EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): Aarluk Consulting is going to every Nunavut community to conduct a needs assessment. They will be looking at what needs improvement, what needs repair, what needs replacement, and so on.
They’re going into your communities, but they haven’t quite made it there yet.
We haven’t identified what date they’re going to your communities, but they have started travelling around.
On page 4 of 6, it talks about providing water for houses in our communities. The water has to be absolutely clean.
Does the minister or his officials know which water delivery system allows for cleaner water?
We know that sometimes the systems become dirty, although many people state that our water is the cleanest in the world. Which system is better?
Which keeps the water cleaner? Does the utilidor or trucked water system offer cleaner water?
Minister Kusugak, can you try and respond to the question.
Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): Yes, I can try and respond to the question.
I don’t know whether the utilidor system or trucked water is cleaner.
Usually, the trucks are kept clean.
So I can’t tell you which one is of better quality, but I can tell you that we do have safety officers and all supply water is drinkable.
Mr. Ningark (interpretation): I wanted to make a comment on this, but I will give this to the Member for Quttiktuq.
Mr. Ningeongan, you wanted to make a comment and you can go ahead.
I found this out in Chesterfield Inlet while I was there.
Gravel crushers are not easily available in the communities, and they arrive only every so many years.
I know the government is aware of this, particularly when gravel crushing is paid for by the government, most likely rentals, I believe, and that is not a cheap method.
It is probably why the government is often reluctant to provide gravel crushing services to the communities.
I would like to know if this issue has been reconsidered.
Knowing that the gravel crusher would be circulated among the communities, when the other communities have their turn to access the gravel crusher for replenishing their granular stocks to maintain their roads and airports, will this be scheduled?
This is what I want clarified. When the gravel crusher schedule is set up, they should be crushing gravel for all the community needs, from gravel for roads to airports to foundations, not just for government needs. I would like to know if consideration will be given to crushing gravel for all local needs.
Minister Kusugak, can you respond to the question.
Yes, that’s the whole idea; it is exactly what we want to do.
Right now, we have initiated a pilot project in the Kitikmeot and it’s something we want to see.
Let me use Chesterfield Inlet as an example. If the gravel crusher went there, I’m sure that they will produce an adequate supply and move on to another community.
Once adequate granular stocks have been produced, they would become the responsibility of the hamlet council.
Under the hamlet, the granular stock would be available and/or sold to other organizations that require it. It is our vision that from there, they could generate enough revenue to purchase their own gravel crusher.
Once there is adequate gravel made in a particular community, the gravel crusher would move on to another community in need and they would be free to decide on who would get this gravel, whether it be free, or if they would sell the gravel to private sources. The gravel crusher would then be sent to another community. The community would have discretion to determine what to do with the extra tonnage.
Mr. Ningeongan, do you have another question?
(interpretation ends) Proceed.
I would like to thank the minister for providing that information.
Some of the communities will have to wait, even though they have depleted their granular stocks, and they will have to wait a long time.
Is it too expensive to provide a gravel crusher in each region?
When the Kitikmeot is done, that gravel crusher would go to the Kivalliq and the Baffin, but how will that work?
I would like to get further clarification on that, please.
I regret it if I didn’t get my point across as it’s a very good question and I’m sorry if this was not clear or understandable to my colleagues.
If this pilot project proves successful, then we would have to order more gravel crushers.
Since we have one going around in the Kitikmeot communities, we would require one to be provided to the Kivalliq region and then another one for the Baffin region. So if we require two crushers to meet our needs, based on distances and the requirements for more crushers, then we will attempt to do that.
Right now, we only have the one gravel crusher.
However, if this pilot project is successful, then each region will have a revolving gravel crusher.
When is the pilot project going to end in the Kitikmeot?
I do not see any reference to a completion date. When do they anticipate completing the pilot project?
Secondly, Coral Harbour was mentioned as having an adequate supply of granular stocks. We are more than willing to sell it to the other communities.
Right now, they’re not making any more gravel.
I believe they have turned to making the roads.
We would like to see this pilot project start in the summer and we will make sure that we keep you updated on this pilot project.
To the minister’s opening comments.
I just had some questions to the member’s statement on page 5 of 6 in terms of the federal infrastructure dollars that are coming and whatnot.
I know with the economic action plan that has been talked about a lot, there have been a lot of pictures in the paper and whatnot of different announcements.
Specifically, in terms of money that’s going to Nunavut, there is an article in The Canadian Press where the Rankin Inlet Mayor, John Hickes, was not happy or he doesn’t feel that the money is doing anything in Nunavut.
You gave us an overview in your statement about some of the projects that have been started and whatnot, but it’s per capita funding.
And really, is it $3.2 million that’s coming in terms of the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund?
Chairman (interpretation): Minister Kusugak, can you try and respond.
Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): Yes, I can.
