EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
There are also some problems with dispensing medication.
Perhaps if they get more nurses would the people of Nunavut be served better.
I think it is safe to say and fair to say Mr. Speaker, that our medical professionals, our nursing staff, our health centre staff, including the CHRs, the interpreters and so on Mr. Speaker, they put in tremendous hours of work every day.
In the health centres, nurses for example are on call 24 hours a day.
In most cases Mr. Speaker, they actually live in the nursing station or the health centre.
They deserve our respect, Mr. Speaker, and they deserve good working conditions.
Mr. Speaker, as the Minister of Health and Social Services, we implemented 21 recommendations from the Najaat Report that we have discussed before in this House about retention and recruitment of our nursing staff.
We have been quite successful, at one point Mr. Speaker, and today I think, I believe we are at almost 90% right now at the hospital here in Iqaluit as an example, whereas at one point in the summer we were at about 40%.
So we've been doing a lot of aggressive recruiting Mr. Speaker and as the member has said, I think that will help our situation on the ground not only for the relief of the staff but also for patient care and as well as look at the preventative side of medicine, Mr. Speaker and start doing some of the things that primary health care dictates.
That is the prevention and care of our residents in Nunavut.
Question 119 - 1(5): Akitsiraq Law School Sponsorship
We were asked to smile once in a while in this House because a lot of the public tell us that we never have a smile.
I would like to ask the Minister of Justice if he could give us information on the sponsorship to Akitsiraq Law School.
I just wondered if it was going to be the same as the TEP Program or whether it will be the same as the nursing program.
I just wondered if the minister could tell me whether there will be dropouts and things like that, the same as those other programs.
This is not going to be the same because it is going to be a one-time program.
There will be just over ten students taking this law schooling for about four years.
As soon as they are done, that would be the end of the program.
It is a one-time program that they are going to be taking and that makes it a very important school.
They will be paid at the same time while they're taking the law program.
As government, we have made some money available that program and some of the Inuit Organizations will also be assisting in the way of funding for that program.
We will try and help the law program and we will be giving them some support in between their schooling.
I will try my question in English.
I feel that the minister answered some of my question but, how is the law school going to make a difference in retaining students in the program.
How is he going to keep them in the program.
I know that we want to keep them there for four years.
How is he going to keep them there.
Speaker: Thank you, Ms. Williams. Minister.
Yes, what we plan to do is scrutinize very closely all the applicants that will be applying and ensure that they are ready to take on the program.
It's a one-time program so we want really credible, strong candidates that will be able to succeed and at the same time, we will fund those students for the full four years that they're under the program and provide employment opportunities while they're not in school.
That is unique.
We guarantee them employment as well as paying for their tuition so we want to ensure that they’re well supported not just financially but in terms of learning from the program and learning the skills that they'll need not just in the court room but also in dealing with the Inuit that require their services.
Can the minister explain why law school students can have access to housing and are at par with the government employees, while other students in Nunavut do not have the same access.
I'm not aware that they'll get staff housing, if they are currently our staff and we've provided employment for them, they'll be eligible for staff housing but I'm not aware of any special housing provisions. They'll be collecting a salary to pay for their day to day living expenses.
So they are eligible for public housing, they will pay like everybody else.
But in terms of making sure they succeed we want to support them financially and as well guarantee them employment, once they successfully complete the program.
I would like to quote the web site for the Akitsiraq law school and it states here,"the financial assistance provided through the sponsorship will consist of a basic allowance sufficient to meet the needs of the student and housing arrangements that are similar to Government of Nunavut Housing Policy.”
Why don't other students have access to this.
Currently the students that attend college programs are eligible for student housing, so it is on par with other student residence accommodations that we already provide.
Question 120 - 1(5): Leasing of Housing Units
I would like to direct this question for the Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation.
The Housing Corporation has a program to lease private homes that will in turn be used as public housing.
Can she tell me how many they have leased so far.
I believe that he is referring to our rental of private buildings.
I think it is perhaps around 40 houses that we were going to lease.
I had the information on my desk just earlier.
Mr. Speaker, it's not 40, they haven't come up to 40 as yet, I think it is around 34.
These houses that are going to be leased, which communities are these houses in.
I know that in my community, there are two houses that are vacant and there's nobody renting them and they are just being left alone.
When you have programs available are these houses going to be used.
I know that the rental houses are all overcrowded in his constituency in Clyde River.
We do look for houses to rent, and indeed we were actually asked if we have houses we rent out.
It is my understanding that some of the houses were not completed in Clyde River and this is causing delays.
We are continuing to look for houses that we could rent in Clyde River.
Speaker: Thank you, Minister Thompson.
I would be satisfied only if I see houses that are currently empty being occupied since it is my constituency and I will not accept just hearing that the situation is being reviewed and the use of those units being negotiated.
