EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
I would like this particular issue researched by the department. So my question to the minister is: will they be researching this further, Mr. Speaker?
With regard to the contracts with the Nunavut Housing Corporation and the cost overruns, we have been dealing with that issue through cabinet for a while.
The cabinet has tasked the Nunavut Housing Corporation to look at lower contracts and to lessen expenses, especially with relation to expenses incurred for importing workers, such as hotel fees and travel costs.
We have also been told that hotels are not the only options and that there should be other options.
Wherever possible, we are expecting that the contractors, if they are not hiring local workers, they will have to argue why they have to incur extra costs because we are asking them to prioritize the hiring of local workers.
This is something that we will continue to work on down the road, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.
I totally understand the response of the minister.
Be that as it may, more people in the community would be able to work, but the biggest problem is that every time they have an issue with the local workers, they just start hiring workers from the outside.
It seems like the contractors are not hiring locally and we want to be able to have an option, or an ombudsmen, or middleman who we can talk to deal with the contractors.
With regard to his question, I believe there is a project manager responsible for every community.
I believe there is a community development officer and there is a district office in Cape Dorset that handles most of these projects.
I am unsure as to who the person is that directs that department.
With regard to brainstorming about these issues, I cannot really respond about that, but what I can state is that if you write anywhere or if you call to the office, we will try to respond to you.
That is why I find it hard to respond to the member.
Question 487 – 3(2): Issues in Repulse Bay (Ningark)
I talked earlier in my Member’s Statement about the request by the Hamlet of Repulse Bay in January. I also met with the Minister of CGS regarding this issue.
The arena, snow fence, as well as the water lake pump house, including the sewage lagoon, and in particular, the rock crusher were amongst the eight items requested by the Hamlet of Repulse Bay.
I spoke with the mayor and apparently not even one of their requested items was submitted to the community.
We met with them in January.
If the minister can not respond now, I would like to find out the status of these requests from the Hamlet of Repulse Bay. So I would appreciate it if he could respond prior to the end of this session.
There are quite a few items requested by the Hamlet of Repulse Bay and, as a matter of fact, all communities in Nunavut.
I believe the items you listed as concerns are shared throughout Nunavut.
The problem is a lot of this equipment is getting old and dilapidated and it’s getting harder to replace them.
If I could speak to the snow fencing, nowadays we have snow fencing. In the old days, we never even bothered to try to stop the snow because that was part of being in the north, but in the modern day, snow fencing does play a role and they lessen the cost of snow removal.
They are especially useful when there is an emergency.
Nowadays with water delivery services, sometimes the water lake or even the houses are unreachable when there’s a lot of snow on the road.
These items are still currently being dealt with.
Although we cannot actually give dates as to when we can move them, it is something that we have discussed with you, as well as the Repulse Bay mayor. I believe it was this spring where we heard about the concerns from the community and yourself.
We spoke about where it would come from and how it would be set up. A lot of these little details are being worked out.
That is where the situation is at.
With regard to the water lake pump house, the water lake is a fair distance away and we are still studying as to which option is the better one, whether to leave the water lake where it is, or if there’s a way to improve it, or whether it would be cheaper to build a water line right into the hamlet.
There are always pros and cons for every project.
At this point, they’re being studied.
While it’s under review, I cannot state one way or the other whether anything’s happening, but hopefully, prior to the end of this session, I will have an opportunity to speak with you.
Whenever you have an opportunity or when you have time available, I can come by and speak to you about these issues.
I thank the hon. minister for providing that update.
I’m hoping that the minister can discuss this with his officials in the Kivalliq region, as well as the engineer, who are responsible for the projects. Perhaps the minister or his deputy can request this information from the engineers. I would like to get a written report on the status.
It’s very hard to deal with an issue or to plan a response when there is no paper trail.
Perhaps after the minister has checked into this matter, he can provide a written report on the status of these requests to the Hamlet of Repulse Bay and not to my attention.
I would prefer that he just copy me on that.
Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): The population in Repulse Bay is growing, so it would be almost impossible to send them all a letter.
Yes, it’s possible.
I have already started drafting correspondence based on your request yesterday for more information before the end of the session. I believe I will have a whole load of information to submit to you before the end of the session. In fact, I will ensure that I buy a new pen to write all of the information.
I have no qualms about providing that information, so I will provide you with that information.
Further, if the Hamlet of Repulse Bay wants more information, I can send them a report.