On this issue, I will have Mr. Green respond to your question if that’s okay with you, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman (interpretation): I didn’t know Mr. Green had that responsibility. Please proceed, Mr. Green.
The member is right that the stimulus fund was $3.6 million and it was funded on a per capita basis. So that was the total amount of funding that the GN received under this program and the GN was required to match it by $3.6 million as well, for a total of $7.2 million.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. Mr. Elliott, do you have another question?
Continuing with the same line of questioning, you mentioned the $248 million over seven years.
My understanding is that the federal government allocated a sort of block funding of something like $25 million over seven years or the government had the option of taking the money sort of all at once.
I think the Yukon Premier, Dennis Fentis, had said that they’re overburdened and they were going to do it over the seven years.
Just out of curiosity, are we taking the $248 million right away or are we doing it over seven years with like $25 million each year?
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Elliott. (interpretation ends) I think you need to study northern politics. That’s Mr. Fentie for the Yukon.
Okay? (interpretation) Minister Kusugak, if you would respond, please.
Yes, (interpretation ends) we will be taking it over seven years.
Mr. Elliott: Qujannamiik, thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I thank you for pointing that out. I’ll get it right sooner or later.
On page 3 of 6, I’m glad you actually mentioned Grise Fiord. I know everyone up there in the community is really excited about not only the fact of getting a new GN building and having the ability to have some really nice office space but also a community hall.
They’re really excited about that and it’s a good example of the partnerships that can be developed in partnership with the community and also with the different departments.
But I think one of the ones that was left out was Nunavut Arctic College as well.
There was an understanding there too that once the old hamlet office is finished, it will then be used as a community learning centre.
I know that with the community’s work towards lifelong learning, that’s a really important thing for them.
I’m not quite sure if this is quite the place to ask it, but in one of the comments from the co-chairs about transfers of money and whatnot, there was $1 million that was transferred to Rankin Inlet for one of their projects and $1 million from this specific project that you mentioned here.
Is that going to, in any way, slow down the process of having it come through?
Chairman: Like this and that, moving them around.
Yes, shuffling. (interpretation) Can someone respond to the question?
Hon. Lorne Kusugak: My understanding of the funding that we get from the federal government is it has to be spent up front. Because of the delay in this project, because of the way that we will be doing things cooperatively, we just transferred it and it shouldn’t hamper the construction of this program at the end of the day.
The minister talked about safe drinking water and also mentioned about sewage lagoons and whatnot.
I’m just curious to find out in terms of the ongoing… .
There has been a lot of media press about the utilidor system and Mr. Ningark sort of commented about that.
Could the minister actually give us an update as to what’s been happening in Resolute Bay just to let everyone know?
There was a meeting there this Monday night.
Chairman (interpretation): Minister Kusugak, can you elaborate on that issue, please.
Hon. Lorne Kusugak: Yes, Mr. Chairman.
Our staff was there to meet with the municipality recently.
It’s work in progress and there’s nothing significant to report at this time.
We will keep the member and the community informed as things progress on the utilidor issue in Resolute Bay.
Again, with what’s been going on and some of the expectations of what we’re looking at in Quttiktuq with the military presence and DND, Resolute Bay seems to be becoming a centre where they would like to have military training.
As well, we’re hoping to be successful in the bid for the High Arctic Research Centre, but there’s also the Polar Continental Shelf that’s there already.
There’s a lot of interest and hopefully, maybe a lot of traffic, but if there’s a lot of traffic, there’s going to be more water and sewage being used.
Has that been put into account in terms of what you guys are planning for Resolute Bay?
Chairman: Minister Kusugak.
Hon. Lorne Kusugak: Yes, those very points are part and parcel of this whole process.
All of those things are being taken into account at this time, those and other things, of course, on the matter, Mr. Chairman.
You have five minutes, Mr. Elliott.
Mr. Elliott: Thank you very much.
Yes, I’ve got five more minutes and I want to give Patricia another story.
Can you confirm if your department has been in touch with DND to sort of talk to them and talk about numbers and people coming into the community and people coming out of the community?
Hon. Lorne Kusugak: Just to let Patricia and Ron know, yes, we have been in contact with the Department of National Defence.
But it’s a long process, Mr. Chairman.
We have been in communication with them and we will continue to be [in communication] with them and anybody else who feels and we feel have a vested or any kind of interest in the utilidor or trucked water issue, water issue in total, I guess, in Resolute Bay.
Could you explain or tell us how you have been working with ED&T on this as well?
I’m sure you’re aware that I think the airport in Resolute Bay is the only one that actually has a water and sewage I wouldn’t say problem but actually a sewage lagoon which mostly ED&T actually handles. So I’m assuming that you’re in communication with your department about that.
Minister Kusugak
Yes, he is correct and yes, we are.
