EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
When you call the RCMP, you still get connected to the detachment here, and when the RCMP has to respond to a call, they still can’t call their local RCMP.
Has there been a change to this situation?
The phone system has not changed but the people who answer the calls can speak Inuktitut.
In terms of the response time, it takes at least 20 minutes to half an hour to get a response because, of course, they have to go through an interpreter.
When the elders call, they can’t get an immediate response.
What is the minister doing to shorten the response time?
We have policies if there is an emergency for calls, and I would like to be made aware of if there are any situations that you are concerned about and if we have broken any kind of policies.
I’m open to hearing any kinds of concerns; direct them to me any time.
Question 252 – 2(4): Program to Provide Traditional Food (Kattuk)
I don’t want to ask the same question, however, I want to know more about it.
Yes, my colleague asked a similar question, if a community wants to acquire caribou meat with the available funding of $10,000.
Our HTO attempted to access the $10,000, but it turned out to be too small.
I will ask the Minister to support me on this.
I am seeking his support because those funds are inadequate, especially considering the remoteness of our community of Sanikiluaq. We know the $10,000 fund is allocated to our community.
What I am seeking from the Minister is to recognize and support Sanikiluaq’s wish to utilized the funds outside of Nunavut.
I am not sure if the funding can be used outside the territory. However, we have allocated $45,000.
I am not clear on where he got the $10,000 nor am I aware of it.
We do have funding which the HTO in the member’s Hudson Bay constituency can apply for.
The Minister just stated he is not sure if those funds can be used outside Nunavut.
Can he find out if they can indeed be used outside the territory and to let me know?
Yes, once I have that information, I will get back to the member.
When is he going to let me know?
I’ll let him know before six o’clock tonight.
Oral Questions. MLA for Rankin Inlet North, Mr. Curley.
Question 253 – 2(4): Inspector Regarding No Smoking Regulations (Curley)
My question is directed to WCB concerning the Safety Act in Nunavut and it’s concerning the by-law for no smoking in the buildings.
The regulations are quite understandable and are being utilized in the work places in the Nunavut Government. Sometimes we feel sorry for the people that smoke outside when it’s really cold out.
They’re following the regulations accordingly but some of the communities are not utilizing the regulations. Who are the inspectors for these in the communities so that they are following the non-smoking area in the buildings?
WCB has an office in Iqaluit where they can find out any kind of information.
When I was going home to Coral Harbour and I was in the airport in Rankin Inlet, they were smoking very close to the building at the airport in Rankin Inlet. When you’ve quit smoking for a long while, it’s not fun going through the second-hand smoke going into the buildings and I think when the people are coming off the airplanes, they go right outside the building and smoke. So Mr. Speaker, I’ll find that out.
I don’t think he needs to look very far to find out.
I think the government is responsible for the airports, and maybe if the minister can work with the airports.
They need safety workers in the communities in all the buildings so that they’re not smoking so close to the buildings. We’ve been receiving letters of complaint from the communities and the people that are going into the airports. For those that do not smoke, it isn’t a pleasant smell when you’re just going in and they’re smoking right outside.
So if they could have a safety officer or somebody, I think it’s possible to do that in the airport.
I know the employees here are not very close to the building and they’re following the rules. I think that this is urgent that some of the rules are being violated in the communities and the regulations are not being followed properly.
Maybe the minister can make an announcement during this Session to rectify this for the communities, airports, and other buildings, Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Hon. Patterk Netser (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I can commit to that.
Question 254 – 2(4): Victims of Violence (Peterson)
Mr. Speaker, victims of violence have increasingly raised concerns that it seems that abusers are receiving light sentences for their serious offences.
I quote from a media review last week from Wendy Avalak and it says, I quote, “The justice system said that they will not tolerate family violence but yet the abusers are getting light sentences and it’s the victims who are suffering.”
My question for the minister: could the minister tell the House if the victims of violence concerns are being heard by his department and are being discussed with the federal government?
In this area, it is called the grey zone where my government can’t do a whole lot in terms of prosecuting cases because that rests with the federal government currently.
We have been trying to hold discussions to assume those responsibilities so that we can manage them. At the same time, we have been trying to do our part and I appreciate all my colleagues’ support in passing the Family Abuse Intervention Act. That is one area where we can do something and that is something that we have been doing.
I understand those future workers and people that will be implementing that Act were holding workshops this week. I actually had lunch with them yesterday. I look forward to implementing this Act in the future so that we can reduce the numbers and do our part.
I apologize to my colleague that we can’t do much but we’re trying where we can.
