EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Will the Premier commit to tabling a complete copy of the report and its recommendations on the first day of the fall sitting of the Legislative Assembly so that all members have the opportunity to review its contents?
Hon Eva Aariak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to thank the member for asking that question, who would like to see the final report after the completion.
Yes, we will make it public and I will table it when it’s completed.
The Member for Quttiktuq has another question.
Question 526 – 3(2): Nutrition North Canada Program (Elliott)
My question is directed to the Premier, the Hon. Eva Aariak.
Mr. Speaker, further to my Member’s Statement earlier, I know that the Premier was in Ottawa last week to meet with Minister John Duncan, Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada.
I was wondering if the issue of the Nutrition North Canada Program came up and whether she could share with us what the discussion was.
Hon Eva Aariak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to thank the member from Quttiktuq for his question.
I met with Minister Duncan and we discussed various topics, including the Nutrition North Canada Program.
I asked what the status of the program was as well as what the contents were.
The response I received is that many people have issues and concerns with the Nutrition North Canada Program, as the Member for Quttiktuq has pointed out, and I thank the member for voicing their concerns on this new program, particularly with respect to the High Arctic communities.
From the initial stage to date, they have maintained their position that the program will be initiated on April 1.
On top of that, I would like to say that many people of Nunavut are quite concerned about the Nutrition North Canada Program and food mail in particular.
This program is just in its initial stage, and we want to work with the federal government on this program to ensure that it is beneficial to Nunavummiut. That is what we would like to see.
We also want to warrant if prices will be impacted and if it will indeed lower the cost of groceries as this is very important to Nunavummiut.
During our meeting, I made a presentation that the people of Nunavut are quite unique and come from a different perspective on this issue as some residents don’t order food simply because their income level is insufficient to order food mail.
For example, if we look at an income support recipient, their income is such that they can’t save $5,000 to be able to order food via this program.
The need to have a large income means that some people cannot save enough to be able to order their groceries through sealift.
That was just one of my examples and we discussed many topics, although I only mentioned this one.
I would also like to state that the government has established a committee that will review this to make sure that they communicate with the people of Nunavut and to make sure that they receive complaints and concerns with this government advisory body.
At this time, there are five Inuit members on this advisory board.
We will provide them with information as we receive them of this (interpretation ends) Government of Nunavut Committee Monitoring the Nutrition North Canada Strategy Program. (interpretation) This program has not yet been established; it will be initiated and implemented on April 1.
At that time, we will find out what benefits and issues there are.
We are quite concerned since we are representing Nunavummiut because it drives the cost of groceries up. We would like to make sure that this program does not increase the cost.
We hear from the stores that it is going to have an impact on them too.
Your supplementary, Member for Quttiktuq.
I just want clarification from the Premier’s answer. I wasn’t sure in terms of when she was talking, the board that has the Inuit representation, was that a board set up within the Government of Nunavut and something the Government of Nunavut has done or is that the federal government Nutrition North Canada Advisory Board that’s been set up to monitor the program?
Are there two separate boards that she’s talking about or is there one?
I will elaborate further on that. This is a huge issue and it is very important to Nunavummiut. The Nunavut government has established a committee to support the people of Nunavut and to monitor the Nutrition North Canada Program.
(interpretation ends) The goal of the committee is to identify issues of concern to Nunavummiut and taking steps to address them, including drafting intergovernmental correspondence, drafting communications for the public in Nunavut, and other activities in support of what INAC is doing.
Thank you, Uqaqtittijii.
Member for Quttiktuq, your second supplementary.
Mr. Elliott: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.
That’s the first time that we have actually heard about that committee.
I was wondering if the Premier could commit to letting us know who is on the committee, what the committee makes up, and possibly when they will be meeting.
With what I mentioned in my Member’s Statement about letters that I have been addressing to the advisory board to get clarity on different parts of the program and possible changes as the program rolls out, it would be nice to include the committee that she is talking about as a carbon copy as well.
So if the Premier could commit to that.
I would like to thank the member for asking that question and for requesting a carbon copy.
There are three from the Department of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs: Paula McRae, Letia Obed, and Mark Sheridan; also the territorial public health nutrionist, Jennifer Wakegijiq; I hope I pronounced the name properly and I apologize if I didn’t, Jennifer; also from the health and social services department, program support, B.J. Barnes.
We believe that even though the federal government has their advisory board, the GN should have a committee because it’s very important. We need to monitor this and we are sure that they are going to be working together.
Speaker (interpretation): Your final supplementary, Member for Quttiktuq.
Like I said, it was a surprise that the actual committee exists.
