EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Hon. Johnny Mike (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, for sure, I can state the desire to create Heritage Rivers and parks in relation to recreation and tourism, including parks facilities, and these kinds of things.
At the present time, as a government, our Parks and Special Places Division is keeping tabs on it.
In relation to NTI’s role, I mentioned that we will be setting up a committee that would deal with the resolution of this in terms of Inuit impacts and benefits. We will be attempting to address these things shortly.
As a government, we will be working with Nunavut Tunngavik forthwith and we have recently come to an understanding just this month. If NTI wishes to begin to set up their own negotiating team, I would need to find out if they are ready to proceed.
Mr. Mikkungwak (interpretation): Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) Can the minister indicate how the community and residents of Baker Lake, which has two Heritage Rivers, Kazan River and Thelon River, are being kept informed of developments on this issue?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you Minister of Environment, (interpretation ends) Hon. Member Mr. Mike.
Hon. Johnny Mike (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, with respect to the questions by the member, there was an impasse and the Government of Nunavut is unable to do much with matters that are under the jurisdiction of the federal government.
As I was trying to say, we will be working with NTI and the federal government on Heritage Rivers, which deal with tourism, which is under our jurisdiction.
That is why I said that we have tried to come up with some solutions within Nunavut in conjunction with NTI in order to successfully resolve those issues that deal with parks and tourism.
Mr. Mikkungwak (interpretation): Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. I have no doubt that the residents of Baker Lake will be kept informed.
(interpretation ends) Can the minister indicate what the new timeline is for the achievement of an umbrella Inuit Impact and Benefits Agreement for Canadian Heritage Rivers in Nunavut?
Hon. Johnny Mike (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. For the Government of Nunavut’s plans to succeed, in relation to his question, NTI and the federal government are also involved.
We have tried to form a committee that would try to come up with solutions that will benefit Inuit, with NTI as partners.
I am, however, unable to say where they are on this at this time as I haven’t heard what they have done so far to get this started.
I do know that NTI has encountered difficulties is this area.
Question 189 – 4(2): Social Worker for Repulse Bay (Mapsalak)
I will direct my question to the Minister of Family Services, Ms. Ugyuk.
Mr. Speaker, I had asked the minister a question previously in terms of Repulse Bay still not having a social service worker up to this time. It seems that hiring was imminent, yet there still is nothing.
Can the minister give an update of when a social worker would be hired in Repulse Bay?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Minister of Family Services, Hon. Member Ms. Ugyuk.
Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to thank the member from Repulse Bay for asking about family services.
Once I find out which communities will get social workers, as I don’t information on daily activities, I will let the member know once I get the information.
Yes, that has been the case for quite some time. We do have social workers pay a short visit to our community in Repulse Bay. With that, the (interpretation ends) mental health nurse (interpretation) in Repulse Bay ends up doing the social worker’s job.
The mental health nurse does the work of social services. Is that an appropriate thing to do for the mental health worker?
I will work with the Minister of Human Resources to make sure what position they’re at with the staffing of a social worker in Repulse Bay.
I will let my colleague know once I get that information.
However, in regard to the member’s other question, I believe that the Minister of Health is responsible for the mental health workers.
Can the minister let me know fairly soon… ?
In regard to my second question, when there is no social worker in our community, I’m sure it’s not a proper responsibility of the mental health worker to do the social worker’s duties since each job entails different rules and procedures.
I would like to ask if that’s an appropriate thing to do and I would like to have the minister respond to that question as soon as possible.
Once I get that information, I will provide it to the member.
Question 190 – 4(2): Foster Care Placements (Joanasie)
I was going to ask a question to the Minister of Health, but the minister isn’t here. Therefore, I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Family Services and it’s in regard to foster care placements.
Mr. Speaker, as you will recall, Members of the Legislative Assembly and those in previous Assemblies have discussed foster care in Nunavut at length.
Most recently, we met and held public hearings regarding the Auditor General of Canada’s 2014 Follow-up Report on Child and Family Services in Nunavut.
We discussed these issues because we want children who are placed in foster care to receive the best possible services from our government.
Mr. Speaker, placing children in foster care must take careful consideration of a number of factors, especially when there’s an urgent need.
Can the minister tell us what factors are taken into consideration when the department must urgently place a child in foster care when a home study cannot be completed in a timely fashion?
I thank my colleague for that question in regard to foster care placements.
When individuals apply to become foster parents, they have to indicate why they would like to become a foster parent.
Their home has to be investigated and the RCMP has to do a criminal records check.
They have to make sure the home is inspected.