To the issue, Mr. Elliott.
I was just hoping that the minister could be more specific and what has been done, whether there were meetings, whether they went up and toured, whether they’ve got figures on how much they plan to intake for water and sewage.
Right now, my concern is when you visit Resolute Bay and you go down to the waterfront, there’s this pipe that just sort of sticks out into the water and sewage runoff goes right in there.
That’s a concern for the community in terms of animal, wildlife, and things like that.
Chairman: …swimming and all of that.
I don’t know how much detail he wants or what will suffice, but we are working with the appropriate departments on this matter.
In fact, the consulting firm is up there right now.
Are there any other questions on that page? Mr. Elliott.
The minister mentioned some of the information I was hoping for. Which consulting firm is up there right now that he is talking about?
Hon. Lorne Kusugak: Trow Engineering.
We can now review the contents of the bill starting with H-3.
Capital Planning. Total Capital Expenditures. $26,359,000.
Chairman (interpretation): Do you agree to the contents of H-4?
Mr. Ningeongan, do you have your hand up?
Did you refer to the contents of H-4?
If that’s the case, I have a question for Minister Kusugak.
Chairman (interpretation): Yes, Mr. Ningeongan, we are looking at the total for both H-4 and H-5, which is $26,359,000.
The breakdown is on page H-4 and H-5, so you can ask your questions on any issues under those pages.
Mr. Ningeongan, what page would you like to ask a question on?
I have a question for H-4.
First of all, I would like to get some information about the Recreational Infrastructure Fund.
As the minister will recall, I asked him questions in the Legislative Assembly on June 5 this spring concerning the potential for improvements to arenas in my communities, including the ability to make artificial ice.
In his response to my question, the minister told me that his department would be doing a feasibility study on this issue in the communities of Coral Harbour and Arviat during the summer.
Can the minister tell me what the results of this review were or provide me with a copy of the report?
Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): I apologize.
What did you want a copy of?
Chairman (interpretation): Mr. Ningeongan, can you clarify your question.
Mr. Ningeongan: To provide me with a copy of the report.
I apologize. I should have asked you for that clarification.
Yes, you will be getting a copy as soon as it’s available.
We will probably have the feasibility study done around the end of February or at the beginning of March.
I’ll provide a copy of the report to you once it’s completed and to those members who are interested.
Earlier this year, the Legislative Assembly approved $440,000 for retrofits to the Rankin Inlet Arena.
I know that his department’s 2010-11 capital estimates include $100,000 in planning funding towards the construction of a brand new arena in Rankin Inlet.
I stated earlier that the substantiation sheet for this project includes an estimate of just over $16.1 million as the possible total cost for a new arena.
Will the minister be approaching the federal government for assistance and funding for this project?
Once the planning and design phase would be complete and we know the amounts that we’re talking about, yes, we would be approaching the federal government for funding for a significant part of this money.
During the minister’s presentation to the standing committee, I stated that the existing community arenas need to be retrofitted or renovated prior to any new arena being approved. I was disappointed to learn that there was $100,000 in the capital estimates for funding towards the planning of a new arena in Rankin Inlet.
Some communities have arenas that haven’t been renovated or retrofitted. When I saw that they were receiving a brand new arena, I was not very pleased due to the fact that the arena in Rankin Inlet is the only one that has artificial ice in the Kivalliq region.
Some of the communities didn’t receive any sort of additional funding for their recreational facilities. It seems like they’re just bypassing the needs of smaller communities. Some communities have had their recreational facilities in the capital plan and these have been arbitrarily removed.
I was not too happy with seeing this brand new arena request, Mr. Chairman, because this community bypassed other communities in dire need of renovating their arenas or other projects.
For example, in Coral Harbour, we tried to get a new school and it was taken off the capital plan.
All of these things transpired at the same time. Education is a very important priority for this government, at least on paper.
If they’re going to receive new recreational infrastructure and if this goes ahead… . Even without ever renovating many of the community arenas, they’re now building a brand new arena in a have community.
So I told the minister that I had an issue with this additional infrastructure request, Mr. Chairman.
I would just like to reiterate at this time that when communities prepare their capital plans, they usually have been requesting these recreational facilities for a very long time, yet they are surpassed when a community with existing facilities gets allocated a new arena.
I would like to ask the minister if he had noted those concerns expressed previously.
Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): Thank you. I am pleased that you have reiterated your question with respect to the new arena request.
If the project were to be approved and if the review proceeds with this new project, it would not commence this coming summer. They’re just making preparations for the future needs of the community.
Based on my colleague’s comments, I just want him to know that the funding for the construction of a new arena has no connection to the budgets for schools or health centres because they’re under separate funds which are administered by different departments.
