Nunavut Canada
LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF NUNAVUT
2nd Session 4th Assembly
HANSARD
Official Report
DAY 40
Monday, March 9, 2015
Pages 2178 – 2263
Iqaluit
Speaker: The Honourable George Qulaut, M.L.A.
Legislative Assembly of Nunavut
Speaker Hon. George Qulaut (Amittuq) Tony Akoak Hon. George Kuksuk Allan Rumbolt (Gjoa Haven) (Arviat North-Whale Cove) (Hudson Bay) Deputy Chair, Committee of the Minister of Culture and Heritage; Minister of Whole Languages; Minister responsible for the Nunavut Alexander Sammurtok Housing Corporation (Rankin Inlet South) Pat Angnakak (Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu) Steve Mapsalak Hon. Tom Sammurtok (Aivilik) (Rankin Inlet North-Chesterfield Hon. Monica Ell Inlet) (Iqaluit-Manirajak) Hon. Johnny Mike Minister of Community and Deputy Premier; Minister of (Pangnirtung) Government Services Economic Development and Minister of Environment Transportation; Minister of Joe Savikataaq Energy Simeon Mikkungwak (Arviat South) (Baker Lake) Isaac Shooyook Joe Enook Deputy Chair, Committee of the Whole (Quttiktuq) (Tununiq) Deputy Speaker and Chair of Hon. Paul Okalik (Iqaluit-Sinaa) Hon. Peter Taptuna the Committee of the Whole (Kugluktuk) Minister of Health; Minister of Justice; Minister responsible for Labour; Minister responsible for Premier; Minister of Executive and George Hickes Intergovernmental Affairs; Minister (Iqaluit-Tasiluk) Immigration responsible for Aboriginal Affairs;
David Joanasie Hon. Keith Peterson Minister responsible for the Utility (South Baffin) (Cambridge Bay) Rates Review Council Minister of Finance, Chair of the Financial Pauloosie Keyootak Management Board; Minister responsible for the Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (Uqqummiut) Qulliq Energy Corporation; Minister responsible (Netsilik) for the Workers’ Safety and Compensation Minister of Family Services; Commission Minister responsible for Homelessness; Minister responsible Hon. Paul Quassa for the Status of Women (Aggu) Government House Leader; Minister of Education; Minister responsible for Nunavut Arctic College Officers Clerk John Quirke
Deputy Clerk Clerk Assistant Law Clerk Sergeant-at-Arms Hansard Production Nancy Tupik Stephen Innuksuk Michael Chandler Simanek Kilabuk Innirvik Support Services
Box 1200 Iqaluit, Nunavut, X0A 0H0 Tel (867) 975-5000 Fax (867) 975-5190 Toll-Free (877) 334-7266 Website: www.assembly.nu.ca
Table of Contents
Opening Prayer ...... 2178
Ministers’ Statements ...... 2178
Members’ Statements ...... 2181
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery ...... 2185
Oral Questions ...... 2186
Tabling of Documents ...... 2203
First Reading of Bills ...... 2204
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters ...... 2204
Point of Order ...... 2209
Report of the Committee of the Whole ...... 2262
Orders of the Day ...... 2262
A. Daily References
Monday, March 9, 2015 ...... 2178
B. Ministers’ Statements
113 – 4(2): Canada’s Outstanding Principals (Quassa) ...... 2178
114 – 4(2): Celebration of French Language and Culture in Nunavut: Les Rendez-vous de la
Francophonie 2015 (Kuksuk) ...... 2179
115 – 4(2): Improving Diagnostic Services (Okalik) ...... 2179
116 – 4(2): Territorial Parks Projects Move to Master Plan Phase (Mike) ...... 2180
C. Members’ Statements
249 – 4(2): Google Maps Streetview in Sanikiluaq (Rumbolt) ...... 2181
250 – 4(2): Congratulations to Charlene Ukutak (Savikataaq) ...... 2181
251 – 4(2): Congratulations to the Rankin Inlet Bantam Hockey Players (Sammurtok) ...... 2182
252 – 4(2): Baker Lake Artists Recognized in the UK (Mikkungwak) ...... 2182
253 – 4(2): Recognition of Youth Programs (Angnakak) ...... 2183
254 – 4(2): Iqaluit’s Outstanding Principal – Sonja Lonsdale (Hickes) ...... 2183
255 – 4(2): International Women’s Day (Joanasie) ...... 2185
D. Oral Questions
408 – 4(2): Kitikmeot Language Framework Project (Akoak) ...... 2186
409 – 4(2): Medical Escorts for Elders (Mikkungwak) ...... 2188
410 – 4(2): Status of the New Wastewater System for Sanikiluaq (Rumbolt) ...... 2189
411 – 4(2): Progress on Capital Plan (Sammurtok) ...... 2190
412 – 4(2): Feasibility of Waste-oil Furnaces (Savikataaq) ...... 2191
413 – 4(2): Ethics Officer (Enook) ...... 2192
414 – 4(2): Activities of the Qulliq Energy Corporation (Joanasie) ...... 2194
415 – 4(2): Strategy for Elders (Angnakak) ...... 2195
416 – 4(2): Projects under the New Building Canada Fund (Hickes) ...... 2197
417 – 4(2): Support for Cancer Patients (Mikkungwak) ...... 2198
418 – 4(2): ITK and Climate Change (Savikataaq) ...... 2200
419 – 4(2): Duty Travel Administration (Enook) ...... 2202
E. Tabling of Documents
110 – 4(2): 2015 Council of the Federation Winter Meeting (Taptuna) ...... 2203
F. Bills
Bill 20 – Legislation Act – First Reading ...... 2204
Bill 16 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2015-2016 – Family Services –
Consideration in Committee ...... 2204
Bill 16 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2015-2016 – Justice – Consideration in
Committee ...... 2236
Bill 16 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2015-2016 – Finance – Consideration
in Committee ...... 2256
Monday, March 9, 2015 Nunavut Hansard 2178
Iqaluit, Nunavut of Aggu, Igloolik, and Nunavut. Mr. Monday, March 9, 2015 Speaker, Members Present: Mr. Tony Akoak, Ms. Pat Angnakak, Mr. Speaker, as Minister of Education, I Hon. Monica Ell, Mr. Joe Enook, Mr. am honoured to recognize Sonja George Hickes, Mr. David Joanasie, Mr. Lonsdale, a leader in our school system Pauloosie Keyootak, Hon. George who was recently named as one of Kuksuk, Mr. Steve Mapsalak, Hon. Canada’s outstanding principals. Johnny Mike, Mr. Simeon Mikkungwak, Hon. Paul Okalik, Hon. Keith Peterson, As Principal of Joamie School in Iqaluit, Hon. Paul Quassa, Hon. George Qulaut, Sonja Lonsdale is one of 40 principals Mr. Allan Rumbolt, Mr. Alexander from across Canada to receive the 2015 Sammurtok, Hon. Tom Sammurtok, Mr. Canada’s Outstanding Principals Award. Joe Savikataaq, Mr. Isaac Shooyook, Hon. Peter Taptuna, Hon. Jeannie Mr. Speaker, Sonja is a strong leader Ugyuk. who is guided by the Inuit values of Piliriqatigiinniq and Aajiiqatigiinniq. >>House commenced at 13:29 She believes that building positive relationships with her staff, students, and Item 1: Opening Prayer the community is the best way to encourage learning. Speaker (Hon. George Qulaut) (interpretation): Can you say the opening (interpretation ends) The Canada’s prayer, please, Mr. Enook. Outstanding Principals program was developed by the Learning Partnership >>Prayer and is now in its 11th year. The program recognizes the importance of strong Speaker (interpretation): Good leadership in education. Principals are afternoon, ministers, (interpretation nominated by their peers, school staff, ends) Premier, (interpretation) members, and community members. The award as well as my fellow Nunavummiut, recipients participated in an executive visitors, our staff and interpreters. Good leadership training program at the afternoon and welcome. University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management last month. Item 2. Ministers’ Statements. Minister of Education, Mr. Quassa. Mr. Speaker, Sonja works hard to strengthen family and community Item 2: Ministers’ Statements engagement in her school. She initiated the Joamie Parent Committee and she Minister’s Statement 113 – 4(2): supports Family Group Times and Spirit Canada’s Outstanding Principals Days to help make all students and (Quassa) parents feel valued in the school Hon. Paul Quassa (interpretation): community. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Good day, my colleagues and my fellow residents (interpretation) As the principal, Sonja has established a vision for learning that
Monday, March 9, 2015 Nunavut Hansard 2179 is shared by elders, staff, and parents >>Applause based on Inuit societal values. (interpretation ends) Thank you. Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating Sonja Lonsdale, a strong My department is a proud partner of the principal who has provided the programming of Les Rendez-vous de la leadership needed to make Joamie Francophonie 2015 as part of its general School a safe, nurturing, and inspiring mandate to support the vitality of the place of learning for all its students. francophone community in Nunavut.
That’s my Minister’s Statement and I For example, the department will would like to thank you, Mr. Speaker, contribute $30,300 to the Francophone for giving me the opportunity. Thank Association of Nunavut, which will host you. a series of cultural and community events during Les Rendez-vous. With >>Applause this contribution, our government recognizes the importance of heritage, Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. cultural contribution, and value of the Ministers’ Statements. Minister of francophonie in Nunavut and affirms its Culture and Heritage, Mr. Kuksuk. commitment to protect and promote the French language and the vitality of the Minister’s Statement 114 – 4(2): francophone community in Nunavut. Celebration of French Language and Culture in Nunavut: Les Enjoy the Rendez-vous! Merci. Thank Rendez-vous de la Francophonie you. 2015 (Kuksuk) >>Applause Hon. George Kuksuk (interpretation): Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. say “good day” to my fellow Ministers’ Statements. Minister of Nunavummiut, as well as my fellow Health, Mr. Okalik. residents of Arviat and the people of Whale Cove. Minister’s Statement 115 – 4(2): Improving Diagnostic Services (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, from (Okalik) March 6 to 22, 9.5 million francophones Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): and francophiles will celebrate the Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good day. Mr. French language and culture across Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to Canada as part of the 17th edition of Les provide an update on the Department of Rendez-vous de la Francophonie under Health’s ongoing work to improve the theme La joie de vivre: Ça nous diagnostic services. rassemble! (interpretation) I hope you got that. Members will recall from my appearance last week that the CT >>Laughter scanner has allowed the Department of Health to triple the number of scans,
Monday, March 9, 2015 Nunavut Hansard 2180 provide same-day diagnostics, and save being made on three territorial park on medical travel costs for diagnostics. projects currently underway. The CT scanner became operational on February 3, 2014. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce that all three parks Mr. Speaker, the department is also have progressed to the master plan phase improving diagnostic services in other of the park establishment process communities. The outdated standard X- outlined in Umbrella Inuit Impact and ray units in community health centres Benefit Agreement for Territorial Parks. will be replaced with modern digital X- When completed, the master plan phase ray machines. The digital format will will provide sufficient detail to make a allow staff to electronically transmit the final decision on each of these projects. images to radiologists for assessments within 24 hours. Installation of the new (interpretation) Mr. Speaker, the first digital X-ray units are planned for the project is for a park adjacent to the fall of 2015 in Cambridge Bay and community of Sanikiluaq. Since 2010, Rankin Inlet. The rest of the community officials from my department have been health centres will have digital X-ray working with the community to identify capability the following year. a potential park situated within the unique landscape of the Belcher Islands. Mr. Speaker, improving diagnostic services in our communities will greatly (interpretation ends) A second project is improve the chances of a positive looking at the Nuvuk area near Arviat. outcome through early detection and (interpretation) The Department of treatment. The moderization of our Environment initiated a study in 2011 to health care equipment is ongoing and determine potential sites for a territorial will better equip our centres to provide park in response to consultations with timely and efficient service to our clients the hamlet and reports of its adventure and, in many cases, eliminate the stress tourism potential. of having to travel out of the territory for diagnostic services. Thank you, Mr. We will also be looking at a proposed Speaker. park for the Geodetic Hills on the Axel Heiberg Island. We have been working >>Applause closely with the associated communities of Grise Fiord and Resolute Bay on this Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. project which aims to protect the Ministers’ Statements. Minister of globally significant Fossil Forest. Environment, Mr. Mike. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I am Minister’s Statement 116 – 4(2): happy with the progress my department Territorial Parks Projects Move to has made to date. (interpretation) I Master Plan Phase (Mike) would like to thank the communities that provided direction for each of these Hon. Johnny Mike (interpretation): projects and the regional Inuit Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to associations and the Department of inform my colleagues of the progress
Monday, March 9, 2015 Nunavut Hansard 2181
Culture and Heritage for their support. work on this initiative. Thank you, Mr. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker.
>>Applause >>Applause
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Ministers’ Statements. Item 3. Members’ Members’ Statements. Member for Statements. Member for Hudson Bay, Arviat, Mr. Savikataaq. Mr. Rumbolt. Member’s Statement 250 – 4(2): Item 3: Members’ Statements Congratulations to Charlene Ukutak (Savikataaq) Member’s Statement 249 – 4(2): Google Maps Streetview in Mr. Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Sanikiluaq (Rumbolt) Speaker. I rise today to congratulate a resident of my community. Ms. Charlene Mr. Rumbolt: Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ukutak recently received an Outstanding and good afternoon. Mr. Speaker, I rise Young Woman Award from the Qulliit today to inform the House about a new Nunavut Status of Women Council. way in which Sanikiluaq is being put “on the map.” Ms. Ukutak has been volunteering in Arviat for many years. Her approach to Mr. Speaker, as you may be aware, the suicide prevention focuses on motivating communities of Cambridge Bay and youth to develop their skills and talents. Iqaluit were added to the Google Maps Ms. Ukutak’s efforts continue to Streetview feature in 2012 and 2013. encourage Arviarmiut to persevere through hardship and celebrate life. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to inform the House that last week, the Mr. Speaker, community volunteers Google Maps team and members of my provide a very important service in many constituency began the mapping process Nunavut communities. They organize in and around Sanikiluaq. This feature recreational events and arrange will allow anyone in the world with entertainment to bring together residents Internet access to explore a panoramic of all ages. view of the unique and beautiful landscapes of Sanikiluaq from the I am very grateful for Ms. Ukutak’s comfort of their own home. many contributions to my community and I commend her on receiving this Mr. Speaker, I believe that initiatives well-deserved award. I ask my like this will help to promote Sanikiluaq colleagues to join me in congratulating and Nunavut as a destination for visitors. Ms. Charlene Ukutak. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to acknowledge Mr. Joel Heath, the Hamlet of Sanikiluaq, >>Applause and the Google Maps team for their
Monday, March 9, 2015 Nunavut Hansard 2182
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Mr. Mikkungwak (interpretation): Members’ Statements. Member for Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I Rankin Inlet South, Mr. Sammurtok. want to start off firstly with birthday greetings to my mother-in-law, Mercy Member’s Statement 251 – 4(2): Tiktak-Kunangnat, as she is celebrating Congratulations to the Rankin her birthday today. I wish her a very Inlet Bantam Hockey Players good birthday today. (Sammurtok) Mr. Sammurtok: Thank you, Mr. Mr. Speaker, I am very proud to rise Speaker. I rise today to congratulate the today in recognition of the achievement Rankin Inlet Bantam Hockey Team on of Baker Lake Artist Irene Avaalaaqiaq winning the gold medal at the Bantam Tiktaalaaq in having her art currently Territorial Hockey Tournament held displayed in Canada (interpretation ends) here in Iqaluit this past weekend. House on Trafalgar Square, London, England. Mr. Speaker, seven bantam hockey teams from across Nunavut competed in Mr. Speaker, Ms. Tiktaalaaq’s this tournament. There were players embroidered wall hanging illustrates an from Arctic Bay, Arviat, Baker Lake, Inuit tale from Kivalliq traditional Cape Dorset, Chesterfield Inlet, Gjoa culture. It depicts a fish creature that Haven, Pangnirtung, Repulse Bay, turns into a bird-like human so that it can Whale Cove, and Iqaluit. escape from the faces around it. It is a beautifully embroidered wall hanging. Mr. Speaker, the value of sport cannot be underestimated. Not only does it Mr. Speaker, Ms. Tiktaalaaq’s art is one foster individual fitness, discipline, and of a number of pieces from the Canadian good sportsmanship, but at the Arctic that are being displayed as part of community level, it brings people the Canadian High Commission’s together, youth and adults alike. revitalization of its diplomatic mission to the United Kingdom. While I am very pleased that Rankin Inlet will be bringing home the gold, I It is an honour to have Ms. Tiktaalaaq’s believe that all the participants are work be part of this display and I ask my winners. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. colleagues to join me in congratulating her on her international success. >>Applause (interpretation) Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Members’ Statements. Member for >>Applause Baker Lake, Mr. Mikkungwak. Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Member’s Statement 252 – 4(2): Members’ Statements. Member for Baker Lake Artists Recognized in Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu, Ms. Angnakak. the UK (Mikkungwak)
Monday, March 9, 2015 Nunavut Hansard 2183
Member’s Statement 253 – 4(2): I would like to express my gratitude to Recognition of Youth Programs all those involved in delivering and (Angnakak) supporting youth programs for Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. Nunavummiut. Mr. Speaker, when we Speaker. I rise today to recognize a invest in these types of programs, we number of organizations that engage and invest in our future. Our government empower youth in Nunavut. must remain committed to supporting these types of programs and to Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to say empowering youth who will become the that I have been hearing much success confident, motivated, and skilled leaders stories related to youth and youth of this territory in the future. Thank you, programs over the last few weeks. Mr. Speaker.
Earlier this year, a resident of Iqaluit, >>Applause and my niece, Kyra Flaherty, returned from a “Students on Ice” expedition that Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. took her from her home in the Arctic Members’ Statements. Member for way down to the Antarctic. Iqaluit-Tasiluk, Mr. Hickes.
Kyra’s experience involved persistent Member’s Statement 254 – 4(2): fundraising, long hours of travel, Iqaluit’s Outstanding Principal – workshops on ecology and other Sonja Lonsdale (Hickes) subjects, and extraordinary tours of wildlife and scenery. I am very proud of Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I her accomplishments and I look forward rise today to acknowledge the recipient to hearing about her future endeavours. of the 2015 Canada’s Outstanding Principal Award. Mr. Speaker, I would like to remind the youth in Nunavut that there are many Mr. Speaker, when I was first asked if I opportunities available to them. These would provide a letter of support for programs include but are not limited to Sonja Lonsdale, I agreed without Students on Ice, Northern Youth hesitation. While I don’t normally have a Abroad, Canada World Youth, Cadets, lot of professional interaction with Ms. Nunavut Sivuniksavut, and Mr. Speaker, Lonsdale, I have heard numerous even your own Youth Parliament constituents mention the positive path program. she has taken Joamie School on here in Iqaluit. Mr. Speaker, these types of programs provide youth with the opportunity When I saw the list of categories from travel and gain new perspectives of the which the review committee would be world beyond their communities, to basing their decision on, I knew that I learn about different cultures, and to would have to do a bit of research. This develop a stronger appreciation for their list included student achievement, own culture. innovative leadership, instructional leadership, professional learning, family
Monday, March 9, 2015 Nunavut Hansard 2184 and community partnership, and commitment to the students and their personal growth. families.
Mr. Speaker, to accomplish this The leadership she has shown by research, I spoke to parents of children fundraising for new technology has not attending Joamie School as well as some gone unnoticed by parents. Providing of her colleagues. What I found, not SMART boards, iPads, and other surprisingly, was that I could fully get technology to students and her behind the nomination for Sonja as one encouragement to teachers to pursue of Canada’s outstanding principals. clubs that will engage students has been exceptional. Mr. Speaker, just some of the projects that I was informed of include Mr. Speaker, some of the most advocating for more student support supportive comments I received were assistants to meet the needs of students, from her colleagues. The encouragement encouraging a collaborative team effort of professional development and atmosphere, working with new teachers discussions led discussing educational to encourage best practices, pedagogy and various other topics with implementing grade level teams to staff have been invaluable. Also worth discuss strategies, and how to achieve noting is the fact that staff meet weekly improvement: all of which lead to a to promote the new mandate of guided positive learning environment for our reading to ensure staff are coordinated in students. its use.
I personally think that the most critical In conclusion, it was without the part of Ms. Lonsdale’s success is how slightest hesitation that I wrote a letter of she has led family and community support for Sonja Lonsdale in the engagement. Mr. Speaker, of 40 nomination for her to be considered as recipients of this national award, three one of Canada’s outstanding principals were asked to speak to this topic on a and commend the review committee’s broadcast recently of Canada AM. Sonja decision to identify her as one of these was one of these and represented her outstanding principals in all of Canada. school and education in Nunavut very admirably. I ask that all members recognize this accomplishment and congratulate Ms. In Nunavut, there is a constant desire to Lonsdale and the Joamie School team have our parents and community for all the hard work that they have done engaged in the education of our youth. to help her get this deserved honour. Mr. Speaker, her initiation of the Joamie Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Parent Committee enables parents to contribute to the education of their >>Applause children by sending monthly memos, encouraging parents to participate in the Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. school, having elders available every Members’ Statements. Member for day, and her promotion of outside South Baffin, Mr. Joanasie. performers and guest speakers prove her
Monday, March 9, 2015 Nunavut Hansard 2185
Member’s Statement 255 – 4(2): Item 5: Recognition of Visitors in the International Women’s Day Gallery (Joanasie) Mr. Joanasie (interpretation): Thank Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. you, Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon, Speaker. I would like to take this time to colleagues and all Nunavummiut. recognize three very important people in my life, the first one being my husband, Mr. Speaker, as everyone is well aware, Archie Angnakak, and beside him is yesterday was International Women’s Kyra Flaherty, who is my niece and also Day. This event celebrates women my goddaughter, and my older sister, annually by highlighting their Susan Gardner. I would like you to help achievements. me welcome them to the House.
