EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Can the minister let us know if that is part of the $60 million that was lost in the $200 million trust or is that money coming out of the $100 million trust?
I just want to clarify to him that we didn’t lose $60 million. It was under-budgeted and over-expenditures that led to that $60 million, but I can assure the member that my understanding from the numbers that I have that it was about a $525,000 loss that was taken on those New Holland telehandlers.
That is not included in the $60 million under the trust.
That funding and those pieces of equipment were under the Economic Action Plan funding of the $100 million that we received and those equipments were specifically going to communities where the structured insulated panel single family dwellings are going. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 355 – 3(2): Plans for Non-Inuit Nunavummiut Health Coverage (Okalik)
Mr. Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) My next question is to the Minister of Health so he doesn’t fall asleep.
I believe, Mr. Speaker, there has been more headlines about families who aren’t covered by non-insured health benefits here in our community. When they’re not government employees or aren’t covered by their insurance plans through their employers, they fall through the cracks.
Unfortunately, they go through a very difficult time in trying to get health care from outside the territory.
I would like to ask the Minister of Health if there is any plan to try and address this shortfall that is becoming more apparent as we grow as a community. Not all of us are Inuit, so we don’t qualify for non-insured health benefits.
This problem will probably become more evident as we grow as a community.
Can the minister explain if there are any plans to come up with some sort of insurance plan for non-Inuit in our territory?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Okalik. Minister of Health and Social Services, (interpretation ends) Hon. Tagak Curley.
Yes, I am well aware of this issue that the member is speaking to. However, I believe the member needs to learn more about the review that was done on the Extended Health Benefits Policy. This policy is designed to assist those very people.
I believe that many members of the public who believed they were falling through the cracks are unaware of this policy.
What I can state is that assistance is available through that Extended Health Benefits Policy, which includes coverage for prescriptions that are often expensive.
That is no longer a major concern through that program as far as I know.
I’m not too sure if they can obtain other insurance outside of Extended Health Benefits Policy.
I believe that option is a difficult one. I believe it would be second or third tier, but I could tell you that the Extended Health Benefits Program is to cover non-beneficiaries.
That program exists. The provinces don’t have that program, only the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. They provide support that includes hotel accommodations and medication.
We all know that in the Northwest Territories, they say that the number of those people who are covered under the Extended Health Benefits Program was lower, but I believe that the number of people who are covered by that program is going to increase in Nunavut. That’s what I can say, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) As a government, our employees are covered through premiums. I’m sure that we pay through our payroll system and we are covered for hotel expenditures that we incur as employees.
So what I would like to ask the minister is that we also cover for other programs, like paying for workers’ compensation situations when we encounter those problems.
Perhaps our government can introduce a program for those who aren’t covered by our programs in a comprehensive way. Maybe we should look at adding premiums to those so that they can be covered in their unfortunate situations when those arise in the future. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Yes, those are very good options to consider. I know that we will have to look at more than one option.
However, with regard to the matters he has brought up, a lot of these concerns are in the private sector. I believe it’s only because they’re simply ignorant about the programs and services that we provide.
They’re not aware that these programs and services exist. We have to ensure that our insurance providers give this information out there. The website which is under construction should be up and running soon.
I guess there’s not enough communication, especially for those who are not members of the government union, who are in the private sector.
As I stated earlier, we’re reviewing the situation and how best to deal with this particular challenge and what kind of options we may look at initiating. It will still have to go through cabinet, perhaps in the fall.
We will have a bit more information as to how we plan to deal with this and perhaps even an approval on the policy.
Once a lot of these details have been worked out, I will be able to provide a report on what we have been deliberating.
Question 356 – 3(2): Dialysis Machine for Nunavut (Ningeongan)
My question is directed towards the Minister of Health.
I raised this question at our last session this past March about dialysis machines.
I was informed that the minister would be able to provide a proper answer in June. I had to wait around for a few more months in order to get the news.
Mr. Speaker, patients from Coral Harbour and Chesterfield Inlet have been undergoing dialysis back and forth between Winnipeg and their communities.
It was because of this issue that I want to ask the Minister of Health. It’s now June, so what is the status of the dialysis machine? You had made it sound as if this would occur, so I would like an update as to the situation.
As we told the member that we would have an update in June, we had assumed that we would have everything ready, but we unfortunately are a bit delayed.
We have a lot of reasons for that. We continue to be plagued by a shortage of managers and senior managers.
It is because of that lack of capacity that we have not been able to meet all of the demands.
We will move forward on this and I am in communication with the member.
That piece of equipment is very expensive, particularly because it is used for people with kidney issues.
We are really deliberating what the best option is with our medical staff. We are not quite finished with this process.
We have to determine where the machines would be located.
We are still in the planning stage and that is all I can state now.
