EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The RCMP is contracted out and we follow the usual practice.
I have already spoken to the CO and talked our unhappiness over this issue.
We have asked if they can review this matter because the way the system is, it is not benefiting the Inuit of Nunavut.
Mr. Arvaluk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Let me take this opportunity to agree with the Premier for the first time that this is indeed not set up right for Nunavut.
If we pay 70 percent of the RCMP Division, then why don’t I know that fact?
Since we have a contract agreement with the RCMP, I wonder why there is no set policy where the Inuktitut speaking members who are from Nunavut must stay in the North. Can the minister tell me if they can include that in the next set of negotiations with the federal government and the Nunavut Government?
What I say is that when the federal government wants to do some training in Afghanistan, they were able to send the RCMP to carry out the training. Therefore, they can also set a policy that if you are an Inuktitut speaking RCMP, you should be stationed in Nunavut.
I would like to ask that question.
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have an office at the Department of Justice and conduct some issues pertaining to justice there.
The agreement was signed prior to the creation of Nunavut. It’s an agreement for 20 years, so we still have another 10 more years.
We would like to rectify this situation before we go to the next stage of negotiation because we need more Inuit RCMP officers or special constables so that they could provide assistance to the Inuktitut unilingual speaking people.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Premier. Your final supplementary, Mr. Arvaluk.
Yes, we now know as he just told us that we still have 10 more years before it can be changed.
He says, however, that we would like to resolve this situation prior to 10 years is up.
He knows, too, that this might not be resolved before 10 years have passed.
My next question is: will you be planning for change prior to our term is over?
I am not sure if the member is requesting a strategy during this session or the term of our government but we will keep looking for ways during this term.
I’ll probably be able to present a plan in a year.
Question 265 – 2(4): Transferred Staff from EIA to Finance (Tootoo)
I would like to direct my question to the Minister responsible for Finance.
Mr. Speaker, last Thursday I asked the minister for an update on the positions that have been transferred from the Department of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs and the Department of Health and Social Services to Finance.
He gave the information on all the numbers for the staff from the Department of Health and Social Services.
I would just like to ask him if he has information for the numbers for the Department of EIA.
Yes, there were four financial positions transferred from EIA to Finance. Of those four positions transferred, one employee has transferred to another department and another employee has resigned to work with the Government of Canada.
I know the whole idea behind this concept was to strengthen the financial management of the government, but given the numbers that the minister has just provided, roughly half of the people that were processing paper and looking after these finances left.
So I’m just wondering if the minister could give us an update as to how this has helped strengthen the financial management when it seems like all of a sudden, they just chase half of the people away from doing that work.
Yes, he is correct in the numbers of staff leaving, rather than transferring to finance, moving to another government department and also resigning total.
Of the 20 positions that were transferred from Health to Finance, there were nine employees who either resigned or moved elsewhere, but we are continuing work within the Department of Finance to strengthen financial management.
We are in the process now of analyzing all of the positions that we need. We will have an improved knowledge of the job specifications for all of these positions.
This will allow us Mr. Speaker, to start working towards establishing centres of excellence within the Government of Nunavut across all departments.  So all of that work continues and will continue.
The minister indicated that there are nine people from the Department of Health and Finance Division left, and two out of the four from EIA left.
Can he just give us an indication of what steps and when do they plan on having those positions filled so people can be performing that financial function?
Yes, it’s part of all the standardization of procedures that is also taking place within our department. These will be identified and documented as best practices for certain financial functions.
But in terms of the positions themselves that are vacant presently, we’re working as quickly as we can to fill those positions, so that we can get the necessary work done and strengthen financial management.
The numbers themselves show that it may have had the opposite affect on finances and now you have half the people doing double the work.
My question for the minister is: if you have half the people that were performing those duties prior to the transfer have left, how is the department making up for that in the interim where there are 11 to 13 people doing the work out of 24?
The Department of Finance is a large department with everybody working on finance issues.
So we have other staff within the department that is helping these people that moved over to finance to carry out the necessary work.
As we recruit new staff, those new staff will be fully trained by our department to carry out the work and through that, do the necessary work that we wanted them to do in the first place by transferring those positions to Finance.
Question 266 – 2(4): Information for On-The-Land Safety (Evyagotailak)
Mr. Evyagotailak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon.
On the weekend, we were informed of a tragedy in Kugluktuk.
A married couple had been out trapping over the weekend and fell through the ice close to their return to the community.
The tragedy has resulted in a death of one partner and the other has been medivaced to Edmonton.
