EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
In addition, the new office will be a rent-free space once the repayment period’s ending and resulting in additional future savings.
Residual heat project costs are not part of the GRA and have no effect on rates for customers.
The residual heat assets are excluded from the calculation of QEC’s base rate. The total cost for the residual heat project that you asked about in Iqaluit was $9.2 million. QEC obtained $4.1 million of that investment from the federal government.
The main purpose was to reduce the consumption of fossil fuels, reduce emissions, and help reduce customer costs. To date, QEC has earned $2.8 million in revenue from residual heat in Iqaluit.
I hope that is the information that my colleagues were seeking.
Oral Questions. (interpretation) If there are none… Mr. Ningark.
Question 504 – 3(2): Polar Bear Populations (Ningark)
Mr. Speaker, yesterday, I tabled a copy of a resolution made by the Kitikmeot Regional Wildlife Board at its most recent annual general meeting.
Mr. Speaker, this resolution was in response to the concerns and issues that the hunters and trappers organizations and the communities have regarding the management of the polar bear populations in the McClintock Channel and the Viscount Melville zones.
I have difficulty with nouns like Viscount, characterized by a southern character, Mr. Speaker, however noble it may sound.
The board has requested that his departmental officials travel to the affected communities to consult with the communities and HTOs in regard to the matters pertaining to polar bears in Viscount Melville and McClintock Channel areas.
My question, Mr. Speaker, is: can the minister commit to directing his staff to meeting with the board and local HTOs on this issue?
I would like to thank the member for the question and concern.
At present, as the member states, we have McClintock Channel and Viscount Melville polar bear populations in the areas that he is referring to.
I will and I can commit that we are, we have, and we will continue meeting with the communities in consultation with these two populations.
Viscount Melville is a shared population with the Northwest Territories, so we also have interests there to consult with them.
But I saw in his document that was provided, the resolution, the regional wildlife organization is to provide me a letter with their concerns.
I have not received that letter as of yet, but as soon as I do, I will respond to them and I will commit that we will consult with them.
First supplementary: I would like to quote from the Department of Environment’s Wildlife Management Division website.
It states that “One of the primary goals of the Division is to achieve a balanced approach to wildlife management that meets legislative requirements, uses both science and Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit and reflects the values and needs of Nunavummiut.” Technically it was saying the people of Nunavut.
Can the minister explain how his department is applying these principles to the management of the polar bear populations in the McClintock Channel and Viscount Melville zones?
As outlined in last winter’s sitting, at that time, I informed the House of a wildlife symposium that was held in Rankin Inlet that involved all HTOs across the territory.
At that point in time, that symposium was to create a working ethic of cooperation in wildlife management and, since then, that has happened.
Now we do research not only in polar bears but in all wildlife management.
Communities are heavily involved, their interests and the information they give us are involved, and they are actually involved in the processes that we come up to do proper surveys and in our research methods.
I can assure the member that Inuit are involved along all steps of the way and more so than ever before.
I thank the hon. minister for his answer and I understand that he talks about the process.
My second supplementary, I suppose, is on the process. Can the minister indicate what the process is to increase the total allowable harvest in these zones?
In regard to setting a total allowable harvest for the zones that the member has referred to, the process includes, again, consultation with the communities, the HTOs involved, updated research work so that we can have updated and current population estimates, and the process also involves all interest groups through the regional wildlife boards and through the NWMB making recommendations for proper decisions to be made.
On the final supplementary, the minister has indicated that he will direct his officials to visit the communities affected by the management issues. When will the minister get his officials to visit the Kitikmeot region?
As I advised the member before, I am waiting for the letter that he has referred to and the resolution that was provided to me.
I commit to meet with the communities as soon as possible, not over polar bear issues but all wildlife management issues.
Once that letter is received, I will instruct my staff to be in contact with the affected HTOs to set up meeting dates.
Question 505 – 3(2): Economic Development in Smaller Communities (Rumbolt)
I would like to direct my questions to the Minister of Economic Development and Transportation.
Mr. Speaker, a couple of days ago, I spoke about addressing poverty in this House.
I urged the government to be creative in reviewing and developing the resources to fight poverty in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, I also spoke about how important the traditional economy is in smaller, non-decentralized communities.
Mr. Speaker, earlier this week, the minister tabled the Nunavut Development Corporation’s 2009-2010 annual report in the House. I want to assure the minister that we do read those reports.
Can the minister explain what process the Nunavut Development Corporation has in place for establishing new subsidiaries in Nunavut communities?
I thank the member for that question, a very important question for the smaller non-decentralized communities of Nunavut.
