EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
I absolutely will commit to that. I do meet with the commanding officer of the “V” division on a regular basis in Iqaluit here.
I would also welcome the MLA from Baker Lake and the community of Baker Lake to write letters to the RCMP with their requests and their concerns about the RCMP office in Baker Lake.
I appreciate that invitation as well.
No doubt as well, the hon. minister will recall that there was a period in time when I did table a document from a request of the Municipality of Baker Lake. One of the lines that they requested for infrastructure addressing was an expanded RCMP detachment.
From time to time, communities may express the need for a greater police presence.
Can the minister outline how his department works with the RCMP to determine the number of officers who will be assigned to each community and can he clarify the process by which municipalities can request an expansion to the size of their detachment?
Yes, absolutely, there is a process that is in place that the RCMP assesses detachments and then assigns appropriate staff and regular members to those units.
The basis of the process is on demand and amount of caseload in communities and the amount of work that the RCMP is dealing with on a daily basis.
Also, Mr. Speaker, I can tell you at this time that the present commanding officer of the “V” division has made it a priority that to deliver services more so on the ground level, through reorganization reviews provided, I believe that approximately eight more officers on-the-ground level. I do believe Baker Lake is going to benefit out of this reorganization.
Question 723 – 3(3): Dental Services in Pond Inlet (Enook)
Mr. Speaker, I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Health.
Mr. Speaker, as the minister is well aware, I have raised a number of concerns about the limited access to specialist services provided to the community of Pond Inlet.
In February, I raised concern about the eye team visits where the team wasn’t in the community long enough to see everyone who needed to be seen.
More recently, we experienced inadequate dental services where a dental team was supposed to provide four days of service in the community but only provided two.
Can the minister provide a detailed update on what contracted dental services are currently in place for the Baffin region and specifically for the community of Pond Inlet?
Mr. Speaker, I’m not aware of these concerns that Mr. Enook has raised.
If he has concerns and if he can give me that information and particular details, we can check with the contractors to see if there are any issues with the length of stay in communities.
It has come to my attention that a new contract was recently issued for dental services in the Baffin region with a new service provider.
However, it seems that the services are not being provided as contracted.
Can the minister describe the kinds of problems that are affecting the contractor’s ability to provide dental services in the Baffin region and what his department is doing about it?
I thank Mr. Enook again for raising the concern.
Mr. Speaker, I’m unaware of any issues that Mr. Enook is referring to.
If he has any details that he can share with me, I would be more than happy to look into them.
I’m so sorry that the minister is not informed by his staff of the problems that we are facing in the Baffin region.
It is no secret that many children in Nunavut, especially in the Baffin region, are in desperate need of paediatric dental services. The services that we receive should be a high level of service and everything has to be in place in regard to dental services in our communities.
I know that you responded to me that you did not know anything about this problem. Is there any way that you can rectify this problem that we have in a timely manner?
I appreciate again Mr. Enook’s concern. The contract was recently awarded. It’s in the early stages.
I’m unaware of any concerns. If there are any issues, I’m sure that our health officials are looking into them. If I can get some information, I’ll share it with Mr. Enook for the benefit of his constituents.
Question 724 – 3(3): Homelessness in Nunavut (Ugyuk)
I would like to direct my questions to the Minister responsible for Homelessness.
Mr. Speaker, as we all know, the majority of communities in Nunavut are experiencing overwhelming housing shortages.
On May 13 of this year, the government tabled Igluliuqatigiilauqta, the framework for the GN comprehensive housing and homelessness strategy in the House.  Can the minister explain what her department has done to reduce homelessness in Nunavut?
Under the homelessness shelter, there’s a policy. It’s called Tunngasugvik, a policy that governs territorial homelessness. Under this program, the Homeless Shelter Policy was created to ensure the GN’s limited financial resources dedicated to homeless are equitably applied across the territory.
What needs to happen under the policy is that the community needs to be together. The hamlet, the community has to make their first initiative and it’s a collaborative effort with the community. They need to make a case.
Once approved, the community has to have a plan. Once we hear from that, we would start a working relationship to address homelessness.
Sometimes I forget the people of Gjoa Haven and Taloyoak. I say “good day” to them.
Sometimes I work so hard that I forget.
I say “good day” to my mother.
(interpretation ends) The GN created the Tunngasugvik Homeless Shelter Policy in 2011, (interpretation) which she mentioned. (interpretation ends) This policy enables the Nunavut Housing Corporation to use a public housing unit to serve as a shelter for the homeless.
Can the minister indicate if there has been any public housing units converted into homeless shelters?
Hon. Monica Ell: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation) Thank you, Ms. Ugyuk, for the question.
I say “good afternoon” to the people of Nunavut.
The Nunavut Housing Corporation can be asked to provide a public house as long as the community agrees.