Further, in the House, there will be a >>Applause showing of Nunavut artists, specifically our women artists. I would like to Speaker (interpretation): Welcome to acknowledge these artists and extend my the gallery. Recognition of Visitors in appreciation to the Legislative Assembly the Gallery. Member for Iqaluit-Tasiluk, for compiling the artwork for this Mr. Hickes. showing. Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The artwork is from the following At this time, I would like to stand up and women artists: firstly, Victoria recognize Sonja Lonsdale, who took Mumnguqsualuk, Shuvenai Ashoona, time out of her busy workweek to attend Pitaloosie Saila, Okpik Pitseolak, Mary these proceedings and her husband, Pudlat, whom I recognized as my sister- Steven Lonsdale, whose son is turning in-law, Lucy Qinnuayuak, Kenojuak out to be quite the goaltender on my Ashevak, Elisapee Ishulutak, Germaine daughter’s hockey team. Thank you, Mr. Arnaktauyok, and Abigail Ootoova. Speaker.
This showing will be available for >>Applause viewing until March 31 in the Legislative Assembly. Thank you. Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Welcome to the gallery. Recognition of >>Applause Visitors in the Gallery. Member for Aggu, Mr. Quassa. Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Members’ Statements. I don’t have any Hon. Paul Quassa (interpretation): more names on the list. Item 4. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This person (interpretation ends) Returns to Oral was just recognized, but I wanted to Questions. Item 5. Recognition of acknowledge her further and that is Visitors in the Gallery. (interpretation) Sonja Lonsdale. She is one of the Member for Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu, Ms. foremost leaders within our school Angnakak. system.
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As per my Minister’s Statement, she was deputy minister at CGS. (interpretation) just recognized for her work by her Thank you. peers, with over 40 principals from all over Canada recognized and she >>Applause represented Nunavut. For her success, we are proud of her accomplishments. Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Her work is quite beneficial to our Welcome to the gallery. Recognition of schools and in particular, to the Joamie Visitors in the Gallery. I have no more School. Thank you. names on my list. Item 6. Oral Questions. Member for Gjoa Haven, Mr. >>Applause Akoak.
Speaker (interpretation): Welcome to Item 6: Oral Questions the gallery. Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. Member for Rankin North Question 408 – 4(2): Kitikmeot and Chesterfield Inlet, Mr. Sammurtok. Language Framework Project (Akoak) Hon. Tom Sammurtok (interpretation): Mr. Akoak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to (interpretation) Good day, Inuit, people recognize two people in the gallery of Nunavut and Gjoa Haven, as well as today. The first is Mr. Shawn Maley my colleagues. (interpretation ends) who is the CEO of the Northern Employee Benefits (interpretation ends) My questions are Services, and Ms. Nicole Pintkowsky, for the Minister of Languages. Director of Operations for the Northern Employee Benefits Services. Mr. Speaker, the minister will recall that on February 25, 2015, I tabled a number Mr. Maley and Ms. Pintkowsky of resolutions that were passed at the participated with me and my staff earlier most recent Kitikmeot Inuit Association today in the standing committee review Annual General Meeting which was held of Bill 1. Their presence here today and in Cambridge Bay. One of the that committee is further proof of the resolutions that were passed concerned a strong and cooperative relationship language framework project for the between NEBS, GN, and GNWT in region. bringing forth this very important legislation that will protect and enshrine Uqaqtittijii, the Kitikmeot Inuit pension benefits for municipal and non- Association (interpretation) recognizes government public sector employees in that “there continues to be Inuit language the north. loss in all five Kitikmeot communities and in particular the two Western (interpretation) Mr. Speaker, communities of Cambridge Bay and (interpretation ends) Mr. Maley is a Kugluktuk.” familiar face in this legislature, having appeared here numerous times over the (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, while years in his former position of assistant I recognize that there has been a reorganization of government programs
Monday, March 9, 2015 Nunavut Hansard 2187 specific to the Inuit language, can the that “it is unlikely that Inuit language minister explain what his department is revitalization will succeed in the region doing to address the serious issue of unless new initiatives are launched and Inuit language loss in the Kitikmeot? supported.” Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, these concerns should be Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. taken very seriously and Inuit language Minister of Languages, Mr. Kuksuk. revitalization should be a priority. I recognize that the government has Hon. George Kuksuk (interpretation): invested in Inuit language programs. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank my However, this resolution indicated that colleague for asking the question about there are concerns about their the Inuit language. Mr. Speaker, this effectiveness. government considers the Inuit language as a very important issue, especially Mr. Speaker, can the minister explain within the government, within Nunavut how his department evaluates the as well as outside. In the regions such as success of its language revitalization the Kitikmeot, Baffin, or wherever else programs? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. in Nunavut, the feelings of language inviolability abound, including the need Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. to preserve our language in our schools Minister of Languages, Mr. Kuksuk. or our workplaces. The priority is to strengthen the usage of the language and Hon. George Kuksuk (interpretation): this is a departmental objective. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I again thank the member for that As an example, the member spoke about question. Mr. Speaker, as per my earlier the need to preserve the Kitikmeot comments, when I spoke about dialects and asked if any initiatives were languages and the Inuktitut language in forthcoming to protect their dialect. particular, there are various initiatives to Wherever a workplace or some other protect the language through our schools focal gathering point for the local Inuit is or in the workplace. to be used, we try to provide the written dialect for those places. We are adamant Mr. Speaker, with respect to the usage of about preserving the language and we the Inuit language and the funds to will continue to do that. Thank you very protect the language, there are various much, Mr. Speaker. departments that have to collaborate on implementing the recommendations as Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. this is ongoing within government Your first supplementary, Mr. Akoak. operations and departments.
Mr. Akoak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. With respect to his question about As the minister is aware, KIA’s evaluation and measuring success and resolution indicates that “there continues what the department has undertaken, I to be a major gap in Inuit language can’t provide details at this time. revitalization efforts, regardless of other However, if my colleague understands initiatives underway.” It further indicates my response, his request on the status
Monday, March 9, 2015 Nunavut Hansard 2188 will require some research. If my would like to direct my question to the departmental officials have that Minister of Health. information, I will get the information and provide it to the member, just not (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I was today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. very pleased to hear the minister’s announcement regarding a change in the Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Medical Client Travel Policy that will Your final supplementary, Mr. Akoak. now allow escorts for all unilingual elders over the age of 65, if they want. In Mr. Akoak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. his statement, the minister recognized The resolution for a language framework that “escorts for unilingual elders project encourages KIA and the participate in the continuum of care for Government of Nunavut to work elders. This includes reducing stress “towards establishing a language during travel and ensuring comfort promoter pilot project in at least three before and after appointments.” I would Kitikmeot communities.” Will the think that this important role applies to minister commit to working with the all escorts for our elders over the age of Kitikmeot Inuit Association on this 65. initiative? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the minister clarify whether Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. bilingual elders over the age of 65 will (interpretation ends) Hon. Minister of also be entitled to an escort if they want Languages, Mr. Kuksuk. one? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Hon. George Kuksuk (interpretation): Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I Minister of Health, Mr. Okalik. again thank the member. Absolutely, irrespective of whether you live in the Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Kitikmeot or wherever, whether it is the Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This was more Kivalliq or the Baffin region, wherever specific towards elders who are our language requires revitalization, I unilingual Inuit with no English- want to work with all of the regions to speaking skills. Sometimes you see move this issue forward and try to confused elders with no escorts loitering preserve the language with the bodies in the terminals, especially when there the member spoke about. Thank you, are connecting flights. Their plight is Mr. Speaker. unimaginable and one has to sympathize with elders in that situation. This Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. program was specifically towards Oral Questions. Member for Baker Lake, unilingual elders who can’t speak Mr. Mikkungwak. English as they also require assistance during their travels. Thank you, Mr. Question 409 – 4(2): Medical Escorts Speaker. for Elders (Mikkungwak) Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Mr. Mikkungwak (interpretation): Your first supplementary, Mr. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I Mikkungwak.
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Mr. Mikkungwak (interpretation): Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation (interpretation ends) An escort can ends) I don’t think we needed to do provide assistance to a medical client in consultations to determine that our many important ways, not necessarily elders need help when they are travelling just to help interpret for a unilingual and when they are struggling. In terms of elder. Some elders may need assistance trying to understand which flight they with their luggage, transportation, or are supposed to go on, it was something may have had a medical treatment that that was very evident that we need to prevents them from lifting anything. Can change this policy to make sure that our the minister clearly explain whether elders are looked after properly when these criteria are taken into consideration travelling in our territory and outside. when allowing escorts for elders who are (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. bilingual? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Oral Questions. Member for Hudson Minister of Health, Mr. Okalik. Bay, Mr. Rumbolt.
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Question 410 – 4(2): Status of the New Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation Wastewater System for Sanikiluaq ends) The policy already covers those (Rumbolt) who may have physical challenges and Mr. Rumbolt: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. may need assistance in taking My questions today are for the Minister medication during their treatment, so of Community and Government those things are already covered in the Services. policy. The change was to address language barriers faced by elders. Mr. Speaker, the new sewage lagoon for (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Sanikiluaq has been delayed several times due to a number of issues, such as Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. location and geotechnical investigations. Your final supplementary, Mr. Back in October, the minister informed Mikkungwak. the House that a decision could be made in February of 2015 on when this project Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you, Mr. could go ahead. Speaker. It is certainly a good step for the government to recognize the needs of Can the minister update us today on the Nunavutmiut and change the policy status of the sewage lagoon project for accordingly. Can the minister confirm Sanikiluaq? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. whether or not his department held any public consultations on this issue before Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. changing the policy? Thank you, Mr. Minister of Community and Government Speaker. Services, Mr. Sammurtok.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Hon. Tom Sammurtok (interpretation): (interpretation ends) Hon. Minister of Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation Health, Mr. Okalik. ends) The geotechnical and geophysical
Monday, March 9, 2015 Nunavut Hansard 2190 investigations have been completed and be ordered and purchased ahead of time, we are hoping to have the designs and so on. completed by the end of March. (interpretation) Thank you. As my colleagues will all be aware, I am very disappointed that the children’s Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. group home in Rankin Inlet is going to Your first supplementary, Mr. Rumbolt. be renovated into a mental health transition centre. Can the minister Mr. Rumbolt: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. provide an update on when the work on Can the minister indicate what his the renovation will begin and how long department’s timeframe is for the it will take to complete? Thank you, Mr. beginning of construction of this new Speaker. sewage lagoon and when it will be completed? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Minister of Community and Government Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Services, Mr. Sammurtok. (interpretation ends) Hon. Minister of Community and Government Services, Hon. Tom Sammurtok (interpretation): Mr. Sammurtok. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) This project is, of course, being Hon. Tom Sammurtok (interpretation): led by the Department of Health and we Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation are in discussion with them at this point. ends) We expect to start minor works on Once we come to an agreement, I would this project this coming summer and be able to properly respond to the complete by next year, 2016. member’s question. (interpretation) (interpretation) Thank you. Thank you.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Oral Questions. Member for Rankin Your first supplementary, Mr. Inlet South, Mr. Sammurtok. Sammurtok.
Question 411 – 4(2): Progress on Mr. Sammurtok: Mr. Speaker, as I Capital Plan (Sammurtok) indicated, I am disappointed at this project because the building and location Mr. Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank was perfectly designed for its original you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I purpose as a children’s home. Can the would like to direct my question to the minister provide some explanation as to Minister of Community and Government what kinds of changes will be necessary Services. to convert this home into a home for adults facing mental health issues? Mr. Speaker, as you will recall, in the Thank you, Mr. Speaker. fall, we approved the government’s capital plan for 2015-16. I recognize that Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. the approval is done early in order that Minister of Community and Government tenders and requests for proposals can be Services, Mr. Sammurtok. issued in a timely manner, supplies can
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Hon. Tom Sammurtok (interpretation): Mr. Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation Speaker. I would like to direct my ends) I don’t have that level of question to the Minister of Community information. As I indicated, this project and Government Services. is being led by another department. Once we get direction from that department, Mr. Speaker, the department’s five-year we would be able to proceed with the capital plan indicates that it plans to work. (interpretation) Thank you. begin the design and construction of a number of municipal garages in the Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. 2016-17 fiscal year. Your final supplementary, Mr. Sammurtok. As the minister will be aware, installing waste-oil furnaces in these garages can Mr. Sammurtok: Thank you, Mr. be used to recycle used oil and generate Speaker. I appreciate that our free heat. government needs to make difficult decisions to allocate resources and Can the minister indicate if his infrastructure as they are needed. Can department has considered installing the minister confirm that it will be still waste-oil furnaces in the newly possible at some point in the future to constructed garages? Thank you, Mr. once again repurpose this facility and Speaker. convert it back into a children’s group home? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Minister of Community and Government Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Services, Mr. Sammurtok. (interpretation ends) Hon. Minister of Community and Government Services, Hon. Tom Sammurtok (interpretation): Mr. Sammurtok. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I thank the member for that Hon. Tom Sammurtok (interpretation): question. As a service department, we Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation are always looking at emerging ends) I’m not able to answer that technologies and existing technologies to question. We are a service department. determine what would be the best Until such time that we are given solution to, for example, heating of any direction by a program department, I just municipal buildings. (interpretation) don’t have that level of information. Thank you. (interpretation) Thank you. Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Your first supplementary, Mr. Oral Questions. Member for Arviat Savikataaq. South, Mr. Savikataaq. Mr. Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Question 412 – 4(2): Feasibility of Speaker. Will the minister commit to Waste-oil Furnaces (Savikataaq) investigating the feasibility of installing waste-oil furnaces in up-and-coming garages that are going to be built in the future? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Hon. Minister of Oral Questions. Member for Tununiq, Community and Government Services, Mr. Enook. Mr. Sammurtok. Question 413 – 4(2): Ethics Officer Hon. Tom Sammurtok: Thank you, Mr. (Enook) Speaker. During the preplan/predesign Mr. Enook (interpretation): Thank you, stage of any project, we are always Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon to the looking into different technologies that people of Pond Inlet and Nunavut. may be available out there. Any time we enter into that phase, we are always Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the looking at different technologies that Minister of Finance. might be useful. (interpretation) Thank you. Part 6 of Nunavut’s new Public Service Act comes into force in a little over three Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. weeks from today. This section of the Your final supplementary, Mr. legislation deals with protection for Savikataaq. public servants who disclose wrongdoing in the workplace. In the Mr. Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. minister’s recent Budget Address, he Speaker. I will try one more time. Will indicated that he would be announcing the minister commit to investigating of the appointment of the new ethics officer municipal garages that are coming on to “very shortly” and that the individual have waste-oil furnaces as part of the will “take office on April 1.” package in the early stages, not as an add-on, but right in the beginning Mr. Speaker, my question to the minister stages? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. is: can he describe what actions his department has been taking in Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. anticipation of the coming into force of Minister of Community and Government Part 6 of the Public Service Act? Thank Services, Mr. Sammurtok. you, Mr. Speaker.
Hon. Tom Sammurtok (interpretation): Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation (interpretation ends) Hon. Minister of ends) Again I stress that we are always Finance, Mr. Peterson. looking into different new and proven technologies. I’m sure that my Hon. Keith Peterson: Thank you, Mr. department will be looking into the Speaker. I thank Mr. Enook for the feasibility of whether waste-oil fired question. Mr. Speaker, on April 1, we heaters might be one of the things we will be officially opening the office. The could look at. However, once we individual who was selected as the ethics determine what would be the best officer has been appointed by the solution for that situation, that’s the cabinet. The other action is we will be method that my department would likely bringing the individual to Iqaluit, I think, follow. (interpretation) Thank you. on March 15 to introduce him hopefully in the House and to all of our
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Government of Nunavut employees. employees. From time to time, we do put We’re very much looking forward to this out Helpdesk directives. Helpdesk, to the office opening on April 1. Thank you, public, is Internet information to our Mr. Speaker. employees. They are to update them on the information. We do make our Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. employees aware that in the Department Your first supplementary, Mr. Enook. of Finance, we do have employee relations folks who you can contact. Mr. Enook: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. They are available to act as mediators in As the minister is aware, I have not been disputes or issues that employees may alone in raising concerns about public have with their supervisors. Thank you, servants who feel muzzled or Mr. Speaker. intimidated when they attempt to bring forward concerns to appropriate Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. authorities, including the elected Your final supplementary, Mr. Enook. Members of this Legislative Assembly. Mr. Enook (interpretation): Thank you, Can the minister describe what actions Mr. Speaker. As this will be a new his department is taking to ensure that all initiative, can the minister describe what levels of the public service are clearly information is being provided to aware of the rights and responsibilities Government of Nunavut employees so of employees and managers? that they know how to contact Nunavut’s Thank you. Mr. Speaker. new ethics officer? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Minister of Finance, Mr. Peterson. Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Minister of Finance, Mr. Peterson. Hon. Keith Peterson: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is no secret that the Hon. Keith Peterson: Thank you, Mr. Government of Nunavut has quite an Speaker. I thank Mr. Enook for the extensive set of Human Resource question. Mr. Speaker, I just recently Manual directives. They are available to received approval from the cabinet for a all management and senior management new Human Resource Manual directive. and, of course, to all employees. It is all I just happen to have it here. Internal spelled out in the Human Resource disclosure of wrongdoing is part and Manual directives. I don’t want to be parcel with the ethics officer. That will telling people what they should do, but it spell out the various steps that is incumbent upon managers and employees may follow to report internal supervisors to be very familiar with wrongdoing. those policies. It’s also incumbent upon employees to educate themselves about I have to point out that we encourage the the policies. They are there to protect the employees to go through those steps, but individuals. if they feel that there are safety issues or health issues or there may be reprisals Under the Public Service Act, of course, against them, then they can go directly to again there is more information for the ethics officer with their complaint.
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We are treating it very seriously. If total amount of alternative energy QEC supervisors, managers, and anybody else will accept.” mistreats employees during this process, there can be some very serious Can the minister update the House today consequences. on the status of QEC’s implementation of the new Net Metering Policy? Thank Mr. Speaker, because we want people to you, Mr. Speaker. be able to use this new initiative, we have developed an information package Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. and I believe it will be sent out to all Minister responsible for the Qulliq Government of Nunavut employees and Energy Corporation, Mr. Peterson. we will promoting it on our website. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Hon. Keith Peterson: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank Mr. Joanasie for the Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. question. Mr. Speaker, I have been a Oral Questions. Member for South strong advocate of wind turbines and Baffin, Mr. Joanasie. alternative energy for many years. When I was MLA on that side, I used to ask the Question 414 – 4(2): Activities of the QEC minister questions of the day. In Qulliq Energy Corporation Cambridge Bay, we had some wind (Joanasie) turbines that some friends of mine were Mr. Joanasie: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. operating. My questions today are for the Minister responsible for the Qulliq Energy I can tell Mr. Joanasie that the status of Corporation. the Net Metering Policy is it is in the draft stages and it is being reviewed by Mr. Speaker, the Nunavut Energy Centre our QEC legal counsel, then it would defines “net metering” as a “program have to go to the board and finally to and billing practice that allows myself. It’s not just about the metering electricity consumers to produce their policy. There are other considerations own electricity and use it to offset all or we have to work on, interconnection a portion of their electricity bill.” This is guidelines and bonding and grounding intended to support the development of guidelines, so it is part and parcel. such alternative energy sources as wind or solar power. We take our power grids in our communities very seriously. Any harm The Qulliq Energy Corporation’s most or potential risk to those power grids can recently tabled annual report for the put our entire communities at risk, so we 2012-13 fiscal year states that a net have to tread very carefully with the Net metering policy is “being developed to Metering Policy. Thank you, Mr. allow small amounts of alternative Speaker. energy from our customers to be introduced to the power grids. The limit Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. on any Net Metering installation will be Your first supplementary, Mr. Joanasie. 10 kW with additional limits based on the individual communities as to the
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Mr. Joanasie: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. erected in Cape Dorset in the fall of The Municipality of Cape Dorset has 2012. (…) The 12 month collection of expressed interest in exploring the use of data is the first step required for any solar power to offset the high cost of further development of a wind site.” electricity in relation to operating such facilities as the community’s arena, and I When I raised this issue last September would encourage QEC to work with the on the occasion of our hearing on QEC’s municipality in this area. The business plan and annual report, I was municipality has also requested that a informed that the corporation was lower power rate be charged to the working to “determine what our next municipality for the operation of step should be.” recreational infrastructure. Can the minister update the House today Can the minister indicate whether QEC on the status of the Cape Dorset wind is able to apply to the Utility Rates power initiative? Thank you, Mr. Review Council to charge differential Speaker. power rates for municipal operations of municipal infrastructure, including Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. arenas? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Minister responsible for the Qulliq Energy Corporation, Mr. Peterson. Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) The Hon. Minister Hon. Keith Peterson: Thank you, Mr. responsible for the Qulliq Energy Speaker. I certainly commend the Corporation, Mr. Peterson. community of Cape Dorset for their dedication to alternative energy, wind Hon. Keith Peterson: Thank you, Mr. turbines, and solar power. I believe the Speaker. Mr. Joanasie certainly knows information that I have available to me is his power questions today. that QEC has collected the data necessary to do an analysis. I just don’t Mr. Speaker, I don’t have that level of have any further update for Mr. Joanasie information here with me. We are today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. already busy with Cape Dorset trying to get a new power plant. As Mr. Joanasie Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. stated so eloquently the other day, we Oral Questions. Member for Iqaluit- want to get it in his lifetime. That’s our Niaqunnguu, Ms. Angnakak. number one priority for Cape Dorset. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Question 415 – 4(2): Strategy for Elders (Angnakak) Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Your final supplementary, Mr. Joanasie. Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to direct my Mr. Joanasie: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. question to the Premier. The Qulliq Energy Corporation’s most recently tabled annual report for the Mr. Speaker, last Wednesday, the 2012-13 fiscal year also states that Premier provided an update on his “Wind monitoring equipment was winter meeting with Canada’s premiers.
