EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Curley. (interpretation) Minister of Energy, Minister Picco.
First of all, just to clarify some of the statements made by the member, the Fuel Stabilization Rider, as most of the public knows by now and we’ve gone through these several times, it’s not something new, is a mechanism to bring the fuel fund to plus or minus $1 million, and it’s only used to offset the extra costs that the corporation has when we purchase fuel each year.
The true cost of fuel; what does that mean; the member talked about the true cost of fuel.
The true costs of fuel means what the price is being paid for fuel, which will vary ship by ship and community by community, and it incorporates the purchase, the transportation, and the processing costs of buying fuel. It doesn’t include the capital costs, or GN costs, or support services to pay the additional legitimate costs for the costs of fuel. PPD currently quantifies these costs with its own prices in the setting process.
Will the costs increase or decrease?
Mr. Speaker, I can’t tell the future; we haven’t even begun the major round of purchasing for fuel for the upcoming season.
What we can say is that we noticed that the price of fuel continues to go up on the world market. The Government of Nunavut has viewed that and we’re moving toward having a hedging policy, or a hedging strategy, so that we could actually purchase fuel at a lower price, and that way we pass those savings onto consumers.
The next question; I trust that the minister has a number of energy experts at his disposal.
Can he advise the House what projections he has received with respect to the price of oil and how this will impact consumers, particularly the homeowners of Nunavut, down the road?
I thought it was your first supplementary question; it was your second.
Hon. Ed. Picco: I think, Mr. Speaker, that it’s quite shocking when we look at the numbers, and I just want to quote.
I like the direction that the member is going on this.
Every time the cost of fuel goes up one cent on the world market, that cost for electricity to Nunavummiut equates to $400,000. So that one cent on the world market on the cost of fuel means that in Nunavut to generate our electricity, that one cent cost costs us $400,000.
So that’s something that the experts, that Mr. Curley referred to, are looking at. That’s why we’ve looked at bringing in the hedging policy.
I thought this was my second supplementary.
The 2007-08 corporate business plan for QEC, which the minister tabled last week, indicates that it is expected to, and I quote, “... pay a dividend to the GN of one percent of the 2006-07 operating budget.” How much will this amount to and how will the government use the money?
I didn’t table any document last week in the House referring to that, to the best of my memory.
What I can say is the government, the Cabinet, has directed the Power Corporation that at the end of the day when there is a dividend to be paid, that we pay that into a trust fund. That would be the mechanism that we would use.
Right now, Mr. Speaker, as the members know, I believe we had a net profit in the last fiscal year ending March 31. I think it was $1.2 million.
Question 220 – 2(4): Police Detachment Emergency Calls (Arreak)
Mr. Arreak (interpretation): [Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
My question is for the Minister responsible for Justice.
In March, we were invited to the police detachment to review the answering system to ensure that we understood its operations as the emergency after hours calling centre.
They notified us that the mayors became mollified after they had a chance to review this system at the police station here during their conference.
This review has not led to any improvements, and my concerns have not been resolved to my satisfaction.
I would like to ask another question pertaining to the system.
Recently, we had an emergency in our community where a citizen made a phone call regarding a man with a firearm to the police; it was an urgent mater because it was an emergency.
Immediately after I was apprised of the call to the RCMP, I drove my vehicle to the person’s house to await the RCMP, so that I could assist them when they went to the unit in question.
It took 20 minutes during this emergency, although our community is quite small, with a population under 1,000.
When it takes this amount of time to respond to an emergency, this is not serving our citizens in our communities in Nunavut.
Therefore, my question to the Minister of Justice is: will this telephone system for emergency calls be reviewed in the immediate future?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Mr. Arreak.
I would like to find out more about this case based on the member’s recollection, whether or not just a call was made, or did the member just drive to the complainant’s house or what?
In any event, I would like to review this case prior to working on a correction in the system.
I purposefully am not thanking the Premier as he did not answer my question.
This matter is already historical, in the past; therefore I do not think it is necessary for the Premier to review the matter, just so long as we can ensure that this does not reoccur in the future.
I would like the emergency callout system fixed, since it could result in a tragedy, and as we are aware, the caller has to make long distance calls to the emergency callout centre here and then the centre relays the message to the community police detachment.
This situation is not acceptable to our citizens and I look forward to improvements in this system. Are you conducting a review of this system and will we receive an update when the system is fixed?
We have to observe the Rules of the House and I thank the member for the reply.
Hon. Paul (interpretation): [Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
This is not a unique situation in Nunavut, as all our communities are tied into the system.
