EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Like I said before in this House there is a decrease in there and there is a…if you look at the programs that are there, the homeownership programs, there is a substantial decrease in that.
There is also a decrease in M&I dollars that are there and there is an elimination of the retrofit program.
Also there is no funding for senior independent living program this year.
I am just wondering about an explanation as to, I know that a lot of the existing capital went to the construction of these 100 units, but there are other units that are out there.
I am sure that during the community consultations and I know that I have heard the concerns that are raised are that not only the lack of social housing but in a lot of cases, the condition of social housing.
So I am just wondering why if there wasn’t any extra money found towards maintaining the stock that we have as I believe that’s what the funding that we get from CMHC for the housing is to operate and maintain the public housing stock that we have.
Basically our capital budget is what we have to work with.
The recommendation from the Task Force is that we were to construct 100 housing units and we were to take the costs of constructing the 100 housing units out of our capital budget.
That is why the decrease is basically the reallocation of the majority of the capital budget to the construction of the new public housing units.
The other capital projects do have a smaller amount of money this year, it gives us an opportunity again, to review the current conditions of these units, get a better feel for what is needed in the future.
We would like to come to the table with our five year strategy that we are currently outlining as to how we plan on dealing with this in the future and for this year take the opportunity to build the 100 housing units.
Mr. Chairman, there was as you know and as other members know and the minister knows, I was a member of the Task Force.
I was under the impression that the Task Force was given an amount of 15 million dollars and asked to use this accordingly.
I don’t believe it was a task for us that said to take it out of the existing capital.
It was my understanding that we were given a mandate that here is the dollars that you have, and our interim report was that we were asked to, given that limited resource to determine what and where to build, not to take the money out of the existing capital.
It was just a chunk of money that the Task Force was given.
That was my understanding and I don’t know if other members can correct me but that was my understanding of it.
The Task Force interim recommendations said on page 7, it says here that the construction of these units should be funded through the Nunavut Housing Corporation current capital budget.
That is right from the Task Force report.
Mr. Chairman, I know that the minister knows and the other members know that I was out of town when that first meeting happened.
But was there at any time where the task force was told that this is what you have to work with or did the task force have the flexibility to say go and get this funding for these houses from surplus dollars or some other source.
When they became a Housing Task Force, they made up their own terms of reference and they could structure themselves however they wished.
I am getting a little off the capital here, but something just came up.
Is it still the policy of the Housing Corporation in Nunavut that if a local association, a local housing association in a community has a surplus that 50% of that surplus goes back to the Housing Corporation.
Is that still in effect.
Chairperson (interpretation): I will have to find out about the Baffin capital regional estimates.
We are number the number with 500 thousand.
Once we are finished with this item then we can open with the Keewatin Region.
We are under the Baffin region.
Total Baffin Region 9 million, 500 thousand.
This is the item that we are covering.
Do you have questions about this.
Mr. McLean has a different question, but if you wish to respond I will allow that.
We did adopt the policies from the NWT Housing Corporation as to how the local housing organizations were funded and how the surpluses were handled.
Again this will vary as some of the actual local housing organizations have gone into community empowerment with the Hamlets and they may have a different way of retaining a percentage of their salary but again that is on an individual basis.
The Nunavut Housing Corporation is going to be looking at the funding to the local housing associations this year. Again, our goal is to make sure they are empowered and have the resources to be empowered, we will do a review of the funding formula.
I am getting really confused here.
In the other government 50% of the surplus of local housing associations used to go back to the Housing Corporation.
Is that still in effect today.
Yes that is the policy at this point.
Mr. McLean: I am not sure if you can answer this question.
Do you have any kind of a projected revenue or deficit from the local housing associations this year, a surplus or a deficit overall.
Any kind of figure this year at all.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you Mr. McLean. Ms. Hine.
I don’t have the actual figure with me.
At this point we are waiting for the actual approval of the budget so that we can run the funding formula to find out what the deficits are.
We also have to wait for their fiscal year end and their audits to be completed which again we will not have the completed audits until June.
So I don’t have an actual figure at this time.
Any more. Mr. McLean.
Mr. McLean: Ma’na Itsivauta. The reason that I am asking is that if there is a surplus in LHOs and it does come back from the LHOs would the minister consider next year putting that surplus into minor capital projects, like M&I’s and retrofits and things like that.
Yes we would consider that request.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you Madame Minister. Mr. Irqittuq.
Mr. Irqittuq (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Chairman. When the Housing Task Force was mandated, I understood that they were given some funding, about 19 million dollars for housing purposes.
