EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Members have noted that the Department of Community and Government Services initiation envelope includes preplanning funding for replacing health centres in the communities of Cape Dorset, Qikiqtarjuaq and Sanikiluaq, again, using the “common design” concept.
Members encourage the minister and her departmental officials in their consideration of planning for infrastructure such as long-term care beds and related services.
In these and other projects that will address future needs for chronic care, long-term care, and also palliative care across the territory.
Members look forward to supporting the minister in her work towards developing a long-term infrastructure plan for providing care for our elders within Nunavut and alongside programs such as home care and assisted living facilities.
Mr. Chairman, the Department of Health’s capital estimates include blocks of funding for small capital projects and for minor projects in its 2014-15 capital estimates.
While members appreciated receiving details on expenditures under these projects that were planned for the current 2013-14 fiscal year, it was noted that no detail was provided on proposed expenditures for the upcoming 2014-15 fiscal year until well after the minister’s appearance to discuss the draft 2014-15 capital plan.
Members are of the view that when approving the expenditure of public funds, it is important to know beforehand what those funds will be spent on.
With respect to the purchase of specialized medical diagnostic equipment, members were pleased to note that the CT scanner, which the Department of Health had committed to purchasing some time ago, has finally been purchased, installed and is taking its first clients at the Qikiqtani Regional Hospital. This will enable significant cost-savings as medical clients will no longer have to travel out of the territory for this diagnostic service.
Members encourage the minister and her officials to consider further initiatives to provide specialized services, such as dialysis, within Nunavut so that medical clients are not required to move so far away from home in order to receive health services.
Mr. Chairman, it has been noted that small capital funding may include the purchase of vehicles for community health centres.
While it is recognized that health centre vehicles are generally used for such activities as home care program delivery or the transportation of supplies, equipment or lab samples, members have expressed the concern that there is also a need to provide local transportation for certain individuals who receive health and social services. Members encourage the minister and her staff to consider ways to provide support to community-driven initiatives in this area.
Mr. Chairman, the Regular Members’ Caucus noted that the initiation envelope pre-planning funding under the Department of Community and Government Services includes a project to establish a mental health transition house.
Members look forward to regular updates on plans for this facility as mental health issues, including addictions and substance abuse issues, are of significant concern across Nunavut.
Mr. Chairman that concludes my opening comments on the proposed 2014-2015 capital estimates of the Department of Health. I am confident that individual members will also have questions and comments as we proceed.
Chairman (interpretation) Thank you very much, Mr. Shooyook. (interpretation ends) Welcome to the Gallery, former MLA for South Baffin, Mr. Olayuk Akesuk.
Before we proceed, I would like to remind members of the following: according to Rule 77(1), you have 10 minutes to speak, and according to Rule 77(2), subject to the discretion of the Chair, a member may speak more that once to a matter under discussion but not until every member wishing to speak has spoken.
Hon. Minister, welcome.
With respect to your opening comments, I have some questions although I am aware that the question may not be answerable especially in cases where it was just completed recently.
On page 2, starting from 2008 you speak of designing health centres that are of a common design in Nunavut and in Repulse Bay, Taloyoak and possibly Arctic Bay, that common design is proposed to be built.
What I want to ask about, Mr. Chairman is this: has it become clear that using a common design or blueprint for these facilities have resulted in cost savings? How much has been saved through not having to have separate blueprints for these buildings?
That is if I was understandable.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you very much, Mr. Enook. (interpretation ends) Hon. Minister of Health, Ms. Ell.
Hon. Monica Ell (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman and I also thank the member for that question.
With respect to the common design and realizing savings, yes it has resulted in some cost savings; however, details sometimes change due to building code changes.
These designs, even while common, will always have to be re-reviewed from time to time, and the lot where the building is proposed to be built upon in the community may dictate changes to the building. In various communities, they have a land plotted for the health centres. I could say that it is good for the staff if they have to move to a different location, within the community.