I certainly hope the Family Abuse Prevention Act goes a long way in helping our folks here in Nunavut who are victims of violence and domestic violence.
I applaud the minister for at least understanding that there is that issue out there.
Victims think that abusers are getting off lightly.
Mr. Speaker, there is a Victim Assistance Committee for Nunavut with members drawn from across all the regions. My question for the minister: would the minister explain to the House what the role of this committee is and how they can help victims of violence?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) The committee is made up of three people and they review applications from communities throughout Nunavut.
They are focused on healing victims and they focus on the community as a whole.
So that has been their primary focus to date.
So they’ve had wonderful programs throughout the territory and I believe that I table their report annually. As soon as I get their report, I’ll file their latest annual report for the House.
I read an article in the media just the other day that there’s some victims’ assistance funding available for hamlets to apply for special projects in their communities. I certainly hope the hamlets are going to put in applications to that program.
Mr. Speaker, victims of violence always require ongoing support in their communities, and a lot of it is counselling, a lot of it is dealing with the legal system, and in some cases, victims need to be re-trained for employment because their spouse has gone to jail for three, six, or 12 months. It’s usually three months and they’re without a source of income.
My question for the minister: can the minister describe to the House who the victims of violence can turn to in their specific communities for long-term counselling and support to overcome their ordeals?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) My colleague has identified one area where this legislation, once implemented, will be a very effective vehicle for our communities to heal. So that is the focus of the legislation is to not just look after the offender, in terms of trying to prevent future offences, but at the same there are victims that need to heal so that they can move on.
So I’m very pleased that the workshops are happening now, and hopefully, in the coming year we will be implementing this legislation so that victims will have a place to turn to and receive help so that they can move forward with their lives and become very good members of our society along with the offenders. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, it seems like every special interest group in Nunavut has an organization representing them, except for victims of violence.
Last March in 2007, I asked the minister if his department would consider establishing victims of violence board organizations in each region. My question for the minister: can the minister tell the House if he has directed his officials to study this possibility?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) As I said, the focus at the moment is community-driven activities, not necessarily regions. For it to be effective, I think it has to start at the community level and that’s where the focus of our legislation is. For example, there will be community intervention orders that will be put in place.
So we will have employees in each of the communities that will be focusing on the welfare of the communities. So that’s the focus for this legislation. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 255 – 2(4): Indication of Small Provision for Unforeseen Events in Fiscal Update (Tootoo)
Mr. Tootoo: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Finance and it deals with the Fiscal Update that he gave us the other day.
Mr. Speaker, my first question to the minister in this is on page 3 where he talks about the revised deficit includes $37.1 million in forced growth expenditures that were approved by the Assembly this past June; it also includes a small provision for unforeseen events.
I just wonder if you could give us an indication of how much that small provision is.
I can’t remember exactly how much it is but I will inform him later on today.
Mr. Tootoo: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On the same page it talks about the Fiscal Plan. It also includes initiatives that were announced in the Federal Budget of 2007.
One of the things that I know as the Chair of the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Accountability that reviews the reports of the Auditor General on an annual basis, it talks about, there was some money in there for strengthening financial management.
I’m just wondering if the minister could give us an update as to what the department is doing to do exactly that, to strengthen the financial management within the government.
There are actually nine separate action plans that have been established and approved for implementation and I’ll read them out:
Expand accountability framework;
enhance the strategy for public accounts;
strengthen control on our general organizational structure;
strengthen senior financial officer capacity;
standardize financial signing authority levels;
the Human Resources Strategy which includes standardizing job ratings, implementing a Training Strategy, and implementing a Recruitment Strategy;  review and revise financial policy framework;
review financial information systems; and  review public agencies.
I know in the past year there was a move to transfer recentralized financial functions. I am just wondering if that move was part of strengthening the financial management within the government?
To correct myself, I said it was your first supplementary, but it was your second supplementary.
Yes, this has helped us.
It’s too bad you caught that; I could have used another supplementary question.
Given that, I know there were a number of positions that were transferred from the department of EIA and the Department of Health and Social Services. Can the minister inform us, have all those people that transferred over, are they still there and is everything going fine with that transition?
The transfer of Health and Social Services finance positions from Health and Social Services to Finance is now complete.
Of the twenty positions transferred, four employees have transferred to other departments; three have accepted other positions in Health and Social Services, and two employees who had planned to leave prior to the restructuring have resigned.
Written Question 008 – 2(4): Meetings and Directives of Executive Council and its Committees (Tootoo)
I have a Written Question directed to our Premier.
Mr. Speaker, the title of the Written Question is, ‘Meeting and Directives of the Executive Council and Committee.’