NDC, in its Act, is obligated to assist smaller, non-decentralized communities, and that’s exactly what it has been doing.
For Sanikiluaq and the smaller, non-decentralized communities, NDC does pay particular attention to these smaller communities in trying to provide any assistance for any kind of economic development.
As the minister stated, the Nunavut Development Corporation is required by law to focus its efforts on creating “employment and income for residents of Nunavut, primarily in small communities.”
One section I was particularly interested in while going through NDC’s annual report was the “Job Creation” section.
A test fishery was conducted in 1985 for scallops and other seafood in Sanikiluaq. A similar study was done in the late ‘90s.
It’s my understanding that the study concluded that a small specialty market could be developed.
As subsidiaries become profitable and no longer require assistance from the Nunavut Development Corporation, funds would be available for new subsidiaries to be established, for example, to harvest scallops and other seafood in Sanikiluaq.
Will the minister commit to asking the Nunavut Development Corporation to consider establishing a new subsidiary in Sanikiluaq?
There are always efforts being made by the Nunavut Development Corporation in establishing economic activity in these smaller communities.
What we found in the past is that the communities do have to initiate some of the activities that they want to do within the community.
Not only that, there has to be capacity to have a viable business plan to make sure it’s feasible and is sustainable within the smaller community.
NDC does provide assistance to any individual or group in the smaller communities to assist in coming up with business plans that are sustainable for the smaller communities.
Question 506 – 3(2): Public Health Strategy (Elliott)
Mr. Speaker, yesterday, I asked questions to the minister about the Mental Health Act. In his reply, he mentioned the Public Health Act and how it was being reviewed. He further went on to say that the review of this Act would not be completed in the life of the Third Legislative Assembly of Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, my question is in regard to the Public Health Strategy. Mr. Speaker, I ask for confirmation if the Public Health Act is different from the Public Health Strategy.
It may be a word game as far as I’m concerned. I don’t know whether or not a substantial… .
But certainly, with respect to the various reviews, what I can assure the member is that the Public Health Act of Nunavut is an ongoing review and the consultations continue with the various groups.
It is one that is looked at as a long-term review in view of the mandate of this Assembly, but whether or not it is actually in the same component, I would have to confirm that after checking with my officials.
In terms of the Public Health Strategy, which my understanding is the strategy is complete, I was wondering if the minister could outline what the key points are in the strategy.
Once I have that information, I will be prepared to table it with this Assembly probably on Monday.
I guess that confirms that the Public Health Strategy is complete. My understanding of the Public Health Strategy is that, through the strategy, public health nurses are supposed to be hired in all of the Nunavut communities.
Is this true, yes or no?
Hon. Tagak Curley: Mr. Speaker, certainly our health centres in Nunavut have base funding for personnel.
Where recruitment strategies are completed, they are funded and there should be, if at all possible, positions filled, but it is a continuing challenge to have all positions filled.
The department continues to work and recruit, and that process continues to be underway.
These public health nurses are a vital part to having a healthy community. They provide education and preventative measures within the community.
Could the minister update the House as to how many public health nurses are hired in the territory?
Hon. Tagak Curley: Mr. Speaker, I certainly will be pleased to table the information once I have it.
Question 507 – 3(2): Polar Bear Sport Hunts – Baffin Bay (Okalik)
As we are approaching winter here in Nunavut, there will be many hunters wanting to go polar bear hunting over the winter.
Many communities are preparing for the winter polar bear hunts, especially here in your community and in Pond Inlet.
It will be almost two years since sport hunting has been banned in the Baffin Bay population.
I wrote in my letter to the federal minister that they are stopping the economic opportunities of this region.
Their response was that they would not open this region for sport hunters.
So I would like to ask this question to the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs: what have you undertaken to try and deal with economic disadvantage that has been foisted on the Baffin Bay polar bear population communities?
What have you done to try and alleviate some of these issues faced by our communities in this region?
Hon. Eva Aariak (interpretation): My apologies.
I thank the member for expressing his concern to the federal government and that he regularly writes to the federal ministers.
With regard to this issue, I am really in support of the Minister of Environment when he is dealing with these issues.
The department is dealing with this matter and he can respond to this question properly.
I can state that we are continually exploring options on how we can best deal with that.
I believe the Minister of Environment can respond more clearly on that.
I thank the member for the documents he tabled yesterday and I read through them.
He voices his opinion and the opinions of the representatives and the people of the affected communities.
As he recalls, I also wrote a letter to the federal minister, Minister Prentice, asking if a non-detriment finding of the polar bears of the Baffin Bay populations could be lifted.
