EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Through work, Mr. Speaker, the collaborative work we’ve been doing with the health committees, the standing committees in this House Mr. Speaker, at the end of the day, each person in Nunavut and each family needs to be able to work together to stem this tide we’re seeing.
Approximately 77 suicides since March 1, 1999 in Nunavut.
When we are looking for solutions for other things for example to municipal questions, we go to the hamlet, for wildlife and economic development sectors we go to the hunters' and trappers' organizations or the community development officers or through the hamlet itself for health and nursing.
However, the minister knows, I think everybody knows, in a lot of cases it’s the families that are the problem in causing suicide.
You cannot look to all the families because sometimes that’s the main cause.
My question to the minister was can he start making plans now to increase the budget so that the professional people in the community, the local people who volunteer all the time, get a little bit more resources to deal with the families that may cause the problems leading to suicide.
Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the member’s question and I think it’s two and a half years in this House that it’s the first time I really had a serious debate and questions on the issue of suicide.
I think the member’s correct, that the government and the Department of Health and Social Services need to move forward on a more aggressive mental health strategy.
That means dedicated dollars and that’s something Mr. Speaker, that I spoke about in this House several times and that would be the plan of the department.
At the same time, Mr. Speaker, I want to make sure that we’re clear, the member’s correct.
There’s not one reason for a suicide there’s x number of reasons.
Each suicide is different but at the same time we need to be able to help the families and that’s part of the program of counselling and workshops that we’ve been doing at the family level and at the local level.
So the answer to the member’s question is yes that’s part of the mental health strategy that we’re working on right now.
And hopefully Mr. Speaker, when we get to the point of the O&M budget, the member will be able to see that at that time.
Question 337 - 1(5): Funding for Youth Centre, O&M and Staff
I want to direct my question to the Minister of Culture, Language, Elders & Youth.
A while ago I spoke about our young people who have criminal problems such as doing break and enters during the evenings because they have nothing to do and nowhere to go.
As I’m aware, the young people have a youth centre to go to but there is no funding for O&M or for staff.
That’s why they have problems because they have no funding for the use of the youth centre and they have no place to go.
That’s what I said a while ago.
Can the minister tell me if he could provide funding for the use of the youth centre, for the staff and for the O&M so the young people can have a place to go in the evenings.
I have been hearing the same issue for quite a long time in this House.
I know that it is a concern of yours and we have worked on this issue.
As we know, as Members of the Legislative Assembly, we know that we have limited resources and they have to be divided up to the 26 communities of Nunavut and there are lots of applicants out there who apply for funding.
But we don't know what drop-in centres are available in which communities.
Mr. Speaker, as I said last winter, we will be doing consultation tours in the communities to find out what kinds of facilities or drop-in centres they have.
After we receive the information we can look at what is required.
We will then have a better understanding of what is required at the local level.
As we know we only have a small amount of funds, but at the same time you can try to help the young people so that they may be able to have a youth drop-in centre to go to.
I want to encourage you to try harder and perhaps work with your ministerial colleagues to try and find additional funding.
You have to try to work.
As you have said, I am aware that funding is limited in terms of the youth drop-in centres.
You said that you will have consultations in the communities.
I haven't heard about your consultations yet.
You have to try and work and help the young people in terms of getting the youth centre running and a staff member so that we as communities may be able to help our young people with drop-in centres with O&M.
Yes, my colleague is correct, we have to work together in our communities on this issue.
Yes, it has to start at the community level.
The government can't take all the responsibility so it has to be initiated at the community level.
We can't think for the communities as a government.
I know that the communities are in need of drop-in centres and if you want to get assistance we are willing to do so.
I am not satisfied with the response of the minister.
The communities are responding and saying to the government that we need help from the Nunavut Government to try and help our young people.
We in the community of Kugluktuk have a need.
Our young people don't have the help.
They want things to do and they don't have a youth drop-in centre and don't have the funds for O&M.
You are not responding to my question.
As you said earlier, you will have community consultations, and once you have done the consultations at the community level, perhaps you will go from there.
Which communities will you be visiting for community consultations.
Yes, all of us are in support of drop-in centres, whether it is the government or at the community level, we are concerned about young people not having anything to do.
It is like that in almost all the communities.
Because of this, in the coming winter we will do a consultation tour to find out what the communities use and what they require.
So we will think about that in the future, but we can't solve this problem tomorrow.
Yes, to your question, through our consultation process it will help us.
Kugluktuk did submit a proposal to you identifying the needs of that community.
There is no need to visit that community.
It is already identified in that proposal.
So I am saying that proposal is for the operations and for the co-ordinator.
They identified the needs.
Can you, as the minister, commit to starting up a new program and services for your department to address that need.
Mr. Speaker, I guess we see a lot of applications from Nunavut.
We have 26 communities and we have only so much funding to give out to communities.
