EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
I am seeking unanimous consent to proceed with second reading of bill number 9, An Act to Amend the Judicature Act and Other Acts in Relation to Judges.
I apologise, Mr. Anawak is seeking unanimous consent to deal with the bill today.
Bill 9 - An Act to Amend the Judicature Act and Other Acts in Relation to Judges - Second Reading
I move, seconded by the Honourable member for Nanulik, that bill 9, An Act to Amend the Judicature Act and Other Acts in Relation to Judges, be read for the second time.
Mr. Speaker, in English, it will be clearly understandable when we talk about the need for change.
This bill does two things.
The first thing it changes is that the head of the Nunavut Court of Justice will be called Chief Justice, and that is why I say that in English it will be clearly understandable, Chief Justice instead of Senior Judge.
The second change is who the appeal court judges swear their oaths to.
The law is changed so that appeal court judges can swear their oath before another appeal court judge, instead of before a judge from the Nunavut Court of Justice.
Speaker.
Bill 9 has had second reading and it is referred to the standing committee.
Hon. Ed Picco: Thank you, Mr. Speaker, I seek consent to give second reading to bill number 10, An Act to Amend The Board of Management Dissolution Act.
The member is seeking consent to deal with bill 10 today.
You have consent.
Bill 10 - An Act to Amend the Boards of Management Dissolution Act - Second Reading
Mr. Speaker I move, seconded by the Honourable member for Rankin Inlet South, that bill 10 - An Act to Amend the Board of Management Dissolution Act, be read for the second time.
Mr. Speaker, the Act which I have brought before the house today, is an amendment to the Health and Social Services Boards of Management Dissolution Act, that was passed in this assembly in June of 1999.
This amendment is meant to clarify administrative details.
It will eliminate confusion that may arise during the integration of the boards, their employees and their assets with the department and the government on April 1, 2000.
I look forward to engaging in a more detailed discussion of this amendment with members of this assembly in the days ahead.
Bill 10 has its second reading, and accordingly is referred to the standing committee.
Mr. Speaker, I seek consent to give bill 11 second reading, An Act to Establish Nunavut day as a Holiday.
Speaker: Thank you Mr. Ng. The member is seeking consent to deal with bill 11.
You have unanimous consent Mr. Ng. Thank you.
Bill 11 - An Act to Establish Nunavut Day as a Holiday -:Second Reading
Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Honourable member from Iqaluit West, that bill 11, An Act to Establish Nunavut Day as a Holiday be read for the second time.
Mr. Speaker, the purpose of the Nunavut Day Act is to respect the history of our territory.
This act will encourage all Nunavummiut to celebrate July ninth, the anniversary of the proclamation date of the Nunavut Land Claim Agreement, by moving the August civic holiday to a date that is of particular significance to all of our territory's residents.
Nunavut day will be a time for all Nunavummiut to reflect on our past and acknowledge those who have worked so hard to fulfil the dream of Nunavut.
Bill 11 has had second reading and accordingly is referred to the standing committee.
Mr. Speaker I would like consent to deal with bill 12, An Act to Amend the Divisional Council's Dissolution Act, to be read for the second time.
The member is seeking consent to deal with bill 12, to be read for the second time, are their any nays.
Bill 12 - An Act to Amend the Divisional Council's Dissolution Act - Second Reading
I move, seconded by the Honourable member from Rankin North, that bill 12, An Act to Amend the Divisional Council's Dissolution Act, be read for the second time.
Bill 12 has had second reading and accordingly is referred to the standing committee.
Going back to the orders of the day, item 19, Consideration in Committee of the Whole of bills and Other Matters.
Minister's statement 50 -1 (3), Minister's statement 51 -1 (3), Minister's statement 45-1(3), Bill 7, Tabled Document 20 -1 (3) with Mr. Iqaqrialu as the Chairperson.
We will begin with a short recess.
>>Committee recessed at 3:05 p.m. and resumed at 3:18 p.m.
Chairperson (interpretation): We have a quorum now, there are ten members here.
First of all, Ministers' Statements 50 - 1(3), 52 – 1 (3), 45 – 1 (3), Bill 7, Tabled Document 20 - 1(3).
Which one would you like to deal with first.
Mr. Akesuk (interpretation): I suggest we deal with Bill 7.
I would like to proceed with this please.
Those in favour of dealing with Bill 7.
