EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
We do have to have agreements with our federal partners, including the management of the Mamisarvik organization, and we intend to look at this and discuss this and see how we can move forward.
Mr. Tom Sammurtok: Qujannamiik, Mr. Speaker.
It is a sad truth that Nunavut does not yet have its own residential healing centre despite desperately needing services in this area and despite past commitments to do so.
Will the Premier commit to working with the federal government towards establishing and supporting a residential treatment facility in Nunavut?
We continue to discuss and speak with our partners on this, not just on residential treatment facilities, but we want to discuss a number of various things and that’s one of them.
We continue to do that with my colleagues in Ottawa, including our health department colleagues down in Ottawa.
We want to ensure, with our partners, that we come up with a viable treatment facility. Of course, that’s one of the things we’re keenly looking forward to continuing on with our discussions to ensure that we come up with a viable treatment facility that’s going to benefit all Nunavummiut.
Mr. Speaker, we continue to task and discuss that with our federal partners.
Question 244 – 4(3): Search and Rescue Contributions Policy (Rumbolt)
Mr. Speaker, today, I would like to direct my questions to the Minister of Community and Government Services.
I want to follow up today with issues of search and rescue.
As the minister will be aware, Schedule 1 of his department’s policy regarding community-based search and rescue contributions for local search and rescue organizations outlines eligible and non-eligible expenditures.
One of the non-eligible categories is, and I quote, “repair of equipment to its pre-search condition.”
Mr. Speaker, if a bureaucrat in Iqaluit gets into an accident while driving a government truck on official business, he or she is not liable for the repair bill. The government’s insurance covers that.
Mr. Speaker, fair is fair. I believe that if a search and rescue volunteer risks his or her equipment during an authorized search, he or she should not have to worry that they will have to pay for any damages that occur during the search.
Can the minister explain why the government’s current policy does not cover repair of damaged equipment?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) The Hon. Minister of Community and Government Services, Mr. Joe Savikataaq.
The search and rescue organizations in the communities are vital and very useful.
They’re the organization you hope that you never have to use, but you’re sure glad when you need them that they’re there.
I agree with the member that these volunteers go out on their own, without being paid, using their own equipment, and we all know that there’s wear and tear on equipment.
For that reason, our department has come up with a new policy and it’s completed, but we’re still doing a few little tweaks on it.
This policy is so that we will be able to replace certain parts that break on equipment during a search.
Part of the process would be that these vehicles would be pre-inspected for a search, just a quick go-over by someone who is knowledgeable.
I agree with the member that if someone uses their own equipment for a public search, an authorized search, there should some compensation if their snowmobile should break due to normal wear and tear.
I thank the minister for his comments on that issue and we look forward to more information on exactly what types of parts will be covered under that program.
Schedule 1 of his department’s policy regarding community-based search and rescue contributions for local search and rescue organizations also provides that, and I quote, “Where unusual circumstances warrant special consideration, the Deputy Minister or delegate may deem excluded items to be eligible expenditures.”
Can the minister indicate roughly how many times this authority has been exercised over the past year to authorize payment to repair equipment damaged in searches?
No, I can’t inform the member right now; I don’t have that information in front of me as to how many times this system was used, but each case would be judged on its own merit.
I will get back to the minister on how many times in the past 12 months that this special authority had been used.
Just for clarification, I am not the minister; he is.
Mr. Speaker, can the minister provide a clear and simple explanation of the process that search and rescue volunteers should undertake to apply for reimbursement in the event that their equipment is damaged during an authorized search?
This draft search and rescue policy, like I informed the member, is complete right now, but it’s not public yet.
We are still consulting with the RCMP because they are part of the organization; they help out.
The way it currently runs right now is it is ad hoc.
There is no real system, but people do get wear and tear and the parts are replaced one way or the other.
As soon as this policy is out, there will be an actual procedure so that everyone will know exactly how to do the process.
Once this policy is published and it’s out, we will inform all search and rescue committees in all communities on the exact process of how someone can get their wear and tear items on their snowmobile during a search repaired or replaced.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Oral Questions. Member for Tununiq, Mr. Joe Enook.
Question 245 – 4(3): Medical Travel Escort Policy (Enook)
Mr. Speaker, my questions are directed to the Minister of Health.
I am aware that the minister has been the Minister of Health for a little over 48 hours, but I know that she was the previous Minister of Health.
Mr. Speaker, we have heard various comments and we have different understandings with regard to assistance provided to medical travel patients.
We believe that it’s very important for Nunavummiut, especially for our elders, for unilingual-speaking people and for seriously ill people.
First of all, I would like to ask a question so that we have the same level of understanding.
When there is serious illness, who do they ask for a medical escort?
Is it the nurse or the doctor or both that can state that the patient needs an escort?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) The Hon. Minister of Health, Ms. Monica Ell-Kanayuk.