This system operates smoothly sometimes and other times, there are issues requiring resolution.
When it is operating smoothly, there are hardly any complaints about the system.
We will continue to monitor this situation; however, it would be very expensive if we were to reinstall direct connections to the communities, and based on our current financial situation, impossible.
We have tried to ensure that all of the operators answering the after hours emergency callout system are bilingual, and especially that they can speak Inuktitut. We would like this to operate as smoothly as possible, and whenever a problem surfaces, we would like to be apprised of the problem so that we can deal with it.
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Premier. (interpretation) Your second supplementary, Mr. Arreak.
Although you alluded to bilingual operators, as my colleague Mr. Arvaluk previously posed a question in respect to the system and how they have resolved the emergency procedures with the community health centres and emergency situations.
Whenever an emergency situation arises in the community, the call goes directly to the nurse on call.
Although the same situation occurs with an emergency in the community where the police officers are sitting at home, they are not apprised of the situation until the call has been made to the emergency callout system and the call is forwarded to the office on call.
Can the minister look into that emergency system in use with the health centres whereby the call is redirected to the person on call? The people would be very appreciative of this change if it were to be changed to this type of redirecting calls to a person on call.
The position of the government is that they are looking into the matter, and the systemic response is that they are looking into it. Are you planning on making corrections to the system, rather than just looking into it?
The police headquarters are well aware of this concern as I continually relay the concerns of the members, especially on an annual basis.
At this present time, I am not aware of the exact changes to the system required to meet the concerns, as there seems to be no further need to make changes.
We keep offering up solutions to the problem and he should be keeping notes as to our suggestions in regard to this callout system.
The department ought to know what our suggestions are.
I would like to raise another matter related to the RCMP that is a cause for concern. In our community, we have two police officers. I would like to ask the minister whether there are any polices in place in regard to the placement of new officers in communities, and if so, that the RCMP not send two completely new members at the same time to the community.
In that case, with an entirely new staff in a community, they may not know the correct places to attend to emergency calls, especially in smaller communities and this is not acceptable. I think we need to fix it so that the longest tenured policeman in that community could train the newest member. That is why I would like to ask whether or not there are actual policies in respect to replacements of officers in our communities.
Based on my experience, we are encouraging the RCMP quite strongly to hire more Inuit officers and we are looking into an initiative whereby the RCMP would work with community constables. This will help to alleviate some of the concerns in the communities.
The RCMP officers would then not necessarily be Inuit, but with the assistance of the community, they would be able to deal with the matter.
This is currently under review and we are looking at implementing this initiative shortly in the future.
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Premier. (interpretation) Item 6.
Question 221 – 2(4): Polar Bear Quotas (Mapsalak)
My question is directed to the Minister responsible for the Environment.
During one of our prior sessions, I posed the question regarding polar bear population studies and of the fact that the polar bears are increasing in our area.
This is true especially for the Foxe Basin management area, and this population is harvested by quite a number of communities.
I would like to pose a question to the minister: when is the department conducting its population study in the Foxe Basin?
They are going to begin this summer, in 2007 to count the population of polar bears in Foxe Basin. This study will start this summer.
There are many communities that hunt in that certain area; Foxe Basin.
Can the minister provide a timeline of the study if he is aware of the length of the study?
Speaker (interpretation): Minister of Environment, Minister Netser.
The population studies, especially for polar bears is quite complex. As I stated earlier, this study will commence in the summer.
In the next year, they will be putting radio collars on some of the polar bears they capture. After this collaring of a number of bears, we will continue the research for another two years.
This study is long overdue and anticipated keenly by the communities who harvest the bears, and especially by my home community of Repulse Bay. We are experiencing more invasions of polar bears into our community every year, and it is becoming a common practice to have one or more defence kills in and around the community.
We anticipate more defence kills since the population is growing. In regard to the two year study that you alluded to, when it is completed, will the minister be looking at redoing the MOU for this Foxe Basin polar bear population?
Like I said earlier, after the radio collars have been put on the bears, they monitor the animals to see where the range of the bear is, whether or not the population is increasing.
If the study shows that the population is increasing, then we would look at updating the number of tags available for this population, as long as our department feels there are no conservation concerns for the polar bear population in that area.
Question 222 – 2(4): KBDC Spending Practices (Tootoo)
Mr. Speaker, I was pleased to hear a statement when he was talking about getting rid of barriers for business.
Mr. Speaker, as you know, as the minister is aware, over the last few sittings I have been him some questions in relation to the operations of the KBDC in Rankin Inlet. Since then, Mr. Speaker, I have done some research.