Minister do you have an opening statement.
Bill 7 - Loan Authorization Act, 2000/2001 - Consideration in Committee
Hon. Kelvin Ng: No, Mr. Chairman I would like to bring my staff to the table and get right to the detail of the bill.
You can come up to the witness stand if you’ve got your officials with you.
Thank you for taking the witness stand Minister Ng. Maybe if you would like to identify yourselves first so that we know who we are dealing with.
Mr. Chairman, to my left is Mr. Victor Tootoo, Assistant Deputy Minister of the Department of Finance and Administration.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Finance Minister.
Comments in regards to Bill 7 Loan Authorization 2000/2001.
In regards to loan authorization, I would like to get a better clarification as to which department is going to be dealing with this bill, whose responsibility it is.
Chairperson (interpretation): Go ahead Mr. Finance Minister.
Mr. Chairman, the Department of Finance and Administration is responsible for the loan authorization act, that is why my appearance before the committee today and I didn’t get into opening comments because I thought the second reading, principles of the bill outlined it clearly but if the members want…just to say that this is just an annual bill that is required to go before the Assembly because of the fact the Government is asking for the authority to be able to lend to municipalities in the course of the year.
So, this act allows that to happen.
If we are going to deal with the municipalities, the Hamlets, in order for them to use this loan authorization, for example, the Hamlets, even though they have some sort of funding given to them, they are always short of funding for of capital items.
For example, within my own constituency at Gjoa Haven, if they wanted to get a loan and once this loan authorization act has proceeded and been agreed to, how much percentage of the loan would be given to us.
Finance Minister, if you would like to make a reply.
Mr. Chairman, the spending limit requested under this act is up to five million dollars but I would like to say that it isn’t for municipalities for specific capital projects.
This issue, unless it is a tax-based municipality, and the only one of course that would qualify in that situation would be Iqaluit, more than likely it would be in a situation where there are extraordinary needs of a Hamlet such as the situation in Clyde River.
I use that as an example during this current fiscal year where they have run into financial difficulties as a municipality and required some additional funds to get them through that.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you Minister of Finance.
Any further comments or statements. Mr. Tootoo.
I believe last year the loan authorization act was approved with a spending limit of 10 million dollars.
If I could ask the minister to explain how the new figure of 5 million dollars for this year was arrived at.
Minister of Finance, if you would like to make your statement or additional comments.
Mr. Chairman, last year the loan authorization act set a limit of ten million dollars for the current year and out of that ten million dollars, to date there has been 5.2 million dollars of commitments made.
It is felt that we will not need as much for the 2000 and 2001 fiscal year, and hence the lower limit in respect to authorization requested for next year.
Any further comments.
Mr. Tootoo, do you have any further comments.
Go Ahead.
Mr. Chairman, the minister indicated that they only anticipated roughly about 5 million dollars this year.
I would like to ask the minister to explain how they determine what the need is going to be.
Finance Minister, if you would like to make a response.
We carried out consultation with the Department of Community Government and Transportation and through their work with the municipalities we forecasted what might be potential needs.
Mr. Tootoo: It was based on consultations done by the Department of Community Government and Transportation with the municipalities.
Does the minister have any indication or any anticipation of what Hamlets or municipalities will require accessing any of these funds or guarantees.
Finance Minister.
Mr. Chairman, no I do not have that information.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you Finance Minister.
If you have any additional comments.
Mr. Chairman if the minister doesn’t have that information, I am just wondering how they came up with the 5 million dollars if they are not really sure who is going to be requiring what.
Is it just a number that was pulled out of the air or do they have a rough estimate or anticipation at all on the requirements.
Finance Minister, any additional comments.
Mr. Chairman there is no known identified need as it stands now.
As I indicated, this is supporting the authorization of authority for us to lend in the circumstances where it is required.
I would like to state there are some stringent guidelines in respect of lending.
It is just not given for any reason whatsoever.
The criteria has been indicated in the past - there have to be repayment terms identified, assessment of repayment ability, security issues are looked at, there has to be an approved bylaw by the municipality, established credit criteria and it has to be in conformance with the Cities, Towns and Villages Act.
So those are the criteria that surround the ability to be able to lend under this loan authorization act, Mr. Chairman.
Thank you.  Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Finance Minister.
Any further comments Mr. Tootoo.  Mr. Tootoo: Thank you Mr. Chairman.
