EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Can the minister indicate when formal discussions with the federal government will begin on this aspect of the federal budget? Has this started?
I know that marine infrastructure has been a priority for him for several years.
Mr. Speaker, at this time, I’m unable to indicate what discussions have been ongoing.
I know that my colleague from Community and Government Services or his officials have been in discussions and negotiations with Canada on a number of agreements related to the infrastructure fund, the Building Canada Fund, and the gas tax, but I’m unable to provide any specific details.
Speaker: Your first supplementary question, Mr. Enook.
Mr. Enook: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation) During the final sitting of the last Legislative Assembly, I asked the minister to clarify whether funding from the federal Building Canada Fund could be accessed by the territorial government for the purpose of constructing urgently needed marine infrastructure in Nunavut communities, including Pond Inlet.
When I asked the minister this question back in September, he indicated that his officials were “in dialogue” with the federal government on the question of funding eligibility.
Does the minister have an answer for us today on this issue?
I don’t have an answer for Mr. Enook today.
Speaker: Your final supplementary question, Mr. Enook.
Thank you, (interpretation ends) hon. minister. (interpretation) Last month’s federal budget announced that the Government of Canada is “committed to launching the new Building Canada Fund by March 31, 2014,” and has been consulting with stakeholders to “finalize the parameters of the new Building Canada Fund.”
Can the minister indicate what input our government has been providing to Ottawa during this process?
Mr. Speaker, I believe that that announcement was initially made in Budget 2013.
I believe that officials from CGS and all provinces and territories have been in discussions with Canada for the better part of the year to flesh out the details on how those funds can be utilized.
But again, I can’t give any specific details.
I’m actually awaiting the conclusion of those discussions as well because it obviously has an impact on our future capital planning process.
I’m sure that when my colleague, the Minister of CGS, has that information, he will be making it available.
Mr. Aivilik, Mr. Mapsalak.
Question 011 – 4(1): Medical Travel Policy on Escorts (Mapsalak)
By the way, I am not Mr. Aivilik, just to remind you.
Mr. Speaker, this is in regard to my questions earlier to the Minister of Health for further clarification as I believe she didn’t quite finish her reply.
Did the minister say that the head nurses in the communities are the ones who make a decision on whether or not a patient will need an escort?
I thank the member for asking for clarification.
The nurses include the head nurses, but it’s their directors that I was talking about.
As well, the head nurses also have higher-ups they can turn to.
The head nurses are responsible to directors and if the directors turn down any request for escorts, appeals can be made to regional directors.
Do I understand that the head nurses have no authority to approve the medical escorts for patients or they don’t have any recommendations at all?
At the present time, we are reviewing the policy.
They provided a new policy in the NWT to see what route would be better to fix it so that one person will have the authority and that individual is available 24/7, and they have one telephone number to get approval for a patient to have a medical escort.
I’m not saying that we’re going to use it right away, but we’re reviewing it to see whether or not that will be running properly.
Question 012 – 4(1): Medical Travel Policy for Unilingual Patients (Enook)
I would like to get clarification for my colleague’s question so that we can all have an understanding with the Minister of Health.
I would like to say first that sometimes we don’t know what’s going on if we haven’t experienced it. We all could speak English here in the House, (interpretation ends) except for Mr. Shooyook. (interpretation) I am proud that he cannot, but even I have difficulties understanding how stressful a situation they are facing. I am fluent in English, perhaps just fairly fluent.
In my opinion, this policy currently in place causes the greatest concerns, as it states here that a unilingual Inuk can be sent out alone for medical treatment.
This is, in my estimation, extremely distressing and hurtful, especially for unilingual Inuit elders.
I want to ask this question. If an emergency occurs on an aircraft, what plans are in place to ensure the safety of unilingual medical passengers and how would they be assisted within the aircraft?
It’s a hypothetical question. (interpretation) However, to ensure clarity, this Medical Travel Policy was adopted in June 2013 and this policy can be reviewed at any time in our future, although it is set to expire on March 31, 2018. This means that these policies can be reviewed at any time.
