EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
(interpretation) In March of 2012, the residents of Pond Inlet celebrated the opening of our new community arena. The event to mark the opening of the new arena was attended by the Premier, a number of ministers, and our Member of Parliament.
Mr. Speaker, although the community is very pleased to have a new arena, concerns have been raised with respect to a number of physical deficiencies with the facility that have come to light. Can the minister confirm if his department has been made aware of these concerns?
Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to thank the member from Pond Inlet for posing that question. Once large buildings like community halls, arenas, and so on, are completed, we can’t give any more money to fix the deficiencies like lighting, doors, or other deficiencies.
It was the same case with the Pond Inlet Arena and we had to do some minor repairs. Just this past week, from what I understand, there was going to be a review done on the arena with both my staff and hamlet council employees. I’m sure that review has been done already.
Speaker: Thank you, Minister Kusugak. Your first supplementary, Mr. Enook.
The government’s current Capital Planning Process Handbook indicates that systems are to be “inspected and tested” and the contractor is to “complete any minor deficiencies” following the construction of a new building.
Can the minister confirm if all of these steps took place before the new Pond Inlet community arena was turned over to the municipality?
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Enook. Minister of Community and Government Services, Minister Kusugak.
Yes, we followed all of these steps. Prior to it being utilized, we made sure that the deficiencies and safety issues were corrected before we handed over the community arena.
That should delay the opening of the arena. We did take all of the steps that are required.
Mr. Speaker, I believe that it is important for municipalities to be fully involved in the process of inspecting new facilities before they assume responsibility for them. I definitely believe that they should be involved.
Can the minister confirm if municipalities are provided the opportunity to sign off on final inspections of new buildings before the GN turns them over to them?
Prior to any building being turned over, all requirements under the building standards and equipment required is laid out in the legislation. However, I don’t have it in front of me, so I can’t respond to that question. Once I have the information available, I will be able to provide a response further on in our sitting.
In circumstances where significant deficiencies are identified with a new facility after it has been turned over to a municipality, can the minister confirm if it is his department that is responsible for covering the costs of repairing them? Who is responsible for that?
Before it is handed over to the municipality, we make sure that all the deficiencies are repaired. That is the responsibility of the contractor and so are the costs.
For example, in Arviat, there was concrete put in and then it had to be taken out. That was the responsibility of the contractor and the contractor was responsible for the costs. They have to fix all the deficiencies and that’s under the contract.
Question 525 – 3(3): Oil Drilling Around Cameron Island (Elliott)
Mr. Speaker, recently, the federal government announced that it plans to hold a call for bids for oil and gas discovery licences for the Brent Horne Island off Baffin Island on Cameron Island in Nunavut.
I would like to know: is the minister’s department aware of this activity?
Hon. Peter Taptuna: Mr. Speaker, my departmental officials may be aware of this, but I’m not [aware of it] at this time.
If the minister’s not aware, I’m not sure whether… . I didn’t hear him say that he was taking it as notice, so I’ll keep asking the questions.
The oil field referred to is on Cameron Island, northwest of Bathurst Island, and was already the site to exploration and production. As we are all aware, Parks Canada, QIA, and the communities of the High Arctic have been working very hard on creating the boundaries and setting up the IIBAs for the North Bathurst National Park.
How will this activity that will be going on affect the park?
If Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada is putting out a call for work permits, I believe that the park boundaries have already been discussed and agreed to between the participating partners within that.
One of the concerns with the proposed park is that the caribou, which is the Perry caribou, on Cameron Island… . Part of the reason that they were actually working towards having it become a park was because of the caribou and that is where the calving grounds are. One of the huge concerns from the community of Resolute Bay was that Cameron Island, which is where these licences are being sold from, are used for the remainder of the year when the caribou are actually going out and seeking food.
My question to the government is: what is the government’s position on this?
I’m not aware of these discussions that are maybe taking place at the officials’ level, but once I have that information, I’ll surely let the member know.
The fields produced 2.8 million barrels of oil between 1985 and 1996 before it was abandoned.
At this point, these sites are abandoned and with the call for the discovery licences, there is potential of development going on.
Could the minister clearly state… ?
In terms of any work proceeding forward, to avoid confusion, will any company having to do work in this area have to follow the NIRB process to receive all of the certificates and qualifications to be able to work in this area?
Mr. Speaker, under the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement, there is some participation from NIRB in all development, but for oil and gas development, it’s the National Energy Board that reviews and makes the final recommendations to the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada.
Question 526 – 3(3): Departmental Support for the Kugaaruk Crisis Shelter (Ningark)
With respect to the safe shelter in Kugaaruk, which is termed Qimaavik in Inuktitut, I have a question on it directed to the Minister of Health and Social Services.
