EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Item 7 on the Orders of the Day.
Reports of Standing and Special Committees. 12.
Tabled Document 211 – 3(2): Carla Oyukuluk’s Essay, Pijjusituqait (Our Past and Present) (Elliott)
Further to my Member’s Statement, I am pleased to table a copy of Carla Oyukuluk’s first place winning essay submitted to the Prince Edward Island Confederation Centre of the Arts Essay Competition.
I encourage all members to read this essay and be inspired by the potential and insight of our youth.
Tabled Document 212 – 3(2): Nunavut Housing Trust Project Status Summary, September 30, 2010 (Curley)
As promised during the Nunavut Housing Corporation appearance in Committee of the Whole, I am pleased to table the Nunavut Housing Trust Project Status Summary, September 30, 2011. (interpretation) Thank you.
Tabled Document 213 – 3(2): Journal of the Northern Territories Water and Waste Association, September 2010 (Elliott)
I would like to table a copy of an article from the September 2010 journal of the Northern Territories Water and Waste Association.
The article is in regard to wastewater sampling challenges in Grise Fiord and other northern communities.
Tabled Document 214 – 3(2): Schedule for the Student Loan Fund for the Year Ending March 31, 2009 (Tootoo)
I believe I’m meeting one of our statutory requirements here today by being very pleased to be able to table the Schedule for the Student Loan Fund for the year ending March 31, 2009.
I do have documents to table.
Tabled Document 215 – 3(2): Election Nunavut 2009 Annual Report of the Chief Electoral Officer (Speaker)
Tabled Document 216 – 3(2): Nunavut Information and Privacy Commissioner Annual Report 2009-2010 (Speaker)
Tabled Document 217 – 3(2): Integrity Commissioner Annual Report April 1, 2009 to March 31, 2010 (Speaker)
Tabled Document 218 – 3(2): Office of the Languages Commissioner Annual Report 2009-2010 (Speaker)
I wish to table today the 2009-2010 annual reports of the Chief Electoral Officer, the Information and Privacy Commissioner, the Integrity Commissioner, and the Languages Commissioner.
Bill 47 – International Interest in Mobile Aircraft Equipment Act – Notice
Bill 48 – Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2010, No. 3 – Notice
Bill 50 – Nunavut Outfitter Liability Protection Fund Act, Repeal – Notice
I have three notices of motions for first reading of bills.
Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Monday, October 25, 2010, that Bill 47, International Interest in Mobile Aircraft Equipment Act, be read for the first time.
Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Monday, October 25, 2010, that Bill 48, Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2010, No. 3, be read for the first time.
And finally, Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Monday, October 25, 2010, that Bill 50, Nunavut Outfitter Liability Protection Fund Act, Repeal, be read for the first time.
Bill 49 – Agricultural Products Marketing Act, Repeal – Notice
I give notice that on Monday, October 25, 2010, that Bill 49, Agricultural Products Marketing Act, Repeal, be read for the first time.
Motion 026 – 3(2): Early Adjournment (Schell)
Pursuant to Rule 36, I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Hudson Bay, that the House adjourn for the day.
The motion to adjourn early is in order and is not debatable.
We will proceed directly to Item 22 on our Orders of the Day.
Orders of the Day for October 25:
This House stands adjourned until Monday, October 25, at 1:30 p.m.
>>House adjourned at 11:38
Monday, October 25, 2010
Pages 2656 – 2722
Ministers’ Statements 2656
Members’ Statements 2660
Tabling of Documents 2683
Notices of Motions 2684
Motions 2685
First Reading of Bills 2686
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 2687
Report of the Committee of the Whole 2720
Revert to Item 5: Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 2720
Orders of the Day 2721
Monday, October 25, 2010 2656
199 – 3(2): Tourism Sector Development Strategy (Taptuna) 2656
200 – 3(2): Department of Environment Research Vessel (Shewchuk) 2657
201 – 3(2): Breast Cancer Awareness Month (Aariak) 2657
202 – 3(2): Interdepartmental Collaboration on Aulajaaqtut Curriculum (Tootoo) 2658
203 – 3(2): Electronic Health Record Program (Curley) 2659
316 – 3(2): Community Health Committees (Ningark) 2660
317 – 3(2): Cancer Awareness – Run (Okalik) 2661
318 – 3(2): In Support of Social Workers (Elliott) 2661
319 – 3(2): Minister Tapardjuk Absent from House (Elliott) 2662
320 – 3(2): Constituents in Whale Cove and Rankin Inlet (Kusugak) 2662
321 – 3(2): Appreciation for Ancestors from Nattilik and Kinngait (Ugyuk) 2663
463 – 3(2): Support for Social Workers (Elliott) 2665
464 – 3(2): Community Health Committees (Ningark) 2667
465 – 3(2): Tourism Deposit Assurance Program (Okalik) 2670
466 – 3(2): Trichinella Testing in Coral Harbour (Ningeongan) 2672
467 – 3(2): Information on Cancer Types in Nunavut (Ugyuk) 2674
468 – 3(2): Nunavut’s Suicide Prevention Strategy (Elliott) 2676
469 – 3(2): Enforcement of the Government of Nunavut Motor Vehicle Policy (Schell) 2679
470 – 3(2): Review of the Nunavut Housing Trust (Ningeongan) 2680
219 – 3(2): Pension Administration Report – Retiring Allowances Act and Supplementary Retiring Allowances Act, Nunavut Legislative Assembly (Speaker) 2683
220 – 3(2): Report on the Payment of Indemnities, Allowances and Expenses to the Members of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut (Speaker) 2683
221 – 3(2): Record of Members’ Absences from Sittings of the House and Meetings of Committees and Caucuses to the Members of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut (Speaker) 2683
222 – 3(2): Legislative Assembly Retiring Allowances Fund Iqaluit, Nunavut Financial Statements March 31, 2010 (Speaker) 2683
223 – 3(2): Legislative Assembly Supplementary Retiring Allowances Fund Iqaluit, Nunavut Financial Statements March 31, 2010 (Speaker) 2683
027 – 3(2): Referral of Tabled Documents 207 – 3(2), 209 – 3(2), 210 – 3(2), and 212 – 3(2) to the Committee of the Whole – Notice (Elliott) 2684
028 – 3(2): Establishment of an Electoral Boundaries Commission – Notice (Elliott) 2684
028 – 3(2): Establishment of an Electoral Boundaries Commission (Elliott) 2685
Bill 44 – An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act – First Reading 2686
Bill 45 – An Act to Amend the Labour Standards Act (Minimum Wage) – First Reading 2686
Bill 46 – An Act to Amend the Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Property Tax Relief Act – First Reading 2686
Bill 47 – International Interests in Mobile Aircraft Equipment Act – First Reading 2686
Bill 48 – Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2010, No. 3 – First Reading 2687
Bill 49 – Agricultural Products Marketing Act, Repeal – First Reading 2687
Bill 50 – Nunavut Outfitter Liability Protection Fund Act, Repeal – First Reading 2687
Bill 38 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2011-2012 – Environment – Consideration in Committee 2688
Bill 38 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2011-2012 – Economic Development and Transportation – Consideration in Committee 2702
Bill 38 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2011-2012 – Justice – Consideration in Committee 2714
Honourable Eva Aariak, Honourable James Arreak, Mr. Moses Aupaluktuq, Honourable Tagak Curley, Mr. Ron Elliott, Mr. Adamee Komoartok, Honourable Lorne Kusugak, Mr. John Ningark, Mr. Johnny Ningeongan, Mr. Paul Okalik, Honourable Keith Peterson, Mr. Allan Rumbolt, Mr. Fred Schell, Honourable Daniel Shewchuk, Honourable Peter Taptuna, Honourable Hunter Tootoo, Ms. Jeannie Ugyuk.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. A very good afternoon, Premier, Ministers, and Members of the Legislative Assembly. Nunavummiut and the people of Clyde River watching the proceedings, have a very good afternoon.
Minister’s Statement 199 – 3(2): Tourism Sector Development Strategy (Taptuna)
Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to provide an update on my department’s implementation of the Tourism Sector Development Strategy.
We have been working to develop a consultation plan and this month, we have launched a community and stakeholder consultation process, which represents phase 2 of our three-phase plan.
