EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
That’s why we have so many vehicles this year. We focused on that.
Next year, we’re going to try to maybe throw a little money on some other maintenance of other buildings. That’s including snowmobiles and boats. We have about 18 vehicles across the territory right now, one boat for the land program at the Baffin Correctional Centre and approximately a dozen snowmobiles.
That’s why we’re replacing some snowmobiles next year too because they’re getting very old.
The reason why I asked that question is in your summary, there’s a Kugluktuk Men’s Healing Facility, and then there’s two snow machines with $25,000 set aside for it.
My question is in regard to the outpost camps. Don’t they have outpost camps out there? When you have outpost camps, don’t they get snowmobiles, boats, outboard motors, and so on?
If we wanted to promote the usage of outpost camps, shouldn’t they be budgeted for snowmobiles, outboard motors, boats, and so on?
In the outpost camps that we have operating right now, that is the price of those types of equipment, whether it be boat, snowmobile, ATV, are negotiated in the contract with the operator of the outpost camp.
Mr. Tapardjuk (interpretation): Do I understand that in the outpost camps, there’s no capital expenditure set aside for outpost camps?
They can only purchase those types of transportation modes by way of negotiations.
What are the numbers that have been used for contracting outpost camps for their capital items, operations and maintenance, and so on?
We do have the numbers, in fact. Anybody that we have a contract with operating an outpost camp gets $12,000 a year for equipment to operate their outpost camps, whether that be an ATV, a boat motor, or a snowmobile. Just so there’s clearer understanding, the other listed capital that we have listed is for our facilities where we offer the outpost programs on the land.
There is money with the contractors; we give them $12,000 each to purchase equipment.
I wanted to get an answer to that question.
That seems a bit low when we’re talking about setting that amount. I’ll keep referring to that item every now and then.
It looks like the Department of Justice doesn’t put a priority on the outpost camps.
I have another question. It’s not over here, so I’ll ask my question at the appropriate time. Once we go into corrections, I’ll ask that question and leave it at that for now, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Curley (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It’s almost six o’clock.
I did have my opening comments, but we’re going to be approving class “X” estimates and it looks like it’s going to go ahead with that estimate. That’s in the last page. It states that “the department continues to use the class ‘X’ estimate as a placeholder,” and that seems a little precarious for me.
I don’t want to agree to something that is in an iffy situation.
I think it would be best if it was properly presented because I don’t think we’re going to build it this year and there’s going to be a supplementary appropriation in the winter, not as a class “X” but as a “B,” as a complete… .
So you’re asking for $8.4 million on a class “X” estimate and that will be submitted to FMB. Under which program? That temporary structure will only house 40.
This class “X” estimate of $8.4 million has been submitted. So how many additional placements would that include?
I hope that makes sense. (interpretation ends) Thank you.
I’m not sure if I quite understood you at the end, but this is a class “X” estimate with the $8.5 million.
This facility is going to be built for 48 beds, 48 inmates.
It’s going to be a medium, low-risk facility for inmates.
You bring up the point that yes, we’re asking for approval for the $8.5 million, but in the interest of the process and in time, we do want to build this facility the next summer. That’s the urgency with it somewhat.
We would like to construct it and have everything approved by fiscal year-end so if it is approved, we could get all the materials ordered and construction started next summer so that we could build it.
In the interest of the process, this is the best figure we had when the capital process started.
It’s submitted in there, but I am telling you, as you well know and you brought to my attention too, really, this construction is going to cost closer to $15 million than the $8.5 million. The process that we could do that in is to get the capital numbers that are in the capital process approved and come back to you with a supp bill that you will be well aware that we’re coming back for.
It is in the interest of the urgency of the whole case that we have before you there.
My predicament is, really, that you’re asking us to approve not a small amount of funds based on class “X” estimates, which is an out of the blue kind of estimate.
That’s setting up quite a dangerous precedent to the legislature.
I believe we need to be presented with final estimates, class “C” if at all possible. The planning and design phase, I believe, does that. It’s really not going to be too late at all if we come back with the actual figures to accomplish what you want to accomplish.
