EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Hon. Kelvin Ng: This is Mr. Bob Vardy, Deputy Minister here with me again.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you Minister Ng. We are now on page 16 of the Supplementary Appropriation Act.
Directorate, special warrants 400 thousand.
Not previously authorized, negative 9 million 119 thousand.
Total Department for special warrants, 400 thousand, not previously authorized, negative 9 million 119 thousand.
Page 17. Department of Education, subject capital, branch Directorate, special warrants 250 thousand.
Not previously authorized, 737 thousand.
Are there any comments or questions.
I assume this is the appropriate time to ask questions about the special warrants on page 17.
Mr. Chairman with all the excitement or confusion over the last few minutes, I didn’t have any questions before that but now I found a few as they relate to special warrants.
I would like to ask the minister to just give a definition again, we had this already, but just to refresh my memory, a definition of a special warrant.
Then my question would be in relation to the 250 thousand dollars that has been identified, I believe, for a temporary library.
Minister Ng would you like to respond.
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Mr. Chairman, a definition of a special warrant is a mechanism for advancing spending authority to allow a department to respond quickly to new or unforeseen needs that meet specific criteria.
The criteria are; when the Legislative Assembly is not in session and the board reports to the Commissioner a) that an expenditure is urgently required; b) that the expenditure is in the public interest; and c) there is no appropriation or insufficient expenditure, the Commissioner may authorize a special warrant authorizing the expenditure.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you Minister Ng. I think Mr. O'Brien has another question.
Mr. O'Brien: The question is in relation to the 250 thousand dollars that were filed under a special warrant. I believe, it was decided by cabinet on September 9th that this was a necessary expenditure.
It indicates that the money is to provide a temporary library while the school is being built.
Can the minister explain why it was necessary to have this special warrant in September when all the members were meeting just a few weeks later to discuss these issues.
Why was it necessary to do it under a special warrant.
Hon. Kelvin Ng: The Department of Education had this and many other funding requests with the Financial Management Board and this particular one had come forward for that September meeting and it was approved at that time.
The committee itself, from what I understand had been waiting since the fire on the issue of a replacement of the library and what they were going to do in the interim before the new high school was built with the new library facility.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Minister for your response.
Mr. Chairman it may not seem like a large amount in the overall scheme of the project but it is significant when you look at some of the needs that we have elsewhere.
My question would be, the building that we are spending this 250 thousand dollars on for this library, who actually owns that building and what will happen to that building after the short term use of the library is completed and they move into the school which will have a new library, permanent library.
Mr. Chairman, the building is owned by the Municipality.
They’ve offered to provide the building, and it has become available at no lease cost so they are providing it with the understanding that the government undertakes the capital renovations.
The renovations include strengthening of the floor to permit the storage of books, upgrading the heating system and other internal modifications.
There is also a part of this 250 thousand dollars for furniture in the amount of 25 thousand dollars.
I can’t speak right now to what the usage would be after the new library is built and the books and resources are moved from there, but obviously they would be used by the Municipality for some community purpose.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you Minister Ng. Mr. O'Brien.
Mr. Chairman, this special warrant ties into the construction of the school that burnt down last year I believe, and there is an insurance factor in here that the insurance will pay for this.
We still don’t seem to have a complete picture on exactly how much the school is going to cost, whether it is 6, 7, 8, 9 million dollars.
We don’t seem to know that.
I see some other indicators here that I haven’t seen before.
My question is how much insurance money are we expecting from the school that burnt down and how much is the new school actually going to cost.
Will the 250 thousand dollar special warrant that is going to build the temporary library, will that be factored back into the new school.
May we have a response please, Mr. Ng.
Mr. Chairman there is currently an insurance claim being prepared with respect to the loss of the high school and the common mechanical utilities facility that we’ll be dealing with later.
The status of the claim is that, as I indicated, the costs are being prepared or reviewed, it is expected that this will be finalized this fall and the proceeds of the claim will be received in this fiscal year.
Part of this Mr. Chairman, this claim, will include the temporary facility space that is required.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you Minister. Mr. O'Brien.
One last question, I think the whole issue sort of begs a number of questions and I understand the need to replace the school, that is understood.
The insurance that we are talking about, this is a year ago that school burnt down and we still don’t have it resolved as far as the claim.
Is this a self insured arrangement where the government actually pays for the school out of its own dollars or is it through an insurance company.
