EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
On an RFP and we know, when we ask questions in this House on a daily basis, that cost figures as a high priority in this government, when we are talking about business in this government.
How much of a percentage on that RFP is cost a factor.
Mr. Speaker, the Department of Health and Social Services on the RFP follows the contracting guidelines of the Government of Nunavut.
Whenever we are specifically involved with those guidelines, as the member is aware, that's what we would be following under the RFP.
At the same time Mr. Speaker, we need to be able to get value for the patients that are going to Winnipeg.
We want to make sure that we have the best facility available and that will be certainly one of the criteria that we will be judging the proposals against.
That's good news to hear that we are putting the comforts of people that have to stay in that boarding home and quality is part of that RFP also.
But the comfort level that people have been experiencing in that boarding home in the last ten to fifteen years, no air conditioning and people with cancer and you know, ladies waiting to have babies and it's just that the circumstances that they have to live in down there are unbearable at times.
Did the minister when he put that RFP together do any community consultation from communities on how that facility should be arranged or built or configured so that it is comfortable for the patients to use.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Minister Responsible for Health and Social Services.
Mr. Speaker, there has been ongoing consultation as well as exit interviews done with people that have stayed at the boarding home.
There has actually been quite a bit of information ascertained from patients at the facility and Mr. Speaker, those types of information would be part of the screening criteria.
I believe this past weekend Mr. Speaker, there was an evaluation meeting with three of the proponents and I believe they were supposed to be meeting in Rankin to go through some questions on the RFP, but the RFP has not been awarded as of today.
Question 357 - 1(5): Program Funding for Iqaluit DEA
This is a new line of questioning.
Mr. Speaker, my question again, is for the Minister Responsible for Education.
In my earlier line of questioning Mr. Speaker, I asked about the support for a finance officer position for the District Education Authority.
I would like to ask the minister if I were to say not only the finance officer but also the officer manager position would that change any of the answers that the minister gave me today.
In Nunavut we give money to DEAs for office manager positions in the communities.
Yes we do provide funding for these positions.
I guess that means that it doesn’t really change any of the answers that he gave me earlier.
I know as I indicated there have been numerous correspondences over the last year and a half almost two years looking at some ways to try and solidify the establishment of a permanent position, an adequate paid staff position and classified position from the DEA here in Iqaluit as an officer manager and an additional request for a finance officer.
Is the minister committed to looking at this in the spirit of devolution of authority and responsibility that they’ve always been preaching since the dissolution of the education boards.
Will he commit to working with the DEAs to help establish these positions so the DEAs can fulfill those roles for themselves.
Hon. Peter Kilabuk: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In the Baffin Region unlike the other two regions, for financial reasons, the limited dollars that DEAs get in the Baffin Region have, most of the DEAs have been hesitant to take on new responsibilities and roles because of the funding formula that they get.
This has created some problems because they realize they want to take on responsibilities but at the same time they do not want to take them on without the additional dollars that they feel should be part of the package which they get under the formula funding.
To address this we are currently doing the formula funding review for the DEAs as to how they get funded. This will be used by my department to further voice the needs of the DEAs for additional resources.
Also very importantly, Mr. Speaker, to provide an equitable way of providing funds to all the schools and DEAs.
Mr. Speaker, I know that the minister indicated that most were hesitant.
I’m sure he’s fully aware for the last almost two years now the Iqaluit District Education Authority has been anxious and eager to take on these roles and responsibilities.
They haven’t met with any luck or success with the department as far as these responsibilities go.
It seems like again as I said last week these things are just being sucked back into the bureaucracy and the communities are losing control of the things that they had control of prior to division, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, is the minister stating in his last answer that the department has not provided any options or suggestions to the DEAs or to the Iqaluit DEA as far as looking at expanding their role and the positions of Office Manager and Finance officer.
Minister Kilabuk.  Hon. Peter Kilabuk: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The Iqaluit District Education Authority has voiced these concerns as the member clearly states.
I acknowledge the amount of correspondence I have received over the last year and a half.
However at the same time Mr. Speaker, I want to stress that in discussion with the DEA on this matter, the department has made it clear to me that the Iqaluit District Education Authority did not want to take on the new responsibilities without additional money.
This money was not identified in the budget process because the approved dollars were based on the funding formula which all other DEAs are assisted with.
Now at the same time Mr. Speaker, I also want to make it clear that the Iqaluit DEA as a result is getting this work done free of charge by Qikiqtani School Operations.
So no additional dollars have been needed as a result.
Like I said earlier to the member, I will be dealing with these matters and others when I meet with the DEA at the beginning of next month.
