EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Again, we are really trying hard to ensure that we move the percentage of beneficiaries up within the government. Again, at the end of the day, we will have more graduates coming out and we will certainly have more opportunities of increasing our beneficiary employment within the government.
Please let me know if my question is in the right context or if it is inappropriate.
This issue of hiring Inuit within government is one of the expectations people have. Nonetheless, within your Inuit Employment Plan, do you think there is… ?
Perhaps if I ask it in this manner: are there any kinds of protection measures in place related to when Inuit apply for a position and if the positions have non-beneficiary incumbents? Is there any kind of appeals process relative to this?
I hope I was understandable and I asked this question at the right place.
Chairman (interpretation): So that we can all understand your question and so that I can see if it’s appropriate, can you rephrase your question?
Your department handles the Inuit Employment Plan. Do you have any protection measures where an Inuit staff member or an Inuk trying to get a job… ?
This might not be an appropriate place to ask this question.
I better move on to a different question.
Regarding the bilingual language bonus, there are 2,200 staff members getting the bonus.
If you divided them all up, how many staff members get an Inuktitut bilingual bonus and how many get the French bilingual bonus?
I apologize if I didn’t understand your first question. When we’re talking about staffing, we have to be really careful about how we say things.
There are so many rules and Acts that we have to follow. (interpretation ends) Mr. Premier.
If I can have my colleague respond to that question, I see he is pulling out his binder to check those numbers. Mr. Chairman, I don’t have those numbers in front of me for that type of detailed question.
Mr. Chairman, if the Minister of Finance has that, maybe he can respond to that question. If not, we will certainly take that question and provide the member with the detailed numbers.
I would be pleased to see the responses corrected.
When we first were in government, we set Inuit employment around the 40 percent range.
We really pushed to improve this.
I got out of the government in 2008 when we were at 51 percent.
These figures are available.
We used to be at 51 percent and then it dropped back to 50 percent Inuit employment and that was unfortunate.
It’s worrisome. It’s so important. There are still not enough Inuit employees.
There was something in front of us during these very proceedings that gave an artificial boundary where real Inuit may not be hired.
Maybe we should get a monitor for these jobs, a person who could watch these jobs that could have been taken by Inuit and ended up not being taken by them. There should be somebody working to get rid of barriers.
All departments are always working through HR to remove barriers and find ways to increase the level of beneficiary employment.
That continues to happen.
One of the things that the government can’t control is time.
It’s quite unfortunate that it was at 51 percent. Again, time is something that we cannot control.
At the best of times, we’re making our best efforts to find ways and committee members know that. We have worked together in the past to try to improve that.
We will continue to try to find ways to increase beneficiary levels within the government.
Do you have more questions, Mr. Okalik?
I know that this will be reviewed. If we’re given the opportunity during this sitting, it would be good to see the breakdown of education and job attainment because it clearly is a barrier.
How are we going to train these people if this job examiner position goes to a different department?
I really want to see this reconsidered because it doesn’t really help where it is right now.
I’m just making this point here as it touches on education as it’s written here.
I believe it’s just encouragement, as I didn’t hear a question.
I just have one question and that is on B-9.
Contract Services is a little over $3 million, $3,462,000.
I am wondering if the Premier can tell us what those contracts are for.
Mr. Hickey will respond to that question.
The $3,462,000 in contracts… . Sorry. I apologize, Mr. Chairman.
The $3,462,000 in contracts were all within training and development and they were all contracts for vendors to provide training and development within that division.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) And that was your one question?
Ms. Angnakak: I didn’t say I wouldn’t have supplementaries.
Can the Premier provide us with a list of names of who those contacts went to, please, and what they were for?
If I can, I’ll have Mr. Hickey respond to that question.
Chairman: Wait.
Hon. Peter Taptuna: You’ve got to wait for the red light.
Mr. Hickey: My apologies once again, Mr. Chairman.
