EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Minister of Culture and Heritage, Mr. Kuksuk
I again thank my colleague.
He will remember that this was brought up when a Full Caucus retreat was held.
However, some of the principles we discussed have yet to be moved forward, although progress is coming. Some questions remain, for example, shall that department require an IQ committee.
Once the situation has been sorted out, the next steps will have to be deliberated on and that is how I understood it.
Nevertheless, up to today, most of the work stems from the 2003 directive that created different committees within the areas dealing with heritage, health, justice, education, and Inuit culture while other departments have elder advisors working with the operational staff.
As the department responsible, we implement their work and we work with the elders on this front. This is what I can say today.
Question 389 – 4(2): Inuit Content in Iqaluit P3 Airport Construction (Joanasie)
Mr. Speaker, the Iqaluit International Airport P3 Improvement Project began construction last summer.
Schedule 24 of the Iqaluit International Airport Improvement Project Agreement addresses Inuit content.
It indicates that the “Cumulative Inuit Labour Requirement for the Construction Period” shall not be less than 15 percent.
Can the minister update the House on the current status of the project’s Inuit employment requirements?
Hon. Monica Ell (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the member for asking about this.
What he mentioned under Schedule 24 is that they went outside of this and made an agreement on Inuit employment as part of the airport construction project. They wanted to use more Inuit firms.
As this project started last summer, they have been gathering data.
I want to say that during our upcoming spring session, I will be able to provide this data as they are doing a report up to March 2015.
Schedule 24 also indicates that a necessary requirement for the project is to implement “strategies for the successful recruitment of Inuit Beneficiaries” and “the successful retention and promotion of Inuit Beneficiaries.”
Mr. Speaker, when Inuit Impact and Benefit Agreements are signed for resource extraction projects, there are often provisions for neighbouring communities to benefit from employment and training opportunities.
Can the minister clarify if the Inuit Engagement Plan for the Iqaluit Airport P3 project is being extended to neighbouring communities, including Cape Dorset and Kimmirut?
The Inuit content and training portion is directed to all Inuit, no matter where they are coming from.
Question 390 – 4(2): Cancellation of Observer/Communicator Training Program (Sammurtok)
(interpretation ends) For many years, Nunavut Arctic College has offered the observer/communicator training course at the Kivalliq Campus in Rankin Inlet.
This course was intended to train Nunavummiut hoping to pursue careers at community aerodrome radio stations.
CBC News has reported that the government’s decision to end its agreement with NAV Canada for the administration of CARS services has resulted in the cancellation of this program, which will result in the loss of at least one job in Rankin Inlet.
Can the minister clarify whether this decision was made by the government, NAV Canada, or ATS Services?
In regard to CARS in Rankin Inlet, we are reviewing how we can proceed with the observer/communicator training course in Rankin Inlet.
Earlier this year, all MLAs were advised by the minister that the Government of Nunavut had intended to continue the CARS observer/communicator training program.
MLAs were advised by the minister that the GN planned to sign a new agreement for this work.
Can the minister explain how this plan fell through?
Hon. Monica Ell (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank the member for his question.
This training was offered through Arctic College and funded by NAV Canada.
The funds for this course were transferred to a community in the NWT which offers the exact same course.
They determined their funding would go to this course, but as a government, we are still looking at ways to offer that training in Rankin Inlet.
I also thank the minister for her response. (interpretation ends) It has also been reported that Nunavut students will now have to travel to Fort Smith to take this training.
Can the minister indicate what support will be provided to Nunavut students who now have to travel outside of the territory to pursue this training?
Right now, we are working with the Minister responsible for Nunavut Arctic College and their staff. Our staff has been consulting with the college to see what can be done so that the training can continue in Rankin Inlet.
When Nunavummiut go for training, there is always some assistance available for travel and their books, and the assistance would be the same from what I know.
Question 391 – 4(2): Status of Collective Bargaining (Angnakak)
It has been reported that employees at the Qulliq Energy Corporation have voted overwhelmingly for a strike mandate.
I have three simple questions for the minister.
When it comes to QEC’s collective agreement, who determines the employees’ negotiating mandate?
QEC’s board of directors, the cabinet, or the Financial Management Board?
Mr. Speaker, we’re in collective bargaining. As I said to one of our colleagues yesterday, it’s a statutory freeze.
I know the union folks are probably encouraging people to ask questions. I have cautioned people not to ask questions during collective bargaining and that’s what we’re in. They voted and they are in a strike position.
We’re negotiating an essential service agreement. I really don’t have much to say beyond that.