I believe that we’re not keeping with the guidelines the Auditor General has presented.
By using figures based on class “X” estimates, you’re presenting something that is totally not complete, which doesn’t involve in lieu of time.
We still got a lot of time to complete final estimates to be presented, whether they be class “C” estimates or not.
Class “B” is all right, but I don’t believe using class “X” estimates should be the basis for getting Legislative Assembly approval process. That’s my predicament.
I’m not at all opposing; I support this project.
I believe we should do it with more credibility.
I don’t know whether you could do that this week or not by improving the actual figures. I’m not sure your planning and design is complete, which I think you could accomplish what you want to accomplish if you submit to us the total figure for planning and design, approved budget, and present the class “C” estimates in the winter session.
You still have time to tender the project in the fall.
At this time, Mr. Chairman, it puts me in a very difficult predicament to be asked to approve, through the Assembly, the class “C” estimates without a real backup.
That’s my difficulty.
I don’t know whether the minister can help me clarify that or not.
I thank Mr. Curley and I do understand your concern completely.
I really don’t know how to answer that, but my best answer would be that I would need to consult with the Department of Finance and see if there is a way of putting the proper figures on the proper pieces of paper that need to be there.
I’m not sure if we can do that and have this come back this week and in front of the committee.
Maybe at the end of the day today, I can discuss this with the Department of Finance tomorrow and see what the options could be in bringing this and moving this forward.
Mr. Chairman, I do support the project fully, but I believe that the Auditor General’s office as well as the procurement process really require it to submit as much as possible the best estimates.
If they are class “C,” that’s acceptable. I have never heard of any project being submitted using class “X” estimates and say, “Will you approve this, please?”
It’s going to put us in quite a difficult place once the Auditor General sees that figure and starts seeing the escalation of figures.
In view of time, I know this is complex, but I think we need a way out so that we’re not seen as just voting for class “X” estimates in the amount of $8.5 million.
Mr. Chairman, in view of time, I do want to ask more questions tomorrow, so I would like to move a motion to report progress.
There’s a motion on the floor moved by Mr. Curley to report progress.
We will have to vote on the motion.
The motion is carried. I will now rise to report progress to the Speaker.
Tomorrow, I want the committee members to know that Mr. Curley will be the first to speak during Committee of the Whole.
Speaker: Qujannamiik, Sergeant-at-Arms. Moving on with our orders of the day.
Your committee has been considering Bill 41 and the capital estimates, and would like to report progress.
Thank you, Ms. Ell.
A reminder for meetings for tomorrow; at nine o’clock, the Regular Members’ Caucus will meet in the Tuktu Room, followed by the meeting of the Full Caucus at ten o’clock in the Nanuq Room.
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Pages 2939 – 2989
Opening Prayer 2939
Ministers’ Statements 2939
Members’ Statements 2942
Oral Questions 2946
Tabling of Documents 2961
First Reading of Bills 2961
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 2962
Report of the Committee of the Whole 2988
Orders of the Day 2989
Thursday, October 25, 2012 2939
185 – 3(3): Arctic College Environmental Technology Program Celebrates 25 Years of Success (Shewchuk) 2939
186 – 3(3): Government Liaison Officers (Aariak) 2940
187 – 3(3): Signing of Collective Agreement with Nunavut Employees Union (Ell) 2940
188 – 3(3): Memorandum of Understanding for the Nunavut Round Table for Poverty Reduction (Taptuna) 2941
303 – 3(3): Safe Handling of Firearm in Cape Dorset (Schell) 2942
304 – 3(3): Patient/Client Relations (Ningark) 2942
305 – 3(3): Nunavut’s Need for Comprehensive Child Care (Ugyuk) 2943
306 – 3(3): Appreciation to Pond Inlet Arena Volunteers (Enook) 2944
307 – 3(3): 2012 High School Graduates of Arctic Bay (Elliott) 2944
308 – 3(3): Opening of Kugluktuk Hamlet Office (Taptuna) 2945
309 – 3(3): Correspondence from Constituent (Curley) 2946
420 – 3(3): Mine Safety in Nunavut (Aupaluktuq) 2946
421 – 3(3): Child Care across Nunavut (Ugyuk) 2948
422 – 3(3): Community Nurse Staffing Allocations (Enook) 2951
423 – 3(3): Declining Use of Inuktitut amongst Youth (Curley) 2953
424 – 3(3): Status of Government Restructuring (Elliott) 2957
425 – 3(3): Issuing of Welfare Cheques (Ningark) 2958
426 – 3(3): Interpreter/Translator Programs (Aupaluktuq) 2959
238 – 3(3): Government Correspondence Regarding Processing of Inuit Heritage Trust Concerning Traditional Place Names Proposal (Elliott) 2961
Bill 44 – An Act to Amend the Justices of the Peace Act – First Reading 2962
Bill 41 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2013-2014 – Justice – Consideration in Committee 2962
Bill 41 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2013-2014 – Nunavut Arctic College – Consideration in Committee 2972
Bill 41 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2013-2014 – Nunavut Housing Corporation – Consideration in Committee 2984
Before we proceed, I would like to ask Mr. Oshutapik to lead us off in a prayer, please.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Oshutapik. (interpretation ends) Moving on in our orders of the day.