I will try to respond. When a nurse or doctor sees patients who will be going on medical travel, they identify whether or not an escort is required.
If they require an escort, the doctor or nurse practitioner has to inform the director that they are approved and the director would then take action from there.
You mentioned the nurse practitioner or doctor.
If a patient that will be going on medical travel requests an escort, can their request be denied by a senior official and who can deny their request?
Minister of Health, Ms. Ell-Kanayuk.
Yes, a client escort may not necessarily be approved for the full duration of a client’s stay, unless legal consent by a parent or guardian is required.
I thank the minister for her response, but I didn’t ask a question about that matter.
My question is: are there senior officials that can say no to a nurse or doctor, even if the patient requires an escort?
I thought I responded to that.
Mr. Speaker, if a patient requires an escort, we wouldn’t know the reason why, but the directors would know.
The directors can decide to deny the request. Even if the patient wanted to have an escort, the director can deny the request.
If they truly believe that the patient requires an escort, the Office of Patient Relations can be approached and make an appeal to that office when they were denied a request for an escort.
Motion 021 – 4(3): Extension of Question Period (Okalik)
I move to extend oral questions, seconded by Member for Hudson Bay.
Speaker: The motion is in order and it is not subject to debate.
(interpretation) Oral Questions. Member for Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu, Ms. Pat Angnakak.
Question 246 – 4(3): Activities of the Nunavut Business Credit Corporation (Angnakak)
My questions are for the Minister responsible for the Nunavut Business Credit Corporation.
I want to begin by thanking the minister for having tabled the government’s response to our recent standing committee report on the activities of the Nunavut Business Credit Corporation and the Nunavut Development Corporation.
I also want to take this opportunity to publicly pay tribute to the performance of the NBCC chair, Nancy Karetak-Lindell, who did an excellent job in representing the NBCC during our committee’s recent televised hearings.
As the minister is aware, the board of directors of NBCC has been recommending for some time that the loan limit threshold under section 37 of the corporation’s establishing legislation be doubled from $1 million to $2 million.
Can the minister provide a clear timeline today as to when she will be introducing legislation to act on this recommendation?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) The Hon. Minister responsible for the Nunavut Business Credit Corporation, Ms. Monica Ell-Kanayuk.
I think I have too many briefing notes in front of me, as I can’t figure out which one.
As per my colleague’s question, I believe the amount is roughly $3,358,000 for the (interpretation ends) Nunavut Development Corporation, (interpretation) if I am correct in assuming that is the body she referenced.
Yes, I apologize. Perhaps she can clarify which organization she questioning about.
Please clarify your question, Ms. Angnakak.
Yes, for clarification, I was talking about NBCC, the Nunavut Business Credit Corporation.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) The Hon. Minister responsible for the Nunavut Business Credit Corporation, Ms. Ell-Kanayuk.
The Nunavut Business Credit Corporation plays an important role in Nunavut’s economic growth through the provision of term loans, loan guarantees, and contract security bonding to enterprises that cannot obtain the necessary financing from other traditional financial institutions.
We are proposing an additional $100,000 to the Nunavut Business Credit Corporation in the 2016-17 fiscal year to increase the corporation’s outreach activities, allowing it to service more small business clients across the territory.
I’m not sure my question was really answered. It was about the $1 million that NBCC was requesting at some point.
Maybe it’s something that she can look into with the staff at NBCC.
Let me go on to my next question. As the minister is aware, there is still a high level of secrecy surrounding the identities of which companies and individuals receive loans from the Nunavut Business Credit Corporation.
Can the minister clearly explain why do we have this secrecy and what does it achieve?
Speaker: The Hon. Minister responsible for the Nunavut Business Credit Corporation, Ms. Ell-Kanayuk.
Mr. Speaker, the Nunavut Business Credit Corporation is a lending agency to businesses that want to have loans in the territory and Nunavut’s growing private sector by fulfilling the financial needs of entrepreneurs who require between $250,000 and $1 million in loans and guarantees.
Mr. Speaker, I’m not sure why the member is saying that there’s secrecy because people who want to get loans from the Nunavut Business Credit Corporation usually do not want their names made public.
I could get back to the member as to the reasons why some loaners would want that.
I would appreciate her getting back because I think there will probably be more questions coming up on that topic. It would be good for you to have that discussion with your staff.
I guess it’s my last question. Mr. Speaker, we are currently reviewing this government’s 2016-17 main estimates and business plans.
Can the minister indicate what new priorities she is including in her 2016-17 Letter of Expectation to the Nunavut Business Credit Corporation?
I’ll share that with the member.
Question 247 – 4(3): Caribou Habitat and Restricted Development (Okalik)
I hadn’t planned on asking this question, but I feel it requires a response.
I would like to ask the Premier about his earlier statement regarding the Manitoba-Nunavut power line study.
