EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
We can make it available. The hamlets have full control over these funds, but the policy would allow them to understand the purpose of the funds.
That is how it stands today.
With respect to your other question, yes, we can come to an agreement that this $104,000 a year that will be allotted to the municipality.
It’s up to the municipality on whether they want to use those funds right away or put it in a separate bank account to accumulate interest. They will have discretion on these funds.
However, every year, the auditors will look through accounts to make sure that what you allot for heavy equipment be put into the financial statements.
It is at the discretion of the hamlets.
In fact, if they want to purchase a loader, they can go to the dealer and state, “This is how much we will pay this year for the loader,” and then they could pay the rest in the next fiscal year. They can do that if they wish because those funds are at their discretion to purchase any heavy equipment as per the policy.
I’m going to give you an example. Just recently in Chesterfield Inlet, their priority list of heavy equipment included a top priority of a (interpretation ends) backhoe or excavator. (interpretation) Those kinds of equipment seem to be outside of the equipment listed in the policy.
Is this a good example of how the municipality could use the funds for heavy equipment they feel is more relevant to their needs?
Yes, that is an excellent example since we should remember that when the policy was being drafted for this block funding, one of the goals was to ensure the funds were used for heavy equipment, such as graders, loaders, dump trucks, and so on.
The list of heavy equipment is not comprehensive and the list only identifies certain heavy equipment. However, I think we can easily say that it would qualify as heavy equipment so long as it fits the description of heavy equipment to handle your granular materials or snow removal responsibilities.
Even if the make or model is not specifically listed in the equipment, as long as it fits into the description of mobile equipment, then we would not be too concerned about the purchase as some communities prefer different makes, models, and mobile equipment.
Yes, it can be included in this list and I doubt that it would infringe on our policy.
Go ahead, Mr. Ningeongan.
I keep looking at the clock, but I would like clarification on the interest accumulated from putting these funds in the bank.
If they accumulated interest, can the municipality use it for something other than what’s in the policy?
In J-7, there’s going to be discussion on search and rescue. I’m talking about snowmobiles as an example.
Because they are accumulating interest in that account, can they use those funds for purchasing a snowmobile for search and rescue?
You don’t need to answer me right now, but that’s just an example on whether we can use those interest dollars for other small capital.
Yes, if you reviewed that policy, it does not state in the policy what the interest could be used for, but what I can tell you without any compunction is that it’s at the community’s discretion to use the interest as they see fit.
As you stated earlier, if the community wishes to purchase a snowmobile or anything that the hamlet needs, then that is up to them and totally at the discretion of the municipality.
However, the block funding itself has to be used for its intended purpose.
Mr. Ningeongan, please note that this is new block funding provided to the municipalities.
It’s just being implemented now so that the hamlets can use it for purchasing heavy equipment. As the program runs longer with more funding provided, the smaller communities could have adequate funding to purchase heavy equipment over a shorter time period.
As the funds are disbursed over a couple of years, the funds could be kept until they can purchase equipment, such as loaders. Based on the adequacy of the funds, the policy can be amended as we move forward so that it could reflect the needs of hamlets. I believe that it’s our common goal that when municipalities are allocated funding, so long as the stated purchase fits in the bag, so to speak, they would have more discretion to purchase equipment.
That is the purpose of this fund and we would like to see this continued.
I hope that I have given you an appropriate response.
In recognition of the clock, I would like to make a motion to report progress at this time.
Sergeant-at-Arms, I guess we will remove the minister and the officials and we will be meeting with you tomorrow again.
Following our orders of the day, Item 21.
At last, we have quite a few members scrambling to second the motion.
Orders of the Day. Item 23.
