EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
The current statistics show that there has been an increase of approximately 200 people in Baker Lake and it is an area that we are looking at, but as it is right now, we also look at the number of cases per community that are dealt with through the health centres, so there are a number of factors.
The regional managers of each region - Kivalliq, Kitikmeot, and the Baffin - would do a needs basis assessment to put in the necessary PY allocation requirement for each community.
Your second supplementary, Member for Baker Lake, Mr. Simailak.
I was told this morning that on Friday, or during the weekend, that they’re in a shortage of nurses in Baker Lake.
They had to see and treat 80 patients within two and a half days.
I was wondering if the minister had considered if they can provide public health nurses in Baker Lake to make sure that these individuals can work outside of the health facilities.
Under the Public Health Strategy that we introduced in the House in November, there is work in place to start putting in public health nurses in our communities to address the whole issue around keeping people healthy and that applies to all communities in Nunavut.
As it is right now in Baker Lake, we have five nurses and that’s not including the mental health or homecare nurses and so on.
When we have outbreaks of illnesses, yes, we have a huge caseload particularly with children or infants.
One example is in Cambridge Bay. Over December, we had to close down the schools and various sectors just to respond to people going into the health centre requiring treatment.
In instances like that, the regional managers would assign support to health clinics from other communities, or through agency, or through casuals, and so on.
In terms of trying to deal with the development issues around the impacts of mining, I would have to get back to the member in terms of what that looks like for Baker Lake with the increase in population as a result of mining development and see what work is in place.
I do know that in the Kivalliq region, we have implementation plans to deal with the enhanced services for Rankin Inlet that will be providing more services to the various surrounding communities as well.
So how that works out in terms of numbers, I will report back to the member.
Your final supplementary, Mr. Simailak.
I thank the minister for giving me a clear response.
With the population growing in the community of Baker Lake, we get doctors every month and they can’t see all of the patients that they have to see.
Has the minister considered having a full-time doctor in Baker Lake?
The doctors that are working in Nunavut are assigned by region and not specifically by community. In the Keewatin, I believe we have three doctors allocated without including the specialist that do come into the communities.
If there is a need based on cases requiring treatment, we will look at that. In most instances where people require specialized treatment, as the member knows, we need to send those people out to Winnipeg and so on where the treatment is provided.
Strictly on general practice with doctors and so on, I will have to see whether there are future plans on that.
As far as I know, for the region itself, there are three allocated through the Kivalliq.
Question 364 – 2(4): Number of Vacant SAO Positions (Mapsalak)
Mr. Speaker, we have heard in the communities that most of the hamlets don’t have senior administrative officers.
Can the minister indicate to us how many communities don’t have senior administrative officers?
I don’t have that information. Basically, I understand what the member is asking because it’s very similar to any organization, agency, or department where recruitment and retention is very important, and likewise, in the communities for the SAOs, it’s very important to recruit and retain them as well.
I’m not sure what the factor is why there are so many resignations, or why we’re not attracting as many SAOs to some of these communities. I don’t have the answer to the question right here in front of me but I am aware that there are some vacancies in some communities for their SAOs.
I believe that this is a very important issue in that the hamlets are the local government and without SAOs, the hamlets are not able to fulfill their mandate under the Act. Can the minister clarify this after she has researched this issue?
My supplementary question is: is the lack of funding part of the problem? Most of the competent SAOs tend to leave the hamlets due to the fact that the salary ranges are not competitive and that quite a few get government jobs. So can she find out what the issues are facing our hamlets, whether it is limited funding or other issues?
I fully agree with the member that we have to study why there are not enough SAOs and it’s very similar to southern Canada.
When you look at CEOs in southern Canada, they make about $250,000 and those responsibilities are very similar to those of CEOs.
I will have to check to see what the reasoning might be and then I can give him a definite answer because I also feel this too.
We will be dealing with the budget and with the travel because it touches on that.
Can the minister give consideration to increased funding to hamlets during this budget period?
Yes, we can look at this and we can also start discussing this.
I don’t think they fall under the union, the SAOs that is; I believe they’re excluded.
I want your full participation when we’re dealing with the estimates and I think that’s the best way we can deal with it.
I will look into this and include my CGS staff.
Question 365 – 2(4): Release of Inmates Not Returned to Community (Kattuk)
It’s probably different in every community but my concern is that sometimes when people in correctional centres are due to return home, they just stay in Iqaluit.
The reasoning I have heard is that the communities don’t want those people back even after they’re released.
I believe we have the right to choose wherever we want to live in Canada.
I wonder if the minister can inform us why those people aren’t allowed to return to their original communities.
Is that appropriate, or can they do that?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Kattuk. (interpretation ends) Minister of Justice, Mr. Premier.
Looking at that, they have to return to their communities.
That’s one of the policies that I am aware of to date.
I really do not understand why this process was not followed in this case.
However, the minister’s response is adequate, given that we have to deal with this matter when the person who wishes to return gets back to be with his children.
I would like to work with the minister during this session to resolve the matter.
Yes, if you can give me the information, I would be more than happy to help you even if it’s outside the session.
Question 366 – 2(4): Treatment of Chronic Pain (Peterson)
Mr. Speaker, I have many constituents who come to visit me with their concerns about suffering and the suffering to them is a serious issue; it’s the suffering from chronic pain. Mr. Speaker, I have written to the minister about their issues and I wish I could include their tears that they shed in my office to show you how affected they are.
My question for the minister: can the minister tell the House what procedures Health and Social Services follows to treat patients who suffer from chronic pain?
Not being in the medical profession and all, the centres are available for any individual who requires medical attention, and there are doctors and nurses in each health centre that would review a person’s case.
Again, it’s on a case-by-case basis and based on the assessment of the nurse and so on, usually, the patients are treated immediately, or that they are referred to a visiting specialist, or referred to a doctor in Yellowknife, Edmonton, or Winnipeg, and so on, but the normal practice of the assessment in each clinic is applied.
Many of the chronic pain sufferers that come and visit me tell me that they’re treated with Tylenol for the pain. I raised this issue before and I don’t believe personally that Tylenol is suitable for all patients.
In fact, some patients turn into sort of drug addicts where they become addicted and need stronger pain killers to help them get through the day. Many of my constituents and the patients in Cambridge Bay riding are feeling a sense of hopelessness that their chronic pain will not be treated and/or cured.
My question for the minister as she mentioned the assessments: can the minister tell the House how long a chronic pain sufferer needs to suffer before they are referred to a specialist who can diagnose their illness?
I’m not in the medical profession to answer the question in terms of each of those cases, but what I can say is that if the member has constituents who are suffering from chronic pain, then, perhaps, the best way to deal with that is to refer those individuals to the executive director in the region to respond to review the case-by-case of each of those patients and deal with it from that perspective.
I had also offered Members of the House to go through an information session with staff that deal with Tylenol and prescribing Tylenol to patients, and to provide that kind of information that they’re in a profession to respond to. That offer is still open to members to have an information session on the issue of Tylenol because Tylenol is used as medication for certain kind of illnesses and so on. So I offer that to the members as well.
In terms of how long, I’m not prepared to answer that because I’m not in the profession to make that kind of medical assessment.
Can the minister tell me and tell the House what medical options are available to chronic pain sufferers who learn 12 to 16 months after an initial visit or visits to health centres that they may have a life threatening illness such as cancer?
I will have to speak to my staff, the chief of staff, on that file before I can respond to the member.
I’m aware that some of my constituents either on personal travel or business travel in Yellowknife seek medical treatment on their own.
Can the minister tell me: our Kitikmeot medical patients, who do seek medical treatment on their own, are they eligible for reimbursement of all of their medical and/or related travel expenses if they do so?
Any person can seek medical attention as they see fit as well.
If they’re travelling down to Yellowknife or are in Ottawa and want to go and get their eyes examined, or see a dentist, and so on, or get sick, any person who is in that situation is free to go and seek the assistance of the professionals that are in place in those jurisdictions for treatment.
Do they get reimbursed? If you go for an eye exam, if you meet the criteria, yes, you get reimbursed after an assessment.
There are also procedures that are elective; cosmetic elective procedures are not covered through the Non Insured Health Benefits Program. So again, it all depends on the type of treatment the constituent is seeking and so on.
Again, to answer that broadly is difficult; it’s on the type of procedure that is offered or requested and we take it from there.
Return to Written Question 008 – 2(4): Meetings and Directives of Executive Council and its Committees (Clerk)
I’m tabling the Return to Written Question 8 – 2(4) filed with my Office by the Premier.
*See Appendix for full text of Return to Written Question 8 – 2(4) filed with the Clerk.