As the member has indicated, the federal minister is not willing to do that at this time.
However, we are working on means and ways of doing that as quickly as we can.
We have set up a joint commission, as I had advised everyone before, with Greenland working with the shared population. They have met twice now.
They are in the final stages of coming up with a common agreement on the survey methods and means and the involvement of all communities involved on doing a survey of the Baffin Bay polar bears to find out the updated population.
As soon as this is completed, it will provide us with information so that we can move forward to have this non-detrimental finding lifted and the Baffin Bay polar bears exportable again to Europe.
With respect to the Minister of Environment, I am fully in support of these initiatives, but my question was what the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs was doing in this aspect.
The Minister of Environment seems to be unilaterally working towards dealing with this significant issue via correspondence and meetings.
If the minister had more support from executive colleagues, specifically the Premier, then we would be able to move forward on this file prior to the end of the calendar year.
That is why I asked about what activities EIA had undertaken, especially in trying to reopen that area for exports.
Yes, our government did slash some of the polar bear quotas for the communities in the Baffin Bay area and that is what this government has moved.
However, the federal government has not moved at all, even with these changes.
That is why I wanted to ask the Premier: what exactly have you done to support this Baffin Bay initiative?
We ministers are united in this government.
In all of their duties, I continue to provide them with support since these are government initiatives.
Furthermore, when a minister requires more support, I provide that support as needed.
When I have the opportunity to meet with our federal counterparts, I continue to voice our concerns.
I am working together with my ministers because we have to work as a team.
We collaborate on issues and I want everyone to know that these projects undertaken by the department are supported by the Executive Council.
As an example, I have tabled correspondence outlining my efforts to assist this initiative.
However, we have no concrete evidence of how the Premier is supporting her minister.
I would like to know when you met with your counterparts.
What other processes will you undertake?
Winter is fast approaching and many of our communities will have to look at alternatives with relation to providing economic opportunities with the ban in place.
The Minister of Environment and his department are working really hard to resolve these issues. I’m not trying to take that away from them and I’m not sure what other activities I could undertake to support him, but they are very busy trying to deal with that challenge.
I know that they are working to the utmost of their abilities to deal with this issue, especially in trying to benefit Nunavummiut.
Do we have to explore options? Maybe dealing with the minister or perhaps I can discuss with my colleague what options we may have.
When I heard about this matter, I was quite shocked.
One of our government’s mandated duties to manage their wildlife was annexed by the federal government.
Our government has the jurisdiction over polar bears, but the federal government overrode this mandate when they imposed the polar bear export ban, which affects hunters and sport hunting guides.
They have usurped the power of the Nunavut government to deal with that issue.
If they were to do that in Alberta, such as occurred during the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, where the federal government would expropriate the provincial government mandate, then there would be a tremendous public backlash.
That is how I view this episode, where our government’s powers have been eroded by the federal government.
That is why I wish to see a stronger government that can face the federal government when they attempt to take away our jurisdiction and that this will not be accepted by us.
Again, we are imposing hardships on our constituents in that manner.
I again ask the Premier: we have a Member of Parliament representing the north and perhaps the Premier can utilize our MP to reopen this management zone.
The federal government uses the principles of conservation to make that decision.
We, as a government, have continued to voice our position and this process is still ongoing.
Whatever the government has attempted, whenever there is anything being done by the government, it’s never a fast process.
You have to continue to remind them, continue to state your position, and continue to express your concerns.
We are doing that in protecting our Nunavut residents.
Question 508 – 3(2): Staff of Medical Travel Office (Komoartok)
I would like to direct my question to the Hon. Tagak Curley, the Minister of Health and Social Services.
This past winter, the minister indicated that the medical travel coordinator’s office in Pangnirtung would be moved to Iqaluit. I believe he advised us that this would occur in April in the new fiscal year. This news was understandable in its reasoning.
Now, with respect to the three positions in that office, they had options to move to Iqaluit or to stay in Pangnirtung and work at the regional office.
They were told not to be concerned since they would not lose their jobs.
Over the course of several months, it became apparent that the move would proceed after June because of logistical issues, such as their children’s school year ending date.
One person did move to Iqaluit with their family, with their spouse and four children. One found another position in the regional centre, but the final person who did not want to move to Iqaluit has been placed in limbo.
They received a letter from the deputy minister in late June stating that since they could not find a position for that person, they would lose their position.
After that correspondence was sent, that person is no longer working for the government.
It seems what the minister assured would occur did not get implemented as per his remarks. It seems that it slipped from the original intent.
