EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Mr. Speaker, the intent is to compensate individuals that did have damages with the machines.
If it’s shown that somebody did try and make an effort and there is a problem for whatever reason in getting that machine repaired then we will be flexible to allow them to be fairly compensated.
Question 198 – 1(6): Minister Responsible for Gas Compensation
I have a question to the Minister of Finance.
First of all, I want clarification if he’s a Minister for petroleum products since he’s answering questions related to that department or if he is answering for Finance, so I just want clarification, thank you.
No I don’t want to be the Minister responsible for gas.
I am, Mr. Speaker, as you know because of the financial component of it, the premier assigned a lead for the file for the compensation to myself as the Minister of Finance. That’s why a lot of the compensation program is insurance and financially related so that’s the reason.
Speaker: Thank you Minister. Supplementary. Mr. Iqaqrialu.
The Minister of Finance statement reported in regards to the compensation of the bad gas and how our government is assisting individuals who were affected.
It seems like it’s just to satisfy us members representing Nunavummiut and I do not know why.
This is following your statement for I have known at least one person whose equipment broke down and the outboards are very expensive.
They can easily go up to 10 thousand dollars and if the piston breaks, just that part can cost up to $1000.00 dollars and I have witnessed a person who owned a 150 horsepower outboard motor which broke down due to the bad gas and he was compensated for $300.00 dollars.
You should be able to compensate the full amount for those Nunavummiut whose equipment broke down.
Are you just going to punish them where you only give a small partial payment for the part, because you are paying a very small amount even though the breakdown is major and it will require a lot of money for the entire repairs.
There should be more established standards that can be used so that you do not under compensate those people.
First of all I don’t think any individual is being underpaid.
They are being paid for the claims that they submit based on the damages to the machine, including the labour that it would take or that they might have undertaken themselves as well, in respect of repairing machines the machine are then inspected by an appraiser assigned by the insurance company and we’ve tried to make sure that all individuals, regardless of whether they have been appraised or not have received interim payments first of all, prior to the appraisals and then once the appraisals are completed, of course then the final payment is issued to close off the account.
Speaker: Thank you Minister Supplementary Mr. Iqaqrialu
I am not used to operating this mike.
I just want to elaborate and ask him further that in the different communities there were different processes going on in Baffin, Keewatin and Kitikmeot.
Everyone was affected in my community. I also encountered a case where they were not handled very well.
For the people whose machines broke down, I don’t think you even hired anybody to assist those people.
How could they get compensated when people come to the offices when there are some wildlife officers who don’t speak Inuktitut?
So they encountered lot of communication problems.
If that problem exists, then there might be further problems that we might see in the future.
What else are you planning to do if that happens?
Mr. Speaker, it is my understanding that there haven’t been any great difficulties in communications.
The Renewable Resource Officers, Sustainable Development Officers have been quite competent in all the communities and have had access.
If they aren’t bilingual themselves than they have access to individuals that could assist them to help those that needed to have their forms completed.
I am sorry that this is my final supplementary.
No, not every community was helped equally.
What you just said is not true, I am sorry to say.
The government has to produce everything that is truthful especially when you are representing the residents of Nunavut, and since we are representing everyone, for that reason and for accountability purposes, I would like to ask you again.
Can you check the communities that were not asked the appropriate questions or who weren’t able to access the program when their motors broke down.
Speaker: I just want to caution the Member from using words like true, or whether the truth was spoken.
That is really not appropriate language for the House.
I don’t believe that that is what the Member was trying to infer, so I just caution you to be careful as to your choice of words.
Mr. Speaker, I have had the opportunity to have members of this Assembly call when there have been problems as far as the timeliness on some of the claims.
We are trying to rectify that problem.
They are caught in the system, because when you are processing 1200 claims there are some that for whatever reasons may be left behind or not done as quickly as others because of the volumes in the communities.
Another problem was that the actual appraisers going to the communities, etc.
If there are specific problems in a community, then we have been more than happy to take a look at that to try to fix that problem if it is there.
I haven’t heard the honourable member mention any problems coming from his community.
If that is the case, like I said then we will try to work with him to resolve that matter.
Question 199 – 1(6): Compensation for Bad Gasoline
I will try to keep my question comprehensible.
As the Minister of Finance, it is similar to what my colleague was asking previously.
Mr. Speaker, I was also told by my constituents that once their motors broke down, and they got compensated, they weren’t sure what process they used to appraise the parts, but the crankshaft is very expensive to replace it.
It can be in the range of 300 dollars.
I don’t know what the problem was, but I am wondering if the Minister can check into this further to make sure that these figures were not being quoted as to what they will be paid.
Mr. Speaker, I can check into it but I could tell the member and all members for that matter.