Actually, I am glad to hear that there are no projected plans for this. I am just wondering on how, if the minister is aware of how the Department of Community Government goes through the consultation process with the municipalities and Hamlets throughout Nunavut in determining whether there may be any potential need. Thank you Mr. Chairman
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Tootoo. Finance Minister if you have any additional comments.
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Mr. Chairman, I would anticipate that the past practice has been that through the SAOs and the municipalities which have the Community Government and Transportation regional staff working with them on a monthly basis, if not quarterly, to be current with their fiscal situation. Having said that, then they would be on top of the circumstances surrounding each municipality throughout Nunavut and be able to identify along with the administration of the municipalities whether or not there would be any anticipated needs for financial commitments to be made under this act.
Any further comments. Are there no further comments to the Loan Authorization Act. We are dealing with Bill 7 Loan Authorization Act 2000 / 2001.
We will go clause by clause.
Are there any comments under section 1.
Application 2, 3.
Authorization to make loans to municipalities.
Chairperson (interpretation): Number 4, Authority to Disperse.
Chairperson (interpretation): Those in favour of number 6.
Are you in Agreement.
Chairperson (interpretation): Number 7.
In agreement.
Chairperson (interpretation): Number 8, in agreement.
Chairperson (interpretation): Number 9, in agreement.
Chairperson (interpretation): Number 10.
Chairperson (interpretation): Loan Authorization Act 2001.
Do you agree that Bill 7 is approved for third reading and it can be read as it is.
Chairperson (interpretation): I would like to thank you.
You have made me feel quite welcome.
Thank you Mr. Minister for taking the time as well as your colleague to give this presentation.
Ministers' Statements 50 - 1(3), 52 – 1 (3), 45 – 1 (3), and Tabled Document 20 - 1(3).
How does the committee wish to proceed.
I would like to deal with the Ikuma Report Mr. Chairman.
Ministers’ statements 45 and 52 are very similar.
Would you like to cover both of these also.
Mr. Akesuk (interpretation): Number 45, the Ikuma Report, The Energy Option for 2001, Mr. Chairman.
Chairperson (interpretation): Did you want to proceed with your opening comments Mr. Minister.
I will just do my opening comments from here if it’s ok. with you and the committee and I believe that I will just do my opening comments of the report and then tomorrow there will be more detail with the witnesses.
You made a very good recommendation.
We will move that to tomorrow’s schedule.
We have two other items.
Mr. Minister you can make your opening comments now and submit the report tomorrow.
Mr. Chairman it gives me great pleasure today to begin the opening comments on the Ikuma Report.
The Ikuma report was commissioned to look at various options available to the Nunavut Government to provide electrical power to Nunavummiut.
The two main parts of the report describe:
The possible structures for a Nunavut Power Corporation with an analysis of the pros and cons of each structure;
General policy and regulatory issues associated with power rates and subsidies that must by decided by the people and the Government of Nunavut.
That’s us Mr. Chairman.
In regards to the actual structure the Ikuma report favours the Crown Corporation Model for a number of reasons.
Those reasons are, Mr. Chairman:
Simplicity - it already exists in Legislation – we have it on paper
More Flexibility - it can create its own policies to meet business needs rather than being limited to general Government policy.
Of course the Corporation is a Corporate entity on its own
Better cost Tracking - it is better able to keep track of utility related revenues and costs isolated from hidden subsidies
More Businesslike - it can focus on the utility business rather than general Government matters and Mr. Chairman most important of all:
A greater balance between business and social considerations, ability to meet social needs while balancing utility businesslike operations.
Mr. Chairman, based on these findings and with your support, we are now taking steps to set up a crown corporation and I will be pleased to answer any questions about the Ikuma report and the assumptions used to draw its conclusions tomorrow in the Committee of the Whole when we further debate the Ikuma report.
In regards to the policy on the regulatory issues associated with the setting up of any power utility in Nunavut, the report provides an overview of current rate setting structure subsidy programs but does not provide specific recommendations on these matters because the Ikuma working group was not mandated, Mr. Chairman to do that.
However, based on their analysis, the report does question the efficiency and the effectiveness of the current process of regular rates through a public utility board.
Both the rate setting structures and the subsidy issue require further work before any decisions can be made.
