EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Well it does not say how many dollars you have to spend before the project goes underway.
There is the planning stage, where we expend some dollars.
Then in the next year there is the foundation built, and then there is the building and then there is the warranty work.
Each of these phases costs money.
Should a project start there is also the cost factor in the planning, the construction, the foundation, and so on.
We were already spending money when they were turned over to the Nunavut Government.
It does not say how much we have spent to date on any particular project.
I am going to be tabling these documents at the appropriate time on the agenda.
It was started in 1998 and the architectural drawings cost money.
There is all this documentation on the project that was started.
They had spent 460 thousand and the blueprints were 75% complete.
They spent 460 thousand dollars and I would assume that the project would go ahead because we spent so much money and all the drawings are done.
No it does not work that way.
I do not know what kind of example I should use.
The company who are going to be constructing the building, if they were awarded the contract then they would have gone ahead.
Then there are some architectural drawings that were done but as Mr. Irqittuq stated, they did not set aside money for the actual construction of the project.
The drawings might be there but if there was no money set aside for the construction of the project then the project would not go ahead.
Mr. Speaker, now that our government is on its own did you have to complete a project that was underway already when you took over the projects from the GNWT or were they supposed to be placed as a priority by the Nunavut Government if the projects were underway already.
Mr. Speaker, they would be placed in priority if contracts were awarded already to a particular company.
We had made a statement saying that those contracts that were awarded already would go ahead but if only the architectural/engineering was done then the project wouldn’t go ahead because we didn’t have enough money.
We had to concentrate on priorities like safety and health issues, or if they had any hazardous situations.
Because we didn’t work right away on the Pond Inlet school it was closed, in Baker Lake the light fixtures were falling and in Clyde River part of the foundation of the school fell through.
That’s why we had to deal with the health and safety issues and also the ones that contracts were awarded to already.
Question 472 - 1(3): Artificial Ice in Arenas
In regards to community arenas.
Since we are talking about building artificial ice, three communities are on the list for artificial ice.
Have you done a review of all the Nunavut communities where it would be most suitable to put artificial ice in those arenas.
I would not say that we are going to be going ahead with those three communities.
What we are doing at this time is doing a review of whether the projects could go ahead.
Using Rankin Inlet as an example the private businesses have stated that they would like to build artificial ice because it is going to be more cost efficient.
The business people of Rankin Inlet have made that statement.
We had asked them but we have not made a statement saying that we are going to do those types of projects.
The three communities that we have talked about, there is only one community that has artificial ice and that is Iqaluit.
The other communities are Cambridge Bay and Rankin where we have hockey tournaments on a regular basis and the reason why we brought this up is that the private business owners made that proposal.
We know that if we do not deal with this right away then there probably won’t be any hockey tournaments in the near future.
We have not made a statement of whether we are going to do those three communities; the only reason we brought this up is that the private business owners made that proposal.
That is good to hear that the Nunavut Government will not contribute to the two communities following the comments that the minister made on this issue.
I am saying that the communities who have shown interest, for example Sanikiluaq, we are thinking about Sanikiluaq but we are also talking about two other communities.
They used to start their hockey season in October now in Rankin Inlet they start in December.
We are talking about having to do it sometime but I am not saying when we are going to do it.
I do know that in some communities they start in January.
I would suggest that you do a review of all the schools, there are some communities that have a shorter winter season and I would suggest that you do a review of all the communities before starting any projects.
When we became a Nunavut Government we started to do things more as a people-friendly government.
Sometimes we bend the rules a little.
For example, if we were to follow the guidelines they probably would not be able to get an arena.
But we do know that if a particular community gets an arena there would be more things to do for the youth.
More youth if they start arena programs earlier, there would be less crime in the future.
I did not ask for that particular response but he made it anyway.
I would suggest that we do a review.
For three communities it would be 300 thousand dollars and I would suggest that he look into it.
I did not ask the question about that.
My question was that you should look at all the communities and do a review of the communities that have shorter winters before starting any projects.
I am sure that if all communities can it would be good but with no budget we are just doing a study because private businesses made that proposal first.
This Rankin Inlet businessman had said that he would like to build an artificial ice rink in Rankin Inlet.
But we also know that once Rankin Inlet gets one there will be other communities asking for that type of ice.
Then we would have to consider Cambridge Bay and Rankin Inlet because they are regional centres and there are hockey tournaments that go on in the regional centres.
Question 473 1(3): Commercial Diving Standards
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister responsible for the Workers’ Compensation Board.
Mr. Speaker, as my colleague from Qikiqtarjuaq was talking about earlier regarding the regulations for divers.