I also now want to ask this question to the minister because you led us to have expectations. When exactly will this process be undertaken? What is the timeline?
Would it proceed this month or next month? Can the minister inform me? I will have to get back to the people who have asked me to raise this issue, so I would like to give a timeline if at all possible.
As I stated earlier, the reason why it is so complicated and complex in Nunavut is because if the hospital had the dialysis machine, it would still require technicians and maintenance. It still would have to be maintained and operated.
Therefore, we have to look at what resources will be required in order to have that dialysis machine.
For that reason, I cannot state at this moment that this machine will be ready at a certain date.
However, we are working on this issue and we are trying to deal with all of the details. I can tell the MLA that once the information has become available, I will bring up the news to the member.
We know that it is not on purpose and that the minister perhaps gave me expectations about what to expect in June. Although June has arrived, there is no other information available due to the fact that they are still studying it.
Perhaps I could even receive more details because my constituents have requested more detailed information. They are expecting a dialysis machine and I told them that I would know by June.
It turns out I have the same status as I had in March because I had expectations that the answer would be provided by June.
Within this fiscal year some time, will this process be completed concerning the dialysis machine?
Mr. Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Ningeongan.
Mr. Speaker, as ministers, sometimes when we say something, we usually don’t set a date. We try not to provide a deadline.
However, the medical and technical resources that are required to support the dialysis machine is what is making it a complex situation and new to the North.
We know that we had given a lot of medical clients a false expectation that the machines would become available at a certain date, but that did not come from us.
It is possible that we might have an update in June on the length of this process.
It’s a very complicated matter.
For this reason, we can say that once we have an update or more information, we will provide it. The update will have to go through cabinet and questions such as the locations for the machines.
We aren’t quite there yet, but it is now in the hands of our medical and technical staff.
I’m kind of shocked listening to the minister because of a lot of the staff in the health department apparently went and started asking about possible options to our medical clients in Winnipeg.
Patients were asked about how they could deal with dialysis if it was offered in Nunavut, whether they could have that in their community or if they would have to move to Rankin Inlet in order to get this treatment.
These questions were raised to the patients while they were in Winnipeg.
It makes me a little shocked when the minister says that even before the department has concluded the issue that the staff had already started interviewing our patients in Winnipeg.
This created false expectations. That’s why I raised a question with regard to the dialysis machine treatments and the patients who require them.
Officials from the Department of Health and Social Services had already asked those questions to patients.
I would like to know if the minister knows about this.
We are not trying to shock the member.
There is a procedure we use in the government and I tell the staff to please look into what Nunavutmiut want.
That is something I would like to see, that consultations be made and get more information.
As a minister in the government, I know that we need to work on this as an emergency issue, but with the government system, it doesn’t take overnight to complete that as it is technical and complex.
We need to train the technicians on those dialysis machines.
Once all of the aspects have been completed and everything has been done, it’s not just the money that the government has to determine.
The government will have to work thoroughly and do it properly. That is why it is taking longer.
As we stated before, we need a dialysis machine in Nunavut, but I cannot tell you the exact date when we will be able to get it. The review by the technical and medical professions is now in process.
As they progress, we will be informed, but I cannot tell you the exact date when we can provide you with that information.
We have to listen to our technical and medical staff because they are looking into it right now. It will eventually be completed and the machine will arrive.
It’s just that I am in no position to tell you when it will happen.
Once it is, I will make an announcement.
Question 357 – 3(2): Minimum Wage Annual Report (Elliott)
My questions are directed towards the Minister of Justice, the Hon. Keith Peterson.
I wanted to follow up on some of the questions asked by the Hon. Member from Hudson Bay, Allan Rumbolt, in regard to questions about the annual report for minimum wage.
In 2008, the report was actually tabled but it was for July 2007.
That means there should have been a review, if it’s done annually, in July 2008 and July 2009.
My question to the minister is: could he clarify?
When he was saying that it had not been done, is it not complete for 2008 or is it not complete for 2009?
I thank Mr. Elliott for asking that question or was it questions.
Mr. Speaker, as I indicated to Mr. Rumbolt, the department is working on the reports. I think Mr. Rumbolt tabled a number of issues with the minimum wage report. I indicated that our department would work on it and it is being worked on.
I followed up on it about a month ago and I’ll get an update and provide that to Mr. Rumbolt and Mr. Elliott if they wish.
I am actually referring to Tabled Document 231 – 2(4) from May 23 of 2008, which was tabled by one of the ministers in regard to the annual report for minimum wage.
According to this and according to the regulations, there should have been a report done in 2008-09.
It’s only a nine-page report which we’re going to be reviewing later, the contracts that are handled by the government.
I’m sure a consulting firm would have taken 15 minutes to charge $5,000 to do it. I’m just concerned that these reports are not being done because it leads to my next question.