If the claims are based on what the individual submits, I have no control over what they put into their claim.
If they are understating what they think they are entitled to, then I have no control over that.
I guess from that perspective, I just want to say that if there are problems out there that we will try to help individuals.
There hasn’t been a huge outcry as far as from what I have heard as far as how things have been handled to date, recognizing that there are some problems out there when you are dealing with the volume of claims that we have.
To the comment on the problem, he is saying that there hasn’t been a big outcry but one of my constituents went through that process when his skidoo motor and the crankshaft broke and he was paid 300 dollars.
So somewhere, there is a miscalculation of the price as to appraisals. So what I would like to ask him is, if before December 31st this year, if there was a shortage or miscalculation of all the parts that they have to get because of that problem, will they be able to get compensated after the fact?
Yes, Mr. Speaker, if it is before December 31st.
Now if there is any individuals out there for that matter that think they didn’t receive an adequate amount based on what they submitted, then I would ask them to bring it forward whether it is directly through you or through the current program, we can review their specific claim and make sure that they have been treated fairly.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.  Speaker: Thank you, Minister.
Question 200 – 1(6): Process for Insurance for On the Land Programs
During my Member’s Statement, when we were visiting one of our communities, especially one of my constituent communities, we have mentioned that even though they want to take youth for teaching on the land programs not just by talking to them but to have them actually experience it by actually going out on the land.
There are always insurance problem where they have to be covered, usually upwards of a million dollars and that is an increasing problem.
I would like to ask the Minister of Education as to how we can improve where they won’t have to pay the one million dollar insurance premiums.
I wonder how the Minister can deal with this. Can he tell me how it can be made easier and more accessible?
I have concerns I would just like to ask for your direction, this isn’t a ploy to misdirect the members.
This is because we made an agreement after the members went to the communities in regards to the Education Act.
The comments that we received will have to be reviewed by the Standing Committee and at the time we will be discussing those things after the consultations.
Like I said before, I don’t want to try and deal with one specific thing until we have heard a report from the Standing Committee.
I also want to get their opinion as to what they think because we already agreed on the procedure we are going to follow in regards to the Education Act.
So, Mr. Speaker, I ask you that it should be made clear since we have members sitting on the other side who participated in the committee that we already agreed that we would not bring up those topics in the assembly.
Mr. Puqiqnak (interpretation): Mr. Speaker, I am quite aware that the consultation tour to Kitikmeot, Kivalliq and Baffin.
After the consultation I came across the forms which are required by the government.
Has the Department of Education used these forms before, as it is required?
Have they given assistance to the communities, the $1 million insurance program?
Without that assistance it’s impossible for the communities to take action.
I have the forms right in my hands.
So, have they used these forms?
Have they been used by the Department of Education in the communities?
Speaker: There seems to be some confusion over to what forms you’re referring to Mr. Puqiqnak.
I wonder if you could try to further clarify your question and identify the names and the numbers that are on the forms so that the minister can at least have some idea as to what you are referring to. Mr. Puqiqnak.
Mr. Puqiqnak (interpretation): Am I the only one who has the form in the whole of Nunavut?
The form, it’s a form that has to be filled out for student excursions when they have to go on land, to the insurance agents, to the Department of Finance in Iqaluit and to clarify it more, it states the name of school, as to where they will go if it’s going to be five miles or two miles.
I have the form.
For that reason, I was asking if this has been used because if this is the form that we have to fill out because its for an insurance of one million dollars, whether they will use all terrain vehicles, skidoos or outboard motors.
They have to have a one million dollar policy.
So, I’m just wondering if this has been used in the past.
I’m still not clear because in the member’s opening statements he said as part of the consultations that he’s been involved with and I tried explaining that we had all agreed to, that there would be a process, I’m just trying to avoid going outside of the process that we had agreed to as members of the Legislative Assembly.
However, Mr. Speaker, it’s quite difficult for me so I’m going to ask again for your guidance in this and clarify this if I’m going to be expected to answer in this case.
I will make is clear that I will not because of the process.
Speaker: Minister Kilabuk, you were asking for some direction or clarification.
I think at this point there seems to be some confusion over the type of forms that Mr. Puqiqnak is referring to and the process that you’re referring to as it relates to the committee and what the guidelines that were put in place and what information you would release.
At this point it might be, it might better serve everybody if Mr. Puqiqnak would table these documents that he has and in reference to any other questions that may come up regarding the arrangements that you have made with the committee.
You may want to take them as notice and then consult with the committee as to what the arrangements were so that everybody’s on the same page.
So, Mr. Puqiqnak if you would table that form at the appropriate time, the minister can then review it and get back to you.
Question 201 – 1(6): Plans to Provide Aviation Fuel in Kugaarjuk
As I have stated before, my question is directed to the minister responsible for Public Works and Services.