Mr. Speaker, I would just like to ask the Minister responsible for the Workers’ Compensation Board if the standards that are used, or the CSA standards, that I believe we have inherited from the NWT, govern the diving.
Mr. Speaker, under those standards I believe that someone diving for harvesting of seafood would fall under the category of a restricted occupational diver.
I believe in an article in the paper at the beginning of this month there were some concerns raised about those regulations not being totally applicable here in Nunavut.
It was my understanding that the CSA regulations are probably the most strict regulations in Canada and that each jurisdiction in Canada has its own standards, sets its own standards.
I am just wondering if the minister has asked his people that are responsible for enforcing these regulations to meet with representatives of the divers in regards to trying to find a solution to hear the concerns that the divers have right now.
Minister responsible for the Worker's Compensation Board, Mr. Ng.
First of all Mr. Speaker, I want to make it clear that there are no government personnel that are responsible for enforcement of these regulations.
The Workers’ Compensation Board has jurisdiction to ensure that there is safety in the work place for all employers including the Government of Nunavut.
They make sure that any employee of any organization is working in safe conditions.
The Safety Act per se is not under my jurisdiction either as I indicated earlier in a response to the honourable member’s question earlier.
But having said that, we do recognize that there is a difference between a recreational and a commercial diver and the certification between those two categories.
So it’s a matter I think of trying to find out if there is some sort of medium between those two classifications that can apply in a situation where some of our people may not be fully commercial divers but on a seasonal type of basis as is with the clam divers.
To allow for that type of situation.
I can’t say right now how much flexibility there is in the laws or the regulations to allow for that to happen.
However, as I indicated earlier, I will speak to my honourable colleague who is in charge and who has responsibility for the Safety Act, to see if anything can be done in that area.
Mr. Speaker, I thank the minister for clarifying that.
I guess my point Mr. Speaker, and my question to the minister is that, in our Nunavut communities we don’t have a huge economic base.
As an example, the gun control legislation, there are many pieces of legislation that are developed for the rest of Canada that really don’t apply or are not applicable or don’t reflect the needs in Nunavut.
Notwithstanding the safety factor, Mr. Speaker, and I believe I understood that the divers want to ensure that it is a safe environment for them to go in and work in, I don’t want to take away from that Mr. Speaker.
I think that is first and foremost.
But Mr. Speaker, maybe ask the minister who the representatives of these divers would talk to in regards to maybe some type of a restricted license that the minister was talking about.
Who could they approach on that.
Mr. Speaker, I would probably suggest that given the responsibility for the Nunavut Safety Act with the Minister of Justice and the commercial component, and the income and training component with Sustainable Development that those two departments through their respective ministers would be the ones to be approached.
Mr. Speaker, I am just going to ask the Minister responsible for the Workers' Compensation Board, as it’s the Workers' Compensation Board that has shut down the divers from diving, would representatives from the Workers' Compensation Board or someone with them need to be involved in this process to ensure that everyone’s requirements are met, safety requirements and everyone’s happy.
Mr. Speaker, more thank likely I would suggest that probably the member raises a good point given that they are the ones that would enforce any of the amendments and they could possibly make constructive recommendations on how to allow it to happen in a safe fashion.
Mr. Speaker, let me just ask the minister, I don’t know if he can clarify this if he can.
In my experience Mr. Speaker, if an individual is doing enforcement of any regulations they are the most familiar with the need and the requirements for all of these regulations as well as the people in the field using those regulations, like the divers.
I was wondering if the minister could commit to having someone from the Workers' Compensation Board maybe sit down with the divers representatives and the divers and put together some type of a proposal that would be mutually agreeable and forward that on to the appropriate minister for approval.
I think that might help expedite things.
Mr. Speaker, I would answer that I would be willing to approach the Workers' Compensation Board officials and ask whether or not they would be conducive to that type of an arrangement and speaking with the divers to try and recommend some solutions.
Question 474- 1(3): Delay in Capital Budget Jeopardising Projects
Uqaqti my question today is to the Minister of Education.
Uqaqti with the current delay of the Education budget can the minister confirm to me that there is going to be a delay and are there any projects in jeopardy because of this delay.
Some projects are already at risk of not succeeding for construction for this season’s orders because there has to be a lot of preparation work done.
Yes, the answer would be if we delay it too long there are some projects at risk.
My supplementary to that is how much of a timeline do we have now that these projects will not go ahead.
If Cambridge Bay is delayed beyond the next three weeks the total project will miss the barge season.
The contractual obligations in Cambridge Bay continue with the work underway.
Kugluktuk, their project to be completed, renovations of the school, tendering/awarding of material contracts and shipping are at risk.