But now I am mixed up because I thought that the funding was immediately available. Now that I look at the details, under housing and this amount of 19 million, I know we haven’t got there yet in the details, but at the time of the Task Force when it just started, there was no money at all to begin with, except for the estimates.
Was there a surplus of 19 million at the end of that time, just when the Task Force was heading out.
These budgets are approved on an annual basis.
It could be that we were just elected when the Housing Corporation was in conjunction with the Department of Community Government and this was probably approved.
But this time around it is a different one.
That amount, that figure of 19 million that is aimed at building houses, it was only aimed toward capital projects, due to various projects.
For all the housing or for renovations or for other capital projects.
But the Task Force had prepared the use for the fiscal year of 2000/2001 to decide what they should be doing with the money and the recommendation was that we build 100 units.
The funding that was allocated for capital projects within the 19 million dollar amount is then being used strictly for building those 100 units, because these budgets are approved only once a year.
I think it is obvious, because twice now we have been the government and twice now we have gone through these estimates and the budget exercise.
Because it is already in use because we can’t reallocate those funding because it was already pre-approved and it was only through here that the money can be tabled during this budgeting exercise.
I had a misunderstanding then.
I thought that there was money readily available that had not been approved and that was allocated to the Housing Corporation.
I thought Housing Corporation had 19 million dollars that was set aside but it turned out that was not the case.
So what we were was just dreaming I suppose.
When we prepared for the budget we need to have it approved and those items for capital projects have to be detailed.
When we first became a government we agreed to the budget and the purposes.
We cannot go back when that budget has already been expended we cannot go back in the middle of the programs and re-allocated the funds for which we had already approved.
That is the money that is allocated for certain purposes at the beginning of the budgeting exercise and it has to be carried out.
If you look at the Nunavut Housing Corporation details this is your opportunity now whether you want us to allocate the funding for private sector, this is the mandate that we are given.
First, we were recommended to build 75 units.
But if we were to build 100 units we would have to prepare some of the budget taking it from the capital project estimates and that’s what we are doing in the middle of the term, because we can’t go back on a pre-approved budget items and reallocate them elsewhere.
I have no more names on the list.
We are on total Baffin Region.
I am sorry I reduced the numbers.
Total Baffin Region 5 million 900 thousand dollars.
Sorry 9 million 500 thousand.
Chairperson (interpretation): Did you just about disagree.
Kivalliq Region. Total Kivalliq Region, 5 million 100 thousand.
Chairperson (interpretation): Those against.
Kitikmeot.
Total Kitikmeot, 3 million, 780 thousand.
Chairperson (interpretation): Total capital expenditures, 19 million. I am sorry I should have said total contributions. Total contributions, 19 million.
Total capital expenditures, 19 million.
Chairperson (interpretation): Page 12 - 6.
Nunavut Housing Corporation, Distribution of Budget.
Do we have any comments.
Chairperson (interpretation): We are finished with the capital for the Nunavut Housing Corporation.
Chairperson (interpretation): Moving on to the next page.
Main estimates, Nunavut Housing Corporation, program summary.
Page 12-4, Nunavut Housing Corporation branch summary.
Total operations and maintenance, 35 million 178 thousand.
Mr. Akesuk did you have you hand raised. Mr. Akesuk.
Mr. Akesuk (interpretation): I apologise, I did not realize we were in main estimates.
I had some questions under capital estimates.
Concerning one of my constituencies.
The needs of Nunavummiut who own their own housing.
We continue to have a severe housing shortage even after we have private housing.
Does the housing corporation plan to subsidise people who are on limited income including relatives who have to stay with other relatives and elders.
I think we already responded to that because we talked at length about subsidies.
But for those in the community who have concerns about their own private accommodations or housing or concerns about their mortgage arrangements they should contact our regional office for assistance.
Or provide correspondence letting us know of their concerns.
Yes Mr. Akesuk.
Mr. Akesuk (interpretation): I see, so this is available for employees.
You know if you could at least inform us because you have staff available to help people and to encourage people to write down their concerns.
It would be encouraging for our people to contact your offices.
You indicated it was just a general comment.
Do you want to respond or do you want to leave it.
Back to branch summary.
Total operations and maintenance, 35 million 178 thousand dollars.
Chairperson (interpretation): Those against, carried.
Total expenditures, 54 million 178 thousand.
On to page 12-5.
Nunavut Housing Corporation, corporate summary.
Information item, operations and maintenance.
Total operations and maintenance 35 million 178 thousand dollars.
Are we agreed
Chairperson (interpretation): Total expenditures, 54 million 178 thousand dollars. Information item, headquarters.