A reminder that there’s a meeting of the Full Caucus for tomorrow morning starting at nine o’clock in the morning in the Nanuq Boardroom.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Pages 344 – 431
Members’ Statements 347
Returns to Oral Questions 351
Oral Questions 352
Replies to Opening Address 360
Tabling of Documents 361
Notices of Motions 362
Motions 362
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 363
Report of the Committee of the Whole 430
Tuesday, March 8, 2011 344
022 – 3(3): Food and Clothing Allowances (Tootoo) 344
023 – 3(3): Qulliq Energy Corporation’s 10th Anniversary in Nunavut (Kusugak) 345
024 – 3(3): International Women’s Day (Aariak) 345
025 – 3(3): Information Sessions for Supervisors (Tootoo) 346
035 – 3(3): International Women’s Day (Ugyuk) 347
036 – 3(3): Harvesting of Polar Bears (Rumbolt) 348
037 – 3(3): Arctic Bay is Open for Business (Elliott) 349
038 – 3(3): Community Empowerment (Ningeongan) 350
039 – 3(3): Happy International Women’s Day (Ningark) 350
Return to Oral Question 018 – 3(3): Conflict of Interest Guidelines for Public Service (Aariak) 351
068 – 3(3): Nunavut Marine Council (Tapardjuk) 352
069 – 3(3): Government Restructuring (Elliott) 355
070 – 3(3): Plans to Address Situation in Igloolik (Tapardjuk) 357
071 – 3(3): Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit and Medical Diagnosis (Ningark) 358
072 – 3(3): Bonus Payments to GN’s Senior Staff (Elliott) 360
021 – 3(3): 2011 Report of the Auditor General of Canada to the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut on Children, Youth and Family Programs and Services in Nunavut (Speaker) 361
022 – 3(3): Quttiktuq Annual Constituency Newsletter: 2009 Quttiktuq Times (Elliott) 361
023 – 3(3): Quttiktuq Annual Constituency Newsletter: 2010 Quttiktuq Times (Elliott) 361
024 – 3(3): 2009-2010 Corporate Plan for the Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission (Tootoo) 361
025 – 3(3): Federal/Provincial/Territorial Ministers Responsible for Emergency Management Conference in Toronto, January 2011 (Kusugak) 362
026 – 3(3): Environmental Rights Act Annual Report for the period January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010 (Shewchuk) 362
003 – 3(3): Extended Adjournment – Notice (Ningeongan) 362
003 – 3(3): Extended Adjournment (Ningeongan) 362
Bill 01 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2011-2012 – Consideration in Committee – Community and Government Services 363
Bill 01 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2011-2012 – Consideration in Committee – Nunavut Housing Corporation 374
Bill 01 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2011-2012 – Consideration in Committee – Justice 386
Bill 01 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2011-2012 – Consideration in Committee – Finance 404
Bill 01 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2011-2012 – Consideration in Committee – Economic Development and Transportation 411
Today I would like to ask Ms. Ugyuk to say the opening prayer.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Sergeant-at-Arms and Ms. Ugyuk.
Before we proceed, I must refer to our Rules.
Minister’s Statement 022 – 3(3): Food and Clothing Allowances (Tootoo)
I would like to take this opportunity to announce increases to the food allowance and clothing allowances under the Social Assistance Program.
Mr. Speaker, the approved $3 million increase allows for a 15 percent increase to the food allowance, which has not been increased since 2005.
The clothing allowance will now be increased by over 35 percent to $50 per month per eligible recipient, and the regular and seasonal clothing allowances will be combined into a single benefit.
The clothing allowance has not been increased since before division with the Northwest Territories and is now sorely needed.
Currently, 90 percent of the total social assistance expenditures per month are used to provide benefits for food. Assisting individuals and families with resources to meet a basic standard of living that includes a healthy diet is essential, especially for children.
Mr. Speaker, the Government of Nunavut has made a commitment to improve the quality of life for all Nunavummiut by reducing poverty.
Increases to both the food and clothing allowances will help the most vulnerable individuals and families in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, the increases to the food allowance and clothing benefits within the Social Assistance Program are strategically aligned with the guiding principles outlined in Tamapta.
The Department of Education and in particular, the Income Support Program cannot address poverty alone.