Mr. Speaker, I am sure the DEA would be delighted to know that this work is being done on their behalf by QSO.
And the additional resources that the minister had indicated they are looking for I understand there was a proposal that was put forward by the Department of Education to look at increasing the position of office manager so they would be able attract someone to fill that position on a full time basis.
This request or solution that I am talking about Mr. Speaker, it wasn't the DEA that came up with this.
It was the Department of Education that came up with this idea and Mr. Speaker I'll be tabling correspondence later this afternoon so that all members will be able to see that.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the minister what kind of work does the department, QSO do for the DEA.
I know there were agreements in place prior to division that the DEA was responsible for the allocation of teachers, the allocation of resources in the classroom and the dollars throughout the school and how they were being spent, were staff to be replaced and the approving of a budget.
Mr. Speaker, I plan on tabling a copy of a financial statement given to someone you wouldn't know what they are.
Is this the free work that the minister is talking about that the QSO does for the Iqaluit DEA.
Minister of Education, Mr. Kilabuk.
For the type of work that the QSO is doing for the District Education Authority, I know that they are issuing cheques for them and keeping the books and records.
Now I want to make sure that I provide the full list of responsibilities that QSO is doing on behalf of the District Education Authority and therefore I will take this information and provide it to the member and the Iqaluit District Education Authority by way of letter.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Item 6.
Question 358 - 1(5): Youth Committees
Mr. Alakannuark (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth.
The elders have a committee that deal with Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit.
I want to find out if there are similar committees for youth.
Minister for Culture, Language, Elders and Youth. Minister Kattuk.
Hon. Peter Kattuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Perhaps he is speaking about the elders' committees at the community level, or is he speaking about Nunavut wide committees.
Speaker (interpretation): Mr. Alakannuark can you clarify your question.
Mr. Alakannuark (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Is there a Nunavut wide youth council.
Hon. Peter Kattuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I understand that most communities have youth councils.
Mr. Alakannuark (interpretation): So it is my understanding that there is a youth council that exists.
I would like to find out the status of this youth council at this time and what are their programs for Nunavut.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Alakannuark. Minister Kattuk.
Hon. Peter Kattuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. According to my information the youth councils in the communities are doing a good job carrying out their roles and responsibilities.
They are given funding by our department for assistance and this is done Nunavut wide.
I can say that the youth councils are very successful.
Question Period has ended.
Item 10. Petitions. Item 11.
Tabled Document 053 - 1(5): Letters regarding Iqaluit DEA
Mr. Speaker, I like to table a letter received as a copy from the Iqaluit District Education Authority to the Minister Responsible for Education, Mr. Kilabuk.
It is in regards to the office manager position that I was asking about earlier.
Also the attachments to that are letters from Robert Moody to Joamie Eegeesiak from Human Resources, and from Cathy Smith from the DEA to Robert Moody.
Also a copy of a letter from Robert Moody to Cathy Smith.
Those are the attachments to this letter.
Tabled Document 054 - 1(5): Income Support “A New Vision- A New Direction”
Everybody has been waiting for this for a long time.
Mr. Speaker, I wish to table this document in the House in English and Inuktitut.
This is my response to the Income Support panel's recommendations.
Tabled Document 055 - 1(5): Nunavut Social Development Council Report
I wish to table today a report from the Nunavut Social Development Council.
It has to do with Inuit culture and language.
Tabled Document 056 - 1(5): District Education Authority Financial Statements
Mr. Speaker, I wish to table copies of some very fine financial information as members will see when they look at it.
It was requested by the DEAs from QSO so they could see the financial situation of the schools based on what they have responsibility for.
This is the information that was provided by the department so they could understand where things were at.
Tabled Document 057 - 1(5): Commissioner of Official Languages 2000/2001 Annual Report
If there are no more I am pleased to table, pursuant to Section 23, the 2000-2001 Report from the Commissioner of Languages.
I give notice that on November 30th, 2001, I will move the following motion.
I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Quttiktuq, that the Annual Report for 2000/2001 of the Languages Commissioner of Nunavut be referred to the Standing Committee Ajauqtiit and that the committee report back to the House at the earliest opportunity with its findings.
Mr. Nutarak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Friday November 30, 2002 I will move the annual report of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for 2000/2001 be referred to the Standing Committee on Government Operations and that the committee report back to the House at the earliest opportunity with its findings.
Speaker (interpretation): Item 15.
Bill 16 - An Act to Amend the Cities, Towns and Villages Act - First Reading
Hon. Jack Anawak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Pangnirtung, that Bill 16, An Act to Amend the Cities, Towns and Villages Act be read for the first time.
