EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Mr. Curley, questions can only be asked to the ministers about the portfolios that they have been assigned.
So, as the minister does not have any portfolios that are assigned to him, I would have to rule the question out of order.
Question 347 – 3(3): Responsibilities of Minister without Portfolio (Curley)
I’ll redirect my question to the Deputy Premier, Acting Premier.
Since the last sitting of April, the Premier convinced the Regular Caucus that the current cabinet was faced with a heavy workload. Can the Deputy Premier provide a list of specific assignments that the Premier or cabinet has assigned to the current minister without portfolio?
Deputy Premier, Minister Taptuna.
I can’t answer that question today. I just won’t be able to answer that question on behalf of the minister without portfolio, so I refuse to answer that question.
I just want assurance from the minister that you will provide a list of assignments as well as the specific files that he had been assigned to offload the heavy workload that the Premier indicated that the current cabinet has.
Will you do that during the sitting of this House?
Can the minister indicate why he does not wish to provide a list of assignments?
The taxpayers of Nunavut expect accountability for all ministers.
This is a difficult year for many Nunavutmiut and the cabinet is faced with a number of issues.
Therefore, the regular members on this side trust the Premier when she asks for an extra minister, that she be provided with an Executive Council member.
Can the minister indicate exactly why he does not wish to provide assignments that the Premier has provided to the minister without portfolio?
The portfolios the minister had were assigned to the remaining cabinet members. At this time, I can’t comment on the assignments until after the reviews are done with the Integrity Commissioner.
Speaker: Thank you, Minister Taptuna. Your final supplementary, Mr. Curley.
Mr. Curley: Will the Deputy [Premier] then confirm to the House that the minister without portfolio is not being given any extra assignment, whether it be a small project or whatnot, that he is doing absolutely nothing?
The Premier has the prerogative to assign portfolios and files to cabinet members. Once her determination is made, I’m sure she will let the House know.
Question 348 – 3(3): Update on Audits (Elliott)
In this year’s Budget Address by the Minister of Finance, it was quoted that, to be clear, “…we have no greater challenge than housing.” According to the Nunavut Housing Needs Survey, Nunavut needs nearly 3,600 housing units to address homelessness, overcrowding, and major repairs. Each year, this number will rise by 90 housing units.
In terms of the minister’s predecessor, before his portfolio was removed, and we had asked questions during the winter sitting about looking into the Nunavut Housing Trust, there was going to be a forensic audit.
This was sort of alluded to, the release of federal dollars to be able to do more construction.
It was when we left the winter sitting that the minister of the time was going to be meeting with officials to look into this forensic audit. In terms of the scope of work, is the audit still going forward and, if the scope is there, what is it?
Hon. Peter Taptuna: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the Member for Quttiktuq for that excellent question.
No, there is not going to be a forensic audit. There was a review done by auditors which concluded that all the construction and finances were accounted for.
I noticed in the federal government’s budget that there was no allocation of funding for Nunavut housing units or any increase in funding from the federal government to help with the 3,600 housing units that we require. Has there been any indication from the federal government whether we will be receiving this funding to start building some of these houses?
As the minister responsible for the housing corporation, we recognize that there is a lot of need for more houses in Nunavut.
As the minister responsible, we will be continuing to lobby the federal government.
It wasn’t in the Throne Speech or in the budget speech that Ottawa provided, but that doesn’t mean that we’re going to stop there and wait around for another election period, no.
We’re meeting with the federal ministers and our MP to lobby on our behalf for more housing units in Nunavut.
There definitely is a need for funding, and dollars seem to be getting stretched and programs seem to continue to be cut by the federal government. So it’s nice to know that our MP and your department are working towards getting the funding needed to build these houses.
All of this seems to be based around the Nunavut Housing Trust and the affordable housing initiative. I was wondering if the minister had some statistics today to tell us if all of the Nunavut Housing Trust houses are built and complete, and whether they’re on time and within budget. I think that’s what we were told for many years, and as well, the affordable housing initiative.