I don’t have the information right in front of me of a detailed list of contracts, but I can certainly provide that within a couple of days.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) And we look forward to the information.
(interpretation) We are on Branch Summary.
Total Operations and Maintenance, to be Voted. $8,042,000.
Turn to page B-10. It reads, Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs. It’s an information item.
Let me remind you that I am just reading the Inuktitut translation. If there is a mistake, it’s not my fault.
Devolution Secretariat. Total Operations. Ms. Angnakak.
I’m wondering if the Premier can tell us who the devolution deputy chief negotiator is now.
Hon. Peter Taptuna: Mr. Chairman, if I can get a witness brought into the table here.
Sergeant-at-Arms, please escort the witness from the table and escort the other witness in.
For the record, Deputy Minister Akeeagok has returned to the witness table.
Mr. Akeeagok is going to respond to the question.
Mr. Akeeagok, you can go ahead and respond.
If I understood the question, you asked about the (interpretation ends) chief deputy negotiator. (interpretation) If that was the question, Alex Buchan and Bob Carson were appointed by the (interpretation ends) Premier (interpretation) to be the (interpretation ends) deputy chief negotiators. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
We are on Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs. Information Item.
Devolution Secretariat. Total Operations and Maintenance, to be Voted. $2,307,000.
It reads, Department Summary. Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs.
Mr. Alex Sammurtok, do you have a question?
Mr. Sammurtok, go ahead.
Mr. Alexander Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) In the main estimates, B-12, Compensation and Benefits, Headquarters, $16,284,000, and Qikiqtaaluk, $1,240,000, (interpretation) why are there no amounts for the Kivalliq and Kitikmeot regions? I’m asking why it is like that.
Can I ask permission to have Mr. Hickey respond to that?
There’s no dollar amount put in for the Kivalliq and Kitikmeot regions for salaries, even though we have some positions there. I believe we have one in each position and the GLO officers.
All of those positions’ salary dollars come out of the headquarters budget.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you for explaining that.
We are on Department Summary. Intergovernmental Affairs. Detail of Expenditures.
Total Operations and Maintenance, to be Voted. $27,886,000. Do you agree?
Members, do you agree that the Department of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs is concluded?
Premier Taptuna, we are done you’re your department. If you have any closing remarks, I now give you the opportunity to make them. (interpretation ends) Premier Taptuna.
Hon. Peter Taptuna (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) I appreciate the committee members’ work or scrutiny. It’s complicated at times. There are a lot of issues that we face.
Mr. Chairman, I realize for a fact that we have been making efforts to improve beneficiary employment within the government and we continue to try to find ways to improve that.
At times, it’s very difficult to improve that number of 50 percent, but we give it our best efforts with the assistance of all departments, agencies, and Crown corporations to try to improve that number. Again, we will continue to try to find solutions.
At the end of the day, one of the biggest highlights is that our graduation rates are increasing and with that increase, we certainly hope that we will be able to put more graduates into the government workforce.
I’m not saying that we will hire them right off from graduation, but that possibility increases.
We want our graduates to continue on to professional levels and work in Nunavut.
We want to see Inuit engineers, lawyers, teachers, biologists, and geologists. At the end of the day, all of us are striving for that.
Mr. Chairman, I appreciate again the committee’s hard work in their questioning and trying to improve ways that the government can benefit Nunavummiut. We will continue to work with the committee to ensure that these things happen.
Sergeant-at-Arms, please escort the officials out.  At this time, we will take a five-minute break to prepare the documents to continue the meeting.
>>Committee recessed at 17:51 and resumed at 18:00
Bill 13 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2016-2017 – Environment – Consideration in Committee
At this time, we can resume the Committee of the Whole.
We will now review the Department of Environment’s main estimates.
As we proceed, Minister of Environment, Minister Mike, if you have any opening comments, please proceed.
Hon. Johnny Mike (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Members, thank you, as well as the people who are watching the proceedings and Nunavummiut.
