EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Can the minister clearly explain how the amount of food allowance is determined for medical travel clients who are not staying at a facility which provides meals?
It was a question I myself have asked recently.
When people are travelling on medical travel and they stay at a hotel outside the boarding home due to space limitations, using Manitoba as an example, they typically place them in hotels that are very near the boarding home and food can be delivered from the boarding home to the residents at the hotel.
If those clients so choose to not partake of that service that is available to them, they do get food vouchers provided to them at the rates established from Non-Insured Health Benefits, which is a Health Canada program that Department of Health Nunavut administers on their behalf.
Mr. Mikkungwak: Mr. Speaker, I appreciate that health insurance programs, such as the Non-Insured Health Benefits Program, determine amounts for meals, accommodation, and other benefits for medical clients.
However, those programs should take into account the actual costs of eating a healthy diet.
Can the minister clarify what discussions he has had with health insurance providers, such as the managers of the Non-Insured Health Benefits Program, to negotiate a more appropriate food allowance for medical travel clients?
Myself personally I haven’t been engaged in any negotiations, but I do know staff from the Department of Health are continuous communication with Health Canada regarding NIHB.
They do take consideration into the location of what food costs.
Just as an example, the rate in southern Canada is $50 a day, yet if you were a boarding home in Nunavut the rate is $83 a day.
They do take consideration into the costs of food in the locale, where you’re located.
I understand that the member is concerned that maybe he feels that $50 isn’t enough and I’m sure my officials are listening and in their discussions with Health Canada regarding Non-Insured Health Benefits.
I’m sure this is a topic that comes up very regularly, but again I’m sure they’re listening and we will raise these concerns with Health Canada.
Mr. Mikkungwak: Mr. Speaker, if it is not possible for NIHB benefits or other health insurance benefits to be renegotiated or upgraded, would the minister commit to looking into what it would cost for his department to supplement the amount of money given to clients so that they can eat properly while on medical travel?
Like I said in my very first answer to the member’s questions, there is a food service available from the boarding homes that will be delivered to the residents in the hotels if they are concerned about their dietary needs.
The benefit that is being provided is to people who wish to not partake in that.
There is some choice in the matter that there is healthy food available through our contracts with boarding homes.
That being said, already Nunavut subsidizes some of the programs that we provide on behalf of Health Canada.
We don’t get full coverage through NIHB for some of the rates we are charged.
To take a look at an additional supplement or subsidy to that, to be honest, with the limited resources we have, it’s not something I would entertain right now, but it’s something that I can discuss with my officials on the feasibility of it.
To take away resources to do a study on how much it would cost when those services are being provided through contracts right now, I don’t personally see a valuable use of the resources.
Oral Questions. Member for Aivilik, Mr. Steve Mapsalak.
Question 544 – 4(3): Contract for the Medical Inuit Centre (Mapsalak)
Mr. Speaker, can the minister clarify when the contract will be ending for the facilities used by medical patients such as the (interpretation ends) Kivalliq Inuit Centre (interpretation) that I am referring to, where patients from our region fly to?
This is the contract for management of that centre.
The current end date on that contract is May 31, 2017 and there is one more extension available to us.
As per the minister’s response, they can always extend the contract.
Mr. Speaker, the Kivalliq Inuit Centre has to be totally operational such that it is enjoyed by our patients.
I wonder, once the contract renewal window has opened, if the minister knows the period or for how many years this contract will last.
Hopefully I was understandable with my question. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I can’t speak to what future negotiations may close out at as far as a length of term. I do know that we have very strict conditions within our contract on the type of service that is available.
If the member or constituents or medical travel patients feel that the services aren’t being met, I would strongly encourage them to contact our medical travel personnel or Patient Relations as well as the boarding home itself has a line where people can raise concerns to the executive director there.
I believe I had sent the contact information to the Kivalliq Inuit Association’s board of directors and some of the executives to one of the other members.
If the member wants that list from me, he is welcome to get it from me and he can raise his concerns with them as well.