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He stated that amongst other things, this Mr. Speaker, housing for elders is a group agreed to “ongoing collaboration concern across our territory. Can the on senior’s care and aging,” my Premier clarify whether any direction favourite topic to talk about. He further has been given to the Minister of Health, indicated that he has committed to being the Minister of Family Services, who is a member of the Council of the Federal also responsible for homelessness, and to Task Force on Aging. the Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation to work together to I am confident that the Premier’s address the specific housing needs of participation on this task force will elders? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. provide some insight on issues that elders face across the country. However, Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. I would greatly appreciate it if the Premier of Nunavut, Mr. Taptuna. Premier could provide an update on what steps have been taken to develop a Hon. Peter Taptuna: Thank you, Mr. comprehensive elders strategy here in Speaker. I thank the member for that Nunavut. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. question. Mr. Speaker, maybe I should have made myself clear. The Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. coordination is going to be coming (interpretation ends) Hon. Premier of through me through Executive and Nunavut, Mr. Taptuna. Intergovernmental Affairs from all the departments. As you know, there are at Hon. Peter Taptuna: Thank you, Mr. least seven departments that deal with Speaker. I thank the member for that seniors’ programs, so we want to question. Mr. Speaker, as I indicated last coordinate that to be more effective in week, I made myself available to the delivering programs. task force and the working group that we have formed through our premiership When it comes to housing, there is a discussions. Mr. Speaker, at this time, major housing shortage in Nunavut, as one of the initiatives that I undertook everybody knows. Mr. Speaker, at this was to have all the senior programs and point, we are short approximately 3,600 initiatives channelled through my units just for Nunavummiut and, of department directly to me from all the course, that includes elders. We continue departments. That’s one of the first steps to talk to the federal government for I have taken. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. more investment in bringing up the housing numbers that we desperately Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. need in Nunavut. Thank you, Mr. Your first supplementary, Ms. Speaker. Angnakak. Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. Your final supplementary, Ms. Speaker. I’m not too sure if I got the Angnakak. answer I was looking for, but there is something I can follow up with in regard Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. to the elders strategy. Speaker. I thank the minister for his response. I think that is encouraging to
Monday, March 9, 2015 Nunavut Hansard 2197 hear and I certainly hope that we get that Question 416 – 4(2): Projects under money before I need that kind of the New Building Canada Fund housing. (Hickes) Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, assisted care for elders is As with some of my colleagues, I would another important area which needs like to direct my question to the Minister immediate attention if we want to ensure of Community and Government that our elders are able to live Services. comfortably, securely, and in the best health possible. Will the Premier commit Mr. Speaker, during the Committee of to finding solutions to ensure that our the Whole’s consideration of his elders in Nunavut receive the most department’s draft 2015-16 main comprehensive supports possible? Thank estimates, my colleagues and I asked a you, Mr. Speaker. number of questions related to the New Building Canada Fund. In response to Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. these questions, testimony indicated, and Premier of Nunavut, Mr. Taptuna. I’ll quote, “all departments have submitted a list of projects for Hon. Peter Taptuna: Thank you, Mr. consideration in the New Building Speaker. I thank the member for that Canada Fund” and that these projects question. Mr. Speaker, again, we do our “have been ranked and prioritized.” best to ensure that we do the best possible thing. We are coming up with a Can the minister explain in further detail strategy to determine exactly how we’re how his department ranked and going to be doing that in cooperation prioritized infrastructure projects to be with the housing corporation. submitted for funding under the New Building Canada Fund? Thank you, Mr. As members are well aware, there is a Speaker. strategy taking place. It’s being formed and it’s called blueprint for action. That Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. is one of the things that I take a personal (interpretation ends) Hon. Minister of interest to. These situations are very Community and Government Services, difficult for our elders and our seniors. Mr. Sammurtok. As most members know, there is quite a shortage for long-term care facilities and Hon. Tom Sammurtok: Thank you, Mr. 24-hour care facilities throughout Speaker. There is a committee of Nunavut. We are taking a close look at departmental staff and also members that and we will continue to do that. from outside the department. When these Thank you, Mr. Speaker. requests are received, the committee meets and determines how these projects Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. can be ranked. Once an agreement is Oral Questions. Member for Iqaluit- reached, they are submitted to the Tasiluk, Mr. Hickes. federal government. (interpretation) Thank you.
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Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. any of these projects, I am not able to Your first supplementary, Mr. Hickes. provide that level of information at this point. (interpretation) Thank you. Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the minister indicate how his Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. department involves local organizations Oral Questions. Member for Baker Lake, and municipalities when determining Mr. Mikkungwak. projects to be submitted under the New Building Canada Fund? Thank you, Mr. Question 417 – 4(2): Support for Speaker. Cancer Patients (Mikkungwak)
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Mr. Mikkungwak (interpretation): (interpretation ends) Hon. Minister of Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I Community and Government Services, would like to direct my question to the Mr. Sammurtok. Minister of Health.
Hon. Tom Sammurtok (interpretation): (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I am Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation asking this question on behalf of a ends) As the member is probably aware, constituent who was recently diagnosed Inuit organizations are now eligible to with cancer despite being repeatedly told apply for this program as well, so we do by the nurses at the local health centre involve other non-governmental that she simply had a virus. My organizations to be on this board, such as constituent went south to get the NAMA and NAM. (interpretation) appropriate treatment and now has to Thank you. stay there to be close to the necessary services. Other members have raised Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. similar concerns in this House in recent Your final supplementary, Mr. Hickes. months.
Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the minister clarify what supports Can the minister provide a list of and resources are offered to projects in Iqaluit that have been Nunavutmiut who are suffering from a submitted for funding under the New serious illness and have to move south to Building Canada Fund and an get the treatment that they need? Thank approximate budget for each project? you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Minister of Health, Mr. Okalik. Minister of Community and Government Services, Mr. Sammurtok. Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation Hon. Tom Sammurtok (interpretation): ends) Currently, for cancer treatment, Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation our territory only has the capacity to ends) Currently, these are being provide oral treatment for cancer reviewed by the federal government and patients. The majority of cancer patients until such time we receive approval for are treated in southern facilities, as they
Monday, March 9, 2015 Nunavut Hansard 2199 have the proper facilities to care for facilities. (interpretation) Thank you, these cancer patients. I would appreciate Mr. Speaker. the name of the person confidentially from my colleague so that I can get this Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. reviewed by my department to make Your final supplementary, Mr. sure that we avoid this in the future. Mikkungwak. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Mikkungwak (interpretation): Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Your first supplementary, Mr. (interpretation ends) It is important that Mikkungwak. our government recognize the needs of Nunavutmiut who are suffering from Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you, Mr. serious illness and to provide the support Speaker. At the appropriate time, I will that they need. Can the minister confirm meet with the minister. that he will review this situation and adjust departmental policies accordingly Mr. Speaker, my constituent and her so that people in similar situations to my family have been fundraising and constituent can feel confident that their seeking financial help to pay for government will support them in their accommodation so that she can be close hour of need? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. to the facility where she can receive the necessary treatment to keep her alive. Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Can the minister clearly explain what Minister of Health, Mr. Okalik. kinds of financial support can be made available to individuals who have to find Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): accommodation in the south to be near Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation the facility which provides them with ends) We are continually looking for life-saving medical treatment? Thank ways to diagnose patients earlier. As I you, Mr. Speaker. announced earlier today, we are increasing more capacity for the Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. communities and we will continue to (interpretation ends) Hon. Minister of look for ways to improve our diagnostic Health, Mr. Okalik. tools throughout our territory so that we catch the ailments earlier and treat them Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): earlier to prevent further deterioration of Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation patients. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. ends) Each situation varies depending on Speaker. the individual. If the individual is an employee of our government, then there Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. is a different program in place to assist Oral Questions. Member for Arviat the individual and their family. If they South, Mr. Savikataaq. are not employed by our government or are not covered and if they are Inuit, then they are covered by our department to make sure that they get proper care and assistance in our southern contracted
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Question 418 – 4(2): ITK and Climate to be left behind and want to be involved Change (Savikataaq) in climate change adaptation.
Mr. Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Not everything associated with climate Speaker. My question is for the Minister change is negative, as our department of Environment. has tried to ensure that every aspect can have positive changes as well. That is I would just like to get clarification from why the wording is written that way. his Minister’s Statement on March [4] Thank you, Mr. Speaker. and the Minister’s Statement was on the conference of the parties that he attended Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. in Lima, Peru. Your first supplementary, Mr. Savikataaq. I would just like to question him on the very bottom when he said, and I’ll quote, Mr. Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. “COP meetings provide an opportunity Speaker. Can the minister give us one for Nunavut to share Inuit example of how Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit and set an example Qaujimajatuqangat is being used in their to other nations for incorporating decisions on climate change? Thank you, traditional knowledge into climate Mr. Speaker. change decision-making.” I would just like to ask the minister how Inuit Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Qaujimajatuqangat is being used to Minister of Environment, Mr. Mike. make decisions on climate change. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Hon. Johnny Mike (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When I was Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. first given the portfolio for environment, Minister of Environment, Mr. Mike. one of my first duties as minister was to work on the CITES polar bear Hon. Johnny Mike (interpretation): classification attempt. The global Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Actually, when consensus was that polar bears were talking about Inuit Qaujimajangat, it declining. As part of this polar bear relates to the land and environment, debate, Inuit traditional knowledge was particularly the impacts on the land due used to showcase the need for reality to the changing climate, but it also checks, especially if Inuit knowledge relates to the waters and weather was incorporated into management patterns, as people have noted the decisions. changes. Using that same analogy of polar bears, The Inuit knowledge and traditional we can do the same thing with IQ and knowledge speak about constant change climate change. The Inuit living in the in weather and climate. We have tried to circumpolar world ought to be included inform the global community of the in any global management effort to deal benefits of Inuit traditional knowledge, with climate change. Inuit are impacted especially in adapting to a changing by climate change and if Inuit are asked climate. This government doesn’t want for their opinion, they can provide both
Monday, March 9, 2015 Nunavut Hansard 2201 sets of knowledge. Further, Inuit can be Hon. Johnny Mike (interpretation): involved in various management system Thank you Mr. Speaker. Yes, that is the deliberations, as IQ can be very helpful only way to do so and it is included in to determine the cause and effect of the process. climate change and how best to utilize IQ in this field. As per my previous comments about the CITES polar bear classification efforts, It is obvious that northerners are the no Inuit traditional knowledge was most impacted residents in the world and included for any of the decisions by the we are the ones who started to share our global polar bear management concerns. I can provide many other authorities. Due to that exclusion, I stood examples of how Inuit and stated that in Nunavut, all aspects of Qaujimanituqangat can benefit climate IQ relevant to polar bear management change, but I will stop there for now. would be incorporated into decisions. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As another example of incorporation of Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. IQ into management zones, particularly Your final supplementary, Mr. with respect to the polar bear Savikataaq. management zone near Arviat on the western coast of Hudson Bay, there was Mr. Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. a sudden change in scientific estimates Speaker. I thank the minister for the resulting in a sudden decrease in the explanation on how he is using Inuit total allowable harvest. With that severe Qaujimajatuqangat on polar bear talks decrease, several things occurred that and stuff related to polar bears. ended up changing the way decisions were made in the Nunavut government. I encourage the minister to use Inuit Qaujimajatuqangat on when Based on hunters’ statements about the establishing polar bear quotas because increasing population, including the most elders and most people in the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangat collection on communities are always saying that polar bears, the compiled knowledge there are a lot of bears and that the quota was instrumental in changing the or total allowable harvest should go parameters used for population higher. If there are elders saying that, estimates. The IQ and hunters stated that then I believe that is Inuit polar bears were increasing. With more Qaujimajatuqangat. advanced technology backing up that knowledge, the quota was again changed I would like to ask the minister if he’s due to the inclusion of this IQ using Inuit Qaujimajatuqangat to its full knowledge aspect. extent when establishing polar bear quotas in Nunavut. Thank you, Mr. Whenever a management decision is Speaker. required for issues such as climate change, especially in relation to animals Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. or polar bears, it is obvious that the (interpretation ends) Hon. Minister of NWMB public hearing noted many Environment, Mr. Mike aspects of IQ knowledge about polar
Monday, March 9, 2015 Nunavut Hansard 2202 bears. They will also include that As I understand it, there’s one contract, information when presenting their but there are two components. The management decision to our department. health department oversees and Thank you, Mr. Speaker. administers the medical travel component. Now, when it gets to duty Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. travel, Finance has a big responsibility Oral Questions. Member for Tununiq, there, but it’s up to the individual Mr. Enook. departments. They have their employees. We’re not the central travel agency. Question 419 – 4(2): Duty Travel Administration (Enook) Each department is responsible for duty travel, so you have a minister, deputy Mr. Enook (interpretation): Thank you minister, and you’ve got their corporate Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the services, and they do all the bookings Minister of Finance. and they do the accountings. As the Department of Finance, we can track The Minister of Community and how they’re doing on a monthly basis. Government Services has told us that the Department of Health is responsible for When it comes to ministerial offices, it’s administering the government’s the same thing. The individual offices, contracts for medical travel and duty for example, my office will do my travel. The Minister of Health has told us bookings for me and I will put in my that his department has nothing to do travel claims in and do the proper with the duty travel portion of the accounting. contract. I don’t know if I can be any clearer than So that we won’t stay in confusion, can that, but if Mr. Enook has any additional the Minister of Finance please put an questions, I would be more than pleased end to this confusion and clearly explain to take it. which department is responsible for this matter? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I said last week, as the Department of Finance, in January, we sent out an Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. email. We got all the information from Minister of Finance, Mr. Peterson. all the departments. We sent an email out to all departments saying, “Be Hon. Keith Peterson: Thank you, Mr. responsible. Here’s the contract. Submit Speaker. I don’t know why it came down the information.” We encourage them to to me to explain all this, but I’ll try. allocate between the two airlines. Now, if they don’t do that, then we’ve got a >>Laughter big problem. It’s as simple as that.
Community and Government Services is As I said last week, we have the responsible for procurement. They work capacity, but it would be very on putting out the contract and requests challenging and onerous for the for proposals for any work with the departments. We have the capacity to departments to evaluate them. break it right down to individual
Monday, March 9, 2015 Nunavut Hansard 2203 traveller, if need be. Thank you, Mr. decision prior to August 31. Can the Speaker. minister tell me if they’re working on this issue immediately now? Thank you, Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Mr. Speaker. Your first supplementary, Mr. Enook. Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Mr. Enook (interpretation): Thank you, (interpretation ends) Hon. Minister of Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) I Finance, Mr. Peterson. thank the minister for the offer for me to ask further questions. Hon. Keith Peterson: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Our officials are well aware of >>Laughter the dates and I believe they are meeting and the respective ministers will be (interpretation) The Minister of given an update and we will be making a Community and Government Services decision at that point. Thank you, Mr. informed us that the medical travel and Speaker. duty travel agreement expires on August 31 this year. Can the Minister of Finance Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. clearly explain whether or not the duty The time for question period has travel portion of the contract will be expired. We will go to the orders of the extended or will the government be day. Item 7. Written Questions. issuing a new request for proposals? (interpretation ends) Item 8. Returns to Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Written Questions. Item 9. Replies to Opening Address. Item 10. Petitions. Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Item 11. Responses to Petitions. Item 12. (interpretation ends) Hon. Minister of Reports of Standing and Special Finance, Mr. Peterson. Committees on Bills and Other Matters. Item 13. Tabling of Documents. Hon. Keith Peterson: Thank you, Mr. (interpretation) Premier of Nunavut, Mr. Speaker. All contracts of this nature Taptuna. usually have an option for renewal. I haven’t met with my colleagues yet to Item 13: Tabling of Documents discuss what we are going to do in terms of renewing or going to another RFP. Tabled Document 110 – 4(2): 2015 Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Council of the Federation Winter Meeting (Taptuna) Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Your final supplementary, Mr. Enook. Hon. Peter Taptuna: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to table the 2015 Mr. Enook (interpretation): Thank you, Council of the Federation Winter Mr. Speaker. This agreement expires on Meeting which took place in Ottawa on August 31. I understand that the minister January 29 to 30, 2015. Thank you, Mr. has not spoken with those people. Can Speaker. the Minister of Finance explain when they will be able to make the decision? I Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. know that you will have to make a (interpretation ends) Item 14. Notices of
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Motions. Item 15. Notices of Motions Chairman (Mr. Akoak): Hello, Inuit, for First Reading of Bills. Item 16. Nunavummiut, (interpretation) members, Motions. Item 17. First Reading of Bills. and our audience. Hon. Minister of Justice, Mr. Okalik. (interpretation ends) I would like to call Item 17: First Reading of Bills the committee meeting to order. In Committee of the Whole, we have the Bill 20 – Legislation Act – First following items to deal with: Bills 14, Reading 15, 16, and 18. What is the wish of the committee? Mr. Rumbolt. Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, Mr. Rumbolt: Thank you, Mr. seconded by the Member for Iqaluit- Chairman, and good afternoon. Mr. Manirajak, that Bill 20, Legislation Act, Chairman, we wish to continue with the be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. review of the 2015-16 Main Estimates of Speaker. the Department of Family Services, followed by the Department of Justice Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. and, if time permits, the Department of (interpretation ends) The motion is in Finance. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. order. All those in favour. (interpretation) Thank you. Chairman: Thank you. Are we in (interpretation ends) Opposed. The agreement that we continue with the motion is carried and Bill 20 has main estimates for the Department of received its first reading. Family Services?
Item 18. Second Reading of Bills. Item Some Members: Agreed. 19. Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters. Bills Bill 16 – Appropriation (Operations & 14, 15, 16, and 18 with Mr. Akoak in the Maintenance) Act, 2015-2016 – Chair. Family Services – Consideration in Committee In accordance with the authority provided to me by Motion 19 – 4(2), the Chairman: Is the committee agreed that committee will stay in session until it the minister’s staff go to the witness reports itself out. table?
(interpretation) Sergeant-at-Arms. Some Members: Agreed.
>>House recessed at 15:07 and Chairman: Thank you. Iqsuktii, please Committee resumed at 15:32 assist the staff to the witness table.
Item 19: Consideration in Committee Minister, please introduce your staff. of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have my (interpretation ends) Deputy Minister,
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Rebekah Williams, (interpretation) and subsidy, there’s a maximum amount of Brandon Grant, Comptroller. Thank you. fuel that would be paid for under the subsidy. For example, in Rankin Inlet, Chairman: Thank you. Welcome. We the maximum amount is 2,668 litres. are on page D-6. Income Assistance. The Can the minister confirm that that is the next name on my list, Mr. Sammurtok. case? Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Sammurtok: Thank you, Mr. Chairman: Thank you. Minister Ugyuk. Chairman. I’m going on to page 125 of the business plan, seniors’ fuel subsidy. Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): The amount budgeted for 2015-16 is Thank you, Mr. Chairman. $478,000, which is the same as it was in (interpretation ends) Zone 1 2014-15. Can the minister tell us how (interpretation) can receive 2,668 litres. much of this budget is expended from Thank you. year to year and how often there is a surplus? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Sammurtok.
Chairman: Thank you. Minister Ugyuk. Mr. Sammurtok: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. As the minister indicated and Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): her officials, the amount is not expended Thank you, Mr. Chairman. For the year to year. Since the department never Senior Fuel Subsidy Program, according spends all the funds allocated for the to my knowledge, the funding is not senior fuel subsidy and given that some completely expended, but I’ll have Mr. years are colder than others like this Grant explain it further. We’re now year, the elders need more than the reviewing the policy for fuel subsidy. amount of fuel that has been subsidized. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Would the minister consider changing Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Grant. the policy to increase the number of litres of fuel that can be subsidized for Mr. Grant: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. elders? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The amount for senior fuel subsidy has not changed from 2014-15. Chairman: Thank you. Minister Ugyuk. Traditionally, the full amount budgeted for the senior fuel program is not Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): expended. It’s about half the amount and Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes, we I’ll find the proper amount for the reviewed that and there are member. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) zones 1, 2, 3, (interpretation) and 4. They vary from Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Sammurtok. zone to zone and according to the income of the elders, they’re provided Mr. Sammurtok: Thank you, Mr. with a subsidy. If they make up to Chairman. According to the business $75,000 a year, they’re provided with a plan, applications for the subsidy are substantial fuel subsidy. If they make income-tested. It is my understanding over $100,000 a year, I believe they that for those elders who qualify for the receive half the fuel subsidy.
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I’ll have Brandon respond further. We Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): are going to be reviewing the Senior Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you to Fuel Subsidy Program and the review the member for asking. The family will probably be completed this summer. services department is not the only one Thank you, Mr. Chairman. like this. The Nunavut Housing Corporation does that too where Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Grant. assistance is required. As to the actual breakdown, I will ask Brandon Grant to Mr. Grant: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. provide it. As the minister stated, we are reviewing all of the programs under the income Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Grant. assistance umbrella, including the Senior Fuel Subsidy Program. We will be Mr. Grant: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I looking at the various zones, the amount just want to utilize this opportunity to of litres that are provided, as well as the provide the member the amount for the income level cut-offs that the current senior fuel actuals for 2013-14, which program utilizes as part of the review. was $250,000 of the $478,000. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The answer to the member’s question is Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Mapsalak. we have to establish the person’s needs to be able to do an income assistance Mr. Mapsalak (interpretation): Thank assessment. All clients must sign a you. Mr. Chairman. I won’t be too long statement of authorization authorizing us as I only have three questions right now. to verify income. If people aren’t willing to allow us to verify income, they’re not On Friday, there was a question I want a person in need or we cannot establish to understand a bit better. My colleague, that person as in need. Thank you, Mr. Mr. Enook, asked in regard to social Chairman. assistance recipients getting asked for bank statements. Only after they approve Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Mapsalak. and sign a release, they can get assistance. That is the way I understood Mr. Mapsalak (interpretation): Do I it. understand that if they won’t show their bank statements, they cannot get What if clients don’t want to release assistance? Is that the way I understand their bank statements? What happens in it? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. that case? Do they get assistance? I’m asking about cases where the clients Chairman: Minister Ugyuk don’t want to release their bank statements (interpretation ends) or bank Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): receipts. (interpretation) Thank you. Mr. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes, that is Chairman the way as you understand it. When it comes to issues with income assistance, Chairman: Thank you. Minister Ugyuk. there is a complaint service and there is an (interpretation ends) appeal
Monday, March 9, 2015 Nunavut Hansard 2207 committee. (interpretation) Thank you, department offers. I would be happy to Mr. Chairman. follow up with the member to find out the specifics of the example he has Chairman Thank you. Mr. Mapsalak. provided so we can make corrective actions. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Mapsalak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We are all aware of Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Mapsalak. the appeal process. However, I was approached by my constituents, as many Mr. Mapsalak (interpretation): Thank people require assistance without many you, Mr. Chairman. Yes, it would be options and this is particularly true in my good to investigate this because we constituency. heard about it through the community radio. I know that there is an appeal I have been informed and have found out board or committee. They said that even personally, in having heard a person if they try to go through the appeals speak on the radio who happened to be committee, they are told just to write it local worker, social assistance workers down. don’t always have to be welcoming to clients. I thought that was a bit much and Some of the people don’t know how to it made me wonder if that is, indeed, the write a letter of complaint. That’s the case. I wonder if this is a policy that is instruction that they received from the followed where they can’t be too appeals committee or board. I’m just welcoming. This is based on the words wondering if this can be changed. Can of the worker that I heard on our local they not get someone to call them radio. It seems to go against the rules. because not all people can write a letter? Can this be allowed to happen? Thank Can you only make complaints through you, Mr. Chairman. correspondence? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you. Minister Ugyuk. Chairman: Thank you. Minister Ugyuk. Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This is the Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): first I have even heard of it. As a service Thank you, Mr. Chairman. In Nunavut department, we follow the policies, but I and previous to the creation of our have never heard of any policies dealing territory when we were the NWT, we with that because they’re dealing with used the appeals system and the social assistance. I would like Brandon procedures have not changed. There is a Grant to explain it further. Thank you. board that meets through teleconference. Brandon Grant will provide further Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Grant. explanation. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Grant: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Mr. Grant. All clients have the right to be treated with respect. It is our policy within Mr. Grant: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. family services to treat everybody with Every client has the right to appeal the respect and provide the services that our decision of the income assistance
Monday, March 9, 2015 Nunavut Hansard 2208 worker. They can do that either through Mr. Grant: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. writing or verbally tell the worker and No, if a person receives food from a the worker will make arrangements for a food bank, it would not go against their teleconference. The client can call in to income assistance assessment. the proceedings of the appeal committee to make their case on why their appeal What we try to establish is whether or was incorrectly handled by the worker. not the gift is casual in nature or whether or not it is a reoccurring or monthly or Upon completion of that, they are quarterly gift that is provided, whether it notified in writing and in person by the is a social or economic gift, as well as worker of the decision of the first level the value of the gift. All things are taken of appeal. There is also a second level of into consideration on a number of fronts. appeal which, if the client is still not As I stated to the other member, this satisfied with the decision of the first highlights the need for change, the need level of appeal, they can appeal to the for a liquid asset exemption rule as well final body, which is the second level, for that is going to look at these areas in a final decision on their appeal. Thank which we should have new regulations you, Mr. Chairman. coming forward with our lawyer bringing forward those on March 31. Chairman: Thank you. The next name on the list, Mr. Savikataaq. We don’t count birthday gifts and Christmas gifts of reasonable value Mr. Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. towards their income assistance as well Chairman. I would just like to ask a few as food that they would receive through questions under social assistance and the food bank. Thank you, Mr. under income support too. Chairman.