Yes, everything is on schedule. In fact, the senior officials at the Nunavut Housing Corporation put in an application to carryover seven units from Canada’s Economic Action Plan funding to go beyond the March 31 deadline of 2012. That was approved by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.
Also in this year’s budget for operations and maintenance, I believe the Nunavut Housing Corporation received an additional $10.6 million to go to the cost of utilities and maintenance, I’m assuming, for the new units.
Is this $10.6 million going to be an ongoing amount that will be required in the Nunavut Housing Corporation’s budget?
The Nunavut Housing Corporation has a lot of units and, of course, it costs money to maintain, roughly $22,000 to $23,000 a year each. Of course, the amount that he quoted is not going to be the same every year, but depending on fuel costs and other variables that are factored into the budget, it’s around that amount.
As you know, it’s approximately $23,000 to keep a unit warm.
Question 349 – 3(3): Changes to Old Age Security (Curley)
Mr. Curley: Thank you. Mr. Speaker, during the last federal budget, there were a number of economic issues that were stated by the federal government, mainly the issues related to old age security.
[Eligibility] was going to be increased to 67 years to qualify for that program.
Nunavutmiut are faced with very challenging economic issues and it’s due to the fact that there are not many economic opportunities in the labour market or job skills in Nunavut.
Yet the cabinet or the government remained silent when the federal minister was hopping around the country that he was saving Canadian economic funds to lower the deficit and all of that.
Why did the current Minister of Finance remain dead silent when Nunavutmiut are faced with a very important program being increased, that you will not be qualified until a certain age like 67 years old in the years ahead?
I thank Mr. Curley for his concern about the older population in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, coming out against the federal Minister of Finance in the public… . They have already made their decisions.
Our MP is well aware of our concerns. She’s at the cabinet table. We talk to her.
It’s coming out in the media. The media doesn’t always get the stories correct in the first place and you can’t guarantee that they will state what you say. When I’m at the FPT finance meetings once or twice a year, I have the opportunity to talk to the Minister of Finance about a number of issues that affect all Nunavummiut.
Mr. Speaker, it doesn’t matter whether the minister of the federal government has made up his mind or not.
What’s important is that this cabinet must demonstrate, on behalf of Nunavutmiut, that we object to certain provisions that they’re proposing.
Our MP should not be sitting complacently just because the federal government and the federal Minister of Finance propose to change the rules of the game.
We are in a very different equation when it gets to certain economic safety net programs. These are important to Nunavutmiut because our [cost] of living is really quite high. It has been demonstrated throughout communities that the cost of living is unaffordable these days.
It’s not too late, Mr. Speaker, to lobby the federal government, to object, even to our own MP, that the threshold for qualifying for old age pension should not be changed in Nunavut. We could get an exception, no doubt about it, if we lobby that hard.
Can the minister indicate that he is willing to do so or has he completely given up on Nunavutmiut?
I thank Mr. Curley for his comments.
Mr. Speaker, Mr. Curley and I have known each other for a long time.
He knows I never give up on Nunavummiut and Nunavut. If we did that, there would be no point in any of us being here today.
I know there are all kinds of media reports and other reports out there that say that Nunavut is a terrible place to live, that life expectancy is low, that food security is a big issue, that there are no jobs, that there’s no industry, but we have to believe there are brighter days ahead.
Otherwise, there’s no point in us being here, Mr. Speaker. So I’m not going to give up on Nunavut and Nunavummiut.
I hope Mr. Curley doesn’t either.
Mr. Speaker, when the federal minister stands up and makes a budget speech, he’s not just making changes to the Income Tax Act or other programs that affect one jurisdiction; they affect all jurisdictions across Canada. As I said earlier, when we get together as finance ministers at FPT meetings once or twice a year with Minister Flaherty, we have a good round table discussion.
We have private meetings as a group and talk about all sorts of issues that affect all Canadians.
