EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
I wonder if Mr. Long can explain with a little more detail on what he means by “observations taken.”
Mr. Long: Okay.
There’s a weather component to this and also the radio component, so I guess “observations” isn’t totally the accurate word, but the number of times they are called to the airport, so flights have a very big part in this.
Each function that they provide on behalf of Nav Canada has a price tag attached to it and that’s the way we are billed, on those functions.
There are penalties for non-performance.
The contract actually reads “to a maximum of,” but the real amount that is billed is based on the work that is done.
I guess I’ll start with following the same lines of questioning that Mr. Rumbolt was asking because I find it a little confusing too when I was reviewing the contracts.
If you look at page 101, there’s a $386,000 contract for Coral Harbour, it is contract C1744, and if you flip the page on page 102, there’s contract C1777 for $1.6 million and it says the same, “Community Aerodrome Radio Services.”
Does that mean Coral Harbour has a lot more observations than any other community?
Again I appreciate the question.
Chairman: Thank you, Minister Taptuna. Mr. Long.
I think there is an error in wording here. The $386,000 contract would be the CARS contract. The $1.6 million contract would be for cleaning the runway and the other services provided by the hamlet.
So I believe they’re called the same thing in this report but that would be inaccurate.
But then again on page 101, contract C1757, airport operations in Coral Harbour, the community or Hamlet of Coral Harbour receives $447,000. Again I think what regular members are wondering is how the contracts are actually worked out and figured out.
There are huge discrepancies between different communities for either snow removal or operation of the airport or the CARS operations.
Mr. Long: The $447,000 contract was a specific contract for removing the old terminal building.
Did you want to expand, Minister Taptuna?
I’ll try and expand a little bit on the question there.
Yes, some of these definitions don’t accurately reflect what has been happening there. As I mentioned in my opening statements, there are some errors. This could very well be a removal and some maintenance work that was done in Coral Harbour on the ATB, airport terminal building.
On page 102, it is contract C1782, this one sort of stuck out in my mind as well. Its description is “Airport Snow Removal & Ice Control” and it’s for Cambridge Bay to a vendor that receives $3.1 million for snow removal and ice control, but in reviewing the documents, I couldn’t find… .
Again I figure it’s a big centre, so Cambridge Bay probably has more snow to remove or maybe since Cambridge Bay is now part of the High Arctic, maybe they get more snow than other communities, but I couldn’t find Rankin Inlet or Iqaluit or other centres.
So I’m just wondering if you could explain why there is $3 million going to Cambridge Bay for snow removal, yet I don’t see it in any other community or specifically Iqaluit, where there is full-time staff in Iqaluit who do that or Rankin Inlet. Just to help us understand a bit more about what happens.
Again we will have to get back to the committee and the member on this amount because, as I mentioned in my opening statements, the heading of the amounts as listed in the description may not be correct.
We will have to go back into our files and get the actual description of what the money was spent on.
Again on page 102, it is contract C1773, and I’m sure Mr. Curley would love this one.
It’s a flat, no extra pennies added, $1 million for the relocation of CARS in Nanisivik to Arctic Bay and it went to Nav Canada. I was just wondering if you could explain what work was done. In terms of the million dollars, it just seems odd that it’s a flat number.
You would think it would be like $954,200.
I don’t know why $1 million. Who decides that?
Was it Nav Canada that said, “You need to move something.”?
Maybe if you could give us more of a description.
I will ask that perhaps you can show a little bit more respect to other members when you entertain a question.
In some certain instances, you get nine sardines in a can and in some other certain circumstances, you get ten. I’m going to let my deputy minister respond to and supplement the member’s question there.
Nav Canada is the expert on this equipment.
They are the people who install it and in this case, relocate it from a closed airport and install it in a new airport.
That was the price that they asked, $1 million, we accepted that price, paid it, and they did the work.
It was not a tendered process where coming in $10 lower would have won them the contract.
They are the only people who are authorized to do that work for us.
On page 102, so it’s the same page in the procurement activity report for 2009-2010, my next question is on contract C1775. That’s C1775.
Under the description, it talks about “CARS Training on Behalf of NavCanada” and the funding for the vendor is Nunavut Arctic College.
There is a total of $1.4 million for that contract.
I’m just wondering: what is that money used for? Obviously it goes to the Nunavut Arctic College, but what does it go to pay?