My colleague, Mr. Rumbolt, brought this Chairman: Mr. Savikataaq. up saying that if a client receives up to or over $40 a month as money or in Mr. Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. kind, it could be deducted as income. I Chairman. Staying on income support, just wanted clarification. If you’re can an income support client buy receiving food from a food bank, and tobacco products? Thank you, Mr. you’re asked if you received any money, Chairman. do you have to declare that as income? Thank you. Chairman: Minister Ugyuk.
Chairman: Thank you. Minister Ugyuk. Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. When people Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): get social assistance, we don’t direct Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Brandon will them or check to see what they are give an explanation of the policy. buying. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman: Mr. Grant. Chairman: Mr. Savikataaq.
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Mr. Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Point of Order Chairman. I didn’t ask the minister if she knows what they bought. I asked her: Chairman: Mr. Quassa, was there a can a client buy tobacco products with point of order? income support money? Thank you. Hon. Paul Quassa: Yes, there was a Chairman: Thank you. Minister Ugyuk. point of order. The reasoning being that the minister answered very clearly as to Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): the question and the question seems to Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes. be repeating itself. I think the minister answered immediately when the Chairman: Mr. Savikataaq. question was put forward concerning clients being able to buy cigarettes. Mr. Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. (interpretation) The minister already Chairman. My colleague, Mr. Enook, answered the question and the member was talking about misuse or abuse of seems to be asking the same question income support. He was told that only if over again. Thank you. it is fraud or theft, it is misuse. I’ll ask the minister: is it a misuse to buy Chairman: Thank you. It does not seem tobacco products with income support to be a point of order. It’s just a money? Thank you. question. We have members asking questions. You have ten minutes to ask. Chairman: Thank you. Minister Ugyuk. If you want to continue, Mr. Savikataaq.
Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): Mr. Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. They are not Chairman. I’ll acknowledge that the in the policy, so I can’t provide a minister answered my question that they response. Thank you. can buy tobacco products. I did not ask that one again. I just simply asked if that Chairman: Mr. Savikataaq. is considered normal use or misuse of government funds. Thank you. Mr. Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I didn’t ask if it was in the Chairman: Thank you. Minister Ugyuk. regulation. I just asked the minister if it’s misuse. It’s simple. Is it misuse of Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): government funds to buy a tobacco Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The question product or is that normal use? Thank you asked is yes, we don’t have a policy you. stating that they can buy this and that, but they buy things at their discretion. Chairman: Minister Ugyuk. Thank you.
Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk: Mr. Chairman, I Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Savikataaq. don’t know if I can make myself clearer. It’s not in the regulations or policies or Mr. Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. the Act. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman. I’ll just leave it at that. Maybe someone might want to continue.
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I don’t think it is good use of Mr. Grant: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I government funds, but I don’t run the think that all options are on the table in department, so I’ll leave it at that. terms of how we approach the Senior Fuel Subsidy Program. I think we can I’ll go to a lighter subject, the senior fuel take a look at the member’s suggestion. subsidy. My counterpart there, Mr. We are currently reviewing, not just the Sammurtok, brought it up and the way in which we provide the senior fuel minister stated that the funds weren’t [subsidy], but also looking at our income totally used. My understanding of the rates that the minister just referenced as program is that you spend the money well as the litres of fuel per community and the amount that is spent on fuel by as well. We are currently reviewing this the senior gets reimbursed. Sometimes program and everything is on the table at the senior spends the money on this point as long as it makes the something else instead of buying fuel program better for the people of and it’s supposed to be sort of like a Nunavut. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. revolving fund so that they continue to get reimbursed. Chairman: Mr. Savikataaq.
Has there been any consideration been Mr. Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. given, for someone that qualifies for this Chairman. It seems like, for a lot of the senior fuel subsidy, that the total amount questions, the answer is that everything that they are entitled to be put in as a is being reviewed. Can we have a credit to the fuel contractor and then the timeline of when the review will be done senior can use up that amount within the and whatever is recommended will year? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. actually start taking place? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you. Minister Ugyuk. Chairman: Thank you. Minister Ugyuk. Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would also Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): like to thank the member for asking that Thank you, Mr. Chairman. In 2014-15, question. We have tried it, but it didn’t 107 elders were given assistance through work out. I’ll refer it to Brandon Grant. the Senior Fuel Subsidy Program and we If they make up to $75,000, they are are going to finish this review in 2016. given 100 percent of the subsidy. We ran into a problem when we were Seniors in (interpretation ends) zone 1 looking at the tax issue. We have to (interpretation) receive 2,668 litres. If follow the rules because it affects a they make between $75,000 and senior’s income. Thank you, Mr. $100,000, they receive 1,334 litres for Chairman. the senior fuel subsidy. I’ll have Brandon Grant elaborate on the senior Chairman: Mr. Savikataaq. fuel subsidy. Thank you. Mr. Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman: Mr. Grant. Chairman. I thank the minister for that explanation with the income limitations and stuff, but my suggestion was not to
Monday, March 9, 2015 Nunavut Hansard 2211 change income limitations, just that if expenses were rising. What is the someone does qualify under their reasoning behind that increase? That’s income with the current amount of my first question. Thank you, Mr. whatever they are entitled to, instead of Chairman. having a reimbursement base, where they are given a credit at the fuel Chairman: Thank you. Minister Ugyuk. contractors. In my mind, it’s easier for the seniors to get the fuel when they Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): need it. That’s just a comment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Which page were you referring to? Thank you. Another question I have is under FANS, student financial assistance. Chairman: We’re on page 124.
Chairman: Sorry. Minister Ugyuk. Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): The $57,000 increase is for income Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): support. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) Can we finish the Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Income Assistance Division? Thank you. Mikkungwak.
Chairman: The question you are asking Mr. Mikkungwak (interpretation): is on the next page. We are on D-6, Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. Income Assistance. Mr. Savikataaq. With this increase, I’m very sure that it is for income assistance. Looking at the Mr. Savikataaq: Sorry, Mr. Chairman. I other numbers, in the future, do you thought it was on the same page here. think that figure will be enough for all I’m sorry for getting confused. I guess Nunavummiut on social assistance? that will be it for now. The last one was Thank you, Mr. Chairman. just a comment and not a question. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you. Minister Ugyuk.
Chairman: Thank you. The next name Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): on the list, Mr. Mikkungwak. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I also thank my colleague. We use human resources Mr. Mikkungwak (interpretation): to make sure that there is training Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. In available, but we do try to budget reviewing the written materials in front enough so that we cover everyone who of us, my first question is in regard to the requires assistance. There are more and income support assistance figures. On more young people out there who are of page 124 of the business plan, in working age right now, but there is no reviewing the materials, it seems to employment available. We would like to indicate a small increase for 2015-16 of see more career training and approximately $57,000 more than the development available for our youth. previous year’s budget. My first question Thank you, Mr. Chairman. is regarding this decrease from last year since most of the line items indicated Chairman: Mr. Mikkungwak.
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Mr. Mikkungwak (interpretation): subsidy remained the same? Thank you, Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. I Mr. Chairman. will move on to another subject. My colleague asked this question regarding Chairman: Minister Ugyuk. the Senior Fuel Subsidy Program. My question is going to be slightly different. Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I will refer On page 125 of the business plan, you this question to Brandon Grant. Thank have to be 60 and over to qualify for the you. Senior Fuel Subsidy Program. My first question is regarding the people who Chairman: Mr. Grant. receive the subsidy. In zones 1, 2, 3, and 4, there have been no changes recently Mr. Grant: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. with this Senior Fuel Subsidy Program. For the subsidy, the subsidy pays the Thank you, Mr. Chairman. true cost of gas. If the cost of gas is $1.35 or if it’s $2, it will pay the full Chairman: Thank you. Minister Ugyuk. amount up to the subsidized rate for the litre. When the price of gas goes up, it Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): still goes in line with that because it pays Thank you, Mr. Chairman. From 2008, the cost of gas no matter what the price we haven’t made any changes. Thank is. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. you. Chairman: Mr. Mikkungwak. Chairman: Mr. Mikkungwak. Mr. Mikkungwak (interpretation): Mr. Mikkungwak (interpretation): Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. I Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. If would like to thank the official for his there haven’t been any increases since response. We were concerned about the 2008, then that is seven years to date as decrease, but I’m glad to hear that they it is 2015 now. are using true prices because it’s going to provide a subsidy to senior After our latest territorial election, in homeowners. looking at the annual fuel prices that jumped up resulting in price increases My last question is: when you turn 60, for gasoline and heating fuel, we saw the where and how do you apply for the corresponding increases in fuel subsidy program? What would you have expenses. This year, we have seen the to do to apply for the subsidy program? price of oil plummet, so I wonder why Would the housing corporation write a the figures haven’t changed since that letter to you or would you fill out forms? year in light of the changes to the prices How do you go about applying for that last year. What amount of fuel would subsidy program? Thank you, Mr. have been purchased with this figure? Chairman.
If we were to study the changes in prices Chairman: Minister Ugyuk. between this year and last, has the
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Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Hickes. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. You have to go to income assistance workers. To Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. qualify, you have to be from Nunavut, I would just like to take some of these be 60 years of age or over, own your responses a little step further when we’re own home, and not be an income support talking about the allowance of income recipient. The amount of subsidy is support to look at the financial based on the level of income the client statements of recipients. receives. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I’m sure we have all heard or know Chairman: Mr. Mikkungwak. people who have been forced to sell belongings that they have to supplement Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you, Mr. the needs of their family due to the high Chairman. Maybe I’ll rephrase my cost of living in Nunavut. As the review question in English. In order to be is ongoing, I’m sure the department is eligible for the senior fuel subsidy… . aware that the current funding limits on Let’s say, an individual is 59 and then income support aren’t always meeting the following year, they turn 60. In order the needs of Nunavummiut. to become eligible for the senior fuel subsidy, what documentation do they As an example, if an income support have to use or complete to validate that recipient sells a qamutik or a rifle or a they are now eligible? Would that vehicle maybe for $1, 000 and, I’m information come from the Nunavut going to say, makes the mistake of Housing Corporation or with the putting that money in their bank account assistance of some documents being where it would show up, what would be completed at the income support the ramifications on their income assistance office? Thank you, Mr. support payment for the next month? Chairman. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman: Minister Ugyuk. Chairman: Minister Ugyuk.
Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Brandon (interpretation ends) The seniors go to Grant will respond to that. Thank you. the frontline workers to be assessed. Whatever documentation they need is Chairman: Mr. Grant. worked through the income support worker. The five guidelines were: live in Mr. Grant: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Nunavut, be 60 years of age or older, The Income Assistance Program has a own the home in which they live, not be variety of rules in how we count income; an income support recipient, and meet earned income versus unearned income. the allowable maximum net There is a whole list of different income homeowner’s income test for the exemption rules versus non-exemption community in which they live in. The rules that I would be happy to provide frontline workers work closely with the the member. seniors. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
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When we’re looking at different areas in Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. terms of what people are selling, it really Thank you for that response. Actually, I depends on whether or not it’s will look forward to seeing some further promoting self-reliance, whether or not detailed information on that so that I can you had collected your own materials kind of fit it into my own mind. and produced a product versus received a product. On Friday, Mr. Chairman, if you will allow my indulgence, I spoke to the There is a variety of different roles in senior assistance benefit program. At which the program runs. The way that that time, I was strongly recommending workers determine that, again, is through to the minister to find an opportunity to an income verification process. It’s not speak with her federal counterparts at just through bank statements but also looking at exploring ways to assist our through everything from pay stubs as elders in living a healthy lifestyle. well as NCBS printouts or the child tax benefit printouts. From that, we do an Going over the Blues and the response, income test that determines what you and my apologizes, Mr. Chairman, I was may or may not be eligible for. It’s a fairly ill on Friday, so I didn’t digest full complex procedure. intent of the response saying that the Premier now, as he alluded to today, was Our workers have a variety of rules taking on a lot of the elder support which they must enforce. They do the program from a GN-wide perspective. work to the best of their abilities with the Yet, in the response, she said that the information they have. Our clients Premier will be talking about elder and consent to the statement of authorization elder support and how their lives are form. They consent to disclosing income being affected, and she alluded to a to disclose that income to our workers so speech the Premier will be making. that they can do an honest assessment of Maybe if I could get a little clarification what they have. on what she meant by a speech that the Premier is going to be making about There are asset rules as well. For elder support. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. disabled clients, you are allowed to have assets. As well, we have bank account Chairman: Thank you. Minister Ugyuk. exemption for $5,000. If we have a disabled client and they have $5,000 in Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): savings, they are able to keep that Thank you, Mr. Chairman. What he money. brings up was already brought up in the House by the Premier regarding a There is a whole list of rules and national elders gathering that he will exemptions in which we need to look at take part in. I believe that’s what he’s very carefully because they all have a referring to. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. financial consideration. If we change them, it will cost money. Thank you, Mr. Chairman: Mr. Hickes, asking for Chairman. clarification.
Chairman: Mr. Hickes.
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Mr. Hickes: Yes, Mr. Chairman, that’s Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): the way I understand it. Thank you, Mr. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We have Chairman. received that comment. We are trying to review all of the ideas that we can bring Chairman: Minister Ugyuk. into our support system. I totally support what he is saying and we won’t turn our Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk: Thank you, Mr. backs on that idea. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I don’t think we’re Chairman. understanding each other. I was alluding to when the Premier stated that he was Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Hickes. going to be lobbying on behalf of seniors from Nunavut. Thank you, Mr. Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman. I thank you for that assurance. I was just going back to a question that Mr. Chairman: Mr. Hickes. Rumbolt asked on Friday regarding updated policy and proposed legislation Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. to change the Social Assistance Act. It My apologies for the confusion, Minister speaks to three different areas of Ugyuk. compliance: expenditure control, transitional support, and a framework for One of the concerns I have with that social assistance rates. statement is that I have previously attended federal, provincial, and What I didn’t see in the minister’s territorial meetings, not for Family response was a commitment on a Services obviously, but for different timeline, and I’ll quote. It says, “We are portfolios with other ministers. It’s one trying to stay away from when we are of the few venues that we’ve got where going to finish things because we are not everyone from across Canada is sitting at meeting so many deadlines. As you a table, including federal counterparts know, the department is just starting.” that are responsible for that specific focus or program or federal department. I have brought this up previously in the House and I’m sure we all realize that I wouldn’t want to lose an opportunity the Department of Family Services is for any minister to speak on behalf of fairly new as a division from health and their portfolio at that table where you are family services, but at the same time, the waiting for a premier to lobby the work has been ongoing since Nunavut federal government. I would just like to was created. I have a concern with not get some assurances from the minister being able to put a timeline to something that she will continue lobbying on behalf as important as the review of the Social of the Government of Nunavut for Assistance Act. supplemental benefits for our elders. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I was wondering if the minister has had a chance over the weekend to maybe look Chairman: Thank you. Minister Ugyuk. at a proposed timeline to get this work completed. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
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Chairman: Minister Ugyuk. position in the past and how much work actually goes in behind the scenes. Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Reviews When a member asks a question, we have deadlines and I would like my expect the answer right away and it’s not (interpretation ends) deputy minister always reality, but it makes it easier for (interpretation) to talk about the us to follow up with the department on deadlines. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. making sure that timelines are being met or we will know when to keep giving Chairman: Thank you. Ms. Williams. little nudges here and there. I’ll leave that one alone for now, Mr. Chairman. Ms. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. That’s a very good question. The next question I have is from a We love to have timelines so that we response from Mr. Grant on Friday. He know when we are to finish reviewing or spoke of a presentation that has been meetings or documents or actions. delivered to the DM of the Quality of Life Committee, which is the oversight What we are dealing with today is the committee for social assistance reform. business plan for 2014 and from 2015- Now that that is along the same lines as 16, so we are starting that already. We my previous question, maybe if I could would like to have the bulk of the get just a little bit more detail from the information for 2016 before this minister or one of her officials on how government is done so that the that oversight committee on social government can start to see what it has assistance reform is playing into this been working on. We are trying to work review, how much of an impact that in same line as that. Hopefully, in 2015- information is going to have, and some 16, I would like to see a lot of issues that clarity on the consultation process. we are dealing with that we want to Thank you, Mr. Chairman. review. Chairman: Minister Ugyuk. I’m very concerned about review, review, review, meetings, meetings, Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): meetings. I think my staff is getting tired Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Brandon of me saying those things. I’m right with Grant will respond to that. Thank you. you, but timelines that I would like to see is before this government is done so Chairman: Mr. Grant. you could see your Sivumut Abluqta document is being implemented. Mr. Grant: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. The DM Quality of Life Committee is Chairman. the oversight committee, so I have presented to the committee on some of Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Hickes. the areas in which I feel we can make changes now. I want to be clear that Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. we’re not waiting for the public I do thank you for the response, and I engagement process to start for making understand that coming from a policy positive changes now, including
Monday, March 9, 2015 Nunavut Hansard 2217 deploying our system aggressively this departments are involved. If we are past year and into the future, so that we going to be making changes, we have to can have greater financial oversight as make changes with the approval of those well as making changes within our departments. In order to get a better regulations. We’re expecting from our understanding of the changes we’re lawyer to have proposed changes to our trying to make, I’ll have Brandon Grant regulations very soon. elaborate on that.
What we’re looking for from the DM Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Grant. Quality of Life is to provide the scope of the public engagement process. We’re Mr. Grant: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. still compiling feedback from the DM As I mentioned before, I think that one Quality of Life where they will provide of the positive highlights is the rapid how big the public engagement process deployment in the last year of the is and what it’s going to look like. We income assistance delivery system, the are yet to have the completed case management system, which allows information on that, but we would be us to catch and prevent more and more happy to provide the members once that issues each and every day when we are is complete. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. doing income verification, whether it’s supporting our clients. Clients that could Chairman: Mr. Hickes. be eligible for employment insurance versus income assistance, we are able to Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. identify that so that they are able to get I thank the department for that response. better benefits offered through When Mr. Grant mentions positive employment insurance. We have been changes that are being currently successful in deploying to Rankin Inlet, implemented that they are not waiting Arviat, Baker Lake, Cambridge Bay, and for the review, it might alleviate some of as of the last day or so, in Igloolik as the concerns that myself and other well. members have had, maybe just a bit more detail on what some of those As well, we have looked at programs, positive changes are that they are not including the Senior Citizen waiting for the review to be made. Supplementary Benefit. We have put Thank you, Mr. Chairman. forward a proposal to make, I think, a very positive change where we have Chairman: Minister Ugyuk. looked at providing a cost of living index going back to the last increase for Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): the Senior Citizen Supplementary Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We attend Benefit Program offered through income meetings to see what areas we can assistance. change. The (interpretation ends) Quality of Life (interpretation) We have made changes to our statutory Committee meets independently and we training program as well as our system are not involved with that. The deployment training program. As I Department of Education, the Nunavut mentioned before, we are coming Housing Corporation, as well as other forward with regulation changes that we
Monday, March 9, 2015 Nunavut Hansard 2218 know need change now, including as computers, but we are installing previous members have talked about is computers into communities that can around liquid asset exemptions. There is bring them in. Brandon Grant can a variety of different things that are respond in more detail. Thank you, Mr. happening now in our business plan. Chairman.
