EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
I couldn’t agree with the minister more than that but what I’m saying is, I mean that report, that study was already done, there were recommendations in there. Are they looking at that report, or pretend now it’s something that’s just collecting dust on a shelf somewhere, and we’re going to talk to each other starting all over again and see if there’s a better way to do it?
My understanding at the time was that that’s what report was meant to do.
Are they starting over again, or are they going to take the good work that has been done already and move forward with it?
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Tootoo. (interpretation ends) Mr. Minister.
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) I can’t understand the member.
On the one hand he says ‘Get rid of the recommendations,’ and at the same time, to rely on the same work that was put together.
So what we’re trying to do, or what was directed to the organization to do is find a way to improve the service that we’re offering today.
So if the member has better suggestions, I’m all ears. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Maybe I could ask the minister if he can clarify his comments as the member is saying ‘Get rid of the recommendations,’ I don’t understand where I’ve said that before.
So maybe if he can clarify that. I’m saying that work was done already and this government was moving forward to that. The only reason that that $500,000 was deleted out of the budget was because they weren’t ready.
They had no plans. I think he said it here in the House that they weren’t ready; they weren’t going to do it for another year.
So, what I’m saying, and the Members of the House said at that time that: if you’re not ready, what do you need the money for?
If they’re ready now, and that’s what they’re looking at, acting on those recommendations, what I’m saying is that’s fine.
But, I want to make sure that we’re not going to be hiring someone else to do the same thing that’s been done already. Basically that is the bottom line. With the limited resources that we have, we don’t need to do another study.
That study has been done already.
So, are they re-looking at that option of amalgamating those services? Yes or no?
To be abundantly clear, there is no consultant being hired to do this work. The two bodies are talking to each other and trying to find the best way of running the services that they provide to Nunavummiut.
It’s nice when we get an abundance of information.
The next question I have on there, as I mentioned earlier, where it says; “...in the longer term, the Government of Nunavut will need to work it’s way towards a well staffed and effective Department of Energy, Minerals, Oil, and Gas.”
Is that something that they’re looking at, is creating another department as outlined in that report?
We are negotiating hopefully in the near future with Ottawa on devolution, and once we assume those responsibilities, there will have to be a ministry assigned.
So, that’s probably what it is referring to.
Can the minister indicate as to an idea or a timeframe when we’ll be looking at another government department, will that be like another... I don’t know if they’ve gotten that far. Is it going to be another one on top of the existing department, or are things going to be reshuffled around, and just renamed to have that department in there?
I cannot answer that right now because we don’t have any responsibility for oil and gas or minerals at this time. Once we assume those responsibilities, then we’ll have to deal with it.
We’re on page B-10. Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs.
Total Operations and Maintenance. $1,155,000.
Under the business plan, on B-14, at the top.
There are five bullets. On the fifth bullet, on B-14, at the top is the first bullet.
I would like to ask a question on that. I talked about Pangnirtung being the place for medical travel, ticketing and all that.
I understood that the government headquarters here in Iqaluit would be decentralized to smaller communities.
We were happy about that. It was not in headquarters here in Iqaluit.
I wanted the medical travel coordinator to be decentralized to some other community but apparently it is over here in Iqaluit.
Say, for instance, if the liquor warehouse person was to go into Pangnirtung and the other one working in the warehouse were transferred to Pangnirtung that would disrupt the coordination.
If that medical travel person is in Pangnirtung can the minister provide ongoing support and evaluation for decentralization? Does that mean that the people in headquarters are going to be decentralized or is that person working in the hospital to be decentralized to another community according to the policy?
Those are things we have been dealing with to see whether they are up to date or whether the coordination is ongoing.
We provide support for them but we heard from the minister that this process is succeeding.
What we are doing is providing ongoing support and evaluation for decentralization.
This is the last question that I’ll be asking.
To me, it is running very good because when I went up to the hospital here in Iqaluit I was given the fax number and the telephone numbers for the coordination of medical travel in Pangnirtung, but if my grandmother came here it would not be properly run, because they don’t know who she is.
Because they know who I am it seems to be running very well but for any public it is not running very well.
What I am trying to ask is, people that are in the hospital, say for instance, the people that are running the liquor warehouse in Rankin, can they be decentralized? To leave the place where they were at, and then transferred to Pangnirtung. Say, for instance, that is the kind of stuff that I am trying to ask.
Yes, Mr. Arvaluk is trying to understand something so if you can respond to that question?
What we are trying to do is keep the staff and what I said before is we are providing ongoing support and evaluation of decentralization and we have to work with them, and we have to find out that the staff is working properly.
