EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
My staff have been giving me information as to what is happening with the re-supply, especially in Arviat. Sometimes the re-supply ships have encountered some problems and they did not have enough cargo and I’m sorry to say that this put the community in an unfortunate position.
Speaker (interpretation): Your final supplementary, Mr. Alagalak.
I would like to ask again, since we did not see holding tanks in the capital estimates.  Is there going to be anything done this winter to fix the holding tanks?
Is there any way that we are going to be reassured that our supply will last us for the year.
It’s different every year and some communities run out of fuel.
We will look into the problem once we look at the capital expenditures or capital appropriations.
I was told that some communities are having a hard time meeting their needs with their present holding tanks. I cannot say at this time whether they are going to have an adequate supply and I guess they will have to be shipped by air if their community runs out.
We will plan this with my staff and I will make sure that everything is adequate.
Question 018 – 2(3): Supplying Lumber to the Communities (Kattuk)
My question is for the Minister responsible for Environment and Housing.
I think he’s been on holidays for quite a while. In Nunavut, we usually have a supply of lumber shipped to the communities. Mr. Speaker, I just want to find out if the communities have been given enough lumber to build houses in the communities.
Speaker (interpretation): Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation, Mr. Akesuk.
We try to make sure that there is adequate lumber to build houses in the communities.
At this time I’m not really sure which communities have received lumber. We will try to make sure the communities have adequate lumber to build houses. I don’t have the numbers at hand right now and I will be able to get back to the member perhaps tomorrow as to how many communities have been shipped lumber to build houses.
Some contractors in the communities have encountered shortages of lumber to build houses. Sometimes when they are trying to build houses they are delayed, especially in my community of Sanikiluaq.
Then they have to charter lumber to the community so they can finish their construction.
I would like to work with the minister so that those contractors have enough lumber to finish their construction.
We would like to have adequate supplies for those contractors who build houses in the communities. What we have to do is look at what happened historically to make sure that there’s an adequate supply in the communities in the future.
I will assure the member that this is what we are going to do.
I thank the minister for his response. Previously the Housing Corporation did not have adequate lumber shipped to the communities for construction of those houses.
The communities that are building houses need to have the houses completed on time.
Just to elaborate that we need to ensure adequate lumber is shipped to the communities.
Speaker (interpretation): That is just a comment.
Question 019 – 2(3): Changing Time Zones (Tootoo)
Thank you, Mr. Speaker for taking the time to recognize me for the second time for a question today.
Yesterday was a rarity for me as I actually had some spare time to take the time to listen to the news on the radio yesterday morning.
At that time I heard some interesting news. I think that there are eight members from the last Assembly that will remember the nightmare that we went through when we tried to change the time zone.
My question is for the Minister of Justice. Is he planning on changing the regulations to go back to a single time zone? That is something that I heard on the news that NTI is trying to initiate again.
Speaker (interpretation): The Premier, Mr. Okalik.
If I recall during our leadership debates, just over a year ago, I promised not to deal with the time, so I will honour my promise and will not have the time of day for such a proposal.
Question 020 – 2(3): Tabling of Dry Cargo Re-supply Survey (Netser)
I would like to go back to my question to the Minister of Community and Government Services. I did not finish so I apologize.
When the results of the survey are completed and so is the government’s review on dry cargo, will she table them in the House?
After we review the report, we will be able to give it to the members if they request it.
The people of the Kivalliq have been impacted and the minister is a member from the Kivalliq Region as well.
There have been a lot of Kivallirmiut that want to get some supplies from the Manitoba region.
What does the minister think of that?
Speaker (interpretation): Can the member rephrase his question to the minister because the member is asking the minister’s opinion about being re-supplied from the Manitoba region.
I didn’t really understand you Mr. Speaker.
Speaker (interpretation): You cannot ask the minister what her opinion is or what she thinks; if you could rephrase your question to the minister.
If we cannot ask the ministers what their opinions are or what they think, how does the government think?
Because the Kivalliq people would like to get their re-supplies from Churchill, have there been any thoughts by the Cabinet or the minister about what the Kivalliq people want.
As I mentioned earlier in Inuktitut, the request for proposals for the Sealift Program evaluation has been awarded to Mariport Group and the consultants will then make recommendations to the Government of Nunavut to improve the general level of sealift services, to business, hamlets and other stakeholders.
Until I see that report or those recommendations, I will not be able to say.
I would like to weigh both sides and decide which is better.
I understand the member when he speaks about his region wanting this and I think they are in support of NTCL. That has been brought to my attention in the past.
However there is a huge amount of money saved with the current shipper.
So, I guess I would have to wait and see what the report says.
The minister stated that they’re going to be saving a lot of money but for those who order privately, we have to pay a whole lot more money.
The customer is the one who is paying the extra cost.
