EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
I can report that the issue hasn’t been resolved.
On March 12, 2008, a copy of the development partnership agreement that the hon. minister mentioned was between the Government of Nunavut and Meadowbank Mining Corporation. Mr. Speaker, it was tabled in the Legislative Assembly at that time.
Under the agreement, the company is required to produce annual reports.
As the hon. minister indicated that it’s prudent that departments provide annual reports on its activities, my question, Mr. Speaker, is: will the minister commit to working with his colleague, the Minister of ED&T, to ensure that these annual reports are tabled in the Legislative Assembly?
I thank Mr. Aupaluktuq again for the question.
Mr. Speaker, I will work with my colleague to endeavour to make sure the reports are tabled on time.
I want to ask the minister as well if there are any indicators if any other companies operating in Nunavut have expressed interest in entering into development partnership agreements with the government and also applying for fuel tax rebates.
I thank Mr. Aupaluktuq for the question. Mr. Speaker, I don’t have the information at this time.
Question 224 – 3(3): Contracting Policy for Air Ambulance Services (Curley)
My questions are for the Minister of Community and Government Services, whose department has primary responsibility for the government’s procurement and contracting activities.
Each and every year, the Government of Nunavut spends tens of millions of dollars on emergency air ambulance services for sick people, including medical travel for Nunavutmiut on scheduled airlines.
Last year, the government awarded its contract for the provision of air ambulance services in the Kitikmeot to Aqsaqniq Airways Ltd.
My question for the minister is very simple and perfectly clear.
Does Aqsaqniq Airways Ltd. actually hold a valid air operator certificate issued by Transport Canada, yes or no?
The question the member posed refers back to the contract approved during his tenure as the HSS minister, so that is something he should be familiar with.
I can check into the details you have requested for this contract, whether it be an air ambulance charter licence or a valid air operator certificate for all airlines in Nunavut, at least those we contract out, as the paperwork is not always immediately available.
Once I have completed the work outlined in your question with respect to a certificate, I will be able to provide a yes or no answer.
You may be surprised to learn that Aqsaqniq Airways is simply a registered company that has a business relationship with Air Tindi, which is itself a subsidiary of Discovery Air in Ontario.
It is my understanding that Aqsaqniq Airways does not even own a single aircraft.
How can the government justify awarding such an important contract to a company that exists only on paper?
Can the minister answer my question?
I believe the member understands, just as the government side understands, that when they award contracts to companies, the Department of Community and Government Services assists Government of Nunavut departments in procuring these services.
As an example, for this air ambulance contract, when the RFP was let for this service, the Minister responsible for the Department of Health and Social Services had to make public all their contractual agreements for this air ambulance service.
The health and social services department had to supply their explanation for the need to contract out air ambulance services.
The minister and all of his officials had to bare all of this information laying the foundation for the need for this contract, basically needing air ambulance services.
The minimum requirements, capabilities, and specifications were included.
The information we got was received from the Minister of HSS.
CGS contractual staff provided its assistance when the Department of Health was doing their contract agreement. They detailed out the minimum requirements for the contract.
This was the work that was undertaken.
From that point forward, once the RFP was let, companies that wanted to bid for the contracts then filled out the RFP terms of reference and submitted their applications with their notes on how they would fulfill the requirements.
Once the bids had been received and vetted against the requirements listed in the RFP, the Department of Health and Social Services made their decision on which company would be the successful bidder.
They didn’t just take over the contract; CGS officials only provided assistance to HSS officials who based their decision on the RFP.
At that time, the previous HSS minister was involved quite heavily in the review and decision made by the department, and that is quite clear.
Mr. Curley (interpretation): Mr. Speaker, air ambulance services in Nunavut and everywhere, as a matter of fact, are matters of life and death for our constituents. It impacts all members here whenever a death is reported.
It is my position that the only criterion the government should be considering when awarding these contracts is performance.
What is the government’s position on this matter? How can a company that exists only on paper be awarded a contract? How can just a registered paper shell company be allowed to bid on the RFP?
Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): In this case, the member referred to the HSS contract that was let.
Based on my understanding of the tendering process, there was a committee reviewing the bids for the contract in the Department of Health and Social Services. Five individuals undertook the review and they were from the Department of Health and Social Services with one CGS staff member, whom I know personally, that was involved.
For any kind of contractual requirement, there’s a tendering process that lays out the process, the wording of the RFP, prior to it being released.