We were not researching, we actually asked if rental units were available.
We were told that those units that are being retrofitted in Clyde River are still not ready to be filled.
Some rental units are very old and in such a condition that they should not be rented out until they are properly repaired.
I know we did ask directly from his constituency to see which units were available.
Sorry, Mr. Iqaqrialu, you have one more supplementary.
Mr. Iqaqrialu (interpretation): Mr. Speaker, I apologize.
This is not exactly a question.
Instead, I will ask my community if this has indeed been the case.
If the MLA would like to work for the Housing Corporation, we would like to employ him as an interviewer.
Yes, for sure, he is more than welcome to make the inquiries he says he will make.
Question 121 - 1(5): Effective Date of Rent Scale
Please know that I did not have a huddle with my fellow colleague, but I have a question also to the same minister.
The rental houses are based on a rental scale that tracks earned income.
My question is, when was the rental scale implemented.
I am just asking this for information only.
There used to be several different housing programs that were implemented, one of which was called the Access Program.
Perhaps he could clarify which program that he is referring to.
Mr. Nutarak (interpretation): Mr. Speaker, I have a HAP house myself.
Maybe she is thinking that I am talking about HAP housing.
I am referring to people who rent public housing, people who have low incomes, depending on how much money their household makes they pay rent.
When was the rental scale for public housing implemented as to what percentage they can deduct for the rent.
I understand his question now.
Under the public housing program, they pay rent according to the amount of household income.
The Nunavut Government did not set this scale.
This was implemented sometime in 1995.
We inherited this rental housing program from the GNWT.
We are going to review the rental scale, we will be doing that very shortly.
Mr. Nutarak (interpretation): Mr. Speaker, I think that was implemented in 1995 by the GNWT, for employed tenants.
With the increase in fuel prices and the annual increase with transportation and everything else, is it not a good time now to review the rental scale or are you going to be doing this review for the next two years.
You stated last year that there would be a review and we have not seen a report to date.
How much longer will we wait.
It is quite a lengthy review and it's not easy to do.
There are 3100 rental units in Nunavut.
We pay rent for about 2000 of them.
The government pays for those and the tenants pay for the remainder.
For the rental units for welfare recipients, they pay 32 dollars a month for the unit.
In reference to your question, your question is why you haven't seen a report yet.
We've been working on it to date and we do not know what's going to be best for all.
We can't place everybody all at the same time but there will be a meeting in Rankin Inlet on Monday to hear from the people out there about what they would like to see in regards to the rental scale.
There are some people who are living rent free.
The question is are they paying too much or too little.
We are looking at the concerns raised about employed tenants and their high rents and we are also looking at the high cost of living in Nunavut and we are looking at how we can give more support to the people out there.
We hear many times that once they are employed, the tenant’s rent goes extremely high.
So that is one direction that was given to our department and I can tell you that the local housing organization chairs will be having a conference in Rankin Inlet and they will be discussing these issues at hand.
In regards to the rental scale, you are going to be reviewing it.
We hear on the local radio station that there are some tenants that will be evicted, sometimes in the middle of the winter and the reason why they are getting evicted is because of the accumulated arrears and the reason why it gets like that is because of the percentage of the income that is deducted for the house.
I think that if we decrease the percentage things will improve and that's the reason why I asked you when was the last time that there was a revision to the rental scale that we currently use.
I think the best way to go about this is if we decrease the percentage that is deducted from the income of the tenant and that was the reason why I asked you that question.
When was the last time you made a revision to the rental scale.
There are quite a few people living rent free.
Of course when people are working they do have to pay monthly rent for their unit.
I said that I would be reviewing the matter.
The Housing Task Force did not say when I should start the review.
I know that one of the main complaints was the people whose total income was taken and a certain percentage was deducted for the unit.
If they're casual employees of the housing association, the nursing station and so on their rent is increased. Because of these problems, it's going to be a more lengthy review. That was the only direction that I was given and we will work on this and come to a conclusion.
Mr. Speaker, the housing associations at the community level, following the policy, know who has be evicted from the house because usually these tenants have not paid any rent and there's people on the waiting list who can pay for the monthly rent.
They can go into a deduction repayment plan. If you owe money, you don't automatically get evicted, you are given an opportunity to pay for your arrears through repayment plans or other option plans that you can agree upon.
Speaker: Members will note that question period is now over.
We'll move on to item 7.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to extend oral questions by a half an hour if it is okay with the rest of the members.
Speaker: The member is seeking unanimous consent to go back to item 6, to extend question period.
Speaker: I heard a nay, therefore question period will not be extended.
Written Question 008 - 1(5): Review of School Funding Formula
Mr. Speaker, the written question is for the Minister responsible for Education.