Mr. Chairman it is through an insurance company but with government buildings I believe the magnitude of the deductible would be approximately 1 million dollars.
Thank you.,
My final question, does the minister expect that once the insurance is said and done that it will cover the costs of the new school with the costs that are indicated there.
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Thank you Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, past practice in fire losses have shown that is not the case, although a substantive amount of insurance would cover the bulk of it there are always extraordinary expenses and liability on behalf of the government that they would have to provide some additional funding for schools, buildings, whatever the case may be for fire losses Mr. Chairman.
Going back to page 17, in your white binder.
Education, capital, directorate, special warrants, 250 thousand.
Not previously authorized 737 thousand.
Policy and planning, special warrants, 1 million 800 thousand.
Total Department for special warrants, 2 million 50 thousand.
Not previously authorized, total department 737 thousand. I would like to ask my colleagues do you agree to the bill as a whole, the supplementary appropriation as a whole?
Going back to bill 5, Supplementary Appropriation Act No. 1, 1999/2000.
Chairperson (interpretation): Clause by clause.
Chairperson (interpretation): Clause two.
Chairperson (interpretation): Clause three.
Chairperson (interpretation): Clause four.
Chairperson (interpretation): Clause five.
Chairperson (interpretation): Clause six.
Chairperson (interpretation): Clause seven.
Chairperson (interpretation): Total operations and maintenance, 3 million 495 thousand.
Two, capital, Vote 2 – total capital 3 million 607 thousand.
Total supplementary appropriations, in parts 1 and 2, 7 million 102 thousand.
What I have doesn’t say 7 million, it says 8 million in my total supplementary appropriation for parts 1 and 2.
Chairperson (interpretation): There was a revision, an amendment.
I have got a different page, I was on a different page.
Bill as a whole.
Bill 5 is done.
Chairperson (interpretation): Do you agree that we are ready for third reading.
Chairperson (interpretation): Bill 5 is ready for third reading and I would like to thank you Mr. Ng and your Deputy Minister, I keep forgetting his name.
What is the committee’s wish at this time.
I would also like to thank our legal advisor and I keep forgetting her name too.
Do you have any further comments.
I would like to make a report to the Speaker.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Sergeant At Arms.
Mr. Speaker your committee has been considering bill 5 and would like to report that bill 5 is ready for third reading and Mr. Speaker, I move that the report of the committee of the whole be concurred with.
Seconder, Mr. Havioyak.
Item 21, Third reading of bills.
Before I go to Item 22, as the members provided the Speaker today the authority to set such days and hours as the Speaker sees fit to assist with the business of the House, the House will not sit on Monday, November 1, but it will sit on Tuesday, November 2, 1999, commencing at 1.30 pm.
Item 22, Orders of the Day. Mr. Clerk.
Orders of the day for Tuesday, November 1, 1999.
Replies to Commissioner’s Opening Address
Bill 3, An Act to Amend the Interpretation Act
Third Reading of Bills  Bill 5 - Supplementary Appropriation Act 1 1999/2000
The House stands adjourned until Tuesday, November 2nd, 1999 at 1.30 p.m.