Perhaps the people who are managing this are a private business and they can try to apply for the RFP.
Do they use the NNI Policy when awarding a contract for this kind of service?
I don’t know specifically with this contract, but it’s my understanding that all government contracts on a service provided, we use proper procurement policies for the Government of Nunavut, which would include NNI.
Question 545 – 4(3): Heating Oil Tanks (Rumbolt)
Good morning and good morning to my grandson Jayden, who’s probably still sleeping right now, but he might watch the reruns later today.
As the minister is aware, the Nunavut Housing Corporation’s Heating Oil Tank Replacement Program provides financial assistance to Nunavut homeowners for the replacement of heating oil tanks that are in poor condition or not meeting current standards.
I would also like to note that the Nunavut Housing Corporation also replaced all of the heating oil tanks for public housing units in Sanikiluaq.
This program has resulted in a large number of used fuel tanks in the community.
Can the minister tell us today: how does the Nunavut Housing Corporation plan to properly dispose of the stockpile of unused heating oil tanks that are currently sitting in a lot beside the Sanikiluaq’s community dump?
Mr. Speaker, with respect to his question about the removal of tanks no longer in use and the protocols or standards used in those cases, I can’t respond in detail now unfortunately as I don’t have (interpretation ends) that level of information (interpretation) available.
Last week I tabled a number of photographs that show some of the many heating oil tanks that are currently sitting in a lot outside the community of Sanikiluaq.
Mr. Speaker, on March 12 of 2014 I asked the minister’s officials during Committee of the Whole. I expressed my concerns about the number of empty fuel tanks that were accumulating outside the community. Two and a half years ago the minister told me that he agreed with me that it was a problem and that he would look into the used oil tanks and keep me up to date.
Mr. Speaker, it’s two and a half years later and he still doesn’t have the information. When can I get this information on what the Nunavut Housing Corporation’s plan is to deal with the empty fuel tanks?
As I indicated earlier, I don’t have the information in front of me.
For example, if the oil tanks are no longer being used or if they have to be disposed or transported outside of Nunavut, it wouldn’t only be the responsibility of my department but also other departments.
We’re talking about different types of containers.
Community and Government Services will have to get involved.
Once we decide on how we’re going to dispose of those containers, I will then make an announcement.
I realize there are other departments involved, but as I stated earlier, it has been two and a half years and I thought there would be an update by now.
Will the minister commit to working with the ministers of Environment and Community and Government Services to develop a strategy by which used heating oil tanks can be adequately disposed of in the future?
The Minister of Environment is right beside me and we will work closely to make sure that these oil tanks are dealt with adequately.
Question 546 – 4(3): Crime Prevention in Nunavut (Angnakak)
On May 26, 2015 the minister of the day tabled the department’s Public Engagement Report for the Crime Prevention Strategy. Since that date, over a year ago, Nunavummiut and I have been waiting patiently for the government’s crime prevention strategy.
Can the minister provide us today with an update on when we can expect to see the government’s crime prevention strategy for Nunavut tabled in the House?
I think my colleague Mr. Joanasie raised this issue as well, but I think I would like clarification exactly when we can expect this tabling to be done.
Hon. Keith Peterson: Mr. Speaker, there were quite extensive consultations across Nunavut.
As I mentioned the other day, I like to review everything when I take on a new department. I had an opportunity to read through that rather massive document.
I referred to it, I think, in COW at one point.
It is being translated and I’m hopeful that it can be tabled in the Legislative Assembly in the winter sitting.
Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the minister for that response.
We will look forward to reading that very important report.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to extend my appreciation to our territory’s community justice committees and the department’s Community Justice Division who, in cooperation with the RCMP’s “V” Division, develop and coordinate a number of community-based crime prevention initiatives.
On June 7, 2016 I asked the minister why his department doesn’t provide information on these initiatives in its Community Justice Division and Family Abuse and Intervention Act annual reports.