Tabled Document 158 – 2(4): RCMP “V” Division Annual Report 2006-2007 – The Year in Review (Okalik)
Tabled Document 159 – 2(4): Government of Nunavut Response to 2006-2007 Annual Report of the Information & Privacy Commissioner (Okalik)
Hon. Paul Okalik: Merci, Monsieur le President. (interpretation) I am very pleased to present the 2006-2007 Annual Report, A Year of a Review of the RCMP “V” Division; and the Government of Nunavut’s Response to the 2006-2007 Annual Report of the Information and Privacy Commissioner.
Could the member please provide the Tabled Document to the Clerk’s table?
Tabled Document 160 – 2(4): Hamlet of Sanikiluaq Motion on Nuiyak School (Kattuk)
I wish to table a motion that was passed by the Hamlet of Sanikiluaq on the air conditions at the Nuiyak School.
Mr. Speaker, it is important that the government take immediate steps to address this situation.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Kattuk. (interpretation ends) Can we have that document brought forward to the table, please?
Tabled Document 161 – 2(4): NAC Annual Report for 2006-2007 (Picco)
I am pleased to be able to table the following document: the Nunavut Arctic College Annual Report for 2006-2007.
Thank you. (interpretation) Item 13.
Tabling of Documents. I apologize.
Tabled Document 162 – 2(4): Tobacco Control Act Annual Report 2007 (Aglukkaq)
Tabled Document 163 – 2(4): Qulliit Nunavut Status of Women Council 2006-2007 (Aglukkaq)
Tabled Document 164 – 2(4): Director of Medical Insurance Annual Report 2006-2007 (Aglukkaq)
Tabled Document 165 – 2(4): Annual Report of the Director of Child and Family Services 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 (Aglukkaq)
I have four documents that I would like to table today.
I would like to table the “2007 Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH) Tobacco Control Act Annual Report”; the “Qulliit Nunavut Status of Women Council” Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2006-2007; I would also like to table the “Director of Medical Insurance Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2006-2007”; and the “Annual Report of the Director of Child and Family Services for 2005-2006 and 2006-2007.”
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Minister. (interpretation ends) Can we have those documents brought forward to the table, please?
(interpretation) Thank you. (interpretation ends) Item 13.
Tabled Document 166 – 2(4): Nunavut Development Corporation Annual Report 2005-2006 (Netser)
Tabled Document 167 – 2(4): Business Plan 2007-2008 – Nunavut Development Corporation (Netser)
I wish to table two documents. The first one is: the Annual Report for the Nunavut Development Corporation for 2005-2006; and also the Business Plan for the Nunavut Development Corporation for 2007-2008.
Tabled Document 168 – 2(4): Response to Petition 2 – 2(4) – Funding & Construction of Pond Inlet Arena (Clerk)
I wish to table a Response to Petition 2 – 2(4) filed with my office by the Minister of Community and Government Services.
I, too, have documents to table.
Tabled Document 169 – 2(4): Report of Integrity Commissioner to Speaker on David Simailak, MLA January 3, 2008 (Speaker)
Tabled Document 170 – 2(4): Statutory Requirements for Tabling of Reports and Other Documents February 2008 (Speaker)
Tabled Document 171 – 2(4): Correspondence to the Federal Minister of Finance Concerning Northern Residents Deduction Motion (Speaker)
Tabled Document 172 – 2(4): Pension Administration Report for Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 2007 (Speaker)
Tabled Document 173 – 2(4): Actuarial Report Legislative Assembly of Nunavut Retiring Allowances Act Funding Valuations as of April 1, 2007 (Speaker)
Tabled Document 174 – 2(4): Actuarial Report Legislative Assembly of Nunavut Supplementary Retiring Allowances Act Funding Valuations as of April 1, 2007 (Speaker)
I wish to table today the Report of the Integrity Commissioner of Nunavut to the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly concerning Mr. David Simailak, MLA.
Also, members, I wish to table today the document: Statutory Requirements for Tabling of Reports and Other Documents in the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut.
This listing is current to February 18, 2008, and includes backdoor tablings made after the House adjourned in the fall of 2007.
Also, I wish to table today a copy of my correspondence to the federal Minister of  Finance, the Honourable James Flaherty, concerning the motion regarding the Northern Residents Deduction that was passed by the Legislative Assembly on November 8, 2007.
