EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
To date, Nunavut Arctic College’s admissions office has received 26 applications for the upcoming academic year.
Fifteen of the applicants are beneficiaries. These applications have not yet been assessed against admission criteria.
That is what I can report, Mr. Speaker.
It gives me great pleasure and honour to recognize a well-known constituent of mine from Cambridge Bay, Mr. Bob Aknavigak. We have many nicknames for him, but I think I’ll just stick to his name, Bob Aknavigak.
He has represented Cambridge Bay on the Kitikmeot Inuit Association Board of Directors for many years, I think 10 years.
I used to see him at the board meetings and he contributed greatly to Inuit, social, and political issues in the Kitikmeot for many years.
Now he the chairman of the Kitikmeot Economic Development Commission, which I’m quite proud of because I was one of the individuals who set up that organization about 19 to 20 years ago.
Bob, I don’t know when he sleeps because he’s always sending me emails at all hours day and night to ask me about stuff, what’s happening over here, and telling me what’s going on in Cambridge Bay.
So welcome to the Gallery, Bob.
I would like to recognize an individual sitting behind me, Mr. Ben Kovic, my father’s little brother, who is my uncle, and to remind him in case he forgot that we were probably the first farmers in the Inuit culture in the 1960s.
I would like to acknowledge and welcome him.
I would also like to recognize a constituent of mine who is a very well-known individual in Nunavut and works in various organizations.
I would like to welcome Mr. Ben Kovic.
I would like to recognize an individual who is no stranger, he was recognized here in the House last week and sitting beside Mr. Kovic is young Mr. Anawak.
I would just like to welcome him to the Gallery and tell him that the times that we have had discussions together, I appreciated his comments that he has made to me and those are things that I don’t forget.
I appreciate individuals like that, feeling comfortable enough and they should feel comfortable in being able to come and talk to their representatives on how they feel about issues.
So I thank him for that and welcome him to the Gallery.
Welcome to the Gallery. (interpretation) Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. (interpretation ends) Item 6.
Question 422 – 3(2): Elder Abuse (Ugyuk)
As the minister stated yesterday, World Elder Abuse Awareness Day takes place on Tuesday, June 15, 2010.
I appreciate the efforts by the Department of CLEY to increase public awareness on the issue of elder abuse and I appreciate the efforts to develop and table documents on elders’ strategies.
However, I would like to see the Government of Nunavut go beyond public awareness and tabling of documents. As an example, we ought to have a working strategy to undertake this work since we, as a government, have to go past the rhetoric and start actually implementing changes, especially with relation to legislation that is pertaining specifically to elders.
It is my understanding that in June of 2006, a working group was established to deal directly with the issue of elder abuse in Nunavut.
Can the minister tell us what actions have been taken to date by this working group?
I would like to thank Ms. Ugyuk for her very excellent question.
Yes, on June 15, it will be World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. We have to respect elders and not abuse them physically, verbally, or mentally. They should not be intimidated in any manner whatsoever.
We will continue to highlight this to our fellow residents.
We are working closely with the Department of Health and Social Services and the Department of Justice.
We are going to develop posters for World Elder Abuse Awareness Day and send them out to the communities.
However, with respect to the member’s question, we have to look at how we can best provide assistance to our elders in the future, such as looking at plans, what ought to be included, and so on, which we were going to table this spring, but we were unable to table them due to challenges.
We’ve had meetings with regional organizations to go forward with the plans that will be developed by the Government of Nunavut with the help of the communities.
With that, Mr. Speaker, we are looking at how we can put these strategies together.
I have directed my staff to do some awareness campaign work by way of the various media that is available out there.
If we’re going to look into the future, we have to look at those, but there may be some challenges this year because of financial cutbacks.
In looking at our immediate future, we are looking at using the media, TV, and making radio announcements and looking at various means of how we can best provide the information to the communities to ensure that people are aware of that.
That is what we have done to date, Mr. Speaker.
I thank the Minister of CLEY for his response.
It is my understanding that there is a support phone line for elders.
Can the minister tell us what other services are in place to assist elders who have been financially and/or psychologically abused?
Are you going to be setting up such types of services?
I cannot ascertain the number of communities that will offer this as I do not have the names in front of me.
I do believe that in the majority of communities, there are elders’ groups and organizations that have been established at the community level. I believe most of the Nunavut communities have set up such committees, but if any community would like assistance to create an elders’ committee, we are open to providing assistance.
Every year, the elders’ organizations receive funding from the government for operations and maintenance.
Every month, people who work with elders have teleconferences.
I believe they have cut that back to once every two months due to the spring season.