We have really made a priority for our Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Grant. system deployment, get our training program up and running and working Mr. Grant: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. effectively to get our frontline workers Of course, we are increasing capacity with the information and training they with income assistance within our need, as well as continuing on with the compliance branch. Two new positions changes that we need and regulations have been created under corporate right now. Those are the top three management for a finance manager priorities for our division in conjunction position with an income assistance focus with the review as well. Thank you, Mr. primarily on income assistance - we see Chairman. that as a very good step in the right direction - as well as a finance officer Chairman: Mr. Hickes. position that will be created as well. We see that as an area in which Family Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Services is building capacity. There will I thank Mr. Grant for that detailed be greater financial oversight within response; I appreciate it. A number of income assistance. We are very pleased questions have been raised regarding the that those two positions will be coming abuse of income assistance programs. forth for our department. One of the things that I noted and the budget hasn’t changed for some time is As well, as we continue to deploy the $240,000 allocated to program system, it’s providing us a window into compliance. With a lot of these new the communities and what’s going on, so initiatives that are being undertaken to we’re able to support our communities make sure that the income support better. Over the last year, with the assistance program is compliant and is increased amount of communities that working to maximum efficiency, is this have deployed, it has allowed us to have amount sufficient? There are a number greater oversight and ensure that the of new initiatives that are being program rules are being followed and implemented, yet the money hasn’t been complied with. We feel that we’re changed for as far back as I can see. making progress. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. With the members’ support, we will be Chairman: Minister Ugyuk. able to get two new positions within our department that are going to help with Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): program compliance and financial Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The oversight. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Department of Family Services has data clerks now. Many communities don’t Chairman: Mr. Hickes. have a lot of infrastructure for
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Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. for employment insurance before they’re I have one final question. When you’re accessing income assistance because that talking about career development will provide them with not only part 1 opportunities for income support funding but part 2 funding through recipients, in turn, that can lead to career development that will allow them accessing different funding programs to access some of these great programs like FANS as an example. As we’re all through the Career Development aware of, one standalone support Division. program doesn’t necessarily always meet the needs of the client. What impact does What we’re looking at is, as the member accessing other funding supports through stated and pointed out, we’ve got three career development have on income areas in which we’re looking at support recipients? Thank you, Mr. significant reform around income Chairman. assistance and, that is, really tailoring and making sure that we take advantage Chairman: Minister Ugyuk. of the opportunities. Family Services is making sure that there are seamless Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): services for our clients that come in Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Career looking for supports for one program Development Division can provide and are able to access through another tremendous support to income support program seamlessly. The work is clients, as they can access training ongoing. We’ve had good meetings. courses, such as (interpretation ends) adult learning and training So far, we have identified areas in which (interpretation) funding, or if they go we can make changes. One of those through the FANS program, they are changes is better integrating our two able to access those funds. The career case management systems. The Career development listed here has the Development Division has an ISAAC objective for Family Services to lower system that they are just developing in the number of clients currently on their FANS database onto that system. income support. I would like Brandon We are hoping that very soon, those two Grant to respond in more detail to the systems can be integrated so that we can member’s question. provide that seamless service to the people of Nunavut. Thank you, Mr. Chairman: Mr. Grant. Chairman.
Mr. Grant: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Shooyook. think our minister has covered some excellent points. I think where we’re Mr. Shooyook (interpretation): Thank trying to make strides in is making sure you, Mr. Chairman. Although most of that the referral process is better between the questions that I wanted to ask have our income assistance clients and already been posed, I have a brief moving over to career development. A question. Are we on D-6? Maybe I’m a big issue as well, really, is making sure bit confused and I don’t think I heard the that our income assistance clients that question being asked. are coming into our offices are applying
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In your business plan, it lists a number When you start reviewing the of priorities relating to review and regulations, perhaps you can put it in the reform of income assistance programs. regulations where income support Can you describe which areas of income recipients can no longer purchase assistance will be reviewed as a priority? tobacco and electronics such as iPods. That’s my question on your business Are you concerned about income plan. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. support recipients purchasing non- grocery items? I hope I was Chairman: Thank you. Minister Ugyuk. understandable. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Chairman: Minister Ugyuk. Department of Family Services, with the help of a lawyer, reviewed the Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): regulations. Recommendations are being Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The income made as to which assistance programs assistance programs are being reviewed need to be changed. We cannot violate at this time. Once we became Nunavut, individual human rights. We are we adopted the NWT policies and they reviewing those with the help of a have not been changed with regard to lawyer. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. social assistance. The Department of Justice is assisting us to see where the Chairman: Mr. Shooyook. problem areas are that require improvement. That is what we’re doing Mr. Shooyook (interpretation): Thank at this time. Thank you. you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you for your good response. I have been quite Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Joanasie. concerned about this in regard to income assistance programs. I know that some Mr. Joanasie (interpretation): Thank income support recipients abuse it. you, Mr. Chairman. First of all, I would Being a Member of the Legislative like to ask a question on page 134 of the Assembly, there are a lot of members of Inuktitut version of the business plan. the public that tend to complain to us. For the Senior Citizen Supplementary There is no regulation on tobacco and Benefit, there is $1,392,000 budgeted for the income support recipients can 2015-16. How many elders will this purchase whatever they want. I have funding assist? Thank you, Mr. been told that tobacco is definitely not a Chairman. grocery item. It’s not food and it’s not good for your health either. Chairman: Minister Ugyuk.
My second question, I don’t know what Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk: Can you give us a you call them, but they buy those iPods. minute, please. Thank you. I know that groceries are very expensive to purchase. I’m sure that they could (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. better budget. It seems like when they Chairman. There are over 500 elders start buying electronics such as iPods, who access this program. Thank you. they don’t even want to work anymore.
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Chairman: Mr. Joanasie. once you have reached age 60, you start receiving (interpretation ends) the Senior Mr. Joanasie (interpretation): Thank Citizen Supplementary Benefit. you, Mr. Chairman. Are the proposals (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. increasing compared to last year or is the Chairman. number of elders increasing? Thank you. Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Joanasie. Chairman: Thank you. Minister Ugyuk. Mr. Joanasie (interpretation): Thank Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): you. I don’t think I quite understood that Thank you. One of my officials is well response. The federal government only on her way towards elder statesmanship. recognizes senior citizens once they I was only joking and I apologize. attain age 65 whereby they start receiving old age pensions. I guess I’m There have been no changes to those not making much sense. figures. Thank you. Nonetheless, I want to ask another Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Joanasie. question. The $240,000 figure under Program Compliance, is that for one or Mr. Joanasie (interpretation): Thank two employees? Thank you. you, Mr. Chairman. With respect to the supplementary benefits, the basis for Chairman: Minister Ugyuk. these benefits is to supplement their federal government pensions. I have Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): raised this question in the past; I believe Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I totally it was on March 17 of last year. didn’t understand the question that he raised. Thank you. Some of the elders who receive the supplementary benefits are all in Chairman: It’s in your business plan on different situations, but generally they page 124, fifth paragraph. Minister also receive income assistance from Ugyuk. Family Services if they are between the ages of 60 and 65. There are two Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): different programs, so I wonder if you Thank you, Mr. Chairman. There are have taken that into consideration. Here two positions in this division. I think it I am talking about a more consistent or was alluded to earlier in another equivalent benefit package that is under response. One is the financial your program. I would like to have these comptroller for income support and the benefits assist all people equally. Thank other position is for legislation you, Mr. Chairman. compliance. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman: Minister Ugyuk. Chairman: Mr. Joanasie.
Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): Mr. Joanasie (interpretation): Thank Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Based on the you, Mr. Chairman. Additionally, we legislation we have here in Nunavut, just heard the minister announce that
Monday, March 9, 2015 Nunavut Hansard 2222 some clients on income support have Mr. Grant: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. their income verified. Is the fact-finding The Department of Family Services does done in this division? As an example, are a variety of income verification tools in the bank statements reviewed by the which we determine whether or not a positions here? Are the (interpretation client is in need. ends) bank statements (interpretation) reviewed here? Thank you. As the member has alluded to, we do request bank statements, pay stubs, as Chairman: Minister Ugyuk. well as National Child Benefit Supplement printouts so that we can Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): determine sources of income. As well, Thank you. From what I understand, we do a pre-interview checklist to they are reviewed and looked at. They determine whether or not other programs sign a letter authorizing the income might be more suitable for that support worker. They have to sign the individual. Any individual that is eligible letter. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. for employment insurance must apply for employment insurance before they Chairman: Mr. Joanasie. are eligible for income assistance.
Mr. Joanasie (interpretation): Thank Through the pre-screening as well as the you. Is that the only way that they get income verification process, we checked? Is that the way I understand it? determine what program and what Thank you. eligibility they might have for our programs. How that all works is within Chairman: Minister Ugyuk. the electronic environment, our staff at headquarters is able to verify the work of Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): the workers to ensure that any left Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I get the questions that we feel might be latest report from the communities at the unanswered, including significant gaps end of January. The report outlines the in the person’s employment status, flags clients who have accessed the Income for us whether or not follow-up work Assistance Program. People tend to go in needs to be done by the worker. January after the holidays as they are facing food insecurity. The program is Before anybody in the electronic renewed every January 1 and all income environment is placed on as a client of support clients have to re-sign their income assistance, they must go through annual income disclosure agreement an approval process through after that date. This includes the headquarters in real time. We have a requirements the member spoke of. number of ways in which we do income verification through our assessment I would ask that Brandon Grant be process. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. allowed to elaborate on the details. Thank you. Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Joanasie.
Chairman: Mr. Grant. Mr. Joanasie (interpretation): Thank you. The reasoning for my line of
Monday, March 9, 2015 Nunavut Hansard 2223 questioning is to determine how bank (interpretation ends) I’m going to quote statements can be reviewed under the directly from the… . I guess going off of (interpretation ends) Program Mr. Savikataaq’s questioning with Compliance (interpretation) Division regard to social assistance. It says, “This because there are numerous clients in the program is means tested and provides program. various levels of financial support to people age 18 or over, and their If I were to cite this example, a total of [dependants], to meet basic needs for $37 million is earmarked for this food, shelter, utilities and fuel.” Is program, which is rather a large amount. tobacco or tobacco products a basic need Nonetheless, this begs the question: is for program recipients? Thank you, Mr. only one employee responsible for Chairman. program compliance or was it two positions that are used to check various Chairman: Thank you. Minister Ugyuk. program compliance checks, such as (interpretation ends) bank statements Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk: Thank you, Mr. (interpretation) that are verified for Chairman. Tobacco is not a basic need, compliance? I hope my question is but we have no means to see what clients comprehensible. Thank you, Mr. are shopping for. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman.
Chairman: Thank you. I just want to Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Joanasie. remind all members to listen to the questions that are being asked. We are Mr. Joanasie: Okay, I’ll leave that one starting to get a repeat of some same then. (interpretation) However, the questions. Thank you. Minister Ugyuk. daycare subsidy level is listed at $502,000 and it hasn’t changed year Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): over year. I’m wondering how many Thank you, Mr. Chairman. As per the parents this subsidy assists. How many earlier responses, there are regional parents are assisted by this $502,000 workers for program compliance. There subsidy? Thank you. are other monitors at the (interpretation ends) regional level (interpretation) in Chairman: Minister Ugyuk. the Kitikmeot. As they progress up the chain, that is how we learn of the cases. Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The breakdown is as follows: in the Baffin Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Joanasie. region, there are 28 parents; in the Kivalliq region, there are 13 parents with Mr. Joanasie (interpretation): Thank two more cases under review; and in the you. I apologize. Maybe I didn’t hear the Kitikmeot region, there are 13 parents. question when it was being asked or I Based on their annual income, they didn’t understand clearly, but I’ll move receive assistance up to a set level and on to another question. that is why this figure seems low. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
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Chairman: Mr. Joanasie. Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): The expenditures will increase as the Mr. Joanasie (interpretation): Is the fiscal year hasn’t ended yet, but it will entire budget for daycare subsidy being be over that amount. Thank you, Mr. used every year? Thank you. Chairman.
Chairman: Minister Ugyuk. Chairman: Mr. Joanasie.
Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): Mr. Joanasie (interpretation): Thank Thank you. So that the numbers will you, Mr. Chairman. I don’t completely make sense, I would like Brandon Grant understand. The month of March is to respond. Thank you. almost the end of the fiscal year and you state that $95,000 has been expended. Chairman: Mr. Grant. Do I understand that correctly? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Grant: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We have a budget of 502,000 for the Chairman: Minister Ugyuk. daycare subsidy. In 2013-14, we expended…(inaudible)... . Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. To make it Chairman: Mr. Joanasie. clear, I would like Brandon Grant to speak to it. $502,000 is what is listed. Mr. Joanasie (interpretation): Sorry, I $95,000 is set aside in the business plan did not hear the last part of what he said. as of January. The daycare subsidy does Can he reiterate, please. go over that amount. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: My apologies, I cut you off by mistake. Minister Ugyuk. Chairman: Mr. Joanasie.
Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): Mr. Joanasie (interpretation): Thank Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The you. I’ll move on to the last section, the $502,000 is budgeted for one year. As of senior fuel subsidy. There was a this year, we will expend $95,000, as question about it when we were this is based on income. That is what I deliberating amendments to it. can respond with right now. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like to ask the Department of Family Services about the funds that Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Joanasie. were not all used up last year. There are different things accounted for, such as Mr. Joanasie (interpretation): Thank the earnings made by seniors. you, Mr. Chairman. Do I understand that Do you fund clients 100 percent or just this $95,000 was used last year or are part of those earnings? I want to ask: if you planning to spend that much this all applicants had been approved, would year? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. those funds have been used up? If you can understand my question, Mr. Chairman: Minister Ugyuk. Chairman, that is my last question. If
Monday, March 9, 2015 Nunavut Hansard 2225 you don’t answer me properly, I will not Mr. Enook (interpretation): Thank you, ask again. Thank you. Mr. Chairman. Good afternoon. If I ask some questions that were asked already, Chairman: Thank you. Minister Ugyuk. I’m sure you will stop me.
Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): I will start off with a question on page Thank you, Mr. Chairman. No. Thank 124 in regard to income support. My you, Mr. Chairman. colleague was asking questions about people being denied income support. Chairman Mr. Joanasie There is an appeal process in place. Who sits on the appeal board? That is my first Mr. Joanasie (interpretation): Can question. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. someone say it so that it is understandable? What does Iiqiiq mean? Chairman: Minister Ugyuk.
An Hon. Member (interpretation): It Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): means no. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The members of the (interpretation ends) Social Mr. Joanasie (interpretation): Even if Assistance Appeal Committee all the applicants were approved, it (interpretation) are Eleanor Macmillan wouldn’t deplete the amount that is set from Sanikiluaq, Constance MacIntosh aside for the subsidy program? That was from Pond Inlet, Paul Fraser from my question. Would that deplete the Iqaluit, Corinne Gabriel from Rankin amount that has been budgeted for this Inlet, and the executive members are program, the $478,000? Thank you. Justin Joe Ferdinand from Kugluktuk, Jamie Mathews from Iqaluit, Tommy Chairman: Thank you. Minister Ugyuk. Aulatjut from Arviat, Zeke Ejesiak from Cape Dorset, Amy Kipsigak from Hall Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): Beach, and Agatha Ikualaaq from Whale Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Very few Cove. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. seniors are denied when they apply for the subsidy program. It’s based on the Chairman: Mr. Enook. income of the applicant. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Enook (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I seem to hear two Chairman: Thank you. We are on boards. I seem to hear of this committee Family Services. Branch Summary. and another one. Do I understand that if Income Assistance. Before I go on to the I’m denied, I can go to the appeal board next person, I have recognized all and if I get denied by the appeal board, members who have questions on this then I can go to the executive branch. As Chairman’s discretion, I will committee? Do I understand that only recognize members again on the correctly? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. page only if you have questions that haven’t already been asked. Mr. Enook. Chairman: Minister Ugyuk.
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Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): Mr. Enook (interpretation): Thank you, He didn’t hear the question from the Mr. Chairman. The reason for applying member. was due to my destitute situation where I went to the Department of Family Chairman: Mr. Enook. Services since our family is hungry. How many days would we have to wait Mr. Enook (interpretation): Thank you, for the appeal process to be completed to Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) My find out whether or not I am eligible for question was, I think I heard two groups income assistance? Thank you, Mr. of people or two appeal processes. Do I Chairman. understand correctly that I appeal to this group and if there is no satisfaction, Chairman: Minster Ugyuk. there is another appeals group that I can appeal to? Is that my understanding? Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. With respect Chairman. to the appeal process, I will refer it to Brandon Grant. Chairman: Minster Ugyuk. Chairman: Mr. Grant. Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes. Mr. Grant: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Within the Act, we have up to 30 days to Chairman: Mr. Enook. hear the appeal. Now, we make every measure in place to ensure that we hear Mr. Enook (interpretation): Indeed, if I the appeals as soon as possible. Our first was living in abject poverty requiring level of the committee is all volunteers help, I would apply to the income and they take their jobs very seriously support office for assistance for myself and they hear the appeals as soon as they and my family since the family is hungry can. We also have a provision within the and we are poor. Let’s say that I went Social Assistance Regulations to grant there at 9:00 in the morning and I was emergency assistance to those that are in denied. If I go to the board to appeal the a situation that the member describes. denial, would the committee review the That could be granted on a case-by-case appeal in that same day? Thank you, Mr. basis. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman. Chairman: Mr. Enook. Chairman: Minister Ugyuk. Mr. Enook (interpretation): Thank you, Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): Mr. Chairman. In reality, this family Thank you, Mr. Chairman. They would would have starved in trying to wait 30 have to put together an agenda to deal days for this appeal process. After this with each issue. Thank you, Mr. 30-day period, if the family is still alive Chairman. and we receive a negative response stating that our appeal was denied and Chairman: Mr. Enook. we aren’t eligible for assistance and I approach the other appeal process, how
Monday, March 9, 2015 Nunavut Hansard 2227 many more days do I have to wait for a both don’t understand. Your staff response? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. indicated that there is a 30-day limit, even if you didn’t hear it. Maybe we can Chairman: Minster Ugyuk. review the Blues tomorrow. I heard that we can wait up to 30 days. In an Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): emergency situation, they can try to do Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I haven’t that before 30 days. I also heard that I heard about the 30-day waiting period. It may have to wait up to 45 days, starving was stated earlier that they try to hear the all the while. Due to my destitute appeal as soon as possible and they have situation, that was why I went to the regular meetings. I thank the board office for assistance. members for being available and they make sure that people have food to eat. I How can I word this properly? Let’s say will refer the (interpretation ends) I have gone to your offices to make an second level of appeal (interpretation) application for assistance and my and the timeframe to Brandon. Thank income status has to be verified. Now you, Mr. Chairman. this can reach up to 45 days, so I would starve for this amount of days due to not Chairman: Mr. Grant. having a job or any help. If I was again denied, does that mean the department Mr. Grant: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I has abandoned me since there are no believe that the time difference is 45 agreements required for submitting days based on the first appeal. I want to applications? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. be very clear as our members work very hard to hear the appeals as soon as they Chairman: Minister Ugyuk. can, as well as there is the emergency provision to provide emergency support Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): on a case-by-case basis. I also want to Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Applicants make it clear too that our directorate are denied income support when they are staff as well review all cases to ensure making sufficient income. They either that if we see any wrongdoing on the get approved or denied social assistance parts of the workers which we feel every month based on the income they would benefit the client, we review those are making. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. as soon as we receive the appeals coming in at the first level. We take this Chairman: Mr. Enook. work very seriously as well as our committee members take this work very Mr. Enook (interpretation): Mr. seriously in trying to ensure that we Chairman, the reason for approaching make the process as quickly as possible the office was due to the fact I am not for our clients. Thank you, Mr. making any income and require food. It Chairman. doesn’t work like that? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Mr. Enook. Chairman: Minister Ugyuk. Mr. Enook (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Maybe the minister and I
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Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): Chairman: Minister Ugyuk. People with no revenue at all get income support assistance. Thank you, Mr. Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): I Chairman. understood what Brandon Grant said. According to the policies, we can wait Chairman: Mr. Enook. up to 30 days. However, once we hear that they need to do an appeal process, Mr. Enook (interpretation): Thank you, they try to meet right away. In this past Mr. Chairman. With the denial of my year, 2014, there were 26 cases where application, your verification officers or we had to hold an appeal. The committee investigators who verify whether I can meets many times a year. Thank you, be approved or not, what exactly are Mr. Chairman. their job titles? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Enook.
Chairman: Minister Ugyuk. Mr. Enook (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I’ll just move on to Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): something else. I will never agree with Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We know the (interpretation ends) Hon. Minister. that when some people make sufficient (interpretation) We seem to have come income, they get refused income to an agreement that we will never agree support. If they are not happy about the on this issue based on what was said refusal, they can go to the Social because I believe the two statements that Assistance Appeal Committee. They were made are different. meet right away once they hear that they need to hold a meeting. They hold Those who conduct the hearings, what regular meetings. Thank you, Mr. are their normal job positions? Thank Chairman. you, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Enook. Chairman: Minister Ugyuk.
Mr. Enook (interpretation): Thank you, Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): I Mr. Chairman. Perhaps I no longer personally don’t know what their actual understand the situation. Minister, please job positions are in their home remind me. Your staff member said that communities. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. a person can wait up to 30 days. That’s what he said. They try to meet as soon as Chairman: Mr. Enook. possible. Also, you just said that once you get notified of a client, you try to Mr. Enook (interpretation): Thank you, meet right away. Which of these Mr. Chairman. As a minister, you don’t statements are true? We were just know what their job positions are. Is that informed that a client can wait up to 30 what I understand? Thank you, Mr. days. Now you are saying that this board Chairman. meets once they are notified. That totally confuses me about the process now. Chairman: Thank you. Minister Ugyuk. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
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Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): 2014, or I forget which year you were No, I don’t know what they actually do referring to, there were 26 appeals. Do I in their home communities. Thank you, understand correctly that there were 26 Mr. Chairman. appeals last year? I don’t know what the exact figure is, but of those 26 appeals, Chairman: Mr. Enook. how many were successful? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Enook (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Maybe I should rephrase Chairman: Minister Ugyuk. my question. Is their sole responsibility to ensure that your department follows Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): your policies or are they just there to Thank you, Mr. Chairman. In 2014, defend the client? Thank you, Mr. there were 46 refusals that went to Chairman. appeal. Brandon Grant can explain this further. Chairman: Minister Ugyuk. Chairman: Mr. Grant. Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. They are Mr. Grant: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. advised about income support and they Only two have not been upheld from are told what the policies are. If they get what I know of, but I can get the exact refused, they are told what the next step numbers to the members. At the second is. Brandon Grant will further explain level, there hasn’t been a second level the appeal process. Thank you, Mr. appeal so far this year. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman.
Chairman: Mr. Grant. Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Enook.
Mr. Grant: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Enook (interpretation): Do I The role of the appeal committee is to understand correctly that 98 percent of locate the facts of the case and to apply the appeals received confirmation of the rules and regulations of the social their refusal? assistance program. After they have made a determination, they Chairman: Minister Ugyuk. communicate the decision with the client. I want to again stress that the Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): client has the opportunity to call in and Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes. participate in the committee hearing so that they can state their case to the Chairman: Mr. Enook. appeal committee. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Enook (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I was asking about Chairman: Mr. Enook. exactly what role the (interpretation ends) appeal (interpretation) committee Mr. Enook (interpretation): Thank you. plays. From what I heard, they are just If I understand this correctly, last year in reviewing legal challenges, not the field
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I was looking at where a client is based on the income of the client. Thank requesting assistance on their file. you, Mr. Chairman.