I thank the member for that very important question.
We do train the CARS operators in Rankin Inlet through Nunavut Arctic College and there is an amount that we get from Nav Canada specifically for that. So we do train Nunavummiut to become CARS operators with Nunavut Arctic College.
Earlier today I did a Member’s Statement and then asked oral questions of the minister about two programs in Arctic Bay and in Pond Inlet. It was a very successful program in Pond Inlet with the Environmental Technology Program and the students there were hoping to have funding for a second year.
For the $1.4 million in training that we have for CARS operators in a year, how many CARS operators would that be for? I recognize that you said 22 communities and I imagine all 24 communities have CARS operators. On average, how many people in one year would $1.4 million train?
In Rankin Inlet, we have a laboratory that can, I believe, normally handle four trainees at a time. These courses are operated continuously as required. I’m trying to remember, but I believe it’s a six-week course.
That’s as close as I can come to giving you an exact number. Again, we are paid by Nav Canada to do this. It’s their money that is being used to do this training and again, it’s based on the number of trainees and the cost to the college.
My next question is on page 76 of the procurement activity report for 2009-2010.
On page 76, there’s a contract, it is contract C1056.
For that contract, the vendor was LPS Aviation and it was a contract put out for comments on INAC’s food mail review.
I’m just wondering if the minister could explain what was involved and what was in that review.
Throughout the process here for the food mail review that was going on last year, we needed some advice and analyses from reliable experts who deal with the high cost of transportation of food mail. So this company was sole sourced to give out advice to our department and EIA to come up with suggestions and recommendations on a new program that INAC was putting out, the Nutrition North program.
Will you commit to tabling this report in the Legislative Assembly?
Once the document is complete, I’m sure EIA and our department will go through the analyses and evaluations. Once it’s ready for tabling, we will do that.
That makes me confused because this was tabled, it was 2009-2010 that the work was done, and we’re in the 2011-12 fiscal year.
I don’t know. To me, the document should be finished and should be able to be tabled right away, but maybe I didn’t understand what you meant by the review.
Do you mean you have to take it to cabinet to see if it can be tabled or it’s not complete yet?
I’ll try and respond to that.
Some of these documents do take time to analyze and certify through cabinet. As the member is well aware, I have tabled some documents that were from last year.
Some of these things do take time. We’re limited with the personnel we do have within our departments and for some of these things, yes, it does take time.
On page 51, there is a contract, it is contract C248. For that one, the vendor is LPS Aviation again and it’s involving a comprehensive analysis of High Arctic travel.
I have worked closely with your department on this. You have travelled, I believe, two times up to Resolute Bay and actually two times to all three of my communities.
I’m wondering: is that what this is about, the High Arctic transportation study?
I was wondering if the minister could give me an update as to what’s happening with that.
Most recently, we had a meeting in February when the Baffin mayors were here. I think I had heard recently that some of your department is travelling up to all three communities again.
Yes, I’m doing a ministerial statement on it tomorrow, but I’ll give some information tomorrow, or is it Monday?
We do have some staff that have travelled up there to the three communities of the High Arctic, Resolute Bay, Arctic Bay, and Grise Fiord.
One of the issues that we do have, as the member is well aware, we consult with the communities and they’re the ones that are going to decide what option we’re going to be taking.
That has taken a little bit of extra time than forecasted, but yes, once all of the information is available, I will share the information with the member.
Do members agree that we have concluded with the Department of Economic Development and Transportation?
Chairman: Thank you. Minister Taptuna, do you have closing remarks?
Yes, I do. Again I thank the committee members for their scrutiny of the contracts that we do issue out there.
One of the things that I would like to say is that some of the contracts that we do give out there are sole source and it’s more or less on an emergency basis.
Of course, we all know about the hamlet situation with the maintenance of the airports.
One of the things that I have issued to my contracting authority within my staff is that sole sourcing, unless it’s on an emergency basis, is not acceptable at this time.
So we are trying to be more transparent and be more accountable to the public and to the people of Nunavut.
Thank you to your official, Mr. Long. (interpretation) Sergeant-at-Arms, please escort the witness and minister out.
We are pretty much completed with our agenda. (interpretation ends) What is the wish of the committee?
All those in favour of the motion. (interpretation) Thank you. (interpretation ends) All those opposed.
Speaker: In the Orders of the Day, Item 20.