The number one priority for the five year capital plan for the Hamlet of Kugaarjuk in aviation fuel because there is no aviation fuel in the community of Kugaarjuk.
Refuelling stations are in Gjoa Haven and Taloyoak even though when Kugaarjuk is very clear and if the weather is bad in these places, pilots automatically refuse to land in Kugaarjuk because they cannot refuel when they need to refuel.
For that reason, Mr. Speaker, my question is, are there any plans in the future to have aviation fuel available in Kugaarjuk because they’re quite concerned about it.
So, do you actually have any plans to store aviation fuel in Kugaarjuk in the near future?
In regards to the member’s question, in regards to Kugaaruk and the refuelling station.
We are working on this issue currently as to how future storage needs can be met at the community but in regards to your concern, how that community could have fuel available in Kugaarjuk.
The aviation fuel issue is a concern but we’re now working on the tank farms of Kugaarjuk as we speak. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I am not the only one to have a concern about this issue from Kugaarjuk, so my question is, when are you going to start implementing or actually having a refuelling stations, when are you going to start ?
Minister Kattuk
The Hamlet Councils, we’re working with the municipality on the future plans of the fuel storage tanks in the community.
But at this time I cannot respond to his question at this time directly but we’re working with the Hamlet Council in regards to the tank farms.
We’re working on the future contingency plans for the tank farms, thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Alakannuark (interpretation): Thank you very much for the clarification because, I understand they’re working on the tank farms and I do understand that but the question I’m trying to ask him and the response I want is; are you going to get aviation fuel in Kugaaruk and also the fuel tank, like the ship itself cannot bring up aviation fuel to the community.
Do you have any plans to have an aviation refuelling station in Kugaaruk?
Yes it’s true what the member has just said because the ships do not bring in aviation fuel to Kugaarjuk, but we will continue to ship and transport fuel by airplane and fuel will be transported by airplanes, thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 202 – 1(6): Has the Department Spoken to the Nunavut Association of Municipalities on Child Advocate
Earlier on in my members’ statement, I spoke about the rights and needs of Nunavut’s Children so therefore I’d like to see it in the Act and in English it’s called the English Children’s Advocate in Nunavut.
The municipalities in the communities have worked on this issue, my question to the Minister is, Mr. Speaker, the Minister and his department, have they discussed this matter with Nunavut Association of Municipalities?
I was wondering if you have been discussing this matter with them, thank you Mr. Speaker.
Yes, we have. We have been in discussions with the representatives of NAM on the issues surrounding an advocacy office, the Children Advocacy office.
Ms. Williams: Mr. Speaker, can the Minister tell us what his department currently has in place to protect the needs of the Nunavut Children and how effective the current system is, in providing that protection.
Mr. Speaker, the issue of Child Advocate first arose in 1999 in Cambridge Bay.
In 2001, it was referred to the Children’s First Secretariat and I’m happy to report, Mr. Speaker, we bring forward since then to this past July when there was a meeting of an Ad hoc Committee on the Child Advocate position as well as the hospital introduction of legislation.
Mr. Speaker, the government is looking at in what position or form that a child advocate have, would you have it as an ombudsman’s position for the government as a whole, would you include it that type of form or would you have stand alone offices per child advocate?
Mr. Speaker, several jurisdictions in the south have now passed child advocate legislation and we are in the process of reviewing it, the most recent being Newfoundland and Labrador and we have copies of their legislation to see which direction they have moved in.
We believe, Mr. Speaker, there is no need to reinvent the wheel, we believe there is some opportunities to look at good practices from other jurisdictions.
At the same time, Mr. Speaker, the legislative calendar of the Government of Nunavut between now and the next possible election date is quite full so we’re trying to put it in process right now a workable solution given time frame as well as the opportunity to review other pieces of legislation.
My next question is that, part of the question is, can the Minister be more specific about when they would be proposing maybe the legislation or when they would be confirming their plan.
Mr. Speaker, from the information provided to me, as I said earlier, the ad hoc met with NAM officials in July of this past summer.
The committee has reviewed several pieces of legislation including the International, United Nations and UNICEF, the Canadian Literature as well as the president of the Canadian Council for provincial child and youth advocacy and there is a provincial and territorial council for that and they’ve also reviewed the legislation from eight jurisdictions.
Mr. Speaker, the draft legislation, I believe has been completed. That’s my understanding.
However, I cannot say at this time when we would be able to bring it forward in a legislative proposal because there is still some work that needs to be done.
It is something, Mr. Speaker, that we would hope to be able to bring forward and have available at some time in the future.
I can’t give a specific date, as I said earlier, I know that the legislative calendar of government between now and the next possible dates for an election is quite full.