At the beginning we knew that it wasn’t running properly before.
As soon as something is decentralized, or something changes then things go wrong right away.
What I am saying is we are evaluating it all the time.
I agree with the minister. They can’t be resolved right away; a problem can’t be resolved right away and I don’t think that the problem that Nunavummiut are encountering is going to be resolved right away.
They have to have coordination from here to Pangnirtung because say it’s after six o’clock; somebody has to literally answer the telephone.
Only if we fix those problems then things would run smoothly.
For instance, if a person, everybody gets sick, but like if the person that is working as the coordinator gets sick then they can’t make it to work.
If the person working in Iqaluit is sick then they have to have a replacement.
If the person working as the coordinator in Pangnirtung gets sick, and they can’t make it to work, it’s just an answering machine.
That individual in the hospital is sick; I’m not talking about shuffling papers, but I’m talking about this individual that writes out the tickets.
There has to be an ongoing person in that position here in Iqaluit.
I’m just trying to tell the minister that.
My question is under Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs. We heard that on Thursday, under the Northern Ministers Forum, the Indian and Northern Affairs program, it stated that Prime Minister Harper, when he visited the communities to the Northwest Territories, and the Yukon and Nunavut last year he stated that he just doesn’t want to see the north, but he wanted to be able to see what’s happening within the government.
They wanted to strengthen Nunavut for them to have more financial resources and to make sure that all the old things that were a problem, to resolve those problems, and to find out how much money the Nunavut Government will be given from the federal government.
Does Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs negotiate with the federal government in regard to financial resources?
Do you talk with the federal government about money that might be coming from them?
I am not going to look at him. He might be smiling or not.
The Assistant Deputy Minister was really talking about the fact that the Indian and Northern Affairs Minister couldn’t come up and in the upcoming months, which are shortly, they said they were going to be 60 delegates from other countries.
How involved is the Nunavut Government and how much funding is provided by the federal government for this?
The federal government is helping about, I believe there will be about 30 scientists in Nunavut and the government is urging Nunavummiut to be involved with the scientists and they are keeping us informed and we also give out licenses through our offices through the Nunavut Research Institute.
So up to date we have been involved.
The licenses you give out, you grant, do they have conditions where only if you have specific … for example, the grade 12 high school students, if you involve high school students and we can approve your permit, is that how it works?
We are on Intergovernmental Affairs.
After his response we will go back to B10.
I don’t know the contents of the permits.
We are on B10.
On to B10, Intergovernmental Affairs.
I know the minister might not be aware but they usually have objectives or goals.
There will be a large number of scientists up in the north because they know that they are polluting the north, and by people in the north, or from the south.
There are contaminants. The federal government and territorial government have both stated that they will use human investment and I believe, I don’t think there is a directive given to the Institute insisting that a student be involved so that we can put exposure to the students so they can start thinking about maybe becoming scientists.
In this we are paying almost $1 million to the staff of Intergovernmental Affairs.
Can the minister tell me whether they produce policies as to what the Nunavut Government can do to the federal government?
I would like to recognize at this time Mr. Peterson.
I’ll get back to you.
I’ll let Mr. Minister respond to that.
I don’t know how to respond to this and we try and help in any way we can if it will benefit Nunavummiut.
So I can’t give him an answer at this time.
We’re on B-10. (interpretation ends) Intergovernmental Affairs.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. Go to B-11 (interpretation ends) and B-12.
Total Operations and Maintenance. $509,000.
In dealing with the status of trans-boundary and fishing issues, I know in December of last year the Premier attended the signing ceremony in Kuujjuaq for the Nunavik Inuit Land Claims Agreement.
I’m just wondering if he could indicate if the signing of this agreement has addressed the Government of Nunavut’s concerns in relation to such issues as fisheries.
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) It’s partly addressed where in the agreement it states that the people in Nunavut will always have a greater share than any allocations for Inuit of Nunavik. Like everything, it would have been great to address all of our concerns but at the same time, we did not want to hold-up an agreement for the Inuit of Nunavik to try and address our issues.
So our issues are ongoing but we were able to insert clauses in the agreement that our share will always be greater than our cousins to the south of us. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Premier. (interpretation ends) Mr. Tootoo.
I know that I wouldn’t want to hold that up either just for that but if the Premier is confident that we have a good deal in that then I’m sure it’s a good deal for us.
Mr. Chairman, just another question I have with the signing of that agreement, with the Nunavik Inuit Land Claims Agreement, is there any requirement for Nunavut to pay them any money as a result of that agreement?