Minister’s Statement 185 – 3(3): Arctic College Environmental Technology Program Celebrates 25 Years of Success (Shewchuk)
Good afternoon to all Nunavutmiut.
Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise in the House today to congratulate the Nunavut Arctic College Environmental Technology Program on achieving 25 years of success.
First started in 1986, the Environmental Technology Program is a two-year diploma program that incorporates classroom and practical lab and field experiences to develop students’ skills for environmental and research careers.
Last year, we were proud to open the new Nunavut Research Institute and Science Campus facilities here in Iqaluit.
These modern, state-of-the-art facilities provide our students with world-class learning, research and laboratory workplaces needed to ensure our students gain the skills they need to succeed.
Mr. Speaker, this highly successful and celebrated program has grown beyond its original home in Iqaluit to other communities through the college’s Community Programs Division.
For the past two years, the program has been successfully offered in Pond Inlet.
Graduates of the program have gained employment in a diverse range of environmental and research-related careers as environmental practitioners.
Mr. Speaker, our graduates have found employment within the following organizations within the federal and territorial governments as wildlife officers, environmental protection officers, wildlife technicians, field researchers, and more with the program’s many government and industry partners, such as Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), Parks Canada, and Aboriginal and Northern Development Canada (AANDC, and also various boards and agencies, and national and regional Inuit organizations.
Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating our Environmental Technology Program on its 25 years of success and in wishing them all the best of luck for the 25 more years and beyond.
Minister’s Statement 186 – 3(3): Government Liaison Officers (Aariak)
The Government Liaison Officer program continues to grow throughout Nunavut and there are now 15 communities being served by dedicated staff. All non-decentralized communities have a GLO and there are now more of the larger decentralized communities that have GLOs serving them and more positions continue to be filled.
Mr. Speaker, the GLO program is now working closely with the Motor Vehicles Division to assist in speeding up the process required to provide driver’s licences.
In those communities where the GLO has taken over these duties, efforts are being made to use computers and scanners to further speed up the process.
The role of the government liaison officer is changing to fit the needs of each community. One change is the role of the GLOs in directing people to federal programs. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, to address the need for federal program information, the third GLO conference and training session was held in Iqaluit in September 2012 and Service Canada presented on the programs that all residents need to access. There were also briefing sessions on the work of the Office of the Public Trustee, the NNI Secretariat, discussion of the Nunavut Land Claims and its role, and a very good sharing of experience and new ideas on how to improve the program.
Mr. Speaker, the government liaison officers are a crucial link between our government and Nunavummiut in the communities. Their role is vast and important to this government and I commend them on a job well done.
Minister’s Statement 187 – 3(3): Signing of Collective Agreement with Nunavut Employees Union (Ell)
I rise today to announce that my department has signed a new collective agreement with the Nunavut Employees Union, effective October 1, 2012.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, the Government of Nunavut values the contributions and dedication of its public servants and our new four-year collective agreement reflects this to the best of our ability in these tight economic times.