It is a lot better for the employees. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
If I can ask another question to that respect, I know that communities are a little bit different within Nunavut and I know that some of the building codes, such as electrical and other things have changed but the only thing that I want to find out is the basic design, do you know it now that you are using less money for the common design for health centres.
Is it that they realized that they were not going to spend as much money for the design then?
Yes, for the common design, we are using less money for those but its got nothing to do with the construction of those health centres because they have different causes for different communities for the construction of those health centres but for the common design, we are spending less money.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you very much. (interpretation ends) Ms. Angnakak.
My questions from your opening statements come from page 1; when we talk about renovating health facilities.
In Iqaluit, we had built the old hospital being renovated and then due to the misfortunes of the first contractor, it was put on hold. I am just wondering what the status is now of the old hospital renovations. Have you selected a contractor?
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you very much. (interpretation ends) Hon. Minister of Health, Ms. Ell.
I know that the contract has been given already but I would like to ask my deputy minister to respond to that question.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you very much. (interpretation ends) Ms. Keenainak.
Ms. Keenainak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) The project is being managed by CGS and we have been working with them very closely.
The contract has been awarded to Quinan and they are starting to work on the hospital again. We are back on track. It is a little bit delayed but it is continuing now.
Mrs. Angnakak.
Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. Chairman and thank you for that answer.
I’m just wondering, in what way will the old hospital space be utilized now?
When they do the renovations to the old section of the hospital in Iqaluit, the part of the old hospital used to be used for patients going to the clinics in the hospital and for the office space for the doctors. At the present time, they will be using the old part of the hospital for doctors and they will be using the old part of the hospital once renovated.
It will be used for handling patients as well as office space for nurses and the future abortion clinic as well as for other services.
With the new contractor, does that mean that renovations to the new hospital are going to cost more? You mentioned a delay. Can you give us an idea of how much of a delay we can anticipate?
The delay mentioned as a result of this change is 18 months, but we do not anticipate cost overruns.
Ms. Angnakak: I’m not sure if you call lifespan for a building, but what is the new…how long do you think with the new renovations, how long would this building last us?
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Hon. Minister of Health, Ms. Ell.
Perhaps I can ask that this question be diverted to our partner department, to CG&S, as they would have that type of information.
I’ll ask them.
Just in your comments here, we talk about the $1 million for minor projects and you say at the end of that statement that this information has been provided to all members.
Actually, I have never received that, so you might want to look into making sure everybody got it.
Thank you. That’s all for now for opening comments from me.
This document was provided to the chairperson of the committees, and it was supposed to be disseminated to all MLAs.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you very much. (interpretation ends) Mr. Hickes.
I noted with interest that the small capital funding $1 million has been historically the same amount.
With the recent purchase and implementation of the CT scanner at the Qikiqtani Regional Hospital, I have a question regarding dialysis.
Has the department done a study on what it would cost to establish a dialysis unit here in Iqaluit?
This isn’t really included in the capital estimates so we can’t answer it at this time.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Mr. Hickes.
Mr. Hickes: The way I understand it, thank you, Mr. Chairman, the small capital allocation is for the purchase of the department’s equipment, furniture, fixtures and vehicles.
I would assume that a dialysis equipment or machine would fall under the equipment category?
If you don’t mind, I would ask that you allow my deputy minister to respond to this question.
Ms. Keenainak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) Currently, the Department of Health does not have a program to deal with dialysis in Nunavut.
Any patients currently would have to go to a major centre so it’s not part of minor projects and small capital O&M right now.
Mainly those two funds are looking at some replacement of existing equipment we have in the community to whether it needs to be replaced or if an emergency occurs where we need to do a replacement.
Mr. Hickes: Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.
Can the minister give me the number of how many people have to access dialysis outside of our territory?
I cannot respond to that question at the present time.
I appreciate that comment and I look forward to receiving that information later.
Would the minister be able to respond to how much it is costing the Government of Nunavut through the Department of Health, through the dialysis being…people that needed dialysis are being sent south to live, not just in and out, it is not an in and out process, it is on a very frequent, regular basis that people have to access the dialysis treatment.
