strategy?
At this time, the Department of Health and Social Services will be providing funding; I will be speaking in English.
(interpretation ends) The department continues to examine options for providing the requested support to Ilisarksivik Society.
However, currently, there are no resources available for core funding.
Speaker (interpretation): Second supplementary. Mr. Arreak.
When there are a few positions reallocated to different communities in the government offices we start to hear that they encounter capacity problems.
There are fifty part-time positions at the Ilisarksivik Society.
Can the minister reconsider her decision on the issue concerning the Ilisarksivik Society?
I appreciate the member’s question because you have to represent your constituents.
(interpretation ends) The Ilisarksivik Society receives its funding from a number of sources, including the Department of Education, the Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth, Health Canada and the Aboriginal Healing Foundation, as well as through various fund raising efforts.
(interpretation) Yes, I do agree with you and I can commit to having discussions with those agencies.
Speaker (interpretation): Final supplementary. Mr. Arreak.
I appreciate the minister’s willingness to assist us.
The government has been talking about working care closer to home and what we are requesting is funding that can be used in the communities, so I would be very interested if, not today, but at a later date, there could be any funding made available to the Ilisarksivik Society.
I can look into this further. Once I have the information I will get back to the member with more information.
Question 363 – 2(2): Income Support Deductions
I would like to direct my question to my friend in regards to my Member’s Statement.
Occasionally as Members of the Legislative Assembly, we are asked questions by our constituents and with this particular question I cannot give an appropriate response.
In order to satisfy the people who have asked this question I would like to know why, if I have sold pelts or skins, the money I receive for selling skins is deducted from my income support amount.
Speaker (interpretation): Minister Responsible for Environment. Mr. Akesuk.
Perhaps this question should be directed to the Minister Responsible for Income Support.
Mr. Kattuk, could you please clarify which Minister you wish to direct your question to.
Mr. Kattuk (interpretation): I was referring the question to my friend who is the Minister Responsible for the Department of Education. Mr. Picco.
Speaker (interpretation): Minister Responsible for Income Support. Minister Picco.
Very quickly, the issue has been raised in the past.
Basically what occurs is someone who is on income support who has earned income, whether that be through traditional practises, or selling carvings or in this case if they have for example, caught a bear and sold it, and received seven hundred or eight hundred from the sale of the bear skin, then that is considered earned income, and therefore and thus, it is subtracted from the income support payment.
So it is the same as receiving income from a profession, from work.
That is how it is regarded under the income support regulations.
That is why the money would be deducted from that hunter’s income support cheque.
Speaker (interpretation): First supplementary. Mr. Kattuk.
To add to my question, I was given information which I didn’t know too much about; the applicant who went for income support was told that you have to sell your Honda first in order to receive income support.
This was very hurtful to myself, personally, and I was wondering if they have to go through that procedure in order to receive income support?
I would like clarification on this.
This should be made aware to the communities, that this is not appropriate.
It is not right when the applicant is told that you have to sell your Honda before you can receive social assistance.
I would like to know if he is aware of this.
For the record if a person is on income support and has a machine, has a skidoo, snow mobile, has a Honda, and so on, that does not disallow them from being on income support.
The income support worker, if it is the case, has told that person, or any person across Nunavut, that they had to sell the machine, or get rid of the machine before they get income support.
If a member is aware of this case in particular, if we could document that in writing, I would be able to follow up the specifics of the allegations that have been made.
That is not the process, the regulations or indeed the rules of income support.
Speaker (interpretation): Second supplementary. Mr. Kattuk.
I will relay this message to this person to his response.
I will try to get more details on that.
I would like to further say that in the North it is very expensive to live up here, as we all know.
The price of fuel has gone up, electricity and the stores such as Northern or the Co-op will automatically put higher prices on their merchandise because of this.
I am wondering if the income support amount can be reviewed so that it balances, or follows with the inflation because of the oil prices?
The member raises a very important point.
Right now almost eighty five percent of the $22 million that we have allocated for income support goes directly to food.
So out of $22 million in payments for income support across Nunavut, eighty five percent of that goes directly, or indirectly right into the food account.
That is why the government last year, in only one year of this government, 2004, we increased the income support amount by ten percent. And again in this budget we have increased by another five percent.
So we have increased the income support amount by over 15 percent in the last twelve months.
Mr. Speaker, I am willing, again, to review the income support amount in cooperation with the members of the House.
Again, that’s something that’s constantly under review.
Question 364 – 2(2): Meeting with the Federal Minister of Fisheries and Oceans
I would like to refer back to the question I posed yesterday to the Minister of Transportation.
He stated that he was going to be having a meeting with the Minister.
I would like to ask him if the meeting went ahead.
Speaker (interpretation): Minister Responsible for Transportation. Mr. Simailak.