My question to the minister is: with respect to this individual who seems to have slipped through the cracks, can his department search harder for a proper position that that person can fill in Pangnirtung?
That person does not want to move. My question to the minister is if he can task his officials to search for a position. The minister has received the correspondence requesting that this person be provided with a position.
Yes, I am aware of circumstances and that these employees could not move to Iqaluit.
I understand that one employee did move to Iqaluit.
However, based on what I was led to understand, one person wanted to resign but wanted to return later on.
The fact that this person resigned caused a problem, as per my understanding.
With regard to employment, there are a couple of issues that we have to resolve. Once I get more background information on this matter, including your information, I can deal with that person’s situation.
However, I do recall that one person wanted to resign, which has created barriers and hurdles, and then the person later recanted their resignation request.
Once I find out the background, I will try to deal with.
Perhaps if the Member for Pangnirtung can visit my office after our session and identity the person, we can deal with it.
I will ensure I give you that information and part of the story you were given was not entirely correct.
It was slightly different and I will impart the correct information later on.
One thing I considered urgent was the fact that they received a letter in June from the deputy minister stating that they could not find a position and it appeared to be a hurried effort.
It stated in the Auditor General’s report that sometimes it takes an entire year to fill a position for the government.
When they tried to stop this person, it only took a few months.
From my perspective, it seemed like they moved too rapidly and did not wait long enough for an appropriate position for this person.
The one thing I observed is that it took a very quick time before that person got laid off, so I will speak to the minister about it.
Although I didn’t hear a question, if you would like to respond, Mr. Curley, I give you the opportunity.
Yes, all of the policies and procedures for human resources are adhered to when dealing with employees. As an example, if I, as the minister, wanted to resign, then I would write a letter of resignation to the Premier. The Premier has to either accept our resignation or state that the position has been terminated.
If they do not do that, then the person would remain as a financial liability as they would still be on payroll. These types of correspondence are required to be responded to.
When the person submitted their resignation letter, the process had to be followed as per that request.
However, the employee stated afterwards that they wanted to return to the government.
This original request for resigning was what caused the problems in this situation. As I stated earlier, once I get a better understanding of this matter, I will be able to deal with this matter.
The response indicates slightly different details from what I was led to understand. From what I was led to understand, that person was slated to move to Iqaluit but changed their mind.
That person only changed their mind on moving to Iqaluit and did not state that they were going to resign if they did not move to Iqaluit.
At least that is what I was led to understand. That person wanted to move to Iqaluit but then decided not to move and that was the only decision they made.
I will meet with the minister and clarify the details of this story.
That was just a comment and I am sure the minister will look into your question.
Question 509 – 3(2): Personal Use of Government Vehicles (Schell)
My question is for the Minister of CG&S. I am going back to the question I asked him earlier this week in regard to personal use of vehicles.
Because hamlets receive the majority of funds from the GN, they have to abide by all the GN policies.
Hon. Lorne Kusugak: Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for that question.
Mr. Speaker, no, that is not true. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
My understanding was that if there is a government policy and because they receive the majority of the money from the government, they have to at least follow that policy.
If they want to add additional restrictions to that policy, they can do that through a by-law.
So he is trying to tell me that that is not true.
Hon. Lorne Kusugak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am not trying to tell him anything; I am telling him that that is not the case and it is not true.
Municipalities have their own authorities, they have their own government, they have their own policies and by-laws, and that is their responsibility, Mr. Speaker.
Now, if they choose to adapt some of ours or take a look at them and see how they can apply it to them, it is their prerogative, Mr. Speaker, and they create their own policies.
In this case, I assume that we are talking about the Motor Vehicle Policy. They draft and create their own policies, Mr. Speaker.
If they follow our guidelines, all the better for them, but it is up to each municipality.
Personal use of vehicles includes driving back and forth to home, even if the person is on call, according to CRA. This is still personal use. Picking up family at breaks, lunch, and supper, going to the store or elsewhere, going to the beach to stock the boat or tow the boat, or even that Sunday drive to the park, this is against policy.
After all, it is also a taxable benefit. How will the minister deal with this issue?
The policy is very straightforward, that government vehicles should be used for government purposes only.
If all of those are being done, if they are gone to pick up their boats, or cruise in town, or go berry picking, or whatever they may be doing with the government vehicle, if it is not for the use of government business, it is not following government policy, Mr. Speaker.
He is right; they should be using it for government business only.
In regard to the policies that were originally described, he said the hamlets can follow whatever they want. So when it comes to NNI policy, the hamlet doesn’t have to follow it.