I am pleased to be here today to introduce my department’s business plan and main estimates for the 2016-17 fiscal year.
The Department of Environment’s proposed budget for 2016-17 is $27,045,000.
This represents an increase of $1,291,000 from the 2015-16 fiscal year.
The increase includes $360,000 funding for climate change initiatives to ensure that the Government of Nunavut is able to deliver adequate climate change adaptation programming across the territory.
The department will also receive $500,000 for continued work on a contaminated sites financial liabilities assessment and review.
In addition, the department will receive $431,000 in funding that will help alleviate ongoing deficit to the Parks and Special Places’ core operations and maintenance budget, as well as fund one PY for parks planning and operations in the Qikiqtaaluk region.
The Department of Environment regularly works and partners with various outside organizations, and through these partnerships, we continue to be successful in maximizing the impact of our funds.
In the 2015-16 fiscal year, we were able to leverage over $3.5 million from outside sources for various projects, and we expect to be equally successful in 2016-17.
Mr. Chairman, the Department of Environment’s 2016-17 business plan and main estimates are focused on the priorities and goals outlined in Sivumut Abluqta. They also uphold the Government of Nunavut’s obligations and areas of responsibilities under the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement that relate to the management of natural resources, as well as ensuring the department’s many statutory obligations are fulfilled.
Avatittinnik Kamatsiarniq (environmental stewardship) continues to be a key element of our departmental focus.
This includes managing our wildlife carefully and effectively and working with government, business, and industry to ensure that industrial projects in Nunavut are undertaken in such a manner that negative impacts to the environment are minimized.
(interpretation ends) Through proactive pollution prevention initiatives and inspection and enforcement measures under the Wildlife Act and Environmental Protection Act, we will continue to monitor and protect the environment for current and future generations. (interpretation) In the coming year, the Department of Environment will work to improve our participation in the assessment and monitoring of development projects in Nunavut.
We will continue to provide coordination and support for climate change adaptation initiatives in Nunavut.
(interpretation ends) This past year demonstrated the continued success of Nunavut’s wildlife co-management system.
In July of last year, we brought new Wildlife Regulations into force with support from our partners.
In September, I allowed a limited caribou harvest for Baffin Island and, just this month, increased the total allowable harvest for Southampton Island caribou.
As well, we submitted the Nunavut Polar Bear Management Plan to the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board for their consideration, a process which is ongoing. (interpretation) We continue to work with communities to monitor the health and abundance of wildlife populations.
Last year, we provided a new population estimate for the Qamanirjuaq caribou herd.
In 2016-17, our monitoring efforts will continue with a focus on polar bears in the (interpretation ends) Gulf of Boothia, McClintock Channel, and western Hudson Bay and caribou on Baffin Island.
(interpretation) Mr. Chairman, wildlife harvesting plays a critical role in our local economy, our health, food security, and in our overall well-being as Nunavummiut.
In 2016-17, the Department of Environment intends to implement our revised suite of harvester support programs.
In 2016-17, we will also be releasing a number of harvester education resources that will feed into the Harvester Education Program currently under development. (interpretation ends) The Harvester Education Program is an important resource that will contribute to the development of safe, responsible, and knowledgeable hunters in Nunavut.
(interpretation) In the 2016-17 fiscal year, we will develop facility designs and specifications for the proposed Aggutinni and Napaaqtulik territorial parks.
We will also continue to work on the proposed parks in Sanikiluaq and Arviat by establishing co-management committees for the parks in both communities.
My department completed another very successful year of the Nunavut Coastal Aquatic Monitoring Program.
In 2015-16, we provided training to residents of Pond Inlet with a focus on turbot.
Another significant accomplishment of the past year was the Government of Nunavut being approved to certify Nunavut sealskins and sealskin products for the European Union market.
We will continue to work with the Government of Canada to minimize barriers to the trade of Nunavut sealskins.