In a report, when I was doing some research on the issue of poverty, the Canadian Teachers Federation published something called “Taking Action against Poverty.” There are three recommendations: family income, housing, and education opportunities need to be worked on. This fits into what we’re talking about in terms of where we are going with the Anti-Poverty Strategy.
One of the suggestions was the increase in minimum wage.
So if the minister could commit to telling us when this information can be available because I’m sure ED&T would be interested in the information as well to help with their Anti-Poverty Strategy.
Mr. Speaker, if a minister could contract the Government of Nunavut, I would have written a report for $2,500 and probably done it in 10 minutes.
Mr. Speaker, as I said earlier, there’s no one in this House that wants that information tabled sooner. I recognize that people in Nunavut are struggling to get by on minimum wage. I have been a strong anti-poverty supporter for many years, decades in the Kitikmeot, and I have raised it in the House in the Second Assembly and at the cabinet level.
So we do want to address this issue.
I’m sure my officials back at the department are working feverishly right now as I speak to get that information that I can table in the House so that we can move forward with this.
So was that a commitment before the end of this session that we will actually have this in our hands and it will be tabled? That’s my question.
But I think the reason why I see it as a concern is as a former GN employee and working at Nunavut Arctic College, I always found it kind of discouraging the fact that my hourly wage working as a Government of Nunavut employee was guaranteed a certain level by our collective agreement and then on top of that, to defray the costs of living in the northern communities, there is a northern settlement allowance. My settlement allowance as an employee of the Government of Nunavut was more by 50 cents than the minimum wage.
So with myself working in the college, I was making 50 cents more before I even got my wage than someone who is working at the Northern Store at minimum wage.
So if the minister could commit to tabling it before the end of the session.
I thank Mr. Elliott again for that question. It is a sad state.
We recognize the people of Nunavut are struggling to get by on minimum wage that some of them are being paid. My colleague, Minister Taptuna, is going to be leading the Poverty Reduction Strategy work. It’s very important and we encourage all of the ministers, departments, and all officials to get involved, including MLAs.
The only thing I can commit to is that I will table a document as soon as possible.
Question 358 – 3(2): Sealift Shipping Contract (Okalik)
I am very lucky to have caught question period.
I would like to raise a question today to the Minister of Community and Government Services.
I recall that when we placed sealift orders as a government, we compiled all of the orders and we made a single government order.
That was in the previous government and I believe it ended this fiscal year. I am wondering what the government is working toward now and whether this minister will continue with that.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Okalik. (interpretation ends) Minister of Community and Government Services, Hon. Lorne Kusugak.
I say “good day” to Rankin Inlet and Whale Cove.
I thank my colleague for saving me a bit of time for question period so that Mr. Okalik could raise a question.
With regard to the issue, it’s true that this was a five-year plan of action, where we would utilize the sealift by both barge and ship. We have contracts in place here in Nunavut for all communities as stated in the five-year agreement.
This summer’s season will not change as that this contract will expire at summer’s end.
When we initiated this program, we knew there were places to make it more efficient because these shipping companies aren’t the only ones. We have other means of shipping that could be cheaper. We now have a lot more options available.
I would like to ask the minister if he is going to be reopening the process. Are you going to be encouraging the shipping companies to offer the cheapest rates possible for Nunavummiut?
With regard to the details in the agreement, it states that after the five-year period, there will be a two-year possibility of extending the agreement if both parties agree. There was an extension clause in there.
Based on the extension clause, we have extended it another year to give us time to review and determine how shipping will be worked out for future years.
I think we have to look for all options on how best to make any kind of savings, especially in all areas of our operations.
When you look at the government, there are even cases where you can ship from Montreal all the way to the Kitikmeot at lower rates.
We have to look at options that allow us to accrue the largest savings, especially in government operations. A lot of these can really cut down the cost in our communities.
So I am asking the minister: what kind of plans are you looking at dealing with down the road on this issue?
Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): We are doing exactly as he says.
We conducted a review of the past five years of operations with both the barges and the sealift ship.
The current contract we’re using now is the end of that five-year agreement. We did extend the agreement one extra year based on our understanding that it’s operating smoothly.
Whenever we have a tender, we look for the best shipper and the cheapest shipper. We have looked at what would be the best option and which would be the cheapest rates, so we have looked at the review.
With the timeline of the agreement ending, we will be looking at perhaps another tendering process where we can get a competition for the sealift to the communities.
Going back to our orders of the day. (interpretation ends) Item 7.
7: Written Questions
Written Question 018 – 3(2): Attendance Rates in Nunavut (Ugyuk)
I have a written question for the Minister of Education on the issue of attendance rates in Nunavut schools.