Our objective is to consult with our partners in tourism development: communities, Inuit organizations, and the federal government.
Through these consultations, we will gather information that will assist us in developing a comprehensive strategy for structuring our investment in tourism and building a strong partnership model that will allow us to focus on our strengths for future growth in the tourism sector.
This work will also help provide and develop a consumer-oriented plan that is consistent with our ongoing destination marketing activities.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the ongoing collaboration of our industry partner, Nunavut Tourism, and thank the association for its continued support for this work.
Nunavut has a lot to offer as a tourism destination and, by working together with our partners, we will develop a common vision for the tourism sector that will support and strengthen Nunavut’s economy.
If there are no more… (interpretation ends) Hon. Daniel Shewchuk.
Minister’s Statement 200 – 3(2): Department of Environment Research Vessel (Shewchuk)
I would like to also say “good afternoon” to all of the people of Arviat and all of the wonderful people of Nunavut.
Excuse me, Mr. Speaker, I had the wrong statement.
Mr. Speaker, I’ll try this again.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to provide members with an update on our progress on the Department of Environment’s new 64-foot research vessel, which was made possible through funding from Indian and Northern Affairs Canada and will significantly enhance our capacity for research and development of Nunavut’s coastal resources.
Significant progress has been made on the vessel and we are looking forward to launching it next summer.
My department held a youth contest to unique name for the vessel. The winning entry, Nuliajuk, was put forward by 11-year-old Rudy Alaaq Angutittauruq of Gjoa Haven.
At the recommendation of the Department of Environment’s Elders Advisory Committee, this name was chosen from a number of promising candidates.
Nuliajuk is named after an important figure in Inuit legend that is believed by many Inuit to have nourished people for generations with the plentiful bounty of the sea.
The name is a fitting symbol of the mission of new vessel, which is to build upon the Inuit tradition of knowledge and relationship with the sea to the benefit of present and future generations of Nunavutmiut.
Mr. Speaker, my department is also working with the Nunavut Arts and Crafts Association to commission artwork for the bow of the vessel by Andrew Qappik of Pangnirtung.
As you can see, this is just the beginning of many positive outcomes for Nunavutmiut as a result of this new and exciting initiative.
Minister’s Statement 201 – 3(2): Breast Cancer Awareness Month (Aariak)
I rise today to recognize October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Mr. Speaker, even though Nunavut’s breast cancer rates are relatively low compared with the rest of Canada, we would like to take advantage of this time to raise awareness and make sure that these rates stay low.
As with many health issues, education and awareness can go a long way to prevent illness from developing into cancer.
Mr. Speaker, Breast Cancer Awareness Month has become well established throughout Canada and internationally.
Like millions of people across the country, I will be doing my part by wearing my pink ribbon badge throughout October, along with all members here who are wearing a pink ribbon.
It would mean a lot to those affected by the disease if other Nunavummiut wear one too. It would mean a lot to those who have cancer that there are others who are aware and who care.
Mr. Speaker, in Tamapta: Building Our Future Together, this government committed to improving health through prevention.
The Department of Health and Social Services continues to monitor breast cancer rates through their cancer registry.
They also offer well woman screening at health centres, a component of which covers breast health.
Apart from that, the Qulliq Status of Women Council has received funding from the National Breast Cancer Foundation for several years now to develop comprehensive community level initiatives around awareness and support for survivors.
This has included fact sheets in all four languages, shower cards, and breast self-examination kits which were sent out to all health centres.
I would like to applaud Qulliit and other community initiatives that aim to raise awareness about this issue.
They have shown their commitment to have a positive influence on the health of Nunavummiut.
Minister’s Statement 202 – 3(2): Interdepartmental Collaboration on Aulajaaqtut Curriculum (Tootoo)
Good morning and hopefully everybody had a wonderful weekend.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to tell my colleagues about an interdepartmental collaboration between the Department of Education and the Department of Health and Social Services.
The departments are working together to expand on the Aulajaaqtut health, wellness and identity curriculum for youth in grades 7 to 9.
Mr. Speaker, Aulajaaqtut for grades 10 through 12 focuses on Inuit values, setting personal goals related to values, developing and nurturing healthy relationships, and recognizing the issues related to overall personal wellness.