I guess that leads me to my next question. Does the Government of Nunavut actually have an official position on the new Nutrition North Canada Program in terms of outlined in a briefing of some sort explaining to Nunavummiut what they feel and what their stance is on this program?
This is alive and we are now discussing the issues. Probably all of us are trying to get a clearer understanding of this program and what the Nutrition North Canada Program might mean to us as northerners.
Before the initiation on April 1, I cannot exactly tell you how it is and what our position is because there are other issues that we need to get clarified before April 1. We will be monitoring this very closely as it progresses.
Inuit of Nunavut are quite concerned about the issues and we are very sensitive to their concerns.
I would like to see a close working relationship. I believe that all Members of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut are quite concerned about the Nutrition North Canada Program and we will all monitor it in the near future as it progresses.
Question 527 – 3(2): Solid Waste Management (Ningark)
I am not too sure who to direct this question to, either to Madam Premier or to the Minister of Community and Government Services.
In the communities, who is responsible for community waste and solid waste?
Perhaps I’ll direct my question to the Premier and she can redirect me if she wishes.
Who is responsible? Is it the federal government, the Nunavut government, or the municipality that is responsible for solid waste and community waste?
Speaker (interpretation): The Member for Akulliq would like to ask his question to the Minister of Community and Government Services, Minister Kusugak.
With regard to solid waste dumps, this is an issue dealt with by all levels of government, especially the collection of garbage from housing units and personal homes.
The hamlet looks after that particular aspect of collecting garbage, and that is what I can state for now.
I thank the minister for informing me on this issue.
With regard to these community dumps, I was taken to the community waste and dump site in Repulse Bay.
It is rather large and becoming taller or bigger.
A lot of hazardous, toxic chemicals are lying right on the ground or within the vicinity.
They are just exposed to the weather and they are not even covered over. We were informed, Mr. Speaker, that these hazardous, toxic chemicals are dangerous.
That is why I’m asking if the minister looks after these kinds of substances. Do they have funding to deal with the hazardous substances in these community dumpsites?
Is this part of the plan? That is my question to the minister.
That question is directed to the Minister of Community and Government Services.
Yes, they are making plans and they are trying to determine the status so that they can resolve the issues related to that matter.
We have many items to deal with related to our mandate, and many communities have different issues to resolve, and this will continue. If a new issue surfaces, then I will inform the member on any developments.
Our officials are working on this matter right now to look at options and what would be the best approach. They are checking to see what problems exist and what needs to be resolved in the communities. They are currently compiling the data on what needs to be dealt with in the various communities.
They will still be working on these issues that they need to resolve even after this sitting.
Your second supplementary question, Member for Akulliq.
As we have been informed, this is an issue being dealt with by various levels of governments, but our local hamlet is very concerned and they feel it’s a pressing issue to deal with hazardous issues.
They went and had me visit these sites a couple of times now.
This is an urgent issue and it’s becoming a pressing one. We have read that Repulse Bay doesn’t even have a water licence.
I would like to request the minister to see how I can most expediently deal with these issues and to resolve these issues that are presenting a danger to the environment, to the animals, and to the residents of the community. I believe it impacts our whole environment.
No one is just waiting around for these things to crop up.
As I stated, we’re working and collaborating with various levels of government, including the local governments and our federal counterparts. We’re also working with an environmental assessor to look at the kinds of hazards we may face in the community waste sites.
Over the years, no one has really looked at this issue with hazardous materials and these communities are in various states. Some of them have licences while other communities don’t.
To reiterate, we will continue to work with communities within our various government departments to try to identify what challenges we have. Once we have identified them, we will proceed with a plan of action. It seems to be a recurring theme throughout Nunavut to have a proper community waste site.
Your final supplementary, Member for Akulliq.
Mr. Ningark (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank the minister for his candid response.
Perhaps in the second or third session, the minister can inform the House after he has conducted the research so that he can inform me prior to my return home.
Maybe he can provide more information as to where they are in terms of the entire process.
Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): Yes, we are in the process of planning and we have tried to come up with an actual list so that we can start progressing on this file.
There are various factors and challenges we face in the communities, but we will continue to try and make progress.
If any unforeseen circumstances crop up, then I’ll let the member know.
At this time, they’re trying to resolve the various challenges that they have, what would be the most effective and efficient way of dealing with these issues.
So they’re coming up with a list of options as to how best we can deal with it. I believe it will be ongoing and it will be completed before the end of this session.
Question 528 – 3(2): Discrimination in the Workplace (Schell)
My question is for the Hon. Minister for Qulliq Energy and for CG&S and it is regarding discrimination in the workplace.