To make these decisions will also require input – input from the MLAs, the communities, you Mr. Chairman and other stake holders to determine the balance between the Nunavut Power Corporations need to operate as a for-profit business enterprise or remain sensitive to the social economic needs in the territory.
Something like we are seeing with the situation in Clyde River today.
With the possible rate increase that you have brought up Mr. Chairman and articulated very well in this assembly.
Mr. Chairman, the report does not provide specific recommendations about a number of questions, many of which, will be the subject of the next phase or implementation work.
Some of these questions are :
- How much capacity can the Nunavut Power Corporation develop between  now and April 1, 2001
What level of outsourcing or third party contracting will be necessary for the Nunavut Power Corporation to be operational by the year 2001
How many headquarters positions will be created and where will they be located Mr. McLean. Where will they be located to ensure that the NPC will be fully operational by April 1, 2001
What will power costs in each community and how will their rates be regulated
What options should the Nunavut Power Corporation pursue for providing power in the future - Mr. Chairman that is, what new initiatives and alternatives for improving service and reducing the cost of electrical energy supply would make sense in Nunavut.
Mr. Chairman, over the last couple of days we have had an opportunity to see the pre-feasibility study about the high voltage transmission line from Manitoba and into Kivalliq and that is one example.
There are others such as wind and solar technology, fuel, fuel cell technology, as well as, heat recovery initiatives that increase efficiency of current diesel operations.
Mr. Chairman as we consider these options we must look twenty to thirty years into the future.
Mr. Chairman we will need to consider and answer these questions and more during this transition period.
Now the next phase, Mr. Chairman, in establishing the Nunavut’s own Power Corporation has already begun.
The President's position, and I want to make this clear, Mr. Chairman, during my presentation to the Standing Committee of Government Operations, the committee pointed out very strongly that they weren’t satisfied that the position for the president of the Nunavut Power Corporation had not been advertised in the North.
Indeed, Mr. Chairman it had not been advertised in the South either.
We had to hire a special firm that is used for finding presidents and so on of utilities in Canada and that was the route that we took, but Mr. Chairman, at the recommendation of the Standing Committee we have now advertised the position of the President for the Nunavut Power Corporation in Nunavut –in the North and in the South.
We followed up on that recommendation from the Standing Committee.
The President’s position is currently being advertised and it is anticipated that someone will be in place by early April.
I anticipate, Mr. Chairman, that we will have preliminary recommendations on some immediate operational issues raised in this report within the next eight to ten weeks.
These recommendations will provide some insight into the number of headquarters jobs that could be established.
Where these headquarter jobs will be located and the level of outsourcing, Mr. Chairman, which is the key issue here – outsourcing that we will require in order to best serve Nunavut.
Mr. Chairman, those are my opening comments on the Ikuma report, tomorrow at the same time, I will be very pleased to answer the questions of the committee on the report and I wish you and the members a pleasant evening and a good supper.
Chairperson (interpretation): There is not enough time today to get into any other matters, can I have a motion to report progress.
Hon. Paul Okalik: Mr. Chairman I move that we report progress.
Chairperson (interpretation): Motion is in order.
Our speaker can come up now.
Speaker (interpretation): The House will come back to order.
Your committee has been considering Bill 7 and would like to report that Bill 7 is ready for third reading and Mr. Speaker, I move that the report of the Committee of the Whole be concurred with.
Mr. Nutarak seconds.
Bill 8 - Supplementary Appropriations Act, No. 2, 1999/2000 - Third Reading
Mr. Ng: Mr. Speaker I move seconded by the Honourable member for Kugluktuk that Bill 8 – Supplementary Appropriation No.2 1999/2000 be read for the third time.
Speaker: Thank you Mr. Ng. Your motion is in order.
Bill 8 has had third reading.
Item 22 – Orders of the Day, Mr. Clerk
This evening at half past seven at the high school a meeting of members with the Nunavut Youth Abroad Group.
Orders of the Day for Wednesday, February 23, at 1:30.
Minister’s Statements 45 – 1(3)
Minister's Statement 50 – 1(3)
Minister's Statement 51 – 1(3)
Tabled Document 20 – 1(3)
Bill 7
Before we adjourn for today, I would like to thank our Sergeant-At-Arms Mrs. Lizzie Ittinuar, who has done a magnificent job for us in the past four days.
As I have previously mentioned she embodies the strength of our elders and our heritage.
I also want to thank our pages who will be leaving us today.