Let me try a different tack. Clients who Chairman: Mr. Enook. access the income assistance programs come from all over the income spectrum. Mr. Enook (interpretation): Thank you. It is generally the people who have no This leads to my next question. Any choice but to access the program and resident who is 65, with no income that is their only means of putting food generated and no source of employment on the table. Who is eligible for income income, if they have a spouse who is support? younger and isn’t a pensioner, can the younger spouse qualify for income Let me ask this using an example. Let’s support? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. say I have just turned 65 years old and I have no disposable income or any Chairman: Minister Ugyuk. income at all. Would I be eligible for income support as a (interpretation ends) Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): pensioner? (interpretation) Thank you, Thank you, Mr. Chairman. If anyone Mr. Chairman. applies for income support, we look at their income and if they didn’t make an Chairman: Minister Ugyuk. income, then they’re eligible for income support. Thank you. Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. In this case, Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Enook. you would be receiving a pension and I don’t believe they receive any income Mr. Enook (interpretation): Thank you, support, as they would get the Senior Mr. Chairman. My question is: if they Citizen Supplementary Benefit. The only have no income whatsoever, would they means that I am aware of would be if be eligible for income support? Thank they adopted a child and require you, Mr. Chairman. additional support for their child. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Minister Ugyuk.
Chairman: Mr. Enook. Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk: Mr. Chairman, can we have a five-minute break, please. Mr. Enook (interpretation): Thank you, Thank you. Mr. Chairman. Do I understand correctly that you don’t know if they are eligible Chairman: A five-minute break? It’s up for income support if they are 65 years to you. Yes. and over? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. >>Committee recessed 17:23 and Chairman: Minister Ugyuk. resumed at 17:38
Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): Chairman: Welcome back. Minister Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It is based on Ugyuk. income. Eligibility for income support is
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Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): did not work. How come other members Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Income of the household who have turned 18 support applicants are reviewed for years old? How come they are eligible eligibility before they are approved for for income support when the spouse of support. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. the 65-year-old is not eligible? I was wondering what the rationale is for that. Chairman: Mr. Enook. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Enook (interpretation): Thank you, Chairman: Minister Ugyuk. Mr. Chairman. I’m not sure whether you can answer my question or not and we Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk: Thank you, Mr. cannot ask a hypothetical question. I Chairman. If you apply for income know there is an actual case that support and if you have a dependant, it’s occurred where an individual was denied based on what you are eligible for with because their spouse turned 65 years old. your dependant. If you have income, Is there a policy where, if a spouse is 65 your income is taken into consideration. years old and the applicant is younger, Your eligibility for that amount is taken they are denied income support even off whatever income you have. though they are not making any income? Sometimes they are denied and Thank you, Mr. Chairman. sometimes they are supplemented if they are eligible. Each case is different. Each Chairman: Minister Ugyuk. person, each client is different. All the clients have different circumstances. If Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): you have a dependant, your dependant… Thank you, Mr. Chairman. As I stated . I don’t know how else to answer it. before, anyone who comes to apply for Thank you, Mr. Chairman. income support, whether it’s the spouse, they look at the spouse’s income, they Chairman: Thank you. We are on D-6. look at the amount of the money that Family Services. Branch Summary. they make per year, and we base the Income Assistance. Total Operations and criteria on the income of an individual. If Maintenance, to be Voted. $46,424,000. an individual is denied, they can apply Agreed? for an appeal. The community income support workers are responsible for that. Some Members: Agreed. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: We’re on page D-7. Branch Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Enook. Summary. Family Services. Career Development. Total Operations and Mr. Enook (interpretation): Thank you, Maintenance, to be Voted. Mr. Mr. Chairman. This is a real actual fact; Savikataaq. it’s not a hypothetical question I referred to actual fact. A couple was denied when Mr. Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. they applied for income support and this Chairman. Under student financial individual has asked for help from me. assistance, FANS, I tried to ask this They were denied because the spouse question earlier, and now is the was a pensioner even though the spouse appropriate time, so I’ll do that.
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I know that FANS will pay for airline or to try and find employment? Thank tickets for the students to go to school you, Mr. Chairman. and that airline ticket is considered income. I have asked the Minister of Chairman: Minister Ugyuk. Finance why before and he explained to me. Since you are viewing a whole Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): bunch of policies, would it be possible to Thank you, Mr. Chairman. If they are review that too so that you could pay for invited, they can go there. I’m sure there the airline ticket directly to the airline is an instructor in Rankin Inlet. Thank and that way, the student does not have you, Mr. Chairman. to claim that money as income? Chairman: Ms. Angnakak. In theory, the student never got any money; they got their way paid to an Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. educational institution. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I thank the minister for that. I Chairman. want to pass that message on because I think it’s important and it would be Chairman: Thank you. Minister Ugyuk. useful.
Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): My other question and final question, we Thank you, Mr. Chairman. For student have a lot of young Nunavummiut who loan funds, there is a policy. We are are either not in school or not employed. reviewing the policy and it can be For example, in Iqaluit here, if you go to included in the review. If there were any the NorthMart Store and go have a changes to the criteria or the policy, we coffee, you see a lot of young people will inform my colleagues. Thank you, around and they are there all day. Mr. Chairman. I was thinking that perhaps the Chairman: Thank you. Ms. Angnakak. department could take their career development counsellors from time to Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. time down there instead just to try and Chairman. I don’t have very many make some contact with some of these questions, but I would like to ask about people that feel intimidated to go into an counsellors. office.
When I was in Rankin Inlet a few I was wondering if your department staff months ago, I went and visited the had ever given that any thought, to go healing centre there and got to speak out to where the people are hanging out with some of the inmates at the healing to try and see what can be done to help centre. I was wondering: when we talk them to get back to school or to find about career development, have any some kind of employment of any kind. employment counsellors ever gone to Thank you, Mr. Chairman. That is my any of the jails to go talk to some of the last question. inmates to try and help get their lives back on track, either to go back to school Chairman: Thank you. Minister Ugyuk.
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Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like Thank you, Mr. Chairman. There are to thank my colleague for that question. 110 individuals who are in trade school. We have asked the career development We use the career development officers officers to visit the schools more and if they want to take on an frequently than they did before. We feel apprentice, we fund half of their wages. they weren’t seeing students often Thank you, Mr. Chairman. enough. Once students see the career development officer more often, that Chairman: Mr. Hickes should improve things for the students. I’m sure my officials are listening and Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. are paying attention. Thank you, Mr. Maybe if the minister can just elaborate Chairman. on the trend on the numbers of apprentices. As an example, over the last Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Hickes. five years, what has the trend in apprenticeship numbers been? Thank Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. you, Mr. Chairman. I believe I have just a couple of questions under this line. Chairman: Minister Ugyuk.
One thing that Nunavut has done in the Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): past and still does to this day is Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We don’t encouraging apprenticeship have numbers for the last few years. As opportunities. We’ve had some soon as we get them, we can let the programs in the past like the Nunavut member know. Thank you, Mr. Housing Trust, which had some specific Chairman. goals within it with achieving apprenticeship and helping our young Chairman: Mr. Hickes. apprentices or sometimes even older apprentices achieve the hours that they Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. need to carry on their progressive levels I believe I brought this up in the past and within whatever field that they’re in. may have been minister responsible for the Department of Education. What has the department seen with regard to statistics on the number of When we were in Kugluktuk for our Full apprentices, let’s say, in the last five- Caucus retreat when we were first year period since the Nunavut Housing elected, I had the pleasure of speaking Trust? Has there been an increase in with the instructor of the pre-trades pilot intake of apprentices with the trade program in the high school there. He school in Rankin Inlet or have the spoke very highly of the program. A numbers been stable or decreasing? number of students graduate high school Thank you, Mr. Chairman. ready to go directly into some kind of apprenticeship field. Is this something Chairman: Minister Ugyuk. that the Career Development Division is looking at expanding upon? Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
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Chairman: Minister Ugyuk. secondary student in Nunavut and what they are taking. When the summer Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): student requests come out and Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The budget applications come out, there still has not we are requesting here will help those been any real focus on meeting the that want to further their careers. The educational needs with the employment Act and regulations are not new and we needs so that if you’ve got an are in the process of updating them at engineering student, as an example, they Family Services. Currently, we are are put into a position at CGS or at searching for a career development Qulliq Energy or something of that officer who would keep tabs on where nature that directs the employment the students are at. towards the academic studies to really benefit the student and benefit the In the Kitikmeot, there are ten department or agency that they’re going apprentices, three from Gjoa Haven, two to be working for of having a semi- from Kugluktuk, and two from skilled worker available to them. Cambridge Bay. This is just an example of apprentices. In the Kivalliq, there are Maybe the minister could update me on 58 apprentices. In the Baffin, there are what has progressed in the past year to 42 apprentices. In total, there are 110 promote that endeavour. Thank you, Mr. apprentices across Nunavut. Thank you, Chairman. Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you. Minister Ugyuk. Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Hickes. Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. If a student I thank the minister for that response. I wants to work during the summer, they look forward to getting a little bit further have to give notice. This also has to be details on that maybe at a later date. considered when the student has a summer break or if they want to do any My next question, I had asked last year work, they have to try to get some around the same time regarding the assistance on their own. I’ll have summer student program and providing Brandon Grant supplement my response. employment opportunities that complement academic programs of Chairman: Mr. Grant. students. Where I was getting at last year is summer student programs… . I realize Mr. Grant: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I the Department of Family Services think the member’s idea is a fantastic doesn’t oversee that program, but at the idea and it is definitely something I will time, she had stated that they are going look into. I think, across the government, to work closely with the responsible there could be a good, coordinated department with regard to students. approach to match our students with the programs and department areas in which The point I was trying to get at last year they would be best suited for. and the point I’m still trying to get at today is FANS knows every post-
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Over the past year, our department has Chairman: Thank you. We’re on supported students in trying to make the Branch Summary. Family Services. best placements as possible in income Career Development. Total Operations assistance. We have supported an Inuit and Maintenance, to be Voted. Development Program student around $20,359,000. Agreed? the policy area because that was the area in which he had interest in for a career. Some Members: Agreed. We try to make efforts as a department to have a good fit for our students in Chairman: Back to D-3. Department areas in which their interests are in Summary. Family Services. Detail of pursuing later on. Expenditures. Total Operations and Maintenance, to be Voted. I will look into the matter for the $127,359,000. Agreed? member. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Some Members: Agreed. Chairman: Mr. Hickes. Chairman: Thank you. Minister, closing Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. comments? Minister Ugyuk. I believe one of the responses last year was along a similar line, that it was a Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): good idea, but again, I haven’t seen any Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like action on it. I appreciate the challenges to thank my colleagues for the questions that the department goes through, but to they asked. me, this seems like there is a summer student binder of resumés where The activities of the Department of departments can go in and pick and Family Services affect the people of choose summer students out of. Nunavut and we thank those volunteers in the communities. They really help out. It just seems to make so much sense to link employment opportunities with the I also thank my staff and the people in educational backgrounds of these the Department of Family Services. summer students that can really benefit Thank you, Mr. Chairman. them and us as a government or as public agencies. I hope I’m not asking Chairman: Thank you. Sergeant-at- the same question next year. Thank you, Arms, please assist the... . Mr. Chairman. Thank you. I would now like to ask the Chairman: Thank you. That was just a Minister responsible for Justice if he has comment. If you want to answer, officials that he would like to appear Minister Ugyuk. before the committee.
Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We will work with human resources and we will give you an update once we have information to provide. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
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Bill 16 – Appropriation (Operations & cooks for Makigiarvik. Given that the Maintenance) Act, 2015-2016 – facility would be open for only part of Justice – Consideration in the year, this committee was asked to Committee approve half a year’s compensation and benefits to train the new correctional Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Yes. caseworkers and open the facility. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Today’s request of $1.6 million will allow the facility to operate year-round. Chairman: Does the committee agree to let the minister’s staff go to the witness To reflect the growing costs of circuit table? courts, such as airfare, accommodation, interpreters, and court reporters, and to Some Members: Agreed. help manage family support orders, the department requests an additional $1 Chairman: Sergeant-at-Arms, please million. escort the witnesses in. Under law enforcement, the RCMP has Thank you. For the record, minister, requested an increase of $463,000 for please introduce your officials. the installation of closed circuit systems in up to five detachments, purchase of Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): extra police vehicles, and to reflect the Good afternoon. Thank you, Mr. growing cost of leases. Chairman. With me this afternoon to my right is my Deputy Minister, Elizabeth With the growing number of Sanderson, and to my left is our Director departmental staff, particularly in of Corporate Services, Scott Marriott. corrections, the department requests Thank you, Mr. Chairman. $118,000 to hire a human resource coordinator. The addition of this position Chairman: Thank you. Please proceed will allow the department to advertise with your opening comments. vacant positions sooner and manage requests for leave. Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): I am pleased to appear before the Committee In times of loss, the coroner investigates of the Whole to present the Department and reports on each death as promptly as of Justice’s main estimates for possible to allow family members to operations and maintenance for the grieve. The final request before you 2015-16 fiscal year. today, $100,000 to the Office of the Coroner, reflects the growing numbers A total of $109 million is being of deaths and the complexity of their requested for the operations of the investigations and will provide families Department of Justice in the coming some peace. fiscal year. This is a $3.3 million increase from the 2014-15 fiscal year. Mr. Chairman, this concludes my opening comments. I would be pleased As members will recall, last year saw the to answer questions from committee addition of 24 new caseworkers and two
Monday, March 9, 2015 Nunavut Hansard 2237 members. Thank you, Mr. Chairman and The department’s proposed 2015-16 my colleagues. main estimates indicate that $11,818,000 in funding has been allocated to the Chairman: Thank you. Does the Chair Legal Services Board for the 2015-16 of the Standing Committee on Social fiscal year. This amount remains Wellness have opening comments? Mr. unchanged from the department’s 2014- Joanasie. 15 main estimates. The standing committee notes the minister’s efforts to Mr. Joanasie: Thank you, Mr. work with his provincial and territorial Chairman. I am pleased to provide counterparts to lobby the federal opening comments on behalf of the government to fund a greater proportion Standing Committee on Social Wellness of the costs of criminal and civil legal on its review of the proposed 2015-16 aid. main estimates and 2015-18 business plan of the Department of Justice. The department’s draft 2015-18 business plan indicates that the Legal Services The standing committee notes that the Board has “established a new Civil department’s proposed 2015-16 Coverage Policy and updated most of operations and maintenance budget of their policies.” The standing committee $109,442,000 has increased by encourages the minister to ensure that approximately 3.1 percent since the policies that have been approved by the introduction of the department’s 2014-15 Legal Services Board are reviewed on a main estimates. The number of positions periodic basis and that any updated in the department is 368. This remains versions are made publicly available at unchanged from the 2014-15 main the earliest opportunity. estimates. Mr. Chairman, the department’s 2015-16 During the minister’s recent appearance main estimates include $812,000 in before the standing committee, members funding for the Nunavut Human Rights took the opportunity to raise a number of Tribunal. On June 7, 2012, a report was issues and concerns. tabled in the Legislative Assembly titled Strengthening the Nunavut Human The standing committee notes that one Rights System. The report presented 18 of the department’s goals for the 2015- formal recommendations concerning the 16 fiscal year is to “Introduce Civil Human Rights Act and the operations of Forfeiture legislation.” On November 2, the Human Rights Tribunal. The 2012, the report on the Minister’s Task department’s 2013-16 business plan Force to Review the Liquor Act was indicated that the recommendations of tabled in the House. This review that review were being studied at that included a recommendation for the time. The standing committee continues “urgent introduction of strong civil to encourage the minister to table the forfeiture legislation as a critical tool to government’s formal response to the fight the unlawful possession and illegal report and recommendations. sale of alcohol, among other objectives.” Mr. Chairman, under section 20 of the Human Rights Act, the minister is
Monday, March 9, 2015 Nunavut Hansard 2238 responsible for tabling an annual report for the 2015-16 fiscal year is to work in on the activities and financial statements collaboration with the RCMP’s “V” of the Human Rights Tribunal. On Division to “Continue efforts to increase March 12, 2014, the minister tabled the capacity to communicate in the Inuit 2012-13 annual report, which indicated language,” and that language training is that the tribunal has been facing a “ongoing and has proven to be beneficial number of challenges related to public as it allows RMs to engage community outreach. The department’s 2015-18 members in Inuktitut.” The standing business plan indicates that one of the committee recognizes the importance of tribunal’s priorities for the 2015-16 ensuring that Inuit language training is fiscal year is to “Complete a semi-annual made available to law enforcement staff. public awareness campaign.” The standing committee notes that the (interpretation) Mr. Chairman, the department’s proposed 2015-16 main standing committee notes that in April of estimates include a total of $7,608,000 in 2012, the Canada-Nunavut Territorial funding for its court services and Police Services Agreement between the registries divisions for the 2015-16 fiscal Government of Nunavut and the federal year. This represents an increase of government was renewed for a 20-year approximately 10 percent from the 2014- term. This agreement provides the 15 fiscal year. framework in which police services are provided by the Royal Canadian During the Committee of the Whole’s Mounted Police. consideration of the department’s proposed 2015-16 capital estimates, the On March 1, 2013, the 2012-14 Shared minister stated on October 30, 2014 that Directional Statement between the his department planned to undertake a Department of Justice and the RCMP’s “renovations and design project” at the “V” Division was tabled in the Nunavut Justice Centre in the 2015-16 Legislative Assembly. The document fiscal year. The minister also stated that outlined a number of priority areas for “Design work for the addition of a collaboration between the department wellness court for those who suffer from and the RCMP’s “V” Division, including addictions and mental health issues” communication, communities at risk, would occur at the same time as the and crime reduction and prevention. On renovations project. June 6, 2014, the minister stated his department and the RCMP’s “V” The standing committee notes that the Division were working together to Government of the Northwest Territories develop a new two-year shared launched its own wellness court in directional statement. The standing October of 2014. On February 9, 2015, committee encourages the minister to the Yukon government announced that it table this new shared directional has recently completed an evaluation of statement in the House at the earliest its wellness court, which was opportunity. implemented in 2007. The standing committee notes that such wellness The department’s draft 2015-18 business courts allow the justice system to divert plan indicates that one of its priorities offenders with mental health, addictions,
Monday, March 9, 2015 Nunavut Hansard 2239 and cognitive impairments to targeted correctional and probation programs. programming that recognizes and The standing committee recommends addresses their specific needs. The that the department work to increase its standing committee looks forward to reporting capacity to determine the rate receiving ongoing updates on the at which Nunavut offenders reoffend. proposed wellness court for Nunavut. The department’s draft 2015-18 business Mr. Chairman, an ongoing concern has plan indicates that one of its priorities been the issue of probation services in for the 2015-16 fiscal year is to Nunavut. During his recent appearance “continue developing a plan for a before the standing committee, the medium to long-term solution to minister indicated that the department increase capacity for inmates in currently has 27 probation officers in the Nunavut, including planning to territory. On June 6, 2014, during the repatriate all Nunavut inmates housed Committee of the Whole’s consideration outside of Nunavut.” of the department’s proposed 2014-15 main estimates, the minister indicated Members continue to encourage the that a number of communities did not Minister of Justice to begin the practice have probation officers. The standing of tabling an annual report in the committee notes the importance of Legislative Assembly on the state of the ensuring that there is a resident territory’s correctional system, including probation officer in every community. current and comprehensive information concerning the number of offenders in (interpretation ends) Mr. Chairman, the territorial correctional facilities, outpost standing committee emphasizes that the camps, and out-of-territory facilities, as development of effective programs for well as an accounting of departmental inmates and persons on probation is an expenditures incurred under agreements essential element of reducing the rate at with other jurisdictions for the which reoffending occurs. Information placement of offenders. contained in the government’s response to a written question asked in the The standing committee also notes that Legislative Assembly in February of the Auditor General of Canada’s next 2013 indicated that the rate at which report to the Legislative Assembly of adult male offenders reoffend was Nunavut will focus on the territory’s approximately 74 percent. corrections system. The standing committee looks forward to the However, information provided in the upcoming hearings on the Auditor minister’s response to a written question General’s report, which will be televised asked in the Legislative Assembly on across Nunavut. November 4, 2014 indicated that the department’s Corrections Division does Mr. Chairman, the minister is not have the capacity to evaluate the rate responsible for tabling an annual report at which offenders reoffend. The on the administration of the Family standing committee notes that such Abuse Intervention Act. The standing information is essential for evaluating committee notes that the minister tabled the effectiveness of the department’s the 2011-12 and 2012-13 annual reports
Monday, March 9, 2015 Nunavut Hansard 2240 under the Family Abuse Intervention Act example for the government with respect on November 4, 2014. These reports to meeting its statutory requirements for include information concerning the the tabling of annual reports, especially activities of community justice reports that are of significant interest to committees, which offer culturally the public. These include annual reports relevant alternatives to correctional under the Family Abuse Intervention Act, sentencing where appropriate. the Human Rights Act, the Labour Standards Act, the Legal Profession Act, The department’s draft 2015-18 business the Legal Services Act, and the Liquor plan indicates that one of its goals for the Act. The standing committee looks 2015-16 fiscal year is to “Continue to forward to such annual reports being assist Justice Committees to increase tabled in a timely manner. their ability to receive more cases diverted from the formal criminal justice Mr. Chairman, that concludes my system…” The standing committee notes opening comments on the proposed that the 2011-12 and 2012-13 annual 2015-16 main estimates and 2015-18 reports under the Family Abuse business plan of the Department of Intervention Act do not indicate the Justice. Thank you. number of cases that have been diverted through the community justice system. Chairman: Thank you. General The standing committee recommends comments. I just want to remind that future annual reports under this Act members that the contents of the opening include more detailed information on the comments are covered by the different activities of community justice branches of the department corporation. committees, which will allow for more Please ask your detailed questions under effective assessments of the program. appropriate braches.