We are helping them and assisting them in that manner.
We also have funding set aside for healthier individuals, families, and elders in those communities. That includes elders being able to access those funds.
Those monies can also be used so that there’s a closer working relationship between the elders and the youth.
Those are the types of services and programs we have set up for elders, Mr. Speaker.
Would the minister be willing to consider establishing a permanent secretariat or body within his department that deals directly with elders who suffer from elder abuse?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Ms. Ugyuk. Minister Tapardjuk.
Yes, that is totally correct.
We empathize with the elders who are abused.
I, too, will be in that category shortly and as an elder, I would not want to experience abuse.
We are making plans for those types of programs and services and we are looking at options for the communities.
We are looking to those issues, Mr. Speaker. As I said earlier, we are working on the plans on how we are going to set up that strategy.
Once we were apprised of incidents of elder abuse, this government took the initiative to start setting up some support services and strategies and how best to provide assurances to those who are concerned about this.
There are elders out there who suffer from elder abuse and whose psyche is abused. The elders have to be respected.
The Department of Justice also recognized problems and we now have a Family Intervention Act that can be applied for such clients with the help of justice committees and the RCMP.
Even though those have been set up already, we are also looking at culturally relevant programs and services.
I would like to make a report to the House about the elders’ strategies some time in the future.
Unfortunately, the work is still in progress as we try to determine how best to deal with this problem.
We do not want to see elders suffering from any kind of elder abuse and I would like to thank you for giving me the opportunity to ask these questions.
The Department of CLEY’s most recent business plan states that the government’s new Elders’ Strategy was completed in October 2009.
Can the minister indicate how this strategy addresses the issue of elder abuse and will he commit to tabling the Elders’ Strategy in the Legislative Assembly?
We are currently working on completing the Elders’ Strategy.
Within our department, we have the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Committee and we have an individual who comes from your riding.
They make valuable contributions to the discussions at that table.
We have met with that body and as I stated earlier, we’ve had regional meetings on the issue of elder abuse.
Right now, we have an elder in our department who handles the helpline and gives advice to callers.
I can’t make any further changes to what I have said already, but we are working on it.
We hope to complete the Elders’ Strategy this summer and I will be tabling that strategy in the Legislative Assembly some time in the future. This will revolve around the need for looking after our elders properly here in Nunavut, Mr. Speaker.
Question 423 – 3(2): Accountability at the Qulliq Energy Corporation (Okalik)
Mr. Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) My questions are for the Minister responsible for the other Crown corporation here in Nunavut that needs to be audited, the Qulliq Energy Corporation. It’s a different corporation, but unfortunately, it’s the same minister.
Mr. Speaker, on March 22 of this year, the Legislative Assembly voted unanimously to call on the government to exercise its authority under the Nunavut Act to request the Auditor General of Canada to conduct a comprehensive audit of the financial, billing, contracting, procurement, leasing, and human resources management practices of the Qulliq Energy Corporation.
Has the government respected the will of this House and made this request, yes or no?
Once I get the background information on the matter the member is raising, I will be able to respond. However, the matter is still under discussion.
Mr. Okalik (interpretation): I’m sorry, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I did not hear an answer there, so I would like an answer to my question, if you don’t mind. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Okalik. He didn’t hear your response, Premier Aariak.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Mr. Okalik, she would like you to clarify your question.
Mr. Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I asked if the government has made a request to the Auditor General of Canada to conduct a comprehensive audit of the Qulliq Energy Corporation, yes or no. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Hon. Eva Aariak: Thank you for that question.
I will have to ask the Minister responsible for the Qulliq Energy Corporation.
I do recall that motion, it was like, if I remember, it was a déjà vu day that day.
Mr. Speaker, my understanding is that there have been - although the request doesn’t formally come from me, it comes from the government - some preliminary discussions with the OAG office.
They do have, as the member knows, an audit plan put forward.
My understanding of the situation is there have been official discussions to look at whether or not they can fit it in or include it in their audit plan.
Your first supplementary question, Mr. Okalik.
Yesterday, I tabled documents in this House concerning a job competition that the Qulliq Energy Corporation recently undertook.
From my review of these items, it appears clear that the Qulliq Energy Corporation changed the qualifications required of applicants after the competition had been initiated by suddenly requiring applicants to possess a degree in business administration, which obviously had nothing to do with the actual job requirements.
To me, it’s a clear-cut case of trying to exclude a certain applicant from applying for the job.
Will the minister commit to directing the corporation to restart the competition using the original requirements of the job?
I thought that your first supplementary would be part and parcel to your original question and I allowed that question.
