EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
It is certainly good news to hear that that program is working.
A bit further down on the page there is a list, under the environment funded in the Northern Strategy; there is a mention of a four-year program totalling $5 million involving 13 projects that focus on environmental issues.
Could the minister provide a list of the 13 projects that are referenced in this page?
Does he want me to itemize all the things that we want to do?
I don’t need a whole lot of detail, just titles of the 13 projects. I don’t need all the details; just projects and perhaps where they’re located.
It includes anything from drum crushing and removal to climate change adaptation and also devastated polar bear population inventory, and also the High Arctic caribou ground aerial survey.
I think I heard four or five projects. Do you have a list for the remaining projects?
Hon. Patterk Netser: I’ll go through all of them.
We want to do a contaminated site inventory, drum crushing and removal, recycling, communication brochures, radium resolution satellite imagery partnership, data servers, climate change adaptation, Nunavut Climate Change Centre Programs, ecological land classification, building an accessible Government of Nunavut ecological knowledge base, and the James Bay/Hudson Bay Ecosystem Assessment Project.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Netser. Going back to page 8. (interpretation ends) Environment.
Chairman: Total Corporate Management. $63,000.
Chairman: Program Development. $306,000.
Chairman: Total Program Development. $306,000.
Chairman (interpretation): Total Department. $369,000.
Community and Government Services. Operations and Maintenance.
Community Support. $2,683,000.
I have a question on that page with respect to providing funding of $40,000 for additional lease costs for office space.
My question is regarding the additional lease space. Obviously, they’re entering into a new expanded area.
Could the appropriate minister explain exactly, that it will be an annual cost, I suppose, for expanding the lease provision, or is that just a one-time cost?
Yes, this is going to be an annual cost. This is to lease out additional space in the Parnaivik Building for the Liquor Enforcement Division of the Nunavut Liquor Commission.
We were originally located in the Brown Building, but Community and Government Services has wanted that space in the Brown Building for something else and we were forced to move. Space became available in the Parnaivik Building, so this now puts the Liquor Enforcement Division in the Parnaivik Building, along with most of finance, which is where it belongs anyway.
Page 9. (interpretation ends) Community and Government Services.
Chairman: Total Community Support. $2,683,000.
Chairman: Government Services. $40,000.
Chairman: Total Government Services. $40,000.
Chairman: Capital Planning and Technical Services.
Not previously authorized. $116,000.
Chairman: Total Department. $2,839,000.
Chairman: We’re on page 10.
Economic Development. $1,716,000.
Chairman: Total Economic Development.
Special Warrants. $1,716,000.
Chairman: Total Department. $1,716,000.
Operations and Maintenance. -$2,683,000.
Chairman: Total Nunavut Housing Corporation. -$2,683,000.
Chairman: We’ll go back to page 2. Schedule 1.
Operations and Maintenance Appropriations. $9,017,000.
Chairman (interpretation): We’ll go to Bill 18 in your binders. (interpretation ends) Supplementary Appropriation. Operations and Maintenance. Clause 1, 2006-07.
Supplementary Amounts Appropriated for the Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 2007.
Total Operations and Maintenance. $9,017,000.
Chairman: Total Supplementary Appropriations. $9,017,000.
Chairman: We’ll go back to page 1.
Chairman: Do members agree that Bill 18 is ready for third reading?
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Minister and your officials.
Mr. Vardy, and Mr. Reddy.
You can return to your seat at this time.
(interpretation ends) What is the wish of the committee?
Hon. Olayuk Akesuk: I wish to report progress.
Your committee has been considering Bill 17 and Bill 18, and would like to report that Bill 17 and 18 are now ready for third reading.
I would like to move that the report be agreed to.
Bill 15 – An Act to Amend the Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Property Tax Relief Act – Third Reading
I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Rankin Inlet South/Whale Cove that Bill 15, An Act to Amend Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Property Tax Relief Act, be read for the third time.
Just in case I want to declare a possible conflict of interest with this piece of legislation, and I’ll excuse myself from the rest of the proceedings.
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Tootoo. (interpretation) Thank you.
I’m a little ahead of myself.
Bill 22 – Settlement of International Investment Disputes Act – Third Reading
I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Nanulik, that Bill 22, Settlement of International Investment Disputes Act, be read for the third time.