Your committee has been considering Tabled Documents 248 – 3(2), 249 – 3(2), and 251 – 3(2) and would like to report that Tabled Documents 248 – 3(2), 249 – 3(2), and 251 – 3(2) are concluded.
A reminder that there’s a meeting of the Standing Committee on Legislation at nine o’clock tomorrow morning in the Nanuq Boardroom.
Motion 9 – 3(3)  Motion 10 – 3(3)
Before we adjourn, I think it would be interesting to see who is here in a better mood tomorrow morning, either Minister Shewchuk or Minister Peterson.
Good luck tonight to both of you.
This House stands adjourned until Thursday, June 9, at 1:30 p.m.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Pages 980 – 1046
Ministers’ Statements 980
Members’ Statements 985
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 998
Oral Questions 998
Written Questions 1005
Reports of Standing and Special Committees on Bills and Other Matters 1005
Tabling of Documents 1015
Motions 1017
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 1018
Report of the Committee of the Whole 1042
Revert to Item 13: Tabling of Documents 1042
Revert to Item 5: Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 1042
Third Reading of Bills 1043
Assent to Bills 1044
Orders of the Day 1045
Thursday, June 9, 2011 980
057 – 3(3): Cost of Travel and Transportation in the High Arctic (Taptuna) 980
058 – 3(3): Coalition of Nunavut District Education Authorities (Aariak) 981
059 – 3(3): Qulliq Energy Corporation – Safety Training (Kusugak) 981
060 – 3(3): Public Forums on Uranium (Aariak) 982
061 – 3(3): Piqqusilirivvik Student Selections (Arreak) 983
062 – 3(3): Family Support Orders Enforcement Act (Peterson) 984
063 – 3(3): Nunavut Arctic College Convocations (Shewchuk) 984
087 – 3(3): Lorne Kusugak dons a Boston Bruins Tie (Shewchuk) 985
088 – 3(3): Reflections on Family (Rumbolt) 986
089 – 3(3): Resilience of Former Residential School Students (Tapardjuk) 986
090 – 3(3): Addressing Violence in Nunavut (Ugyuk) 989
091 – 3(3): Reflections on Fatherhood (Ningeongan) 989
092 – 3(3): A Boston Bruins Tie during Cold/Flu Season (Kusugak) 990
093 – 3(3): The Recent Loss of Cecile Kamingoak, Mona Tigitkok, and Martha Kolaohok (Taptuna) 990
094 – 3(3): Spring Family Activities (Curley) 991
095 – 3(3): Congratulations to New Economic Development Officer in Baker Lake (Aupaluktuq) 992
096 – 3(3): Reflections on the End of the Spring Sitting and the Beginning of Summer (Elliott) 993
097 – 3(3): Government/Municipal Vehicle Abuse (Schell) 994
098 – 3(3): Kugaaruk: An Invitation to Members of Executive Council over Summer (Ningark) 994
099 – 3(3): The First Eastern Arctic Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting (Aariak) 995
100 – 3(3): Congratulations to Stanley Alikatuktuk and Laila Alookie (Arreak) 996
101 – 3(3): Life as an MLA and Minister (Peterson) 996
130 – 3(3): School Busing Services for Kugaaruk (Ningark) 998
131 – 3(3): Replacement of Taloyoak Air Terminal Building (Ugyuk) 999
132 – 3(3): Renal Care in Nunavut (Ningeongan) 999
133 – 3(3): Social Advocate Office (Elliott) 1000
134 – 3(3): Suicide Prevention Strategy Action Plan (Elliott) 1001
135 – 3(3): Sole Source Contracts (Schell) 1002
136 – 3(3): Ukkusiksalik Park (Ningark) 1002
137 – 3(3): Government Liaison Officer Funding (Elliott) 1003
138 – 3(3): Official Opening of Ukkusiksalik Park (Ningark) 1004
008 – 3(3): Capital Project Change Orders (Schell) 1005
Committee Report 004 – 3(3): Bill 9, An Act to Amend the Child and Family Services Act (Ningeongan) 1005
Committee Report 005 – 3(3): Bill 10, An Act to Amend the Nunavut Housing Corporation Act (Ningeongan) 1006
Committee Report 006 – 3(3): Report on the Review of the 2011 Report of the Auditor General of Canada to the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut on Children, Youth and Family Programs and Services in Nunavut (Schell) 1006
066 – 3(3): Uranium in Nunavut Review - February 2011 (Aariak) 1015
067 – 3(3): Excerpt from 2011-2014 Business Plan of the Nunavut Housing Corporation (Rumbolt) 1015
068 – 3(3): FrontLine Defence Magazine - Northwest Passage Unguarded: Thinking Outside the Igloo (Elliott) 1015
069 – 3(3): Article from Saturday Sun on “Best Before Dates” (Elliott) 1015