They also have a list of criteria that is required to be met at a minimum, as well as points for meeting each criteria as well as penalties for not meeting the requirements. We follow what the department requires in the contract.
All of this is done prior to any RFP being released for the tender process.
The review committee, from the HSS department in this case, as per my colleague’s question, Mr. Curley, had five individuals from that department with one staff member from CGS. These are the people who made the decisions as to what criteria would carry the most weight when they were reviewing the bids for the contract. Once the RFP is approved, it is opened, bids are submitted, and each bid is screened and reviewed.
They then make the final decision on the successful bid based on the criteria they included.
They can’t just have one bid, so I imagine there were several bids for this contract. I believe that each bidder’s proposal was reviewed against the criteria appended to the RFP. I don’t think that they decided that only one criterion would be sufficient to win the bid and that is obvious, at least from my perspective, as there were quite a number of bids for this contract.
These are the types of issues that were looked at when reviewing the bids and the winning bidder would have had to qualify on more than one criterion.
There were no politics about ensuring this or that company would be blacklisted. That is not how we operate this government.
I would also like to thank the minister. What I was trying to state was that any company operating in our territory ought to have a proper licence and that was what I was trying to define.
Furthermore, a company that is bidding on a contract should have some experience in the area for which they are bidding, and then compile a list of companies that qualify under the criteria, not just because they are a paper corporation that qualifies, as per other guidelines.
Mr. Speaker, what I want to do now is to raise this further question regarding Aqsaqniq Airways Ltd. I believe that the only reason why they were awarded this contract worth millions of dollars was because of the bid adjustments it received under the NNI Policy.
As I have clearly indicated, the actual work of flying patients will be performed by subcontractors, which are not owned by the Aqsaqniq Airways and are the property of the subcontractor, Air Tindi or Discovery Air.
Will the government commit to rethinking its entire approach to awarding medical travel and air ambulance services contracts to ensure that only the properly qualified medical and air ambulance companies with appropriate licences can bid, yes or no, and, if not, why not?
Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A tender is let for any contracts from the government, irrespective of whether it is the Department of Health and Social Services, Education, or whichever department.
As per the member’s question, if the Department of Health and Social Services is looking for the provision of a contract, the department identifies the need for a contract for emergency ambulance services to be provided here in Nunavut.
They identify the type of services that would need to be provided. Based on the needs they require under this contract, the criteria are written to ensure that only those types of companies can bid on the contract.
If the criterion stating that any bidders would have to own their own planes had been included, as per the member’s statements, then we would have had only those companies that own air ambulance planes qualify. Since the member was the minister responsible for that department at the time, only he understands exactly how the tendering process was undertaken and he would be privy to the criteria to be included.
However, the procurement process outlined the types of services that had to be included.
So if there are different services required by the government, then it is obvious that our staff and the ministers would have to follow this process and we will continue to review the process.
We always search for the best contractor within the tendering process. If there needs to be improvements made to the system, we will have to identify the areas that need improvement. If we were requested to make these changes, then we look for the best contractor based on the new needs.
Whenever an improvement can be made that will alleviate some of our issues, it can be changed.
Question 225 – 3(3): Coastal Resource Inventory (Tapardjuk)
I would like further clarification on the Minister’s Statement he made earlier with respect to Nunavut coastal inventories and what the plans are for 2012.
Mr. Speaker, in his Minister’s Statement, it states that DOE initiated the study in 2007 and they conducted their first project in Igloolik.
They were studying coastal wildlife, particularly benthic species. It states that they “have carried out projects in Kugluktuk, Chesterfield Inlet, Arctic Bay, Kimmirut, Qikiqtarjuaq, Sanikiluaq, Gjoa Haven, Iqaluit, and Repulse Bay.”
Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister of Environment this question. Since the inception of the study in 2007, what type of coastal resources has been inventoried off the communities that are listed? What are the results of the studies on our inshore resources?
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Tapardjuk Minister of Environment, Minister Arreak.
I would like to thank my Annuraaqatik for asking that question.
I imagine that we may shed that namesake afterwards.
Indeed, Mr. Speaker, as per my earlier statement where I identified the communities that have had their coastal resource inventoried, we are currently in the process of sharing the results with these communities outlining the species found in their marine environment. This will outline the resources found.
Once the community has returned the results, they will become public knowledge as we will then be able to provide the results via the Internet as well as through publications and posters.
It will also outline what species are commercially viable, what can be harvested for commercial harvesting, and what species are important to the food chain.