Bill 17 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act #1, 2006-07 – Third Reading
I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for South Baffin that Bill 17, Supplementary Appropriation Capital Act #1, 2006-07, be read for the third time.
Bill 17 has had third reading.
Bill 19 – An Act to Amend the Revolving Funds Act – Third Reading
Hon. Levinia Brown (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Iqaluit East, that Bill 19, An Act to Amend the Revolving Funds Act, be read for the third time.
Bill 19 has had third reading.
Bill 18 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act #1, 2006-07 – Third Reading
I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Iqaluit East, that Bill 18, Supplementary Appropriation Operations and Maintenance Act #1, 2006-07, be read for the third time.
Bill 18 has had third reading.
Bill 21 – An Act to Amend the Financial Administration Act #2 – Third Reading
Hon. David Simailak: I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Iqaluit West that Bill 21, An Act to Amend the Financial Administration Act #2, be read for the third time.
Bill 21 has had its third reading.
(interpretation ends) Third Reading of Bills.
The member is seeking unanimous consent to go back to Item 5.
Please proceed, Mr. Premier.
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and my colleagues.
Mr. Barnabas had acknowledged some staff and he had forgotten an additional staff.
He had forgotten to mention George Metuq.
He is the technician and repairs all the broken technical equipment.
We also acknowledge him.
I would now like to resume the Third Reading of Bills.
Members of the Legislative Assembly we were reminded that it’s Elders Abuse Prevention Day and before we move onto the orders of the day, I would like to ask the Clerk, could you please ascertain if the Deputy Commissioner is prepared to enter the Chambers to give assent to the Bills.
Deputy Commissioner Maksagak (interpretation): Members of the Legislative Assembly please be seated.
As Commissioner of Nunavut I hereby give assent to the following bills:
Bill 07 – An Act to Amend the Liquor Act – Assent
Bill 11 – An Act to Amend the Fire Prevention Act – Assent
Bill 15 – An Act to Amend the Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Property Tax Relief Act – Assent
Bill 17 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act #1, 2006-07 – Assent
Bill 18 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act #1, 2006-07 – Assent
Bill 19 – An Act to Amend the Revolving Funds Act – Assent
Bill 20 – Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2006 – Assent
Bill 21 – An Act to Amend the Financial Administration Act #2 – Assent
Bill 22 – Settlement of International Investment Disputes Act – Assent
(interpretation) I would like to take this opportunity to wish all members a safe trip back to your home communities and my best wishes for a rewarding summer with your families and your constituents.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, members.
We were so pleased to see the Deputy Commissioner and we wish her well.
Members on behalf of you I would like to thank all of our staff for working hard during our Session.
Also our pages and also the previous pages, all the interpreters, and our Sergeant-at-Arms, Thank you.
Orders of the Day. Item 22. Orders of the Day.
Motion 20 – 2(3)
The House will stand adjourned until November 21, 2006 at 1:30.
>>Session adjourned at 18:29
Minister of Environment; Minister Responsible for the Workers’ Compensation Board
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Pages 2189 – 2230
Opening Prayer 2189
Ministers’ Statements 2189
Members’ Statements 2196
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 2203
Oral Questions 2204
Returns to Written Questions 2222
Tabled Documents 2223
Notices of Motions 2225
Notices of Motions for First Reading of Bills 2225
Motions 2226
Orders of the Day 2229
Tuesday, November 21, 2006 2189
113 – 2(3): Economic Statement (Simailak) 2189
114 – 2(3): Minister Brown’s Absence from House (Picco) 2196
277 – 2(3): Members’ Absence from House (Evyagotailak) 2196
278 – 2(3): Kugaaruk Family Re-united for Christmas (Mapsalak) 2196
279 – 2(3): Coral Harbour Girls’ Soccer Team (Netser) 2197
280 – 2(3): Youth Parliament (Tapardjuk) 2197
281 – 2(3): Congratulations to Grade 12 Graduates (Arreak) 2198
282 – 2(3): Election to the House (Arvaluk) 2198