My understanding is that in some cases, there has possibly been discrimination against Inuit in the workplace. In some cases, there has been discrimination against people from Pakistan and even from the West Indies. In other cases, gays and lesbians and in some cases, even women are being discriminated against.
My question is: what is the minister doing to deal with discrimination in the workplace?
The question is for the Minister responsible for the Energy Corporation.
Discrimination in the workplace will not be tolerated by the Qulliq Energy Corporation.
As I know of right know, I am not aware of any discrimination that is happening, Mr. Speaker.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Minister. Your first supplementary, Member for South Baffin.
As we all know, there are three lawsuits on the go, and I understand that the minister can’t talk about it, and one is from an Inuk in Baker Lake and two are from women who used to work here in Cape Dorset.
My understanding is that there is a possibility, and I didn’t say there was, of some discrimination in these cases.
So my question is: what is the minister doing to make sure that there aren’t going to be other cases coming forward from people being discriminated against?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Minister responsible for the Qulliq Energy Corporation.
Hon. Lorne Kusugak: Yes, Mr. Speaker, maybe my colleague has better stats and information than I do, but I only am aware of one court case or two people and nothing with Baker Lake, so maybe you might want to share that information.
I can’t work on assumptions, Mr. Speaker. I should say right now that I am not aware of any discrimination in the workplace.
Your second supplementary, Member for South Baffin.
Well, I don’t know if there is a lawsuit on the go, but apparently there was an Inuk in Baker Lake who was fired from his position and I think it had something to do with him being an Inuk, and that’s all I’m saying right now. Maybe the minister should follow up and find out what’s going on, but my understanding is that he was fired because he was an Inuk.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. The question is directed to the Minister responsible for the Qulliq Energy Corporation.
Hon. Lorne Kusugak: Yes, Mr. Speaker, thank you for the question.
The firing had nothing to do with the individual’s race.
The individual who was let go under mutual agreement happened to be an Inuk, Mr. Speaker.
Being a beneficiary myself, and even if I wasn’t, I would not tolerate any discrimination in any workplace that I have a say in, Mr. Speaker.
There was absolutely nothing to do with discrimination in terms of the letting go of the individual in question.
In that, Mr. Speaker, the individual had a confidential agreement clause and QEC will respect that agreement.
Member for Nattilik would now like to ask a question.
Question 529 – 3(2): Regional Treatment/Healing Centres (Ugyuk)
I would like to ask a question to the Minister of Health and Social Services.
We have heard that there will be a treatment centre opened in the regions.
With regard to the treatment centre that will be placed in the Kitikmeot, I would like to know if this will be placed in Cambridge Bay.
The question is directed to the Minister of Health.
During our budget review, there was information related to how the centres would be planned out.
We have to revise part of our design plans, but to date, we cannot say how it will turn out exactly.
What I can state is this: if Cambridge Bay is determined to be the site, it would be because they have a facility they can convert to a centre.
It has been brought up from time to time when we have discussed these facilities, and we will continue to keep the community in mind when making that decision.
We also need a treatment centre for the Baffin region.
Those are the priorities we currently have.
With respect to the final plans, we have not reached that stage yet. We still have to finalize parts of it.
It is currently being worked on by the Mental Health Division in Cambridge Bay and they are working on the plans for a centre in that community.
When we are dealing with the main estimates, we will be able to provide more details on this matter.
However, we know for a fact that the funding for the Community Wellness Program falls short of the demands.
We try to provide assistance to people who have concerns about alcohol abuse and they have some assistance via that program.
Your supplementary, Member for Nattilik.
I would like to add to my question.
In Kitikmeot, when you are working on programs and services that will be within the treatment centre, I would like to suggest that our hamlets in the region are involved during the consultation process.
The supplementary question is for the Minister of Health.
Yes, I find it pleasant to hear that we have full support of all of the communities in the regions with respect to the need to provide treatment.
What we can state currently is that we are working out the details related to the centres, and our capital planners are working on the final costs of the facilities and also seeing if we have the available resources here in Nunavut.
We are looking for people who would administer and manage the facility.
We don’t have a lot of people well versed in substance abuse and we would have to train workers further when the facilities are established.
However, we need to consult the communities because we need their assistance to determine the programs and services they would like to have in the treatment centres.
We have many people who are willing to provide assistance.
I will let the member know exactly where we are, as the plans are being finalized, and we will ensure that we consider all of the comments that have been voiced on this matter.
Yes, we have been informed that the treatment centre had been proposed to be placed near the settlement of Umingmaktok. It is currently home to a tourism facility and it would also be a treatment centre if this proceeds.