The member is truthful in commenting about elders. Last year prior to June, those who were aged 65 or over automatically qualified for an escort.
However, due to the mandate of the Department of Health, the priority is to provide medical treatment for our residents. When medical patients require medical treatment, the first priority of the department is to ensure they are treated.
We have heard at the review when the policy was being overhauled, some of the patients were surveyed, including employees on this policy. The consulting company identified, DPRA, conducted a review of the policy prior to changes being made.
We heard from some of the elders that they would prefer not to have an escort. Not all elders want an escort for their medical trips.
The criteria in place, of which five of the criteria are constantly mentioned, is that if you qualify under any of these five criteria, then an escort would be provided.
That is what this policy states.
Thank you, (interpretation ends) hon. minister. (interpretation) This issue around escorts, based on my understanding, revolves around funding. I know the department expends large amounts of funds and they continually have to look for more funding and streamlining costs where possible.
However, are we properly servicing our fellow Inuit? Are we providing adequate services to elders, particularly unilingual Inuit who can’t be escorted anymore?
There are a myriad of actual misspending of public funds in other areas. We even have to expend funds to fix issues that we shouldn’t have ever spent. I think we are all in agreement, as the caucus agreed to review these issues that cause the biggest problems, especially inefficient use of public funds.
Mr. Speaker, I want to state here that I am not accusing anyone of financial mismanagement, especially related to elders who happen to be unilingual and who may require an escort.
I will always maintain that this is proper usage of these funds, as we have to serve our unilingual Inuit by providing escorts where necessary.
Mr. Speaker, I want to raise this question.
If an elder or any patient is denied an escort when they state their preference for an escort for medical travel, as per the earlier statement of the minister, there are other avenues to look at if their escort request is denied, (interpretation ends) to appeal. (interpretation) They have an opportunity to appeal. If my request isn’t approved, I can appeal. My question is: how long does the appeal process take?
There are different avenues that they can take. The first is the denial of a request.
They can call the regional directors and the appeal will take a very short time.
If there was another denial through that process, they can go through the Patient Relations Office.
That office can make a decision right away and it might take a few days to come to a conclusion. The individual will be kept updated on what’s happening at the office.
At times, they might make a decision right away or it might take a few days to review what circumstances took place. It might possibly take over a week before they arrive at a decision.
I would like to thank the hon. minister for her response.
Going through the appeals process, can the minister indicate to the people of Nunavut and the House that if anyone who is going through the appeals process and are denied the request for an escort, the patients will get a response prior to the date of their departure?
I would also like to thank my colleague for his question.
If the individual calls the regional director, they will get an instant response. We don’t know the reason why their request for an escort was denied. We try to make sure that the problem is rectified as soon as possible.
Members will note that the time for question period has expired and we will proceed to Item 7.
I request [consent] to go to Item 5 in our Orders of the Day.
Speaker: The member is requesting unanimous consent to go back to Item 5.
Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to recognize an important visitor to Nunavut and to our Legislative Assembly, Mr. Duane Smith, the Inuit Circumpolar Council of Canada President and the Inuit Circumpolar Council International Vice-President.
Mr. Smith first got elected to ICC in the summer of 1998.
Mr. Smith is presently on a multi-year, Canada-led international research body coordinating and documenting data on the Arctic through traditional knowledge and western science.
Mr. Smith is also past co-chair of the World Conservation Union Arctic Specialist Group Sustainable Use Initiative.
Speaker: We will proceed to Item 7.
Replies to Opening Address. None.
Petitions. None.
Responses to Petitions. None.
Members, we will take a break for 20 minutes.  Sergeant-at-Arms.
>>House recessed at 15:41 and resumed at 16:04
Speaker: Reports of Standing and Special Committees on Bills and Other Matters.