Speaker (interpretation): The motion is in order.
Bill 17 - An Act to Amend the Hamlets Act - First Reading
I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Sanikiluaq that Bill 17, An Act to Amend the Hamlets Act, be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Anawak. The motion is in order.
Mr. Irqittuq will be in the Chair.
Before we go into the committee of the whole, I believe the members will want to have a short break for fifteen minutes and then we will continue.
>>House recessed at 3.45 p.m. and resumed at 4.09 p.m.
Chairperson (Mr. Irqittuq) (interpretation): Thank you very much for returning to the Committee of the Whole.
We would like to begin by dealing with the continuation of Bill 12, the Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you. During the committee of the whole we will be dealing with Bill 12 and also Bill 13, Minister's Statement 96 - 1(5), and the Nunavut Liquor Act Report.
The Minister of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth, Mr. Peter Kattuk, may begin with his opening comments.
I will have short opening remarks.
(interpretation ends) I would like to thank the committee for giving me this opportunity to highlight the Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth's plans for the 2002/2003 Capital Estimates.
With a capital budget of 535 thousand my department will focus on renovations of community heritage facilities throughout Nunavut.
My department will be working with the Department of Public Works & Services to issue a call for proposals.
This call for proposals will allow community organizations and hamlets to access capital funding prior to the beginning of the 2002/2003 fiscal year.
Feasibility studies are proceeding in four key areas.
Nunavut Language Centre.
Nunavut Heritage Centre.
Elders' and Youth Facilities and community based language resources.
These studies will provide Culture, Language, Elders and Youth with additional detailed information that will enhance our future capital planning.
The Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth is committed to protection, preservation and promotion of our Inuit culture, language and heritage.
With our capital budget we are helping to provide resources to support our mandate and develop Nunavummiut at the community level.
Mr. Chairman, I would be happy to answer any questions the committee may have on my department's capital budget plans.
Nakurmiik, Itsivautaq.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you. I would like to ask the minister if he wishes to bring his witnesses to the witness table.
Hon. Peter Kattuk (interpretation): I will be bringing some officials.
Chairperson (interpretation): Okay then you may move to the witness table with the assistance of the Sergeant-At-Arms.
Thank you. Please introduce your officials.
Mr. Kattuk.  Hon. Peter Kattuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
On my right is the Deputy Minister Carmen Levi.
I also have on my right the policy advisor, David Quirke.
Chairperson (interpretation): The Chair of the Standing Committee can proceed with his opening remarks.
The Standing Committee Ajauqtiit has carefully reviewed the capital estimates for the Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth.
As Chairman of the Standing Committee I'm pleased to be able to provide the committee's opening comments as we begin the review of the department's 2002/2003 capital estimates.
Later on members of the committee will have an opportunity to ask questions regarding these estimates.
Mr. Chairman, although there is only one item in the Capital Estimates for this department, 535 thousand dollars towards Community Heritage Centres, the committee has a number of concerns, which I will outline today.
Firstly, the committee would wish to get clarity from the minister as to the criteria that will be used to determine what projects this 535 thousand dollars will be used to fund in 2002/03.
Recently, the department issued a news release on the awarding of a contract for 300 thousand dollars to Lord Cultural Resource Planning & Management Limited to develop a strategic plan for a Nunavut Heritage Centre.
It is the committee's understanding that the department will consult widely as it works to determine the scope of this project, and its possible location.
Members are of the view that communities should be given a fair chance at having heritage facilities.
Members look forward to regular updates on this project.
Mr. Chairman, the committee also looks forward to hearing about how many proposals were received by the department in response to its RFP for language centre proposals.
The committee would like to reiterate that there are ongoing long-term O&M costs associated with operating such facilities.
It is not evident to the committee whether the department is adequately planning for these.
Mr. Chairman, the committee was pleased to see a list of approved capital grants and contributions for 2000-2001 and would wish to see the department continue to support projects of benefit to youth, as it is evident through this list that there is a strong demand for this type of funding.
Members would wish to see a similar list for 2001-2002.
The committee previously requested from the department information as to how the applications were reviewed and what criteria was used to determine whether to accept or reject the applications.
The committee wanted this information prior to today's review, however nothing was received.
The committee also requested a list of applications that were rejected by the department for 2000-2001, but this has not been received to date either.
Mr. Chairman, another concern relates to an RFP that was issued by the department in regards to youth facilities during 2000-2001.
To date, there has been no information on the outcome of this RFP.
The committee looks forward to hearing more on this item.