At this point in time, we are just trying to find out what resources are in our inshore environment. However, at this time, I don’t have the information available on what has been found and I can’t respond to your question as to what species we have until the communities have responded to the information we have sent out.
The information is just a start, as the results still have to be reviewed and further surveys undertaken. The communities will know what species are in their immediate offshore and coastline, particularly the different fish species in the marine environment.
Mr. Tapardjuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would also like to thank my Annuraaqatik, the Minister of Environment.
In your Minister’s Statement, you indicated that for the coastal inventory, they are gathering data on different species, I suppose.
It states that they are trying to delineate the habitat used by different species, the population of certain species that may be harvestable, and it even talks about mapping out these resources for the communities by incorporating Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit.
Apparently, the data will be inputted into a database where they will compile the information.
Mr. Speaker, what I want to ask is this: where is the headquarters?
Is it in Igloolik or Iqaluit? Where is it located?
If I wanted the surveyors of the coastal resource inventory to study a certain area or if I wanted to check out an area for its marine species, then where can I conduct my study?
If I am from one of the communities, where can I get that information, Mr. Speaker?
Minister of Environment, Minister Arreak.
Hon. James Arreak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In the statement, it only talks about a central database being created.
At this time, we haven’t determined the location, so I can’t answer his question. Once I have more information on the issue, I will respond to the question as raised at that time.
Many of us are very interested in this information and my constituents in Igloolik and Hall Beach in the Amittuq region have a number of concerns.
The concerns relate to Foxe Basin, particularly the development project proposed by Baffinland, which was detailed out in another submission to the Nunavut Impact Review Board.
This document outlines the possible impacts the development may cause on the environment.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister of Environment again if he could inform us what the walrus population size is in the Foxe Basin area, which marine habitat they occupy, especially the possible impacts caused by shipping with the proposed three ships per week that will continue throughout the winter, summer, fall, and spring.
What impacts will this cause on the walrus population in the Foxe Basin area? If the study results are true, then how can we utilize that information to alleviate this concern?
The results listed in the reports of the inventory were sent out and so far, the communities of Igloolik and Kugluktuk are the only ones to respond.
The other communities I mentioned haven’t returned the results as of yet.
I believe that the Igloolik Hunters and Trappers Organization has a copy and I know for a fact that the local renewable resource office has a copy.
If the copies are not available from these two offices, my staff can look into the issue and see if we have copies available.
With respect to the proposed shipping routes and the possible impacts once the shipping commences, I don’t have the results of the walrus studies, but once we have that information, we will be able to provide that information to the member.
Indeed, that raises my expectations.
We really look forward to that information, especially the information the minister just spoke to. We look forward to receiving those results.
In reading his Minister’s Statement, in the last paragraph, it notes that this government is responsible since we must have the best information in order to protect the environment and to ensure we conserve our animals, particularly the marine mammals and coastal species.
These species form part of the foundation of our culture, livelihoods, and part of our IQ knowledge base.
Mr. Speaker, can the minister provide more details on how he will cooperate with various departments, such as EDT, to look at the possible impacts of the proposed shipping route that would be operated all year long, in the winter and summer habitat of our walrus in the Foxe Basin?
If that information was available, we wouldn’t withhold that information, but we would ensure it is available to the public. The Nunavut Research Institute has that pertinent information here in Iqaluit. Further, the results of the study proposed for March of this year will be completed as soon as possible.
We will look into the particular set of information the member is requesting, as per his questions. So we will look into that information the member requested in his question.
Question 226 – 3(3): Review of Iqaluit Infrastructure (Ell)
Earlier this year, the city of Iqaluit faced a major disruption of water services following a breakdown in our community’s aging water infrastructure.
I want to begin by thanking the frontline staff who worked extremely long hours to restore water services as quickly as possible to our community’s homes and businesses.
Mr. Speaker, on January 19 of this year, the GN and the city jointly announced that both levels of government would be undertaking a joint review of this incident.
Can the minister update the House today on the status of this review?
First off, I also wish to thank the frontline staff who worked extremely hard to combat the event, although things that can freeze will freeze when it is that cold, as well as inhibiting the equipment that is required.
I thank the workers who had to undertake this work that was required.
The incident affected most citizens of Iqaluit and we have now past the event. Further work will be required to complete that report.
Based on my understanding, they are still investigating the fire. The city’s workers and our staff are investigating the matter and how we can best prepare for events such as this and how they could be better prepared. So that is what they are working on at this time.
Ms. Ell: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you to the minister.