Committee Report 001 – 4(1): Report of the Striking Committee on the Recommended Structure and Terms of Reference for the Standing Committees of the Fourth Legislative Assembly of Nunavut (Hickes)
I have the honour today of presenting the Report of the Striking Committee on the Recommended Structure and Terms of Reference for the Standing Committees of the Fourth Legislative Assembly of Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, as the House is aware, section 17 of the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act provides that the Legislative Assembly may establish such committees to aid and advise it as it considers necessary.
Mr. Speaker, Rule 83 of the Rules of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut requires that a striking committee be established to report and recommend to the House, with all convenient speed, the membership of the standing committees of the Legislative Assembly.
As members will recall, the Striking Committee was established by way of motion on the first sitting day of the Fourth Legislative Assembly.
The review of departmental and corporate main estimates, capital estimates, and business plans;
The consideration of annual reports of independent officers of the Legislative Assembly; and
The work of standing committees allows for significant public and stakeholder input into the development of new legislation. The hearings that standing committees hold in public on the reports of the Auditor General, the Information and Privacy Commissioner, the Languages Commissioner, and other independent officers of the Legislative Assembly serve to enhance government transparency and accountability.
Mr. Speaker, for the benefit of the permanent public record and Nunavummiut who are following our proceedings today, I wish to take this opportunity to review the mandate and structure of each of the Legislative Assembly’s standing committees.
As my colleagues will recall, the Regular Members’ Caucus of the Legislative Assembly determined, in the interest of stability and consistency at the beginning of our term of office, that the standing committee structure that was in place at the time of dissolution of the Third Legislative Assembly should be maintained.
However, as my colleagues will also recall, our recent Full Caucus Retreat in Kugluktuk announced that this Legislative Assembly’s midterm leadership review, which will take place during the fall of 2015, will also consider the effectiveness of the standing committee structure.
Mr. Speaker, the Standing Committee on Oversight of Government Operations and Public Accounts will have oversight responsibility for the government’s two main central agencies in addition to a number of territorial corporations and Crown agencies.
I would note that the standing committee has the explicit authority to review the operations and annual reports of the Qulliq Energy Corporation, which I anticipate will be a priority of the committee, given the scale of the corporation’s operations.
The standing committee will consider the government’s public accounts and the reports of the Auditor General in addition to the annual reports of the Chief Electoral Officer, Information and Privacy Commissioner, Languages Commissioner, and Representative for Children and Youth.
The standing committee is also empowered to consider issues related to the implementation of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement. All regular MLAs will serve on this standing committee.
The Standing Committee on Legislation will also be composed of all regular MLAs. The standing committee has the mandate to review all bills that receive second reading in the Legislative Assembly, with the exception of appropriation Acts and House Bills, which are automatically referred to the Committee of the Whole. Mr. Speaker, I would also like to draw the attention of the House to those provisions in the terms of reference for this standing committee that explicitly provide for the opportunity to scrutinize from time to time the regulations that are proposed and/or passed by the government.
As members are aware, a number of important matters are addressed by regulation. While the government has the authority to pass regulations without formal Legislative Assembly approval, the standing committee can and should play a role in the scrutiny of those regulations that are of significant importance and interest to the public.
I would note, for example, that the Parliament of Canada maintains a joint committee that is composed of both Senators and Members of Parliament. That committee has the mandate to scrutinize federal regulations.
The Standing Committee on Social Wellness will have oversight responsibility for the Department of Culture and Heritage, the Department of Education, the Department of Family Services, the Department of Health, the Department of Justice, and Nunavut Arctic College.
The standing committee will be composed of six regular MLAs. As members will note, its focus is on those departments and agencies with responsibility for programs and services that focus directly on people.
The Standing Committee on Community and Economic Development will have oversight responsibility for the Department of Community and Government Services, the Department of Economic Development and Transportation, the Department of Environment, and the Nunavut Housing Corporation.
The standing committee will be composed of six regular MLAs. As members will note, its focus is on those departments and agencies with responsibility for such matters as infrastructure, resource management, and housing.
Five MLAs will sit on this standing committee, including a ministerial representative.