283 – 2(3): Fact Finding Tour of Diavik Mine and its Importanct to Nunavut (Peterson) 2200
284 – 2(3): Officials’ Visit to Kimmirut (Akesuk) 2201
285 – 2(3): Habitat for Humanity Iqaluit – First Annual Invitational Golf Classic (Tootoo) 2201
286 – 2(3): Gjoa Haven Empowering Seniors Conference (Aglukkaq) 2202
329 – 2(3): Mistakes Learned from First Education Act (Tootoo) 2204
330 – 2(3): Further Fiscal Reductions (Peterson) 2207
331 – 2(3): Compassionate Travel Assistance (Mapsalak) 2209
332 – 2(3): Baffin Medical Travel Update (Arreak) 2211
333 – 2(3): Table Recommendations on Medical Travel (Barnabas) 2214
334 – 2(3): Over-expenditure by Health and Social Services (Tootoo) 2217
335 – 2(3): IQ Considerations in Decentralizing Medical Travel (Arvaluk) 2220
Return to Written Question 017 – 2(3): GN Contracting Practices (Clerk) 2222
Return to Written Question 018 – 2(3): Correctional Facilities & Other Matters (Clerk) 2222
Return to Written Question 019 – 2(3): Appeals Under the NNI Policy (Clerk) 2222
147 – 2(3): Nunavut DEA Coalition (Tootoo) 2223
148 – 2(3): DEA/GN Contribution Agreement (Tootoo) 2223
149 – 2(3): Kitikmeot Regional Seniors’ Conference (Aglukkaq) 2223
150 – 2(3): Gjoa Haven Seniors Society Report on Empowering Seniors Conference (Aglukkaq) 2223
151 – 2(3): Interim Financial Report (un-audited) of the GN for the Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 2006 (Simailak) 2223
152 – 2(3): GN Responses to the Recommendations by the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Accountability on the Report of the Auditor General (Simailak) 2223
153 – 2(3): Atlantic Council of Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministers Meeting – March 24, 2006 (Akesuk) 2224
154 – 2(3): Petition on Unwanted Presence of a Potentially Dangerous Offender (Picco) 2224
155 – 2(3): Statutory Requirements for Tabling of Reports and Other Documents, November 2006 (Speaker) 2224
156 – 2(3): Inuktitut Translation of the 2006 Report of the Auditor General on the WCB of the NWT and Nunavut (Speaker) 2224
157 – 2(3): Final Report of the Electoral Boundaries Commission (Inuktitut and English) (Speaker) 2224
158 – 2(3): Response to Petition 04 – 2(3) Tabled June 13, 2006 (Clerk) 2225
021 – 2(3): Legislative Assembly Appointments – Notice (Tootoo) 2225
020 – 2(3): Airline Service in Nunavut (Barnabas) 2226
021 – 2(3): Legislative Assembly Appointments (Tootoo) 2228
Bill 26 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2007-08 – Notice 2225
Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Honourable Olayuk Akesuk, Mr. James Arreak, Mr. James Arvaluk, Mr. Levi Barnabas, Mr. Joe Allan Evyagotailak, Honourable Peter Kilabuk, Mr. Steve Mapsalak, Mr. Patterk Netser, Honourable Paul Okalik, Mr. Keith Peterson, Honourable Edward Picco, Honourable David Simailak, Honourable Louis Tapardjuk, Mr. Hunter Tootoo.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. I would like to welcome you back to Iqaluit.
I would especially like to welcome Mr. Arvaluk.
Before we begin, Members of the Legislative Assembly I would like you to know that Mr. Curley who is the member representing Rankin Inlet North will not be able to attend this Session due to medical reasons.
I ask for unanimous consent to waive Rule 34(6) to present the Government of Nunavut’s Fiscal Update and Capital Estimates to the Assembly.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. The minister is seeking unanimous consent to waive Rule 34(6).
Please proceed, Mr. Minister.  Minister’s Statement 113 – 2(3): Economic Statement (Simailak)
Hon. David Simailak (interpretation): Thank you, Members of the Legislative Assembly. (interpretation ends)
As members are well aware, government spending underwrites almost all social and economic development activity in our territory.
So, today I want to bring the Legislature and all Nunavummiut up to date on the current fiscal situation of the Government of Nunavut, since it has a direct bearing on our lives and livelihoods.
I will also be announcing a series of financial management decisions and introduce the Capital Estimates for the fiscal year 2007-08.
Nunavut is full of opportunity. When I presented our government’s budget last winter, I spoke about hope. In that speech, I spoke about our desire to harness Nunavut’s great potential by creating investments to make our future brighter.