Can the minister respond to how much it is costing the Department of Health to have those residents of Nunavut become residents of southern jurisdictions?
I can’t answer that right now and I look forward to providing that information to the member and members and as our department, we are looking at alternative ways to bring patients to Nunavut rather than out-of-territory.
Mr. Hickes: I thank the minister for that response, Mr. Chairman.
The reason I bring this up is I have a constituent that is in the process of… .
They have to take turns with one parent having to spend time with the child in Ottawa and they are having real struggle coordinating their workloads through their own employment commitments. I know this is not the only instance of Nunavummiut being forced to live outside the territory, away from their family groups, away from their work, away from their peers.
I just really encourage the minister to really take a look at how much this is overall costing the Government of Nunavut and what kind of cost-saving measures could be implemented by utilizing dialysis equipment right here in the territory.
Hon. Monica Ell: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation) I think this was more like a comment than a question but in regard to the patients, keeping them closer to home, and that’s what we are reviewing and we will also keep that in mind when we review that.
Mr. Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) small capital. (interpretation) It states (interpretation ends) yearly allocation, (interpretation) it states (interpretation ends) vehicles.
I would like to ask the minister, for adult patients, sometimes there is no transportation for patients going to the health centre.
Has your department considered this?
Sometimes the patients have no money to take a taxi.
Have you considered that aspect?
Chairman (interpretation): In terms of your question (interpretation ends) I think that is more into the operations and maintenance budget.
The community transportation isn’t part of our departmental mandate as the Department of Health.
We would have to discuss this matter with our colleague responsible for Community and Government Services. At this time, some communities utilize the bylaw officer’s vehicles to transport patients and that is how some communities resolve this issue.
We are currently on general comments (interpretation ends) to the minister’s opening comments.
Ms. Angnakak: Were you still calling for general comments?
Oh, sorry, my mistake.
No, when we get into the budget.
We will now proceed to page by page review of the capital estimates, staring with page H-3.
Do members agree that we conclude? Are there any questions regarding the capital estimates in H-3?
I just want to ask about the Qikiqtani General Hospital just to see if it’s fully functional and is it large enough to accommodate the demand put on it?
If I can, I would ask that my deputy minister be allowed to respond to that question. With your approval if you don’t mind?
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Ms. Keenainak
Because the Baffin Regional Hospital renovations are 18 months behind, there are some issues of space and a number of them are kind of farmed out within the community.
We are hoping that once the renovations are done in about 18 months, we will be able to move a lot of the services back into the hospital, so that there will be kind of a one-stop-shop.
In terms of the design of the hospital will meet the majority of the demand for the population when the design was made, but the population has increased. So, right now the design that was done will just meet what was the need now. But if we’re looking for future, we will likely need additional space.
As per Rule 6(1), I now recognize the clock and will report progress.
Sergeant-at-Arms, please assist the minister’s staff.
Your committee has been considering Bill 2 and the capital estimates, and would like to report progress.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Is there a seconder?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) This House stands adjourned until Monday, March 17, at 1:30 p.m.