How many formal meetings of the Executive Council of Nunavut took place between June 7, 2007 and September 10, 2007, and which of its members were in attendance at each one?
How many meetings of the committee of the Executive Council called the Financial Management Board¹ took place between June 7, 2007, and September 10, 2007 and which of its members were in attendance at each one?
How many meetings of the committee of the Executive Council called the Cabinet Committee on Legislation took place between June 7, 2007 and September 10, 2007, and which of its members were in attendance at each one?
Within the meaning of the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act, what directives, instructions and orders have been made by the Executive Council of Nunavut since January 1, 2007, in respect to Government of Nunavut departments and Crown agencies?
Within the meaning of the Financial Administration Act, what directives, instructions and orders have been made since January 1, 2007, in respect to the Government of Nunavut departments and Crown agencies?
¹As defined in section 3 of the Financial Administration Act
Tabled Document 121 – 2(4): Smoking at the Rankin Inlet Airport Terminal – Email from Emily Karetak-Tagoona (Curley)
I wish to table the email that we received, along with my colleague, from Emily Karetak-Tagoona in regard to no smoking areas at the Rankin Inlet airport.
Please bring the document to the table officers.
Tabled Document 122 – 2(4): Letter to the Minister of Finance Requesting Information about Alcohol Education Committees under the Nunavut Liquor Act (Peterson)
I wish to table my recent correspondence to the Minister of Finance concerning issues of support for Alcohol Education Committees.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Can we have that document brought forward to the table, please?
Tabled Document 123 – 2(4): Northern Residents Tax Deduction: A Discussion Paper October 11, 2007 – Nunavut Economic Forum (Peterson)
Mr. Peterson: Thank you, again Mr. Speaker.
I wish to table a discussion paper on Northern Residents Tax Deductions prepared by the Nunavut Economic Forum.
I also wish to table two resolutions from the City of Yellowknife and NTI asking the Government of Canada to increase the Northern Residents Tax Deduction. I urge all members to read these documents.
Tabled Document 124 – 2(4): Swimming Pool for Arctic Bay – Letter from Mayor of Arctic Bay (Barnabas)
Tabled Document 125 – 2(4): Elders’ Centre for Arctic Bay – Letter from Mayor of Arctic Bay (Barnabas)
Mr. Barnabas (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I wish to table two letters about infrastructure needs for the Hamlet of Arctic Bay.
One letter is about the need for a swimming pool in Arctic Bay, and the other letter is about the need for an elder’s centre in Arctic Bay.
Bill 16 with Mr. Barnabas in the Chair.
Before we go to Committee of the Whole, we’ll take a 20-minute break.
>>House recessed at 15:29 and Committee resumed at 15:54
Chairman (Mr. Barnabas)(interpretation): Thank you.
I would like to call the committee meeting to order. (interpretation ends) In Committee of the Whole, we have the following item to deal with: Bill 16. What is the wish of the committee?
Mr. Evyagotailak: Thank you, Chairman.
We wish to continue with Bill 16 and the review of the Capital Estimates for the Department of Community and Government Services.
If time permits, we would then proceed to review the Capital Estimates for the Department of Environment.
Does the committee agree we first deal with the Capital Estimates for the Department of Community and Government Services?
Bill 16 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2008-2009 – Consideration in Committee – Community and Government Services
I would like to ask Minister Brown of Community and Government Services if she has any opening remarks.
Hon. Levinia Brown (interpretation): Yes, I have opening comments.
Hon. Levinia Brown (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am very pleased to appear before you today to update you on the 2008-2013 Five-Year Capital Plan and in particular the 2008-09 Capital Estimates for the Department of Community and Government Services.
The Department of Community and Government Services has many roles to play in the delivery of capital projects for the government.
My staff provides a wide range of services to all departments to assist them in developing their capital plans. These services range from project identification and development to technical reviews and project management.
In addition to assisting government departments, Community and Government Services, CGS, is responsible for assessing and securing funding for the annual capital needs for the communities.
Our efforts have helped to build strong partnerships between the government and the communities, a bond that will continue to grow in the future.
(interpretation ends) As you are aware, we have implemented our federal funding agreements for both the Gas Tax and Municipal Rural Infrastructure Funds securing a total of $52.5 million in new funding for five years for municipal projects.
The projects being funded under these agreements are recommended by the Nunavut Community Infrastructure Advisory Committee, which is also known as NCIAC, which is comprised of three mayors and three GN employees.
In addition, the federal government has recently announced the Building Canada Plan that calls for long-term dedicated infrastructure funding for provinces and territories.