I will speak with you about setting up a meeting after I find out exactly what you’re requesting.
In our government, as well as with most governments worldwide, due to the high numbers of people to service, there is sometimes a representative who deals with their concerns.
The hamlets also use a representative to represent their interests.
When would you be able to send that correspondence?
Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): Within the member’s question, he outlined some of the items he wanted information on and that he referred to in his Member’s Statement.
When he presented his question, he added a few more items that he wanted an update on.
So if I could compile the entire list or actually once I have the time to ensure that I have the entire list, I will be able to respond to you before the end of the session.
I know that these are legitimate concerns. Perhaps if you could identify all of the issues, then I can respond.
I will not provide a deadline for providing the response.
However, I can tell you that I will be able to provide a written report once I know the entire details of the items that you have requested.
I need to gather the issues and status updates, and once I have them, I will send that information to you.
Question 488 – 3(2): DEA Elections Following New Education Act (Schell)
I would like to ask the minister of the fact that the DEAs’ last election did not follow the new Education Act that states that all DEA positions should have been open for re-election in the first election following the passing of the Act.
That was in their last election.
The minister of the day claimed that this was because all but three communities only held a by-election.
Since none of these DEAs actually announced a by-election and, in fact, held their elections on the same day of the regular election, these DEAs actually violated the new Act, and the minister of the day supported this violation.
This means that most of the DEAs are illegal and invalid.
Is the current minister aware of this issue and can he explain why he allowed this violation to continue even though he had ample time to correct this disregard for a new Education Act?
I would like to again thank the member for raising that issue. I know he did in the past.
Mr. Speaker, the information, as provided to me, is there was apparently some over-enthusiasm, if you want to call it that, in some of the communities.
They had thought that their requirements for having those elections start last year rather than this year happened.
They were actually one step ahead of the game. So I would say that they were proactive in having those elections.
I understand also that the department did meet with officials in those communities and did explain the process to clear up the misunderstanding.
That’s the information that I have.
So was the minister trying to tell me that all of the DEAs are actually legal in Nunavut and there was no violation of the Act?
As I indicated, the DEA elections outlined under the new Education Act are requiring them now to have staggered terms.
Mr. Speaker, in the past, every year, there was an election for the entire board of directors of the district education authorities.
One of the concerns that were raised during the consultations on the development of the Education Act was the fact that, with the additional roles and responsibilities that the DEAs are taking on, they felt there was a need to have more continuity at the local level to be able to transition so that not everybody was changing at once. That was the reason why they are moving to a staggered election.
I think there was just some confusion as to when they started, but I can assure the member that all of the DEAs are legitimately set up.
I believe the nomination period for the upcoming elections for… .
These very valued and important individuals in the communities who care about participating in the development of education in their communities will have an opportunity to be able to put their names forward in the upcoming election.
Mr. Schell: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. According to the Act, it says that all DEA positions should have been open for re-election; it doesn’t say staggered election. So have you changed the Act or are you just not following it?
The Act has not been changed. That is what is in place and that is what we are moving forward with.
Will the minister commit to correcting this violation and make sure that all DEAs follow the new Education Act and the whole, proper elections by opening all positions up for election, with the exception of three communities that are actually legal, of course?
May I could just ask the member if he could reiterate what the except for the three communities that are actual... . I didn’t understand or didn’t hear what he said there, so if I could ask him to repeat that.
Mr. Schell, the minister is seeking clarification on your question. Mr. Schell.
Well, according to the minister of the day, he had claimed that all but three communities only held a by-election and apparently the other ones didn’t. According to the new by-law, they are the only ones that were legal because they actually held a by-election.
As I indicated earlier, there were a number of… . Those three communities that the member mentioned, there was some confusion over how the elections… .
Some of those communities thought that it was supposed to happen last year rather than this year.
That has been explained and clarified to those communities.
I understand that, in some of those communities, it’s because they had a complete, full slate of vacancies or in some cases where they had a shortage where they didn’t have a full slate of members. So the community had looked at having elections to be able to fill the vacancies on the board.
In some cases, there were not enough candidates who were running to fill the board, so individuals would have been acclaimed to the positions and also work by those individuals in those communities to solicit other individuals to assist in the very important work that they do in the communities and to appoint individuals to the board so that they could have a functioning district education authority in their community to carry out the very important work that they do.
Question 489 – 3(2): NHC Tender for Staff Housing Furniture (Okalik)
Mr. Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) In the spring session, we went through a painful exercise of cutting costs throughout the government to try and accommodate the shortfalls of the Housing Corporation.