I know for a fact that this minister and his department, as well as the headquarters and his officials fully support this initiative.
It seems quite obvious that they support these shelters.
Upon my election into this position, which is coming up on four years, I have continually brought up this pressing issue, but things are progressing too slowly. Could the minister direct his staff in Cambridge Bay, along with his staff in Kugaaruk, to give full support to the safe shelter in Kugaaruk?
I don’t know what the bottleneck is.
Hon. Keith Peterson: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank Mr. Ningark for the question.
Mr. Speaker, as Mr. Ningark knows, the health department fully supports the project in Kugaaruk. We are providing funding for the operation of the building. Mr. Speaker, the hamlet there is aware that the facility has to meet the standards and criteria for operation as a crisis shelter.
Mr. Ningark: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the hon. minister for his response.
Yes, I know that headquarters fully supports the development of a safe shelter in Kugaaruk. Why has it taken us about four years to try to get it implemented? Perhaps the hon. minister can assure me, this House, and the people of Kugaaruk that community staff, regional staff is also fully supportive of the facility which is being planned for four year now.
I again thank Mr. Ningark for the question.
Mr. Speaker, the conditional contribution agreement was signed with the hamlet in November 2012 to fund the operations of the crisis shelter in Kugaaruk.
I believe that the hamlet is working with Health Canada to fund the renovations to the facility. Of course, the community has the full support of our health staff in the regional offices and of course, our headquarters office staff here in Iqaluit.
Mr. Ningark: My second supplementary, Mr. Speaker, as I get older, I am beginning to lose my hearing here. I want to make sure that the minister has indicated that he will tell his staff at the local level in Kugaaruk and the regional [offices] to give their 100 percent support for the development of the shelter in Kugaaruk.
Minister of Health and Social Services, I think he’s asking you to speak up.
Mr. Speaker, about a month or a month and a half ago in Cambridge Bay, I actually met with the individual who is working with the Hamlet of Kugaaruk. He gave me a very in-depth, detailed briefing on what the situation is. I can assure Mr. Ningark that the health staff in the Kitikmeot is working with the hamlet in Kugaaruk.
We would love nothing better than to get that facility in Kugaaruk up and operational to serve the people of Kugaaruk. I thank Mr. Ningark for his efforts over the years to get that facility operational. If all the parties involved in this pull together, I’m sure we will get it operational very soon.
The hon. minister has indicated in this House that we are having their full support. Now will the minister assure this House that his headquarters staff will communicate with the regional and community level staff to ensure that they get the message?
Mr. Speaker, by my watch, it’s a little after 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time and it’s a little after one o’clock Mountain Time, where Cambridge Bay is located.
If the phones aren’t already ringing off the hook, listening to Mr. Ningark asking his questions, I would be very surprised.
If they’re not ringing off the hook, they will be ringing very soon.
Speaker: Thank you Minister Peterson.
Question 527 – 3(3): Mental Health Services (Enook)
I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Health and Social Services regarding mental health services.
Mr. Speaker, last week, I had raised several questions related to this facet of health services, but in order to ensure all Nunavummiut understand the issues, I tried to ask with that perspective. At this juncture, I will raise my questions specific to the community of Pond Inlet, which is my constituency.
Mr. Speaker, the community of Pond Inlet is one of the largest communities in the Baffin region and it continues to grow.
As part of the growing pains, community residents often face serious social issues with individuals and families needing support and counselling.
The minister has indicated that approximately 12 mental health workers are currently employed by the Department of Health and Social Services.
Can he clarify where these positions are based?
Mr. Speaker, I don’t have that information in front of me where the 12 mental health workers are going to be positioned.
Like my learned friend Mr. Ningark, with old age, I’m starting to have hearing issues and I take it that the minister has just indicated to me that he will provide me with that information as soon as he can get it.
Can the minister explain how mental health workers are assigned to support and services to communities across Nunavut?
Hon. Keith Peterson: Thank your Mr. Speaker.
Short of yelling, maybe being 6’1”, 6’2”, the microphones are not picking up my voice here in the House. Raise the mic up or I’m going have to lower myself down.
Mr. Speaker, I will try to get that information on the mental health workers.
I know it exists because I had that information last year. I just can’t remember.
The Department of Health is such a huge department. We have over 1,000 employees and god knows how many programs and services, but it’s all very important to Nunavummiut.
In terms of how we assign mental health workers to the communities, I leave that up to our officials.
Depending on the population of the community, there are ratios, population to nurse ratios, for example, and similarly for mental health workers, psychiatric nurses, and that.
They have some formulas that they use to establish where positions would be best located to serve the communities.