Pages 374 – 424
Opening Prayer 374
Speaker’s Statement 374
Ministers’ Statements 375
Members’ Statements 377
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 382
Oral Questions 383
Tabling of Documents 400
First Reading of Bills 400
Second Reading of Bills 401
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 402
Report of the Committee of the Whole 423
Orders of the Day 424
Monday, March 17, 2014 374
030 – 4(1): Minister Absent from the House (Ugyuk) 375
031 – 4(1): NHC Tenant Engagement Campaign (Kuksuk) 375
032 – 4(1): Canada Appeal of Seal Ban at WTO (Taptuna) 376
033 – 4(1): Baby’s First Library Book Bags (Quassa) 376
034 – 4(1): 2014 Laura Ulluriaq Gauthier Scholarship (Okalik) 377
083 – 4(1): The Need for Early Childhood Education (Mikkungwak) 377
084 – 4(1): Food Prices in Gjoa Haven (Akoak) 378
085 – 4(1): Kugluktuk Participants at the 2014 AWG (Taptuna) 379
086 – 4(1): The Need for an Elders’ Strategy (Angnakak) 379
087 – 4(1): Taking Advantage of Educational and Training Opportunities (Savikataaq) 380
088 – 4(1): Financial Support for Seniors (Joanasie) 381
089 – 4(1): Appreciation for the Reopening of Pond Inlet Arena (Enook) 381
083 – 4(1): Heavy Equipment Operator Training (Savikataaq) 383
084 – 4(1): Food Price Surveys (Akoak) 385
085 – 4(1): Need for an Elders Strategy (Angnakak) 386
086 – 4(1): Financial Support for Seniors (Joanasie) 386
087 – 4(1): NNI Policy (Hickes) 388
088 – 4(1): Status of Old Airport Terminal Building in Sanikiluaq (Rumbolt) 389
089 – 4(1): IQ Principles and Values (Shooyook) 390
090 – 4(1): The Need for Early Childhood Education (Mikkungwak) 392
091 – 4(1): Public Agencies Council (Angnakak) 394
092 – 4(1): Supporting our Nunavut Nursing Graduates (Hickes) 395
093 – 4(1): Baker Lake Elders’ Group (Mikkungwak) 397
094 – 4(1): Constituents Request for Funding (Shooyook) 398
095 – 4(1): Need for Expansion at the Andy Aulatjut Elders’ Centre (Savikataaq) 399
024 – 4(1): 2007-2012 Early Childhood Development (ECD) Report (Quassa) 400
025 – 4(1): Student Loan Fund 2011-2012 (Quassa) 400
026 – 4(1): Student Loan Fund 2012-2013 (Quassa) 400
011 – 4(1): Recognition of Inuit Societal Values and Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit – Notice (Shooyook) 400
Bill 03 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 3, 2013-2014 – First Reading 400
Bill 04 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 4, 2013-2014 – First Reading 401
Bill 05 – Interim Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, April 1, 2014 to July 31, 2014 – First Reading 401
Bill 03 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 3, 2013-2014 – Second Reading 401
Bill 04 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 4, 2013-2014 – Second Reading 401
Bill 05 – Interim Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, April 1, 2014 to July 31, 2014 – Second Reading 402
Bill 02 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2014-2015 – Health – Consideration in Committee 402
Bill 02 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2014-2015 – Nunavut Arctic College – Consideration in Committee 412
Mr. Tony Akoak, Ms. Pat Angnakak, Hon. Monica Ell, Mr. Joe Enook, Mr. George Hickes, Mr. David Joanasie, Hon. George Kuksuk, Hon. Johnny Mike, Mr. Simeon Mikkungwak, Hon. Paul Okalik, Hon. Keith Peterson, Hon. Paul Quassa, Hon. George Qulaut, Mr. Allan Rumbolt, Mr. Alexander Sammurtok, Mr. Joe Savikataaq, Mr. Isaac Shooyook, Hon. Peter Taptuna, Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk.
Speaker (Hon. George Qulaut) (interpretation): Ms. Ugyuk, can you say the opening prayer this afternoon, please.
Speaker (interpretation): Good afternoon, Members, Ministers, Premier, as well as our visitors and all Nunavummiut. Before we begin, I would like to remind you to turn off your BlackBerrys or cellphones or put them on vibrate mode. They are quite loud when they ring inside the Chambers.
Speaker’s Statement
Before proceeding with the orders of the day, I wish to make a statement.
I am very pleased to take this opportunity to announce that the 2014 nominations for the Order of Nunavut open today.
As the House is aware, the Order of Nunavut Act came into force on January 1, 2010.
The Order of Nunavut Advisory Council, which I have the honour of chairing, considers nominations to the order and makes recommendations to the Commissioner of Nunavut, who serves as the Chancellor of the Order.