The first one Mr. Speaker, and there are a number of them here, and I will just read through them all, instead of handing them in.
The minister has indicated on a number of occasions that a review of the school funding formulas is underway.
Can the minister provide a formal title for this review.
Can the minister indicate when this review was initiated.
Was this review tendered.
Was there a request for proposals, or was it sole-sourced.
When was the contract awarded.
What are the names of the individuals and their affiliated organizations or companies that have been contracted to carry out this review.
Who is the departmental designate for the coordination of this review, and is it the same person that will be conducting the review.
Can the minister provide contact information for the individuals who are conducting the review.
Can the minister provide a list of individuals, organizations and public bodies that will be consulted during the review process.
Return to WQ 002 - 1(5): Transfer of Nurses Residence
Return to WQ 003 - 1(5): Baker Lake Group Home
Return to WQ 004 - 1(5): Policy for Elder Care
Return to WQ 005 - 1(5): Kivalliq Regional Hospital
Return to WQ 006 - 1(5): Kivalliq Medivac Contract
Return to WQ 007 - 1(5): Frequency of Dental Visits
I wish to advise that replies to Written Questions 002 to 7-1(5) have been filed with the Office of the Clerk.
Tabled Document 011 - 1(5): Community Economic Development in Sanikiluaq
I wish to table the following document, “Community Economic Development in Sanikiluaq, Nunavut, the Consolidated Report”.
Bill 3 - Utility Rate Review Council Act - Notice
Hon. Paul Okalik: Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on March 19, 2001, I shall move that Bill 3, Utility Rate Review Council Act be read for the first time.
Speaker: Item 15.
Bill 4 - An Act to Amend the Interpretation Act (Time Zones) - Notice
Hon. Paul Okalik: Merci Monsieur President, Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on March 19, 2001, I shall move that Bill 4, an Act to Amend the Interpretation Act, Time Zones be read for the first time.
Merci Monsieur President.
Bill 5 - Loan Authorization Act 2001/2002 - Notice
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on March 19, 2001, I shall move that Bill 5, Loan Authorization Act 2001/2002 be read for the first time.
Thank you.  Speaker: Thank you.
Notices of Motions for First Reading of Bills. Item 16.
Motions. Item 17.
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters, with Mr. Iqaqrialu as Chair.
Before we proceed, I think it would be in order for the members to take a 15, 20-minute break.
>>House recessed at 3.03 p.m. and resumed at 3.28 p.m.
Chairperson (Mr. Iqaqrialu) (interpretation): Thank you, we can begin.
During Committee of the Whole, we will be discussing Bill 1, Appropriation Act and Bill 2, Supplementary Appropriation Act.
We want to continue with Bill 1, Appropriation Act 2001- 2002, Community Government and Transportation.
Does the committee agree that we deal with Bill 1, Appropriation Act, 2001-2002, Community Government and Transportation.
Chairperson (interpretation): The last time we met, the minister did his opening remarks and the committee chairperson did his opening remarks as well.
At this time if the minister can approach the witness table.
Chairperson (interpretation): When the minister approaches the witness table he is supposed to approach it alone and then call his officials afterwards.
They are supposed to wait until they are asked to approach the witness table with the minister.
Just to let the minister know for future reference.
At this time, Mr. Anawak, do you have any comments.
We are Inuit and that is why we bring our officials automatically.
My Deputy Minister is Mike Ferris, and Doug Sitland is our Manager of Capital Programs.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you, Minister Anawak and your officials, welcome.
The minister already made his opening remarks and the Chairman of the Committee already made his opening remarks.
Any comments from members, you have ten minutes to make your opening remarks or opening comments regarding the Capital Estimates of Community Government & Transportation.
Opening comments from the members, there is no one.
It's too bad I was not here Friday.
We left early on Friday.
I went through the document in regards to your opening remarks, the minister’s and the Chairperson’s.
The minister mentioned Manitoba, the central arctic, in the Keewatin.
I am glad that he is aware of this need for our future use.
This could be good for our future generations to build on.
If they are complete whenever, yesterday we talked about today’s airfares being very expensive, ship transportation is difficult at times if you only have summer months to operate.
Employment is seasonal at times.
For instance in the Kitikmeot, the proposed road has been mentioned today.
Yes, I am in favour of that, the future looks good for this proposal to go forward.
Food, gas whatever, this road will allow them to be brought up to the north.
We need to plan well for the future.
For instance, there is mention of a port near Bathurst Inlet in your opening remarks.
Those visitors from the south going to that area, there is a lot of game and wildlife in that area.
There are camping grounds nearby and we have seen this during the summer months.
There needs to be well-planned future activities.
When you look at the bay near Bathurst Inlet, if ships were going to go into that area, it looks a bit tight, it just needs to be well thought out if it is going to be used.