Sometimes all the applicants are not accepted because of a lack of the funding available.
Mr. Speaker, I will commit to respond to his questions.
Question 338 - 1(5): Mental Health Worker Funding
Mr. Alakannuark (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I will be directing my question to the Minister of Health and Social Services.
In communities, there are quite a few people that go through depression and mental hardship and they don't know who to go to for assistance or for help.
For that reason, how can we get the mental health workers more expeditiously than we have to date.
That's my question to the Minister of Health and Social Services.
Mr. Speaker, in some communities we have noticed an increase in social problems and mental health work.
That's why we have placed over eight psychiatric nurses in the health centres.
Mr. Speaker, if someone is depressed, if they feel they need someone to talk to, there are several different avenues at the community level.
They can go to the mental health worker, where we have a social worker, all communities we have health professionals like nurses, if they need someone to talk to.
At the school, Mr. Speaker, we have a co-ordinated approach with the community school counsellors.
There are teachers, Mr. Speaker, as the member next to me pointed out there is also an opportunity for some of the churches for help.
Mr. Speaker, what the department is in the middle of doing right now, as Mr. Arvaluk pointed out in his earlier question, is a co-ordinated protocol between intergovernmental and departments as well as a broader based mental health strategy following up on what we were working on last year with Inuit values.
That is the messaging that we were doing.
Many individuals are hurting inside, in their hearts, especially our young people and some elders too.
For whatever reason, many don't want to speak to certain individuals.
I was wondering if he could provide some funding or set aside some funding as the Minister Responsible for Health and Social Services so they could have a counsellor for the community residents to go to.
Mr. Speaker, through the Community Wellness Fund that is distributed by the Department of Health and Social Services, each community has an opportunity to identify wellness needs in the community.
Whether it is a mental health worker or special needs programs, support persons.
Or if they wanted to have a workshop in the community.
Mr. Speaker, every community in Nunavut last year accessed community wellness money and we are able to deliver this type of program.
So I would suggest Mr. Speaker, that one of the things the department could do through community wellness is to work, for example, in the member’s community to identify those needs and bring them forward.
A good example is some of the work that is taking place right now in Clyde River through the society there.
Something similar could be accomplished Mr. Speaker, in the member's community.
My last question to the Minister of Health and Social Services.
In Nunavut are the communities informed about these funds being available through community wellness.
Mr. Speaker, the community wellness program is well known in all Nunavut communities and probably one of the most accessed programs that we offer in conjunction with the federal government through the Department of Health and Social Services in Nunavut.
Question 339 - 1(5): Recognition of Caregivers Without Certificates
Today statements were made regarding suicide prevention but in our communities there are social problems.
First of all I’d like to say that when we were running for our positions, we had to be 18 to run for the position of MLA.
With Nunavut Tunngavik you are able to vote at 16. There are a lot of people in Nunavut that aren't able to find job opportunities for the people that are uneducated.
I am wondering if the Department of Health and Social Services believes in striving or working hard to create healthy lifestyles.
As the Minister of Health & Social Services I would just like to know if he recognizes this.
Speaker: Health & Social Services, Minister Picco.
Mr. Speaker, just this past weekend when we were in the member’s home community I think we had an excellent example of what a community can do when it is working together.
They have a family resource centre there which is not only providing counselling for youth but also demonstrating some role model leadership in terms that it is providing family services including Mr. Speaker, some drug and alcohol programs and so on.
I think the member should be very proud of the work that is being done in his community.
We have also just recently been presented with a proposal for taking all of the North Baffin suicide workshops.
So Mr. Speaker, that type of leadership is being funded by the Department of Health & Social Services.
Mr. Speaker we would like to be able to help bring that type of program forward in all of our communities and Mr. Speaker I should also point out that it is happening in many of our communities.
I know there are things happening in my community and when we talk about development in our communities we don't see them being done within the department.
I am just thinking about people that are unemployed in the communities.
These people that are not educated or that haven't gone through the school system often don't have jobs.
There should be an opportunity made available for individuals that don't have an education.
I would just like to ask the minister if he agrees with what I just said.
Mr. Speaker, I agree with the member in some ways and in other ways Mr. Speaker I think that we have to do more. I think we admit that.
At the same time Mr. Speaker you know, assisting the communities, for example the community wellness money that we distribute to each community, in most cases, Mr. Speaker that money is used to hire elderly people.
To hire our elders to work with the youth, with family planning programming Mr. Speaker, as well as counselling services, suicide prevention programs and intervention programs.
Mr. Speaker I think again, it is up to the communities to identify through the community health committees in most cases what the issues and needs are.
And that money is there to help support them.
At the same time Mr. Speaker, interdepartmental work has been going on for the past year and a half, especially through Health & Social Services and Education as well as I might add Justice, with community probation programs in the communities.