Indeed, our hope for the future is brighter today than it was last winter. We have already witnessed the opening of the territory’s first diamond mine (Tahera) and two new gold mines have also been approved (Doris North and Meadowbank).
The Meadowbank mine alone will provide some 200 jobs and contribute about $200 million per year to the Nunavut economy, representing a 20 percent increase in our GDP.
The Mary River project, which could come with its own railway and deepwater port, has enough high grade ore to keep generations of Inuit working. And these developments are just the tip of the proverbial iceberg.
There are many promising exploration and development projects, including additional diamond and gold mines, silver, zinc, copper, iron, sapphire, and uranium prospects, as well as oil and gas development over the longer term.
There are also sustainable offshore shrimp and turbot fisheries, as well as tourism, which is enticing domestic and global visitors to explore our enigmatic and beautiful land.
Yet with all this untapped potential, until it is all harnessed, we have some challenges to face head-on.
While we continue to be filled with hope, we must pay heed to our responsibility to manage within our means. We have a responsibility to be sound fiscal managers.
Anyone who rents a household knows that you have to have enough money coming in to cover off all the money going out to pay the bills. Unless you have sufficient funds, you end up paying for groceries, furnace oil, or the phone and power bills on your credit card. And that simply is not sustainable.
This is essentially the situation the Government of Nunavut finds itself at today. We are living beyond our means.
Even though our revenues for 2006-07 are now estimated to be over $1.0 billion – $5 million higher than estimated in the 2006 Budget, our revised expenditure projections are also $6.1 million higher. The net result is that the gap between our income and spending is widening.
Instead of the original budgeted deficit of $7.6 million, we are now forecasting a deficit of $8.7 million for this fiscal year.
In addition, we will be bringing forward supplementary appropriation bills for your consideration during this Session.
These appropriations include:
$3,797,000 to cover the over-expenditure incurred last fiscal year by the Department of Health and Social Services;
$17,535,000 in supplementary appropriations and maintenance funding, of which $16,028,000 is energy related; the remainder is for additional funding for daycare centers, wait time reductions and Nunavut Arctic College nursing graduates; and,
$7,596,000 in supplementary capital funding, of which $5,795,000 is for the construction of public housing under the Nunavut Housing Trust. Additional funding is also provided for the purchase of health equipment.
Mr. Speaker, as worrisome as our overspending is today, our projections for the future are cause for even greater concern. There is no end in sight to government deficits in the near term. And, that will have a negative impact on us all.
Without adequate financial resources, government cannot provide the services and programs that Nunavummiut need and deserve. We cannot carry on this way. Just as ordinary households cannot live beyond their means, neither can government.
To avoid even larger deficits down the road, we need to take action now.
Securing and strengthening the financial health of Nunavut is the key challenge we must face, and which Nunavummiut need to understand.
It is important for government to keep the people fully informed, openly, honestly, and promptly.
So, today, I want to outline new financial management practices for our territory. I am introducing measures which are both stringent and sound.
EXPENDITURE MEASURES
We will start within government, getting our own house in order while we continue to exercise restraint.
In September, Cabinet agreed to identify $10 million in savings, which represents one percent of government operations, for the remainder of this fiscal year. This was a first good step in attempting to keep our expenditures in check.
All departments have been asked to bring forward expenditure reduction proposals that can be implemented in the short term to make an early start towards our new fiscal goals. However, even more needs to be done.
That is why we have asked all government departments to identify and freeze all currently vacant positions that do not negatively impact the delivery of necessary programs and services.
REVENUE MEASURES
Individual citizens must also do their part. Today, I am announcing two measures that will contribute to deficit reduction through our tax system.
Firstly, the payroll tax in Nunavut will rise from one to two percent.
The tax is calculated on the gross salary of all employees in the territory, and is paid for by employees.
This tax was developed to target transitory workers who do not reside in Nunavut but earn large salaries and then leave.
Raising the tax by one percentage point brings us in line with the NWT – which already imposes a higher levy on workers.
This will generate approximately $5.3 million in additional revenues.
To offset the impact of this tax increase on Nunavummiut, we are raising the Cost of Living Credit from $750 to $900.
This change will be positive for taxpayers who are permanent Nunavut residents. The average claimed credit is expected to be $506.