All government departments, Inuit organizations, community members, and municipalities share a role in reducing poverty and improving the quality of life for Nunavummiut.
I look forward to the continued work with these partners in finding real and meaningful solutions to poverty in Nunavut.
Minister’s Statement 023 – 3(3): Qulliq Energy Corporation’s 10th Anniversary in Nunavut (Kusugak)
Good day. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, on April 1 of this year, it will be the 10th year anniversary of Qulliq Energy Corporation/Nunavut Power as Nunavut’s very own electrical utility.
On April 1, 2001, the power plants and offices across Nunavut that had previously been operated by the Northwest Territories Power Corporation and before that, by the Northern Canada Power Corporation officially became part of Nunavut Power.
Nunavut Power was created to continue providing power to Nunavut’s 25 communities once we had realized the dream of having our own territory.
Mr. Speaker, Nunavut is arguably the most extreme place in Canada in which to operate power plants and to generate and distribute power.
Unlike the south, we do not have access to a territorial power grid for distribution. Also, we do not have access to the hydroelectric supply and facilities that were developed for our neighbours to the west.
Mr. Speaker, our organization is guided by the principles of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit when it comes to generating electricity for Nunavummiut.
We base this guidance on Piliriqatigiinniq (working together for a common cause), Qanuqtuurniq (being innovative and resourceful), Aajiiqatigiinniq (decision-making through discussion and consensus), and Avatittinnik Kamatsiarniq (respect and care for the land, animals, and the environment).
With these principles in mind, QEC has been able to achieve an incredibly high reliability rating of more than 98 percent in keeping the power on over the past decade.
This result is in spite of our extreme weather conditions and the various locations in which we operate.
Mr. Speaker, as the corporation enters its second decade, QEC is focused on Nunavut’s opportunities for growth and prosperity.
As our population expands and our economy continues to develop, we will focus on upgrading and replacing outdated infrastructure in order to grow with the territory.
We will continue our search for economically and environmentally viable alternative energy sources in order to reduce Nunavut’s dependence on diesel fuel and our impact on the environment.
Mr. Speaker, please join me in wishing the corporation’s management and staff every success in meeting their objectives as we celebrate QEC’s first 10 years of service on April 1.
Minister responsible for the Status of Women.
Minister’s Statement 024 – 3(3): International Women’s Day (Aariak)
Today is International Women’s Day.
Mr. Speaker, each year on March 8, people around the world observe International Women’s Day.
It is a global day celebrating the economic, political, and social achievements of women past, present, and future.
It is the 100th year of this celebration and it was 100 years ago that men and women joined together to rally for women to have the right to vote, to hold public office, to work, to be trained, and to end discrimination.
Mr. Speaker, today, as the Premier and the Minister responsible for the Status of Women in our territory, I would like to ask all Nunavummiut here and across Canada to join me in acknowledging and celebrating International Women’s Day.
Women play an important role in Inuit society and we need to prepare young women in Nunavut today to take on leadership roles in the future.
Mr. Speaker, the Government of Nunavut is actively involved in doing this and in supporting women already in leadership roles.
In partnership with the Qikiqtani Inuit Association, Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, and the Qulliit Nunavut Status of Women Council, we held the Arnait Nipingit Leadership Summit last fall.
More than 140 women from across the territory, other Inuit regions, and government joined together to support and empower women’s leadership initiatives in Nunavut.
As well, in support of the current women leaders in Nunavut, the Qulliit Nunavut Status of Women Council annually presents the Wise Woman of the Year Award.
This award celebrates women who are role models and who provide volunteer, counselling, and caregiver service to others.
As always, I look forward with great anticipation to learning in the coming weeks who this year’s recipient will be.
(interpretation ends) On a final note, Mr. Speaker, on January 1, 2011, the United Nations, recognizing the importance of promoting gender equality and the need to support the empowerment of women, celebrated the operational launch and the establishment of UN Women, the United Nations entity for gender equality and the empowerment of women.