I think what I’m talking about is approvals. I’m not asking for details. I’m just saying: who has the authority to approve the mandate?
Hon. Keith Peterson: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I again thank Ms. Angnakak for the question.
Mr. Speaker, the collective agreement with QEC employees expired a bit more than a year ago.
I think they met in February. We made a very generous offer and they decided they wanted to go to mediation. Mediation broke down in December.
We are following the process as outlined in the collective agreement and the Public Service Act. Mr. Speaker, I can’t say any more than that.
Perhaps the minister can answer this question: does QEC have an essential services agreement in place with the union?
The Public Service Act provides that they can’t go on strike until an essential service agreement is in place.
The agreement has been back and forth, being finalized. My latest information is that it is back in the hands of the union to review our edits. It is back and forth.
Question 392 – 4(2): Community Aerodrome Radio Stations (Enook)
I have been asking questions for almost a year about the government’s decision to end its agreement with NAV Canada concerning the administration of community aerodrome radio stations in Nunavut.
This decision has resulted in NAV Canada entering into a single contract with a private company, ATS Services, to provide CARS services at Nunavut airports.
CBC News has reported that the GN is eliminating three positions as a result of this decision.
Can the minister clarify which positions are being eliminated and can she assure me that the affected employees will be guaranteed employment elsewhere in the government?
Hon. Monica Ell (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to thank my colleague for that question.
There are three employees who held positions with NAV Canada using funds, with two in Rankin Inlet and one in Kugluktuk.
The title of the positions is (interpretation ends) aviation program officers, (interpretation) with one called the (interpretation ends) coordinator. (interpretation) I also want to inform my colleagues that my officials are working with them to determine which positions these people can be transferred to.
Nunavummiut deserve to know the reasons for why the GN is ending its current arrangements with NAV Canada for the provision of CARS services at our territory’s airports.
Can the minister clearly explain why the government made this decision?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Minister of Economic Development and Transportation, Ms. Ell.
Hon. Monica Ell (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the member asking about that service.
The organization which is called (interpretation ends) NAV Canada (interpretation) is responsible for the CARS program.
Currently, the issue is that many communities have various arrangements, with some of the municipalities operating the program through an agreement while other communities have entered into agreements with (interpretation ends) ATS (interpretation) that provides the services with other communities with private contractors operating the program and some communities have (interpretation ends) NAV Canada (interpretation) employees operating it.
The situation now is that these arrangements are all different.
In the past, apparently (interpretation ends) NAV Canada made a public announcement that this agreement which had been in place for many years would be coming to an end.
Can the minister clarify whether or not the new contractors will be hiring people from Nunavut to provide CARS services at Nunavut airports?
I thank the member for his question that is relevant to this issue. (interpretation ends) ATS Services (interpretation) had entered into an agreement with (interpretation ends) NAV Canada (interpretation) and this is set to expire on March 31 of this year.
What I can state about this issue is that many communities have existing ATS employees.
I believe there are currently seven under that agreement and these seven communities have agreements with ATS.
In those cases, the employees are local.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Oral Questions. Member for Hudson Bay, Mr. Rumbolt.
Question 393 – 4(2): Surplus Disposal Policy (Rumbolt)
As the minister will recall, I asked him questions on November 3 of last year concerning his department’s administration of the government’s Surplus Disposal Policy.
At that time, I noted that the policy had expired on September 30 of 2014, and the minister informed me that the policy was under review.
Can the minister indicate if a revised policy has now been finalized?
As of now, we have started our preparations and the issue the member asked about is still under review.
Considering that the policy is still under review, I wonder if the minister can update us today on the status of this review and at what stage it’s at and when he expects it to be completed.
This review will be wrapping up shortly and I will provide that information to my colleagues once the review is completed.
Back in November, I raised two concerns with the policy; one was the significant length of time it can take for surplus to go through the public tender process and the other with the order of preference for the disposal of surplus assets.
Can the minister indicate what his department has done in response to my concerns?
I believe I responded to the member at that time. (interpretation ends) However, many of these assets are controlled by other departments. In the meantime, what we have done is we have asked departments to let us know of any surplus equipment that they would like to declare as surplus so that my department can go through the process of disposing of these assets.
Our preferred recipients of these, of course, would be depending on what asset it is.
For example, if it’s an ATV or a snowmobile, we would like to see those go to search and rescue organizations in the communities. (interpretation) Thank you.
Question 394 – 4(2): Community Aerodrome Radio Stations (Savikataaq)
My questions are for the Minister of Economic Development and Transportation, and I welcome her back to the House. As you can see, we have missed her.