With the collaboration of the community, they can provide them with public housing and to work with my department.
Today, we have not heard from any community that they would like to do that sort of work.
Yes, I understand her responses.
Thank you, Minister Ell. (interpretation ends) On March 18, of this year, a federal government issued a news release titled “Harper Government helps prevent homelessness in Nunavut.”
It indicated that the Hamlet of Kugaaruk had received $94,000 in funding for new emergency housing under the federal government’s Homelessness Partnering Strategy.
Can the minister indicate if her department assisted the Hamlet of Kugaaruk to access this funding?
If so, how can other communities receive funding under this program?
That funding came from the federal government and it did not come from the Government of Nunavut, but we’re very grateful to Leona Aglukkaq, who worked with her constituents and was able to provide that funding.
Question 725 – 3(3): Office of Patient Relations (Ningark)
My questions are for the Hon. Minister of Health, my colleague from the Kitikmeot region.
The person, I would like to say, I can call a gentleman, a statesman.
The question I’m about to ask for, he informed me of a new office about a month ago and I appreciate that courtesy.
As the minister is aware, many Members of the Legislative Assembly have raised the issue of how Nunavummiut can raise concerns about the health care system.
Two months ago, on July 8 of this year, the minister announced the establishment of a new Office of Patient Relations.
Can the hon. minister update the House on how this new office is functioning?
I thank my colleague from the Kitikmeot for those kind words.
I have known Mr. Ningark for probably close to 40 years. We have worked in the Kitikmeot together.
Mr. Speaker, it’s a little early to tell. The patient relations office has just gotten underway in the last six to eight weeks.
My own hands-on evidence is that complaints to me have dropped. In my own riding, I have encouraged people to contact patient relations if they have any issues.
I have got some feedback from my constituents that they have and they get follow-up or that they get a letter.
Early on, it seems to be working, but I don’t have any hard data to provide the House.
The plan is that within ten days of month-end, we would gather information and be able to track how the office is doing.
We have many complaints in our constituencies across Nunavut.
Whether the new initiative is early, new, and what have you, can the hon. minister at least inform me through this House, through you, Mr. Speaker, at least under this new initiative, have there been any complaints at all forwarded to the minister’s office up to this date?
Mr. Speaker, the objective of the program is that when people have concerns, we encourage them to talk to the nurse or the health centre manager at the point of care. If it’s not resolved there, then you talk to the regional director, and then go to patient relations.
Of course, people are always free to go to their MLAs or their mayors or contact me.
As I have mentioned in the House previously a number of times, if they go to the minister, it could take time because then you’ve got to work your way back down to where the issue originated.
If people can start at the beginning with their health practitioner, it would resolve the issue more quickly.
If someone has a concern, we will get back to them within 48 hours to talk to them about their concern.
Patient relations will work to track the issue, contact the people themselves, and within a reasonable amount of time, will endeavour to get back to the individual with an answer, whether it’s what they want to hear or they don’t want to hear.
Our objective is to improve communications with our patients across Nunavut and the clients.
As we have probably experienced in our various capacities as individuals, MLAs, and ministers, it’s never a pleasant feeling to have to wait for an answer or feel that you are being ignored or neglected.
This is our effort to improve our communications and relations with our patients and clients. Of course, health care is very important to us and the Government of Nunavut.
Member Ranking Inlet North, Mr. Curley.
Question 726 – 3(3): Dental Services and Contracts (Curley)
I would also like to ask my question to the Minister of Health.
In May of this year, I asked the minister questions concerning the government’s award of the contract for dental services in the Baffin region.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I understand that this contract was awarded to a company called “Nunavut Innovative Health Solutions,” which is actually based in British Columbia.
Can the minister confirm today whether or not this same company has now been awarded the contract for providing dental services in the Kivalliq region?
I thank Mr. Curley for the interest he has shown in this dental contract.
Mr. Speaker, as I have answered in questions by Mr. Curley, there’s a competitive RFP process.
Ministers don’t get involved in the evaluation of the design of RFPs or evaluation and awarding of tenders.
We have a GN procurement process which is open, fair, and transparent.
It’s unfortunate that if there is more than one bidder in a competitive bidding process, there are going to be some companies that will be unhappy with the award. We recognize that, but we can’t award five contracts when there is only one available.
Mr. Speaker, to confirm Mr. Curley’s question, yes, Nunavut Innovative Health Solutions was awarded the Kivalliq contract.
Before I go back to you, Mr. Curley, I would just like to remind all members that the rules prohibit the use of BlackBerrys during question period.
This is an important, essential service.
It’s not just a beautification job; it involves surgeries that are required by the clients in Nunavut, and so on.
My supplementary is this: concerns have been raised that the British Columbia-based company is not meeting the terms and conditions of its contract for dental services in the Baffin.