The new agreement provides NEU members with salary increases totalling 7.5 percent over the life of the contract, October 1, 2010 to September 30, 2013. These increases were also approved for all of our excluded and senior management employees.
Mr. Speaker, in recognition of the importance of education and training in the development of trades personnel in Nunavut, wage rates for our apprentices were increased by 5 percent.
Mr. Speaker, other changes were agreed to that will bring efficiencies to the operations of the government, including the addition of a category of “as and when” or relief employees, and a change in the method of calculation of leave credits.
(interpretation) Throughout the life of this agreement, the GN and NEU have agreed to work together on other issues important to them, including Nunavut Northern Allowance and training for corrections staff.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank both bargaining teams for their hard work and dedication, Vince Ready for his able mediation assistance, and most of all, our NEU employees for placing confidence in the collective bargaining process.
Mr. Speaker, this agreement ensures that the government will continue to provide quality services to the benefit of all Nunavummiut. (interpretation) Thank you.
Minister’s Statement 188 – 3(3): Memorandum of Understanding for the Nunavut Round Table for Poverty Reduction (Taptuna)
Mr. Speaker, Members of this Assembly will be aware that yesterday afternoon, Premier Aariak and President Towtongie formally signed a memorandum of understanding on the Nunavut Round Table for Poverty Reduction.
The signing is an important milestone on our path to self-reliance.
At the Poverty Summit last November, participants agreed that the Nunavut Round Table for Poverty Reduction should provide leadership and oversight for The Makimaniq Plan, our shared action plan to reduce poverty.
By signing this MOU, we have made a joint commitment with Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated to support the round table so that work on the implementation of The Makimaniq Plan continues to be undertaken in collaboration and for the long term.
Mr. Speaker, the Nunavut Round Table for Poverty Reduction will provide the forum for partnership and collaboration on which our common effort to reduce poverty depends.
More than this, by this memorandum of understanding, we will ensure that participation on the round table extends to all those organizations that share our commitment.
To reduce poverty, we must make the best use of our resources – we must work together. The Nunavut Round Table for Poverty Reduction is the place where this essential collaboration for social progress will occur.
Member’s Statement 303 – 3(3): Safe Handling of Firearm in Cape Dorset (Schell)
I rise today to wish a very good day to all of my constituents in Cape Dorset and Kimmirut and to recognize three young Kinngarmiut for their good sense and responsible actions.
Mr. Speaker, on September 26, 2012, three young Kinngarmiut came upon a loaded firearm while they were taking part in a very traditional goose rock throw. This hap chance finding of a loaded firearm could have resulted in a tragic ending.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to report a very happy and encouraging ending to this story. Instead of handling the firearm, the three young students made their way to the local RCMP detachment and reported the findings to the officer on duty.
With all the violence in our communities, especially as it relates to firearms, I am very proud to be able to stand up in this Assembly today and congratulate the three young Kinngarmiut who found the loaded firearm and who had the very good sense not to touch the firearm; instead to report their findings to the local RCMP.
I commend these three young individuals: Jordan Kelly, Matt Jaw, and Kov Adla.
I am encouraged by the effort of the community to educate the residents on safe handling of firearms.
Member’s Statement 304 – 3(3): Patient/Client Relations (Ningark)
I rise today again to talk about patient/client relations, as introduced in the Hon. Keith Peterson’s statement. I appreciate that statement, so do my constituents in Repulse Bay and Kugaaruk in the Akulliq riding.
Mr. Speaker, it is so hard to get something out of the Department of Health and Social Services, especially when you return from travel. I would like to speak from personal experience.
Over the summer period, my wife and I travelled for a major medical procedure.
When we returned from the trip, we appreciated the privilege that the health care department was able to provide all the tickets, hotel reservations, and so on.
When we returned from the trip, as expected, we filled out the standard medical forms.