When the Auditor General of Canada did their follow-up report and they made their recommendations, the Department of Family Services agreed to all of their recommendations.
I want my colleague to know that we have agreed to all of the recommendations and we are working urgently to make sure that we have foster care parents.
Can the minister tell us how many, if any, foster homes currently have children in care without having a completed home study?
Minister of Family Services, (interpretation ends) Hon. Member Ms. Ugyuk.
I don’t immediately know off hand about uncompleted home studies and that’s how I can reply to the question.
Can the minister tell us what steps are being taken to ensure that the children are not placed in foster homes without a home study and to make sure that criminal records checks are done of all adults in the house and that other required checks are being completed?
Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. What my colleague is asking in regard to social workers and being a previous social worker, I know that we cannot place a child in a home without a home study. I believe we have to have a home study before placing a child.
If that’s not the case, I can discuss this matter. If my colleague knows if there was a case about this, I would like to have a discussion with him.
If the individuals want to become foster parents, they have to apply.
Question 191 – 4(2): Information on Casuals (Hickes)
Earlier this year, in the Standing Committee on Oversight of Government Operations and Public Accounts, a question was asked and a written response was provided by the minister’s office on the number of casual staff that they have.
Mr. Speaker, I received some correspondence just yesterday and it lists that there are 20 casual staff in the Department of Family Services, of which 4 are beneficiaries and 16 are non-beneficiaries.
I’m sure, with that question, the minister was briefed in a little bit more detail than this letter was providing.
I guess my initial question would be: how many of those 20 casual staffing positions are administrative and how many are program-related in Family Services?
I believe the member was asking about a position. Can the member ask me the question again? I didn’t quite hear him.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Mr. Hickes, can you please repeat your question.
Mr. Hickes: My apologies, Mr. Speaker, I should have mentioned the department right at the very beginning.
I was asking: out of the 20 casual staffing positions that are listed, how many of them are administrative and how many are program-related?
I would like to say that I will respond to that question when I’m able to respond.
Just for the record, the minister’s department can get some of the information and save me the bother of having to ask this next question at a future date.
If she could also provide the information on how many contract positions and how many internal transfers from other GN departments, how many contract positions, and how many positions are acting in other positions than they’re actually hired to be working in.
When I think I hear a question asked in the form of a notice, (interpretation ends) I take the question as notice.
Question 192 – 4(2): Poverty Reduction Roundtable (Mikkungwak)
My second question today will be to the Minister of Family Services.
During our spring sitting, a number of my colleagues brought this up and at the same time, some of them were taken as notice, but at the same time, we have received some information from the minister to the House.
My question to the minister today will be on the round table for poverty reduction. To date, there have been a number of studies and various meetings, and possibly a number of meetings in the near future.
Can the minister advise the House today when all of these studies and meetings will conclude and actually have an action plan for the territory regarding poverty reduction?
Although I was listening to my colleague’s question, I didn’t quite understand it.
I know that he was talking about meetings next month and I know that we are now working on a five-year plan, but I didn’t quite understand what the question was.
I’ll try and rephrase my question here.
My question is to the Minister of Family Services.
During the spring sitting, a number of my colleagues had asked regarding poverty reduction, some of which were taken as notice and some of which have received correspondence regarding poverty reduction.
There have been a number of studies that have taken place throughout the territory, there have been some meetings that have already taken place, and there are future meetings that will be occurring.
My question to the minister today is: when will the studies and the meetings conclude and have an action plan for the territory of Nunavut regarding poverty reduction?
I would also like to thank my colleague for asking that question in regard to poverty reduction.
Yes, we hold meetings and we are working on ironing out this program as it is a new program and we are now working on the five-year plan.
As I stated earlier today, we are working on Inunnguiniq.
A meeting will be held next month on parenting and (interpretation ends) poverty reduction, (interpretation) which the Department of Family Services is working on.
Topics will include food prices, the lack of housing, and the five-year plan from 2014 to 2019.
The Nunavut Food Security Coalition is also involved.
On the homelessness strategy, there are quite a few plans that we are working on and we have not made a decision yet, so I can’t provide a proper response to the member.
I understand that there are going to be all kinds of meetings taking place.
What timeline will the department and all of these organizations determine?
Enough of studies. Enough of meetings. Let’s start putting the money out to the people.
What is the department working towards so that hungry people can be fed?
Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would also like to thank my colleague for asking for clear information.
Next month, during this sitting, I’ll be able to provide that information as to when we can actually start.
As MLAs, we will be asking our communities to be involved in the plan.