Nomination forms are available from the offices of Members of the Legislative Assembly and can be obtained on the Legislative Assembly’s website.
Nominations must be received by August 29, 2014 and the investiture ceremonies will take place later this year.
On behalf of my colleagues on the Order of Nunavut Advisory Council, I encourage all Nunavummiut to consider submitting nominations for the council’s consideration.
That was my announcement regarding the order.
Minister’s Statement 030 – 4(1): Minister Absent from the House (Ugyuk)
I wish to advise members that the Hon. Tom Sammurtok will be absent from the House today for medical reasons.
Speaker (interpretation): Ministers’ Statements. (interpretation ends) The Hon. Minister, Mr. Kuksuk.
Minister’s Statement 031 – 4(1): NHC Tenant Engagement Campaign (Kuksuk)
Good day, my colleagues and all Nunavummiut. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to inform my colleagues in the Legislative Assembly about the Nunavut Housing Corporation’s Tenant Engagement campaign.
This campaign aims to inform tenants of the costs of public housing and also encourages tenants to participate in reducing the overall costs of Nunavut’s public housing system.
The cost of maintaining one public housing unit is approximately $23,000 per year, and reducing the cost of public housing is an important step to strategically address Nunavut’s housing crisis, as outlined in Igluliuqatigiilauqta, the GN Long-term Comprehensive Housing and Homelessness Strategy.
Mr. Speaker, the Tenant Engagement campaign will help to improve communication between tenants and their local housing associations.
It will also provide tenants with the information they need to help them properly care for their homes.
The first major initiative of the Nunavut Housing Corporation’s Tenant Engagement campaign is the 2014 Housing Calendar in four languages, which will be distributed to all public housing households.
Mr. Speaker, this calendar offers tips and advice each month on basic home maintenance, damage prevention, and what to look for in terms of maintaining a safe and healthy environment inside homes.
The Nunavut Housing Corporation will continue to build on this multi-year effort for tenant engagement and communication. Mr. Speaker, our goal is to have strong and trusting relationships with all public housing tenants.
Plans for future years include a new website, social media and radio initiatives and other tools such as how-to videos. I look forward to updating the members on these initiatives as they come online.
Mr. Speaker, a person’s home has a deep impact on all other aspects of their life. The Nunavut Housing Corporation takes great pride in the housing it provides to Nunavummiut and hopes that everyone can share in this pride. (interpretation) Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.
Ministers’ Statements. (interpretation ends) The Hon. Member, Premier of Nunavut, Mr. Taptuna.
Minister’s Statement 032 – 4(1): Canada Appeal of Seal Ban at WTO (Taptuna)
Hon. Peter Taptuna: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon, colleagues, Kuglukturmiut, and Nunavummiut.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to update members on the status of the World Trade Organization’s ruling to uphold the European Union’s ban on seal products and Canada’s participation in the appeal hearing that begins today until March 19, 2014.
The Government of Nunavut wholly supports Canada in its appeal and presence at the Geneva hearing this week.
We have been working closely with federal counterparts to provide the necessary and relevant information related to seal harvesting in Nunavut and the potential impacts of such a ban.
Mr. Speaker, the indigenous communities’ exception has little, if any, value, as the European Union’s ban has already devastated the market for seal products.
This ban, based on so-called public morality, sets a dangerous precedent that should concern any manufacturer seeking to export products arising from sustainable harvests and renewable resource industries.
Mr. Speaker, the World Trade Organization is expected to deliver its responses by mid- to late April on the hearing in Geneva. We are monitoring this situation closely.
Mr. Speaker, I ask members to join me and show support to Canada’s delegation led by Canada’s Minister of Environment and MP to Nunavut.
Ministers’ Statements. (interpretation ends) The Hon. Member, Mr. Quassa.
Minister’s Statement 033 – 4(1): Baby’s First Library Book Bags (Quassa)
Mr. Speaker, our government has made education a priority area for action. As we develop education programs and services, it is important to recognize that a child’s learning begins at birth and parents are the first teachers of their children.