I recognize that the minister has concerns that tabling all those reports that his department produces would require a lot of paper and kill a lot of trees.
However, I would like to note that the department currently makes a number of its reports available on its website, which doesn’t require the use of quite as much paper.
Will the minister commit to making information on the Community Justice Division’s crime prevention initiatives available on his department’s website at the earliest practicable opportunity?
Yes, it does seem like the government kills a forest every time we have a sitting. The massive amount of paper that we churn out that we have to read as cabinet ministers and MLAs is astounding, and we have to be on top of all the information from all the various committees across Nunavut.
The RCMP prepares reports for me as well that I receive and read. A shout-out to the RCMP for all the good work they do in the communities with our youth and justice committees.
Mr. Speaker, I will look into that to see what we can do, but I can’t commit. There is a lot of information that we have to go through. I will talk to my officials.
I agree there is a lot of reading we all have to do, but it’s important, I think, to table as much as we can and to put on the websites that we have so that other people can see it.
As the minister is well aware, crime prevention is a community effort that requires coordination at all levels of government and in cooperation with families, law enforcement, and other organizations within a community.
Can the minister provide us with a list of the stakeholders that are currently involved in the development of the government’s territory-wide crime prevention strategy?
A lot of people contributed a lot to that strategy. Of course we consulted with all the communities. I forget the exact number of individuals and organizations that were involved, but there were a lot.
The hamlets are certainly involved, the justice committees are involved, the RCMP is involved, and our department is involved.
I’m not sure, but there may be some other government departments involved.
There are a lot of people involved.
The Hon. Minister of Health Mr. George Hickes.
Tabled Document 217 – 4(3): 2015-2016 Annual Report on the Operation of the Medical Care Plan (Hickes)
I am tabling the 2015-16 Annual Report on the Operation of the Medical Care Plan.
Tabling of Documents. (interpretation ends) The Hon. Minister of Justice, Mr. Keith Peterson.
Tabled Document 218 – 4(3): FPT Ministers Responsible for Justice and Public Safety, Halifax, NS October 12 to 14, 2016 (Peterson)
Tabled Document 219 – 4(3): FPT Ministers of Labour and Employment, Prince George, BC September 9, 2016 (Peterson)
Tabled Document 220 – 4(3): Annual Report – Nunavut Law Foundation Year Ending December 31, 2015 (Peterson)
This is just a follow-up to Ms. Angnakak’s question. There is a lot of paper; some more paper. These will be posted on the electronic website as well, the legislative website.
I have three documents.
Mr. Speaker, I’m tabling the FPT ministers responsible for justice and public safety, Halifax, Nova Scotia meeting from October 12 to 14, 2016.
Mr. Speaker, I’m tabling the FPT ministers of labour and employment meeting held in Prince George, BC, September 9, 2016.
Finally, Mr. Speaker, I’m tabling the Nunavut Law Foundation’s Annual Report for the year ending December 31, 2015.
Tabled Document 221 – 4(3): FPT Ministers Responsible for Emergency Management, Toronto, ON May 5 and 6, 2016 (Savikataaq)
Tabled Document 222 – 4(3): Provincial-Territorial Ministers Responsible for Local Government, Lethbridge, AB June 8 and 9, 2016 (Savikataaq)
Tabled Document 223 – 4(3): FPT Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation Ministers’ Meeting, Quebec City, QC July 7, 2016 (Savikataaq)
I, too, have three documents to table and they’re all under Community and Government Services.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to table the FPT meeting responsible for emergency management, which was in Toronto, Ontario, May 5 and 6, 2016.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to table another FPT meeting on sports and physical activity and recreational ministers’ meeting in Lethbridge, Alberta, June 8 and 9 of 2016.
Lastly, Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to table the FPT meeting of the ministers responsible for local government, which occurred in Quebec City on July 7, 2016.
Notices of Motions for First Reading of Bills. (interpretation) Minister of Economic Development and Transportation, Ms. Monica Ell-Kanayuk.