So a lot of help is out there Mr. Speaker but we need to do more.
I would like to thank the minister for agreeing with me.
But will his department work hard to make sure these things are provided within the communities.
We support that with almost 6 million dollars worth of programs put right into the communities in Nunavut last year, which included Mr. Speaker wellness programming and counselling Mr. Speaker. It included people ranging in age from our youth to our elders, in different communities.
Again Mr. Speaker that money is available through each hamlet to decide what they would like to do and then hire as Mr. Iqaqrialu just mentioned.
The person doesn't have to be a university graduate or high school graduate.
Indeed Mr. Speaker, when we were in Clyde River we saw counsellors who are unilingual elderly Inuit working with young people.
That model can be used depending on the hamlet when they apply for the community wellness money.
They might want to do something like they have done in Clyde River.
Any community can do that. Any community can do that.
In some communities they have moved forward in that way.
Mr. Speaker, I would agree with the member that the Department of Health and Social Services needs to be able to work in a co-operative fashion with them on that type of program.
Whether it is community homecare or a mental health strategy.
That is the process that we are undertaking right now Mr. Speaker.
The 6 million dollars that the member just brought up.
It is used in communities and they don't seem to be spending it wisely because there are a lot of people that are capable of using it wisely.
We need to use resources in the community.
If they can speak English or even if they don't speak English there is bound to be someone in the community that knows something about counselling.
The 6 million dollars is for all the communities.
Why isn't it being used properly.
Mr. Speaker, I understand the question.
Mr. Speaker, last year we distributed approximately 6 million 800 thousand dollars to the hamlets and communities in Nunavut.
The uptake of that program Mr. Speaker, was 95 percent.
That means only two communities in Nunavut did not access the money because they did not put a plan in.
Each hamlet decides what they would like to do, Mr. Speaker, under building healthy communities, alcohol and drug programs, home and community care, prenatal nutrition programs.
There are several programs using that pot of money.
It is not for me, Mr. Speaker, to say that the hamlets didn't use the money wisely.
We do a review on what they have done with the money.
They submit a plan, a continuum of care, a wellness strategy or program.
We evaluate that at each regional level.
Mr. Speaker, I would suggest to you that some of the good work that is happening, for example in Broughton Island, the program just came out.
It is an excellent job.
It is not my job Mr. Speaker to go in and tell the Mayor and Council what their reality is at the community level.
We are supporting that program Mr. Speaker under the wellness framework.
Mr. Speaker we will continue to do so.
Next year, Mr. Speaker there will be over 10 million dollars available to communities, 10 million 818 thousand dollars for that type of program in those areas that we just spoke about.
Members will note that Question Period is now over.
Item 12. Report of Committees on the Review of Bills. Report of Committees on the Review of Bills.
Item 13. Tabling of Documents. Tabling of Documents.
Tabled Document 050 - 1(5): Kigaviq Fishery of Gjoa Haven Report & Business Plan
Mr. Speaker, I am tabling several documents regarding the Kigaviq fishery, a contribution agreement for the replacement of the freezer and various other reports.
As well as licenses relating to this issue.
I urge the Minister of Sustainable Development to review these documents in detail as they relate to my Member's Statement on November 22.
Tabled Document 051 - 1(5): Marine Mammals and Birds of Nunavut
I would like to table these two publications, in English and Inuktitut, about Marine Mammals and Birds of Nunavut.
Bill 16 - An Act to Amend the Cities, Towns and Villages Act - Notice
Hon. Jack Anawak: Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on November 28, 2001, I shall move that Bill 16, An Act to Amend the Cities, Towns and Villages Act, be read for the first time.
Bill 17 - An Act to Amend the Hamlets Act - Notice
Hon. Jack Anawak: Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on November 28, 2001, I shall move that Bill 17, An Act to Amend the Hamlets Act, be read for the first time.
Bill 15 - Technical Standards and Safety Act - First Reading
Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Iqaluit East, that Bill 15, Technical Standards and Safety Act, be read for the first time.
Speaker: Minister you do not need unanimous consent to put that forward, it is already on the order paper.
We will accept that.
Do members agree that Bill 15 has been read for the first time.
I thought you had already said Item 17.
So I will repeat myself.
The bill has been read for the first time.
Bill 14 - An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act - Second Reading
I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Baffin South, that Bill 14, An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act, be read for the second time.
This bill will change the income tax system in Nunavut from one that calculates Nunavut's personal income tax on the amount of federal tax payable, to a system that calculates tax on the amount of an individual's taxable income.
This bill also makes technical changes to the Nunavut Income Tax Act, to update references relating to the Federal Act.
The bill has had second reading and in accordingly the bill stands referred to a committee.
Bill 15 - Technical Standards and Safety Act - Second Reading
Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Rankin North, that Bill 15, Technical Standards and Safety Act be read for the second time.