070 – 3(3): Nunavut Liquor Commission Annual Report 2008-2009 (Peterson) 1016
071 – 3(3): 2008-2009 Annual Report under the Inuit Language Protection Act (Arreak) 1016
072 – 3(3): 2009-2010 Annual Report under the Inuit Language Protection Act (Arreak) 1016
073 – 3(3): Uqausivut, the Proposed Comprehensive Plan Pursuant to the Languages Acts, 2011-2014 (Arreak) 1016
074 – 3(3): Dry Cargo Resupply Program, Activity Summary, Shipping Year 2010 (Kusugak) 1016
075 – 3(3): Upagiaqtavut, Setting the Course, Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation in Nunavut (Shewchuk) 1016
076 – 3(3): Proposed Family Support Orders Enforcement Act (Peterson) 1017
077 – 3(3): Report on Members’ Attendance - January 1, 2011 to March 31, 2011 (Speaker) 1017
078 – 3(3): Language Plan of the Office of the Legislative Assembly (Speaker) 1017
079 – 3(3): Letter from Sheila Fraser, the Auditor General of Canada re: An Audit of the Qulliq Energy Corporation for 2008-2009, 2009-2010, and 2010-2011 in response to Motion 17 – 3(2) of the Legislative Assembly (Aariak) 1042
009 – 3(3): Appointment of a Ministerial Member of the Management and Services Board (Aariak) 1017
010 – 3(3): Appointment of an Alternate Ministerial Member of the Management and Services Board (Aariak) 1017
Bill 06 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 1, 2011-2012 – Consideration in Committee 1019
Bill 07 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 5, 2010-2011 – Consideration in Committee 1024
Bill 08 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 1, 2011-2012 – Consideration in Committee 1025
Bill 09 – An Act to Amend the Child and Family Services Act – Consideration in Committee 1033
Bill 10 – An Act to Amend the Nunavut Housing Corporation Act – Consideration in Committee 1038
Bill 06 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 1, 2011-2012 – Third Reading 1043
Bill 07 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 5, 2010-2011 – Third Reading 1043
Bill 08 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 1, 2011-2012 – Third Reading 1044
Bill 09 – An Act to Amend the Child and Family Services Act – Third Reading 1044
Bill 10 – An Act to Amend the Nunavut Housing Corporation Act – Third Reading 1044
Bill 02 – An Act to Amend the Scientists Act – Assent 1044
Bill 06 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 1, 2011-2012 – Assent 1044
Bill 07 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 5, 2010-2011 – Assent 1044
Bill 08 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 1, 2011-2012 – Assent 1044
Bill 09 – An Act to Amend the Child and Family Services Act – Assent 1044
Bill 10 – An Act to Amend the Nunavut Housing Corporation Act – Assent 1045
Bill 11 – Legislative Assembly Statutes Amendment Act – Assent 1045
Bill 12 – An Act Respecting Nunavut Elections – Assent 1045
Before we get started, I would like to ask Mr. Ningark if he could lead us off with a prayer, please.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Ningark. (interpretation ends) Mr. Shewchuk seems to be smiling quite widely today.
We will move on in the Orders of the Day, Item 2.
Minister of Development and Transportation, Minister Taptuna.
Minister’s Statement 057 – 3(3): Cost of Travel and Transportation in the High Arctic (Taptuna)
I rise once again before this House to speak of my concerns surrounding the high cost of travel and transportation in the High Arctic.
As Members of this Assembly know, we have been undertaking a study on these issues and are seeking ways to ease the burden the people of the northernmost communities bear when they want to travel or when they want to bring goods into their communities.
Mr. Speaker, I have made several trips into the region myself, and I have met with the public and with the councils in all of the communities.
My officials have met with people connected with the airline industry and with consultants who specialize in transportation issues.
Mr. Speaker, we have learned a lot through this process, but it is a complex issue and we feel there are some critical gaps remaining in our understanding of what the High Arctic communities feel are the best solutions to the high cost of travel and transportation.