Information item operations and maintenance, total operations and maintenance.
Information item, 2 million 122 thousand.
Total expenditures 2 million 742 thousand.
Is there anyone disagreeing.
Chairperson (interpretation): Carried.
Nunavut Housing Corporation.
Regional office information item, operations and maintenance, total operations and maintenance, 3 million 305 thousand.
Is there any one against.
Chairperson (interpretation): Total expenditures 21 million 685 thousand.
Chairperson (interpretation): Page 12-8.
Local Housing Organizations, information items, operations and maintenance, total operations and maintenance 29 million 751 thousand.
Total expenditures 29 million 751 thousand dollars.
Those agreed.
Chairperson (interpretation): Information item on the next page 12-9.
Nunavut Housing Corporation, Local Housing Organizations.
Do we have any comments on this item.
Nunavut Housing Corporation, distribution of Budget page 12-10.
Going back to 12-3.
Program summary details of expenditures.
Chairperson (interpretation): Those disagreed.
Total Capital, 19 million dollars.
Total expenditures 54 million 178 thousand dollars.
Chairperson (interpretation): Are we agreed that we are concluded with the main estimates of the Nunavut Housing Corporation.
Chairperson (interpretation): At this time I would like to thank the minister and her witness, the President for the Nunavut Housing Corporation.
This has been an interesting debate and we look forward to our future and hopefully have an easier time with our housing issues.
I expect that we will have a better future so I thank you very much President and Madame Minister for your fine work, and you can have closing remarks if you wish.
On behalf of my staff and the new president for the Nunavut Housing Corporation, this was a good introduction to Pam Hine and I am glad that she was here for you questions and your comments.
I apologise that my Public Works staff were not here as we had completed our main estimates.
I would like to appreciate the ministers who have been sitting throughout these main estimates and for concluding my department.
Before we conclude with item thirteen we will see you again.
Mr. Akesuk (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Chairman. First, the minister for Community Government and Transportation can do his opening remarks and maybe tomorrow we could hear the opening remarks from the Chairperson of the standing committee, before reporting we can have the minister read his opening remarks.
Chairperson (interpretation): Are you prepared Mr. Minister.
If that is possible you may proceed.
Department of Community Government & Transportation: Minister’s Opening Remarks
Hon. Jack Anawak (interpretation): Thank you. Just so you will understand what I am talking about please bear with me.
Once we get into detail of the main estimates I will be with my officials including Mike Ferris my DM and my administrator Mike Rafter, and members of the community initiatives Rosemary Keenainak.
Once we conclude with those we will be open to questions.
I know there are only four of us that will be present at the witness table. We want the main estimates in the first year we worked hard.
Community Government and Transportation we worked hard in the new department.
I would really like to thank those people who worked hard on our behalf.
The main estimates for the 200/2001 fiscal year.
Last year when we appeared before you we were still the department of Community Government, Housing and Transportation.
As you are no doubt aware, the new department no longer has the housing portfolio, which was moved to the department of public works in the last fiscal year.
As the Minister of Finance pointed out in his budget speech, housing is now a standing department of its own.
As with the rest of the government of Nunavut it is working hard to create greater efficiencies and more effective governance for Nunavummiut.
In an effort to achieve these goals, we have set our sights on achieving a greater level of integration and managerial responsibility.
We took advantage of the departmental restructuring that was required to move the housing portfolio to establish a single assistant Deputy Minister for the department.
This move will contribute to the integration of the department’s divisions and programs.
We are also working toward placing increased responsibilities in the hands of our managers and directors in the communities.
This will allow them to manage their programs and make decisions locally.
These initiatives are intended to ensure that the decentralized headquarters, mangers and directors have the independence they need to work directly with the communities at the community level.
Also in the same vein, the department is moving toward a single focal point on capital planning in the community development division.
This will allow us to co-ordinate similar projects and enhance our economies of scale.
These two initiatives will move us further down the road to greater departmental integration.
They will help us avoid isolation of the Community Government and Transportation divisions from each other by integrating the department’s two major functions.
One is making greater co-operation possible.
Furthermore, we will continue with a single focal point for all policy initiatives within the department.
This will ensure that ideas and concerns from staff across Nunavut are co-ordinated in a manner that contributes to the department’s overall mission.
Although departmental staff in the communities will have some financial responsibilities the department will also have a single focal point for co-ordinating its financial obligations. (interpretation ends)
Co-operation is not only a concept that we are pursuing internally.
Indeed one of the more important elements in the department’s mission statement is by working in partnership with communities and other stakeholders our vision is to ensure and enhance community capacity and local ownership in the delivery of services that promote quality of life.