I am referring to caribou calving grounds, as it is used as an example that could be provided.
Based on what I know, it is just an illustration of the route seemingly meant as a scare tactic.
It isn’t optically pleasant to see that.
We had a previous government that used these types of tactics and many voters sent them packing, as we don’t want to see this type of scaremongering from our governments to their own constituents.
I first want to ask the Premier: is the proposed route of the power line entering Nunavut through calving grounds? Is the route planned going through that area?
That’s not a scare tactic.
That’s an example that’s used to show the possibilities of so many things that were in my Minister’s Statement.
Mr. Speaker, that is not the purpose of the statement.
There are many other examples I could have used.
It’s not a scare tactic.
It’s an example of things that make it quite obvious of the government’s position.
I am in full support of the proposed power line.
I have encouraged the project as it can be of great benefit to Nunavummiut and that encouragement won’t stop.
Nevertheless, caribou are extremely important to us as Nunavummiut depend on caribou for their sustenance, so we need to ensure their protection.
Due to their placement within these types of tactics, it is not productive as it may not be factual.
If the plan is in conflict with an important project for the government, which states that if either party has concerns about plans put forward by this planning group, then it can be changed to allow the project to proceed.
Just last summer in 2015, this process was used by the parties.
With respect to these initial plans, they went above these plans to ensure that it went ahead, which is why that tactic will not stop this process due to the issues that need resolution.
Can the Premier elaborate on this process, as this can still happen even with the power line in place?
Mr. Speaker, as I indicated in my ministerial statement, we want to ensure that wildlife is protected.
That’s why we do have these regulatory processes in place according to our Nunavut Land Claims Agreement. That’s the process that’s set out in place.
As a government, I do not want to take out the purposes of these IPGs, especially the ones that regulate development. I want to ensure that we protect our wildlife to the extent where all these developers would understand there is a fact-based regulatory process that we do have in Nunavut.
That’s one of the things I’m very proud of.
We do have IPGs and regulators that are entrenched within our land claims agreement.
As a matter of fact, we do try to accommodate that to the best of our abilities.
All these infrastructures, as the member indicated, that’s one of the things I’m trying to get done for Nunavut. We lack infrastructure.
We need $6 billion worth of infrastructure at this time just to get to the point where we have comfortable, sustainable, and better living for our people of Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, as the member is well aware, we have 67 percent of our residents in Nunavut who are on income support.
Mr. Speaker, that’s one of the things that, as the Premier, I do want to change to ensure that Nunavummiut have an opportunity to training and employment to bring their self-esteem up.
This is one of the things, as the Premier, I’m trying to do.
I do not want to see our people in perpetual poverty.
Mr. Speaker, that’s why we do make these policies.
I really appreciate the fact that the previous minister participated in allowing these discussions.
Mr. Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) As a government, we argue that we want to supply nutritious food to our constituents.
Caribou is one of the most valuable sources of nutrition in our own territory.
It’s here and we depend on it. I think we should take steps to protect them.
I agree that we need to move forward at the same time.
According to the plans as they are today, 6 percent of the territory makes up about the total calving grounds for caribou in our own territory.
That leaves another 94 percent of the entire territory for development. There’s plenty of room for development in our landmass, which is largest in the country, mind you.
Even if the plans are put in place, a developer can seek an exemption in the future under Section 11.5.11. That has already happened and it worked for Baffinland last year.
As well, in the event that a government or Inuit organization does not agree with a plan in the future, they can seek an amendment to the plan under Section 11.6.1.
There are protections in place. It won’t be a total ban. It’s a moving plan that will be adjusted to the future as we go.
Can you please reconsider your decision?
As cabinet, we make these decisions for Nunavummiut.
Mr. Speaker, there are processes set out in place to ensure that development has all the base facts and information that it needs, without political interference in all cases, and communities participate.
Mr. Speaker, as I said, I was the only Inuk who ever accessed Canadian Environmental Agency funds.
I was a full-time intervener at one of the developers’ discussions.
I know for a fact that the member is absolutely correct, there are moving targets.
That’s why the regulatory processes, the agencies do have to take these matters on a case-by- case basis.
Question 248 – 4(3): Medical Travel Escort Policy (Enook)
When I was questioning the minister, she responded explaining the medical travel escort policy.
Just so that I understand it completely, let me ask this question again.
Do I understand it correctly that when a nurse or doctor wants a sick person to have an escort, that decision can be taken down by a director, yes or no?
Speaker: The Hon. Minister of Health, Ms. Ell-Kanayuk.
I shall proceed on to the next. (interpretation) Oral Questions. Member for Iqaluit-Sinaa, Mr. Paul Okalik.
Question 249 – 4(3): Dogs at Sylvia Grinnell Park (Okalik)
I would like to direct my question to the member sitting beside me regarding my constituency.