Mr. Speaker, from 2002-06, based on documents received through access to information requests, they lent out $109,000 in loans.
In that same time period, they spent $190,000 in legal fees.
The salaries alone for one year are more than what they’ve given out in four years in loans.
My question to the minister: is he aware of the spending habits or operation practices and does he have any concerns with the operations of KBDC in Rankin Inlet, based on that information?
Hon. David Simailak (interpretation): [Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
We’re not responsible for the operations of the KBDC in the Keewatin region.
We allocate funding annually to them. The only requirement is that they submit an annual report on their expenditures and a copy of their audited financial statements.
I know that you don’t operate them; the government doesn’t operate them but they do provide funding to them.
If this government is serious at looking at using our scarce resources wisely, I wonder if this is a wise use of our resources.
We’ve given them, in the last four years, since 2002, $1.2 million and they’ve given out $110,000.
The minister indicated that they do provide financial statements and information to them, which during our last sitting indicated that they were not in good standing and they didn’t have that information.
Has the minister received that information?
Have they gone through it and have they analyzed it to see if they have any concerns over the spending practices at KBDC?
Minister for Economic Development and Transportation. Mr. Simailak.
Yes, officials are currently reviewing their expenditures for the previous fiscal year from the Economic Development Department.
It’s about time that a serious look is taken there.
I guess I’d like to ask the minister if he’s aware that for every $10 that they receive in operating costs that they lend out a dollar in loans, and for every dollar that they lend out, they spend two dollars on legal fees.
If my colleagues’ allegations are correct, I’ll find that out today. My officials from Economic Development are now reviewing their financial statements and I have not heard from the officials yet.
I said this, through this research, is very disturbing information coming to light.
I’m sure that the minister would commit to taking a thorough in depth look into the operations of this organization to ensure that we are spending our money wisely and not just giving it to someone for salaries and legal fees for a lawyer.
It’s supposed to be there to develop business in the region, not to take people to court and have a nice pay cheque.
Will the minister commit to doing that and report back to the House?
Yes, the KBDC in the Keewatin region operates independently, and they have their own board.
However, we’re now reviewing the expenditures for the past fiscal year and we allocate funding for their operations annually.
So everything is now under review by our officials in the Department of Economic Development.
Once that is complete, we’ll make a decision as to what the next steps are, if any action is required.
I’m sorry; there are a lot of members with two names.
Question 223 –2 (4): Arena Construction Project in Pond Inlet (Arvaluk)
About a fortnight ago, we had discussions about this matter and the minister stated that they would be partially completing the arena and the complex this summer. The cost of those two will be $2.9 million.
My question to the minister is; during the meetings with the hamlet and the Department of Community and Government Services, they stated that it would cost $8.4 million to construct the complex.
I would like to ask the minister if this allocated funding was insufficient, and will this interfere with the construction of the building this summer?
I can only report to you on the figures in front of me.
In regard to the question of insufficient funding for this project, I will not answer that today.
In Pond Inlet, in respect to the arena and the complex project, I can only deal with the information provided to me. (interpretation ends) Phase two; arena drawings and specifications are at the 65 percent review stage.
The first one: community hall construction is quickly progressing, the steel structure is complete, and the building is almost enclosed.
The consultant is currently on site performing structural and architectural inspections, and the project is proceeding on schedule.
Your first supplementary, Member for Tununiq, Mr. Arvaluk.
The community is extremely gratified in respect to our long overdue community hall complex being under construction, and I was told last night that the building will be completed in time for the Christmas celebrations.
Perhaps I can tell the minister since she stated that this project is on schedule.] (interpretation ends) It is ahead of schedule. That is very good news.
(interpretation) [I would like to pose this additional question, when the project is complete, the people of Pond Inlet will extend their welcome with open arms. I will be meeting with the hamlet council as to the best date for the opening of the new building and when the officials would be invited to the community if the minister can make it to the celebrations.
We would need to correspond with the minister as to her availability, and when she arrives and meets with the hamlet, could she provide a full report on the community hall project and what the status of the planned arena is?
Yes, upon identification of the dates for your local celebrations, I will try and come to the community because I had promised to go to Pond Inlet for this celebration.
Now, that we will be working on the second phase, and on the completion of capital plans pertaining to this addition, I am looking forward to visiting Pond Inlet.
My officials will provide all of the reports and the information needed by the hamlet council at that time and I would like to work with both the hamlet council and the member for the community, and its mayor.
Question 224 – 2(4): International Polar Year (Barnabas)
Since it is going to be an International Polar Year, or IPY as the acronym is known by, there will be a lot of research undertaken both in Nunavut, especially in the High Arctic region.