I wish to offer my sincere congratulations to UN Women and to the National Committee for UN Women – Canada on this historic development.
I wish them much success in the work that will take place under this new and very important entity.
Mr. Speaker, today, we celebrate women as community members, leaders, and makers of history. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I wish all women a great day.
Minister’s Statement 025 – 3(3): Information Sessions for Supervisors (Tootoo)
As an ongoing and proactive element of the department’s employee relations strategy for professional development, we have developed and are delivering information sessions in three key areas:
Supervisor’s Roles and Responsibilities;
Managing Employee Probation; and
Performance Management.
Mr. Speaker, the information sessions are delivered by staff from our Employee Relations Division who are subject matter experts in terms of our Human Resources Manual policies and directives. The sessions provide for an understanding of the way we do business by identifying the roles and responsibilities of those who manage and supervise employees.
The response to these sessions has been positive and the wide range of participants has included new supervisors to experienced directors, creating excellent opportunities for comparing the reality of operations to the expectations of strategic performance management.
Everyone gets the same information regardless how long they have been managing staff.
Mr. Speaker, information sessions have been held in all three regions with plans in place for further deliveries.
The delivery schedule includes sessions for all headquarter offices of GN departments through the winter and spring of 2011 and through teleconferences to regional offices.
The sessions will be a regular offering of the department into the future.
Mr. Speaker, through our dedication to continuing learning, supervisory training sessions such as these demonstrate the Government of Nunavut’s commitment to developing our public servants.
Member’s Statement 035 – 3(3): International Women’s Day (Ugyuk)
I rise today to recognize the day as it is a very special day today.
It is International Women’s Day and it includes part of our jobs. Women are continuing to fight for women’s rights in the world.
Mr. Speaker, with these as my reasons, I would like to include recognition of International Women’s Day, which was also recognized by the Status of Women Council here in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to celebrate because we are moving fast toward the future, but if you look at the destination, we still have a far ways to go yet.
In this House, I celebrate the fact that I stand here amongst my peers in representing my constituents and I’m also very happy that my fellow woman, the Premier, is able to represent our territory.
However, it is very easy to see that there are only two female representatives here in the House.
Women have to ensure that we speak a louder and stronger voice to represent the ratio of women.
Mr. Speaker, when this year first started, we heard a couple of announcements that were very saddening: two women have now been killed by their spouses.
The two husbands have now been charged for murder and they are now incarcerated.
Let us remember the two victims here because spousal assault is a very big problem here in Nunavut and it causes a lot of family dysfunction in our territory.
(interpretation ends) The 2006 Statistics Canada report on violence against women showed that the average spousal homicide rates for Nunavut and the Northwest Territories were the highest across Canada, almost twice as high as the Yukon and almost ten times as high as anywhere else.
(interpretation) Mr. Speaker, I have been a bit surprised that the Status of Women Council has been so quiet recently and it worries me.
Mr. Speaker, many women are afraid to speak up about the situation that they live in and face on a daily basis.
The Status of Women Council can play an important role in being a voice for these women, a voice to express outrage and to demand change in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, I would also like to call upon our Inuit organizations to take a stronger stand in addressing issues that directly affect women in our communities. (interpretation ends) Too often, it feels as if the focus of their initiatives are driven by the old boys’ club and do not take all beneficiaries into account.
Providing equal support for initiatives that directly affect women would help balance the power and opportunities and move towards a healthier, happier society.
(interpretation) I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing International Women’s Day in Nunavut.
Member’s Statement 036 – 3(3): Harvesting of Polar Bears (Rumbolt)
I rise today to address the issue of polar bear harvesting in Sanikiluaq.
On Friday of last week, I had the opportunity to ask questions to the Minister of Environment about a number of issues concerning the management and harvesting of polar bears.
Mr. Speaker, as I noted during my questioning of the minister, I strongly support the Department of Environment on their decision to move away from the use of tranquilizer drugs during its population surveys and other research activities.
I also encourage the department in its efforts to work with our co-management partners, such as Ontario, to ensure that they also adopt less invasive practices on polar bear management.
Mr. Speaker, an issue that I would like the minister to reconsider is a system of compensating hunters.
Hunters in Sanikiluaq travel vast distances when hunting polar bears.
If a hunter shoots a bear and discovers that it has been tranquilized and tagged within the last 12 months, they receive compensation due to the meat being inedible.
However, when hunters take a bear that was drugged at an earlier point in time, they do not receive compensation, even though it is acceptable by the community that the meat still cannot be eaten.
Mr. Speaker, when I questioned the minister about this issue last week, he indicated that the federal guidelines stated that polar bear meat is safe to eat after 45 days have passed since a bear was drugged.
Mr. Speaker, the wisdom of hunters and elders in Sanikiluaq is very clear: a bear whose meat has been tainted with drugs is a bear that cannot be eaten, no matter what federal studies may say.
Mr. Speaker, given that the government is moving away from the use of tranquilizer drugs, this problem will decrease over time.
However, I urge the government to reconsider its practices with respect to the compensation of hunters so that they receive compensation for any bear that they take which has been drugged.
Member’s Statement 037 – 3(3): Arctic Bay is Open for Business (Elliott)
I am delighted to rise today to let you, my colleagues, and the public know that Arctic Bay is open for business.
Mr. Speaker, the community of Arctic Bay held a public meeting last month to share ideas about how we can work together and move forward in the area of economic development.
During the meeting, my constituents voted strongly in favour of promoting tourism and bringing tourists back to our beautiful community.
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Economic Development and Transportation has risen in the House on a number of occasions to update us on the opening of the Arctic Bay Airport.
Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the community of Arctic Bay, I would like to sincerely thank the Government of Nunavut for committing the funds for this important piece of infrastructure.
Mr. Speaker, we were very pleased that the Premier, the Minister of Economic Development and Transportation, and their staff were able to attend the official grand opening of the new airport.
Mr. Speaker, tourism provides significant and sustainable economic development opportunities for all of our residents. Showcasing our land and culture is also a source of pride.
Mr. Speaker, with the opening of the new airport, this very important part of our economy is ready to take off.
Arctic Bay is open for business and we welcome the world.
Member’s Statement 038 – 3(3): Community Empowerment (Ningeongan)
Just prior to my statement, I would like to also recognize International Women’s Day and I hope all women have a very nice and easy time today.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about empowering communities.
Mr. Speaker, during yesterday’s proceedings of the Committee of the Whole, I had a very productive exchange with the Minister of Community and Government Services regarding his department’s new Municipal Mobile Equipment Block Funding Policy.
As the minister will recall, I expressed my support for providing municipalities with the flexibility to determine their equipment acquisition priorities within the overall accountability framework of the department’s funding policy.
Mr. Speaker, it appeared to me that the minister and I are on the same page on this issue.
Mr. Speaker, part of empowering communities is recognizing that every community is different.
In the specific case of mobile equipment funding, the needs of Coral Harbour are not necessarily the same as the needs of Chesterfield Inlet or Sanikiluaq or Rankin Inlet or Gjoa Haven.
Mr. Speaker, I certainly recognize that there needs to be accountability for the resources that are provided to municipalities.
For example, if a municipality is provided with funding for heavy equipment acquisitions, it should not use that money for buying new furniture.
However, the municipality is in the best position to judge what specific type of equipment it needs.
Mr. Speaker, I encourage other departments to look at adopting this approach.
I would especially like to see the departments of Education and CLEY review their current approach to providing funding for improvements and upgrades to facilities in our communities, including daycares and recreational infrastructure, such as swimming pools.
Member’s Statement 039 – 3(3): Happy International Women’s Day (Ningark)
I would like to state something coming from my heart: I celebrate with all women International Women’s Day.
If you recall, my wife, Celine, was here. I thank her because she is my rock and whenever I give up, she is always there.
Furthermore, when I am stressed, she is my most ardent supporter and assistant.