EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
The cost per barrel was getting very expensive and we were apprised that the cost per barrel may reach $200 per barrel by the time we purchased the fuel.
However, at that time, the price per barrel averaged from $134 to $139.
We provide fuel to all the communities at the same rate and some of the fuel is subsidized due to differences in shipment costs.
The government provides this subsidy as a benefit for our residents.
I thank the minister for her response and for providing fuel to the people of Nunavut at the same price.
However, I’m trying to discuss the hunters and Inuit who spend the summer months on the land to prepare their winter larder. It seems that they were completely out of the picture when the decisions were made.
What I’m trying to say... I lost my train of thought.
What I’m trying to state, and I will try to make this concise, is that the government could have done the same thing as Qulliq Energy. For example, a person who doesn’t have a whole lot of disposable income and is unable to pay the actual costs is given a reduced rate. A person who is 60 years old and the people on income support have different rates than those who can afford it.
The PPD could have instituted the same type of billing by differentiating between income levels and the government could have paid 120 percent while the hunters could have paid up to 80 percent of the costs.
The government had an opportunity to offset some of the costs and that’s why I was asking the question.
What is the reason why the government didn’t take this opportunity to change the system?
Why did the government make this increase all across the board, irrespective of whether a person is extremely poor or a hunter?
I’m aware that the Department of Finance provided benefits or a subsidy for those hunters and they have a support program available.
Perhaps due to that reason, PPD has a singular rate for all Nunavummiut and they always follow their policies.
Whenever they ask for an adjustment to the price, they take it to Cabinet for approval and then it goes to FMB, which has the final decision. That’s the way we do it.
Yes, I understand that, but I could also say that maybe in three months, it might be about $300 per barrel.
She said that they bought the fuel at about $140 per barrel. Mr. Peterson told me today that it was $103 per barrel this morning.
The government doesn’t know how much oil will cost per barrel.
The government will be saving money, but the hunters will not be saving money during July and August.
What I’m trying to say is that the government buys the fuel while the hunter pays for it.
If you don’t obtain the remaining 50 percent of the fuel until October and if the prices happen to be much lower, resulting in savings for the government, will those savings be passed on to the hunters and the homeowners?
Petroleum products are the centre of discussions nowadays.
When it was cheap, people used to think it was very expensive, but it’s now very expensive today.
Last spring, it was very scary when we heard that it would go up by a lot. If we happen to get it cheaper, we have to try to help everyone else.
I know that it’s not going to be the same price, but I think the Department of Finance knows a little bit better than I do.
As the Minister responsible for the Petroleum Products Division, we order the petroleum products and work with the Department of Finance. They also wait for the Petroleum Products Division to make a decision.
We only figure out the costs of everything - the transportation and the purchase. I’m trying to do my best to make sure that the people of Nunavut are assisted as much as possible. We have to wait for the Department of Finance because we work together.
I hope that the price of fuel oil will go down. Yesterday, I saw that it was $102 per barrel, but we had already ordered half of our petroleum products and we have shipped it in.
We also don’t have any set aside down south, any fuel tanks that we can put a reserve. The only thing we do is we buy the fuel from down south and it’s put on a ship and delivered to Nunavut communities right away.
Before the end of this session, can the minister arrange… Right now, we don’t know what’s happening with the increasing price of petroleum products.
I believe the minister stated that it was $102 per barrel yesterday and if that’s the case, it’s impossible to forecast how much it will cost to buy 50 percent of the bulk fuel purchase.
Until the cost of the total fuel purchase is known, I wonder if the government can temporarily pay an increase of let’s say 22 cents per litre, I believe that was the rate increase stated.
The hunters and the private homeowners ought not to be charged that extra price until the government knows the actual cost of the fuel and determines how much the increase will be.
The member raises a very good question. It seems a worthwhile cause to support this for the benefit of the people of Nunavut.
However, the Petroleum Products Division, under CGS, is in a precarious position today.
Should the price of fuel rise prior to the finalization of our bulk fuel purchase, then the government may also be in a difficult position.
We also have to carefully manage this situation and therefore, I cannot acquiesce to the request at this time.
Question 629 – 2(4): Community Assistance for Capital Projects (Simailak)
I also wish to direct my question to the same minister, it’s not intentional.
My question is with respect to the Department of Community and Government Services and how they provide support to local governments for capital purchases if they use their own funds or if they are willing to pay for some of the costs. I would like to know what kinds of support or services her department will provide if hamlets wish to pursue this option.
When I heard the question, it certainly has its appeal, especially to hear that some hamlets are willing to purchase their own capital items. That’s something I’m glad to hear.