They too have done a wonderful job for us during this past seven days. (interpretation) They are Cody Dean, Tuppa Ford, Amy Kaludjak, Joanne Kent, Laura Merrit and Elaine Bruce.
We are having pictures taken with the Sergeant-At-Arms and I invite all the members to participate.
(interpretation ends) This House stands adjourned until Wednesday at 1:30.
>>House adjourned at 5:56 p.m.
Wednesday, February 23, 2000
Pages 545 - 597
Sergeant at Arms  Anthony Manernaluk
Opening Prayer 545
Point of Privilege 545
Ministers’ Statements 546
Members’ Statements 550
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 557
Oral Questions 559
Point of Order 569
Replies to Opening Address 577
Tabling of Documents 584
Notices of Motion 584  Motions 584
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 585
Report of the Committee of the Whole 595
Third Reading of Bills 596
Orders of the Day 596
Wednesday, February 23, 2000 545
57 - 1(3): Federation of Nunavut Teachers Negotiations (Ng) 546
58 - 1(3): Municipal Health & Social Services Committees (Picco) 547
59 - 1(3): Early Childhood & School Services Workshop (Arvaluk) 548
60 - 1(3): Summaries of Nunavut Statutes (Anawak) 549
119 - 1(3): Recognition of Author Simon Tookoome (McLean) 550
120 - 1(3): Travel to Ittuarturvik (Puqiqnak) 550
121 - 1(3): Hunting Killer Whales (Irqittuq) 552
122 - 1(3): Aqsarniit School Science Fair (Picco) 552
123 - 1(3): Aqaumajuq Fisheries (Iqaqrialu) 553
124 - 1(3): Support for Inuit Cultural Institute (Anawak) 553
123 - 1(3): (Continued) Aqaumajuq Fisheries (Iqaqrialu) 554
125 - 1(3): Members’ Visit to Whale Cove (Thompson) 555
126 - 1(3): Members’ Visit to Whale Cove (Alakannuark) 555
127 - 1(3): Resolution Island Clean-up (Tootoo) 556
196 - 1(3): Suicide in Nunavut Communities (Nutarak) 559
197 - 1(3): Assistance from CLEY for Elders & Youth (Alakannuark) 559
198 - 1(3): Health Board Deficits (O'Brien) 560
199 - 1(3): Stop Work Order on Aqaumajuq Fisheries (Iqaqrialu) 562
200 - 1(3): Funding for Cultural Instructors (Irqittuq) 563
201 - 1(3): Proposal Call for Airport Engineering Services (McLean) 564
202 - 1(3): Comments to Media by Petroleum Products Staff (Tootoo) 565
203 - 1(3): Manitoba Presentation on Pre-Feasibility Study (O'Brien) 566
204 - 1(3): Retroactive Funding to Municipalities for Fuel Increases (Akesuk) 570
205 - 1(3): Training for Aqaumajuq Fisheries Employees (Iqaqrialu) 571
206 - 1(3): Premier’s Travel (Irqittuq) 572
207 - 1(3): Gun Control Legislation (Kattuq) 573
(Out of Order) 208 - 1(3): Gun Safety Training (Iqaqrialu) 574
209 - 1(3): Letter from NTI President on Fuel Increases (Akesuk) 574
210 - 1(3): Alcohol & Drug Treatment Centres (McLean) 574
29 - 1(3): Churchill to Kivalliq Region Transmission Pre-Feasibility Study (O'Brien) 584
30 - 1(3): Increase in Gasoline Prices Effect to Inuit and Traditional Lifestyle (Thompson) 584
Bill 7 - Loan Authorization Act, 2000/2001 596
11 - 1(3): TD 27 - 1(3) to Committee of the Whole 585
Rankin Inlet, Nunavut
Speaker (interpretation): Would Manotik Thompson say the opening prayer.
Mr. Speaker I rise today on a point of privilege.
Mr. Speaker, a reporter for the Rankin Inlet bureau of the CBC radio inaccurately represented yesterday’s question period, during this morning’s news broadcast.
Specifically, this reporter in her news story reported that five members of this Assembly questioned me on the estimated budget surplus.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to clarify to my honourable colleagues that only two members of this Assembly questioned me on this very important matter.
Furthermore this reporter stated, and I quote, "Many were upset that they hadn't heard about the size of the surplus earlier" unquote.