I would like to thank the member for making those comments.
I would definitely like to see the report.
They have consulted all of the communities and I look forward to reading the report that is upcoming.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Your final supplementary, Mr. Netser.
The minister stated that the government is saving a lot of money.
How much money are they talking about saving since we have switched suppliers?
I know that $20 million has been mentioned to me and from what I have heard we are saving approximately $20 million per year.
Question 021 – 2(3): Coast Guard Standards (Curley)
Yesterday, I talked about an accident that had happened in Whale Cove.
The Coast Guard has been very helpful to companies, but when we are talking about small vessels, they are being ignored by the Coast Guard and by the government emergency measures organization.
There is not enough information being provided to people about the small vessels.
We are not doing enough to make the public aware of boating safety. Is it possible for the Minister to talk to the Coast Guard and to the boat builders in Manitoba to make sure that they are properly stamped and Coast Guard approved.
Is it possible for the minister to initiate those discussions so that the regulations are all being implemented?
Speaker (interpretation): Who did you direct that question to?
To the Minister of Emergency Measures under Community and Government Services, I believe.
Hon. Levinia Brown (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) Thank you for that question from the member.
I am aware that an issue was raised regarding the seaworthiness of the boat and I will ask my staff to look into the question of boat standards. I am also informed that, prior to April 1, 2005, manufacturers of commercial water craft applied boat building standards on a voluntary basis only. The standards are now mandatory.
(interpretation) But I really like the comments that you have made and will urge our staff to look into this and also we will work with the Coast Guard.
I will make it very brief.
Is it possible to make it into a program and get the information updated every year? I think it is possible for your department to work with effected entities like the Hunters and Trappers Associations and other departments to make sure that smaller crafts are seaworthy.
And is it also possible for the minister, after consulting with those entities, to make a report to the House?
We could look into the standards and the Transport Canada website and we could work with the Department of Economic Development and Transportation and the other entities that you have mentioned.
We’ll have meetings with them.
Written Question 001 – 2(3): Recidivism Rates and Rehabilitation Programs (Netser)
My written question is to the Honourable Minister of Justice, Mr. Paul Okalik, on recidivism rates and rehabilitation programs in Nunavut.
As of November 1, 2005, what is the rate of recidivism for adult male offenders in territorial custody?  As of November 1, 2005, what is the rate of recidivism for male young offenders in territorial custody?
As of November 1, 2005, what is the rate of recidivism for adult female offenders in territorial custody?
As of November 1, 2005, what is the rate of recidivism for female young offenders in territorial custody?
As of November 1, 2005, how does the Department of Justice measure the effectiveness of its rehabilitation programs?
As of November 1, 2005, what rehabilitation programs are offered to adult and  young offenders in territorial custody?
From November 1, 2004 to November 1, 2005, what percentage of offenders in territorial custody participated in rehabilitation programs?
Written Question 002 – 2(3): Administration and Enforcement of the Liquor Act (Peterson)
My written question is for the Minister responsible for the Liquor Act.
On November 5, 2003, the Nunavut Liquor Act was amended to increase the fines for certain offences under the Act, including the illegal sale of alcohol.
From November 1, 2004 to November 1, 2005, broken down by category of offence and by community in which an offence occurred, how many fines were imposed for violations of the Act and what were the amounts of each fine?
What has been the total number of charges laid pursuant to the Liquor Act during 2005 to date?
Going to the Orders of the Day. Item 8.
Return to Written Question 031 – 2(2): Private Accommodation for Medical Travel Clients (Clerk)
Return to Written Question 032 – 2(2): Nunavut Teacher Education Program (Clerk)
Return to Written Question 033 – 2(2): Government of Nunavut Expenditures on Advertising (Clerk)
Pursuant to Rule 44(2) I am tabling Returns to Written Questions 031 – 2(2), 032 – 2(2), and 033 – 2(2).
Going to the Orders of the Day. Item 9.
Petition 001 – 2(3): GN Staff Housing Policy (Barnabas)
I would like to present a petition dealing with the matter of the recently announced GN Staff Housing Policy.
This petition contains 22 signatures of residents of the community of Arctic Bay.
The petitioners believe that this policy is unfair and unjust and it will result in professional GN staff leaving Nunavut.
Speaker (interpretation): Petitions.  Item 11.
Tabled Document 004 – 2(3): Photos of Decaying Water Pumps (Evyagotailak)
The Hamlet of Kugluktuk has been having some difficulties with the community pump house. I would like to table three photos of the pump house for the information of the Minister responsible for Community and Government Services.
I would also like to ask the minister to be prepared to address this issue during the Committee of the Whole review of her capital budget later this week. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Speaker (interpretation): Tabling of Documents. Mr. Tootoo.