Mr. Speaker, as a private pilot myself and as one who uses the services of NAV Canada, I want to begin by paying tribute to many of the hard-working people across Nunavut who keep the flying public safe.
Mr. Speaker, in June of 2009, the government announced the signing of a five-year contract with NAV Canada for the management of CARS services.
At that time, the government indicated that this would “allow us to continue to build on the success of the first contract and of the training school for airport observer/communicators in Rankin Inlet.” My other colleagues have elaborated on this and my questioning is closely the same.
Can the minister describe what specific concerns led the current government to end its previous contractual arrangement with NAV Canada?
With respect to the issue enquired about, currently, the NAV Canada program which operates the CARS services in the 22 communities was under this agreement, but that agreement with NAV Canada will change starting on April 1, 2015, with only one agreement with (interpretation ends) ATS Services (interpretation) that will govern this program.
I was informed that the current agreement was entered in January 2014 between the Department of Economic Development and Transportation and NAV Canada. This contract is set to expire on March 31 this year.
There are different reasons for this development.
Yes, the differences in the communities run the gamut with communities that have NAV Canada employees while others have private contractors, others are under the ATS contract, and the remainder operated by the hamlet administration.
There are also other aspects to that, such as training, which is something we will continue to work towards as a department.
I didn’t hear the minister’s answer. I think the minister didn’t answer my question.
What I asked was: what specific concerns did Arctic Airports have not to renew their contract with NAV Canada?
With respect to CARS services, with the current developments we have and the way it is operated, it seems to be the most convenient way to this government as the priority is related to (interpretation ends) safety (interpretation) at the airports and safe air transportation, as that is Nunavut’s main mode of transportation.
If I understood the response from the minister, I think the safety concerns and money concerns that Arctic Airports had is the reason they didn’t renew their contract or maintain their contract. That’s the answer I heard anyway.
If that is the answer, I guess it took 10 years to figure that out because that is how long the previous contract was.
Since Arctic Airports is not part of the agreement now between NAV Canada and ATS Services Ltd., I would like to ask the minister what kind of mechanism is in place that will allow the government and Arctic Airports to monitor the situation whether it is safe or not and whether it is cost-effective or not.
They are not part of the contract or arrangements at all now. It’s between NAV Canada and ATS Services.
How will the government and Arctic Airports know if there are any safety issues?
I believe it started with NAV Canada’s wish to start using a (interpretation ends) one-window approach (interpretation) in English within Nunavut.
NAV Canada is the primary agency responsible for public safety as it pertains to CARS services.
We have faith in NAV Canada’s ability to provide a safe environment in this area within Nunavut.
Question 395 – 4(2): Poverty Reduction Initiatives (Mapsalak)
I will direct my question to the minister responsible for poverty, Ms. Ugyuk.
Mr. Speaker, as I stated earlier, a person created a group to provide assistance to northerners due to her awareness of the plight faced by residents living below the poverty line and of the extreme high costs of food in the communities.
Mr. Speaker, I want to ask the minister: as we know that she personally worked in this field and has most likely deliberated on this issue for the past year or more, what is the status of the work by this government on the Poverty Reduction Strategy?
What has the government done to start combating poverty?
Let me start with that question first, Mr. Speaker.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) The Hon. Minister responsible for Poverty [Reduction], Ms. Ugyuk.
Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank the member for his question.
Is the question regarding those who are on income support or is it regarding poverty?
To date, what has the government done to assist our residents under the Poverty Reduction Strategy and what plans are in place?
Has any work been done that is identified in the plan?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Hon. Minister responsible for Poverty Reduction, Ms. Ugyuk.
Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I understand his question a little clearer now.
In terms of the Poverty Reduction Strategy, there are interagency meetings that occur with representatives from Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated and the local communities.
I have directed my officials to have clear directions written in the plan designed by elders called Inunnguiniq related to the proper way to rear a child so that as they get older, they can be self-sufficient.
This spring, we have planned another meeting, but we have yet to decide the location as this meeting will revolve around social assistance benefits.
I had thought the earlier supplementary question was the minister’s request for clarification.
Mr. Speaker, let me then ask my last question.
Indeed, it is becoming quite noticeable and obvious that the number of residents requesting assistance is growing.
With that being the case, when groups offered assistance, the clear result was that the airlines increased the rates for particular cargo based on the growing number of packages being sent from outlying areas.
Once the airline companies saw the opportunity open for more cargo sales and once the residents of Baffin saw the caribou harvest moratorium take effect, the airline companies foresaw the demand for country food growing and a corresponding increase in country food rates was implemented.