Mr. Chairman, as you can see, the Department of Environment’s 2016-17 main estimates and business plan support the obligations and priorities of the Government of Nunavut and provide real benefits to Nunavummiut.
Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to provide opening comments on behalf of the Standing Committee on Community and Economic Development on its review of the proposed 2016-17 Main Estimates and 2016-19 Business Plan of the Department of Environment.
The standing committee notes that the department’s proposed 2016-17 operations and maintenance budget of $27,045,000 has increased by 5 percent since the introduction of the department’s 2015-16 main estimates.
The number of positions in the department is 133.5. This is an increase of two positions from the 2015-16 main estimates.
The department is responsible for the administration of the government’s Grants and Contributions in Support of Harvesters Policy, which includes provisions for the department’s Fur Pricing Program, Hunters and Trappers Disaster Compensation Program, and Community Harvesters Assistance Program.
During the minister’s recent appearance, members were informed that the department had completed its review of the government’s harvester support programs and policies and that the results of this review and the new policies would be implemented on April 1 of 2016.
The standing committee looks forward to reviewing these new programs and policies with care.
Mr. Chairman, MLAs have spoken on a number of occasions about the difficulty of applying and receiving approval for funding under the department’s Hunters and Trappers Disaster Compensation Program.
According to the government’s 2014-15 Grants and Contributions Annual Report, the Department of Environment allocated more than $98,000 in contribution funding under its Hunters and Trappers Disaster Compensation Program.
The standing committee encourages the department to ensure that the new policies and procedures related to its Hunters and Trappers Compensation Program include clear provisions concerning eligibility under the program.
Mr. Chairman, the department is responsible for the administration of the Wildlife Act and is responsible for fulfilling the government’s responsibilities concerning wildlife management as mandated under federal legislation, national and international agreements and [conventions], and the co-management of wildlife as required under the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement.
On September 4 of 2015, the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board issued a notice stating that it would be conducting a written public hearing to consider the Department of Environment’s proposed Nunavut Polar Bear Co-management Plan, which was developed in cooperation with co-management partners, including Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board, regional wildlife offices, and hunters and trappers organizations.
The standing committee looks forward to ongoing updates on the development and implementation of this plan.
The Department of Environment’s draft 2016-19 business plan indicates that it intends to develop and implement a number of wildlife management initiatives over the next three fiscal years, including management planning for a number of polar bear and caribou subpopulations, such as the Baffin Bay polar bear, Baffin Island Caribou, and Peary Caribou subpopulations.
The standing committee looks forward to ongoing updates on the development of these management plans.
The Department of Environment’s draft 2016-19 business plan also indicates that it intends to perform population surveys on a number of wildlife species in the territory.
During the minister’s recent appearance, members were informed that the department was unable to complete its population survey of the McClintock Channel polar bear subpopulation due to unforeseen weather circumstances and that this survey is now scheduled to continue in the 2016-17 fiscal year.
The standing committee looks forward to receiving ongoing updates on the status of this survey.
The Department of Environment’s draft 2016-19 business plan also indicates that one of its goals for the 2016-17 fiscal year is to “Continue monitoring the Baffin Island Caribou by collaring, health monitoring, and conducting additional surveys as necessary.”
Mr. Chairman, MLAs have spoken on a number of occasions in the Legislative Assembly about the importance of using non-invasive wildlife research methods.
The standing committee encourages the department to continue to explore options that will allow it to perform comprehensive population surveys that do not disturb the migration patterns and behaviour of wildlife in the territory.
Mr. Chairman, the department is responsible for the administration of the Environmental Protection Act and carrying out the government’s initiatives related to environmental protection and climate change adaptation throughout Nunavut.
The department’s proposed 2016-19 main estimates and draft 2016-19 business plan include $521,000 in funding for its Climate Change Program.
This represents a 44.7 percent increase in the department’s budget for this program since the introduction of its 2015-16 main estimates.
During the minister’s recent appearance before the standing committee, members were informed that this increase in budget will allow the department to add two new positions to its Climate Change Program.