If the Minister of Finance has given up completely on the federal minister of Canada to provide exception for raising the old age qualifying threshold, what he could possibly do is at least indicate whether he’s willing to provide supplementary old age security assistance to offset what the federal government has created for Nunavutmiut.
I thank Mr. Curley again for his concerns and raising awareness.
As I said, we have a very good working relationship with the Minister of Finance for Canada.
I don’t have the details here, but I believe there are special programs for seniors in Nunavut to help them offset their cost of living.
Mr. Curley is well aware of that.
So I am not prepared to entertain another special program for people who are retiring or reaching old age at the age of 67 in 2023. I believe that’s a long ways off. Nevertheless, we will have to monitor the outcome and see where things go.
Question 350 – 3(3): Poverty Reduction Plan (Elliott)
In November of 2011, the Premier and the president of NTI had the Poverty Reduction Summit, and then during the winter sitting, there was the release of the action plan.
I was wondering if the minister would be able to give an update as to what has been happening with the Poverty Reduction Strategy since that time.
The legislation that we have been considering, first, the government requires partnership with NTI and that’s very essential that we get that first from NTI.
At this point, as promised throughout the Tamapta Action Plan and the Poverty Reduction Plan, we intend to do that. We intend to communicate fully with our partners and essentially have an agreement before we come up with a strategy that we already know is going to be there.
The strategy has already been worked out. It’s just a matter of getting agreements with our partners, which is essential to make the strategy work.
I know the poverty reduction legislation that the minister was talking about was only one part of the actual action plan.
So it’s nice to know that the Government of Nunavut is working closely with NTI on doing that.
One of the things I question is: with 18 months left in this Assembly, does the minister feel that that would be an adequate amount of time to be able to go through the process collaboratively with NTI, to come up with the legislative proposal, do the consultation, have it go through the House, and be enacted in time for the October 2013 deadline?
A very good question from the Member of Quttiktuq.
Mr. Speaker, this legislation involves a lot of round table partners, NTI, of course, the Inuit organizations, and a number of community members who participate in the round table discussions.
It’s critical.
Again, Mr. Speaker, this is critical legislation that will help benefit those folks who are in need, in poverty in Nunavut.
We intend to do that with our partners.
I’m quite confident that we will be able to do that before the mandate runs out.
Again, with the sensitive nature and obviously, as the minister has pointed out, the program would want to be rolled out properly and everyone consulted.
Is there a detailed timeline as to when different aspects of the legislation would be carried out in terms of a legislative proposal completed on such a date, the consultations completed in round table format on such a date, and then at the same time, the idea of legislation entering the House on such a date.
Again, I think everyone wants to make sure that the legislation is properly consulted so that it meets the needs of people in Nunavut, but then I think all members on this side of the House want to be able to have a fair time to be able to see the legislation, go back to our communities, and see if that legislation works for our communities.
We don’t necessarily want to be rushed to fit into a timeline that isn’t appropriate or adequate.
Is there a detailed schedule of what his department is looking at in terms of getting this done?
As I said earlier, it’s essential that we get agreement from NTI. That’s our first step to formalizing legislation for poverty reduction. NTI, being our co-sponsor for implementing and coming up with a strategy, including the legislation, I expect the first step would be to get a memorandum of understanding with them.
We’re expecting that by next month.
Mr. Elliott: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Also, within the action plan, I had asked questions yesterday to the Minister of Health and Social Services.
It was determined that, I believe, it was about $480,000 or $435,000 that was being committed in terms of resources from his department through federal funding to help with food security.
It was based around questions on the Nunavut Food Coalition, which is jointly between, I believe, your department or the Government of Nunavut and NTI.
I was wondering if the minister could actually provide us with an update as to whether the Nunavut Food Coalition has been established, as he pointed out earlier, whether there’s a memorandum of understanding, and when this coalition will actually be up and running and functioning for the communities.
There were a number of questions there.
