EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
I don’t quite know now who to address my next question to. It says here in the communiqué that environment ministers discussed climate change and clean air.
That’s what I’m taking my information from, so I assume that it’s the environment minister that attended that conference.
I guess I don’t know who is going to answer this next question and it’s really too bad that the president of ITK is not here anymore because actually this question also talks about him.
The official announcement from the Montreal meeting of ministers of the environment also stated that representatives from the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami met with the ministers. Can the minister indicate what specific recommendations were made by ITK?
Mr. Speaker, when the environment ministers were in discussions, that announcement came before they were finished with their discussions on the very topic.
Of course the environmental ministers weren’t sure of what the next step was going to be.
As you know, Mr. Speaker, that was moved up to the Prime Minister and the premiers of the provincial and territorial jurisdictions.
Mr. Speaker, there are many groups that made recommendations to the existing working groups and to the Prime Minister.
There are many recommendations, needs, and wants that were put forth.
Throughout our upcoming discussions, we will have a better understanding of what the carve-out or exceptions for the north are going to be.
Mr. Speaker, as a territorial government, we oppose carbon taxing.
We already have the highest cost of living in Canada. To put more pressure on food security, our residents of Nunavut, our small businesses, and to put that extra cost of living… .
As the members are well aware, all our supplies come in from the south; Ontario, Quebec, Newfoundland, and Alberta. Once they establish carbon pricing on their commodities, which we need up here, our prices are going to be going up. Our prices are already high enough.
Mr. Speaker, the federal environment minister and the Prime Minister promised that there are going to be exceptions made for the north.
We are waiting to see what those are going to be.
From the communiqué, it says here that ITK and the Métis National Council came to “discuss their ideas and to share perspectives about the opportunities and challenges as Canada moves to a stronger, more resilient, low-carbon economy.”
That’s what they discussed with the ministers.
That’s why I was asking that question.
What specific recommendations did ITK make?
In just going on, can the minister confirm which provinces and territories support Nunavut’s position regarding carbon pricing in the north and which provinces and territories do not?
I did have an opportunity to talk with my colleagues, the premiers from other jurisdictions, and all of them, all premiers of all jurisdictions support the north.
They understand the uniqueness, the high cost of living, and food security issues that we face on a daily basis.
All the premiers of Canada understand our situation. They support the northern carve-out or exception to carbon pricing.
Question 458 – 4(3): Vacant Conservation Officer Position in Grise Fiord (Shooyook)
The conservation officer position in Grise Fiord has been vacant for a number of months.
This office provides important support for community harvesters, residents, and the local hunters and trappers organization.
Can the minister indicate when his department plans to open a hiring competition to fill the vacant conservation officer position in Grise Fiord?
We put in a competition for the conservation officer position and we could not find a successful candidate, as far as I know.
This position is for three years and to date, according to my knowledge, we’re still looking for someone to fill the position.
Mr. Speaker, a conservation officer’s duties include the issuing of licences and permits to the general public; instructing the public on the content, meaning, and purpose of the Wildlife Act; enforcing the provisions of the Wildlife Act; and responding to enquiries from the public concerning wildlife management and environmental protection.
Can the minister tell us today, when a resident of Grise Fiord needs assistance in these areas, what office should they contact until such a time as a new conservation officer has been hired?
As I stated before, we haven’t found an individual to fill the position at this time, but I know exactly what the position entails because I have been a wildlife conservation officer. If the community residents need assistance, a conservation officer from another community can go to the community to do their job.
If there is no conservation officer from the other surrounding communities, we will let my officials know. If there was an urgent requirement to help the community, the conservation officer would go to that community and work.
This is very important across Nunavut and some communities are in remote and the most inaccessible areas.
They don’t get air service for long periods of time.
With regard to the 2016-17 business plan, you had announced that Grise Fiord will get a conservation officer.
Why hasn’t the position been filled yet?
Are you making serious efforts so that this job is filled?
Is the job description so onerous that you are unable to find a successful candidate or is it because of lack of housing?
This position that is open isn’t held back due to the lack of housing.
We are currently holding a competition where interviews are being conducted to determine if applicants can be successful in the position.
We have interviewed the candidates to determine the best suited applicant whenever a position opens up.
They are now conducting interviews with the applicants for the position.
I believe our expectations are that the hiring will be completed in the short term, not too long from now.
Question 459 – 4(3): Nunavut Food Security Coalition (Enook)
Mr. Enook (interpretation): That was fast. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I didn’t expect to get recognized this early.