Will the minister commit to having an independent audit or investigation into whether the company is meeting the terms and conditions of its contract?
Did I say that wrong? Sorry about that, Mr. Curley.
I again thank Mr. Curley for the question.
Mr. Speaker, by my recollection, it was only less than three or four months ago that we discussed this issue.
I’m not going to commit to any independent investigation or evaluation, as I indicated to Mr. Enook.
If there are concerns, I would like to know what the concerns are and who they have heard them from, and then we will have our officials follow up. There is contract management oversight of various contracts that the government has.
If there are concerns, we would like to know about them.
Mr. Curley: I think the minister is well aware that if the public funds that are being committed are not being administered properly or awarded or the contractor is not providing services, it is up to the government to find out exactly what is going on.
In light of the concerns that have been raised concerning this matter, the contract involving Nunavut Innovative Services, will the minister commit to issuing a new request for proposals for dental services in the Kivalliq and Baffin regions, yes or no and, if not, why not?
Again I thank Mr. Curley for his question.
Question 727 – 3(3): Baffin Island Caribou Survey (Oshutapik)
Good afternoon to the people of Pangnirtung and Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, my question today is directed to the Minister of Environment.
We know and as the minister indicated earlier in his Minister’s Statement, my question is coming from there.
The minister was saying that the number of caribou in the Baffin region is below 5,000.
I would like to ask the minister when that study is going to be completed regarding the Baffin Island caribou.
Thank you, Mr. Oshutapik, for that question.
Last year, we had a study done on the southern part of Baffin Island, starting from about the middle of Baffin Island.
We didn’t have a study conducted this summer, but we’ve had discussions with the communities. We’ve had studies done with all communities in the Baffin region and they all indicated that they are seeing smaller populations of caribou.
At the Baffin Island caribou workshop and management planning, they indicated that they would like to see a study conducted as soon as possible. They wanted to find out whether they should set up a management system or a quota system to be used in the Baffin area.
The HTOs are going to be working together. Again, the study is going to be concluded by next year.
We’ve had an adequate number of caribou in our area for a long time and this is the first time that we have seen a very small population.
There are times when we don’t even see any and if you want to get some caribou, you have to go quite far from your community.
Are the minister and his department making plans to get some caribou harvested from other communities and bring them to the Baffin region?
We don’t have any plans right now. We haven’t made any plans to order any caribou from any of the outlying communities.
Thank you for that indication.
After the study is completed, are you going to start making plans on Baffin Island caribou management or setting up some kind of a system to increase the population and, if so, when would those plans be implemented?
Hon. James Arreak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to thank Mr. Oshutapik.
We are going to work with the Qikiqtaaluk Wildlife Organization, which includes ten communities. There is also a Baffin-wide organization that we will also be working with. Any Baffin Islander is welcome to work with us.
We are looking to have the research and community consultations done prior to the end of 2014.
Question 728 – 3(3): Diagnostic Services in Nunavut (Elliott)
In 2011, one of the main recommendations of a coroner’s inquest into the death of a woman who had suffered head injuries from a fall in Iqaluit was that the Government purchase a CT scanner for Nunavut.
Although it was a long time coming, the minister has indicated that the department would be purchasing a machine this year.  Can the minister provide an update on the status of Nunavut’s new CT scanner?
Hon. Keith Peterson: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank Mr. Elliott for the question. Mr. Speaker, I believe the purchase of the CT scanner is in progress.
There have been various meetings. I believe that there were meetings in late August. The officials who will be visiting the hospital are coming up this month to view the possible site of the CT scanner.
Implementing any new technology and delivering new services often poses a bit of a learning curve.
Can the minister describe what kinds of challenges his department has faced to date and expects to face in the future with respect to providing CT scanning service in Nunavut?
I’m not an IT guy and I have never claimed to be an IT guy. I can barely operate my computer.
Mr. Speaker, we will be working on the CT scanner. It will be positioned in the Qikiqtani General Hospital.
We’re investigating an arrangement with the Ottawa hospital. We will be using them for support.
One of the issues, of course, and it’s no secret in Nunavut, is if there’s bandwidth for sending large files. We will be exploring that with our IT guys within the Department of Health and with Community and Government Services IT folks. Until we get more bandwidth, we will always be limited by what we can do with technology.
Last year, I had an opportunity to meet with a Dalhousie University doctor, Dr. Ivar Mendez, about remote access technology in terms of providing remote technology in our health centres and our hospital. Of course, he indicated to us that we need 3G technology, which we don’t have currently. Hopefully, over the years, we will get it and we will be able to provide a higher level of technology in all of our health centres and hospital to help our health practitioners deliver services to our residents.
Again thank you for the update. I am a little confused.
I just remember the conversation we had in June where I was asking questions to the minister and he had said that the CT scanner would be flown up over the summer. It wasn’t being brought up on sealift. It was actually being flown up.