The joint news release that was issued by the GN and the City of Iqaluit identified the need to review the condition of Iqaluit’s infrastructure, including its utilidor system. Can the minister indicate today what investments may need to be made in the near future to ensure that our capital city’s infrastructure is capable of serving Nunavut’s largest community?
Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): When the emergency occurred, it became obvious here in Iqaluit, actually in most of the communities, our infrastructure is starting to break down due to its antiquated status. This has an effect on maintenance.
Iqaluit is not the only one affected, but my officials and the City of Iqaluit public works officials will work together in the upcoming months to look at the history of the infrastructure, to identify what is past its useful life, what needs to be repaired, what is required to be replaced, and which parts are still useable.
This course of action will be undertaken over the next few months.
As we all know, it is not conducive to spending long periods outside during winter. With the infrastructure covered in snow, many areas have to be cleared and some cannot be accessed due to the frozen state.
We expect that over the next few months, this review will be very useful.
Once the work is completed, it would be good to see a report outlining the issues we face, where we stand, and what needs replacement, as per Ms. Ell’s question.
Ms. Ell (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to thank the minister.
Will the minister commit to tabling a copy of the final report from this joint review in the Legislative Assembly as soon as it has been completed?
With respect to the responsibilities under the city, the department supports the city and we have an agreement with the City of Iqaluit as it relates to their operations and we work with them to search for these items.
It is clear that if the direction were to come from our department, it would be possible to do so. However, if the direction stems from the city, we don’t control their operations and we’re not privy to their decisions on these matters.
I can provide some information to the member outside of the House. However, to reiterate, yes, if it is our report and if it is not ours, we can’t dictate to the city what to include.
As the minister is aware as well, the Inuksuk High School experienced a number of closures due to issues with its water supply.
Can the minister indicate how his department has been working with the district education authority and the Department of Education to address this issue?
All I could say is that the city staff, our staff, and the contractors worked very hard to repair the utilidor that broke on the date in question.
That has since been repaired and it is a temporary repair; it is above ground.
I understand that if the weather permits and the ground permits, they will be able to put it back underground and replace the problem area.
As of now, there are no issues with it, but hopefully the temporary fix will hold until a permanent fix is resolved, when the weather and season allows us to do so.
Question 227 – 3(3): Security at Nunavut Airports (Enook)
Mr. Speaker, at the present time, both Canadian North and First Air offer flights from Pond Inlet to Iqaluit that depart early in the morning. This allows my constituents to arrive in Iqaluit in time to make connections to Ottawa and other destinations. The reason why this service is possible is because both airlines overnight their aircraft in Pond Inlet.
Mr. Speaker, concerns have recently been brought to my attention that serious acts of vandalism have been committed against aircraft that are parked overnight at the Pond Inlet Airport.
If this situation continues, there is a risk that airlines will no longer be able to overnight their aircraft in Pond Inlet, which will cause significant disruptions to flight schedules and severely inconvenience my constituents.
I would first like to ask the minister if he has been made aware of this situation and, if so, what actions his department is taking to address it.
At this time, I’m not aware of any vandalism happening with parked aircraft within his community, but once I get briefed on it and get full information, I will surely let the member know of the next steps and what the department can do to assist.
More than likely, it will be an RCMP issue when vandalism does happen. So once I get information, I will let the member know.
A few years ago, concerns about fires and other acts of vandalism at Nunavut’s schools prompted the government to introduce new security measures, such as the installation of cameras.
Here in Iqaluit, our capital city’s international airport appears to be a very secure facility, including biometric technology to control access to the ramp.
I would like to ask the minister if he can clarify whether his department has a standard set of criteria for security measures and equipment at Nunavut’s airports in smaller communities, including cameras and fencing.
Again I thank the hon. member for that question.
Mr. Speaker, I’m not aware of what’s happening up there in Pond Inlet, in his constituency, but once I understand the full facts… . At this time, I will not be assuming of what’s been happening there, so I’ll take his question as notice and get back to the hon. member on that.
Question 228 – 3(3): Interdepartmental Monitoring Committee on Nutrition North (Rumbolt)
With the introduction of the Nutrition North Canada Program, the minister’s department formed an interdepartmental Nutrition North Canada subsidy monitoring committee.
I was curious to find out what the minister’s committee has done to this date.
The Nunavut government supports the Nutrition North Canada Program.
Furthermore, the government is pleased that improvements have been made, such as increased accountability and improved entry points.
They have indicated that the advisory committee has been struck, with the chairperson being from Nunavut.
This has provided more assistance.