I understand that there will be meetings and they are going to decide.
My final supplementary is: at this final meeting, will there be recommendations set forth to accommodate all communities across the territory, 25 communities in Nunavut, to ensure poverty reduction is equally treated across the territory?
I thank my colleague for requesting information on that.
As I stated earlier, we are inviting the hamlets to come to the meeting and that is quite clear.
We also know that some people who are invited to meetings do not arrive.
We will only know who arrived when the meeting starts.
Question 193 – 4(2): Records Checks for Foster Homes (Hickes)
I have another question for the Minister responsible for Family Services.
Mr. Speaker, earlier in a question from one of my colleagues, Mr. Joanasie, he was asking about the assessment records check for foster home approval.
At that time, the minister was, if I understood the response properly, unsure on whether all of them have been done.
I was just going over the correspondence from the standing committee when her department was appearing in front of it, and again in one of the written responses that was provided to the committee, it talks to the foster home and care providers have to undergo, and I’m quoting this, “a detailed assessment and records check prior to being approved to care for a child.”
My concern is that there are children in care of some of these homes or facilities prior to them being approved. Could the minister maybe clarify her earlier response for me?
I thank my colleague for requesting clarification of this matter.
When children are put into foster homes, they are given out to recognized foster homes or if they can be taken over by their relatives, then we look into that.
It is a two-part thing. We call it kinship.
I will look for more information on the matter. Our staff is listening right now and if there is anybody in that situation, I will want to be informed.
I look forward to that further detailed information.
The minister’s response brought up another question when she talks about the kinship category of placing children.
Do those family members still undergo the same criminal records check and detailed assessments that the other foster families go through?
I thank my fellow MLA for requesting information on that.
I have been working with social services for a long time and I know that the children who are taken over by kinship rules are looked at to see if there is someone with a criminal record in the home and to make sure that children are kept in safe places in Nunavut.
I will request clarification on this matter from the officials in my department.
During that clarification, with her department, if she could also clarify if all members of the household go through the same check, up to and including adult children who may be residing in the home.
I will request clarification on that question as well from my departmental officials. No children should be in a dangerous spot in Nunavut.
Question 194 – 4(2): Nunavut Harvester Support Program (Savikataaq)
In the spring sitting, I asked the minister about his Hunter Support Program, in particular, the Fur Pricing Program.
He said it was being under review and he would come out with one in the fall, either the same one or a revised one.
September 21 is the fall in the calendar. We are in our fall sitting.
I would like to ask the minister if he has finished reviewing his Hunter Support Program.
Mr. Johnny Mike (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
It’s only the second day of the fall session.
I stated in the spring session that this would be worked on during the summer.
My staff has been working on some very difficult matters like caribou and polar bear issues, as well as other things. I can say now that the Hunter Support Program that goes through the Wildlife Division is what the government has been planning under the Sivumut Abluqta plan.
I can say right now that things have been delayed because of the fact that they had such a heavy workload.
I hope to provide you with information only in the new year.
It is being worked on, but we had expected to have it done and it turns out we cannot.
As I explained, we’ve had capacity issues and the staff that we do have had a heavy workload.
Can the minister clarify if the review will be done in the calendar year ending in December 2014 or the fiscal year ending in March 2015?
I thank my colleague for asking these questions.
By saying “new year,” I mean by January.
It is being reviewed properly and anything that will be affected by this is also being looked at. We’re making sure that we know what things it will affect as well. We expect to have the report done by January.
January is not that many months away.
Can the minister let us know whether he has changed his mind on paying the shipping of fur to other fur buyers? That’s just one little part of it. Can he let the House know if he has changed his position on that?
Hon. Johnny Mike (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s under review and we’re trying to see how we can improve those matters for the Fur Pricing Program.
Like I said, it is being reviewed.
In regard to your question, it’s being reviewed as well, to be able to buy raw, untreated furs and skins.
However, I don’t know right now how that will work before the planning has been completed. The review hasn’t been completed, as I said, and after the review has been completed, we will be able to provide you with more information.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Members will note that the time for question period has expired and we will proceed to Item 7.
Hon. Member Mr. Sammurtok.
Tabled Document 041 – 4(2): Office of the Fire Marshal 2013 Annual Report (Sammurtok)
Hon. Tom Sammurtok: Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to table the Office of the Fire Marshal 2013 Annual Report.
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters. Bill 8 with Mr. Enook in the Chair.
>>House recessed at 15:23 and Committee resumed at 15:45
Chairman (Mr. Enook)(interpretation): Good afternoon, members. I would now like to call the first committee meeting to order.