I anticipate that individual members will raise their own comments and concerns on the department's 2002-2003 Capital Estimates.
Chairperson (interpretation): We have a slight problem.
We’ll take a five minute break.
We’ll come back in five minutes.
The speaking notes were not prepared.
The interpreters didn’t have a copy.
>>Committee recessed at 4.21 p.m. and resumed at 4.36 p.m.
We now have copies of the English opening comments of the Chair of the Standing Committee Ajauqtiit.
You will be able to read the English copies for those of you who do not understand Inuktitut.
At this time I believe we can proceed with our meeting.
We will open the floor for general comments.
Each member is allowed ten minutes.
The first member is Mr. Arvaluk.
Welcome to the minister and his officials.
In regards to the speaking notes of the minister and especially the 535 thousand dollars that the minister mentioned on the first page, it says here that your department will focus on renovations to community heritage facilities throughout Nunavut.
You didn't make any references to anything else.
But your department is also responsible for all the elders and the youth.
The youth have to be more supported by the Members of the House and the Nunavut Government.
We have attempted numerous initiatives at the community level, for example, the youth centres.
The furniture and renovations for these facilities is usually supplied through donations and fundraising.
You mentioned this 535 thousand dollars but there is nothing in there for the youth of Nunavut.
I would like to know if this department has considered how they could further support the youth.
We will probably be mentioning that later on.
If I could go directly into questions, I just made general comments for two minutes, but I would like to ask this department a question.
Does the Department of Culture, Language, Elders & Youth have anything planned for the youth.
For example, I would like to know if this department has thought about any innovative ideas like matching contributions to the communities for facilities and equipment for youth initiatives.
If you look at the opening comments we’re going to be doing feasibility studies for the Nunavut Language Centre, Nunavut Heritage Centre, elders and youth facilities and community-based language resources.
After these studies are completed we will be looking at future capital planning.
But you didn’t say here and looking at the last page of your speaking notes you stated that you’ll be doing feasibility studies.
But it doesn’t say anything here about increased funding or additional funding.
When we are dealing with the capital budget and estimates I would like to know if the minister will be making any announcements on whether there will be increases in the financial resources.
We will be doing a study first of all to find out what the needs of the communities are and then afterwards we’ll be looking into the capital planning in order to meet the needs of the Nunavut communities.
But first we’ll have to do a study to find out what the community needs are.
On 2003-2004 maybe my question is are you going to be bringing those additional dollars forward in 2003-2004.
Only after we do a study on the communities we’ll decide on where the dollars will be allocated.
That’s the only response that I can give to the member.
We’ll first have to do a study and then decide afterwards how the money is going to be allocated to the Nunavut communities.
That’s the only response I can give.
Are you saying that if you do find out the community needs prior to 2003-2004 and if you could complete this study earlier than normal are we looking at putting in additional monies.
Or are we talking about Supplementary Appropriation No. 2 to meet the needs of those communities.
Is there going to be an increase prior to 2003-2004 if you should complete your study sooner than expected.
If I understood the member correctly I would like to ask him whether he’s talking about 2002-2003 or 2003-2004.
Chairperson (interpretation): Please re-phrase your question, Mr. Arvaluk for clarification.
What I am trying to say is that after you have completed the study on the community needs, specifically for the youth and elders.
My question was, are we looking at 2003/2004.
Because of course we will be dealing with those capital estimates.
We are dealing with 2002/2003 and you stated that after you do your study, you didn't even answer my question in regards to when these additional dollars would come out, in what year.
If you should complete your studies earlier than expected are we talking about supplementary appropriations for 2002/2003 for these additional dollars.
Chairperson (interpretation): Mr Kattuk.
Hon. Peter Kattuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. this study that we are referring to has a completion date of March 31.
We are not looking at 2002/2003, because of course our completion date deadline is set for March 31, 2002.Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Are you then saying that the youth will not be given any money prior to the completion of this study.
For 2002/2003 we have not identified any for the youth, but in regards to the last question we will be able to identify some money after we find out the needs of the communities.
That is way too long.
We are representing all Nunavut communities and we can write them and they can tell us right away exactly what they need.
What kinds of short cuts are you going to take in order to complete that study.
If you are going to be looking at all 26 communities it is going to take too long.
Are you going to look at having the study completed earlier than planned because we do need to help the youth, and that is every single members' concern and they have made statements in the House in regards to the youth and the kind of support or the lack of support they have.
Can the minister tell me if he could complete the study as soon as possible so that we can give our support to the youth and the elders.
Chairperson (interpretation): Mr. Kattuk .
We have already started this study and there are already community consultations going on.