So one of them in fact, Kugaaruk is only one barge but it is Coast Guard to Pelly Bay out of Nanisivik.
Delays on the tendering/awarding of materials contracts and shipping if they don’t make it through, there is that.
The same thing with the other schools, if they don’t meet the deadline for tendering and shipping then I think one of them we have until Wednesday.
If we miss that then it will have to be cancelled.
Not cancelled but it will not make the sealift barge for shipping.
My supplementary to that is, is his department working at fast tracking that project ASAP if we approve the budget soon.
Hon. James Arvaluk: I cannot really answer for Public Works but I believe that the department and in fact different departments can try to go as fast as they can to meet those shipping deadlines.
Question 475- 1(3): Commercial Clam Diving
My question is to the Minister responsible for Workers' Compensation Board.
My question is, as he indicated in his earlier response about the clam divers safety issue.
The work that they were doing was stopped by the Workers' Compensation Board.
If I had a business of diving for clams, commercial diving and if I had all the appropriate certification and papers would I be able to go diving any time for clams.
Mr. Speaker, if an individual has a recreational diving license he can pursue whatever he wants if it is for his personal use and his personal benefit.
If he is doing it and trying to gain income selling the clams, as is the case with the Qikiqtarjuaq clam divers, then it’s a different scenario because they are diving for commercial gain and that is where the problem of this whole situation lies.
You need to be certified as a commercial diver versus a recreational diver because you are gaining income as a result of your diving activities.
So that’s where the different classifications and the certifications come in.
If I do recreational diving then it is up to me whether I want to go diving or not, but if I have a commercial license do I have other options.
I believe, I am not exactly sure what the member’s question was, but if I try to interpret it.
I think, maybe if I can just reiterate.
For a recreational diver if you are certified you can dive at your own risk because it is for pleasure or if you are doing things for recreational purposes.
As soon as you start trying to start gaining income from your diving you need to be a commercially certified diver because of the fact that you are gaining income.
There’s business laws that come into play, Workers' Compensation Board coverage, business licenses and there are a whole realm of different areas of regulations and laws that take place once your activities become of a commercial nature.
Those of us who are Inuit do not have diver’s licenses.
When we want to do something recreationally then it’s up to us to decide what safety issues we have to face.
I think I understand the minister’s response as well.
But if we are going to do commercial diving with appropriate licensing then I understand the minister is indicating that there are such laws regarding diving commercially.
Is that what the minister is saying to me.
Question 476 1(3): Urgency of Commercial Diving Policy
Regarding clam diving.
Will the minister or the departments deal with this on an urgent basis.
As far as I can recall, the sealing industry in Nunavut was a commercial thing for Inuit and it was stopped a few years ago by outsiders.
Although the Inuit do have some potential for commercial sealing and diving it seems like we always have to run into obstacles.
So I am asking the government whether we could deal with a diving policy as soon as possible.
Speaker: Minister of Justice, Mr. Anawak.
When dealing with safety issues our department is very involved in that and I understand where the members are coming from.
I can indicate to the member that the Department of Justice Safety Division and Workers' Compensation Board will be working together.
However, I want to indicate to the member that diving is very dangerous thing to do and we are aware that people do enjoy diving and harvesting clams.
But there have been incidents that have happened in diving.
There was a Rankin Inlet man who died while diving and there was another person who also died while diving.
I think we are all aware that we have to deal with the safety issues before we start issuing licenses for diving.
Also in Uqsuqtuq, in Gjoa Haven a RCMP officer also died while he was recreationally diving.
So we have to look at all aspects of safety issues when dealing with such diving.
I think all the ministers of each department that are going to be dealing with such policies, we could indicate to the member that we will deal with this on an urgent basis.
We will get back to the member as to how the divers could go back for more training for commercial diving.
Question 477- 1(3): Pelly Bay School Addition
Earlier the minister indicated that the Pelly Bay school addition could possibly be in jeopardy as a result of the debate on the department’s capital budget.
I would like to ask the minister if some funding for the Pelly Bay school addition was included in the interim supply Bill that we passed earlier this session.
I don’t have my interim supply Bill with me but I will have to take that as notice and let the member know later through other means.
Speaker: The minister is taking the question as notice.
Adding to that, even if we have an interim Bill, then if the whole budget and capital is not passed I am told by the Minister of Finance that the interim Bill would be void or something like that.
Maybe the Minister of Finance could answer that better.
Speaker: Mr. Tootoo, supplementary.
Mr. Speaker, maybe I would just like to ask if the Minister of Finance could clarify the Minister of Education’s comments.
Mr. Speaker, as the members may recall during the presentation of the interim appropriation, that was the point, was that it would allow us to start some of the work on a project.