However, to date, I have not received a reply.
Some Hon. Members: Shame, shame.
Speaker: And further, members, as required by the Legislative Assembly Retiring Allowances Act and the Supplementary Retiring Allowances Act, I wish to table today the pension administration report for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2007.
Finally, members, as required by the Legislative Assembly Retiring Allowances Act, I wish to table today the funding valuation of the Retiring Allowances Fund for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2007.
I’ll correct myself, I have one more document.
Members, as required by the Supplementary Retiring Allowances Act, I wish to table today the funding valuation of the Supplementary Retiring Allowances Fund for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2007.
Motion 024 – 2(4): Adjournment for the Day (Barnabas)
Pursuant to Rule 46, I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Kugluktuk, that the House adjourn for the day.
Item 16. Motions. I apologize, there are no more motions.
Orders of the Day for February 20:
Members, this House stands adjourned until Wednesday, February 20, at 1:30 p.m.
>>House adjourned at 15:18
Appendix – February 19, 2008
Return to Written Question 008 – 2(4): Meetings and Directives of Executive Council and its Committees
Date: October 25, 2007
The Executive Council of Nunavut had four formal meetings during the period of June 7 to September 10, 2007. Cabinet convention and confidentiality does not permit disclosure of the participants in Cabinet meetings.
The Financial Management Board of Nunavut had three formal meetings during the period of June 7 to September 10, 2007.
Cabinet convention and confidentiality does not permit disclosure of the participants in Cabinet and Cabinet Committee meetings.
The Cabinet Committee on Legislation (CCL) of Nunavut had no meetings over that time period.
Cabinet decisions are transmitted/communicated to departments and Crowns by a Cabinet Extract.
These Extracts are bound by and are subject to Cabinet Confidentiality.
Below are two decisions that have been made which led to an instruction being made to a Crown:
Fuel Stabilization Rider QEC
URRC Final Report on FSR QEC
The following is a list of policies that have been approved and apply to the departments and/or Crowns listed following each item:
Direction for Qangataut - Client Travel Policy (2007) HSS
Grants and Contributions Policy HSS
Leasing of Real Property Consolidated Policy CGS
Grants and Contributions Policy CLEY
Geographic Names Policy CLEY
Acceptable Use of Handheld Wireless Devices Policy CGS
Grants & Contributions Policy CLEY
Archives Policy CLEY
Nunavut Nursing Recruitment and Retention Strategy H&SS
Client Travel Policy HSS
Nunavut Public Health Strategy HSS
The following is a list of Regulations that were approved by Cabinet and apply to the departments and/or Crowns listed following each.
As is normal practice, Regulations are published in the Nunavut Gazette:
Amendments to the Workers’ Compensation General Regulations WCB/DOE
Student Financial Assistance Regulations Amendment EDU
Approval of Baker Lake/Chesterfield Inlet Liquor Plebiscite Orders and Baker Lake/Chesterfield Inlet Liquor Plebiscite Regulations Finance/Justice
Daylight Saving Time (DST) All GN Departments/Crowns
Regulation for an Interim Fuel Stabilization Rider QEC
Expired Operating Authority for NTPC QEC
Tabling of Tobacco Regulations Sections II & III (signage & proof of age) HSS
Order to bring FAA amendments into force Finance
Mill Rate Establishment Order for 2007 Finance/ED/CGS
Consolidation of Electrical Protection Regulations CGS
Order to Vary – Arviat Audit to March 31, 2007 Finance/CGS
Approval of the Pharmacy Act draft regulations HSS
Small Claims Rules Justice
NWMB Decision Concerning Total Allowable Harvest for Western Hudson Bay Polar Bears DOE
Approval of Kugluktuk Special Prohibition Order Finance
Access to Information and Privacy Act – Minor changes to Schedule A EIA
Hamlet of Cambridge Bay Audited Financial Statements Extension Order CGS
Approval of Kugluktuk Liquor Plebiscite and Kugluktuk Liquor Plebiscite
Regulations Finance
Hamlet of Arviat Audited Financial Statement Extension Order CGS
Approval of Coral Harbour Liquor Plebiscite Order and Coral Harbour Liquor Plebiscite Regulations Finance
Approval of Kimmirut Liquor Plebiscite Order and Kimmirut Liquor Plebiscite Regulations Finance
Cambridge Bay Liquor Plebiscite Order and Cambridge Bay Liquor Plebiscite Regulations Finance
Regulation enacting an Interim Fuel Stabilization Rider QEC
This list is not inclusive of all the issues that Cabinet has dealt with but includes the matters that could be seen as providing directives, instructions or orders.