In Iqaluit, we utilize the Sylvia Grinnell River as our source of fresh drinking water. The elders enjoy it.
However, we just heard that they’re bringing dogs to the river to let loose at the park. It’s a territorial park. What will the minister do about pets being left to roam at the river and depositing their solid waste in our drinking water?
With respect to the territorial parks run by the Nunavut government, anyone can enter those parks.
Parks are intended for recreational purposes.
That’s where I stand at this time, as per the member’s question.
Yes, it’s a territorial park and you can make regulations.
I would like to ask the Minister of Environment if he could set regulations where pets or dogs have to be on leash and not let loose. I would like to ask the minister if he could commit to drafting regulations so that it would be more enjoyable for the people.
Yes, I could have it reviewed. The park committees and managers can be involved.
Again, here in Iqaluit, we can work closely with the city council as it’s within the municipal boundaries.
Yes, we can take that into consideration. We want to make sure that regulations are followed at territorial parks.
Mr. Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to thank the Minister of Environment.
We are going to be having another spring sitting and I would like to ask the minister if he would have those ready for a review by that time.
Yes, I can do that and we will get back to you on the issue on the solid waste product from a dog.
Question 250 – 4(3): Search and Rescue Contributions Policy (Mikkungwak)
One of my colleagues had a question earlier about the Nunavut search and rescue organizations and their equipment.
Will the minister commit to ensuring that the policy applied will reflect Nunavut’s winter, fall, and sometimes spring and summer seasonal search and rescue operations?
They conduct operations in all seasons, as many Nunavummiut love to spend quality time on the land, including hunting trips for their families.
Minister of Community and Government Services, Mr. Joe Savikataaq.
I’m going to have to ask the member to rephrase his question as I don’t get the connection between the search and rescue policy and families going out to get food.
Speaker: Can you please rephrase your question, Mr. Mikkungwak.
Mr. Mikkungwak (interpretation): Yes, if my colleague listened intently, it would be obvious.
My colleague earlier referred to only the winter season when mentioning what he is aware of regarding search and rescue operations.
Nevertheless, based on actual experiences as a member of the SAR groups, searches can be conducted in the winter, early spring, fall, and sometimes summer as well.
Some of the searches can occur in any month, even in the fall, as anyone can be the subject of a search since Inuit are out hunting for sustenance and provide for their fellow Inuit and relatives.
With that being the case, will this new policy currently under development reflect the reality of searches in all seasons, such as winter, early spring, fall, and even summer?
Speaker: The Hon. Minister of Community and Government Services, Mr. Joe Savikataaq.
This policy will cover all seasons; it’s not a policy on the winter, spring, summer, or fall.
This policy is a search and rescue policy and it will cover all seasons of the year.
I’m absolutely aware that there are searches that go on throughout the whole year in all of Nunavut, so this policy will encompass the whole year.
I also thank the minister for providing a clear response.
Now with respect to some of our SAR groups, sometimes their equipment breaks down. When a breakdown occurs, the prices are expensive and parts can vary wildly between communities.
When a searcher is using their own equipment for the search and it breaks down, what is the limit for reimbursing the searcher for replacement costs? As an example, if their ATV broke down, what is the limit for replacement costs, or will it be clearly outlined within the policy?
This policy, although complete, is not public yet as we’re still just fine-tuning it.
I can’t tell the member exactly what’s in the policy until this policy is public.
The minister indicated that this policy will be eventually introduced.
Now I want to ask about this matter next. When equipment breaks down, the searchers are usually volunteers with a strong sense of duty.
With that being said, I would then like to ask: if the volunteer experiences equipment breakdown, will they be compensated? As the minister stated earlier, all equipment will be inspected prior to commencing searches.
Does this mean the searchers will have to sign a form prior to conducting the search?
Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the member for trying to get more out of this policy that’s not public yet. The information will come out on this policy when it becomes public.
The current system as it is right now, each search and rescue committee can, if they want, on a case-by-case basis, help volunteer searchers out.
They volunteer their time and they use their own equipment, and we all know there is wear and tear on their equipment.
We’re just legitimizing a system that is sort of being done right now in a small way, but we want to make this a uniform system for all of Nunavut. We value our search and rescue committees and volunteers that search in Nunavut.
They are vital for the safety of Nunavummiut.
Once this policy is complete, it will be laid out and all search and rescue committees and all communities will be given the policy and the policy will be explained to them.
Question 251 – 4(3): Piqqusilirivvik Civil Servants Medical Travel (Keyootak)
I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Education as a supplement to the earlier question that I asked.
My constituency includes Clyde River and there are elders who work at the Piqqusilirivvik Cultural Learning Centre.
Can the minister indicate if Piqqusilirivvik employees are recognized as government employees?
For further clarity, that is part of Nunavut Arctic College and not the Department of Education.