Mr. Speaker, that concludes the report of the Striking Committee. Consequently, I move that it be received and adopted by the House, and that the Terms of Reference for the Standing Committees of the Fourth Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, which is attached to this report as an appendix, be entered into the record as read.
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Hickes.
Do members agree that the report of the Striking Committee be received and adopted by the House and that the Terms of Reference for the Standing Committee of the Fourth Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, which is attached to the report as an appendix, be entered into the record as read?
There is agreement.*
Hon. Minister of Health, Ms. Ell.
Tabled Document 008 – 4(1): Chief Medical Officer of Health’s 2012-2013 Tobacco Control Act Annual Report (Ell)
I am pleased to table the Chief Medical Officer of Health’s 2012-13 Tobacco Control Act Annual Report.
Hon. Minister Mike.
Tabled Document 009 – 4(1): Natural Resources Conservation Trust Fund Annual Report for the Period of April 1, 2012 to March 31, 2013 (Mike)
Hon. Johnny Mike: Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to table the Natural Resources Conservation Trust Fund Annual Report for the period of April 1, 2012 to March 31, 2013.
*See Appendix for full text of Committee Report 1 – 4(1) filed with the Clerk.
Hon. Minister Okalik.
Tabled Document 010 – 4(1): Implementation of Inuit Societal Values Report 2013 (Okalik)
I am pleased to table the Implementation of Inuit Societal Values Report 2013.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you (interpretation ends) Tabling of Documents. Hon. Minister Peterson.
Tabled Document 011 – 4(1): 2012-2013 Public Accounts (Peterson)
Hon. Keith Peterson: Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to table the Public Accounts for 2012-13.
We will now proceed to Item 14.
Motion 008 – 4(1): Appointments to Standing Committees – Notice (Joanasie)
I give notice that on Monday, March 10, 2014, I will move the following motion:
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the Hon. Member for Aivilik, that members be appointed to the standing committees of the Legislative Assembly.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Member for Arviat South, Mr. Savikataaq.
Motion 009 – 4(1): Suspension of the Member for Uqqummiut – Notice (Savikataaq)
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the hon. minister from Netsilik, that Mr. Samuel Nuqingaq, Member for Uqqummiut, be suspended immediately from sittings of the House and meetings of its committees and caucuses until such time as the House reviews the status of this matter prior to the spring 2014 sitting of the Legislative Assembly and makes a determination as to whether it should extend the suspension, end the suspension, or take other action.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Item 15.
Bill 01 – An Act to Provide for a Fixed Election Date – Notice
I give notice that on Monday, March 10, 2014, I will move that Bill 1, An Act to Provide for a Fixed Election Date, be read for the first time.
I recognize Hon. Keith Peterson.
Bill 02 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2014-2015 – Notice
I give notice that on Monday, March 10, 2014, that Bill 2, Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2014-2015, be read for the first time.
WHEREAS section 17 of the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act provides that the Legislative Assembly may establish such committees to aid and advise it… .
Speaker: Mr. Joanasie.
Mr. Joanasie (interpretation): I apologize. (interpretation ends) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
There are none. Please proceed, Mr. Joanasie.
Motion 008 – 4(1): Appointments to Standing Committees (Joanasie)
Mr. Joanasie: Thank you, Mr. Speaker and my colleagues.