However, as a department, we don’t have that much leeway and we sometimes have to operate as a community where we explore options on whether to purchase the item at cost or finance it.
Should something happen to a purchased item, who covers the replacement cost?
Those types of issues will surface when we explore that option, so this is a matter that would require further research. We have to carefully review all of the issues related to this, but I was glad to hear that some communities are exploring this option.
How many communities have informed the government that they would like to pursue the option of purchasing their own items in past years, in particular these last four years when she has been the minister for that portfolio?
How many communities have identified this as an option that they would like to explore with the Department of Community and Government Services?
For clarification, I have not been the Minister of Community and Government Services for four years, but for nearly three years.
As far as I know, there’s only one community that has notified us that they are interested in buying products with their own funds. I’m only aware of one community in that category.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Your second supplementary, Mr. Simailak.
Mr. Simailak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) Thank you, Minister. (interpretation) I have written to the minister on numerous occasions asking for a community hall for the community of Baker Lake.
Back in 2004, the Mayor of Baker Lake came to Iqaluit to meet with the Minister responsible for CGS. During that meeting, the parties came to an agreement whereby the government would support the initiative.
Due to this understanding, the hamlet earmarked some money for their portion of the community hall expenses and they expected to receive some assistance from the government.
As a matter of fact, they went as far as ordering the material and had it sent to Baker Lake by barge.
However, to date, none of the construction has commenced since they are waiting on the government’s share of the project costs to be approved or denied.
The project was approved in this House, but the hamlet has yet to be informed as to whether or not this project will proceed since there are no funds to proceed with.
I ask that the minister report on the status of the community hall and the funding so that the Hamlet of Baker Lake can be apprised of whether or not they will receive the funding.
I’m not aware of the agreement that happened in 2004.
However, I could say that the Hamlet of Baker Lake engaged with the consultant in 2007 to assist with the development of the existing community hall. Also, in the fall of 2007, the Hamlet of Baker Lake purchased a pre-engineered steel building and had it shipped into Baker Lake.
We did have some meetings.
I’m aware of one meeting that I had with the Mayor of Baker Lake and we came to an agreement about that building. They were supposed to be starting their construction this summer.
When we had a meeting this spring, there was $400,000 that would be used for the facility in Baker Lake. Could the minister indicate where that $400,000 is now?
Is the hamlet going to be selling the materials that they purchased earlier on?
I would like the minister to indicate where the $400,000 is now.
Yes, the member is correct; that $400,000 was approved here in the last sitting.
The GN will be meeting with the federal government to approve the project of that list starting October 2 of this year.
Question 630 – 2(4): Lobbying Federal Government to Exempt Nunavummiut from Paying GST on Home Heating Fuel (Tootoo)
I was going to ask the Minister of Health and Social Services a question, but I don’t think it would be appropriate after her announcement here in the House today, so I’ll direct the question to the Minister of Finance.
Mr. Speaker, last spring, I asked the Minister of Finance, and again, I still feel kind of awkward asking this question, some questions on how the Government of Nunavut would be joining the NWT and the Yukon to lobby the federal government to remove the GST on home heating fuel and essential products and services for the North.
I know and I think I saw snow out there today and people are getting kind of worried about their heating bills for the coming months.
Can the minister update the House today on what steps he has taken on that issue?
Minister of Finance and Chairman of the Financial Management Board, Honourable Louis Tapardjuk. (interpretation) I will have the Premier respond to the question.
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) Yes, I thank the member for asking the question. Since we last met, we had a Northern Premiers’ Conference in the NWT over the spring and we jointly asked the Government of Canada to exempt northerners from the GST.
So this file is continuing to be active and we continue to work with our northern colleagues in trying to make sure that all our homeowners throughout the North are exempt from this tax and get a break on the high heating fuel costs that are coming. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I would like to thank the Premier for that response and hopefully they see the light on that, and not just that, there are a lot of other areas where there are barriers because of our circumstances here in the North.
Mr. Speaker, I don’t know whether it would be the Minister of Finance or the Premier that would answer this question, but I know one of the things that have been discussed over a number of years is dealing with the Northern Residents Deduction. I would like to ask the Minister of Finance if he has had any discussions or plans to lobby the federal government to make changes to that effect.
I will have the Premier respond to that question as well.
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I thank the member again for his timely questions. I think we’re in the midst of a federal campaign, so it’s very timely for these issues to be discussed with the candidates.
I think some parties have come forward with recommendations to increase and tax fuel. Some candidates have asked to reduce fuel.
I think the others have also talked about northern deductions. As Northern Premiers, we all recommended that this should be indexed and it should be reviewed more regularly. I think it was just adjusted this spring, but it won’t keep up with the costs that we have incurred over the past 20 years.