I have spoken on a number of occasions in this House of the need for full-time health professionals in the community of Pond Inlet. I have told the minister about this numerous times and I have reminded him. Can the minister provide an update on what consideration has been given to assigning a mental health worker position to the community of Pond Inlet?
Hon. Keith Peterson: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I again thank Mr. Enook for the question. I am very well aware that Mr. Enook has spoken long and hard and raised that issue about mental health workers and mental health services in Nunavut.
I appreciated the support last year when we were discussing the funding for the new Akausisarvik facility that we’re currently renovating that would serve the Baffin region.
Mr. Speaker, I must apologize as well to Mr. Enook. On Friday, I inadvertently said that there were mental health workers in every community. It is a plan to put mental health workers in every community.
We have psychiatric nurses in some communities and they’re being shared. Our officials are well aware of the demand in Nunavut for mental health workers in every community; they’re very important. We are working hard to find the funding for mental health workers or psychiatric nurses.
Again, it is a function of available funding for a lot of priority type programs and services in Nunavut. Sometimes we’re restricted by the availability of housing, office space, and a number of other factors. While we would like to put positions in communities, sometimes we can’t or we’re limited by the amount of services we can provide, but we’re well aware of the community of Pond Inlet’s need for a mental health worker.
The minister has indicated on more than occasion to review the need for mental health support services across all of Nunavut’s communities and revising his department’s service plan so that it specifically addresses the needs that are identified.
I thank Mr. Enook for those comments.
Mr. Speaker, yes, mental health is a top priority for our department. We are getting resources that we utilize across the territory. We have funding through the Territorial Health System Sustainability Initiative helping us.
We are reviewing the Mental Health Act.
We’re limited by what we can do at this time. It’s not going to happen overnight, but I believe, over the years, with the support of this House, that we can put more mental health services and programs in all the communities across Nunavut. I thank you for the support and encouragement, and we will continue to make it a high priority.
Members will note the expiration of the time allotted for question period. We will move on in our orders of the day.
Tabling of Documents. Minister of Community and Government Services, Minister Kusugak.
Tabled Document 319 – 3(3): FPT Ministers Responsible for Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation (Kusugak)
Hon. Lorne Kusugak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to table the federal/provincial/territorial ministers responsible for sport, physical activity and recreation meeting in Inuvik, June 26 to 28, 2012 report.
Tabled Document 320 – 3(3): Correspondence Concerning Health Centre Staffing in Repulse Bay (Ningark)
I wish to table today copies of correspondence concerning health centre staffing in Repulse Bay. I am pleased to note that the Minister of Health and Social Services’ letter to me indicates that the community’s health centre will gain two additional positions in the new fiscal year.
Tabled Document 321 – 3(3): Correspondence from NTI dated June 1, 2012 regarding the Representative for Children and Youth Bill (Aariak)
Hon. Eva Aariak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to table a letter received from the president of Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated on the Representative for Children and Youth Bill.
Tabled Document 322 – 3(3): The Buddy Fund (Aupaluktuq)
Earlier today, I spoke of a commendable community initiative called “The Buddy Fund.” The Buddy Fund helps to provide veterinary health care to animals in the community of Baker Lake. I wish to table a short description of the activities of The Buddy Fund.
I encourage my colleagues to share this information with interested groups and organizations in their own constituencies.
Tabled Document 323 – 3(3): Government of Canada’s Response to the Report of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food (Elliott)
Last week, I tabled a copy of the Report of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food concerning his mission to Canada.
I wish to table today the Government of Canada’s response to this report, which was released today in Geneva on the occasion of the Special Rapporteur’s presentation of his report.
I urge all members to review the document with care.
Tabled Document 324 – 3(3): 2011-2012 Pension Administration Report (Speaker)
Tabled Document 325 – 3(3): Report of Members’ Absences from Sittings of the House and Meetings of Committees and Caucuses for the period October 1, 2012 and December 31, 2012 (Speaker)
Members, I have two documents that I wish to table today.
As required by the Legislative Assembly Retiring Allowances Act and the Supplementary Retiring Allowances Act, I wish to table the 2011-12 Pension Administration Report.
I also wish to table the Report of Members’ Absences from Sittings of the House and Meetings of Committees and Caucuses for the period October 1, 2012 to December 31, 2012.
Bill 54 – An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act – Notice
I give notice that on Wednesday, March 6, 2013, that Bill 54, An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act, be read for the first time.
Bill 56 – Write-off of Assets Act, No. 1, 2011-2012 – Notice
I give notice that on Wednesday, March 6, 2013, that Bill 56, Write-off of Assets Act, No. 1, 2011-2012, be read for the first time.
Motions. Mr. Ningeongan.