Mr. Speaker, the new Act combines the three existing, Electrical Protection, Boilers and Pressure Vessels and Gas Protection Acts, into one.
These Acts were carried over from the GNWT.
The last major revision to these three Acts was completed in 1988.
The proposed piece of legislation sets out roles, responsibilities and acceptable practices for the safe installation of electrical systems, boilers and pressure vessels, gas and elevating devices in Nunavut.
I believe this new Act will allow us to take a pro-active position on electrical and mechanical safety issues.
Do members agree to consider this bill, Bill 15, for second reading.
Bill 15 has had second reading and accordingly the bill stands referred to a committee.
Bill 12, Bill 13, Minister's Statement 96 - 1(5), Tabled Document, Liquor Act Report.
Mr. Puqiqnak will be in the Chair.
>>House recessed at 3.29 p.m. and resumed at 3.55 p.m.
The meeting will come to order.
In the committee of the whole we will be dealing with Bill 12, Appropriation Act No. 1, 2002/2003.
Bill 13, Supplementary Appropriation, Minister's Statement 96 - 1(5), Tabled Document 41 - 1(5), Nunavut Liquor Act Report.
Mr. Havioyak: Koanaqutit, Itsivautaq.
We would like to continue with Bill 12, the Capital Estimates 2002/2003, Department of Health and Social Services.
If we complete that department we would like to continue with the opening comments from the Minister Responsible for Sustainable Development.
Does the committee agree that we will deal with Bill 12, Appropriations Act No. 1, 2002/2003, Health and Social Services Capital Estimates.
Minister Responsible for Health and Social Services, you can now do your opening comments.
Hon. Ed Picco: Thank you, Mr. Chairman and Members of the Assembly, for the opportunity to present the 2002/2003 Capital Estimates for the Department of Health and Social Services.
Mr. Chairman, with me today will be the Deputy Minister of the department, Mr. Andrew Johnson, as well as Mr. Don Maychruk, Director of Finance. We will also have Mr. Richard O'Brien, who is the Assistant Deputy Minister for Corporate Services.
The Department of Health and Social Services is responsible for the delivery of a wide range of health and social programs across Nunavut.
We recognize that such a responsibility requires health facilities that are well equipped and provide for the needs of Nunavummiut.
It is our intention, over the next ten years, to renovate or replace the majority of health facilities built prior to 1985 to better meet the changing needs of our communities.
Specifically in the 2002 - 2003 fiscal year, we will see the start of construction on a new Health Centre in Pond Inlet and the development of the program functional plan for a new facility in Pangnirtung.
In addition to the projects listed in our 2002 - 2003 Capital Plan, we are also proceeding with three major health facilities in Iqaluit, Rankin Inlet, and Cambridge Bay.
Mr. Chairman, as a result of the work to date, the new Baffin Hospital facility is scheduled to be operational in the fall of 2004 with renovations to the existing building completed in the spring of 2005.
The new expanded health facilities in the Kivalliq and Kitikmeot are targeted to open by 2004.
Members are aware, in addition to these major capital projects, we are also proceeding with the expansion of the Ikajuruti Inungnik Ungasiktumi Network, or IIU Network, in more of our communities through the use of matching federal funds.
Over the course of this fiscal year and the next one, I believe that telehealth technology will start to bring increased services to our communities and lessen our dependence on health services in the south.
Mr. Chairman, the Department of Health and Social Services will be very active during the next few years, and the guidance and support of all members is appreciated.
I look forward Mr. Chairman, to discussing our Capital Estimates for 2002-2003 with you and the Members of this House.
Are we agreed that the minister and his officials move to the witness table.
Could you please introduce your officials, minister.
Hon. Ed Picco: Mr. Chairman, with me today on my right is Mr. Andrew Johnson, who is the Deputy Minister of Health and Social Services.
On my left, a man whom you have heard from and who has been with me for the last couple of years, the Director of Finance, Mr. Donald Maychruk.
In the gallery we also have Mr. Michael Hughes, who is working on the Baffin Regional Health facility.
Also, over there with the beard is Mr. Richard O'Brien, who is the Assistant Deputy Minister for Corporate Services and Strategic Initiatives.
Welcome minister and your officials.
Mr. Nutarak, as the Chairman of the Standing Committee on Health & Education, will now make his opening comments.
Proceed, Mr. Nutarak.
As the Chair of the Standing Committee on Health and Education, I am very pleased to have this opportunity to make some introductory remarks as we begin deliberations on the capital budget of the Department of Health and Social Services.
The Capital Estimates for 2002/2003 show that the Department of Health and Social Services has a budget of 5.8 million dollars.
This represents 8% of the Government’s overall capital budget.
Mr. Chairman, in order to achieve our objective of having thriving and healthy communities, it is important to invest in the structures that support the development of health and well-being.