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Tootoo. (interpretation ends) Mr. Premier.
Hon. Paul Okalik: No. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
We’re on B-11 and B-12. (interpretation ends) Aboriginal and Circumpolar Affairs.
Chairman: We’re on B-13.
Total Operations and Maintenance. $1,045,000.
In the minister’s opening comments he stated that we are prepared to begin negotiations with the federal government on devolution so that Nunavummiut can benefit from our abundant natural resources.
Can the minister give us an update of the status of devolution negotiations with the federal government?
Hon. Paul Okalik: Yes, from what I understand Mr. Chairman, our chief negotiator has been in at least three bilateral meetings with the federal representatives.
The federal representative, Mr. Mayer, was supposed to report on his discussions to the federal minister, and seek a mandate by the end of this month.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you.
I thank the minister for that answer. I met Mr. Mayer in Cambridge Bay in early January. He was over there on a fact finding mission.
He indicated to myself and others that he wasn’t actually the negotiator, but he was supposed to prepare a report on his discussions and findings up here with all the groups across Nunavut, and then report to Minister Prentice on whether to go forward with negotiations or otherwise.
Can the minister give us an indication of whether Mr. Mayer is going to be appointed as the official negotiator at the end of this month and that we will enter into official negotiations on devolution?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. At present, when Minister Prentice announced the appointment of Mr. Mayer as the federal representative, at the same time he indicated that he would be the lead negotiator in our devolution discussions.
So I haven’t heard otherwise.
As to when these discussions and negotiations will take place, we’ll have a better picture by the end of the month and I will report back on progress at the first opportunity.
In December we were all a little surprised when the media reported that there was a dispute between the Government of Nunavut and Ottawa on including internal waters as part of devolution talks.
Can you perhaps expand on that issue a little for us today?
From our preliminary discussion with our officials and the federal officials, it became clearer that the federal position was different from our position.
But, I must say Mr. Mayer has been very open to our suggestions.
I do not know what the final outcome will be but I want to make our position very clear to the federal government that our position is that we have to be treated like any part of the country and that is internal waters rest with the provinces.
And we want the same powers and benefits that flow to any part of this country and make it clear that with that position the federal government would have a much stronger case in asserting sovereignty in our waters.
I believe in our opening statements that the standing committee supports the minister’s and the government’s position on that negotiating point, including inshore waters.
My question then would be: I know in your priorities here for 2007-08, on page B-19, you state to achieve substantial progress towards an agreement in principal on devolution, or to complete that agreement in principle by December 31, 2007, and a devolution final agreement by December 31, 2008.
Is there any possibility that if you don’t get by this dispute over including inshore waters will that hold up the negotiation of an agreement in principle and ultimately a final agreement?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) At this point I do not know where our position is with internal waters with the federal government.
As I said, the federal representative will report his findings to his minister, and from there a mandate will developed.
For me to speculate at this point is premature and I will await the findings of the representative and hopefully our mandate will be strong so that we can resolve our differences fairly quickly and move forward and make real progress on this matter.
Mr. Peterson: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I thank the minister for that answer. I certainly hope that the federal government agrees with the Government of Nunavut on that position.
Can the minister indicate when he would be in position to brief Members of the House on the progress of this devolution negotiation?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) As I said before, I will have a better idea of where we are at the end of the month.
So I will be quite open to my colleagues after we get an indication of where we stand with our discussions with the federal government.
We are on page B-13, Devolution.
In regard to the supplementary to Mr. Peterson’s question in regard to devolution, although I know the Premier doesn’t know, what about the many license fees, and taxes, and royalties that might be grandfathered by the federal government. Or the federal government could decide to keep those until a certain time.
The federal government might want to set a time.
So my question is in regard to the Devolution Agreement: prior to the Devolution Agreement being signed would there be a formal motion to support that?
I would be very worried if only the officials had signed the document.
This House should make a motion and approve what they sign.
I don’t know what their terminology is for that and I’m not too sure what kind of terminology would be used.
So my question is: could we do it by way of motion prior to it being signed?
Yes, it is evident that we will have to work together. This government would have to approve that they cannot just allocate funding, we have to approve it also.
So it is obvious that we will deal with that again in the future once we know exactly how it is going to be done.
We are on page B13.
Chairman: Thank you. Now go back to page B-4.
Executive and Intergovernmental Affair.