In order to close these gaps, some of my departmental officials have begun their travels to the High Arctic communities this week. They are taking with them some final questions. We hope the answers to those questions will help us develop a plan.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the people of the High Arctic communities of Arctic Bay, Resolute Bay, and Grise Fiord for their input into the process and for their patience as we come closer to an answer.
Minister’s Statement 058 – 3(3): Coalition of Nunavut District Education Authorities (Aariak)
Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize the new board of directors of the Coalition of Nunavut District Education Authorities, who were elected on February 3, 2011.
The Coalition of Nunavut District Education Authorities works in partnership with the Department of Education to maintain a strong working relationship with the district education authorities.
Mr. Speaker, through the coalition of the district education authorities, we are able to share policies that are developed at the community level.
This openness, communication, and sharing of ideas and approaches to learning helps build academic excellence and consistency in public education here in Nunavut.
Please join me in recognizing the new members of the board of directors.
We are all grateful for their willingness to take on the responsibilities of sitting on this board.
The new board of directors include:
Liza Ningiuk from Grise Fiord
Maliktoo Lyta from Kimmirut
Willie Nakoolak from Coral Harbour, Chair of the Coalition
Celine Ningark from Kugaaruk, whom our colleague is obviously well acquainted with
Jackie Ameralik from Gjoa Haven
Alethea Aggiuq Baril from Niaqunnguuq
Jack Anawak from Iqaluit
Johnny Ittinuar from Rankin Inlet
Lori Idlout from Iqaluit
Mr. Speaker, the coalition met in Gjoa Haven May 18 and 19.
Many important points were raised during their discussions.
It is clear that our continued partnership is a valuable source of support in our work towards implementing and enhancing educational outcomes for our students.
Thank you to the members of the coalition, I’m sure, from all members.
Minister’s Statement 059 – 3(3): Qulliq Energy Corporation – Safety Training (Kusugak)
Let me first apologize to my fellow Montreal Canadiens fans for wearing this tie.
I will explain it later.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to inform the members about safety training that is provided to Qulliq Energy employees on an annual basis.
Safety has and always will be a priority at Qulliq Energy.
I refer to both the safety of staff as well as the safety of customers.
QEC goes to great effort to ensure employees are properly trained to do their jobs safely and professionally.
Some examples of the types of training include power protection training, first aid training, general environmental awareness training, and WHMIS, or Workplace Hazardous Material Information System, training.
Mr. Speaker, every year during our sessions for plant superintendent and operator training, QEC ensures that staff who are most at risk are made aware of potential hazards they may face and are prepared to identify ways to minimize or eliminate those hazards.
Qulliq Energy has an in-house trainer who not only references sources, such as St. John’s Ambulance emergency procedures, but ensures that all training is culturally relevant and includes the use of traditional Inuit knowledge wherever possible when conducting the training sessions.
This individual also visits all of the communities and is familiar with the potential hazards in a power plant or in an employee’s office environment.
Mr. Speaker, over 100 QEC staff have also received Go Safe-Work Smart training, developed specifically for Nunavut and NWT by the Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission.
We anticipate that all staff will have received this safety training by November of this year.
Mr. Speaker, investments in safety training result in less accidents and injuries to staff members and instil confidence in QEC employees.
Confidence develops when they feel they are properly trained for the work they do, they are aware of their rights as workers, and they are secure in knowing how to react and what to do in case of an accident or emergency.
Minister’s Statement 060 – 3(3): Public Forums on Uranium (Aariak)
I will make my statement in English and they will be properly interpreted into Inuktitut.
(interpretation ends) Uqaqtittijii, in keeping my promise, I would like to update my colleagues on the status of the public forums on uranium.
Guided by the principles of Aajiiqatigiinniq and Ikajuqtigiinniq, the Government of Nunavut hosted public forums on March 16 and 17 in Iqaluit, March 30 and 31 in Baker Lake, and April 12 and 13 in Cambridge Bay.
In total, 495 people attended these two-day forums.
Uqaqtittijii, these forums were intended to inform our government in moving forward from the six principles on uranium development to developing a position and policy on uranium in our territory.
Many Nunavummiut have strong opinions about uranium mining in our territory and these forums provided them with an opportunity to share those opinions before we decide as a government what positions we will take on uranium.