So I appreciate the members raising this question and we continue to lobby the federal government, and I encourage my colleague to raise this with all candidates in the coming federal election. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
In dealing with our friends in Ottawa at times, one of the other issues I know have been brought up in the past and that’s dealing with the Coast Guard marine service fees that are charged to the North, a lot of northerners feel that we don’t have a choice, that’s the only avenue we have to be able to get our resident services in the North.
Can either the Minister of Finance, in his discussions with looking at finding ways to reduce costs for northerners, or the Premier indicate if that’s something that they have raised with them as well?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I must say this is not a new issue for us.
Every time there is a new government in Ottawa, I write the successive minister to review this on our behalf and allow us to be treated like the rest of the country in terms of not adding costs to our goods and services as we have no other mode of transport for these goods.
So it will be an ongoing issue and again, I encourage my colleague to raise this for all candidates in the coming election and I’ll continue to press this matter. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
As the Premier indicated, he has written a number of letters on that same issue and apparently, if nothing has been done, it has fallen on deaf ears.
I’m just wondering if he can indeed state whether they have attempted and tried to have that issue addressed by the past federal governments, both of them I would assume. As he had indicated has met with limited success, if he could indicate what the barriers were from the federal government to not addressing that issue and treating Nunavummiut with the same fairness as the rest of the Canadians.
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I wish that I could report progress on this file, but it’s an issue that we have been struggling with and we are very supportive of efforts to try and continue to press this matter.
As I said, I look forward to hopefully addressing this with all candidates and look for commitments from all parties to get rid of this unnecessary burden on Nunavummiut.
I look forward to working with all my colleagues in making sure this happens. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Tabled Document 276 – 2(4): Lands and Resources Devolution Protocol between the Government of Canada, the Government of Nunavut and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated (Okalik)
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) As I said in my Minister’s Statement that we have reached a protocol agreement, I am very pleased to table the Devolution Negotiation Protocol Agreement. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Tabled Document 277 – 2(4): Integrity Commissioner (Acting) – Report to the Speaker re: Mr. David Simailak, MLA, September 8, 2008 (Speaker)
I wish to table today the Report of the Acting Integrity Commissioner of Nunavut re. Mr. David Simailak, MLA.
Motion 042 – 2(4): Referral of Tabled Document 216 – 2(4) to the Committee of the Whole (Curley)
WHEREAS Tabled Document 216 – 2(4), Government of Nunavut Requests for Proposals for Standing Offer Agreement for Medical Travel on Scheduled Airlines, was tabled in the Legislative Assembly on March 12, 2008;
AND WHEREAS a significant portion of the annual budget of the Government of Nunavut’s Department of Health and Social Services is allocated for medical travel;
AND WHEREAS Members of the Legislative Assembly continue to raise a number of questions and concerns with respect to the issue of medical travel;
AND WHEREAS the government’s actions in this area have a significant impact on air transportation services in Nunavut as a whole;
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the Honourable Member for Baker Lake, that Tabled Document 216 – 2(4), Government of Nunavut Requests for Proposals for Standing Offer Agreement for Medical Travel on Scheduled Airlines, be referred to the Committee of the Whole for consideration.
Mr. Curley: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation) The motion speaks for itself because we discussed that last winter and there were a lot of questions to the Department of Health in regard to medical travel.
The government didn’t respond to some of the questions that were asked by members.
Our constituents want to know about the medical travel contracts held by the airlines because they feel that asking questions is not good enough. I would like all members to support my motion so that we can understand what’s happening with medical travel in the North.
I will be in support of the motion because all Nunavummiut will have to know, as well as the government and the members, especially the Inuit of Nunavut.
Not long ago, there was a plane that was coming from Pond Inlet and some patients had to be left behind.
When I got aboard Canadian North, there were only two of us in the whole airplane.
We have to understand those kinds of things and what’s wrong with it so that we can fix it.
To the motion. (interpretation) All in favour of the motion, please raise your hand. (interpretation ends) Thank you.
First Reading of Bills. (interpretation) Minister of Community and Government Services, Minister Brown.
I request consent of this Assembly to waive the two-day notice requirement to allow for the first reading of Bill 40, An Act to Amend the Revolving Funds Act.
The minister is seeking consent to waive Rule 62(1) so that Bill 40 can have first reading today.
Bill 40 – An Act to Amend the Revolving Funds Act – First Reading
I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Nanulik, that Bill 40, An Act to Amend the Revolving Funds Act, be read for the first time.
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I request consent of this Assembly to waive the two-day notice requirement to allow for the first reading of Bill 22, Miscellaneous Justice Statutes Amendments Act, 2008.
I would like to ask the Premier if it was Bill 42 or 22.