In other words Mr. Chairman, we would like the communities to help themselves.
But working in partnership with others is not confined to working with communities alone. The department of Community Government and Transportation recognizes the importance of the Bathurst Mandate and accepts its principles as direction.
In the pursuit of its goals this department has placed the concept of partnership at the front of its work, as the Bathurst mandates directs simplicity and unity are essential.
The principle of consultation with the Members of the Legislative Assembly must be taken seriously.
Mr. Chairman I would like to assure the members of this legislature, that Members of the Legislative Assembly will be respected as important sources of community opinion and co-operation will be the operating standard at every level.
Our programs and the way they are managed will flow from the Bathurst Mandate and as a result we are committed to governing Nunavummiut with Nunavummiut.
By the same token the Bathurst Mandate indicates that in order to achieve healthy communities people must be responsible and accountable for their own well being.
One way to achieve this is by helping the communities make the delivery of their services more responsive to community needs.
As I mentioned earlier this can be achieved by helping the communities to deliver their services in an efficient and effective manner.
This is the principle behind my departmental decision to implement quarterly funding to the communities.
This initiative will give communities more control over their resources and it will provide for more direct control where it counts most, at the community level.
Just as important is the Bathurst Mandate's commitment to work within their means.
As we all know only so many dollars can go around, and priorities must be met.
(interpretation) Mr. Chairman I would also like to reassure the member that one of the priorities of the department is to support the communities and make sure they are channelled to do the most good to the communities themselves.
It is for this reason that seventy percent of this department’s operations and maintenance dollars actually flow down directly to the communities in the form of grants and contributions.
Furthermore, for this new fiscal year we were able to meet our department’s budgetary targets without affecting the level of operations and maintenance funds allocated to the communities.
Our financial goals were met by our staff who were able to improve the departments internal efficiencies.
As a result I am pleased to underline that this fiscal year's grants and contributions program will provide 31 million dollars.
Of this 31 million dollars 19 million will be dedicated to the municipal operating assistance program.
This assists communities with their operational costs and 4.8 million dollars will go to the water and sewage subsidy service program to help community governments offset the high cost of water and sewage services.
Mr Chairman, I would like to point out to the members that the department’s ongoing base in operations and maintenance funds have almost 62.3 million dollars and it is slightly higher this year.
At just over 63 million dollars this reflects the following four one-time funding projects.
First, I will be seeking your support for 100 thousand dollars in one time funding for a review of how we can best restructure the funding formulas to municipalities.
My department uses these formulas for determining funding levels for municipal and other agencies.
In addition, during the pre budget consultation last winter the communities expressed their concern over these formulas. A concern that I too share.
The funding formulas that we use today were devised under the old government for a political reality that no longer exists.
We must review them in order to make them more responsive to the reality of Nunavut today.
The most effective way to develop these formulas is to consider funding provided to municipalities by all government departments.
My department will be taking the lead on this initiative and I will be seeking input from my cabinet colleagues, MLAs, municipalities and others.
By working together, it is my hope that we will benefit from an examination of the entire funding procedures.
Secondly, I will be seeking your support for 150 thousand dollars for a municipal legislation review that will be undertaken in partnership with the Nunavut Association of Municipalities.
This review will examine all legislation to determine what parts of it require re-drafting to conform to Nunavut's particular needs and circumstances.
In accomplishing this initiative I have asked senior staff at the department of justice which as you know is co-ordinating the government wide review of legislation, to work with Community Government and Transportation officials in their review. (interpretation ends)
Mr. Chairman, in completing the funding formula and the municipal legislation review, we will take advantage of the studies already undertaken by the Government of the Northwest Territories such as the municipal financial review and the municipal legislation review.
We will also be guided by the Bathurst Mandate principal of ensuring all levels of government work together and in partnership with the Nunavut Association of Municipalities, to ensure the concerns of the communities are addressed.
The third one-time funding initiative comes form the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement provision that requires the territorial government to transfer all municipal lands within municipal boundaries to the municipalities between 1996 and 1999.
In order to meet this requirement I am seeking a one-time allocation of 300 thousand dollars to complete land surveying tasks.
Finally, it has become very obvious that the current funding formula that helps cover municipalities fuel costs is not responding adequately to the current rise in fuel prices.
According to the formula, the level of today’s transfer is determined by conditions that existed three years ago.
Therefore, the price of fuel today will not be fully reflected in the funds transferred to cover those costs three years from now.
This makes it impossible for the government and communities to adequately budget for unpredictable fuel costs.