Minister of Economic Development and Transportation, you can answer any one of them you want or all of them; it’s up to you.
It is a very important initiative to benefit Nunavummiut who are in poverty.
As you know, 68 percent of our young people go to school without eating.
So it is a critical file and an important file for Nunavummiut. Yes, we expect to have our food coalition members in place. We’ve also got to remember that in Article 32 of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement, we have to pay a special tribute to that and make sure that we’re in line with Article 32 of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement.
In partnership with NTI, we intend to do that.
We intend to reduce poverty in Nunavut, according to our Tamapta Mandate, and as I said earlier, we’re expecting an agreement from NTI within a month. From there, we can create some legislation, have some clear strategy on exactly who is going to be responsible for the food coalition and food distribution thing, even though the communities are in a process of doing these things on their own, which we want the communities to do, to empower themselves in doing some of these things to reduce poverty in Nunavut.
Again, Mr. Speaker, the food coalition is going to be led by a committee. With this Poverty Reduction Strategy, it’s going to be in there somewhere with respect to Article 32 of the Nunavut Land Claims [Agreement].
Members will note that the allotted time for Oral Questions, Item 6 in the Orders of the Day, is expired.
Tabled Document 186 – 3(3): May 22, 2012 Presentation to the Nunavut Impact Review Board by the Baker Lake Hunters and Trappers Organization on the Kiggavik Proposal (Aupaluktuq)
I have the honour today of tabling the May 22, 2012 presentation to the Nunavut Impact Review Board that was made by the Baker Lake Hunters and Trappers Organization.
I encourage all members to review this document with care. (interpretation) Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.
Tabled Document 187 – 3(3): Arctic Bay DEA Press Release: Community Library (Elliott)
I wish to table an Inuktitut and English copy of the press release provided by the Arctic Bay District Education Authority regarding its decision to move the public library of the school.
Mr. Speaker, I would note that the Hamlet of Arctic Bay has stepped in and will provide a new location for the public library.
Tabled Document 188 – 3(3): Hamlet of Pond Inlet Correspondence on Doctor Position (Enook)
I wish to table a letter from the Hamlet of Pond Inlet regarding the lack of a community doctor. Attached to the letter is a copy of a motion passed by the hamlet council regarding the hiring of a doctor for the community of Pond Inlet.
Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned earlier today, I urge the Minister of Health and Social Services to review these documents and give them his full consideration.
Tabled Document 189 – 3(3): Speaker’s Exchange of Correspondence of February 24, 2012 and March 1, 2012 with the Member for Rankin Inlet South and Whale Cove (Speaker)
Tabled Document 190 – 3(3): Speaker’s List of Outstanding Statutory Tabling Requirements (Speaker)
Members, as I noted in my statement earlier today, I am tabling a recent exchange of correspondence with the Hon. Member for Rankin Inlet South and Whale Cove.
Also, members, I wish to table today a list of outstanding statutory tabling requirements. This list is current as of the end of the May 29, 2012 sitting of the House.
Bill 38 – An Act to Amend the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act – Notice
The first one is: I give notice that on Friday, June 1, 2012, that Bill 38, An Act to Amend the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, be read for the first time.
Bill 39 – An Act to Amend the Judicature Act – Notice
Hon. Daniel Shewchuk: Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Friday, June 1, 2012, that Bill 39, An Act to Amend the Judicature Act, be read for the first time.
Speaker: Thank you very much, Minister Shewchuk.
Bills 36 and 37 with Mr. Ningeongan in the Chair.
Chairman (Mr. Ningeongan): Qujannamiik, Members. (interpretation) We’re back.
In Committee of the Whole, we have the following items to deal with: Bills 36 and 37.
We wish to proceed with the review of Bill 36, followed by Bill 37, and when complete, we wish to report progress at that time.
Are we in agreement to proceed with the review of Bill 36?
Bill 36 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 1, 2012-2013 – Consideration in Committee
I would now like to ask the Minister of Finance, Mr. Peterson, if he would like to make his opening comments.