CGS has been given the lead on this file. In collaboration with ED&T, we are in the process of negotiating the Framework Agreement with Canada.
It is our intention to be among the first jurisdictions to get the Framework Agreement negotiated and signed.
Mr. Speaker, with respect to my department’s five-year capital plan, we have realized new additional funding for municipalities.
With that, there have been major changes to the Government of Nunavut’s capital planning process and how capital dollars are allocated, which is reflected in overall project budget totals.
By leveraging in new money and managing expectations, we are confident that we can more effectively meet the needs of our communities.
Mr. Chairman, some significant water and waste projects are underway. This includes upgrades to the Kugaaruk sewage system, the Kugluktuk water treatment plant and sewage lagoon. We are utilizing a combination of GN and federal dollars for these projects.
With regards to the Petroleum Product Division, there are a number of priority projects either currently underway or planned within the next five years.
Fuel storage facilities exist in all communities, but new and evolving regulations for these facilities are placing pressures on the division to modernize and ensure compliance.
As our communities grow, the demands for petroleum products continue to increase and this forces us to build bigger facilities.
Mr. Chairman, I hope that these brief comments give an appreciation of the demands upon my department for capital funding and the challenges associated with prioritizing projects.
Our awareness of the great need and the challenges communities face is what sets our course for capital planning.
The vision of our future is one of the partnerships to better support communities and the needs of Nunavummiut.
I look forward to your questions. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Ms. Brown. I would like to ask you if you will be bringing officials to the witness table.
Hon. Levinia Brown (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. To my left is my Deputy Minister, David Akeeagok, and to my right, Mr. John Dawe.
He works on the capital planning.
Also, Mr. Chairman, in the Gallery is Shawn Maley whom you all know is the Assistant Deputy Minister for Community Support. Also, beside him, from Kitikmeot, Brent Brody, who is assistant to the deputy minister and he is in Technical Services.
I also would like to welcome the minister and her deputy minister, as well as Brent Brody and Shawn Maley. (interpretation ends) It’s good to see you here again, both of you, from way west part of Nunavut. (interpretation) Welcome.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Chairman, as the Chair of the Standing Committee on Infrastructure, Housing and Economic Development, I am pleased to provide opening comments as the Committee of the Whole begins its consideration of the 2008-09 Capital Estimates of the Department of Community and Government Services.
(interpretation) Mr. Chairman, the standing committee had the opportunity to meet with the minister in September of this year to scrutinize the department’s draft 2008-09 capital estimates.
The operations of this department have a significant impact on the success of the GN's overall capital planning process. The standing committee continues to have concerns with respect to the issues of project management and capital carryovers.
In June of this year, the Legislative Assembly approved over $18 million in capital carryovers for this one department alone.
In his opening comments to the Committee of the Whole, the Minister of Finance stated that the capital carryovers have “increased significantly” over the past two years. (interpretation ends) He also indicated that the Technical Division of CGS will “review all substantiation sheets for all multi-year capital projects to determine the following: reasonability of annual cash flow requirements; community capacity issues; and the ability of project management staff to oversee project delivery.”
Recent ministerial correspondence to various standing committees indicates that a number of capital projects have been delayed due to higher than anticipated contract costs and/or bids from potential contractors exceeding approved budgets.
These factors have delayed such projects as the Kitikmeot Medical Boarding Home and resulted in cost escalations to the Pond Inlet community hall project.
The standing committee is also aware of the impact that such factors as inflation, higher prices for steel and fuel, the Alberta economic boom and a lack of sub-trades availability have had on the construction costs of major capital projects in the territory.
Following its recent retreat held in September of this year, the Cabinet announced that it has directed the Department of Community and Government Services to “present solutions for the future management of large-scale projects and materials transportation that could benefit from economies of scale.”
During the minister’s recent appearance before the standing committee, the minister indicated that the department is working to increase its staff capacity in the area of project management.
The standing committee will continue to monitor this issue closely. Members are mindful of the importance of providing sub-contracting opportunities for smaller Nunavut companies.
Mr. Chairman, the standing committee expressed concern during the minister’s appearance with respect to recent news reports concerning the issue of regulatory approval for a number of departmental projects related to the construction of sewage lagoons.
These reports indicated that the Nunavut Water Board has recommended that the federal Department of Indian and Northern Affairs “take stern and immediate” action against the GN due its failure to fully adhere to the licensing process.
During the minister’s appearance, Mr. Chairman, the standing committee was informed that the department is endeavouring to be in full compliance with regulatory requirements.
Members recognize the complexity of the regulatory environment in Nunavut, which is an issue that also impacts the development of the mining sector.