To Nunavummiut listening on the radio and watching the televised proceedings, welcome to the fall sitting of the Legislative Assembly.
In Committee of the Whole, we have the following item to deal with: Bill 8.
Mr. Rumbolt: Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and good afternoon. Mr. Chairman, we wish to commence with the review of the capital appropriation starting with the Department of Economic Development and Transportation.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Rumbolt. Does the committee agree that we first deal with the capital appropriation for the Department of Economic Development and Transportation?
Bill 08 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2015-2016 – Economic Development and Transportation – Consideration in Committee
Minister Kuksuk, do you have any witnesses that you would like to bring to the table?
Hon. George Kuksuk (interpretation): Yes, indeed.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. The committee is in full agreement.
As we proceed, Minister Kuksuk, for the record, please introduce your witnesses. Minister Kuksuk.
With me today to my right is my Deputy Minister, Pauloosie Suvega, and to my left is my Associate Deputy Minister of Transportation, Jim Stevens. There are other witnesses here in the Gallery that I can introduce, if you would like, but they are not here at the table.
Perhaps if you need them to go to the witness table, you will be able to introduce them and I will ask you to introduce them if need be.
I would now like to give you an opportunity, as we are reviewing the Department of Economic Development and Transportation, to make your opening remarks.
Good day, my fellow Nunavummiut.
I would like you to know that I’ll be speaking in English.
(interpretation ends) I am pleased to be here today to review the Department of Economic Development and Transportation’s capital plan for 2015-16 with the Committee of the Whole.
The department is proposing an $81,426,000 capital plan for the 2015-16 fiscal year.
This capital plan will provide for important projects supporting the needs of Nunavummiut using Nunavut’s transportation system across air, sea, and land modes.
Iqaluit International Airport
A significant portion of this budget consists of funding in the amount of $77,226,000 for the Iqaluit International Airport Improvement Project. This project is the largest and most complex project that this government has undertaken.
The funding in 2015-16 will be used to service our payment obligations under the current P3 project agreement.
This number reflects a technical accounting change to the budget to reflect the actual amount that is spent on the project in each year.
Previous capital estimates have included the GN cash component, but not the debt amount.
There is no change to the GN portion of this appropriation.
As my colleagues know, the construction of this project began in June of 2014.
The private partner in this P3 project, Arctic Infrastructure Limited Partners, or AILP, assumed operation of the airport on July 21 of this year, 2014.
An audit on AILP’s compliance with the provisions for Inuit engagement in the project is now underway.
Once completed, the results will be provided to members.
The funding for this project comes from three sources: the federal agency P3 Canada, the Government of Nunavut, and the private partner.
The Government of Nunavut begins to pay its portion back to AILP starting now and ending in 2048.
A value-for-money analysis determined that the Government of Nunavut would save in excess of $100 million over this period by choosing this method of financing compared to the cost of constructing and operating the airport in the traditional way.
With the arrival of structural steel for the air terminal and combined services buildings on sealift last week, I am pleased to report that this project is proceeding as planned.
Nunavut Airports
Mr. Chairman, in addition to the funding for the Iqaluit International Airport, there are other airport projects, more precisely, airport equipment purchases, under $250,000, which are grouped together under the heading of Small Capital Projects.
We have allocated $599,000 to complete these projects, which will include new runway inspection vehicles for two communities, as well as maintenance equipment like compactors and blower attachments for a number of communities.
Several larger equipment purchases will be made under the Minor Capital project heading. Under this heading, we have allocated $1.7 million to purchase loaders for Grise Fiord and Repulse Bay, plow trucks for Clyde River and Qikiqtarjuaq, and a grader for Kugaaruk.
Kivalliq Regional Visitor Centre
The Kivalliq is the only Nunavut region without a visitor centre. Although no funds are allotted for construction of the Rankin Inlet facility in 2015-16, a final draft design is being prepared for the building using carryover funds from the previous fiscal year.
Class “A” estimates will be developed for the construction of the facility commencing in fiscal year 2016-17.
Another $101,000 in small capital funding will be set aside to perform required renovations at our visitor centres in Iqaluit, Pangnirtung, and Cambridge Bay.
Mr. Chairman, we have included $500,000 in this capital plan to make minor improvements to community marine facilities across Nunavut.
While modest, this investment demonstrates our commitment to the development of marine infrastructure and is essential to our continued efforts to encourage the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to invest in small craft harbours in Nunavut.
We propose making the majority of the funding for community marine facilities available to communities under contribution agreements so that communities can work on the priority project they have identified.