>>House adjourned at 2.33 p.m.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1999
Pages 277 - 331
Opening Prayer 277
Ministers’ Statements 277
Members’ Statements 279
Returns to Oral Questions 284
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 287
Oral Questions 288
Reports of Standing and Special Committees 303
Tabling of Documents 313
Notices of Motions 313
Motions 314
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 316
Report of the Committee of the Whole 330
Third Reading of Bills 330
Orders of the Day 330
Tuesday, November 02, 1999 277
37 - 1(3): Ministerial Absences (Okalik) 277
38 - 1(3): Interim Nunavut Status of Women Council (Havioyak) 277
39 - 1(3): Ikajuruti Inungnik Ungasiktumi Network (Picco) 278
40 - 1(3): Nunavut Arts Council (Havioyak) 279
62 - 1(3): Passing of Remi Murray (Tootoo) 280
63 - 1(3): Process Used for Time Zone Change (Iqaqrialu) 280
64 - 1(3): Concerns of Regular Members over Time Zone Change (Nutarak) 281
65 - 1(3): Remembrance of Pangnirtung Hunting Accident Victims (Kilabuk) 282
66 - 1(3): Passing of Titus Seeteenak (McLean) 283
67 - 1(3): Passing of Titus Seeteenak (O'Brien) 283
68 - 1(3): Time Zone Change - Bill 3 (Irqittuq) 283
69 - 1(3): Consultations with Constituents (Alakannuark) 283
70 - 1(3): Recognition of Artists (Puqiqnak) 284
71 - 1(3): Joamie School Family Fun Night (Picco) 284
02 – 1 (3) : Question 42 – 1 (3) Contractors use of Government Equipment (Ng) 284
03 – 1 (3) : Question 67 - 1(3): Lack of Aviation Fuel (Ng) 284
04 – 1 (3) : Question 45 – 1 (3) Proper Spelling of Names (Havioyak) 285
05 – 1 (3) :Adult Educator for Hall Beach (Arvaluk) 286
06 – 1 (3) : Question 92 - 1(3): Gjoa Haven Fish Plant (Kilabuk) 286
07 – 1 (3) : Question 93 - 1(3): Purchase of Country Food from Kivalliq Communities (Kilabuk) 287
117 - 1(3): Boundaries Between Regions (Nutarak) 288
118 - 1(3): Cost of Health Residential Facilities (Tootoo) 289
119 - 1(3): Manitoba to Keewatin Power Grid (O'Brien) 290
120 - 1(3): Cost per Patient at Health Boarding Homes (Nutarak) 293
121 - 1(3): Reason for Revenue Shortfall (McLean) 293
122 - 1(3): Further to Revenue Shortfall (Iqaqrialu) 294
123 - 1(3): Reason for Contingency Reserve (McLean) 295
124 - 1(3): Caribou Marketing for Baffin Region (Iqaqrialu) 296
125 - 1(3): Staffing and Budget Update (O'Brien) 296
126 - 1(3): Cost of Caribou Harvest in Coral Harbour (McLean) 298
127 - 1(3): Cost Per Patient in Rotel (Nutarak) 299
128 - 1(3): Resurfacing of Whale Cove Runway (Tootoo) 300
129 - 1(3): Meetings Between OHSNI Board and LARGA Homes (Tootoo) 300
130 - 1(3): Loan Authorization Act (O'Brien) 302
14 - 1(3): Responses to Petitions (Clerk) 313
15 - 1(3): NTPC Annual Report 1998/99 (Picco) 313
Committee Reports
Ajauqtiit Standing Committee Report on the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Nunavut
(Tootoo) 303
Standing Committee on Government Operations and Services Report on the 1999-2000 Six Month Departmental Progress (Akesuk) 304  Standing Committee on Ajauqtiit’s Report on the 1999-2000 Six Month Departmental Progress Updates (Tootoo) 308
2 – 1 (3): Decentralization to Proceed in a Timely Fashion (Akesuk) 316
3 – 1 (3): Elders Assistance in Work of Maligarnik Qimirujjit (Akesuk) 316
4 – 1 (3): Consultation on P3 Issues (Akesuk) 317
5 – 1 (3): Lack of Staff Housing In Iqaluit - DEFERRED (Akesuk) 317
6 – 1 (3): Standing Committee Materials to be Provided in Advance (Akesuk) 319
7 – 1 (3): Options for Public Access to the Assembly (Tootoo) 320
8 – 1 (3): Planning for Legislative Assembly Building (Tootoo) 320
9 – 1 (3): Lack of Staff Housing In Nunavut (Akesuk) 321
4 – 1 (3): Extended Adjournment (O'Brien) 314
5 – 1 (3): Appointment of Information and Privacy Commissioner (Tootoo) 315
Bill 5 - Supplementary Appropriation Act 1 99/2000 330  Tuesday, November 02, 1999
Tuesday, November 02, 1999
Mr. Ovide Alakannuark, Mr. Olayuk Akesuk, Honourable James Arvaluk, Honourable Levi Barnabas, Honourable Donald Havioyak, Mr. David Iqaqrialu, Mr. Enoki Irqittuq, Mr. Peter Kattuk, Honourable Peter Kilabuk, Mr. Glen McLean, Honourable Kelvin Ng, Mr. Jobie Nutarak, Mr. Kevin O’Brien, Honourable Paul Okalik, Honourable Ed Picco, Mr. Uriash Puqiqnak, Mr. Hunter Tootoo.
Speaker (interpretation): At this time I would like to ask Mr. Alakannuark to say the opening prayer.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Alakannuark for saying the opening prayer.