My deepest condolences go out to their families.
(interpretation ends) I think we can prevent some of those accidents in our communities.
My question is this: what kind of information does the department currently provide to the public about safety and awareness when going out on the land?
In regard to going out on the land, we had tried to put out some information to make sure that people went out safely and fully prepared, to bring all the necessary equipment that they might need in case of an emergency like sleeping bags, and so on.
Elders also constantly advise people on what to bring.
Elders particularly warn about travelling on thin ice.
We’ve been hearing about the thin ice and it is happening in Rankin Inlet. We were told that Lake Williamson’s ice was too thin.
They advised the people not to go through that lake. The elders can be utilized to give advice.
I thank the minister for that answer. (interpretation ends) In this case, I believe that the people may not have been familiar enough with the local area to travel safely.
Has the department considered working with the local community to present information pamphlets to new residents who are planning to go out on the land so they are aware of the dangerous spots in the communities?
The Emergency Measures Agency within CGS works with the communities and give workshops in regard to safety issues.
Regretfully, we hear about those kinds of incidents every year, be it people who have been successfully rescued or got lost.
It’s desirable that people avoid the risks, and I think it’s up to the individuals to go out there and get the information themselves.
But of course, we’ll do all we can to improve the system as there is a lot of room to improve.
Mr. Evyagotailak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Madam Minister.
Yes, it’s very good to let new people who are moving to the communities know because a lot of them don’t know about the danger areas in the communities, especially in Kugluktuk We are by one of the biggest rivers and a lot of areas are very dangerous.
This couple had just recently moved to Kugluktuk. Can the minister commit to keeping the public who are new to the community informed about danger spots they may encounter when going out on the land?
As I said earlier, the Community and Government Services Department doesn’t usually know who is going to be moving where or who are newcomers, but I think it’s a very good idea to contact the entities that deal with emergency and public information.
I urge the newcomers to go and see the hamlet office or the hunters and trappers association and other agencies. I think it would be best if they get that information beforehand and as you probably know we do have cable channels that make sure that that type of information is available.
Question 267 – 2(4): Update on the Government of Nunavut’s Response to Motion Concerning Airline Service (Barnabas)
Mr. Barnabas (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) My questions today are for the Minister of Economic Development and Transportation.
Mr. Speaker, as you will recall, the Legislative Assembly passed a formal motion on November 21, 2006, concerning the urgent need for the GN to work with the Northern Air Transport Association to bring forward an action plan to improve the availability of affordable and reliable air service to our smaller communities.
On March 7 of this year, I asked the minister for an update on the GN’s response to this motion. At that time, he indicated to me that he had not yet discussed the issue with his officials.
Can the minister provide an update today on the status of his department’s actions on this important issue?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Barnabas. Minister of Economic Development and Transportation, Minister Simailak.
We are currently working on this issue in our department and we are looking at how we can work with the Northern Air Transport Association and other entities in Nunavut.
I’m not exactly sure how we’re going to work on this issue as we have different airlines that are owned by different companies and they set their own fares.
With that, as everyone is well aware, it’s extremely expensive to work up here in Nunavut and I think it’s up to us to find out how we can improve the system.
But at this time, we’re not exactly sure how we’re going to go about this as the airlines are privately owned and not operated by the government.
They do have to make it profitable in order to survive up here.
So we’re looking at all those issues to date. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Minister. Your first supplementary, Mr. Barnabas.
Mr. Barnabas (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to thank the minister for his response.
Earlier this year, the Minister informed the House that his department had completed its review of the Nunavut Transportation Strategy.
When will the updated Transportation Strategy be implemented and tabled in the Legislative Assembly? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
It has been updated and implemented, but the federal government will have to give us some funding that will be used for Nunavut.
Once we review that funding and see how we can use it in Nunavut, and after that update as to how the federal government will let us use the funding, then we will know.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Minister. Your second supplementary, Mr. Barnabas.
Mr. Barnabas: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My constituents in the High Arctic continue to have concerns about airline service.
Will the GN’s new Transportation Strategy take the needs of the smallest communities into account?
Yes, that includes all the concerns of the communities in Nunavut.
The GN has a new Fuel Tax Rebate Program to encourage mining companies to explore in Nunavut.
Will the minister commit to looking at similar ways to encourage airlines to improve their service to our smaller communities? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Barnabas. Minister of Transportation, Minister Simailak.
As I stated earlier, we are concerned about the high cost of everything in all communities in Nunavut and we are looking at ways of how we can decrease the transportation cost in Nunavut.