Will this project be approved for that place?
I would like to understand since treatment centres have a different mandate than healing centres and I know that they offer programs. So I would like to know which type of facility it will be.
As I mentioned earlier, I cannot exactly tell you what it will look like.
We are in the development stages of the program and services.
During our budget session for 2011-12, we will have to discuss what kind of programs will have to be offered at the centre. We are just working on the planning stages at this point.
In Cambridge Bay, there is a facility already in place.
We are thinking about Cambridge Bay, but there are other communities as well, like Coral Harbour, where they have a men’s health support group.
There are lots of men’s organizations coming up and being established.
We are considering that as well.
We are in the planning stages of how we are going to create all of those programs and services into the treatment centre.
We want to make sure that we have a proper healing centre without having to send people outside of Nunavut.
Do you have anything else to add? Oral Questions.
Question 530 – 3(2): Nunavut Suicide Prevention Strategy (Elliott)
In October, the Nunavut Suicide Prevention Strategy was released and within that strategy, it had stated that “the Partners commit to finalize an Action Plan to be released within three months of the release of the Strategy.”
I was just wondering if the minister could update the House on what is happening with that action plan.
The suicide strategy of Nunavut, including our partners in Embrace Life Council and NTI, is a very important document. It’s a living document and it’s one that is being considered for further work, as the member indicated.
The implementation plan is being worked on right now.
The advice that I have from the departmental officials is that they are slightly behind the actual agreement that they are working on, but they hope to have it done within a month.
I was assured that it will be done by the middle of March.
We are sticking to that plan. We want to see that action plan finalized and signed on so that we can get some of the funding programs directly to the communities and carry on the work.
One of the successful outcomes that the minister had sort of reported back from last year’s success with the program was the ASIST workshops. I’m just wondering: are the ASIST workshops going to be happening again this year in communities?
I remember, I think, in Pond Inlet, there was training of teachers that had happened up there. Is that still happening as part of the implementation process?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. That question is for the Minister of Health.
I’m not directly involved in the formulation of the action plan. I know that the partners are optimistic that the plan will be developed. Once it’s finalized, it will definitely be presented to me and I will want to share it with my colleagues as well.
So whatever is in the document, which all parties are hoping to have completed so that they can get on with the work, I’m sure that will be something that they are considering. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Your second supplementary, Member for Quttiktuq.
So if I understand correctly, the actual action plan or implementation plan hasn’t been rolled out because, over the next couple weeks in session, we will be reviewing O&M and business plans for each government department.
So you are saying that within each government department, that plan has not actually been “actioned” for this coming fiscal year.
The question is for the Minister of Health.
I think the question is in two parts, if I understand it.
One is that the action plan, which supports the main strategy, will be rolled out some time next month and the parties are getting quite close to signing on to that implementation plan.
In terms of the budget proposal, the budget allocations are contained in the main estimates and I’m sure that the member will have a lot of questions once we get to that line item.
I’ll leave it at that, Mr. Speaker.
Your final supplementary, Member for Quttiktuq.
I guess the minister knows me very well.
Since we won’t be in session when this document comes out, would he commit to forwarding a copy to us at our email accounts so that we can see what it looks like and how it’s going to roll out once it’s actually finished?
That is for the Minister of Health.
I certainly will commit to that, and we will try and expedite forwarding it to all of the MLAs and my colleagues on this side.
I wish to advise you that question period is now over.
We can now move on to Item 7.
There are no hands up, so we can now move on to Item 8.
*See Appendix 2 for full text of Return to Written Question 22 – 3(2) filed with the Clerk.
Return to Written Question 022 – 3(2): New Nunavut Housing Directorate Office in Iqaluit (Clerk)
I am tabling the response to Written Question 22 – 3(2).
That is all, so we can now go to Item 9 in the Orders of the Day.
There are no hands up, so we can now move on to Item 10.
There being none, we will go to (interpretation ends) Item 11. (interpretation) Responses to Petitions.
There are no hands up. (interpretation ends) Item 12. (interpretation) Reports of Standing and Special Committees on Bills and Other Matters.
There are no hands up. (interpretation ends) Item 13. (interpretation) Tabling of Documents.
Tabled Document 266 – 3(2): Baker Lake’s INAC Water Use Inspection Report (Aupaluktuq)
I also thank Member Ningark. I wish to table today a copy of the most recent water use inspection report which was prepared by the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada for my community of Baker Lake.
As a courtesy to the government, I wish to advise that I will have detailed questions on this matter at tomorrow’s sitting. I encourage the Minister of CGS and his staff to be prepared.
Tabling of Documents. Member for Nanulik.