Mr. Speaker, the Nunavut Food Security Coalition, which is supported by the minister’s department, was scheduled to hold its annual meeting last month in Igloolik.
The government has indicated that the “focus of the meeting [was] to explore measures that reduce the cost of, and increase access to, store-bought food throughout the entire food supply chain.”
Let me first ask the minister: can you describe one or two specific measures that the meeting identified which will help my constituents in Pond Inlet?
Speaker: The Hon. Minister of Family Services, Mr. Johnny Mike.
The Nunavut Food Security Coalition held their meeting in Igloolik.
Based on the information I have, the coalition discussed the various country foods available, either from land or from the sea, and how to provide more access to country foods coming from the grassroots level in our communities.
For that reason, we are aware that food security is important and that it requires funding allocated to the communities specific to this initiative or via the meeting I just spoke to, if the communities are interested in working on this initiative, how best to define the nutritious foods so that everyone is aware of them and how best to support these initiatives through funding allocations or through other programs.
One issue that was brought up by the group was related to income support and how best to make it available to clients who are facing food insecurity. This was the approach in light of the high costs of nutritious foods.
Those are some of the items I can speak to in response to the question.
Although I didn’t really get an answer to my question, I’ll continue.
Mr. Speaker, the Nunavut Food Security Coalition’s meeting was also scheduled to look at how to “eliminate inefficiencies in the food supply chain through implementation of a food transportation management system.”
Can the minister explain what is meant by a new “food transportation management system”?
To the question, there are various foods that are made available today and they can only come up north by air or by ship.
With respect to the actual food transportation management challenges related to the transportation of foodstuffs via airfreight or sealift, we have focused on the air transportation sector.
Due to the different distances where food is shipped from southern centres to Nunavut, we studied the costs of the airfreight for shipping food to Iqaluit, as this is different from the rate used for Resolute Bay.
I am speaking to this to inform you of the reasons that underlie the work required to complete this and to see how best to conduct a detailed review within the food transportation to allow the programs to properly support our clients. That was the definition used to speak to this issue at this time.
As the minister will recall, I made a statement in the House last week in which I called on the federal government to be open to the idea of scrapping the Nutrition North Canada Program and bringing back an improved version of the Food Mail Program.
The minister spoke in the Legislative Assembly the day before yesterday and I am quoting from the Hansard Blues for Monday, October 24, page 29 in Inuktitut.
I know that this is not the final Hansard.
Let me quote some of it.
“The Canadian government had a food mail program in the past that was utilized by many people…even though it has been changed today, it has become worse.”
Let me ask this question: is it the Government of Nunavut’s position that the Nutrition North Canada Program should be replaced with an updated version of the Food Mail Program?
No, the Food Mail Program is not what we are trying to reinstate; I was just referring to this program.
Many people in the listening audience can’t correlate between this program and the current one, so I used it as an example.
Back in the day, the (interpretation ends) Food Mail Program (interpretation) was acting much like the third retailer competing with actual stores, and real competition occurred. I was just citing an example.
Back then it was almost like having three retailers, with the (interpretation ends) Food Mail Program (interpretation) acting much like a third store with customers ordering cheap foods, including a shipping subsidy.
In my estimation, the foods for sale in our actual retail stores were cheaper due to competition from the program.
Another matter the member touched upon was related to the Canadian nutrition guidelines or the department that administers the existing Nutrition North program.
We work with the Nunavut Food Coalition.
In particular NTI was involved in our deliberations on this issue.
The consultation tour that was planned is still moving forward.
We have informed the federal government department responsible for the (interpretation ends) Nutrition North (interpretation) program which subsidizes foods imported to Nunavut that they have to tour all of Nunavut’s communities.
Further, what we spoke about related to the meeting that was held.
The planned consultation tour is being dealt with by staff from Family Services to ensure we are kept up to date on any progress related to this food subsidy program.
At this time we are compiling all the information.
My department is leading the initiative to provide this information which we are accumulating to report on all the feedback received from Nunavut on how the Nutrition North program can be improved in order to be more effective in reaching Nunavummiut who are most in need or in poverty, suffering from food insecurity issues.
Question 460 – 4(3): Supporting Nunavut’s Midwives (Sammurtok, A)
Mr. Speaker, midwives perform an important role in delivering health care related to childbirth, often providing care, counselling, and support before and after a birth as well as assisting a mother with the delivery of her child.
Last June, in response to my questions regarding the status of Nunavut’s midwives, the minister of the day indicated that these types of health service positions will be under consideration for inclusion in the Department of Health’s new medical professional recruitment and retention strategy.