Has the government reviewed these gouges by airlines on these types of assistance packages sent from the outside or where country food is ordered?
This will result in further poverty, as options are closed for people already living on the poverty line.
Minister responsible for Poverty Reduction, Ms. Ugyuk.
I also thank my colleague for raising several questions regarding air freight for assistance packages on country food rates.
We are collaborating with the Department of Health on a (interpretation ends) food coalition strategy. (interpretation) We meet on this issue and they are part of the food coalition working group.
The Department of Health also has a worker on this file. Our department sits in on these meetings and they discuss various matters related to decisions.
There is also a body within the government whose title I can’t recall, but it reviews all the factors that impact our residents.
I just want to recognize that under your first supplementary question allocation, the minister requested clarification, so you may ask one final question, Mr. Mapsalak.
An Hon. Member: How enviable!
Mr. Mapsalak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for my final question and your allowance for it.
Indeed, that is the situation we face. I want to ask my last question on this matter, as it is connected to people who are living on the poverty line in Repulse Bay.
The numbers have increased drastically.
With that reality facing them and the ever increasing cargo rates, has the government considered enacting some sort of subsidy this winter to assist people to meet the increased costs? Has the government looked at any assistance to offset these rising costs?
Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank my colleague for that question and concern.
The (interpretation ends) Nunavut Food Coalition (interpretation) is where we meet with other representatives, reviewing the six recommendations related to lowering the cost of country food, the cost of food in the stores, life skills training, and community-specific actions.
There is work underway to start implementing the recommendations. This includes ways to incorporate the objectives of the Poverty Reduction Strategy. There is still a lot of work required and that is the only way I can respond to that.
Question 396 – 4(2): Airport Infrastructure (Mikkungwak)
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, as members are aware, the Department of Economic Development and Transportation’s capital estimates include $2.5 million for small capital projects and minor capital for airport mobile equipment. (interpretation) Mr. Speaker, it is important that airports in Nunavut are properly equipped.
Mr. Speaker, Baker Lake’s municipal council passed a resolution last month regarding my community’s airport grader.
There is concern that the current grader, which has been in use since 1981, needs to be replaced.
Can the minister explain how her department prioritizes funding requests for new airport equipment?
Hon. Monica Ell (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the member for bringing his concern up.
Many communities in Nunavut are faced with the challenges of replacing and repairing airport infrastructure and the runways themselves.
My department is aware of the many challenges we face in this area and we have begun a complete review of the 24 community airports, especially related to public safety.
Safety is our utmost priority. Also, we have begun a 20-year plan into the future that sets out the work required to meet the challenges. My department has begun the plans.
The department’s business plan indicates that a priority for the 2014-15 fiscal year has been to “Update [the] 20-year capital needs assessment for Nunavut airports.”
Can the minister confirm when she will table this important document in the House?
The objective is to have a comprehensive plan and it is at the (interpretation ends) draft (interpretation) stage.
It would be called the first draft and we are deliberating on the options on how to make this available.
Mr. Mikkungwak: Mr. Speaker, the Iqaluit International Airport P3 project was initiated before many of us were elected to this House.
I continue to receive concerns from Nunavutmiut in my constituency and region regarding the scale and expense of this project.
Many are worried that this project might reduce the department’s ability to address the important airport needs of the Kivalliq and Kitikmeot regions.
Mr. Speaker, what assurances can the minister provide communities in the Kivalliq and Kitikmeot that their airport infrastructure requirements will be met?
With respect to the Iqaluit International Airport, we are pleased that this is a P3 project.
This project is financed not only by the Government of Nunavut, but the federal government is contributing to this project along with private companies that are partners in this project.
The communities aren’t an afterthought due to this project, as we have other funds we can access to finance the plans for the communities, which is why we have begun the review of all municipal airport needs and this plan will encompass all of our communities.
Question 397 – 4(2): Review of Subsidies for Homeowners (Hickes)
I would like to direct my question today to the Minister of Finance.
Mr. Speaker, yesterday, I had asked him some questions regarding the review of subsidies for homeowners.
In our discussion yesterday, I was looking over the Blues. I know the minister is not fond of making commitments, but I would like to get a commitment from the minister on whether this subsidy will be a part of the program review that is going to be initiated by the Department of EIA.
I think Mr. Hickes already answered that question when he said that I’m not fond, so I’ll say that I’m not prepared to make that commitment.
I thank the minister for holding to his history.
Also going through the Blues, the minister mentioned yesterday that he had some recollection of the Department of Finance doing a review of this program.
At that time, he was unclear on whether he was able to confirm that or not.
Has the minister’s recollection improved since yesterday?