We are looking at all different things.
Question 268 – 2(4): Consider Revising Home Care Policy (Curley)
I rise today with pain and compassion for those individuals requiring home care treatment in many Nunavut communities, in particular, in my constituency.
Mr. Speaker, not all home care individuals who require treatment have the same needs. I would like to ask the Minister of Health and Social Services if she would consider revising in-home care treatment requirements from time limits from nine to five to beyond nine to five, and if not, why not.
The home care services are provided to individuals that require home care assistance, I understand there is some flexibility around the hours of service provided to the patient that requires the treatment.
If that policy is clearly defined in the guidelines of medical services, will the minister make sure that is communicated to local health facilities?
Mr. Speaker, the reason I am asking the minister for that is there are seriously terminally ill individuals that require treatment beyond nine to five hours. In the experience of these individuals is that they suffer and require urgent medical help but they have been denied that in view of the policies that are being interpreted to conflict what the minister just said.
So will she communicate that policy directly to the health centres as soon as possible?
The home care services and hours are a reflection of the level of care required by the patient and where there are individuals who are terminally ill, or end of life support; more hours are added to that.
So if that is not being practiced, I will commit to the member to look into that issue immediately.
The Home Care Treatment Program is very popular and is welcomed by our elders. It has made a difference in a number of communities, including my constituency.
Mr. Speaker, not all the service providers, like medical facilities, have a clear understanding of the policy.
For instance, a terminally ill patient was asked come into the facility. We’ll help you. Mr. Speaker, the individual was not able to dress up and just go.
So therefore, will the minister clearly indicate to this House and to the medical facilities that they must respond to the terminally ill individuals requiring that the nurse is able to come into their home and treat that individual?
I will make sure that the staff is aware of the policy in place and the process that we follow currently which is that any person who wants to get an assessment for home care services can do that.
At the same time, a terminally ill person, their plan of care is developed by the home care nurse.  So I will ensure that the policy is communicated to the Kivalliq staff, not only the Kivalliq staff, again, throughout all the regions, again, and clarify that to the people.
Question 269 – 2(4): Number of Communities Contributing to Infrastructure (Peterson)
Mr. Speaker, the Government of Nunavut’s capital planning process is an important vehicle to discuss and improve large scale education projects, such as high schools.
As you know, funding is always an issue and it is usually a shortage of funding, and additional funds from elsewhere are extremely limited, particularly from hamlets.
My question for the minister: can the minister tell the House, since 1999, how many communities have contributed capital funds to Government of Nunavut projects, such as high schools?
If I heard the member correctly, he asked; since 1999, how many communities have contributed to capital expenditures based on the community’s infrastructure education needs; I have only been the minister since 2004, so I can say that since 2004, I’m not aware of a request by the government to an individual hamlet to contribute dollars toward the establishment of a school, or education infrastructure in a given community.
The only example I can remember since 1999 was, indeed, the situation in the community of Cambridge Bay where there was a request for a school that was larger than, according to our criteria, that would have been welcomed in the community. The community actually contributed I think around $50,000 at that time to expand the size of that gymnasium.
There was also some money put into the Baker Lake school, I believe, similarly on the gym.
I thought the Minister of Education knew all about the projects in Nunavut going back to 1999 and earlier, on education projects in particular.  Mr. Speaker, hamlets have limited funds and fundraising is extremely difficult.
In smaller communities, raising large amounts can often take years.
Mr. Speaker, my question for the minister: can the minister explain to the House under what conditions or policy can the Government of Nunavut require hamlets to contribute capital funds to high school projects?
I know that I had an opportunity to be in a meeting with the member from 1:30 on Saturday to almost six o’clock, I think it was, and so I don’t know where he finds the time to do these questions.
Very simply, Mr. Speaker, I don’t know of a policy in place, or an administrative rule that subjects any given community to an opportunity to contribute.
It’s usually done on a project-by-project basis, and it’s usually done by convention, where, for example, a given hamlet would come forward and say, “Look, the school design, or in this case, the gymnasium, we would like to have a larger gymnasium. Is there an opportunity to have contributions from the hamlet to make it a little larger?”
And then that would be looked at in the context of what the needs of a given community are, for example, what happened in Baker Lake and what occurred in the member’s community.
He asked me when I find time; I always have time sitting right here listening to him when he answers questions.
Mr. Speaker, when a capital project is constructed in a community, particularly a high school project, there’s a high expectation that the project be the top of the line, high quality project.  In Cambridge Bay, we contributed $80,000 towards the Kiilinik High School gym, and received a facility that has substandard gym floors, backboards, and now, stage lighting.