Can the minister provide an update on the status of this strategy?
With regard to the midwives being part of the strategy for inclusion in medical health professionals, we have taken a step to include a certification process for midwives to be allowed to insert intrauterine contraception devices and to facilitate the access to that service.
We’re adding more health as well as recently the manual removal of placenta has been added to their duties, so we’re getting more in line with national standards for midwives.
With regard to adding them to that specific strategy, I’m not familiar with the member’s previous question. I don’t see that information in front of me, but I will look into that immediately today.
There are two midwives in the community of Rankin Inlet who are both beneficiaries.
Not only do these individuals work very hard at delivering health care services, but they also provide orientation and support to midwives who are hired on a casual basis.
In June the minister indicated that a number of new positions would be added to the maternal and newborn services team.
Can the minister confirm whether or not these new positions will be based in Rankin Inlet?
As the member had mentioned, there are currently midwives practising in Rankin Inlet as well as Cambridge Bay.
As far as adding to what positions to which communities, we’re considering all avenues to make sure that we maximize the effectiveness and the use of midwives in the territory.
There are some “hamperings,” if you want to call it that, of having them too centralized.
We want to make sure that all Nunavummiut are able, if they so choose, to be birthed by midwives. It is an option available to them. That analysis is still ongoing.
It is important that we recognize and reward the hard work and dedication of our health care professionals with a view of supporting their long-term retention.
Will the minister commit to providing an update on recruitment and retention initiatives that will provide additional support to our hard-working frontline workers?
I thank the member for bringing this issue forward again.
It’s something that I spoke about numerous times when I was on the other side of the floor.
There has been a lot of progress. Right now we’re reviewing the territorial midwife position to address changing needs. We’re in the process of recruitment for a manager of the Kivalliq regional maternal and newborn health services.
In addition, the Nunavut Midwifery Registration Committee is currently recruiting public representatives to the committee, as per legislative requirements.
Like I said with regard to the member’s concerns, it’s something that is at the forefront of a practice that has been ongoing for many generations in Nunavut.
With the government legislation across the country, this is a profession that takes certification.
We want to make sure that we’re getting the maximum impact and the maximum benefit from midwives practising in Nunavut. I look forward to growing this division across the territory.
Question 461 – 4(3): Cape Dorset’s Community Justice Committee (Joanasie)
Mr. Speaker, the Community Justice Division, in cooperation with the community justice committees, is responsible for providing local crime prevention programs.
It is my understanding that the RCMP also undertakes a number of crime prevention programs and community-specific initiatives to divert youth from crime.
Can the minister indicate how often the community justice committees are expected to formally meet with the RCMP members to coordinate local crime prevention initiatives?
Mr. Speaker, I don’t believe there’s a set number.
I know that the community justice committee in Cambridge Bay meets as often as they need to and they have a very good working relationship with the RCMP.
We just signed a shared directional statement with the RCMP and the hamlet.
The Department of Justice is working with the hamlets and the RCMP, but the RCMP will work very closely with the community with respect to developing initiatives to divert youth from the justice system.
The department’s current business plan indicates that the RCMP “V” Division continues to work on the development and implementation of a youth intervention and diversion program.
The same business plan also indicates that a steering committee has been formed to design this Nunavut-specific program, which will be introduced as a pilot project in Iqaluit and aims to reduce youth crime and the number of individuals entering the formal criminal court system.
Can the minister clarify if his department is represented on the steering committee that is responsible for developing the RCMP’s Youth Intervention and Diversion Program in Nunavut?
I believe the department is normally represented on committees or groups that work between the RCMP and the Department of Justice.
We’re involved in some manner or form to ensure that initiatives proceed.
As I said, we just signed the shared directional statement last week where it outlines in some detail what’s expected with the RCMP and the Government of Nunavut.
It includes some measurable outcomes so that, on an annual basis, we can check to see what progress we made on various initiatives involving the RCMP and the Government of Nunavut through the Department of Justice and the communities.
On June 7, 2016 my colleague, the Member for Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu, asked the minister a number of questions concerning his department’s crime prevention initiatives. In his response, the minister stated that his department was in the “process of drafting a framework and action plan to share with partners and stakeholders on how to go forward with a crime prevention strategy.”
Can the minister provide an update on the status of this territorial crime prevention strategy?
That work is in the draft stages.
We’re going through the various internal approval processes to ensure that it is what we want it to be, considering all the input from the Nunavummiut, all committees, and stakeholders.