So my question will be to the Minister of Housing.
Subsequent to that cutting exercise, I came across a tender from the Housing Corporation to supply furnishings to all staff housing units in every community for furnishings, with a closing date of June 4 of this year.
Subsequent to that tender, I witnessed a fire sale taking place of furnishings in my riding last month.
So my question to the minister is: if the furniture is okay for the public to have, why did it have to be replaced at a time when we’re cutting costs throughout the government?
Why do we replace furnishings that are reusable for the members of the public but not good enough for the staff housing units?
Where do the priorities lie for the Housing Corporation?
So I would like to ask the minister: why, at this time, did the staff housing units need new furnishings?
Hon. Tagak Curley: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don’t know why.
That’s my answer.
Each department and the public, and generally from what I know, the governments normally have a standard five-year use of furniture.
Let alone furniture, as well as vehicles and whatnot, any major government equipment, other than probably maybe heavy machineries or whatnot, normally, routinely, go through the tender process and so on.
So I would have to find an explanation for those kinds of items.
My guess would be too that we could probably extend the use of these furnishings for a longer period, but I don’t know.
I will have to provide that information later.
Mr. Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I thank the minister for his honesty and not being able to explain the circumstances on why this took place at this time.
I will file this tender from the Housing Corporation with the minister so that, perhaps, he can try and look into this matter further.
While the minister is looking into this matter, can he commit to also finding out how much these new furnishings cost and how much they were able to recover from my constituents and from other communities on the resale of the furnishings that weren’t good enough for the staff housing units?
Hon. Tagak Curley: Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I appreciate the question and also reminding me of what went on. I normally don’t go to any house sales or sales of any kind, so I have no understanding exactly what occurred.
My colleagues may have.
But what I want to assure the member is that once I get the information and figures on exactly what the amount of the tender that was issued in June was, I will let the members know. I understand that they were awarded to contractors or whatnot throughout Nunavut and I’ll be pleased to provide that info once I have it.
Question 490 – 3(2): General Rate Application (Elliott)
My questions are directed towards the Minister responsible for the Qulliq Energy Corporation.
The Hon. Lorne Kusugak, last week, read a Minister’s Statement regarding the Qulliq Energy Corporation’s general rate application. He stated that their latest one was actually filed in 2004.
In discussions with constituents, there seems to be some confusion as to how we go about putting forward a general rate application.
It’s being perceived that certain individuals within the Qulliq Energy Corporation are trying to find ways of paying for certain projects that aren’t working very well.
I was just wondering at this time, in terms of educating the House and the listening public, if the minister could explain how a general rate application is prepared.
For the general rate application to remain consistent with the corporation’s review requirements, the QEC completes assessments to determine the rates needed to cover operating expenses, meet capital expenditure requirements, service data, and provide a fair return on equity.
The corporation hasn’t done that since 2006, Mr. Speaker.
Yesterday, Mr. Schell asked similar questions in regard to the QEC.
He specifically mentioned the new facilities that are being constructed here in Iqaluit and also the Iqaluit heat recovery project and asked how much that is affecting the general rate application. The minister sort of acknowledged that that was part of it. I was wondering if he could explain how big of a part that is playing in terms of the general rate application.
It all encompasses into one, I guess.
We have old, aging equipment in every municipality. Old power plants need to be replaced.
We have more employees, we have recurring costs, and really, the rate increase hasn’t happened for years.
So when you put all of these things together, the QEC feels that there needs to be a rate increase, but it takes into all of the above.
I couldn’t be able to tell you that because of this building that means we’re going to ask for this much of a percentage, but when you think of the increase in employees, increase in salaries, the need for replacing of equipment, power plant equipment and otherwise, and all of these things out there, prices of everything have increased, so too for the corporation.
The corporation feels that it’s with these causes that they’re requesting an increase, Mr. Speaker.
In terms of the heat recovery project that’s happening here in Iqaluit and how that affects the general rate application, originally I believe the project was estimated to be $3 million, but now Mr. Schell was actually mentioning that it was over $13 million.
I’m wondering if you have a dollar figure as to how much that is costing.
Hon. Lorne Kusugak: Yes, like I told our colleague beside you yesterday, I said I would look into the actual cost of that.
I have never heard of the $3 million, or $13 million, or whatever million dollar cost, but I have told him that I would get back to him on that, and I’ll get back to him and you on that as soon as I get the kind of detail you are looking for.