Minister’s Statement 37 - 1(3): Ministerial Absences
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Mr. Speaker, I rise to inform the house that the Honourable Jack Anawak, Minister of Justice will be absent from the house today to attend meetings with the Solicitor General in Ottawa and will return tomorrow.
Also the Honourable Manitok Thompson will be absent from the house today.
Minister’s Statement 38 - 1(3): Interim Nunavut Status of Women Council
Hon. Donald Havioyak (interpretation): Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce today that cabinet has approved the appointment of an Interim Advisory Council on the Status of Women for Nunavut.
These appointments, which I have made under the authority of the Nunavut Status of Women Council Act, will permit the Status of Women Council for Nunavut to begin its important work immediately on behalf of the women of Nunavut.
These appointee are:
Elizabeth Allakariallak of Resolute Bay, Lizzie Anaviapik of Broughton Island, Kanayuk Salomonie of Cape Dorset, Daisy Keenainak of Pangnirtung, Abigail Idlout of Iqaluit, Wilma Pigalak of Kugluktuk, Elizabeth Lyall of Taloyoak, Rebecca Kudloo of Baker Lake, Joan Kalaserk of Rankin Inlet.
Mr. Speaker, the women appointed today reflect a wide range of experience, commitment and dedication to the goals of improving the status of women in Nunavut.
I thank them for their willingness to serve on the Council which will make recommendations to the Government of Nunavut on how to achieve equality for women and improvements in the status of women in Nunavut.
The Council has been appointed on a term basis for one year.
During this one-year period the interim council will work on policies that are related to Nunavut Women’s issues and equality of men and women.
The interim council will also develop suggestions for the future Status of Women Council that will serve staggered terms from one year to not more than three years as set out in the Act.
(interpretation) These appointments are being made based on nominations received from meetings of Nunavut women held in March, 1999, in Rankin Inlet, as well as consultations with Pauktuutit, communities and individuals.
I am also pleased to announce Geela Giroux, our Senior Advisor on Women’s Issues will work with the council.
She brings a lifetime of experience working on social and equality issues and will be my advisor and the liaison between myself, the Status of Women Council, women’s organizations and women of Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker I invite the honourable members to join me in congratulating these women of Nunavut on their appointments, wish them well in their important work, and indicate our willingness to work together with them to achieve their goals. Koanaqusi.
Speaker (interpretation): Koannaqutit, Mr. Havioyak.
Congratulations to those appointed on behalf of the Legislative Assembly.
Minister’s Statement 39 - 1(3): Ikajuruti Inungnik Ungasiktumi Network
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank all the members of this Assembly for taking the time earlier in October to attend the demonstration of the Ikajuruti Inungnik Ungasiktumi Network.
The IIU Network is a pilot project using modern computer and video technology that the department of Health and Social Services is running right now in three Baffin communities.
Mr. Speaker, this is an exciting development which is helping to cut waiting times and improve access to health care in Nunavut.
With this technology we can help patients be diagnosed and counselled by doctors, psychiatrists and other specialists more quickly and without the inconvenience of travelling to Iqaluit or the south.
This type of satellite linkup between doctors and patients is already practiced successfully in several Canadian provinces and other countries world-wide.
Right now we are running the IIU network in Cape Dorset, Pond Inlet and Iqaluit. I am pleased to tell you that we are hoping to expand this service into Rankin and Arviat early next year.
Mr. Speaker, as a government we are all committed to the health of our people and to making the best possible use of the resources available to us.
I believe that Telehealth is just one of the tools that we can use to make health care and social services more accessible and more effective for the people of Nunavut.
We look forward to tentatively expanding the IIU network into Rankin and Arviat next year and I will keep this House appraised as the project develops.
Qujannamiik Uqaqti.
Speaker (interpretation): Qujannamiik Mr. Picco.
Minister’s Statement 40 - 1(3): Nunavut Arts Council
Mr. Speaker I appreciate this opportunity to speak about the Nunavut Arts Council.
Every jurisdiction in Canada has an Arts Council that works in co-operation with both the government and the artistic community.
The Nunavut Arts Council will take its’ place amongst similar organizations in Canada to communicate with the rest of the country as a unified artistic body and to strengthen Nunavut’s artistic identity.
The Department of Culture, Language, Elders & Youth has committed funding for our territory’s artistic community.