We will be discussing this more with the Department of Sustainable Development and plan for how the future is going to be in this area.
That is why I mentioned it coming from the minister’s opening remarks on Friday.
Another comment on the roads in the communities, we use them daily.
The roads in the communities need to be upgraded so our vehicles can run properly and be used for longer periods of time once these roads are up to par.
There are going to be more roads, the population is growing, you need to be aware of this that our roads need to be maintained.
And not only to be maintained but new construction as well.
Additional roads, maintenance of roads, gravel needs to be hauled.
Even in Kugluktuk there needs to be areas where gravel can be found, they gather this from one of the islands now, the gravel that is used for house foundations and roads.
We need to think of these things because they will become more and more expensive.
If these roads are kept up to par, well maintained, they will be used well.
We need to remember these concerns.
We will be trying to find other modes of transportation, such as docking facilities for ships, places to gather gravel.
Ships that come into Kugluktuk have to deal with a lot of shallow areas, this needs to be looked at to accommodate docking facilities for larger ships.
Another comment I will be making, is that during the summer, there are games where youth participate and at times funding is very tight for travel to other communities.
We enjoy competitive activities and games, such as the northern games.
We need to keep up these kinds of things.
Once our youth are exposed to that kind of activity they begin to learn other activities, games, and competitive activities for the future in terms of recreation.
It is good to watch other people participate in other games that you have not seen.
Every year, funds are short and it should be increased.
During the summer in Kugluktuk, youth go swimming on the shore right on the ocean.
The swimming pool is utilized for four to five weeks in the summer from July to August.
In other communities, swimming facilities, like here in Iqaluit and in Cambridge Bay, they are utilized much longer and the children enjoy that kind of activity more.
We need to think of those types of things that the future generation can utilize.
In terms of our airport facilities, our airstrips, we need to find ways to maintain them.
Plus our air terminal is getting old.
It is small.
Our population is increasing, you are aware as a minister.
I wanted to bring these things out.
We can bring these things out that we haven't forgotten.
I myself want to see progress.
So facilities can be close to where the airport is that are used to maintain that area.
If I have forgotten anything, there will be comments made by my colleagues and if I think of anything more, I will have a few more comments to make.
At this time, Mr. Nutarak.
Mr. Nutarak (interpretation): I didn't get a chance to put my hand up but the chairperson recognized me so I'll make a short comment in regards to the hamlet employees and the Government of Nunavut employees, they have different benefits.
Some communities have decentralized government so I am sure that there are some government employees that are going to be transferred or getting employment in Pond Inlet.
What I am talking about is the wages of the hamlet employees should be increased.
Say for instance, I know that there are people that could take the opportunity to become operators of machinery, but there should be more amendments made to the Hamlets Act.
It was supposed to be done in Yellowknife, but it has not yet been done since the Nunavut Government began.
In regards to Mr. Havioyak’s comments I am in the same situation as him, docking facilities should be improved in each community.
Sometimes many people lose their boats because there aren’t any adequate docking facilities.
Some people have lost their boats because of this.
They did not build the docking facility for some reason, the construction was delayed.
As well in Pond Inlet, the airstrip is very close to the community and the houses, like Pangnirtung.
When you are landing you go right over the houses and if there is a gust of wind it is very dangerous for the aircraft and the residents.
You have to pass over the hotel in Pond Inlet when the plane is landing.
With the increased population, this will create more problems.
We also have problems with the arenas and gymnasiums and the community hall.
I am sure that the minister is aware of the problem that we have in my community because I have voiced these concerns before.
Getting back to the Hamlets Act, it would be best for the communities to make the changes to the Hamlets Act.
Perhaps the department is not in any hurry to make changes to the Hamlets Act, but it just seems that it is not good for the hamlet employees.
As I mentioned, I am in support of Mr. Havioyak’s comments, but at this time I will leave it at that.
I will be making very brief comments.
The majority of the Hamlet Councils provide different types of services to the communities.
I know that they are very well compensated by the government, but for the last few years, I think that the government needs to be more sensitive to the issues that have been prioritized by the Hamlet Councils.
It doesn’t work when things are imposed on the hamlets or the community governments, like the previous government used to do.
I think we should let the community governments set the priorities and we work on those priorities.
I could use this example, because of course it costs a lot of money to operate a community, Repulse Bay, and I am sure it is not the only community in Nunavut like this.
The water reservoir in Repulse Bay is a problem and the access road is hard to maintain in the winter.
The community has a hard time keeping on top of the water delivery services.
We should look at how we can have better access to the water reservoirs, the trucks and equipment that is used and also the access roads that lead us to the water reservoirs, the garbage dumps and so on.
I think we would provide better services if we do that.