At some point I’m hoping to take it to cabinet to get it approved. With any luck, I’ll be in a position to table that document in the winter session.
Question 462 – 4(3): Addressing School Attendance Issues (Mikkungwak)
Mr. Speaker, there is no question that attending school is very important for our children to learn and gain the skills they need to progress in society.
The Department of Education keeps track of attendance at schools across Nunavut and, as we heard yesterday, those numbers are then used to determine the utilization rate of each school.
Can the minister clarify how his department addresses the issue when the records show a sudden drop in attendance at a specific school or in a specific community?
Hon. Paul Quassa (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank my colleague for requesting clarification.
As I stated in the House about schools, if we need to renovate schools or need new schools, the number I keep quoting is 85 percent capacity or above, then we have to put the schools under consideration.
We see different percentages in our schools ever year in Nunavut.
If you look at the communities and the capacity of the schools, some percentages are higher while others are lower.
When we review the figure for each school annually related to the overall (interpretation ends) capacity, (interpretation) after it surpasses 85 percent and if it looks like it will continue to increase, then this is the point where deliberation begins on whether to initiate a new school process or to consider additions or even just to increase the capacity.
These are the main points used to determine the capacity of the school and the reason why we have a threshold, which has been used for a while and we are still using that measure.
If the student enrolment starts dropping in terms of percentage, then this triggers the review of the school, with discussions on the next step.
I’m just using an example, but Baker Lake or even Arviat are communities where we have seen this situation arise with dropping percentages.
This is the threshold used to determine if a new school will be considered or if the project would be delayed. We use the threshold as a trigger to contemplate our options at that point.
It should be clear that a number of different issues may impact attendance rates at a particular school or in a certain community.
There may be issues related to bullying, illnesses, or other serious factors which impact attendance.
Can the minister clarify how his department works with local district education authorities or other entities to address low attendance rates?
We work closely with the parents on these issues.
As a matter of fact, a body has been created in our schools to look into bullying or intimidation tactics or other initiatives associated with bullying along with other challenges.
Due to these issues, a committee is formed within the school comprising of the following representatives: teachers, school counsellors, and parents.
This is called the team, a collaborative group that deals with various matters related to anti-bullying programs.
They look into initiatives to see what may work or if they are drafting rules or by-laws, then the DEA and parents work together to review the proposed rules relating to student disciplinary actions or suspensions.
This group is the one that recommends changes to the rules to the DEA.
In the actual schools, the parents, school counsellors, and teachers form the research group on any issue impacting the school or causing problem.
We call it the school team.
They’re the ones who are approached if something needs to be done in the school or if they’re following their policies in our schools.
Mr. Mikkungwak: Mr. Speaker, I appreciate that local district education authorities are asked to address attendance issues in their communities.
However, they often have limited funds and resources to tackle such issues. Can the minister clearly describe what kind of support is provided to DEAs to assist them in addressing and resolving school attendance problems in their community?
I thank my colleague for requesting further information, as members are better served by comprehending issues here.
The Department of Education is always available and open to the DEAs in Nunavut if they wish to receive further training or if they require more information.
Actually, in our offices in the departmental regional offices, there are staff members responsible for the DEAs in their regions and they are called the (interpretation ends) DEA coordinators or regional coordinators. (interpretation) They provide the information to the DEAs on issues related to their training.
As an example, to cite my colleague’s reference on financial management and how best to properly manage their finances, these training modules are available or if they are interested in policy development, the coordinators are available to them.
We recently created these positions specific to the DEAs in the communities and now we have dedicated staff members available for any matter the DEAs wish to pursue.
I further remind the DEAs when I travel to the communities that these positions are for their benefit.
They can provide assistance to these bodies since that is the reason why we created the positions, to allow the DEAs to be trained on any management issues or for better governance.
That is how it is set up here in Nunavut.
Question 463 – 4(3): Health Services in Winnipeg (Mapsalak)
Mr. Speaker, the other day my colleague from Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu asked some questions about the coordination of health services outside of Nunavut for Baffin patients travelling to Ottawa.
This issue is also a concern for medical clients who travel to Winnipeg from the Kivalliq.
I know it takes a lot of work.
Can the minister clarify whether or not the staff in Winnipeg who coordinate appointments for Nunavut clients are employed by the Government of Nunavut or are they employed through a service contract?
Each community has a travel coordinator for medical travel that coordinates appointments and works with the community health nurses as well as the regional office to make sure that appointments are scheduled from specialist visits to the communities. Those employees are with the Department of Health.