I would like to ask Minister Picco: has your department conducted any studies into how all of the planned International Polar Year research may impact our people or the communities in the High Arctic region?
The member is correct. This is an International Polar Year.
There are approximately 44 IPY projects sponsored by the Government of Canada in Nunavut and there will be just as many from other institutions and countries around the world.
This year, it is important to point out that there has been some work done. Nunavut hosted an IPY Consultation Conference in March with over 50 registered participants.
An idea that was to do a familiarization and Nunavutization of what would occur with these research projects in Nunavut to involve communities and individuals.
A considerable amount of money will be spent. From the last numbers I saw, I met with the Chair for IPY Canada twice, Mr. David Hick. I think there is over $150 million that has been budgeted by the federal government for IPY this year.
In Nunavut, there are quite a few research institutes, including one in Resolute Bay. There is also a research institute in Igloolik.
Will they be utilizing these research institutes for the IPY projects?
The member is correct. The Nunavut Research Institute has been acting as the IPY node for Nunavut to help facilitate and coordinate the type of work that would be going on and actually has started in many instances.
Part of that work through the Nunavut Research Institute is to facilitate the programs and scientists that are coming here, but also to involve the communities and schools. There are quite a few projects going on.
The member is correct. One of his constituency communities of Resolute Bay, I believe, there has been some good work with the school there in involving the students in IPY activities.
I would also like to thank the minister for explaining this succinctly and to my satisfaction.
I would like to pose this question: will Nunavummiut have an opportunity to voice their concerns in regard to research, or will they have an opportunity to make suggestions as to what the research priorities should be?
There several projects, like I said there are 44 that are Canadian-based from Canadian Universities and researchers. Over 40 more projects are from outside of Canada and the United States, indeed across the world.
This is the first IPY, or International Polar Year, to focus on human development and human activity within the Circumpolar Arctic.
So I would suggest to the member that that is what is occurring and it will give an opportunity to Nunavummiut to be involved, like what we have seen in the school in Resolute Bay.
Mr. Barnabas: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation) Has the ministers’ department received any funding to provide Nunavummiut with funding should they apply?
No, we haven’t received any direct funding from the Government of Nunavut to deliver the project because it’s research-based.
We also haven’t received any direct funding to the Nunavut Research Institute for helping coordinate.
However, there are opportunities at times where the Nunavut Research Institute is able to leverage funds to help facilitate some of the logistics in the administrative work that goes on behind this type of work, so hopefully that helps answer the member’s question.
Question 225 – 2(4): Review of the Staff Housing Policy (Peterson)
My question is for the minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation.
Mr. Speaker, the GN Staff Housing Policy was implemented in January 2006. To date MLAs are hearing anecdotal evidence that the policy is hurting recruitment and retention of Government of Nunavut employees.
Rents are increasing to $2,000 a month or more for two and three-bedroom houses.
Mr. Speaker, financial experts across Canada recommend that families should not spend more than 30 percent of disposable monthly income on shelter.
Mr. Speaker, my question for the minister is: would the minister inform the House when the Nunavut Housing Corporation will conduct or complete a review of the impact that this policy has had on the Government of Nunavut tenants, particular those with lower incomes?
We are finalizing the report and reviewing the recommendations, but they have to go to the review committee prior to its approval in regard to Nunavut Government housing rental units.
I hope the minister, when he receives a report that he provides it to the MLAs to review before the next session.
Mr. Speaker, in emerging markets, such as Cambridge Bay, or Rankin Inlet, or Iqaluit, the housing rental market is very tight.
In fact, if housing is available it is used for sale at extremely high prices. Buying is not an option for many people.
Mr. Speaker, my question for the minister: can the minister tell the House what initiatives the Nunavut Housing Corporation has completed to assist Government of Nunavut employees to overcome the barriers to renting expensive Government of Nunavut or private sector housing in Nunavut?
As I stated earlier, we did a round of consultation meetings in regard to first time homeowners, and how we could provide further assistance as a department.
These meetings have assisted many people interested in being first time homeowners in the communities.
We also wish to provide an opportunity to our Nunavut Government employees if they wish to receive assistance, especially if we can help to alleviate the duties required to buy a house for our government employees.
Mr. Speaker, I attended the Nunavut Housing Corporation public meeting in Cambridge Bay and listened to all the information.
As I mentioned in my last question, buying is not an option for many people.
You have to come up with equity; you can get $30,000 or $50,000 from the Nunavut Housing Corporation but through a convoluted process that might not be enough to buy a $300,000 house.