At the same time Mr. Speaker, the proposed legislation of the working group has to be reviewed by a legislative committee as well as the CCL.
Thank you for the information that the minister has provided.
It seems like they’ve consulted with a whole bunch of other jurisdictions.
Have they talked to people in Nunavut about what the needs are here and how urgent the needs are here?
Mr. Speaker, as I said earlier, in 2001 the issue of the Child Advocate was placed with the Children’s First Secretariat where quite a bit of work was done.
It then went back to the ad hoc group which contained the area that the member had asked us about earlier and that was the involvement of the Nunavut Association municipalities.
Included on that group was the mayor of Cambridge Bay as well as the SAO from Cambridge Bay, departmental officials from health, as well as education and no, I don’t think Mr. Speaker, that they’ve actually gone out and done public consultations because they haven’t even brought forward a legislative proposal.
That would be done when a legislative proposal is brought forward, legislations in place, like we’re doing right now with the education act.
You would bring that forward and have an opportunity to consult people on the legislation.
I guess that would be the next step Mr. Speaker, in that process.
Back at the top of the list. Mr. Arvaluk.
Question 203 – 1(6): Clarification on Compensation for Bad Gasoline
In his announcement today, he stated that, I don’t have the pages but, The Department of Finance will forward all claims for four-stroke engine that have been received date to our insurer, St. Paul’s Insurance.
They will be asked to take a detailed look at all those claims and to deal directly with the claimant for any potential damage.
Can the minister make it clear to me, that when my friend from the high arctic breaks his machine, with the insurance company and I will be asking my insurance whether we’re at fault or not, for them to pay.
Is that the ramification that the minister’s making in his statement?
Mr. Speaker, the insurance company, if they feel there is some legitimacy to the claim, unless I assign an appraiser, will undertake an assessment of the vehicle and determine whether or not there is legitimate cause for reimbursement and compensation.
That’s what I suspected; that in fact, the government insurer for the bad gasoline; we were dealing with bad gasoline over the past winter but we seem to be talking about bad compensation or something along that line.
How do you determine that is going to be a fair analysis of what is being damaged by your own insurance rather than the four-stroke engine owners’ insurance company or at least an independent company, can you tell Nunavummiut that you insurer will be non-bias when he’s dealing, analysing, that in fact these have been legitimate claims.
Mr. Speaker, I’m not an expert in the insurance industry but I know that the appraisers are normally chosen and there is several appraisers that work with different insurers.
Depending on their past history and location and those appraisers have a qualifications, certifications standards that they have to abide by and they treat their customers and objectively review the status of each claim and make recommendations with the insurer based on those evaluations.
Is this the same policy insurance company who also insure for all the government properties, schools, nursing stations, and what ever the assets the government are that will also be responsible analysing the claims that are given to you, the insurer from four-stroke engine only.
Mr. Speaker, no they’re not the insurer of inclusively or comprehensively of all GN assets.
Are they then the insurers for your claims insurance only, that you have large enough interest with your payments to ensure that your properties or possible liabilities.
Mr. Speaker, what I am trying to find out here is where are we in this?
We are in a fog, we don’t know how clear this is going to be because the four-stroke engines are going to be a lot harder to determine, probably a longer process and the claims will have to be completely clear as to the fairness, the unbiased analysis will be done by the Government of Nunavut insurers.
My question, Mr. Speaker, is what portion of your assets are being insured by this St. Paul’s Insurance?
Mr. Speaker, I don’t have the actual percentages.
They are in respect of motor vehicle coverage are insured.
Again I would say that it isn’t the insurance company themselves that undertakes the evaluation.
It is the independent appraisers that they hire.
They are the individuals that go through the evaluations assessments of the damage and make recommendations to the insurer on the specific cases.
Question 204 – 1(6): Testing of Damaged Vehicles by the Alberta Research Council
Mr. Speaker, my question as well, is for the Minister responsible for Finance and bad gas, I guess you could say.
Mr. Speaker, in the Minister’s Statement he indicated that tasks were carried out by the Alberta Research Council has not been conclusive in determining that the gas had damaged four-stroke engines.
Mr. Speaker, as you well know that I live in a community that probably has the most vehicles and pretty close to the most taxis in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, there was a number of concerns raised to me and I am sure that my other colleagues from Iqaluit that from the taxi drivers and other vehicle owners that the gasoline did cause a lot of damage to their vehicles, whether it be fuel pumps and things like that.
I would like to ask the Minister, what types of tests were carried out on the four-stroke engines if he is aware of that.
Was it something that was done in the community, was it something that was just done at the Alberta Research Council office in Alberta, or how conclusive are those results and how in-depth?
Speaker: I am not sure if that question is directed to Minister Ng or Minister Kattuk.