But no commitments could be finalized until after the capital estimates were approved because the members were concerned about that.
So we said that if things were not approved in this House after the interim appropriations that those projects would be deleted.
I made that commitment and members should recall that.
Mr. Speaker, I know I am quite well aware of the Minister of Finance’s comments, but it was my understanding that the interim supply Bill gave the government authority to go ahead and the authority for that Bill doesn’t expire until the end of May.
In that Bill there was 1.5 million dollars in there for the Department of Education.
So I am just wondering out of that money that was to go ahead, and in my experience most projects the different various departments go ahead with them unless there have been some concerns raised about individual projects they go ahead as if they are going to be passed.
So I am just wondering why, I don’t recall any questions being raised on the Pelly Bay school so I am just wondering why that one is being raised as being in jeopardy.
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Well, quite simply, Mr. Speaker, I don’t know if the member forgets the motion to defer all the capital of the Department of Education until the minister and the government reports back on the recommendations of the committee of the whole.
So we are acknowledging those recommendations of the committee and nothing has been moving.
That is why the whole issue about the timing and the sensitivity of the capital I think is a question out there.
As members know there was a question raised in the House last week about what projects might be impacted, is there a concern about that and we said definitely there was.
I made the commitment to try to bring back that information.
I had a preliminary list this morning provided to me that was provided by Public Works and there are some projects here quite frankly, Cambridge Bay, I hate to use it as an example, because of the nature of that project, but the budget approval deadline that they have outlined to us is April 18th, which is tomorrow.
There are over two dozen other items here for April 25, which is just about, it is a week away, Mr. Speaker.
So the problem with that is I didn’t want to speak on that yet until we had an opportunity to speak with Public Works that put together this information and get some clarity around the best case scenario for approval of the budget versus the worst case scenario.
I believe that what they are indicating here is to guarantee delivery for the current construction year, these are the dates that they are using.
Now that’s not to say that if we go past these dates, proposals can’t still be done, but again, we would have to get that clarified once Public Works comes forward.
Hopefully that will be today during the budget review.
Supplementary, final, Mr. Tootoo.
Mr. Speaker, this is just to clarify.
The Minister of Finance indicated that the Cambridge Bay project deadline was tomorrow, the 17th, or the 18th, something like that.
The Minister of Education just a few moments ago said that project had three weeks as the deadline date. So I would just like some clarification as to which is the correct date.
Mr. Speaker, as I said in my statement it is not the wish of any of the members to cause projects to miss happening this year as a result of debate in this House.
Mr. Speaker, that’s why I wanted to get some clarification and I haven’t had a chance to speak to the Deputy Minister of Public Works, or their officials to clarify that.
But in the sense of knowing a bit more, having just been to Cambridge Bay and having spoken to some of the officials over there, the Cambridge Bay project specifically it is scrunched down, because as you know there was a tender notice out earlier because of the magnitude of this project.
Because of the size of the project there are some requirements for special order items such as the Glue-lams, the steel beam structures that have to have work drawings carried out to certain specifications, millwork done by the manufacturers.
So that from my understanding, the April 18th date is the 30 day holdover date that they have to keep their prices firm.
Once we lose that date there is the possibility that if it can’t be extended there are possibilities of increased costs because of not meeting the timelines.
So, again, I do not have the specifics and that is why we have a Department of Public Works to do the delivery of our capital projects.
The Department of Education and the Department of Finance doesn’t have the specific information on delivery and all the facets of construction, tendering, deadlines for delivery and that type of thing.
Oral Questions. Mr. Puqiqnak.
Question 478 1(3): Gjoa Haven Gasoline
I have a problem with my microphone.
Mr. Speaker, this morning through my member’s statement, I indicated that my constituency, namely Gjoa Haven, we have been dealing with bad gasoline.
I have been talking with the Hamlet Mayor about this particular problem.
As I indicated the community received 800 thousand litres of bad gasoline.
Last year we also purchased another 100 thousand litres of gasoline.
The residents of Gjoa Haven had to ship the gasoline by air into the community.
At this point in time they still have a problem with bad gasoline.
They were asking to see if the government departments could be involved in removing or replacing the old gasoline with new gasoline tanks in Gjoa Haven.
I know some residents had a problem that came from the 800 thousand litres of bad gas.
They switched to using the new gasoline.
However, Mr. Speaker, the residents of Gjoa Haven have been using this new gas.
What is the Department of Community Government going to do about this problem.
Speaker: Minister responsible for Petroleum Products, Ms. Thompson.
The Director of Public Works for the Kitikmeot went into the community immediately as soon as we heard about this problem.
He was trying to go in there to assess how we can rectify this gasoline problem in Gjoa Haven.