The best way to distribute these funds is through the guidance and recommendations of skilled, experienced, specialists.
A Nunavut Arts Council is best suited to advise on the needs of the artists of Nunavut.
The Council will also create a forum for Nunavut’s artistic community.
This forum will allow artists a direct and unified voice for requesting support and providing recommendations to the government. For example, if there is a concern over the access to stone for carvers, their concerns can be presented to the government in a unified manner.
Or if an artist needs support to train and study, the Arts Council will be best able to provide direction.
The Nunavut Art Council supports our government’s desire to increase public representation by involving more people in the decision making process.
The Department of Culture, Language, Elders & Youth is proud to announce that we will table the Art Council appointments before the end of November.
There are several improvements that the residents of Nunavut can expect when the Arts Council is formed.
They can expect having arts funding decided upon through a fair process that includes the artistic community.
They can expect having Nunavut artists properly represented in the government and they can expect having an advisory body that works in partnership with the public to make Nunavut a place where the arts are supported and encouraged.
Koanna, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Tootoo, welcome back.
Member's Statement 62 - 1(3): Passing of Remi Murray
Mr. Speaker it is good to be back in this House.
I would like to take this opportunity to apologize to the constituents of Iqaluit Centre for not having been in the Assembly last week.
As members of this House know, tragedy struck my family without warning last week when my wife’s uncle, a man who was like a father to her and a brother to me, died of a massive heart attack in northern Saskatchewan.
Mr. Speaker, Remi Murray, or “Deets” as everyone knew him as, was a Metis and a respected member of his community.
He was especially renowned for his counselling and traditional healing abilities.
Had he been Inuk, I believe he would no doubt be at the forefront of what we are trying to accomplish in Nunavut, blending traditional values and wisdom with the best of the contemporary world that he practiced in his everyday work.
Mr. Speaker, it is at times like this that we should step back a moment and remember that our political debates that may seem so important at the moment are not so enduring as the need for strong, loving families. As we approach the end of this session and look forward in just a few short weeks to the dawn of the new millennium, let us not forget that the success of Nunavut does not necessarily depend on what we do as political figures, or what we say in the House, in it’s soul Nunavut may be a small territory but it is a large family.
The strength of our families in the communities, our desire to seek consensus and not discord will lead us forward.
I know, Mr. Speaker, that my uncle took a profound interest in what we are accomplishing here.
I know Mr. Speaker, that he is still watching down on me and my family.
I again commit myself to living up to what he expected of me, what my constituents expect of me and what my honourable colleagues in this House expect of me.
Thank you again, Mr. Speaker for your understanding during these past few difficult days.
Speaker: Thank you Mr. Tootoo for your statement.
Member's Statement 63 - 1(3): Process Used for Time Zone Change
(Note: Technical problems, recording partially inaudible)
I rise today to talk about Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit and how it is integrated to the workings of the government.
However, the process used for Bill 3 has reversed the purpose of integrating Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit into government practices.
It has broken the spirit and intent of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit.
The Government of Canada has gone over the heads of the Nunavut Legislature with their passage of the regulation to change the time zone. This is the reason that we will discuss again today the issue of the time zone change when we resume the business of the house today.
We need to discuss what is in the best interest of the residents of Nunavut.
We will need to discuss also the adverse effects of this change to our constituents.
Member's Statement 64 - 1(3): Concerns of Regular Members over Time Zone Change
Mr. Nutarak (interpretation): Mr. Speaker, I rise today as the Chairperson of the Regular Members' Caucus to make an important statement on behalf of the regular members.
We have a strong concern about the way the time zone issue has been handled by the government.
Our concern, Mr. Speaker, is that we do not believe that the government informed us clearly and openly about how it planned to proceed with putting the time zone change into effect.
We were encouraged by the commitments made by the government in Pinasuaqtavut - the Bathurst Inlet Mandate, about openness, co-operation and respect for MLAs.
The statement declares that co-operation will be the operating standard at every level and that MLAs will be respected as important sources of community opinion.
The Standing Committee on Government Operations considered Bill 3 at its meeting on September 30, 1999 and noted that there would be a dramatic change in certain communities where the time would go back two hours.
When the Bill was presented to the Committee for review, the Chairperson of the Committee, Mr. Akesuk, wrote a letter to the Government on that date, noting that there is a significant degree of confusion and uncertainty about the social and economic impact of the change on people, schools, businesses, etc.