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the Hon. Member for Aivilik, that members be appointed to the standing committees of the Legislative Assembly;
AND FURTHER I move that the following Members be appointed to the Standing Committee on Legislation: Tony Akoak, Pat Angnakak, Joe Enook, George Hickes, David Joanasie, Steve Mapsalak, Simeon Mikkungwak, Allan Rumbolt, Alexander Sammurtok, Joe Savikataaq, and Isaac Shooyook;
AND FURTHER I move that the following Members be appointed to the Standing Committee on Oversight of Government Operations and Public Accounts: Tony Akoak, Pat Angnakak, Joe Enook, George Hickes, David Joanasie, Steve Mapsalak, Simeon Mikkungwak, Allan Rumbolt, Alexander Sammurtok, Joe Savikataaq, and Isaac Shooyook;
AND FURTHER I move that the following members be appointed to the Standing Committee on Social Wellness: Pat Angnakak, George Hickes, David Joanasie, Simeon Mikkungwak, Alexander Sammurtok, and Isaac Shooyook;
AND FURTHER I move that the following members be appointed as alternate members of the Standing Committee on Social Wellness: Joe Enook, Steve Mapsalak, and Joe Savikataaq;
AND FURTHER I move that the following members be appointed to the Standing Committee on Community and Economic Development: Tony Akoak, Joe Enook, Steve Mapsalak, Allan Rumbolt, and Joe Savikataaq;
AND FURTHER I move that the following members be appointed as alternate members of the Standing Committee on Community and Economic Development: David Joanasie, Simeon Mikkungwak, and Alexander Sammurtok;
AND FURTHER I move that the following members be appointed as Members of the Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and Privileges: Joe Enook, George Hickes, David Joanasie, Steve Mapsalak, and the Hon. Keith Peterson;
AND FURTHER I move that the following members be appointed as alternate members of the Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and Privileges: Pat Angnakak, Simeon Mikkungwak, and Joe Savikataaq.
(interpretation) That’s it. (interpretation ends) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The motion has been carried. (interpretation) Thank you. (interpretation ends) Member for Arviat South, Mr. Savikataaq.
Please proceed, Mr. Savikataaq.
Motion 009 – 4(1): Suspension of the Member for Uqqummiut (Savikataaq)
Mr. Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Speaker and my colleagues.
WHEREAS the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, by virtue of Parliamentary privilege, enjoys the sole prerogative to regulate its own proceedings and internal affairs, including the discipline of members;
AND WHEREAS the Member for Uqqummiut has been disciplined by the Management and Services Board on previous occasions for his unacceptable conduct;
AND WHEREAS it is the judgment of this House that public trust and confidence in the Legislative Assembly and the dignity and reputation of the institution are best served if the Member for Uqqummiut does not take part in its proceedings;
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the Hon. Member for Netsilik, that Mr. Samuel Nuqingaq, Member for Uqqummiut, be suspended immediately from sittings of the House and meetings of its committees and caucuses until such time as the House reviews the status of this matter prior to the spring 2014 sitting of the Legislative Assembly and makes a determination as to whether it should extend the suspension, end the suspension, or take other action;
AND FURTHER I move that the Management and Services Board of the Legislative Assembly be authorized to impose such deductions on the member’s indemnities and recoveries of his allowances as it deems appropriate;
AND FURTHER I move that the Management and Services Board of the Legislative Assembly be authorized to impose such restrictions on the member’s use of his constituency budget and Legislative Assembly funds as it deems appropriate.
Mr. Speaker, I want to have a recorded vote.
Mr. Mikkungwak.
Mr. Savikataaq.
Mr. Shooyook.
Mr. Joanasie.
Mr. Sammurtok.
Mr. Kuksuk.
Mr. Mike.
Mr. Hickes.
Members, the results of the vote are as follows: those for the motion, 16; those against the motion, 2; and those abstaining, 1.
Pursuant to Rule 62(2), I request the consent of this House to waive the two-day notice requirement to allow for the first reading of Bill 1, An Act to Provide for a Fixed Election Date.
Speaker: The member is seeking consent to waive the two-day waiting rule so that Bill 1 can be read today for the first time. Do members agree?
Bill 01 – An Act to Provide for a Fixed Election Date – First Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Cambridge Bay, that Bill 1, An Act to Provide for a Fixed Election Date, be read for the first time.
The motion is carried and Bill 1 has been read for the first time.
First Reading of Bills. The Hon. Member, Mr. Peterson.
Hon. Keith Peterson: Mr. Speaker, I request consent of this Assembly to waive the two-day notice requirement to allow for the first reading of Bill 2, Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2014-2015.
Speaker: The minister is seeking consent to waive the two-day waiting rule so that Bill 2 can be read today for the first time.
Bill 02 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2014-2015 – First Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Pangnirtung, that Bill 2, Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2014-2015, be read for the first time.