Tabled Document 005 – 2(3): Conflict of Interest Allegation (Tootoo)
I would like to table a nice thick package of documents that are related to point of privilege that I raised earlier today.
Tabled Document 006 – 2(3): Letter of Instruction to the New Nunavut Commissioner (Okalik)
I wish to table the following document; Letter of Instruction to the New Nunavut Commissioner.
Tabled Document 007 – 2(3): A Report of the Health Literacy in Rural Nova Scotia Research Project, June 2004 (Tootoo)
I would like to table a document; the Report on  Health Literacy in Rural Nova Scotia.
I would like to table it in the interest of our former  Health Minister and now current Education Minister.
The title of this document, Mr. Speaker, is Taking Off the Blind Fold, and it says “Seeing How Literacy Affects Health.” I’d like to table this document.
Bill 01 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2006–07 – Notice
Mr. Simailak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I give Notice that on Friday, November 18, 2005, that Bill 1, Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2006-07, will be read for the first time.
Bill 08 – Statistics Act – Notice
I give notice that on Friday, November 18, 2005, Bill 8, Statistics Act, will be read for the first time.
Bill 01 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2006-07 – First Reading
I request consent from this Assembly to waive the two-day notice requirement to allow the first reading of Bill 1, Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2006-07.
Speaker (interpretation): The minister would like consent from the House to waive Rule 62(1) so that Bill 1 can be read for the first time.
Hon. David Simailak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Iqaluit West, that Bill 1, Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2006-07, be read for the first time.
Speaker (interpretation): The motion is in order. All those in favour of the motion.
Bill 01 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2006-07 – Second Reading
Hon. David Simailak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Iqaluit West, that Bill 1, Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2006-07, be read for the second time.
This bill authorizes the Government of Nunavut to make capital expenditures for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2007.
Opposed. Abstentions.
Bill 1 has had its second reading and is now referred to the Committee of the Whole.
Item 19 in our Orders of the Day.
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters. Bill 1 with Mr. Netser in the Chair.
>>House recessed at 15:49 and Committee resumed at 16:17
Chairman (Mr. Netser)(interpretation): Thanks for coming back.
We are going to be dealing with Bill 1 during Committee of the Whole.
We would like to start with the review of Bill 1 and start with the Department of Health and Social Services.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Evyagotailak. (interpretation ends) Are we in agreement we first deal with the Department of Health and Social Services?
Bill 01 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2006-07 – Health and Social Services – Consideration in Committee
I would like to ask the Minister for her opening comments on her department’s plan.
I am happy to be here. Thank you for the opportunity to present the Capital Estimates for 2006-07 for the Department of Health and Social Services to the Committee of the Whole.
I wanted to introduce my staff; I will have two staff with me. (interpretation ends)
Our department’s capital budget is focused on delivering health care closer to home. We are doing this through enhanced services in the regional centres. We are also beginning the work needed to open new continuing care facilities in the communities with the greatest need for this service.
The department is proposing a capital budget totalling $22.732 million. This would be allocated as follows:
$21 million for new construction including design work.
$1 million for furniture, fixtures and equipment for the new Qikiqtani General Hospital.
$380,000 for the replacement of equipment and vehicles, and
$352,000 for renovations at the Taloyoak Health Centre.
The Department of Health and Social Services is giving practical effect to the Pinasuaqtavut goal of healthy communities in many ways through this budget.
Three of the four continuing care facilities called for in Pinasuaqtavut are budgeted for 2006-07.
We anticipate two will be ready for the spring of 2008 if this budget is approved and the additional funding is secured for the following years. These facilities will be in Igloolik and Gjoa Haven as I announced this summer. Funds are also identified for preliminary work on a third facility whose location has yet to be finalized.
The Qikiqtani Regional Hospital will be ready for the spring of 2007, providing enhanced services to both the region and all of Nunavut.
The new Pangnirtung Health Center will be ready for spring 2007 as well. The timeline has been changed as a result of a site change.
I would note that the priority given to the new continuing care facilities means that our plans for replacing health centers in Arctic Bay, Cape Dorset and Repulse Bay have been moved out a year or two into the future.
The average age of a health care facility, as a result of the new regional health centres, is now less 20 years old.
Facility replacement is still a priority for us. The age of a building and the condition determines the priority to be given for upgrading and/or replacement.
You will note that the budget does not identify boarding home facilities in Cambridge Bay and Rankin Inlet.
In Cambridge Bay, the funds voted for 2005-06 will roll over. Design changes ordered by the Fire Marshall meant that the materials needed for the renovations missed this year’s sealift.
We anticipate the center will be ready in 2007.
In Rankin Inlet significant work has been done but approval still needs to be obtained from the federal government.
Health Canada, through the Non-Insured Health Benefits program, is a critical partner in this project.
We expect an RFP will be ready by this time next year.