The curriculum creates a critical understanding of Inuit identity, social history, the impact of colonialism on the Inuit, and the contribution of Inuit to northern exploration and development.
Throughout the curriculum, there is a focus on leadership within the context of Inuit culture.
Mr. Speaker, working with the Department of Health and Social Services and sharing knowledge and resources will ensure that we include essential health and wellness competencies and behaviours in this important learning tool.
With the expansion of this curriculum into grades 7 to 9, both our departments are committed to ensuring the most innovative and inclusive material for youth.
I would like to thank the staff at the departments of both Education and Health and Social Services for their contributions and for developing curriculum for young Nunavummiut that encourages quality of life and an understanding of themselves.
Minister’s Statement 203 – 3(2): Electronic Health Record Program (Curley)
Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to provide an update on the new Electronic Health Record program in Nunavut.
This program will use computers and the Internet to manage health information.
Clinical reports, drug profiles, immunization information, and communicable disease information will be transferred to electronic format.
Mr. Speaker, the intent of the Electronic Health Record program is to enable those involved in the direct or indirect care of an individual access to critical information where and when it’s needed.
This program will allow my department to improve service delivery, direct patient care, and increase cost effectiveness.
It will streamline procedures, such as patient registration, x-ray handling, workload collection and reporting, and results reporting.
Mr. Speaker, the implementation of the electronic health record system will decrease the turnaround time for reports, eliminate the need for film handing for x-rays, and patient reports will be available to all appropriate practitioners across Nunavut, anywhere and anytime.
Mr. Speaker, the Healthtech Consultants Incorporated and the Department of Health and Social Services have been responsible for building the Nunavut Meditech system and providing on-site training and support.
Our staff have already completed 30 weeks of this training.
This approach has allowed our staff to continue to focus on the delivery of quality patient care and service.
Mr. Speaker, this project includes privacy and security policies that meet both national and international standards for the protection of personal health information.
These policies will be in place before the program implementation.
A senior health privacy officer position has been created.
The information in a person’s electronic health record will be secure and private, and only those who have authorization will be able to access your record.
The Department of Health and Social Services is fully committed to the implementation of the Electronic Health Record program.
The first phase of this project is replacing QGH and Rankin Inlet systems with a territory-wide clinical information system, which will include clinical records for in- and outpatients.
By 2013, Mr. Speaker, the Electronic Health Record program will be integrated and available in all Nunavut communities. (interpretation) Thank you.
Member’s Statement 316 – 3(2): Community Health Committees (Ningark)
I am appreciative that I am able to be back in the Chamber.
Both by written notices, posters, and as was mentioned by the Premier in her Minister’s Statement, we have been informed that October has been designated as the Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Furthermore, during the Kivalliq mayors’ conference in Rankin Inlet, Mr. Curley was attending that meeting where I spoke about the community health committees. I stated that more funding and authority were needed in order to expand their mandate.
I made that statement during the meeting because they are under the hamlet auspices and are usually operated as a hamlet committee.
Perhaps if the department provided more funding to the hamlets for these programs and allocated funding for an office worker for these health committees, or even if they were provided with training funds in order to increase their capacity to meet the needs of the committee, if the health committees were operating some of these programs, Mr. Speaker, we would have more information about cancer prevention and education available in our communities, in Nunavut.
Additionally, there is a mother in Kugaaruk who related a story this fall or summer.
She was wondering how long it would take to get a test or if there was scheduled cancer screening tests in the communities. She wanted to know.
She also wanted to know if there was a specific age group that was more susceptible to breast cancer or whether women of a certain age had to start getting breast cancer screening. She wondered if it meant women entering middle age had to be checked.
Mr. Speaker, as we were informed previously by the Premier in her statement, we do not have very many cases of breast cancer here in Nunavut based on the data provided. However, if the department could institute mandatory testing of women, then they could diagnose cancer at a very early stage, as some people do not know that they have cancer and we may have cases here in Nunavut.
Even though it may not be the right month for cancer awareness, everyone here has to be aware of the effects of cancer.
There are no nays. You may conclude your statement, Mr. Ningark.
I also thank my colleagues.