Bill 29 – An Act to Amend the Motor Vehicles Act – Notice
I give notice that on Monday, November 7, 2016, that Bill 29, An Act to Amend the Motor Vehicles Act, be read for the first time.
Bill 30 – An Act to Amend the Fire Prevention Act – Notice
I give notice that on Monday, November 7, 2016, that Bill 30, An Act to Amend the Fire Prevention Act, be read for the first time.
Bill 31 – An Act to Amend the Human Rights Act – Notice
Hon. Keith Peterson: Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Monday, November 7, 2016, that Bill 31, An Act to Amend the Human Rights Act, be read for the first time.
Bills 14, 16, and 23 with Mr. Akoak in the Chair.
>>House recessed at 10:33 and Committee resumed at 10:57
Chairman (Mr. Akoak): Good morning, colleagues. Welcome, Nunavummiut listening to the radio and watching TV.
In Committee of the Whole we have the following items to deal with: Bills 23, 14, and 16.
Mr. Chairman, we wish to commence with the review of Bill 23 and the supporting document and, if time permits, the review of Bill 14 and Bill 16.
Are we in agreement that we first deal with Bill 23?
Bill 23 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 2, 2016-2017 – Consideration in Committee
I would now like to ask the Minister of Finance if he has officials that he would like to appear before the committee.
Hon. Keith Peterson: Thank you and good morning, Mr. Chairman.
Yes, I have two officials I would like to bring to the witness table.
Does the committee to let the minister’s staff go to the witness table?
To my right is Jeff Chown, Deputy Minister of Finance, and to my left is Dan Carlson, Assistant Deputy Minister of Finance.
Please proceed with your opening comments, Minister Peterson.
I am here today to present Bill 23, Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, No. 2, 2016-2017.
Bill 23 seeks authority to adjust the government’s 2016-17 operations and maintenance budget by:
Reducing the Department of Economic Development and Transportation’s budget by $697,000; and
Increasing the Department of Environment’s budget by $697,000.
These adjustments support the transfer of the Energy Secretariat from the Department of Economic Development and Transportation to the Department of Environment.
As part of this transfer, the government will merge the roles of the Energy Secretariat with the Department of Environment’s existing Climate Change Section.
Mr. Chairman, this concludes my opening comments. We will now take questions.
Seeing none, we will now proceed to the page-by-page review of Bill 23 starting on page 4. 2016-17 Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) No.2.
Total Program Management. $697,000.
Not Previously Authorized. $697,000.
Total Corporate Management. -$697,000.
Not Previously Authorized. -$697,000.
Government of Nunavut. 2016-17 Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) No. 2.
Do members agree to Schedule 1?
We will now proceed to the clause-by-clause review of Bill 23.
Please go to Bill 23 in your legislative binder.
Do you all have your Bill 23?
Bill 23, Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, No. 2, 2016-2017.
Chairman: Do members agree to Bill 23 as a whole?
Chairman: Do members agree, pursuant to Rule 62(2), that Bill 23 can immediately be placed on the orders of the day for third reading?
I would just like to thank Minister Ell-Kanayuk and Minister Savikataaq from the departments of Economic Development and Transportation and Community and Government Services for working hard on this new initiative, the Climate Change Secretariat. It’s going to be a very important secretariat to Nunavut going forward.
Thank you to you and your committee for recognizing this and supporting us today to make this official.
I would like to thank my officials in Finance and other officials who worked hard to ensure that there is a smooth transition to budgets and person years.
I would now like to ask the Minister of Health if he has officials that he would like to appear before the committee.
Bill 14 – Public Health Act – Consideration in Committee
Yes, I do. I have two officials that I would like to bring to the witness table.
I have with me today Colleen Stockley, Deputy Minister for Health, and Jonathan Paradis, who is a policy analyst with the department.
Please proceed with your opening comments, Minister Hickes.
I am pleased to appear before you to discuss Bill 14, which creates a new Public Health Act for Nunavut.