We would be looking to the private sector to design, build and operate the facility.
Capital investments by the Government of Nunavut make a real difference in the quality of care we can provide. Our new regional health centres not only bring health care closer to home for clients, but they provide many jobs.
And with the ever-growing range of training opportunities available in Nunavut, these are jobs that should and will be filled by people born and raised in Nunavut.
I look forward to your support of the 2006-07 Capital Estimates for the Department of Health and Social Services. I welcome questions from the members of the committee.
Do you have any witnesses you would like to bring to the table now?
Chairman (interpretation): Sergeant-at-Arms, if you can ascertain if the officials are available.
Could you please introduce your witnesses Madame?
With me today, to my right is Bernie Blais, the Deputy Minister for the Department of Health. To my left is Rosemary Brown, our Capital Planning Advisor.
Ms. Brown welcome, Mr. Blais, too.
(interpretation ends) Does the chair of the committee have any comments for the Department of Health and Social Services?
Chairman: Please proceed Mr. Alagalak.
Mr. Alagalak (interpretation): As the Chair of the Standing Committee on Health and Education, I am pleased to make some opening comments on the 2006-07 Capital Estimates of the Department of Health and Social Services.
The committee understands that the department’s budget is lower than in previous years as a result of the completion or near completion of the three new regional health facilities.
The Cambridge Bay and Rankin Inlet health facilities recently opened and the Qikiqtani General Hospital is scheduled for opening by the end of the 2006-07 fiscal year.
Members look forward to an update on the final ownership or lease status of the Qikiqtani facility.
Members would also recommend that the final costs for each of these major facilities be made public as soon as possible.
Members are aware that there are continuing challenges in hiring and housing qualified full-time staff for the three new facilities.
The committee fully supports initiatives to extend training in nursing and other health care fields to communities such as Cambridge Bay and Rankin Inlet so that Nunavummiut have the opportunity to train towards filling more positions in these regional facilities.
The department’s recent X-ray technician course is a good example of this kind of initiative.
The issue of housing for health professionals and staff is a concern, especially in light of the GN’s recent announcement that it will withdraw from providing staff housing over time.
It is surprising that capital projects under the Department of Health and Social Services still include plans for staff accommodation.
In fact, it appears that a number of accommodation units used by the department to house community nurses, physicians or even transient staff such as visiting health specialists, are not fully accounted for in the GN pool of staff units or in the Department’s own capital asset records.
The standing committee recommends that the minister and her officials bring clarity to the housing situation for health staff.
Boarding home services provided both within and outside of Nunavut continue to be a source of concern.
While members recognize that funding is provided for billeting and boarding services through the federal government’s Non-Insured Health Benefits program, the fact remains that with the opening of the regional health facilities, boarding services will be in demand for individuals traveling from neighbouring communities into the regional centres for medical care.
The committee recognizes that the minister and her officials are preparing for NIHB negotiations with the federal government and wish the minister every success in trying to negotiate adequate levels of funding for this important aspect of health care delivery.
The results of these negotiations will also have an impact on the negotiation of contracts for boarding services in outlying service centres such as Yellowknife, Winnipeg, Ottawa, and Edmonton.
Committee members were pleased to note the progress made towards establishing community-based Continuing Care facilities, although this has resulted in other urgent capital projects being deferred for a number of years, like replacement Health Centres in communities such as Arctic Bay.
The GN has committed to opening one Continuing Care Facility for each year of our term in office.
While Gjoa Haven and Igloolik have been identified as the location of the first two facilities, members would note that the locations of future facilities have yet to be determined.
Members continue to encourage the department to undertake capital planning efforts in consultation with communities to ensure that planning takes into account issues such as local transportation needs, population growth, and other factors as identified by local health committees of council.
I am confident that individual members will have comments and questions.
Before we proceed, I would like to remind the members of the following: according to Rule 77(1), you each have ten minutes to speak and according to Rule 77(2), subject to the discretion of the Chair, a member may speak more than once on a matter under discussion but not until every member wishing to speak has spoken.
Do any of the members have any general comments?
I welcome the minister and her officials to our standing committee.
I just want to comment that you recently opened a health facility in Cambridge Bay and our community is very happy that occurred.
I think there were a couple hundred people that showed up and they are very enthusiastic about being able to go to a facility in their home community.
I have talked to people from around the Kitikmeot; they’re looking forward to that as well; a little bit closer to home.
As the minister and her officials know, I have been a vocal...I don’t want to say that I’m a complainer, but I represent the people that come to me. They don’t like traveling to Yellowknife and they don’t like traveling to Edmonton, and this last summer again, they didn’t like traveling to Iqaluit for dental treatment.
So I’m hoping that facility will solve a lot of our issues and problems, and improve the health of our residents and people in the Kitikmeot; we’re really looking forward to that.