Obviously, it’s not part of your earlier question. You will have another opportunity to ask that question.
Mr. Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) My first question related to when the audit will take place for Human Resources, which this House passed.
So that’s where the issue of looking at the hiring practices of the corporation is secondary to my original question. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
In your original question, you asked that there be a comprehensive audit of the financial billing, contracting, procurement, leasing, and human resource management practices of the Qulliq Energy Corporation.
I will allow you to ask the questions related to human resources later in this question period.
Question 424 – 3(2): Support for Acquiring Community Freezers (Elliott)
On December 2, 2009, my colleague from Tununiq asked questions to the minister regarding the issue of community freezers, as the Department of ED&T had been chairing an interdepartmental working group on this issue.
At that time, the minister indicated in his responses to my colleague that he was planning to hold a meeting in January of this year to and I quote, “… actually develop better programs in getting community freezers to the smaller communities.”
Can the minister update the House on the success of his January meeting and describe what progress has been made since then?
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Elliott. Minister of Economic Development and Transportation, Hon. Peter Taptuna.
I stated in January that we’re going to look at that and have an interdepartmental meeting, which we have done.
The department has contacted the refrigeration technologist housed in Natural Resources Canada’s CanmetENERGY Office and they had agreed to advise our department on how to go about choosing the best technology suitable for these communities in Nunavut.
I recognize that the department’s Small Community Initiatives Program has supported such projects as floating docks in communities.
Can the minister indicate if the acquisition of community freezers is eligible for support under this program and if so, would he commit to having his department work with local community economic development officers to assist them in applying for support?
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Elliott. Minister Taptuna.
In 2009-2010, we supported the Hamlet of Repulse Bay in providing $254,000 for the construction of a community freezer there in the hamlet. In 2008-09, the department provided $259,000 to the Hamlet of Chesterfield Inlet again for the construction of a community freezer.
The Small Community Initiatives Program is based on the application process.
We encourage the hamlets to apply or put in applications into the department for such initiatives like that.
As we all know, the new Nutrition North Program is being phased in by the federal government to replace the Food Mail Program.
The new program contains promising provisions in relation to making intercommunity shipments of country food more affordable.
Given that there may be significant increases in the volume of country foods being shipped between our communities, it would seem that the need for modern community freezers will also increase. Can the minister indicate if his department will consider a new program to address this issue?
I stated yesterday that the department is looking at new, innovative ways of powering the community freezers. I had my colleague from Qulliq Energy and my colleague from the Department of Environment looking at all of these issues.
One of the alternative things that we’re looking at is power.
As you know, some of these community freezers are a huge expense to operate, basically for the power.
So we’re looking at alternative ways of reducing the consumption of power. As I mentioned earlier, we’re working with Natural Resources Canada’s energy office to figure out ways to best develop an initiative like that in Nunavut.
In my meetings with constituents in Grise Fiord, Resolute Bay, and Arctic Bay last month, the issue of community freezers came up in each community.
Considering that the government is currently compiling community capital concerns and priorities for the 2011-12 fiscal year, could the minister commit to looking at providing dedicated funding for community freezers through his department’s capital budget?
I cannot commit at this time.
We’re looking at the Poverty Reduction Strategy and that’s going to be part of the initiative; the inter-settlement trade, the community freezers. We’re meeting with all of our associates and our partners, non-governmental organizations, such as NTI, and intergovernmental departments. We are working together to come up with the best solution for some of these initiatives.
Question 425 – 3(2): Probation Services across Nunavut (Ugyuk)
Mr. Speaker, as you will know, until very recently, I was a social worker in the community of Taloyoak.
In addition to social work, I was also required to do probation work.
Can the minister provide an update on how many communities currently have probation officer positions and how many of them are filled?
Hon. Keith Peterson: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank Ms. Ugyuk for that question.
Mr. Speaker, I remember asking that question many years ago when I was on that side.
It’s been a long, arduous journey to staff all of those positions.
I believe we have 15 probation officers across Nunavut in 11 communities, but I have been able to find funding for two this year by using money internally within the department, so we hope to staff those positions.
I may have given a commitment to my colleague, Minister Curley, that we’re going to try and phase out the use of social workers over the next three years.
Your first supplementary question, Ms. Ugyuk.
The 2010-13 business plan for the Department of Justice states that and I quote, “Community Corrections has been working at establishing a ‘stand alone’ probation service for Nunavut.”
Can the minister update this House on the status of this initiative?
