EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
For example, at the beginning of the last fiscal year, we didn’t build one health centre at all. If we had money last year, we would have built one in Repulse Bay. Once that was completed, we would have moved on to Arctic Bay.
The third priority has always been Taloyoak. We haven’t made any changes, but we have to delay them because we didn’t get any more funding. We’re not juggling the monies, but we wanted to make sure that the architectural drawings were completed.
I would like to have my deputy minister respond to the reason for the delays, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Campbell (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) The three health facilities, including Taloyoak, Arctic Bay, and Repulse Bay, have always been the priority.
As members would know, over the past several years, the three of them have always been in our capital plans. The issue has been the affordability of delivering those capital plans. There have been financial issues that everyone is aware of, as the minister says, that we can’t build all three health centres in one year.
We have to cash flow the dollars to do that, as well as construction companies are few and far between these days. So the capacity of delivering the facilities is also an issue.
Ms. Ugyuk (interpretation): I wanted to ask this question: since the creation of the Nunavut government in 1999, I wanted to know why we were the third community slotted to get a health centre.
I think that we can all recall that the previous government had set a priority to build the health centres for the bigger communities.
The new Qikiqtani General Hospital took several years to be built.
The Cambridge Bay Health Centre will be getting utilized more by Kitikmeot residents. For example, patients who have medical appointments now go to Cambridge Bay instead of Yellowknife.
They also built a centre in Rankin Inlet.
Those were the three big projects.
They are not just servicing the local people, but they are servicing the region.
Now that those three are completed, we are looking at the smaller communities. Of those three, Repulse Bay has always been first in line.
The reason why we are always short of money is not just the health budget.
We are also competing with the Department of Education and the Department of Community and Government Services, such as for what the hamlets are asking for.
There is approximately $90 million to $100 million set up for capital projects a year for the whole of Nunavut.
When they are not given a portion of that, the monies are slotted to build the schools.
That is why I named the three communities. Once Repulse Bay and Arctic Bay are complete, Taloyoak will be the third one.
They are in the capital plans at this time.
Ms. Ugyuk (interpretation): If the construction is started in both Repulse Bay and Arctic Bay and is delayed again, then would we be further delayed as well?
That is how I understand it. It is like a domino effect. If they are delayed, then we are delayed further.
It is only when we are not given the money that there would be a delay in the construction.
If you agree to this budget, then Repulse Bay will go ahead. Those other two communities are in the five-year capital plan.
We can’t make any changes once it is agreed to in the House.
I don’t see a delay at this time unless an emergency situation arises.
So that is the direction we’re taking and we’re not going to be making any changes at this point.
Ms. Ugyuk (interpretation): I have another question.
The nurses and the social workers are in your department and they are short of staff housing in the Kitikmeot region.
With the building of these health centres, are they going to come with adequate staff housing, or how is it going to work?
Some people are reluctant to work when they don’t have adequate staff housing and they don’t want to share accommodations with another employee.
I would like to get an answer to that one.
It is a dilemma that we have in all of our staffing requirements. There are a number of communities where there are staff housing shortages and it’s been a bit of a challenge trying to fill the nursing positions as well as social workers in these communities.
We continue to work with the Housing Corporation to identify our priorities for those communities. I know the housing crunch in the Kitikmeot particularly is an issue.
We are trying to hire positions there with no housing.
So that is just an overall challenge that we, as government departments, have and we need to work with the Housing Corporation to identify our requirements.
What we’re doing now in the health centres as part of the design is including apartments in those facilities. That is why it is costing us a little bit more money to construct the health facilities.
As an example, the three that we’re talking about now, there are going to be apartments attached to those units. That’s one way of addressing some of those challenges.
Ms. Ugyuk (interpretation): I would like to know if there is going to be housing provided in Taloyoak specifically.
Again I can’t give a definite answer to that question.
What I can say, though, as I said in my previous answer, is in the design for the Taloyoak Health Centre we will provide instructions to the design people to include apartments in that unit to house at least the nursing staff.
That’s a commitment I can make.
We can now review the capital estimates. Go to page F-3. Directorate.
Health and Social Services. Capital estimates for 2011-12. Total Capital Expenditures. $34,861,000.
Details are on page F-4.
Under F-3, “Under the authority of the Minister, the Directorate provides leadership and direction to the department and monitors health and social service program delivery to the public, including health and disease surveillance.”
Mr. Chairman, this is a comment followed by a question.
There are concerns shared at the regional and, in fact, territorial level of delivery of service due to the result of what is viewed as weak communication between health centres regionally and territorially and the department offices, such as inquiries, requests, consultation, callback, and a clear understanding of policies and procedures.
There needs to be clearer directive and understanding of policies to best serve quality services and, in effect, enhance quality of life to all Nunavummiut.