This overall detail of expenditure of the Department of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs, I just want to get a confirmation from the minister that prior to this, we’re approving this O&M budget for next year; starting April 1. As a result of the Minister of Finance’s announcement on Thursday that the Corporate Services Division, there are seven PYs and all the funding that goes with it, is going to be out of this.
So I am just wondering if we’re going to be getting a revised main estimate and business plan from the department to reflect that change. I don’t know when these were printed but already there’s been an announcement that it’s going to change. This isn’t really what’s going to happen as of April 1.
The whole Corporate Services Division, it is my understanding that all the finance functions are going to go over to Finance.
During our spring sitting will we see the revised Business Plans and Main Estimates that reflect that?
There will be a supplementary in the spring session to address the changes; it’s just a straight PY transfer over to Finance. So there’ll be a supplementary appropriation and straight transfer of funds and the PYs over to Finance.
I know in the, if you look at it, on our old charts in Corporate Services, it consists of seven PYs. So the minister is saying that all those seven PYs, and the appropriation and funding for those positions is going to transfer over to the Department of Finance by way of supplementary appropriation?
I didn’t hear a question. I will allow you to answer the question, Mr. Premier.
Hon. Paul Okalik: There’ll be four positions related to finances under that Division, out of the seven that will be transferred over. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I am just wondering if the minister could indicate which four positions are going. And out of the seven with all their finance stuff that the Corporate Services is, so I am just wondering why the other three are staying behind?
Hon. Paul Okalik: Well I’m sure we’ll get to this in the spring session but to forego all these questions in the spring session, I’ll answer it now. ATIPP Manager, office manager, and the receptionist will remain in our Division.
The rest are finance related so they’ll be moved over.
We are on page B-4. (interpretation ends) Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs.
Total Operations and Maintenance. $11,306,000.
Chairman: Are you agreed that the Department of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs is concluded?
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Premier, Mr. Walsh, and Mr. Omilgoitok for appearing before the committee.
Sergeant-at-Arms, if you can escort them from the witness table please.
We have the Department of Community and Government Services.
I would like to ask Ms. Brown to if she can do her opening comments.
I now would like to ask Minister Brown from the Department of Community and Government Services to make her opening remarks.
Bill 01 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2007-08 – Consideration in Committee – Community & Government Services
I feel honoured to appear before you and my colleagues to participate in the annual review of the department’s budget for the 2007-08 fiscal year.
Community and Government Services have a budget of $146 million with staff in six decentralized offices and in Iqaluit.
We recognize that CGS programs, services, and funding directly impact the day-to-day activities of Nunavut communities and all other departments within the Nunavut Government.
We have placed emphasis on program funding on those areas where the need has been identified as the greatest.
The primary focus of this department is ensuring that hamlets continue to have access to adequate base funding and training opportunities.
I am pleased to be able to say that, as a whole municipal performance is better than ever.
Before we begin reviewing the details of the 2007-08 main estimates, I would like to update you on some of the challenges facing Community and Government Services and discuss several major projects that the department has been working on over the course of this year.
In prior years, CGS has experienced some difficult financial situations where historic shortfalls in core program budgets such as utilities have caused CGS to limit other program delivery in order to live within the total annual budget envelope due to the rising costs.
(interpretation ends) This year we have addressed the forecast $6 million shortfall in CGS Utility Budgets so this will maintain our programs and services we provide to our clients and partners.
Over the past four years, CGS has been successful in properly funding municipalities. We are now providing core funding 30 percent higher than the 2002 levels and to maintain this core funding we have been successful in offsetting the rising costs.
Hamlets will receive additional funding to assist in maintaining their base funding levels and sustaining existing programs and services to community residents.
We continue to be open-minded and willing to consider changes to the way we deliver programs, which increase efficiencies and enhance the quality of our programs to communities and government.
Two years ago communities told us they wanted more training opportunities delivered locally in hamlets and we responded by totally changing the way we delivered our training.
Listening to communities has made our training more successful and improved our results.
We now train over 700 municipal employees each year.
Last year, as a result of municipal meetings, the Department of Community and Government Services committed to work in partnership with Nunavut Housing Corporation to examine changes to the way that government delivers the Water and Sewer Program.
Presently, the Water and Sewer Block Funding Program is being piloted in three Nunavut communities: Chesterfield Inlet, Kugaaruk, and Pangnirtung.
In this pilot program we are attempting to reduce the barriers and obstacles hamlets face in providing water and sewage services while also creating an environment which encourages saving and efficiencies.
Government recognizes and accepts that the way we historically have purchased fuel products is largely outdated; world oil prices change frequently due to events beyond our control.