(interpretation) Mr. Chairman, the Comments? Being none, we’re going standing committee notes that the page by page. E-4. Justice. Branch department’s draft 2015-18 business Summary. Directorate. Ms. Angnakak. plan indicates that a number of its priorities for the 2015-16 fiscal year are Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. focused on providing support to victims Chairman. I’m going to start off with of crime. The 2013-14 annual report victim services. According to your under the Victims of Crime Act was business plan, the department is working tabled in the Legislative Assembly on with stakeholders and with the federal November 4, 2014. The report indicates government to look at ways to improve that approximately $256,000 in funding victim services. Funding was received was allocated to 23 different from the federal government through a community-based projects that provide five-year agreement and the program, services and assistance to victims of from what I understand in looking at crime across the territory. your business plan, was divided into two phases. The first objective was to create Mr. Chairman, given the nature of a victims travel fund to attend court Department of Justice’s mandate, it is proceedings. I’m wondering if this has important that the department set an been implemented and, if so, how many
Monday, March 9, 2015 Nunavut Hansard 2241 victims of crime have used this fund. Chairman. (interpretation ends) We Thank you, Mr. Chairman. don’t know exactly how many have utilized this fund over the last year, but Chairman: Thank you. Minister Okalik. we could get that information. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Chairman. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) Can my colleagues Chairman: Thank you. Ms. Angnakak. highlight the page number of the business plan? It will make it a lot easier Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. for all of us. (interpretation) Thank you, Chairman. I don’t think it really goes Mr. Chairman. into how much money was provided by the federal government under this five- Chairman: Business plan page 35, first year agreement. Perhaps, does the paragraph. Minister Okalik. minister have that number with him today? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Hon. Paul Okalik: I’m sorry, but I lost the question when I was looking for the Chairman: Minister Okalik. page. (interpretation) I’m sorry. Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Chairman: Thank you. Ms. Angnakak. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) We don’t have that Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. federal information with us right now, Chairman. I’m going by your business but we can get it. (interpretation) Thank plan where it states that it got federal you, Mr. Chairman. funding for a five-year agreement to improve victim services in Nunavut and Chairman: Thank you. Ms. Angnakak. this program is divided into two phases. The first objective was to create a Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. victims travel fund to attend court Chairman. Thank you for that, minister. proceedings. That’s for victims. I’m We look forward to that information. wondering: has this been implemented and, if so, how many victims of crime The second phase is to increase have actually used this fund? Thank you, awareness and to provide more support Mr. Chairman. for victims. Out of these objective goals, how does your department go about Chairman: Thank you. Minister Okalik. informing communities that this fund is in place? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Minister Okalik. (interpretation ends) This program has been well used, unfortunately. The latest Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): one public was the Dejaeger case out of Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Igloolik where a lot of victims had to fly (interpretation ends) We have been down and were recipients of this fund. training a lot of good people like justice (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. committees on victim issues. We also
Monday, March 9, 2015 Nunavut Hansard 2242 have employees who assist these still on the same page of the business committees. We have three employees plan, page 35. who deal with victims’ issues in our territory and they also assist us in In your business plan, it states that one making sure that we provide proper of the department’s objectives is to programs for people who apply to our increase the number of Inuit working department for programming. within the department and that priority (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. will be given to beneficiaries for “all job Chairman. competitions for indeterminate positions.” That’s what it says in your Chairman: Ms. Angnakak. business plan.
Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. I’m wondering: what about casual Program. positions? What is the status on that? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. >>Laughter Chairman: Minister Okalik. That’s funny. Hon. Paul Okalik: In terms of casual My second question goes, just hires, as for their policy, we give priority underneath, it’s on the same page of to Inuit beneficiaries for casual your business plan where you talk about positions. (interpretation) Thank you, the Arctic Child and Youth Foundation. Mr. Chairman. I understand that your department is working with this foundation. Can you Chairman: Thank you. Ms. Angnakak. explain how your department programs and services compliment the service Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. provided by this organization? What I’m Chairman. I’ve had some conversations looking for is: how does this foundation with some constituents who actually and the Department of Justice work work in some of the facilities up there together? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. and their concerns are that actually mainly non-Inuit are hired on a casual Chairman: Thank you. Minister Okalik. basis. As the minister, what have you told your department about this? Thank Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) I don’t have that Chairman: Thank you. Minister Okalik. detail at this time, but I’ll undertake to provide that information. (interpretation) Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) I have told my Chairman: Ms. Angnakak. officials and they understand that we have a job to do in terms of Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. implementing the land claims Chairman. I’ll go on to something else. agreement, doing our part to address I’m going on to Inuit employment and many challenges faced by Inuit, and
Monday, March 9, 2015 Nunavut Hansard 2243 changing the face of justice from those Chairman: Thank you. We are on page who are on the other end to become the E-4. Justice. Branch Summary. ones who actually work in the Directorate. Total Operations and department. I think that message has Maintenance, to be Voted. $17 million… resonated and we’re moving, and I look Mr. Hickes. forward to a lot more Inuit working in the department. (interpretation) Thank Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. you, Mr. Chairman. I was just getting my questions ready. I thought some other people might have a Chairman: Thank you. Ms. Angnakak. couple of questions and beat me to the punch. Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I think there are a lot of I just have a couple of questions on this people who will be happy to hear that page. On page 56 of the business plan in who work there. the 2014-15 priorities, it speaks to implement the recommendations of the I would like to just go on now to structural and organizational review of wellness courts. There have been the Legal Services Board. The business discussions, obviously, regarding the plan also indicated that due to delays, the importance of getting a wellness court revised timeline for a final report is this for Nunavut. Your department’s upcoming spring. “Wherever possible, proposed 2015-18 budget does not the Board has begun implementing include any information concerning the internal operational recommendations.” introduction of a wellness court. As the minister, can you tell us where this To date, what recommendations have initiative stands today? Thank you, Mr. been made concerning the board’s Chairman. organizational structure? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Minister Okalik. Chairman: Minister Okalik. Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): (interpretation ends) This initiative will Thank you, Mr. Chairman. continue. There needs to be a lot of work (interpretation ends) I had the advantage still to be done, but it’s not off the radar. of going to Gjoa Haven. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for being a gracious host We are focused on trying to meet our during our visit. goals for this year and once that is done, we will focus more attention to the There needs to be quite a bit of work, in wellness court. It is one area that my opinion, to make sure the office is in requires work from other departments good working order and I’ll have to and that may take a little bit of time, but work with the board. I believe I’m we’re committed to the project. scheduled to meet with the board later (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. this week. I look forward to working Chairman. with the board and making sure that we make sure that all the challenges they
Monday, March 9, 2015 Nunavut Hansard 2244 face are reduced and that there are Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Hickes. opportunities created for everyone. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman. I believe it was from that same meeting. I’m just going by memory here, so I may Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Hickes. stand to be corrected, Mr. Chairman. One of the topics was civil court legal Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. aid inclusion. I’m just wondering if the In October of last year, the federal, minister has any progress to report on provincial, and territorial ministers for that matter. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. justice met and one of the topics was the issue of legal aid. The press release from Chairman: Thank you. Minister Okalik. that meeting stated, and I’ll quote, “Ministers reiterated the emphasis for Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): continued collaboration between the Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Federal government and the provinces (interpretation ends) We did not make and territories to strengthen legal aid and much headway during that conference the justice system for Canadians.” on civil matters. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. My question to the minister would be: what has been the federal government’s Chairman: Mr. Hickes. response to these requests from your provincial and territorial counterparts? Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. How much does Nunavut currently receive from the federal government for Chairman: Minister Okalik. criminal legal aid and how much funding does the territory believe is necessary to Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): meet our current need? Thank you, Mr. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman. (interpretation ends) We’re not alone in terms of pressing the federal government Chairman: Minister Okalik. for more funding in this area. We’re unanimous in terms of provinces and Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): territories in encouraging the Thank you, Mr. Chairman. government to do their part and fund (interpretation ends) I believe the line legal aid. To date, we have not had the item here is $11,818,000 that we spend benefit of receiving what we asked for, on legal aid for our territory. but we continue to press the federal (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. government. I don’t know what else we Chairman. can do, but we will continue to press on and press the federal government to Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Hickes. make sure that they do their part and fund legal aid for the rest of our country. Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. I’m just looking at very recent media Chairman. coverage on the significant constitutional and legal risks of the Baffin Correctional
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Centre here in Iqaluit. There were a Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Hickes. number of comments that jumped out at me, but one of the ones that really Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. concern me was that there was a caution I understand that it was a semi- that the courts could, among other hypothetical question. I won’t give it a things, declare the jail unconstitutional full hypothetical status as it’s a statement and order it be shut down. that says it could very easily happen. I would like to think that the department With the ongoing issues that your would have some type of a plan in place department has seen with the Baffin on what to do with the remaining Correctional Centre, I would imagine residents of BCC. Maybe if the minister that the department would have some would like to consider a little bit further type of a plan in place, if it ever got that answer. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. far. We’re already at an overcrowded state and, as I understand, just as recent Chairman: Minister Okalik. as last week, some inmates were sent out so that the renovation project could Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation); begin. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) Right now, there What would happen to the remaining are only 24 inmates at BCC, the bare inmates within the Baffin Correctional minimum that we can hold in that facility if the court system shut that facility. We have moved inmates to facility down? Thank you, Mr. Makigiarvik and other facilities to Chairman. accommodate the work that needs to be done now. That work is happening and Chairman: Thank you. Minister Okalik. so we are making progress. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Chairman. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) The situation Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Hickes. continues to evolve. We have transferred inmates out so that we can work on the Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. facility so that it improves. That work is Last fall, this House approved an ongoing. As I said in the House, we are $850,000 budget for a safety renovation doing the mould remediation now and at the BCC facility. What assurances can we will continue to work on the facility. the minister give us that those monies will be sufficient to bring that facility up I cannot answer what may happen to a safe standard where we don’t have because that is hypothetical. I’m here to to be concerned about unconstitutional deal with reality and do my part to make activities or a potential civil suit to the sure that we maintain the standards and Government of Nunavut? Thank you, making sure that everybody is safe and Mr. Chairman. secure in all our facilities. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman: Minister Okalik. Chairman.
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Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): wait for that work to get done. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. (interpretation ends) We’re doing some Chairman very good work now and we will continue to do whatever needs to be Chairman: Mr. Hickes. done to make sure that we meet our obligations. Our primary goal is to make Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. sure that we have a safe and secure I know you were able to evade a facility for all concerned. (interpretation) commitment on a timeline of that study, Thank you, Mr. Chairman. but maybe if you just give us a rough estimate. Is it going to be six months, Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Hickes. one year, eighteen months, or two years? When can we anticipate seeing some Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. results of that study so that we can assist If memory serves me, we also approved you in making some budgetary a budget allocation to do a study of a decisions? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. new facility. What’s the timeline of that study? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Minister Okalik.
Chairman: Minister Okalik. Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): (interpretation ends) I can’t answer right Thank you, Mr. Chairman. now because it depends on our federal (interpretation ends) Right now, we are partners. We will see how that evolves focused on making sure that the current and from there, we will have to assess facility is up to standard and our focus is our situation. Within a year, I’m sure there right now. We will continue to that we will have to make some choices. work on the rest of the work that needs I remain open and see where we go with to be done and work with partners where what we have put forward so far. we can to make sure that we improve the (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. current facility. (interpretation) Thank Chairman. you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you. We are on Chairman: Mr. Hickes. Justice. Branch Summary. Directorate. Mr. Mikkungwak. Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Maybe if the minister could just Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you, Mr. elaborate on what partners his Chairman. Welcome to the minister and department will consulting with on that his officials. I just have a couple of study. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. questions on Directorate. I will start off with Public Trustee. I know, in the past, Chairman: Minister Okalik. there have been a number of questions or concerns on how to get help within the Hon. Paul Okalik: We have the federal community of Baker Lake. government that we are working with, so we will see how that goes and we will
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I see that the Directorate oversees the (interpretation ends) Yes, it would Office of the Public Trustee. When you involve the family contacting the office look at the Office of the Public Trustee, if there is no will. The Public Trustee how does the department find out will assist the family in making sure that information when an individual or their affairs are looked after. family member has passed away? Is (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. there an employee who oversees those Chairman. programs in Baker Lake? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Mikkungwak. Chairman: Thank you. Minister Okalik. Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you, Mr. Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Chairman. Would the Department of Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Justice work hand in hand with the (interpretation ends) The Public Trustee GLO? The reason why I’m asking that is there for those who pass on and don’t is, like I said, it’s going to move on to have a will. They are there for anyone in my next set of questions. Currently, and the territory and they carry out the work the minister will recall this, we do not to make sure that the person’s family is have a legal aid worker within the looked after if there is an estate and if community of Baker Lake. Who there are other creditors that may claim oversees in providing such documents an interest on the person’s property. The that need to be filled out in Baker Lake? Public Trustee will make sure all are Thank you, Mr. Chairman. looked after, and make sure that they also have to report to the court after the Chairman: Thank you. Minister Okalik. estate has been settled. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you. Mr. (interpretation ends) The Public Mikkungwak. Trustee’s office makes sure that the family is looked after. Their job is to Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you, Mr. ensure that all the proper documents are Chairman. I thank the minister for the signed and delivered. That would be the response. In the community of Baker primary goal of the Public Trustee’s Lake, who would initiate it? Would it be office. The office number is the family’s responsibility? Who 1•866•294•2137 and they can get service provides the documents so that the in English or Inuktitut at that number. necessary documents can be filled out in (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. order for the Public Trustee to start Chairman. initiating the work that is required? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Mikkungwak. Chairman: Thank you. Minister Okalik. Mr. Mikkungwak (interpretation): Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you very much. The minister’s Thank you, Mr. Chairman. response is understandable. In Baker
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Lake, there are no legal aid services. In Mr. Mikkungwak (interpretation): that case, who would we approach when Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. we want to get assistance in filling out Can the minister elaborate on his the Public Trustee forms? Thank you, answers to the questions that I posed Mr. Chairman. earlier? When do you expect to fill the vacant position in my community? Chairman: Thank you. Minister Okalik. When you meet with the board, could you talk to them about the question I am Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): posing right now? Thank you, Mr. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. As I Chairman. mentioned, you can call the office at the number I provided. There is a person Chairman: Thank you. Minister Okalik. working there who provides the appropriate forms and they inform which Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Yes. form needs to be filled. These people Thank you, Mr. Chairman. work at the Public Trustee’s office and work with the individuals. Thank you, Chairman: Thank you. We are at Mr. Mr. Chairman. Savikataaq.
Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Mr. Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Mikkungwak. Chairman. I would like to ask the minister, in his 2015•18 business plan, it Mr. Mikkungwak (interpretation): indicated one of its priorities for the Thank you very much. Moving on to 2014•15 fiscal year was to “Consult with another topic, my colleague asked stakeholders on the creation of civil questions in regard to the minister saying forfeiture legislation” and that “The that he was in Gjoa Haven recently to department has mailed out a letter to meet with the Legal Services Board and various justice stakeholders, inviting to visit the office. There is currently no them to provide their views in writing legal aid worker in Baker Lake. Are you regarding the proposed new legislation.” going to fill that position this fiscal year? Can you specify which justice Thank you, Mr. Chairman. stakeholders received invitations to provide submissions on the proposed Chairman: Minister Okalik. civil forfeiture legislation? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I went to visit Chairman: Thank you. If you could the headquarters in Gjoa Haven and I mention the page number, it would help will meet with the board on Thursday to the minister. Minister Okalik. ask where they are at with their staff because they are quite behind on this Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): work. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Sorry. (interpretation ends) I’m looking for the page number. Chairman: Mr. Mikkungwak. Chairman: Mr. Savikataaq.
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Mr. Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. (interpretation ends) Well, so far, it’s Chairman. It is on page 34 of the Iqaluit, Rankin Inlet, Cambridge Bay, business plan. Sorry I did not mention and two other communities with high that. It’s right at the very bottom on rates of crime. That’s the list that I have 2014•15 priorities. Thank you, Mr. so far. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman.
Chairman: Minister Okalik. Chairman: Mr. Savikataaq.
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Mr. Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman. That’s all I have on there, but (interpretation ends) We’re just trying to I would just like to thank the minister for get that information right now, but I the response. I believe that it is know that the list was pretty exhaustive. legislation that is well needed in We tried to keep it as broad as possible Nunavut and that is just a comment. and to get as many people that can deal Thank you, Mr. Chairman. with these matters. We’re just trying to locate it right now. Chairman: Thank you. We are at Justice. Branch Summary. Directorate. We appear to have misplaced it, so we Total Operations and Maintenance, to be will look for it. We will try and forfeit it Voted. $17,272,000. Agreed? somewhere. (interpretation) Sorry. Some Members: Agreed. >>Laughter Chairman: Thank you. Page E-5. (interpretation ends) The list is NTI, Branch Summary. Justice. Law communities, community justice Enforcement. Total Operations and committees, the RCMP, and Inuit Maintenance, to be Voted $36,235,000. organizations. (interpretation) Thank Agreed? you, Mr. Chairman. Some Members: Agreed. Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Savikataaq. Chairman: Thank you. E-6. Justice. Mr. Savikataaq: Thank you. Mr. Branch Summary. Lawyer Support Chairman, in the same paragraph, the Services. Total Operations and very last sentence says, “The next step Maintenance, to be Voted. $3,441,000. will be to conduct community Agreed? consultations.” Can the minister indicate which communities his department plans Some Members: Agreed. to visit, if he’s that far in the process? Thank you. Chairman: Thank you. Branch Summary. Justice. Registries and Court Chairman: Minister Okalik. Services. Mr. Enook.
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Mr. Enook (interpretation): Thank you, Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends)
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Hon. Minister, (interpretation) welcome, complexity of their investigations…” If as well as your officials. I want to this $100,000 is not going to be used for clarification on page 2 of your opening PYs, what is it going to be used for? For comments. At the top of the page, it studies or what? Thank you, Mr. states, “To reflect the growing costs of Chairman. circuit courts…” I want to ask maybe the days are limited or justice can be a pain Chairman: Thank you. Minister Okalik. to deal with. Why isn’t videoconferencing being used more or is Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): The its use too impractical for the court coroner is independent. We’re just trying system? I wanted to understand. Thank to assist her because she has to rule on you, Mr. Chairman. each death. If they need an autopsy, they have to be sent to southern cities so that Chairman: Thank you. Minister Okalik. the pathologist will find out what was the cause of death. That’s the main Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): If I reason for the increase. Thank you, Mr. understand the question properly, it Chairman. relates to circuit courts going to communities to hold court hearings. Chairman: Thank you. We’re at Branch There is a practice in place that circuit Summary. Justice. Mr. Mikkungwak. courts have to go to the communities and that has been in place for a while. If an Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you, Mr. individual is going to be tried, it should Chairman. I just have a couple of be in the community. The victim has to questions on this particular page, E-7. appear in front of the court to ensue the Can the minister provide me with truth is heard. This is the basis of law. information, when possible, on how many JPs there are in the community of Sometimes we do use teleconferencing Baker Lake? That’s my first question. on an emergency basis and for those Thank you, Mr. Chairman. who are having a bail hearing that needs to be dealt with right away. However, if Chairman: Minister Okalik. they have to go to court, the circuit courts go to that particular community Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): I’m and that’s continuing. Thank you, Mr. sorry. (interpretation ends) I don’t have Chairman. that level of detail with me right now. I know that there was one. I’m not sure Chairman: Mr. Enook. where that’s at right now, so I don’t want to mislead the House. We’re Mr. Enook (interpretation): Thank you, desperately trying to find it. Mr. Chairman. On page E-7, the (interpretation) I’m sorry. Coroners program is listed there. Mr. Chairman, the last sentence on page 2 of I’m sorry, (interpretation ends) we don’t the hon. minister’s opening comments have it by community at this time, but states that they are requesting $100,000 I’ll undertake to provide the information. to the Office of the Coroner. It “reflects (interpretation) I’m sorry. Thank you, the growing numbers of deaths and the Mr. Chairman.
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Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Mikkungwak. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) Our goal is to Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you, Mr. reduce the numbers and do whatever we Chairman. Maybe at a later time also, if can to get there. Working with our he can provide me the information who partners, like the wellness court, we are presently has commissioner for oath and looking into that. We are opening up notary public, who would have that Makigiarvik so that we can offer more designation, if he can provide me that programming for those inmates that are information. I’m sure he doesn’t have not maximum-security inmates. We are that information right now, but if he looking at the legislation that governs could provide me that information later corrections to make sure that it is catered in time. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. towards the inmates that are over- representing in our facilities. We are Chairman: Minister Okalik. looking at a various number of options and making sure that we do Hon. Paul Okalik: Most definitely. We comprehensive work to make sure that try and make sure there is at least one JP we reduce the numbers in the long run. in every community to carry out these (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. duties. I’ll definitely make sure that that Chairman. information is available. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Ms. Angnakak.
Chairman: Thank you. We’re at Branch Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. Summary. Justice. Registries and Court Chairman. I’m sure the department has Services. Total Operations and had discussions around this. I’m just Maintenance, to be Voted. $12,288,000. trying to come up with some ways of Agreed? addressing this issue.
Some Members: Agreed. I’m wondering: what service is missing now that would help reoffenders not to Chairman: Thank you. Page E-8. reoffend? What is it that we really need Justice. Branch Summary. Corrections. right now? What is the department’s Ms. Angnakak. position on something like, whether it be an addictions centre or whether it be Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. more mental health counselling? I don’t Chairman. I just want to talk a little bit know. What has your department about the number of offenders. I’m identified as a priority that needs to wondering: in the long term, what is the happen in Nunavut in order to address plan in dealing with the growing number this situation? Thank you, Mr. of people going to jail? What’s the Chairman. department’s position on that? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Minister Okalik.