Can the minister ensure that all levels of communication at Health and Social Services are responded adequately so that accountability and fundamental delivery of health needs are addressed?
That is more for operations.
We are dealing with the capital estimates and I don’t believe the minister or the staff is set up for those types of questions.
To the capital estimates.
Ms. Ugyuk (interpretation): I would like to ask about the shelters that are funded by your department.
In Taloyoak, we have a women’s shelter that has been closed for quite some time due to lack of funds. Could Taloyoak access some of the $700,000 in order to fix the problem and reopen the women’s shelter?
We can take it into consideration, but I cannot commit to it at this time.
It would be best if either I or my deputy minister receive correspondence so that we can then consider it.
It would be good if you have the Taloyoak hamlet write to us in order to get the process going because I want to help as much as I can.
I would appreciate receiving correspondence about that.
We are on the capital estimates for the Department of Health and Social Services.
We are on F-4.
Total Branch. $34,861,000.
Chairman (interpretation): You have agreed to that figure, so we can now go to the capital estimates on F-2.
Capital estimates for 2011-12.
Total Capital Expenditures. $34,861,000.
Does the committee agree that we have concluded Health and Social Services?
Chairman (interpretation): We have concluded with the Department of Health and Social Services.
I now give the minister an opportunity to make his closing remarks.
I would like to thank you for your questions.
It gives us a clearer picture of what the needs are in Nunavut. If you would like any more information, we are always available.
It’s quite hard because dealing with health facilities and infrastructure is quite challenging.
Only because of your support can we proceed with some of the projects that we would like to do beginning April 1.
I will conclude with that.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Minister Curley. I would like to thank you and your officials.
Sergeant-at-Arms, if you would escort them out, please.
We have concluded with the Department of Health and Social Services, so we will now move on to the Nunavut Housing Corporation.
It’s the same minister with that portfolio, so I’m sure that he is readily available.
We will give them a few seconds to get prepared.
Minister Curley, if you have your opening comments ready, you now have the floor.
Bill 38 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2011-2012 – Nunavut Housing Corporation – Consideration in Committee
The corporation’s capital plan… . I’m sure there won’t be any questions, so I’ll just start my opening comments.
The corporation’s capital plan for 2011-12 has been set at $23,894,000 from the Government of Nunavut and additional funding of $4,290,000 from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), for a total capital budget of $28,184,000.
The 2011-12 capital estimates main highlights are:
First, the Nunavut Housing Corporation’s funding for the modernization and improvement (M&I) retrofit to the LHOs, the Fire Damage Replacement Fund, the Mobile Equipment Fund, and the Seniors and Disabled Persons Preventative Maintenance Program remain at approximately the same level as last year.
The corporation has responded to requests for more staff housing by adding the funding for the new school in Clyde River, as well as additional units for the new correctional facility in Rankin Inlet.
The corporation has also responded to homeowners by providing a new Heating Oil Tank Replacement Program (HOTRP).
I am pleased to report that the Nunavut Housing Trust delivery is proceeding with the last of the 725 units. Construction on the housing units is continuing despite challenges in prior years.
I believe the ship has already arrived to the communities.
We have learned lessons from these challenges and have remained flexible to suit community circumstances.
In addition, the material for the new 285 units funded by the CMHC Affordable Housing Initiative has been delivered.
We were able to award labour contracts to complete 60 units, as well as a contract to shell in 115 structural insulated panel units (SIPs).
Funding for the CMHC affordable housing units have been appropriated outside the capital estimates process and has not been included in the information provided today.
Mr. Chairman, as previously announced by Minister Peterson and myself, changes to this plan is already in process.
FMB has authorized the Nunavut Housing Corporation to redirect $10.9 million in funding from the plan you have in front of you for use in completing the 285 affordable housing units.
I’m not too sure if you’re going to have questions, Mr. Chairman, but that concludes my opening comments.
Minister Curley, do you have any witnesses you would like to bring to the table?
Hon. Tagak Curley (interpretation): I would like to invite the president and the finance comptroller.
Chairman (interpretation): They have agreed. Sergeant-at-Arms, could you escort the witnesses in, please.
We probably know who the officials are, but we need their names stated for the record.
Minister Curley, please introduce your witnesses.
To my right is Alain Barriault and to my left is Lori Kimball, Finance Comptroller. (interpretation ends) Thank you.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Minister Curley. You just mentioned Alain Barriault’s name. For the record, Alain Barriault is the President of the Nunavut Housing Corporation.
The Chair of the Standing Committee on Community and Economic Development has opening comments.
I would like to welcome the minister and his officials to the witness table here today.