Within the meaning of section 34 the Education Act, what mechanisms will schools across Nunavut use to measure and record the punctuality and attendance of students?
Within the meaning of subsection 16(1) of the Transition Regulations of the Education Act, how many principals in the current academic year have provided monthly reports on attendance?
Within the meaning of subsection 16(3) of the Transition Regulations of the Education Act, how many district education authorities in the current academic year have provided communities with information on attendance in schools in the community?
Within the meaning of subsection 37(1) of the Education Act and recognizing section 15 of the Transition Regulations of the Education Act, how many district education authorities across Nunavut have developed and adopted registration and attendance policies during the current academic year?
Section 36 of the Education Act is scheduled to come into force on July 1, 2010.
What specific attendance programs have been established to encourage regular and punctual attendance across Nunavut schools?
For the 2009-2010 school year, what were the attendance rates for all Nunavut schools?
Return to Written Question 003 – 3(2): Annual Fuel Purchases by the Government of Nunavut (Clerk)
Return to Written Question 004 – 3(2): Government of Nunavut Responses Adopted at the 2009 Annual General Meeting of the Nunavut Association of Municipalities (Clerk)
Return to Written Question 005 – 3(2): Ministerial Travel (Clerk)
Return to Written Question 006 – 3(2): Status of the Implementation of the Nunavut Housing Trust Delivery Strategy (Clerk)
Return to Written Question 007 – 3(2): Enforcement of the Wildlife Act (Clerk)
*See Appendix for full text of Returns to Written Questions 3 – 3(2), 4 – 3(2), 5 – 3(2), 6 – 3(2), 7 – 3(2), 8 – 3(2), 9 – 3(2), 10 – 3(2), 11 – 3(2), 12 – 3(2), 13 – 3(2), 14 – 3(2), 15 – 3(2), 16 – 3(2), and 17 – 3(2) filed with the Clerk.
Return to Written Question 008 – 3(2): Correctional Facilities, Recidivism Rates and Rehabilitation Programs (Clerk)
Return to Written Question 009 – 3(2): Activities of the Nunavut Liquor Licensing Board (Clerk)
Return to Written Question 010 – 3(2): Development Partnership Agreement between Government of Nunavut and the Meadowbank Mining Corporation (Clerk)
Return to Written Question 011 – 3(2): Government of Nunavut Responses to Resolutions Adopted at the 2009 Kitikmeot Mayors’ Conference (Clerk)
Return to Written Question 012 – 3(2): Government of Nunavut’s Actions in Response to Motion 46 – 2(4) (Clerk)
Return to Written Question 013 – 3(2): Loans Made By the Nunavut Business Credit Corporation (Clerk)
Return to Written Question 014 – 3(2): Operations of the Nunavut Liquor Commission (Clerk)
Return to Written Question 015 – 3(2): Foster Care (Clerk)
Return to Written Question 016 – 3(2): Status of Integrated Community Sustainability Plans and Infrastructure in Arctic Bay, Grise Fiord, and Resolute Bay (Clerk)
Return to Written Question 017 – 3(2): Patient/Client Complaints Procedure of the Department of Health and Social Services (Clerk)
I am tabling returns to written questions numbers 3 to 17 that were asked at the March sitting and filed with my office.
Tabled Document 155 – 3(2): Commission of Appointment (Aariak)
Hon. Eva Aariak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) Following yesterday’s swearing in of the Commissioner of Nunavut - congratulations to Edna Elias - I would like to table the following document: the Commission of Appointment.
Furthermore, at a later time, I intend to table the letter of instructions to new Commissioner of Nunavut. (interpretation) Thank you.
Tabled Document 156 – 3(2): Resolutions from the 2010 Baffin Mayors’ Forum (Elliott)
I am pleased to table today a collection of resolutions from the 2010 Baffin Mayors’ Forum which was held earlier this year in Iqaluit.
I urge all of my colleagues to review these with care.
Tabled Document 157 – 3(2): Return to Oral Question 319 – 3(2) Addressing Concerns Relating to Health and Social Services (Clerk)
Tabled Document 158 – 3(2): Return to Oral Question 344 – 3(2) Cape Dorset School Project Cost (Clerk)
Tabled Document 159 – 3(2): Return to Oral Question 277 – 3(2) By-Elections for DEAs (Clerk)
Tabled Document 160 – 3(2): Response to Petition 3 – 3(2) Petition for a Safe House in Kugaaruk (Clerk)
I am tabling returns to oral questions that were taken as notice at the last sitting. I have question number 277, number 319, and number 344.
Mr. Speaker, I am also tabling the response of the Minister of Health and Social Services on petition number 3.
Motion 022 – 3(2): Standing Committee Appointments and Revocations – Notice (Aupaluktuq)
I give notice that on Thursday, June 3, 2010, I will move the following motion: