EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
In those cases where we’re not capable of solving an issue of the day, we will ensure that our staff will get training on it. We will work with the people who specialize in this field and ensure that our staff gets training. You have to realize that there is ongoing training for all staff in all departments, and this being one of them.
I’m sure we will go through a learning curve. We will go through training programs to ensure that the service doesn’t break down. If it does, we will ensure that it’s up and running as quickly as possible.
Most of the time, it will be with our staff. If it’s not, we will ensure that our staff is there to learn how to fix it the next time it breaks.
My next question is in the blue procurement activity book on page 101, contract C1763. The description is a “Fiber Optic Rental” and the contract is for $554,000.
I’m just wondering if the minister could explain exactly what that is for.
Is it something that we will eventually be able to purchase, or will it be a continual rental fee for years to come?
If I could have Ms. Lausman respond to that.
That’s actually a good question.
We currently have a contract with NorthwesTel that provides our telephony and our data.
With our WAN-LAN-MAN build, we are actually transitioning to a new service provider. This is actually an agreement that we currently have with NorthwesTel that we will be transitioning to a new service provider where we own the fibre and we own the connection.
So this service will be predicated more on providing bandwidth to allow us to run data down our fibre.
If you flip the page to 102, I think maybe I’ll get the same answer in terms of contract C1778, “Video conferencing charges,” and contract C1781, “GN Core Network Charges,” both to Ardicom for over $3 million.
NorthwesTel and Ardicom are similar companies in many respects in terms of the way they work and the way they function. One is phone lines and the other one is a data service.
I’m just wondering: are we changing service providers for them too or will this continue with ongoing charges?
Hon. Lorne Kusugak: Yes, Mr. Chairman, we are changing with them too.
In terms of videoconferencing, I know a lot of it’s used through Health and Social Services for telehealth. This will, in no way, affect the services provided for telehealth.
Hopefully, will it be enhancing them?
Hon. Lorne Kusugak: Mr. Chairman, it shouldn’t hinder them. In fact, it should be enhancing them.
Mr. Elliott: Flipping back to page 101, going back to some questions that Mr. Rumbolt had on the integrated community sustainability plans, it is contract C1767.
I know that the minister had explained about federal government requirements for the gas tax. These plans have been produced and I know that they went out to the communities and communities were asked to review them.
In some respects, it raised a little bit of a concern in Arctic Bay because the consultant had said that there was no work done on the part of the GN for a health centre in Arctic Bay, to which, once they read that, I was called and they said, “Well, Ron, what’s going on?” In terms of the Arctic Bay Health Centre, they know that we have been working towards that for a while.
For these reports, who do they belong to? Does a copy to go the hamlet, the GN, and the federal government?
Hon. Lorne Kusugak: Mr. Chairman, the end result is they become the property of the municipal government, so they belong to the hamlet. Yes, the federal government gets a copy, Mr. Chairman.
They are the property of the municipality.
To correct that problem in Arctic Bay… . I know $1.2 million has been spent on the planning and design of the health centre in Arctic Bay.
To correct that in the document itself, the hamlet would correct it, then do they pass a motion in the hamlet, then send a copy to CGS and then they send it to the Government of Canada?
How do we correct problems?
It sounds like we, as communities, send forward our concerns to the Government of Nunavut. The Government of Nunavut then looks at these proposals and says, “Well, the gas tax needs to go to these certain items,” but if the item says, “No, nothing’s been done,” then there has to be a way of communicating up and down. I’m just wondering: what’s that process for communicating up and down?
The integrated community sustainability plan is the property of the municipality. It’s a living document, so the municipality will make changes to it, hopefully, as years progress and some of the issues that are brought up and they are fixed or not or dropped or added onto, that’s the property of the municipality. It’s supposed to help the municipality plan for their growth and plan for how to deal with aging and/or other infrastructure.
So it’s the municipalities’ to do with what they want and if they want to bring issues up on it, that’s their prerogative, Mr. Chairman. It’s not up to us to say, “You need to put this in your plan.”
It is their plan. It is up to them to make changes to their plan. It’s not our plan and we’re not the ones who decide, “Okay, put this in your plan.”
It’s theirs; it’s not ours, Mr. Chairman.
I’m thinking into the future. Again, at some point, the federal government will be looking at these plans and will be saying that there are certain things happening in certain communities. To me, our responsibility within the hamlet is to make sure that the hamlets have them up to date, and then it would be the responsibility of the hamlet to send it to whoever they wish to keep them up to date and informed.
If these are being done in a requirement for gas tax, I’m wondering: how often is that requirement needed? Will the federal government be coming back in two years, five years, or ten years to say, “Show us your integrated community sustainability plans”? Just so I know to tell my hamlets, and I have three of them, when to make sure they are totally up to date so that we get what we need in our communities.
Hon. Lorne Kusugak: Mr. Chairman, it’s hopeful that the municipalities will use it to keep an inventory of their infrastructure and use it as a lobby tool, if I may use that word, to say, “We have this infrastructure that is aging.
We need a new one” or “This is fine.
It needs a new coat of paint,” and so on and so forth. It’s their blueprint for the future of their municipality and they can use it constructively.
They can use it as a tool to lobby any other government, including this one, to say, “In our sustainability plan, it shows that we have very aged infrastructure,” whatever the infrastructure may be, and use that to lobby their MLA or the government or anybody else out there to improve the infrastructure in their municipality.
Next on page 47, at the top of the page, contract C130, sewage and water works technical evaluation for Resolute Bay, Trow Associates, $244,000, I’m just wondering if the minister could explain what that contract was for and how it’s being planned out in terms of requirements met for reporting and reports.
Good question, Mr. Elliott.
That was to create a five-year plan to keep the current water system operational and to avoid a breakdown on the water system until a decision is made on what and how they’re going to deal with the water works and sewage issues in Resolute Bay.
Until such time that we start to resolve that issue, this work was done to keep the system running and see what we need to do to keep the system running in a five-year plan.
Again, for that report for the five-year plan, has that been competed and given to your department?
Yes, it has been completed. Our department has it and we’re going over it right now in detail to ensure that it covers off everything that may have or may not have been overlooked. Mr. Chairman, we’re going through it at the moment.
My next question is in terms of reporting back to the community.
Could the minister provide a bit of a timeline as to how long he thinks it will take to review the document?
It probably has to go to cabinet.
I know that there was a committee that was supposed to be set up as well to include hamlet council members and community members in the process of what to do with the five-year plan.
If he could provide a bit of a timeline as to when the hamlet will know about what’s happening with the five-year plan.
Unfortunately I can’t say at this time exactly when we will be going to the municipality to give out detailed information on it as we currently don’t know.
We’re still getting the information and working on the plan.
It still has to go through a normal process before we get to that stage.
I assure the member that we’re keeping in close contact with the municipal government in terms of as much detail as we can give them at this time.
Mr. Chairman, I’m hopeful that in the near future, we will be able to have worked on the issue and get on with the next step.
Will the minister be able to table that five-year plan before the end of this sitting?
Hon. Lorne Kusugak: Mr. Chairman, unfortunately I can’t, not because I don’t want to but because we have to go over that document to make sure it’s complete and full.
I wouldn’t want to table a document that we haven’t gone over with a fine-tooth comb to make sure that all of the questions and issues are raised on it.
So until such time the issues that are there regarding the utilidor and water works in Resolute Bay are complete and ready to go and that report has answered all of the questions of ourselves and the municipality, I won’t be able to table it at this time because that’s going to take more than two days to complete, Mr. Chairman.
Again, with the integrated community sustainability plans, will the minister… ?
I know he had committed at one time to tabling those.
Will he be tabling them?
I have seen Arctic Bay’s and they’re huge. I don’t know if that’s such a good idea, whether it would be tabled on a DVD or a CD. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
If I was to table those documents, I think I would need three moving trucks to bring them in here in all of the official languages, and so on.
To answer my colleague, they are the property of the municipality and I would have to seek permission from each municipality to be able to table their document.
To answer him in short, Mr. Chairman, I believe they will be available on our website and I would be more than happy to share that with him once they are available on the Internet.
On page 100, there is contract C1740. When I was going through and reviewing the different contracts, what just stuck out in my mind was the “Transportation of Jet A-1 for Coral Harbour.”
Could the minister explain what that contract was for?
Hon. Lorne Kusugak: Mr. Chairman, thank you. They ran low on that fuel, so we had to transport it, Mr. Chairman.
Do we agree that we’re done with Tabled Documents 248 – 3(2), 249 – 3(2), and 251 – 3(2) for Community and Government Services?
Chairman: I’m assuming the minister has different witnesses for the other one here.
I don’t think your witnesses are here, so maybe we’re going to report progress and continue tomorrow.
Your committee has been considering Tabled Documents 248 – 3(2), 249 – 3(2), 251 – 3(2), 274 – 3(2), and 275 – 3(2), and would like to report progress.
Speaker: Thank you. Were you making a motion, Mr. Schell?
Mr. Schell, please.
Mr. Schell: Yes, I was making a motion.
Speaker: Thank you for clarifying that, Mr. Schell.
A reminder of a meeting of the Full Caucus tomorrow at ten o’clock in the Nanuq Room.
This House stands adjourned until Tuesday, June 7, at 1:30 p.m.
>>House adjourned at 17:35
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Pages 850 – 917
Opening Prayer 850
Ministers’ Statements 850
Members’ Statements 854
Returns to Oral Questions 859
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 860
Written Questions 879
Tabling of Documents 880
Notices of Motions 882
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 885
Report of the Committee of the Whole 915
Third Reading of Bills 916
Orders of the Day 916
Tuesday, June 7, 2011 850
045 – 3(3): Municipal Emergency Management Training (Kusugak) 850
046 – 3(3): Arctic Reflections in Paris (Taptuna) 851
047 – 3(3): MOU Northern University Development (Aariak) 851
048 – 3(3): DOE Research Vessel, Nuliajuk, to Arrive in Iqaluit (Shewchuk) 852
049 – 3(3): Arnait Nipingit: Women’s Leadership Summit Report (Aariak) 853
050 – 3(3): Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Katimajiit (Arreak) 853
076 – 3(3): The Need for a New Airport in Baker Lake (Aupaluktuq) 854
077 – 3(3): Dental Services for Nunavut (Elliott) 855
078 – 3(3): Passing of Mark Kalluak (Shewchuk) 856
079 – 3(3): Congratulations to Grandchildren for Completing Head-Start (Tapardjuk) 856
080 – 3(3): The Need for a Nunavut Addictions Treatment Facility (Ugyuk) 857
081 – 3(3): Support for Devolution (Ningark) 858
082 – 3(3): Sheila Watt-Cloutier on a Postage Stamp (Aariak) 858
Return to Oral Question 090 – 3(3): Financial Situation at Local Housing Association (Curley) 859
110 – 3(3): Emergency Preparedness (Elliott) 862
111 – 3(3): Nunavut-Based Addictions Treatment Centres (Ugyuk) 864
112 – 3(3): Work Performed on QEC President’s House by QEC Employees (Schell) 867
113 – 3(3): Government of Nunavut Responses to Resolutions of the Nunavut Association of Municipalities (Tapardjuk) 868
114 – 3(3): Status of Government Liaison Officer Positions (Rumbolt) 871
115 – 3(3): Kivalliq Boarding Home (Aupaluktuq) 872
116 – 3(3): Bad Gasoline at Resolute Bay (Elliott) 874
117 – 3(3): Lawsuits against QEC by Ex-employees (Schell) 876
118 – 3(3): Dental Services for Nunavut (Elliott) 877
007 – 3(3): Community Access Roads Program Expenditures (Ugyuk) 879
055 – 3(3): Arnait Nipingit: Women’s Leadership Summit Report September 13 to 17, 2010 (Aariak) 880
056 – 3(3): Public Service Annual Report 2009-2010 (Shewchuk) 880
057 – 3(3): Northern Development Ministers’ Forum Report, Thunder Bay, Ontario, August 30 to September 2, 2010 (Taptuna) 880
058 – 3(3): Nunavut Emergency Management Annual Report 2010-2011 (Kusugak) 881
059 – 3(3): Government of Nunavut Action Plan on the Report of the Auditor General of Canada to the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut 2011 on the Children, Youth and Family Programs and Services in Nunavut (Curley) 881
060 – 3(3): Nunavut Outfitter Liability Protection Fund Annual Report 2010-2011 (Peterson) 881
061 – 3(3): Copy of Bill 21, An Act to Amend the Employee Standards Act (Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories) (Elliott) 881
009 – 3(3): Appointment of a Ministerial Member of the Management and Services Board – Notice (Aariak) 882
010 – 3(3): Appointment of Alternate Ministerial Member of the Management and Services Board – Notice (Aariak) 882
Bill 11 – Legislative Assembly Statutes Amendment Act – Notice 882
Bill 12 – An Act Respecting Nunavut Elections – Notice 882
Bill 11 – Legislative Assembly Statutes Amendment Act – First Reading 883
Bill 12 – An Act Respecting Nunavut Elections – First Reading 883
Bill 11 – Legislative Assembly Statutes Amendment Act – Second Reading 884
Bill 12 – An Act Respecting Nunavut Elections – Second Reading 884
Bill 11 – Legislative Assembly Statutes Amendment Act – Third Reading 916
Bill 12 – An Act Respecting Nunavut Elections – Third Reading 916
Bill 11 – Legislative Assembly Statutes Amendment Act – Consideration in Committee 885
Bill 12 – An Act Respecting Nunavut Elections – Consideration in Committee 887
Tabled Document 274 – 3(2): Lease, Contract and Procurement Activity Report 2008-2009 – Consideration in Committee 894
Tabled Document 275 – 3(2): Lease, Contract and Procurement Activity Report 2009-2010 – Consideration in Committee 894
Tabled Document 248 – 3(2): Government of Nunavut Contract Activity Report Fiscal Year 2009-2010 – Consideration in Committee 905
Tabled Document 249 – 3(2): Lease Activity Report 2009-2010 – Consideration in Committee 905
Tabled Document 251 – 3(2): 2009-2010 Procurement Activity Report – Consideration in Committee 905
Before we get started, I would like to ask Mr. Ningeongan if he could lead us off with a prayer, please.
Minister’s Statement 045 – 3(3): Municipal Emergency Management Training (Kusugak)
I am pleased to inform Members of the Assembly that the training phase of the Municipal Emergency Management Program has been completed in all 25 Nunavut communities.
Mr. Speaker, it is very important that we foster self-reliance for Nunavut communities.
Through this training initiative, numerous stakeholders worked together in each community to determine and assess emergency risks, mitigation, and management plans.
This is a very positive example of how working together to reach a common goal can benefit the health and safety of Nunavummiut.
This training will enable communities to assume responsibility for the implementation of their own emergency programs.
Each community took part in a four-day comprehensive training program involving a variety of participants.
Representative from local hamlets, the RCMP, the Nunavut Power Corporation, and the Government of Nunavut’s departments of Community and Government Services, Health and Social Services, Education, and Economic Development and Transportation were some of the key stakeholders in assessing each community’s individual emergency management strategy.
Mr. Speaker, the Municipal Emergency Management Program began in December of 2008 and this initial training phase was completed in February of 2011.
Training concentrated on four key issues: mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.
Currently all communities are in the process of updating and legally adopting their own emergency response plans.
It is anticipated that all municipalities will have updated response plans and by-laws in place by December of 2011.
Mr. Speaker, the Municipal Emergency Management Program training was funded by Public Safety Canada and the Government of Nunavut under the Joint Emergency Preparedness Program.
Minister’s Statement 046 – 3(3): Arctic Reflections in Paris (Taptuna)
I rise today to inform the Members of this House of a recent initiative of the Nunavut Development Corporation.
Between February 25 and 27, the Nunavut Development Corporation participated in a very successful Inuit art exhibition in Paris entitled “Arctic Reflections.”
This event was a partnership between the Nunavut Development Corporation and Art Inuit Paris, an established gallery in Paris and a long-time promoter of Canadian Inuit art.
The response was very strong, with 1,400 Parisians visiting the exhibition over three days.
It was also a commercial success – Art Inuit Paris sales during the three-day event were approximately equal to their total sales over the previous 12-month period.
The Nunavut Development Corporation contingent returned to Canada empty handed, having sold the entire inventory of art they had taken to Paris.
Igah Hainnu of Clyde River participated as the visiting Nunavut artist and impressed visitors with her artistic abilities.
It is also important to note the contributions of Tom Chapman, Goretti Kakuktinniq, and Liliana Costa, who coordinated the event on behalf of the Nunavut Development Corporation.
One of the goals of Sanaugait, our strategy for growth in Nunavut’s arts and crafts sector, is to “expand international market share.”
Sales visits such as this, which are targeted, strategic, and coordinated with established local galleries, can build a market for Nunavut arts and crafts in European metropolitan centres.
Minister’s Statement 047 – 3(3): MOU Northern University Development (Aariak)
Good afternoon. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to inform my fellow members about an MOU the Government of Nunavut recently signed with our colleagues from the NWT and the Yukon.
This MOU brings us together to explore options for northern university development in the three territories.
The northern territories have a history of cooperation in a range of services, including education and training, and we share the desire to provide all northerners with consistent, accessible, quality post-secondary educational opportunities.
Mr. Speaker, a supportive high-quality educational environment closer to home will encourage our students to continue their studies at the post-secondary level.
It will make it easier for them to access the support they need from their families and communities to achieve success.
The governments of Nunavut, the Northwest Territories, and the Yukon will form a tri-territorial committee to develop options on how the three territories can advance university development in Canada’s North and advance discussions with the Government of Canada on investments that support northern university development.
Mr. Speaker, our governments are committed to providing educational opportunities that maintain a balance between academic excellence and the culture, values and lifestyles of northern students.
This MOU will help us move forward with our shared goal of university development in Canada’s Arctic. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Minister’s Statement 048 – 3(3): DOE Research Vessel, Nuliajuk, to Arrive in Iqaluit (Shewchuk)
I am pleased to provide the members with an update on the progress made on the completion and arrival of the Department of Environment’s new fisheries research vessel, Nuliajuk.
The construction of this 64-foot state-of-the-art steel research vessel is complete and the preparation work for this season’s research in Nunavut waters is underway.
Nuliajuk has undergone its sea trials and stability evaluation and passed especially well
My department is currently seeking its crew members for the vessel, as well as plans to maximize the number of Inuit crew members on the boat.
Pending ice conditions in Davis Strait, Nuliajuk is to sail for Iqaluit to be commissioned on Nunavut Day, July 9, 2011.
We welcome all members and the public to participate in the celebration of the arrival of this critical piece of infrastructure for development of our fishery industry in Nunavut.
Research plans for this year have been finalized and will include research and survey work in Cumberland Sound on turbot stocks and reducing Greenland shark bycatch.
In addition, Nuliajuk will travel up the coast to Qikiqtarjuaq and Clyde River areas to undertake research trials for turbot and other species.
Future years will see Nuliajuk travel throughout the territory undertaking important research for the development of new commercial fishing opportunities within Nunavut.
Minister responsible for the Status of Women, Madam Premier.
Minister’s Statement 049 – 3(3): Arnait Nipingit: Women’s Leadership Summit Report (Aariak)
I am pleased to announce that the Arnait Nipingit: Women’s Leadership Summit Report will be tabled in the Legislative Assembly today.
In September 2010, the Government of Nunavut, in partnership with the Qikiqtani Inuit Association (QIA), Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated (NTI), and the Qulliit Nunavut Status of Women Council, held the Arnait Nipingit: Women’s Leadership Summit.
Mr. Speaker, more than 200 women from across the territory and other Inuit regions in Canada and approximately 20 southern delegates from various governments and organizations took part in this momentous event.
The goal of the summit was to support and empower women’s leadership initiatives in Nunavut.
This was achieved by providing skill building opportunities, mentoring, showcasing best practices in all levels of leadership, and by providing a platform for growth, sharing, and networking opportunities for women.
Mr. Speaker, the summit produced an extensive list of recommendations which will be a valuable resource in developing policies and programs to address community needs.
Like the summit itself, the summit report was only possible with the full participation of and partnership between QIA, NTI, Qulliit, and the Government of Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, as you are aware, the importance of working together is a key government message of Tamapta.
The success of this event from conception to report serves as an example of the positive outcomes that can be achieved when organizations come together to support and work towards a common goal.
I am hopeful that the success of the partnership that supported this project will continue to flourish and will serve to further advance the status of women portfolio in Nunavut.