I am pleased to provide opening comments on behalf of the Standing Committee on Community and Economic Development as the Committee of the Whole begins its consideration of the proposed 2011-12 Capital Estimates of the Nunavut Housing Corporation.
Members note that the corporation is proposing to spend $23,894,000 for the 2011-12 fiscal year.
The corporation’s capital budget was $27,269,000 for the 2010-11 fiscal year and its budget was $18,546,000 for the 2009-2010 fiscal year.
The committee presented its report and recommendations in June 2009.
On January 26, 2009, the former minister announced in the Legislative Assembly that the Nunavut Housing Corporation would be undertaking a housing needs survey.
During the new minister’s recent appearance before the standing committee, members were advised that the survey has been completed and has been sent to Statistics Canada.
Members look forward to reviewing the findings of the survey and encourage the minister to table it in the House at the earliest opportunity.
Members note that the corporation is proposing to spend $4,616,000 during the 2011-12 fiscal year for its various homeownership programs.
The corporation’s capital budget for homeownership programs was $4,116,000 for the 2010-11 fiscal year and its budget was $2,116,000 for the 2009-2010 fiscal year.
Members have been informed that approximately 171 applications have been received this year to date.
On March 22, 2010, the former minister announced in the Legislative Assembly that the Nunavut Housing Corporation will be providing a new Heating Oil Tank Replacement Program.
The corporation is proposing $500,000 in funding towards this program in its 2011-12 capital estimates.
Members support this new program to assist homeowners with the cost of purchasing new fuel tanks and encourage the minister to include a breakdown of the corporation’s spending on this initiative in its next annual report to the Legislative Assembly.
Mr. Chairman, the Nunavut Housing Corporation’s proposed capital estimates for 2011-12 includes $5.75 million in funding for new staff housing units associated with the new Rankin Inlet Correctional Centre.
The Nunavut Housing Corporation’s proposed capital estimates for 2011-12 also includes $2.61 million in funding for new staff housing units associated with the new Clyde River Cultural School.
An additional $2,280,000 for GN staff housing has been budgeted, although the corporation has not yet identified the communities in which the units will be constructed. Members support the construction of new units in communities where there are shortages of housing for frontline education and health staff.
On September 21, 2010, the Nunavut Housing Corporation announced that $50 million will be required to address the shortfall in the Affordable Housing Initiative.
The announcement indicated that the Nunavut Housing Corporation “will reallocate $11 million to this construction program from other areas of its budget, and the Government of Nunavut will fully offset the remaining costs…”
During the minister’s recent appearance before the standing committee, members were advised that the Nunavut Housing Corporation would be considering the reallocation of $10.9 million in funding from its proposed 2011-12 capital estimates towards the shortfall.
It was suggested that this might include funding from its fire replacement, staff housing, and modernization and improvement/retrofit budgets.
Although the standing committee recognizes the pressure on the Nunavut Housing Corporation’s budget, members note the importance of properly maintaining existing housing units.
On September 15 of this year, the cabinet issued a news release following its Iqaluit retreat. This announcement included a list of what the government described as its most significant accomplishments of the past two years.
One of the accomplishments included in the list was the completion of the “Condition rating of all public housing units…” Members encourage the minister to table this information in the Legislative Assembly at the earliest opportunity as it will undoubtedly be of use in determining where the Nunavut Housing Corporation needs to allocate its maintenance and improvement resources.
Mr. Chairman, that concludes my opening comments on the 2011-12 Capital Estimates of the Nunavut Housing Corporation.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Rumbolt. (interpretation ends) I must say that you are learning to deliver much better as you progress, so keep up the good work.
Before we proceed, I wish to remind members of the following: according to Rule 77(1), you have 10 minutes to speak, and according to Rule 77(2), subject to the discretion of the Chair, a member may speak more than once to a matter under discussion but not until every member wishing to speak has spoken.
On the second page there of his opening address, he had mentioned that Minister Peterson himself had made changes to the plan we have in front of us and FMB had authorized the Housing Corporation to redirect $10.9 million in funding.
I would like to just… if you could explain to us where that funding is coming from. Are there some capital projects that are going to be cancelled or where is that $10.9 million coming from?
Yes, that is the figure that we announced in order to meet the construction season we have for this coming year to address the shortfall that I indicated to the standing committee.
I’m going to have a detailed outline exactly what amount they are from our finance officer.
So I would like your permission, Mr. Chairman, to have Ms. Kimball explain exactly which items have been proposed to cover the $10.9 million.
Ms. Kimball.
Ms. Kimball: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
It’s basically four items: the $2.28 million for regular staff housing is one of the items; $6,342,000 for M&I’s; we still get $4,290,000 from CMHC for M&I, so we usually have over a $10 million budget, so we would just be covering that in half; $1 million for fire damage replacement and with that what we are doing is deferring actual replacements and just doing the smaller damage out of prior year funding and spreading it over two years; and we have half a million dollars for M&I’s for staff housing units.