Training was ongoing already. Once the CT scanner arrived, they wanted to be able to have it set up and it would be good to go because they would have people trained.
It would be September when CT scans would actually be able to be happening in the territory here in Nunavut.
Now it sounds like he’s saying that it won’t actually be happening until we get 3G technology here. I don’t know. I’m a little confused.
Maybe the minister could let us know when the CT scanner will be operational so that scans can actually happen in Nunavut.
I apologize to Mr. Elliott if I went into a longer explanation about the potential of technology in Nunavut. 3G, of course, not being here now, but I assure Mr. Elliott that the technology to operate the CT scanner is available now. As I said, our officials are working with the people to get the CT scanner here and positioned in the hospital.
As I said earlier, though, the issue in running it at 100 percent efficiency will always be bandwidth. So even though we have the equipment here, it will be limited by the bandwidth.
There would be slower transmission of diagnostic imaging to health professionals who can look at the X-rays and offer diagnoses to our health practitioners in Nunavut.
Question 729 – 3(3): Update on Pond Inlet Arena and Baseball Diamond (Enook)
I would like to direct my question to the Government House Leader, Hon. Lorne Kusugak.
First of all, I would like to thank the minister for making it up to Pond Inlet, where you can actually see what kind of problems and challenges we have in our communities.
Mr. Speaker, in the spring and summer, especially in the smaller communities, people tend to go out on the land and leave the daily meetings and daily community life behind.
Ever since I became a Member of the Legislative Assembly, I have indicated at times what our problems and challenges are.
We had to close down our arena earlier this spring. At that time, when we welcomed Minister Kusugak to our community, I wanted to skate with him at our arena. It is unfortunate that we had to close it early before he arrived.
Our radio in Pond Inlet was down at that time and I am unaware if the hamlet has reported on the minister’s visit.
So that we, the people of Pond Inlet, can be informed and since he is aware of our predicament, I would like to hear what the plans his department has to rectify the problems we had this spring with the arena and when he expects it to be fixed.
I am nowhere near skating right now. I would have to skate on one leg.
Mr. Speaker, I was invited to Pond Inlet this summer and I enjoyed it very much. We had a meeting with the hamlet council.
We are also working on the baseball diamond at the same time.
I also saw youngsters playing basketball in not very good conditions. I am glad that the government is able to help in a little way in order to get recreational facilities up there.
We visited the arena. It was clear that the concrete that was laid out was all cracked and getting upheaved, I’m sure from the permafrost under the concrete.
There were some dips and cracks in the concrete. Our employees are aware of the problem and I can assure my colleague that they are going to be putting in a covering, fixing up the cracks, and levelling out the concrete.
In the spring, we will find out if there will have to be further repairs done on the concrete flooring.
If there are such problems or repairs needed, then we will do it right away. So that is the plan we have at this time.
We are going to be covering up the whole concrete flooring.
I do regret that we won’t be able to skate. Possibly this spring, we can join in the baseball game.
Again, another problem that we have is with the baseball diamond.
You kind of indicated that there will be some kind of agreement to make sure that the baseball diamond is fixed.
Yes, we have been working on the baseball diamond for a number of years.
There is the old diamond and the new location Pond Inlet would like to move it to.
We talked about it at the hamlet council meeting and they are going to collaborate and put in the baseball diamond.
Question 730 – 3(3): Federal-Territorial Relations (Ugyuk)
I would like wish my grandfather, Alookie, in Taloyoak a good day and I love him dearly. (interpretation ends) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The Premier recently hosted the Prime Minister of Canada on the occasion of his annual northern tour.
As we know from our recent discussions in Committee of the Whole, Nunavut needs over 3,000 new public housing units and at least $1.5 billion to meet this need.
Although we are grateful for the additional federal funds that we have received, it’s simply not enough.
Can the Premier confirm whether or not she directly asked the Prime Minister for the full amount of funding that we actually require?
I also thank my colleague for her question.
Every time I have a meeting with the Prime Minister of Canada, I always bring up the subject of the shortage of housing because we are in a sad state of affairs with the shortage. We have been given additional funds to build more houses.
Even though that’s the case, we heard from the minister responsible for the housing corporation that we need approximately 3,500 new public housing units in order to meet the needs of Nunavut. On top of that, every year, we have to build additional 90 houses in order to keep up with the needs of the people.
I’m sure that the price tag is staggering. I believe that it was stated that it’s in the billions.
We know that the federal government cannot give us that large amount of money in one lump sum, but we will keep lobbying the federal government.
Again, we have to look at other sources of funds, as well as the private sector and Inuit organizations. We have a definite need for additional housing in Nunavut.
Speaker: Thank you, Madam Premier. Your first supplementary, Ms. Ugyuk.
I asked the minister if she could ask for at least $1.5 billion.