Motion 043 – 3(3): Extension of Review of Bill 40, Representative for Children and Youth Act (Ningeongan)
AND WHEREAS Bill 40, the proposed Representative for Children and Youth Act, has been in the public domain for a number of months;
AND WHEREAS the standing committee is of the view that this has allowed Nunavummiut time to consider the proposed legislation;
AND WHEREAS the standing committee desires to hear directly from Nunavummiut on the proposed legislation;
Before we go to debate on the motion, I would just like to remind you that all members have a right to speak to the motion.
The mover of the motion gets an opportunity to speak first and the seconder.
Once I have no more names on my list, the mover has the right to the last reply and that closes debate on the motion.
As the mover of the motion that is before the House today, I am pleased to have the opportunity to speak in favour of its passage.
Mr. Speaker, as I noted in the preamble to my motion, Bill 40, the proposed Representative for Children and Youth Act, was referred to the Standing Committee on Legislation for consideration following its second reading.
Since that time, the standing committee has met with the sponsoring minister on a number of occasions to discuss the bill. As chairperson, I have also been exchanging correspondence with the sponsoring minister.
Mr. Speaker, Bill 40 has been in the public domain since June 6, 2012.
The standing committee believes that sufficient time has passed for members of the public to have had the opportunity to read and carefully consider Bill 40, the proposed Representative for Children and Youth Act.
Mr. Speaker, it is the intention of the standing committee to hold public hearings in a number of communities over the coming months.
A detailed schedule for these hearings will be released in the near future. I anticipate that the comments and submissions that we receive from Nunavummiut will assist members in their deliberations concerning Bill 40.
This process will enable all Members of the Legislative Assembly to make a final determination concerning Bill 40 prior to the dissolution of the Third Legislative Assembly in September of this year.
I would also note that it is important to recognize that even if Bill 40 were to be passed into law today, it would not come into force until such time as appropriate transition measures are undertaken.
Mr. Speaker, it is also important to recognize that careful deliberation is an essential part of the legislative process.
Bill 40 is a not a minor technical amendment to an existing statute.
Bill 40 proposes to establish a new office that will be independent from the government and which will report directly to the Legislative Assembly.
The mandate of the proposed representative for children and youth focuses on issues that are important to every single resident and community of the territory.
I encourage all Nunavummiut who are following our proceedings today to consider making a submission to the standing committee concerning Bill 40.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to conclude by urging all members to support this motion.
To the motion. Seconder of the motion, Member for Amittuq, Mr. Tapardjuk.
Mr. Tapardjuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, have supported Bill 40’s deferral as it requires further review by Nunavummiut.
We are all aware that this bill has been around for some time. It has been reviewed by the standing committee and whenever questions arose, responses would be submitted to those queries.
As a matter of fact, after our submission of further questions to the contents, the responses were just received recently, which is how the process runs.
Mr. Speaker, Bill 40 is the child and youth representative draft legislation that will use the Legislative Assembly as the foundation and not the Nunavut government.
As to how much impact this legislation will have on the average person in our constituencies, we will need to consult with the communities that are most directly impacted.
The other parties have already been consulted, the social services department and the RCMP, who are generally involved in these areas. We have requested comments from these bodies.
However, with respect to the average citizen’s opinions, although an opportunity was opened, most people who get the written requests don’t always respond in writing, especially our older people who are not as dependent on the written word.
It would be most opportune to have a face-to-face consultation where we present our findings and request the public’s comments on this proposed legislation, as Nunavummiut are the ones who elect this government and us members.
Hon. Eva Aariak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to declare my opposition to the motion to defer Bill 40 for the child and youth representative legislation.
Mr. Speaker, the safety and well-being of our children and youth is a priority for the Nunavut government.
Mr. Speaker, we have received a number of comments from Nunavummiut, including comments made by the Members of this House, on this draft legislation for a child and youth representative. The comments state that Nunavut requires this legislation to protect our children and youth.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, the desire to take extra steps to protect our children and youth should not come as a surprise. Nunavummiut are expressing a desire that is universal and cuts across all cultures.
Mr. Speaker, children and youth in Nunavut have the right to effectively and timely services from the government. Bill 40 will create an independent office of the Legislative Assembly to ensure that government delivers.
Bill 40 will give this independent officer of the Legislative Assembly the duties to ensure that the concerns of children and youth relating to government services receive appropriate attention, the rights and interests of children and youth are protected and advanced by the Government of Nunavut, the views of children and youth are considered by government departments and designated authorities, and children and youth have access to the services of government departments and designated authorities.  As an independent officer of the Legislative Assembly, the representative will also provide advice and recommendations to the government to improve the laws, programs, and services for our children and youth and ensure they are effective and relevant.
Mr. Speaker, in exercising his or her duties on behalf of the Legislative Assembly, the representative for children and youth must apply Inuit societal values.