Again, we’re just deferring some repairs and some staff housing units, but we’re comfortable that that won’t impact the usability of existing staff housing units.
So that’s it.
Chairman: Thank you, Ms. Kimball.
I find it a little alarming that you would be taking a pile of money out of M&I’s because I know, in most of the communities, there are a lot of older housing units that need to be fixed and it would definitely help with the housing shortage. So I would like to know the reason for… .
Is it that they don’t spend the money in some of the communities?
Obviously I can understand why they didn’t spend the money in some communities because LHOs were doing the construction, so they didn’t have the time, but I think the need is there for M&I’s. I would like him to explain why they cut it out of M&I’s.
Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the concern and the question.
I think the member knows that the Nunavut Housing Corporation faced tremendous challenges this year, not only to try and raise some funds to cover the last remaining dollar amount that we require, to be specific, $50 million, but we also had within the same fiscal year earlier this year to find $60 million.
In order to complete the units, we felt it was our obligation as the Nunavut Housing Corporation to at least help out with sacrificing some of the costs that we asked Nunavutmiut to give up in raising $50 million.
It was a choice and for that, Mr. Chairman, I would like the president a bit more whether or not we’re going to be able to maintain housing units in Nunavut with that amount being allocated to cover part of $50 million.
The funding for M&I’s that we are looking at deferring, as Ms. Kimball has pointed out, is a portion of the overall allocated budget.
So there was still, I believe, over $4 million to deal with priority replacement programs. In addition to this, through regular operating and maintenance funds, the LHOs have abilities to do work through work orders.
So it would be a matter of prioritizing which repairs are required the most and that way, the most critical items can still be addressed.
Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Barriault. Mr. Schell.
In your opening statement, you stated that you had enough money here, which we all know, basically, to complete 60 units, which is 12 five-plexes included, to shell in 115 of these SIP units, and you are using $10.9 million from your own funding to subsidize this.
My next question is: how are you going to finish these units in the near future?
Even as we speak, the units are being completed in most communities throughout Nunavut.
The construction schedule that has been established continues and the order delivery system that we are dealing with will continue to be implemented.
All of the units have been tendered throughout and pretty well, the contractors are now… at least shelling the units continue.
We still have to finalize the $50 million portion part of it and that is in the works right now.
The construction continues as of today.
Surely by next spring, most of the units should be completed before long, and the most important thing is that these units be completed and transferred to the local housing authorities.
I guess my question is: where is the money going to come from to complete these units?
I think the members pretty well understood that the government as a whole has committed to completing that.
Having said that, Mr. Chairman, the Minister of Finance will, before long, announce exactly how he is going to find some funds to complete the units.
The commitment is there to complete these units and find $50 million.
We have already indicated that we will put at least $11 million, to round out the figure, towards that. I think the most important thing is that the question should be answered by the Minister of Finance.
We await the outcome of where they are going to find the $49.9 million.
Thank you, Minister Curley.
One of the questions I have, actually, it was not mentioned in your opening address, but I don’t see it anywhere. It was something that was announced by the former minister when we were doing capital last year and it was the new office space and the building that is happening here in Iqaluit.
I think there was $5 million allocated to that. I was wondering if you could give us an update as to what is happening with that building. Thanks.
Chairman (Mr. Ningeongan): Thank you, Mr. Elliott.
The status of that building is that it is completed and we are now occupying the building.
Was it built on time and within budget?
Mr. Barriault: The building was pre-existing and as such, it was a purchase, not a construction. Thank you.
Mr. Elliott: Then I guess my next question is in regard to… . There has been talk about seven positions moving from Arviat to here.
Is there adequate space for those positions in terms of office or will they be requiring additions onto this building?
Hon. Tagak Curley: Thank you, Iksivautaaq. Thank you.
I think, in terms of the space, I would like the president to explain further exactly the layout of the current facility and respond.
If that were to happen, we still have to make the decisions on making it conditional.
If that were to happen, the president would be able to provide that response. So I will leave it to him right now, back to you, Chairman.
Mr. Barriault: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. There is currently room within the new office building of the Housing Corporation.
Some of the space that we have within the building right now is used as storage but has been wired with connections so that it can be easily converted into office space as well, so there is definitely sufficient space.
Chairman (Mr. Okalik)(interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Barriault. Mr. Elliott.
My last question in regard to that office space and whatnot is: are they still leasing from the Parnaivik building where they used to be or is that totally out of the picture?
I think it was explained that that would be a cost savings, so it wouldn’t be an added expense. Thanks.
The Nunavut Housing Corporation is no longer leasing the space in the Parnaivik building.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Barriault.