If we look at the Building Canada Fund, the funds can only be used for recreational facilities and I wanted to clarify that for the members. For example, Coral Harbour residents might assume that the reason they’re not receiving a new school is because Rankin Inlet is receiving a new arena. They’re not connected and have no relation since they are under different funds.
With respect to your earlier comment about the funding that was approved in our June sitting to retrofit the arena in Rankin Inlet, the hamlet didn’t agree with that approval and they have declined the funds that were allocated.
As a matter of fact, some of the money has now been reallocated for renovations to Kugaaruk’s hamlet office and $242,000 will be budgeted for other projects.
The Hamlet of Rankin Inlet didn’t want the funding to retrofit the arena because they realized the allocation was insufficient to complete the retrofit. During the review, they looked at options with respect to retrofitting or building an addition to the arena.
They discovered that there was mould in the arena and that changed the scope of the project from just retrofitting to renovating the arena. With these additional requirements, they realized that it would cost over $8 million just to renovate the arena.
Those are the reasons why they declined the funding.
They didn’t want to waste the money, so they wanted the funding to be used for more useful items. So that is why $440,000 was allocated to the Kugaaruk Hamlet Office.
I believe that I understand how the system works, just like how the school is on a separate budget. However, I just used that as an example.
Our government’s first priority should be education. If we’re going to treat education as our priority, I believe you should be more sensitive to our priorities because the report card didn’t even mention recreational facilities.
Further, what I was trying to say, Mr. Chairman, is that recreational facilities in Nunavut haven’t been reviewed and they haven’t received any funding. The majority of the communities in Nunavut haven’t received any new facilities or the latest designs for these facilities.
The smaller communities seem to hardly ever get new facilities and that is the reason why I have made this comment.
Mr. Elliott has questions on those pages.
I can sympathize with Mr. Ningeongan.
Resolute Bay is finally getting their arena after 15 years of trying to fight for one or trying to get one as a smaller community.
They’re actually very excited that one is coming.
Under H-4, Nunavut – various, Small Capital, I had a question. In the 2009-2010 capital plan, there was money allocated for a bulldozer that was supposed to make its way up to Grise Fiord. In talking to the community, it has not made it there.
Is that going to be coming? This fiscal year is not over, but I’m wondering if that’s part of what’s going to be happening or if the minister could explain where that’s gone.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Elliott. (interpretation ends) Could you clarify which line item we’re talking about here?
Mr. Elliott: Sure.
If the Chairman looks on H-4, if you go just a little bit up, it says, “Nunavut - various, Small Capital ($250,000 or less).”
There is $3.9 million being allocated.
I’m just wondering if that is allocated to the bulldozer. Maybe there’s a transfer of money that we don’t know about yet that’s coming to purchase that.
I was wondering if that’s what it’s for.
Chairman: Sorry, Mr. Elliott.
You were talking about last year, something about a bulldozer going to your community, so I got confused. We’re trying to talk about next year.
Minister Kusugak, could you enlighten us on this one.
Yes. What we have started, the first cheques are going to be out now or pretty soon, right? The first cut of cheques went to the municipalities.
What we have been able to do with the municipalities is give them block funding annually starting now.
This money will enable the municipalities to purchase their own heavy equipment at times appropriate to them and not have to come to the government and say that they need a bulldozer or a loader or a grader.
In fact, this will enable the municipalities to set their own agenda in terms of purchasing mobile equipment for their communities.
This is what this block funding will be able to do so that they will have money and decide when they’re going to buy a bulldozer or a loader and fund it directly themselves.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Minister Kusugak. (interpretation ends) Do you have any further questions?
Next I have Mr. Schell.
In regard to this block funding, is it based on per capita or is it just so much for each community?
Hon. Lorne Kusugak: In consultations with the municipalities, and I know, having been a mayor and having travelled to the different meetings, you hear constantly that the smaller communities don’t get their fair share.
This gets away from that. Every municipality will be given an equal portion regardless of size; they will have the same amount of funding.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Mr. Schell, do you have further questions?
I have a very simple question for the minister. Did his department recommend that a brand new arena for Rankin Inlet be added to the capital plan or did the minister order that the new arena be put on the capital plan?
Chairman (interpretation): Minister Kusugak, can you respond to the question.
Hon. Lorne Kusugak: I didn’t order anything, Mr. Chairman.
Are there any other questions on those pages?
I believe the total is for pages H-3, H-4, and H-5.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Chairman, my question is on page H-5, Repulse Bay. I find the term “regional” kind of not definitive or inclusive. Is $215,000 definitive for Repulse Bay or is it all-inclusive for Repulse Bay?
Minister Kusugak, can you answer the question.
Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): Yes, it’s for the whole community of Repulse Bay.
Chairman (interpretation): Are there any questions on those pages?
I just assume that we have moved to page 5 of the capital. H-5, that’s Tangible Assets.
In the substantiation sheets that we reviewed, was it October that we had committee meetings?