The heat recovery program is just being used to use excess heat from the power plant to heat government buildings that are close to the facility.
I don’t know off the top of my head the exact cost of it and I said I would get back to him on it, and I will do that.
I will let Mr. Elliott know the same thing.
As well, I have heard in speaking with different people that the heat recovery project does not actually function as well as it should be.
Is the minister aware of how the project is moving along? Is it functioning as it should be or are there problems with it?
I have asked my staff to let me know about the details on that whole project, so I will include it in my response when he asks me again in a couple days. I am looking into that right now; that is part of the answer that I am looking for. Is it working great?
Is it working okay or is it not? We are looking into that right now so that I can give him a fair answer. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 491 – 3(2): NWMB Appointments (Okalik)
I want to direct my question to the Minister of Environment.
As you may be aware, I have kept returning to this issue time and again, and I believe we are heading into the third year with this matter that relates to Nunavut. I have kept asking about the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board appointments made by the federal government, Nunavut government, and Inuit organizations.
For the past two years, they have been waiting for an appointment of the chairperson.
Again, this is causing barriers with the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board management of our wildlife.
So therefore, what has the Minister of Environment done to lobby the federal government to ensure that this appointment is completed? I would like to ask that question first.
It is of great concern to us as a government and the Department of Environment for that chairman seat to be vacant for this long.
As the member recalls, last fall, I had written to then the Minister of INAC, Minister Strahl, voicing our concern about this vacant position and encouraging him to have somebody appointed into that position on behalf of the federal government.
The Nunavut Wildlife Management Board is one of the central roles in wildlife management in making decisions under the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement, so it is a very important concern to us.
Recently, with the new Minister of INAC, I am currently drafting a letter to Mr. Duncan indicating our same concern and we would like to see this position filled as soon as possible.
I have personally also written to the minister that he identified at the federal level.
Can the Minister of Environment inform us whether they have been presented with a report as to why it takes so long for these appointments to be finalized for Nunavut, especially with the wildlife issues that are piling up awaiting a decision?
So my question is: has an update been provided by the federal government as to why Nunavut has to bear the brunt of the delay of these appointments?
We have not received any reports back why it is taking so long to fill this position.
However, in my communication with Minister Duncan, I will ask that question.
I know in our department and working with NWMB, it is very important that we have that position filled and we are as frustrated as anybody else, but we all do need clarity and we will try and find that out for the member and for the House.
Question 492 – 3(2): Student Funding (Schell)
Can the minister explain why there are only two communities that are funded and paid for the high school academic stream required for students to enter university, while the remaining 24 communities are not funded and the parents of students who wish to go to university must fund the academic stream courses themselves?
These courses are on average $500 per, with as many as six courses per year for the last two years of high school.
Can the minister explain why Nunavummiut are supposed to pay for, and how our young aspiring students are supposed to succeed in the face of this kind of adversity and inequity with the two have communities?
To top it off, these courses are not even supported by teachers in the communities. The students must take them in distant learning courses through Alberta Learning.
I think one of the things, as far as I am aware, all of the schools in Nunavut are funded through a funding formula and through the Department of Education.
The specifics on how exactly and what each school decides what programs they want to offer are things that are decided upon at a community level, not only with the staff in the schools and with the DEAs as well.
If the member can provide me with something different, I would be more than happy to look into it.
Mr. Schell: I don’t think that this has anything to do with whether the DEAs or the local school wants to teach it.
The only two communities that are funded are the two large communities, Iqaluit and Rankin Inlet.
None of the other communities are getting it, so I don’t think there is any funding available for it. With our need for more education in Nunavut, I think we should seriously be looking at doing this because a lot of the families can’t afford to and it’s a disadvantage to the students who want to take these courses but can’t afford to.
As I indicated and just reiterated, it is my understanding that schools are funded by formula.
Something that was raised as an issue and that I have raised as an issue for many years is one of the things that we need to look at doing is move away from the same way that we fund schools on a per capita basis, which is how it’s done right now.
I know, in some cases, some schools or DEAs look for third party funding for certain specific programs that they want to offer in their communities.
As I indicated to the member, if he has something that shows me different, I would be more than happy to take a look at it.
He is referring to per capita. If that’s the case, why isn’t Arviat getting it? They’ve got more children, I think, in school than Rankin Inlet does.
I think the member is a little bit confused as to my response.
I said all of the schools are funded and that’s how they are funded.