Mr. Speaker, I can’t give a detailed update, but I can assure the member that we have a new Deputy Minister of Justice whose six-week anniversary was yesterday. She is working diligently on a list of priorities to look at this year in our business plan. That is one of the priorities.
I should be in a position in the fall to provide a detailed update on that initiative.
I can personally attest to the fact that doing both social work and probation work is like doing two full-time jobs.
What recent discussions has the minister had with his colleague, the Minister of Health and Social Services, with regard to assuming responsibility for probation services in those communities where social workers handle that work?
I thank Ms. Ugyuk again for that question.
Mr. Speaker, I don’t have the exact date, but during the main estimates process, I did meet with Minister Curley because he sent me a letter indicating that they wanted to get out the Memorandum of Understanding arrangement by April 1, 2010.
We had a good meeting and as I said, I gave my commitment to Minister Curley that we are going to work quite seriously on finding probation officers or community corrections officers who can relieve the social workers of those tasks.
I know what Ms. Ugyuk is talking about because I have many friends who have been in those positions over the years and that is why I was raising that issue myself in the Second Assembly.
As Ms. Ugyuk is well aware, it is financially challenging at the best of times in the government to find funding for all positions that all departments need to fund in the communities.
Social workers are given a considerable amount of authority under legislation, such as the Child and Family Services Act.
Probation [officers] have the responsibility to supervise offenders who are on probation or on parole or conditional sentence.
Occasionally, a social worker can also act as a probation officer for the same person and end up in a position of considerable power.
This becomes extremely difficult for both the social worker and the individual involved.
Is the minister aware of any complaints or appeals relating to this situation?
I am not aware of any complaints of which she speaks or asks.
Member for Qamani’tuaq, Mr. Aupaluktuq.
Question 426 – 3(2): Status of Housing Policies and Strategies (Aupaluktuq)
My questions are for the Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation, the Hon. Hunter Tootoo.
On March 12 of this year, I asked the minister for an update on the corporation’s plans to undertake a review of the public housing rent scale.
In his response to me, the minister indicated that the Nunavut Housing Corporation was planning to organize a housing forum with LHOs and other stakeholders in which the issue of the public housing rent scale would be discussed. Can the minister update the House today on the status of this plan?
It gives me an opportunity to update the House on where things are at with that.
Mr. Speaker, as I had indicated, as the member pointed out in March, the corporation is still planning and is looking at having a housing forum that would bring in all representatives from all of the housing organizations throughout the territory and that is something that will happen this fiscal year.
Mr. Speaker, as far as finalizing a date on that, one of the things that the corporation wants to be able to discuss and present at this forum is the results of the needs survey.
Once we have that finalized, we will be having that forum, but as I said, we are hoping to have it within this fiscal year.
One of the difficulties people of Baker Lake face is people becoming employed.
They are burdened with an all-of-a-sudden rent increase and that affects a lot of people’s livelihoods.
It came to the point where if a person didn’t have very much and then all of a sudden, he is making good money working for the mine, they are boggled down with finances because the rent scale has been hitting them dramatically.
I know of a couple of people that have personally been affected by this, that they just chose not to work anymore because the rent scale had gotten too high.
It is something that this Legislative Assembly should look at as well as the minister’s department about seeing whether or not there is a sliding scale for rent increase so people can make the transition from having been an income support dependent to becoming employed.
With that as well, not just personally but also for staff.
Mr. Speaker, I wanted to ask another housing issue that is of concern to Nunavummiut and it’s the government’s staff housing policy, which was announced on September 13, 2005.
At that time, the government stated that it will quote “withdraw from providing staff housing in Iqaluit over the next five years and Rankin Inlet and Cambridge Bay in the next ten years.”
Mr. Speaker, in the year 2008, the government announced a rollback in staff housing rents.
However, the staff housing policy itself remains in place.
Can the minister clarify whether the government still plans to withdraw from providing staff housing in certain communities and if not, can he indicate when a new staff housing policy will be introduced?
Hon. Hunter Tootoo: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I again thank the member.
He raises a couple of very important issues and I think that’s one of the main drivers behind the rent scale review that he has pointed out. One thing we want to make sure of is that public housing rent scales remain fair, affordable, and reasonable for all tenants in public housing.
Mr. Speaker, in regard to the staff housing policy, I believe I indicated in the past that, as the member pointed out, it has basically been frozen and rolled back. That policy was implemented back in 2005 or 2006, I believe, and it has basically stopped in its tracks. The corporation right now does not have any plans to move forward with it right now.
We are conducting an annual review on it and the review is going to be including the utility review, unit allocation, rental assistance, and those types of things and I’m hoping to be able to have that review completed and available for next fall.