Mr. Speaker, the second change targets smokers.
The burden smokers place on the health care system is well documented. Given the high rate of smoking among our population, it is not surprising that health care costs in Nunavut keep rising each year.
For too long, tobacco has been a health hazard to our people. We have the highest rate of smoking and smoking-related illnesses in the country.
We know that higher tobacco taxes encourage people to quit smoking and discourage young people from starting.
And that’s something I am sure all people in this territory want to see.
At the moment, the tax on a carton of cigarettes is considerably less in Nunavut than in the Northwest Territories: $31.20 here versus $42.00 there.
This is something we are going to change.
Effective December 15 at midnight, the tax rate for each manufactured cigarette will increase from 15.6 cents per cigarette to 21 cents.
This equates to an increase of $1.35 per pack, or $10.80 per carton.
As well, we are changing the taxable price of cigarettes and loose tobacco from 9.52 to 15.56 cents per gram.
This will increase the tax from 8.6 cents to 14.0 cents.
We anticipate these changes will raise an additional $2.5 to $3 million a year in revenues.
Mr. Speaker, increasing taxes is never a politically popular decision for a government to make.
However, there is little doubt that government is on a path that requires making some unpopular decisions now. Those decisions must be made, and will be made, for the good of the territory and for the good of all Nunavummiut.
I should point out these projections are based on the current Territorial Formula Financing Grant with an annual escalator adjustment of 3.5 percent.
The uncertainty about the outcome of the ongoing discussions with the federal government on TFF compels us to remain fiscally prudent in our fiscal outlook.
FEDERAL TRANSFERS
In April 2006, the Council of the Federation’s Advisory Panel on the Fiscal Imbalance released their report. This was followed by the federally appointed Expert Panel’s report on equalization and formula financing in early June.
The Council of the Federation recommended that, “Nunavut receives extraordinary investment in the areas of housing, infrastructure, and economic and social development.”
The federal expert panel also recommended a new approach to territorial formula financing that would reflect the differences among the territories, and fill the gap between expenditure needs and our own fiscal capacity.
I believe both reports provide a good starting point for reviewing Territorial Formula Financing. And I am optimistic they will be given serious consideration by the new government in Ottawa.
As recently as this past summer when Prime Minister Harper visited Iqaluit, he talked about the potential of the north and its critical importance to Canadian sovereignty.
He outlined his vision of the north not as it is, but rather as it could be – a north that is stronger, more prosperous and liberated from the paternalistic policies of the past.
The Prime Minister pledged to help Nunavut to achieve this dream.
The government and the people of Nunavut welcome this recognition and support. We are eager to play a vital role in the life of our great country, just as we are determined to build a self-reliant territory.
Officials in my department have been engaged in discussions with their federal counterparts about how we can realize our territory’s vast potential. We have pointed out that, as the newest jurisdiction in Canada, Nunavut is still in its infancy and cannot achieve its full potential on its own.
In the short-term, Nunavut will continue to require strategic investments from the federal government.
We have also reminded Ottawa that Nunavut has been working from a position of disadvantage since its creation. The initial grant to Nunavut was inadequate to meet the most basic needs of our citizens in areas such as housing, health, education, and infrastructure. We believe the transfers for the territory needs to be increased as part of a catch-up effort and to enable us to make strategic investments to further develop Nunavut’s economic potential.
We are optimistic this matter will be resolved with the federal government’s action to address the fiscal imbalance. We are encouraged that the federal government now appears to recognize the problem.
Achieving fiscal balance among federal, provincial, and territorial governments is essential in providing our government with adequate resources for reasonably comparable levels of public services at reasonably comparable levels of taxation.
We have made it clear that Nunavut expects comparable and equitable treatment. I am confident that an adequate arrangement can be reached soon.
I look forward to discussing these issues at the upcoming Finance Ministers’ Meeting.
We will be looking to our partners, the Government of Canada, and our Prime Minister for support.
Having said that, Mr. Speaker, no one should expect that changes will be made to our current Formula Financing arrangements during the 2006-07 fiscal year. Any changes will not be reflected in our Formula Financing transfer until at least 2007-08.
All the more reason for the prudent measures I have outlined today.
CAPITAL ESTIMATES
Mr. Speaker, I will now introduce the Capital Appropriation Act for 2007-08.