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) Bill 42, four-two.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) The minister is seeking consent to waive Rule 62(1) so that Bill 42, four-two, can have first reading today.
You may proceed, Mr. Premier.
Bill 42 – Miscellaneous Justice Statutes Amendment Act, 2008 – First Reading
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker (interpretation ends) and colleagues.
I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Nattilik, that Bill 42, four-two, Miscellaneous Justice Statutes Amendment Act, 2008, two-zero-zero-eight, be read for the first time. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I request consent of this Assembly to waive the two-day notice requirement to allow for the first reading of Bill 41, Forgiveness of Debts Act, 2008-2009.
The minister is seeking consent to waive Rule 62(1) so that Bill 41 can have first reading today.
Bill 41 – Forgiveness of Debts Act, 2008-2009 – First Reading
I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Iqaluit East, that Bill 41, Forgiveness of Debts Act, 2008-2009, be read for the first time.
I request consent of this Assembly to waive the two-day notice requirement to allow for the first reading of Bill 43, Write-Off of Assets and Debts Act, 2008-2009.
The minister is seeking consent to waive Rule 62(1) so that Bill 43 can have first reading today.
Bill 43 – Write-Off of Assets and Debts Act, 2008-2009 – First Reading
I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Quttiktuq, that Bill 43, Write-Off of Assets and Debts Act, 2008-2009, be read for the first time.
Bills 40, 41, 42, and 43 have had first reading.
Item 19. (interpretation) Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters.
Bills 36, 37, 38, and Bill 39 with Mr. Kattuk in the Chair.
>>House recessed at 15:24 and Committee resumed at 16:08
Chairman (Mr. Kattuk)(interpretation): I would like to call the committee meeting to order.
In Committee of the Whole, we have the following items to deal with: Bills 36, 37, 38, 39, and Tabled Document 216 – 2(4).
We wish to commence our review of the supplementary appropriations, commencing with Bill 36, followed by Bills 37, 38, and 39.
Are we in agreement that we first deal with Bill 36?
Bill 36 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 4, 2007-2008 – Consideration in Committee
Chairman: I would now like to ask Minister Tapardjuk of the Department of Finance to make his opening remarks. Minister Tapardjuk.
During this sitting of the Legislative Assembly, four supplementary appropriation bills are being brought forward.
There are capital and O&M appropriations for each of the previous fiscal year, 2007-08, and the current fiscal year, 2008-09.
For 2007-08, Bill 36 will address the need to appropriate capital funds for the Arctic Bay Airport in the amount of $3,837,000.
Mr. Chairman, these funds are all required to ensure that the Government of Nunavut continues to provide essential services and programs to Nunavummiut.
I would be pleased to answer any questions that members may have.
For your information, I am the Chairman, not the Speaker.
Minister Tapardjuk, would you like to have your officials with you at the witness table?
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): Yes, I would like to have my officials with me at the witness table.
Chairman (interpretation): Sergeant-at-Arms, please escort the witnesses to the witness table… (interpretation ends) Does the committee agree to bring the witnesses to the table?
With me today is the Deputy Minister of Finance, Peter Ma, on my left, and Diane Moebis, Acting Director of Expenditure Management, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Minister Tapardjuk. (interpretation ends) Before we proceed, I would like to remind members of the following: according to Rule 77(1), you have ten minutes to speak, and according to Rule 77(2), subject to the discretion of the Chair, a member may speak more than once to a matter under discussion but not until every member wishing to speak has spoken.
I will ask some questions to the minister or his officials concerning the Iqaluit Road Paving Project that is included in this supplementary appropriation under capital supplementary appropriations.
I believe that it’s important for the government to ensure that Nunavummiut comprehend what the government activities are and communicate this clearly. Last year, the need for clear lines of communication was reiterated by the Minister of Finance.
While reading the government’s own news release dated July 10, 2008, I understood that there would be $12 million spent on road improvements in the territorial capital of Iqaluit.
However, the language creates the impression that the government would simply hand a cheque for $12 million to the City of Iqaluit.
I have some questions to clarify the matter for Nunavummiut as well as for the benefit of the listening public so that they know exactly what this fund involves and what assistance is to be given by our government.
I don’t have any more members on my list for general comments.
We will now proceed to the page-by-page review of the departmental estimates, starting with page 4.
Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) No. 4, 2007-2008.
I would like some clarification on the Arctic Bay Airport Project. $3,837,000 will now have to be appropriated on an emergency basis due to the project overruns associated with what they are listing as “issues caused by thawing permafrost.”
The reason why I’m posing this question is the typical government practices for capital projects. When the project is being planned, they generally do all of the engineering plans for it.