Proceed?
I am pleased to present Bill 36, Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, No. 1, 2012-2013.
Bill 36 is for the operations and maintenance supplementary appropriation for 2012-13, totalling $90,000.
$9,000 to Nunavut Arctic College for the acquisition of replacement furniture for the Creekside Village housing;
Interdepartmental transfer from Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs to Economic Development and Transportation of $641,000 to transfer the Energy Secretariat;
Interdepartmental transfer from Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs to Human Resources of $15,000 to fund the design, coordination, and delivery of services offered by the Canadian Executive Services Organization;
Interdepartmental transfer from Culture, Language, Elders and Youth to Community and Government Services of $5,871,000 to transfer Sport and Recreation;
Interdepartmental transfer from Culture, Language, Elders and Youth to Nunavut Arctic College of $3,579,000 to transfer the Piqqusilirivvik Administration Division; and
Interdepartmental transfer from Community and Government Services to Education of $116,000 for the end of the community transfer initiative in Cape Dorset.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Minister Peterson. I would like to ask if you have witnesses that you would like to bring to the table.
My colleagues, do we agree to bring in the witnesses?
To my right is Deputy Minister Chris D’Arcy, Deputy Minister of Finance, and to my left is Camilius Egeni, Director of Expenditure Management, Department of Finance.
I welcome your officials to the committee.
You already know the rules for the proceedings of the committee, so I won’t go through them. I would like to give you an opportunity to make general comments on the minister’s opening comments.
I’m sorry. I would like to ask if you have any general comments on Minister Peterson’s opening comments, not questions. You can ask your questions during the page-by-page review at the appropriate time.
Perhaps when we’re doing our clause-by-clause review of Bill 36, I will have some questions.
I want to comment on the Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth to ensure that the transfers to the Department of Community and Government Services will not be detrimental and too drastic to the youth.
At the appropriate time, I will have questions to the minister on this matter.
I have no more names on my list. Please go to your white legislation binders. Can we now proceed to page 4?
They’re in the white binders. (interpretation ends) Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs. Operations and Maintenance.
Not Previously Authorized. Directorate. Total Directorate. -$15,000. (interpretation) Do you agree?
At the bottom, (interpretation ends) Sustainable Development.
Total Sustainable Development.
Not Previously Authorized. -$641,000.
I just wanted to ask this question: what exactly does this $641,000 amount entail?
Is this the amount for the transferred positions or equipment?
Mr. Chairman, it would be the entire Energy Secretariat from Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs, which I think would include four staff.
I realize this is all stemming from the government’s redesign and shifting the departments from the Ken Lovely report.
I guess it is being done in stages.
With the four employees, I just worry sometimes in terms of, as we go through, there are other departments as well, and Mr. Ningark had mentioned about CLEY. When we’re shifting departments around, I’m just wondering: in terms of communication to the departments and communication to the employees, is it being explained what’s happening to their, I don’t know what I’ll call it, division?
I wouldn’t want employees being worried about being moved to other communities or losing jobs or things like that because I don’t think that’s what’s actually happening.
I think it’s just line items that we’re going to be shifting on the paper here.
Sometimes when people hear or mishear or things are misunderstood, it causes some confusion.
So I’m just wondering: in the Government of Nunavut, either through GLOs or through the Premier’s Office or through your communication plans, how are employees being told so that they get the proper information that they need to know about their department?
Mr. Chairman, this process we have engaged in since March of 2011 hasn’t been a secret; it has been talked about quite a bit. There have been a lot of consultations with departments. Decisions were made.
The departments themselves have communicated with employees. There’s no change to their work. There may be changes to who they report to.
The public themselves should not notice any impact on them.
We’re doing this to improve programs, services, and delivery for the government to Nunavummiut.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Minister Peterson. I have no more names on my list.
We are on (interpretation ends) Sustainable Development.
Total Sustainable Development. -$641,000. (interpretation) Do you agree?