Last year, we identified problems with the trades shop, which was corrected this year.
Mr. Speaker, would the minister commit today to request a complete review and inspection of the Kiilinik High School to bring the high school up to standard with a new gym floor, backboards, and working stage lighting?
Let me say first of all, the Kiilinik High School in Cambridge Bay, as you know, Mr. Speaker, and many Members here in the House know, is probably, first and foremost, one of the best pieces of infrastructure in Nunavut; a several million-dollar price tag.
I would suggest to the member that it is up to standards.
Indeed, the extra, I think it was $700,000, which has been recently put into making sure the trades shop is up to par.
I will commit, Mr. Speaker, to reviewing the capital expenditures in the school to see if we can actually move forward on the concern with the gymnasium floor, and to look at the issue with the basketball backboards, and the lighting.
So I would make that commitment to the member to review that and look at what opportunities that we have here in place.
I should also say that the actual design of the floors was reviewed by all parties and the local DEA around 1999 and 2000 when we were doing the planning, but I understand that the floor is a bit hard and I have been on that floor.
So I would make that commitment to the member.
Mr. Speaker, just to clarify, it is a very nice school.
The area that I’m concerned about, as are my constituents, the students and the parents, is with the gym. The trades shop, of course, it had to be upgraded with the problems with the wiring. Overall, the school is nice.
In 2007 dollars, it’s probably a bargain, because it only cost $17 million and now, we’re looking at $40 million for high schools.
Mr. Speaker, in the private sector, the customer is highly valued. Most businesses would have a slogan that guarantees your satisfaction or your money refunded. As I said, we are dissatisfied with our gym; the floor is like concrete, as the minister has indicated, it’s hard on the kids.
The basketball backboards are cheap. We’ve identified that our lighting that doesn’t work.
The minister has made a commitment. Could the minister commit today that if he can’t rectify these problems, would he commit the Government of Nunavut to refund their $80,000?
I didn’t hear him say with interest.
I’m sure he probably would like to take that question back.
No, I would make a commitment, Mr. Speaker.
I will make the commitment, right now in the House, that we will review the opportunities that may present themselves in being able to facilitate some repairs to that floor to see if we can bring it up to the standard that we have in place right now.  I think there is an opportunity to be able to do that under minor capital.
However, we have to remember that and the members remember that there are a lot of needs out there for capital infrastructure, especially for education. We did see, for example, the pictures of the school in Arctic Bay and some of the other concerns that we have. So I need to be able to put them in that context.
So that’s the commitment that I’m preparing to offer to the member.
Question 270 – 2(4): Number of Communities with Photo ID Equipment (Kattuk)
Mr. Kattuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister of Economic Development and Transportation.
The smaller communities would have problems for some of the photo IDs in the communities.
Can the minister tell me how many communities are able to make photo IDs for their communities?
If I am correct, all the communities are able to make their own photo IDs and are able to use that ID throughout Canada.
In my constituency, we only have one camera and I don’t think that should be the case.
Would the minister be able to speed up the work so that we can have our IDs because a lot of times we have to go through Montreal.
I was told one time when I was getting on, “If you’re going on the airplane, if you don’t have an ID, then you don’t get on.”
Many of our people have to go through Montreal enroute.
Can the minister inform his officials to speed up the process so that we could have a better system for photo IDs in our community? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Speaker (interpretation): Minister of Economic Development and Transportation, Minister Simailak.
Yes, we will speed up the process.
I thought that was done already but we will speed up the process. Once I know, I’ll get back to the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Sanikiluaq.
Lastly, when is he going to find out from his officials and let me know? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Kattuk. Minister of Economic Development and Transportation, Minister Simailak.
I will inform him today as to what has been done for his community.
Question 271 – 2(4): Capital Budget Planning Process (Mapsalak)
Mr. Mapsalak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Finance.
Mr. Speaker, I want some clarification and I asked this question during Committee of the Whole regarding the Capital Estimates.
Is the minister aware ahead of time, once they’re planning for the Capital Estimates, that the Government of Nunavut and the federal government, once they are going to put them in the form of paper, as to how much money is allotted for capital projects for the estimates?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Mapsalak. Minister of Finance, Minister Simailak.
Yes, we know at least a year ahead of time to put into the estimates for the capital projects. In our planning stages, we have an idea as to how much funding will be allotted for the projects and for the five-year capital projects as well.