Members raised concerns that the information provided by the department did not clearly and comprehensively outline the duties and responsibilities that would be carried out by these new positions.
The standing committee emphasizes the importance of providing comprehensive information on proposed programs or positions to allow Members of the Legislative Assembly to review the government’s proposed budgets with care.
The Department of Environment’s draft 2016-19 business plan indicates that it had planned to provide financial and human resource training workshops for staff in the decentralized offices of Igloolik, Pond Inlet, Kugluktuk, and Arviat to improve financial management and human resource capacity and that this training was scheduled to be completed by January of 2016.
The government’s most recently published quarterly employment report, Towards a Representative Public Service, indicates that as of September 30, 2015, 38 percent of the department’s positions in Igloolik were vacant.
The Department of Environment is responsible for the implementation of the Nunavut Fisheries Strategy and representing Nunavut’s sealing interests nationally and internationally.
On July 31 of 2015, the department issued a news release indicating that the European Union had formally approved the Government of Nunavut’s application to become a recognized body under the Indigenous Communities Exemption of the European Union Seal Regime, which means that Nunavut harvesters will be able to receive specific certification from the government to sell their sealskin and sealskin products in the European market.
During the minister’s recent appearance, members were informed that the department is currently working to implement this certification process.
The standing committee looks forward to receiving ongoing updates on the status of this initiative.
One of the statutory purposes of the fund is to “promote education and training respecting IQ, safe and humane harvesting methods, harvester education and wildlife conservation.”
The 2014-15 annual report on the administration of the Natural Resources Conservation Trust Fund was tabled in the Legislative Assembly on November 4 of 2015.
The new surcharges were to be brought into effect in association with new regulations under the Wildlife Act.
On May 29 of 2015, the government published a number of regulations under the Wildlife Act and Summary Conviction Procedures Regulations under the Summary Convictions Procedures Act, which came into effect on July 31 of 2015. These regulations provide specific penalties, fines, and surcharges that may applied to offences made under the Wildlife Act.
The standing committee looks forward to greater utilization of the Natural Resources Conservation Trust Fund in upcoming years.
Mr. Chairman, that concludes my opening comments on the proposed 2016-17 main estimates and draft 2016-19 business plan of the Department of Environment.
Mr. Akoak. (interpretation ends) The motion is in order.
All those in favour. (interpretation) Thank you.
Item 21. (interpretation ends) Third Reading of Bills. (interpretation) Item 22.
Just to announce a change in the schedule, the Regular Caucus will now meet on Monday at ten o’clock in the morning in the Nanuq Boardroom.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) This House stands adjourned until Monday, March 14, at 1:30 p.m.
>>House adjourned at 18:29
Monday, March 14, 2016
Pages 1559 – 1627
Opening Prayer 1559
Members’ Statements 1560
Returns to Oral Questions 1567
Oral Questions 1567
Tabling of Documents 1580
Notices of Motions 1582
Motions 1583
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 1583
Report of the Committee of the Whole 1626
Orders of the Day 1627
Monday, March 14, 2016 1559
093 – 4(3): Clinical Nurse Educator Certified to Teach Courses (Ell-Kanayuk) 1559
094 – 4(3): FPT Ministers of Environment Meeting in Ottawa (Mike) 1560
198 – 4(3): Tribute to the Late Stuart Hodgson, C.M. (Taptuna) 1560
199 – 4(3): Success of Arctic Winter Games Participants from Arviat (Savikataaq) 1561
200 – 4(3): NTI Board Meeting in Gjoa Haven (Akoak) 1562
201 – 4(3): Supporting the Mianiqsijit Society (Mikkungwak) 1563
202 – 4(3): In Remembrance of Meeka Kilabuk (Angnakak) 1563
203 – 4(3): A Recent Youth Suicide in Taloyoak (Qirngnuq) 1564
204 – 4(3): The Passing of Inusiq Nashalik (Quassa) 1565