FMB decisions are transmitted/communicated to departments and Crowns by a FMB Record of Decision (ROD).
These RODs are bound by and are subject to Cabinet Confidentiality.
The following is a list of directives that have been approved and apply to all departments and Crowns:
Financial Administration Manual Directives Changes:
803-4 Payment of interest
805 Issue of Cheques to Department, Direct Deposit EFT
806 Revolving Funds
811 Extending and Accepting Hospitality, Gifts and Token Gifts
815 Aircraft Chartering
820-1 Duty Travel
850 Insurance – Damage Claims by Students
851 Work Experience Programs – Damage Claims
860 Departmental Cheque Issue Systems
The following is a list of Regulations that were approved by FMB and apply to the departments and/or Crowns listed following each.
Contract of Indemnification Exemption Regulations – Amendment Finance/CGS
Investment Regulations Finance/CGS
David Simailak
Minister of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth; Minister of Human Resources; Minister of Finance, Chairman, Financial Management Board
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Pages 2690 – 2735
Opening Prayer 2690
Ministers’ Statements 2690
Members’ Statements 2701
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 2712
Oral Questions 2713
Point of Privilege 2732
Notices of Motions for First Reading of Bills 2733
First Reading of Bills 2733
Second Reading of Bills 2734
Orders of the Day 2734
Wednesday, February 20, 2008 2690
126 – 2(4): Budget Address 2008-2009 (Tapardjuk) 2690
285 – 2(4): Arviat Elders’ Centre (Alagalak) 2701
286 – 2(4): Fairness for Nunavut Fishers (Tootoo) 2703
287 – 2(4): NEU Holding Meeting Outside of Nunavut (Okalik) 2704
288 – 2(4): Passing of Vera Pudnak, Luke Tunguak and Elizabeth Tunnuq (Simailak) 2705
289 – 2(4): Misleading Information on Polar Bears (Curley) 2706
290 – 2(4): Jordin Tootoo Signs New Contract (Brown) 2707
291 – 2(4): Conditions at the Kugluktuk High School (Evyagotailak) 2708
292 – 2(4): Northern Residents Deduction (Peterson) 2708
293 – 2(4): Need for Pond Inlet Dock (Arvaluk) 2710
294 – 2(4): Damages in Grise Fiord Due to High Winds (Barnabas) 2711
295 – 2(4): Lost Opportunity for Jobs at Clyde River (Arreak) 2711
296 – 2(4): Migration of Polar Bears (Kattuk) 2712
367 – 2(4): Portion of $242 Million for Community Docks (Arvaluk) 2713
368 – 2(4): Residential Schools (Curley) 2715
369 – 2(4): Fair Fishing Quotas for Nunavut (Tootoo) 2718
370 – 2(4): Multi-Year Funding for Cambridge Bay Wellness Centre (Peterson) 2721
371 – 2(4): Kugluktuk High School Repairs (Evyagotailak) 2724
372 – 2(4): Number of Caribou for Collaring (Barnabas) 2726
373 – 2(4): Kugaaruk Hamlet Office (Mapsalak) 2728
374 – 2(4): Subsidy for Special Baby Formula (Alagalak) 2730
025 – 2(4): Adjournment for the Day (Barnabas) 2734
Bill 23 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2008-2009 – Notice 2733
Bill 23 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2008-2009 – First Reading 2733
Bill 23 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2008-2009 – Second Reading 2734
Speaker (Hon. Peter Kilabuk)(interpretation): I would like to ask Mr. Alagalak to say the opening prayer.
Good afternoon, Mr. Premier, Ministers, Members, our visitors and viewers.
Minister’s Statement 126 – 2(4): Budget Address 2008-2009 (Tapardjuk)
I am very pleased that I am able to present the Budget Address. As is tradition, I finally found out that, as a Minister of Finance, we get new Kamiik and I’m wearing a new pair of Kamiik made in Igloolik by a 31-year-old. They are the first ones she has made.
It is good to know that there are young people out there who are still making traditional clothing, such as these Kamiik that I’m wearing.
Ms. Josepha Taqqaugaq is a young individual from Igloolik and I would like to thank her very much.