Yes, I had a meeting with the federal Minister of Fisheries and Oceans this morning.
Speaker (interpretation): First supplementary. Mr. Netser.
I would like to ask the Minister if he referred that question I asked yesterday.
That was the first question that I asked to the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans.
Speaker (interpretation): Second supplementary. Mr. Netser.
So, can we look forward to receiving that request that we made?
At this time, we can’t transfer anything yet because, of course, he has to take it into consideration and refer it to his colleagues and staff.
I have talked to our representative at Parliament; I have made references to the docks that are required in many of the Nunavut communities.
Final supplementary. Mr. Netser.
When are we going to hear about the funding that we are requesting?
Once we receive a response from the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, that will be the time that we will know and I will respond to you as the information comes.
Member for Cambridge Bay. Mr. Peterson.
Question 365 – 2(2): Plans for Runway Extension in Cambridge Bay
Two weeks ago I attended a joint meeting with two hamlet council committees and members of the public to brainstorm about the future of our community and identify our projected infrastructure requirements.
The airport was identified as a key to our future.
In particular, the extension of runways seems vital to take advantage of the economic potential in the next five to ten years in our region and increase safety.
My question for the minister is: is the minister’s department currently making plans for an extension to the runway in Cambridge Bay?
Hon. David Simailak (interpretation): He e-mailed me that same question and I was just going to respond to him. At this time, we are considering the extension of the airstrip in Cambridge Bay.
Speaker (interpretation): First supplementary. Mr. Peterson.
I thank the Minister for that comment.
I wanted to mention to the Minister and the House that on April 7 there was a federal announcement about funding for safety improvements for airports in Nunavut under the Airports Capital Assistance Program; it’s a national airports policy and Cambridge Bay wasn’t on the list, despite being one of the busiest airports in Nunavut.
We have known that for many years.
I was wondering if the Minister could tell me if Cambridge Bay is on his department’s list to access funding under that Airports Capital Assistance Program.
At this point, we haven’t asked for any additional funds.
The federal government has stated that they are not going to be looking at any requests at this time, before the completion of the terminals that are being built in three of our communities.
I’m disappointed to hear that about the federal government.
In the Nunavut Transportation Strategy from the first Assembly, the consultants, LPS Aviation, recommended that a strategic airport upgrade program be developed to provide improvements in Iqaluit, Rankin Inlet, Cambridge Bay, and Resolute Bay airports.
They said that the program was to not only include select expansions of runways.
My question for the Minister is what is the current status of this recommendation from the Nunavut Transportation Strategy?
We have seen the changes, but because of a shortage of funds, we haven’t started anything yet.
If the federal government would assist us financially, then we could get on with the work, but then again we haven’t made any requests to the federal government. As I stated earlier, we are going to be completing the terminals before making improvements to any other airports.
I wonder if the Minister could help me out here and commit to meeting with the hamlet council in the next month or two to discuss the future plans for the Cambridge Bay airport including rehabilitation of the runways, taxiways, and airport parking.
If the hamlet of Cambridge Bay would like to have a meeting, I would be available to meet with them in June.
Question 366 - 2(2): Reinstatement of Private Accommodation Rates
My question is again for the Minister of Health and Social Services.
As you recall, during our last sitting we moved Motion 016-2(2), calling for the government to make every effort to lobby the federal government for an immediate reinstatement of the private accommodations rates provided under the Non-insured Health Benefits Program. It was passed without opposition.
At the beginning of this month, an e-mail went out on the help desk to all GN employees, on April 7. I noticed that the government was quick to raise duty travel rates to match those set by the Treasury Board of Canada and they made those.
It went out on the seventh and it was effective retro to April 1.
It’s interesting enough that the private accommodations allowance in Nunavut for the government employees remains, still, at the $75 a day, not the $50 that the patient travel private accommodations rate is.
Can the Minister provide an update on what efforts have been made to reinstate the private accommodations rates provided under the Non-insured Health Benefits Program?
We have not reinstated the rate.
Upon reviewing the cost to the GN, there continue to be discussions between the Department of Health and Social Services and non-insured health benefits representatives.
(interpretation) We have to make sure that we spend government monies properly.
We’re waiting, at this time, for the non-insured health benefits, because it is under their program.
We are going to be using a lot of money, around four hundred thousand or a little over.
This is why we are waiting for a response from the government.
I can tell the member that the motion is in my mind.
Maybe I could ask the Minister if she could go to her Cabinet colleagues and maybe ask them to provide her with an explanation as to why they feel that this is fair and adequate to provide employees traveling, staying in private accommodations to get seventy five dollars a day, yet it is not fair and adequate for patients traveling on medical, staying in private accommodations to get the same amount.
Maybe if she could ask her Cabinet colleagues to give jointly and explanation why this discrepancy is in place, and why they feel it is fair, and why they won’t reinstate it?