We enlisted the best person the system can offer at the community level to fill out these forms. That was the nurse-in-charge in Kugaaruk and we appreciated her help. We also enlisted the best enforcement agency in the world to help with declarations and that is the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
We thought, my colleagues and Mr. Speaker, that everything was in order. So we filled out the information indicated and we mailed these forms only to find out that we still needed to do something.
We thought we had the best help in the system. Later on, I will be giving my hon. friend, Mr. Peterson, an email that I received indicating that there was something wrong there. So this is kind of personal.
Member’s Statement 305 – 3(3): Nunavut’s Need for Comprehensive Child Care (Ugyuk)
Ms. Ugyuk: (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
To all Kitikmeot and Nunavut residents, especially those in the Nattilik region, I wish them a good day.
(interpretation ends) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to raise a concern that affects many families across Nunavut: the lack of a comprehensive and stable child care system.
Mr. Speaker, there is an urgent need for adequate and stable child care services across Nunavut.
We do not have a comprehensive and integrated system for funding daycares across the territory. At the same time, the state of the economy is not adequate for many communities to support their own long-term, self-sustaining daycares.
Mr. Speaker, there are many young parents who desperately need daycare services but, due to the high cost of living, cannot afford the rates the daycares must charge to stay in operation. At the same time, these parents are not eligible for subsidies if they have more than one child younger than school age.
Mr. Speaker, the lack of adequate daycares is affecting the lives and futures of many Nunavummiut.
I envy our neighbours in Nunavik, where their regional government oversees, administers, and supports the region’s daycare facilities thanks to an integrated funding agreement with the provincial government combined with the federal government programs.
Mr. Speaker, Nunavik’s long-term commitment to early childhood education and care allows for staff training, nutrition programs, including country foods, culture and language programs, extracurricular activities, as well as general child care programming.
Mr. Speaker, the lack of an integrated approach in Nunavut deprives many of our children, parents, families, and communities of the opportunity for child care programs and services.
Mr. Speaker, I call upon our governments to address the need for a coordinated approach to ensure that adequate child care spaces and programming are available throughout Nunavut for all communities and for all parents and children who need it.
Member’s Statement 306 – 3(3): Appreciation to Pond Inlet Arena Volunteers (Enook)
To my fellow Pond Inlet residents, I wish a good afternoon, as well as to our fellow Nunavummiut.
Mr. Speaker, this winter, the community of Pond Inlet was graced with a new arena, so I want to take this opportunity to extend our thanks to the government for completing the construction of the arena. Additionally, on behalf of James Arvaluk, I want to express thanks.
Currently, he can now go skating in Pond Inlet without looking up at the star-crossed night through the holes in the roof.
Mr. Speaker, ever since the arena was opened in our community, many volunteers have dedicated many hours to teach youth to skate and to coach the various hockey teams.
I want to express our thanks on their behalf.
I also urge my fellow residents of Pond Inlet to volunteer freely, even without pay, to assist our community and not just at our local arena.
I want to recite these names of people whom we are grateful to for providing invaluable assistance which continues to this day.
These people are: Kevin English, an employee of First Air; along with two RCMP officers, Bob Kavanaugh and Chris Sorenson; and our fellow resident, David Suqslak, and Ben Savard.
I thank each and every one of these volunteers.
Mr. Speakers, when the arena was being constructed, we didn’t have a Zamboni to resurface the ice, but I want to name the City of Cornwall, Ontario, who donated a Zamboni freely to our community.
The entire citizenry of Pond Inlet thanks them tremendously for their generosity.
Further, Mr. Speaker, the Zamboni was supposed to be shipped up via sealift with the accompanying freight charges, so I want to express our gratitude to our fellow resident, Pond Inlet’s Itturuluk, Jim Kocsis.
He used his own funds to pay for the freight costs of the Zamboni.
Thank you, Jim.
Additionally, Mr. Speaker, I urge my fellow Pond Inlet residents to now call Jim “Ittukuluk” starting today.
Member’s Statement 307 – 3(3): 2012 High School Graduates of Arctic Bay (Elliott)
Mr. Elliott: Thank you, Mr. Speaker I rise today to extend my congratulations to the 2012 high school graduates of Inuujaq High School in Arctic Bay.