At the appropriate time, I will be raising several questions to the Minister of Health and Social Services with respect to the age groups that are most at risk, as well as what is the frequency of testing for breast cancer in women.
Further, I will be asking whether we even have a screening machine here in Nunavut that is available for screening for breast cancer.
I will be asking my questions at the appropriate time.
Member’s Statement 317 – 3(2): Cancer Awareness – Run (Okalik)
Mr. Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also wish to thank my colleagues.
Mr. Ningark, please feel welcome in the Chamber and we are grateful to see you again back in the House.
I wish to thank the Premier for her statement regarding this issue and of residents who suffer from this disease.
Indeed, although we may not have very many patients with breast cancer, we see far too many cases of other types of cancers here in Nunavut.
The incidents cause many concerns to residents and it can impact almost everyone here in Nunavut. I believe that many families have already been impacted.
Here in my constituency, we have an annual run. Just last month, I partook in the breast cancer awareness and prevention run, and I would like to thank the Rankin Inlet and [Whale Cove] member who sponsored me during the run.
Annually, I try to attend the races. There were not too many participants during the run for cancer awareness.
I do would like to see more people take part and participate in that run so that we can prevent ailments.
I also would like to apologize to the people as I did not take part in the run in October.
I will be able to take part next year if I am in full health.
I urge Nunavummiut to please go for testing and also please try and provide support for research.
Member’s Statement 318 – 3(2): In Support of Social Workers (Elliott)
I rise today to acknowledge and pay tribute to the fine work and incredible effort made by our community social workers.
Mr. Speaker, social workers are amongst Nunavut’s most important and invaluable frontline community workers.
They work long, hard hours often under stressful conditions and do an excellent job.
I am very grateful for the work that they do and it saddens and frustrates me to see them so overworked.
Mr. Speaker, in some cases, where communities have no social workers on the ground, a social worker from another community is asked to shoulder the additional load as well as continuing to provide services to their own assigned communities.
In many cases, these individuals are not only doing social work but also the work of a probation officer.
Mr. Speaker, the High Arctic communities of my constituency have been without a full-time indeterminate social worker for too long.
Currently, an agency social worker is providing short-term support.
The social worker from Pond Inlet is also called upon to help out.
Mr. Speaker, the current situation is unsustainable. Asking social workers to take on additional responsibilities on top of their existing commitments is unrealistic.
As we have seen, placing unrealistic demands on individuals, no matter how dedicated and committed they are, leads to further problems.
On the one hand, it may result in the fact that they cannot meet all of the demands on their time and energy.
Without adequate and necessary resources, services cannot be met.
Often, the caseloads are so great that there is no opportunity to check up on children in foster care, for example.
On the other hand, those frontline workers put their own health and well-being at risk.
As individuals, it is unrealistic to expect them to continue to meet such a demanding workload without feeling incredible pressure.
Mr. Speaker, it is time that this government paid serious attention to what it is asking of its frontline workers. Greater effort must be made to train, recruit, and employ Nunavummiut into these critical positions.
Do away with agreements that add responsibilities, such as probation duties, to the already long list of tasks and jobs required of our community social workers.
Give social workers adequate support and resources so that they can address the many issues that fall under their mandate.
Member’s Statement 319 – 3(2): Minister Tapardjuk Absent from House (Elliott)
Hon. Tagak Curley: Thank you. (interpretation) I would like to say “good day” to all of the residents of Rankin Inlet.
I don’t have much to say, but I would just like to state that we are short a member.
For your information, our colleague from Amittuq is unavailable to be at the House today.
Member’s Statement 320 – 3(2): Constituents in Whale Cove and Rankin Inlet (Kusugak)
I am very pleased that I was able to assist Mr. Okalik when he was trying to run.
He was quite fleet footed and he was quite fast when he ran that run. It was very pleasing to see that.
Hopefully, next year, I will be able to run against him.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about an issue that occurred this summer up until this fall. I was able to travel to Whale Cove to visit my constituents and I tried to canvas what type of concerns they had.
Whale Cove, although it’s a small community, had the same interests as a lot of the larger communities, such as infrastructure and capital projects.
I tried to meet some of the issues that were voiced by the residents of Whale Cove. It’s quite difficult to try and meet all of their interests.