Chairman: Thank you. Minister Okalik. Hon. Paul Okalik: That is a very good question. I wish we could find the
Monday, March 9, 2015 Nunavut Hansard 2252 solution now so that we can solve a lot programming and options throughout of these issues, but as I said, we are our territory. (interpretation) Thank you, continually looking for ways to improve Mr. Chairman. so that we can provide the best programming available so that we Chairman: Ms. Angnakak. reduce the levels of offenders in our facilities. Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I think it’s vital that you get These new facilities that we are opening that information because without it, you up like Makigiarvik, as I said, will don’t know if you’re going down the definitely help us in offering more right path or not. You need to know: are programming that is more directed we making an impact here and, if not, toward the level of offenders that are in where do we need to change and, if yes, our facilities. (interpretation) Thank you, then that’s the way to go for other Mr. Chairman. facilities in the future that may come about. That’s just a comment. Chairman: Ms. Angnakak. I would like to go on. You have Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. medium- and long-term plans to Chairman. The adult healing facility in repatriate all Nunavut inmates housed Kugluktuk has been open for quite a outside of Nunavut. I have heard that while, I think quite a few years now, there are facilities in the south now that maybe five. I actually don’t know, but I no longer take Nunavut offenders. Can think it has been open a lot longer than the minister tell us if this is true and, if the Rankin Inlet Healing Facility. so, why? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Keeping those two facilities in mind, what do you feel is the success rate of Chairman: Minister Okalik. them? Are you seeing positive results? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Minister Okalik. (interpretation ends) There are other jurisdictions that are filling up with their Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): own inmates. The biggest barrier that we Thank you, Mr. Chairman. are facing throughout the country is that (interpretation ends) As I said in my their facilities are filling up and they reply to my colleague’s written question, don’t have the capacity to accommodate we don’t have the capacity to look at our inmates. We’re building our own recidivism at this time, but we’re and we’re looking at options to make working on that. Those facilities give us sure that we can accommodate as many more options. Those are targeted inmates as possible and provide towards inmates that may not be a risk to appropriate programming for inmates in the community. It provides them with the long run. That is what we’re working more opportunities to adjust their on. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. lifestyles as opposed to going the other Chairman. way. Those facilities have definitely helped us in providing more Chairman: Ms. Angnakak.
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Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. would like to provide proper services in Chairman. Do you have the numbers to all of the communities. We need tell us how many offenders are currently probation officers and support services serving time in a southern facility? for former inmates who return to their Thank you, Mr. Chairman. communities. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman: Minister Okalik. Chairman: Mr. Shooyook.
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Mr. Shooyook (interpretation): Thank Thank you, Mr. Chairman. you, Mr. Chairman. With those (interpretation ends) Today, we have 60 communities that I mentioned, there are inmates outside the territory and 93 no probation officers, are there? Thank within our territory. (interpretation) you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Minister Okalik. Chairman: Thank you. We’re at Justice. Branch Summary. Corrections. Total Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Operations and Maintenance, to be Thank you, Mr. Chairman. In those Voted. $35,449,000. Mr. Shooyook. communities that don’t have probation officers, we do have staff that go to Mr. Shooyook (interpretation): Thank those communities. I will find out which you, Mr. Chairman. Are we still on the communities do not have probation same page? I also have a concern on the officers or workers shortly. issue of corrections. Chairman: Minister Okalik. In the smaller communities, we have very limited facilities or staff housing. Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): That causes a problem in recruiting or Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We have 15 retaining employees. Qikiqtarjuaq, offices in the communities, but it doesn’t Clyde River, Hall Beach, Repulse Bay, identify which communities those Chesterfield Inlet, and some other offices are in and I’ll provide that communities do not have probation information in the near future. Thank officers. It is because there is no staff you, Mr. Chairman. housing available or some other limitations. When are we going to be Chairman: Thank you. We are at getting probation officers for those Justice. Branch Summary. Corrections. communities that do not have one? Total Operations and Maintenance, to be Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Voted. $35,449,000. Agreed?
Chairman: Minister Okalik. Some Members: Agreed.
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Chairman: Branch Summary. Justice. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We are Community Justice. Mr. Hickes. looking at how we can get probation officers in those communities. We have Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. yet to do a lot of catching up and we I wasn’t sure whether to ask this under
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Law Enforcement or under this, but I Chairman: Mr. Hickes. believe it has a community justice component to it. I would like to just Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. bring up the shared directional statement I think we would all like to hear how between the Department of Justice and some of those activities are being rolled the RCMP, specifically under the out across the territory. Again, when category where it talks of communities you’re saying that you want to see at risk, where it talks of youth suicide results, it’s hard to see whether there are prevention, family violence, and crime positive or negative results without reduction. measurables.
Last year, I had asked the minister a Just going back to my original question, question regarding tracking on how the is there a way to measure other than less success is measured with this directional suicides or specific crimes or activities statement that’s done in collaboration that are decreasing or increasing? Are with the RCMP. At the time, there there other ways that the RCMP or the wasn’t a lot of tracking done. I was just Department of Justice is measuring the wondering if the Department of Justice activity, for example, in this agreement, has updated some of its tracking in these in this directive between the two categories. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. agencies? Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman: Minister Okalik. Chairman: Minister Okalik.
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) The shared (interpretation ends) I think the statistics directional statement is a bit dated. I’ve show that there is some progress, some had a conversation with the current reduction in some crimes, so we can commanding officer and we’re focused track that, but I don’t know the other on results. It’s nice to have this outcomes. statement, but we need to produce some results in the meantime. I must say that a lot of the members are going to the schools and being proactive I must say that the current commanding with the younger generation to have a officer has done a lot of proactive work healthier lifestyle, and that’s very with community detachments throughout productive and positive. They’re viewed Nunavut and their office has been in a more positive light in their providing me with updates on what community when they do that type of they’re doing in each of the work. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. communities. So that’s a lot of progress Chairman. that is happening now. If I’m allowed by legislation, I would love to share that Chairman: Mr. Hickes. with you because there are some very good activities happening throughout Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Nunavut. (interpretation) Thank you, Very recently, I commended numerous Mr. Chairman. members of the RCMP in the volunteer
Monday, March 9, 2015 Nunavut Hansard 2255 activities that they participate in across Chairman: Thank you. Mr. the territory. Mikkungwak.
I believe I just have one further question. Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you, Mr. Also last year during the summer Chairman. When we look at community session, I had asked questions regarding justice committees across Nunavut, the Nunavut Crime Prevention Strategy. when you look at the figure that is before As I stated at the time, I participated us, $2,303,000, is that sufficient for the along with my colleague, Ms. Angnakak, territory? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. at a meeting here in Iqaluit that I found very well attended. There was a lot of Chairman: Thank you. Minister Okalik. great information that came out from it. At that time, it was very shortly after Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): those consultations were completed that Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I had asked when the final report would (interpretation ends) I appreciate the be ready. I’m just wondering if the good work of these committees and I minister has an update on that report. meet with them wherever I go. I’m at a Thank you, Mr. Chairman. loss because they provide a very valuable service for the community and I Chairman: Minister Okalik. look forward to finding more ways to support them. We value their work; they Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): provide the local contact that we need Thank you, Mr. Chairman. from our department. (interpretation) (interpretation ends) It’s in the Thank you, Mr. Chairman. translation stage. Once that’s done, I look forward to tabling it in the Chairman: Thank you. We’re at Branch Assembly. (interpretation) Thank you, Summary. Justice. Community Justice. Mr. Chairman. Total Operations and Maintenance, to be Voted. $4,757,000. Agreed? Chairman: Thank you. We’re at Branch Summary. Justice. Mr. Mikkungwak. Some Members: Agreed.
Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you, Mr. Chairman: Back to E-3. Department Chairman. I just have one question. I’m Summary. Justice. Detail of not sure how many community justice Expenditures. Total Operations and committees you have within the Maintenance, to be Voted. territory. On E-9, would they receive $109,442,000. Agreed? grants and contributions in that particular line item? Thank you, Mr. Some Members: Agreed. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you. Do you agree Chairman: Minister Okalik. that the Department of Justice is concluded? Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Yes. Some Members: Agreed.
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Chairman: Minister’s comments, existing controls are appropriate. This Minister Okalik. year, we are set to work with departments to review and audit their Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): grants and contributions policies and Thank you, Mr. Chairman. processes to ensure compliance with (interpretation ends) Thank you, FAM and assure that the Government of colleagues. I undertook a number of Nunavut receive good value for money initiatives and I’ll make sure that I from grants and contributions recipients. respond to those enquiries that you asked me. I thank you once again for your Part 6 of the Public Service Act, comments and for your direction. I look Disclosure of Wrongdoing, will come forward to more progress in the coming into force on April 1, 2015. Our Ethics year. (interpretation) Thank you. Have a Officer, Jeffrey Schnoor Q.C., is on good evening. stream while all of the necessary materials are in place to support him and Chairman: Thank you. Sergeant-at- to ensure employees have access to a Arms, please escort the witnesses out. stable process in the event they decide to make a disclosure. Thank you. I would ask the Minister of Finance to make his opening comments. Last year, we tabled the Human Proceed, Mr. Peterson. Resources Strategy for the public service and have now started its implementation. Bill 16 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2015-2016 – Mr. Chairman, for the fourth year in a Finance – Consideration in row, we have met the statutory Committee requirements for the tabling of our public accounts. In fact, this year, we Hon. Keith Peterson: Thank you, Mr. tabled the 2013-14 Public Accounts Chairman. I am pleased to discuss the during the fall sitting of the House. This 2015-16 main estimates and business was a first in Nunavut’s history and goes plan of the Department of Finance. to show the continued, steady improvements that we have made and This year, we are focusing on our will continue to make in the Sivumut Abluqta priorities. The government’s financial management. Department of Finance and Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs are Mr. Chairman, I will now turn to a brief coordinating an external review of overview of the department’s budget. government programs. The terms of reference and RFP were issued on Finance has five core lines of business: January 21, 2015 and closed on February Directorate, Policy, Planning and 20, 2015. Financial Management, Internal Audit Services, Comptrollership, and the We have reviewed our processes in the Centrally Administered Funds. Financial Administration Manual (FAM Directive 801) for Grants and For 2015-16, the Department of Finance Contributions, and are confident that the has been allocated $91.3 million for
Monday, March 9, 2015 Nunavut Hansard 2257 operations and maintenance building and the office buildings expenditures. This is an increase of $7.0 constructed to support our million, or 8.3 percent, to the $84.3 decentralized government million allocated in 2014-15. Mr. structure; Chairman, that increase is made up of: $10.5 million for energy Government of Nunavut insurance subsidies and contributions; premiums, $419,000; $5.4 million for the Government Sick leave expense, $3.0 million; of Nunavut’s insurance premiums; and Nunavut Electrical Subsidy Program, $1,460,000; $2.1 million for the Nunavut Child Benefit. GN employee medical travel, $1,150,000; Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I welcome questions and comments from committee Centralized leave and attendance, members. $404,000; Chairman: Thank you. I would ask the Advertising costs for human chair of the standing committee to make resources, $350,000; and his opening comments. Mr. Hickes.
Ethics officer, $220,000. Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am pleased to deliver opening The major components of the comments on behalf of the Standing department’s budget are: Committee on Oversight of Government Operations and Public Accounts on its $33.1 million for compensation and review of the proposed 2015-16 main benefits; estimates and 2015-18 business plan of the Department of Finance. $6.0 million for other operations and maintenance costs in the department; During the minister’s recent appearance and before the standing committee, members took the opportunity to raise a number of issues and concerns. $52.1 million for centrally administered funds, including: Mr. Chairman, the department’s organizational structure, main estimates, $23.75 million for government- and business plan reflect the transfer of wide employee benefits, such as certain functions and personnel from the dental premiums, workers’ Department of Human Resources, which compensation premiums, and was dissolved on April 1, 2013. employee medical travel;
The standing committee notes that the $10.3 million for the lease costs department’s proposed 2015-16 of the Legislative Assembly
Monday, March 9, 2015 Nunavut Hansard 2258 operations and maintenance budget of It is also important for the government to $91,245,000 has increased by be mindful of the Minister of Finance’s approximately 7.8 percent since the own comments to the Committee of the introduction of the department’s 2014-15 Whole of March 19, 2014, when he main estimates. The number of positions publicly informed Members of the in the department remains unchanged at Legislative Assembly that the 267. government would be, from a budgeting perspective, “…in a very difficult Mr. Chairman, the Department of situation if [it] were 100 percent Finance provides support to the staffed.” Financial Management Board. A government-wide issue for which the It is also important to note that Financial Management Board has approximately one-third of the overarching responsibility is the size of government’s total spending is on the public service. compensation and benefits for its own workforce. For the 2015-16 fiscal year, The total number of positions in the this amounts to over a half a billion government continues to increase. The dollars. government’s proposed 2015-16 main estimates indicate that there are Mr. Chairman, the Department of approximately 4,458 positions in the Finance also provides support to the government’s departments and major government’s Public Agencies Council, Crown agencies and territorial which has a number of important corporations. This represents an increase oversight responsibilities in relation to of approximately 4.9 percent over the the governance of Crown agencies and number of positions accounted for in the territorial corporations. The Minister of government’s 2014-15 main estimates. Finance serves as the Chairperson of the Public Agencies Council. However, the government’s most However, an annual report on the recently tabled quarterly employment activities of the Public Agencies Council report indicates that there were 1,144 has not been tabled in the Legislative vacant positions across the government Assembly since June 10, 2010, almost as of June 2014, which represented a half a decade ago. vacancy rate of approximately 25 percent. Ministerial letters of expectation to the GN’s five largest Crown agencies and It is important that the Financial territorial corporations for the 2014-15 Management Board be mindful of the fiscal year were tabled in the Legislative need to control growth in the number of Assembly on November 4, 2014. government positions at a time when Responses to the letters of expectation departments and Crown agencies face were tabled on the same date. The significant challenges in filling their standing committee urges the Public existing vacancies and roughly one- Agencies Council to ensure that the quarter of the government’s jobs stand 2015-16 Ministerial Letters of empty. Expectation are tabled in the Legislative
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Assembly during the upcoming spring Mr. Chairman, members are of the view sitting of the House. that an important element of this initiative will be to also examine ways in On October 28, 2014, the Minister of which to enhance the transparency of the Finance tabled the government’s 2013- government’s public reporting and 14 annual report on grants and disclosure of its grants and contributions contributions made by all departments expenditures. during that fiscal year. Between the 2004-05 and 2013-14 fiscal years, the For example, the government’s 2013-14 government’s grants and contributions annual report on grants and contributions expenditures amounted to approximately spending indicated that a significant $3.0 billion. number of financial contributions were made to commercial enterprises. As members will recall, the Although the annual report identified the Commissioner’s Opening Address that programs under which funding was was delivered in this House last year provided, the actual purpose of the announced that one of the government’s funding is often not clearly explained. priorities is to, and I quote, “ensure funds provided to organizations, Although members recognize the need communities, and individuals adhere to for the government to safeguard better accountability practices that proprietary information of private achieve the outcomes this government entities, the purpose and goals for which expects from its investment.” This public money is being provided to objective was also included in the private entities must be disclosed. This, Minister of Finance’s 2014 Budget in turn, should assist the government and Address. all Members of the Legislative Assembly in evaluating the extent to The standing committee notes that the which grants and contributions department’s proposed 2015-18 business expenditures are achieving their plan indicates that one of its priorities objectives and providing value for for the 2015-16 fiscal year is to money. “Undertake an audit of departmental grants and contributions policies to As members will recall, the determine compliance with the Financial Commissioner’s Opening Address that Administration [Manual].” was delivered in this House last year announced that another one of the It is important that the government’s government’s priorities is to “review work in this area clearly distinguish government programs to determine what between ensuring that grants and works well, what needs improvement, contributions payments are being made and what should be discontinued in order in compliance with existing authorities, to focus our limited resources and enable and evaluating the extent to which grants success.” and contributions expenditures are achieving their stated objectives and Mr. Chairman, the business plans of both providing value for money. the Department of Finance and the Department of Executive and
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Intergovernmental Affairs indicate that responsible use of liquor under section they have been working to develop a 59.1 of the Act.” request for proposals to undertake an “operational audit of GN programs.” Mr. Chairman, one of the praiseworthy This request for proposals was issued on initiatives undertaken to date by the January 30, 2015, and closed on government in this area includes a safe February 20, 2015. It is noteworthy that driving campaign during the Christmas the RFP indicates that the operational and New Year’s festive season. It is audit is “…premised on a review of 325 important that the next annual report of programs.” the Nunavut Liquor Commission account in detail for expenditures and Mr. Chairman, the passage last year of activities in this area. fixed election date legislation has resulted in certainty regarding the Mr. Chairman, the department’s lifespan of this Assembly and proposed 2015-16 main estimates government. include $10.51 million in funding for the Nunavut Electricity Subsidy Program. Given that the program review initiative On a government-wide basis, the GN has the potential to result in plans to spend approximately recommendations for significant changes $39,929,000 on utility costs during the to programs, services, and the structure 2015-16 fiscal year. of the government itself, it is essential that these be presented to Members of Mr. Chairman, amendments were passed the Legislative Assembly for their to the territorial Payroll Tax Act in 2006 consideration well in advance of the to increase the GN’s payroll tax rate to 2 dissolution of the current legislature. percent. The government raised $23,489,000 in payroll tax revenues The department’s proposed 2015-18 during the 2013-14 fiscal year. However, business plan indicates that the budget it is not clear what percentage of payroll for its Liquor Enforcement and tax revenues is raised from the Inspections Division will increase from government’s own employees and what $451,000 in 2014-15 to $733,000 in percentage is raised from workers in 2015-16. This constitutes a 62.5 percent other levels of government and the increase. private sector. The standing committee continues to recommend that the Amendments to the Liquor Regulations minister begin the practice of tabling an under the Liquor Act were published in annual report in the Legislative the April 2014 edition of Part II of the Assembly on the administration of the Nunavut Gazette. The new provisions Payroll Tax Act to account for such provide that “a maximum of $500,000 issues. per fiscal year, as defined in the Financial Administration Act, may be The Department of Finance is paid out of the Liquor Revolving Fund responsible for administering the for expenses related to education territorial Tobacco Tax Act. campaigns promoting the socially Amendments to the Tobacco Tax Act were passed by the Legislative
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Assembly in February 2012. The government’s Public Service Annual government raised $16,133,000 in 2013- Report and its quarterly Inuit 14 from tobacco taxes. Nunavut’s employment reports. For example, the tobacco taxes are among the highest in 2012-13 Public Service Annual Report the country. was not tabled in the Legislative Assembly until May 29, 2014. The However, given the inelastic nature of 2013-14 Public Service Annual Report demand for tobacco products, it remains has not yet been tabled in the Legislative unclear if increases in tobacco taxes Assembly. have actually had any impact on reducing smoking rates in Nunavut. This During the minister’s recent appearance is an issue that would benefit from before the standing committee, members evaluation by the Department of Finance also emphasized the importance of and the Department of Health. The expanding the range of information standing committee is also aware that the contained in future editions of the Public potential health benefits of increasing Service Annual Report, including tobacco taxes must be balanced with the department-by-department breakdowns risk of creating a black market for illegal of direct appointments approved by the tobacco products as a consequence of cabinet, absenteeism rates, and excessive tax increases. information concerning the employment of disabled persons in the public service. The Minister of Finance’s 2012 Budget Address stated in part that the Mr. Chairman, a new Public Service Act government “will increase the tax on was passed by the Legislative Assembly tobacco products to further support our in 2013. Part 6 of the new Public Service campaign against their use. We will raise Act concerns the disclosure of the tax by 4 cents per cigarette, or $1 per wrongdoing. Part 8 of the new Public pack of 25. The tax on loose tobacco Service Act concerns the appointment of will rise from 14 cents per gram to 20 an ethics officer. Part 6 of the Act comes cents per gram. Based on current into force on the earlier of April 1, 2015 consumption, these measures will or a day to be fixed by order of the produce additional revenue next year of Commissioner. $3 million. We will use a portion of these new revenues for smoking Mr. Chairman, the standing committee prevention and cessation programs.” Mr. strongly supports the government’s Chairman, the standing committee again Summer Student Employment Equity urges the minister to table information in Program, which provides valuable work the Legislative Assembly concerning the experience for Nunavut youth. actual amounts that have been allocated Approximately 2,150 students, 75 for smoking prevention and cessation percent of whom were beneficiaries, programs. have participated in this program since 2001. The standing committee emphasizes the importance of timely tabling in the In recognition of the fact that many of Legislative Assembly of key our territory’s smaller communities do departmental publications, including the not have a significant Government of
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Nunavut presence, the standing progress. Also, Mr. Speaker, I move that committee continues to urge the minister the Report of the Committee of the to consider such ideas as providing wage Whole be agreed to. Thank you, Mr. subsidies to municipalities and other Chairman. employers to hire summer students in smaller communities that do not have a Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. large Government of Nunavut presence. There is a motion on the floor. Is there a seconder? Monica. (interpretation ends) The standing committee was pleased to The motion is in order. All those in note that the department’s proposed favour. Opposed. The motion is carried. 2015-18 business plan indicates that one of its priorities for the 2015-16 fiscal Item 21. Third Reading of Bills. Item 22. year is to “Expand employment (interpretation) Orders of the Day. opportunities for students in non- (interpretation ends) Mr. Clerk. decentralized communities.” Item 22: Orders of the Day Mr. Chairman, that concludes my opening comments on the proposed Clerk (Mr. Quirke): Thank you, Mr. 2015-16 main estimates and 2015-18 Speaker. Just a reminder that there’s a business plan of the Department of meeting tomorrow morning at ten Finance. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. o’clock in the Nanuq Boardroom, the meeting of the Regular Caucus. Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Hickes. Mr. Enook. Orders of the Day for March 10:
Mr. Enook (interpretation): Thank you, 1. Prayer Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) I 2. Ministers’ Statements move to report progress. 3. Members’ Statements Chairman: Thank you. We have a 4. Returns to Oral Questions motion on the floor to report progress and the motion is not debatable. All 5. Recognition of Visitors in the those in favour of the motion. All those Gallery opposed. The motion is carried. I will now rise to report progress. 6. Oral Questions
7. Written Questions Speaker: Item 20. Report of the Committee of the Whole. Mr. Akoak. 8. Returns to Written Questions
9. Replies to Opening Address Item 20: Report of the Committee of the Whole 10. Petitions
11. Responses to Petitions Mr. Akoak (interpretation): Mr. Speaker, your committee has been considering Bill 16 and the main estimates, and would like to report
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12. Reports of Standing and Special Committees on Bills and Other Matters 13. Tabling of Documents 14. Notices of Motions 15. Notices of Motions for First Reading of Bills 16. Motions 17. First Reading of Bills 18. Second Reading of Bills Bill 20 19. Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters Bill 14 Bill 15 Bill 16 Bill 18 20. Report of the Committee of the Whole 21. Third Reading of Bills 22. Orders of the Day Thank you.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) This House stands adjourned until Tuesday, March 10, 2015, at 1:30 p.m.
(interpretation) Sergeant-at-Arms.
>>House adjourned at 19:49