I have already introduced my officials, but again, they’re Colleen Stockley, Deputy Minister for Health, and Jonathan Paradis, who is a policy analyst with the department.
I am very pleased to have the opportunity to appear before the Committee of the Whole for its clause-by-clause consideration of Bill 14.
The current version of the Public Health Act dates from 1957 and is not comprehensive enough to respond to Nunavut’s public health challenges.
It is silent on some key elements, such as health promotion, that are recognized nationally and internationally.
As we discuss this bill, it is important to keep in mind that Public Health is concerned with protecting and promoting the health of the population as a whole, not just the health of individuals.
As such Public Health does not cover areas such as medical travel, medical services for individuals, the structure of the health system, or health insurance.
The bill before you will provide the Department of Health and the chief public health officer with more up-to-date legislation to better address communicable diseases, such as tuberculosis, and other health hazards.
The bill grants the power to declare public health emergencies and provides legislative authority to support health promotion initiatives, such as campaigns to prevent fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. Furthermore, it gives the chief public health officer the authority to monitor health determinants.
This initiative has been long in the making and I am very happy to see this bill considered today.
As Chair of the Standing Committee on Legislation, I am pleased to make opening comments as the Committee of the Whole begins its consideration of Bill 14, the proposed Public Health Act.
As members will recall, Bill 14 received second reading on March 11, 2016 and was referred to the Standing Committee on Legislation for consideration.
Bill 14 establishes a proposed new legislative framework for a modern and comprehensive public health system for Nunavut, addressing the requirements to be met in order to protect public health and establishing the duties and powers of the minister, the chief public health officer, and other officers in ensuring the protection and promotion of public health.
Mr. Chairman, during the minister’s recent appearance before the standing committee on the occasion of its clause-by-clause consideration of Bill 14, a total of 16 motions were moved to amend the bill. I am very pleased to note that the sponsoring minister formally concurred with each motion.
For the benefit of Nunavummiut who are following our proceedings today, I would like to take this opportunity to highlight the major amendments to Bill 14.
Clause 3 of Bill 14 has been amended to include clearer definitions of “health hazard,” “sewage,” “sewage system,” and “waste disposal system.”
Clause 16 of Bill 14 has been amended to place greater safeguards on the access, use, and disclosure of personal health information and to correct a numerical error.
Clause 17 of Bill 14 has been amended to ensure that the chief public health officer may obtain assistance in the collection of personal health information.
Subclauses 24(2) and 28(2) of Bill 14 have been amended to provide greater consistency and clarity with respect to terms referring to waste disposal systems.
Clauses 31 and 32 of Bill 14 have been amended to provide greater clarity with respect to the definitions and associated requirements relating to disposal facilities.
Clause 43 of Bill 14 has been amended to strengthen tabling requirements of the annual report required under the Act.
Clause 47 of Bill 14 has been amended to ensure that environmental health officers appointed under the Act have the necessary qualifications.
Clause 48 of Bill 14 has been amended to clarify the role of community health and wellness committees with respect to the proposed legislation.
Clause 50 of Bill 14 has been amended to ensure that school principals are prohibited from sharing any personal health information provided by the chief public health officer with anyone other than the student involved or his or her legal guardian.
Subclause 59(4) of Bill 14 has been amended to clarify the reference to “person” within the clause.
Clause 64 of Bill 14 has been amended to ensure the appropriate interpretation and use of the term “certificate.”
Clause 74 of Bill 14 has been amended to ensure that there are limitations on the collection and use of information.
Mr. Chairman, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Nunavut’s Information and Privacy Commissioner for providing comment and input to the committee during its review of Bill 14. The standing committee encourages the government to consult with the Information and Privacy Commissioner at the earliest possible stages of drafting any legislation which touches upon the collection, access, use, and disclosure of personal information.
Mr. Chairman, the standing committee had raised the issue of the public’s right of access to the results of health inspections and enforcement activities undertaken pursuant to the Public Health Act.