EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
After consulting with the communities and partners that we have in delivering these programs, the evaluation will be done later on in the fall to hopefully find the most efficient and effective way of delivering these programs.
I appreciate the minister’s commitment as well. It isn’t really so much as a supplementary question, but I also support the best and possible ways that we can best serve Nunavummiut, in particular in the Kivalliq as well. There are a lot of artists and small business owners who would like to have better access to information.
I just want to commend the minister for also sharing the information and willing to share the information, and I look forward to the reply.
I didn’t hear a question but if you would like to respond to the comments, Minister Taptuna.
As a government, we had promised that after the report card reviews of all of the programs, especially in my Department of Economic Development and Transportation, all necessary things that the government can do to make the programs more effective and delivered and administered more effectively will, in the long run, be done with consultations with the communities.
Question 034 – 3(2): Protecting Arctic Waters from Pollution (Elliott)
Mr. Speaker, in March of this year, I had asked the minister some questions concerning Nunavut’s readiness to respond to oil spills or other marine environmental disasters. At that time, the Parliament of Canada was considering Bill C-3, An Act to Amend the Arctic Waters Pollution Prevention Act.
Although I recognize that the federal government has jurisdiction for marine areas, I was surprised to learn that the Government of Nunavut had not been consulted by the federal government on this initiative given that it is our residents who live in communities who are at risk in the event of a major environmental disaster.
Can the minister update the House on how the territorial and federal governments work together in this area?
I would like to thank the member for that question and I do recall him asking that previously in the House.
As the member states, we had very limited consultation with the federal government on C-3. However, in reviewing the proposed legislation… and actually, this Bill C-3 has passed the House of Commons and the Senate, it is now awaiting Royal Assent to be made into law. We do agree with a lot of the suggestions and a lot of the implementations that they plan on doing in that
One positive thing for Nunavut now is the amendment made to the Arctic Water Pollution Prevention Act that waters will now be extended from 100 nautical miles to 200 nautical miles off the coast of Nunavut and the Canadian coast north of 60, so this is a good thing.
And I would just offer to the member that we are in consultation now on a regular basis with the Coast Guard and the Department of National Defence in regard to this matter.
Thank you, Minister, for the answer to that question.
In April of this year, the company of Master Marines of Canada, the body that represents the shipping industry, held a meeting in Halifax to discuss planning for emergencies in arctic shipping. Although Nunavut’s senator was in attendance at this event, it is my understanding that the Government of Nunavut was not represented.
Can the minister indicate how his department is working with the departments of CGS and ED&T to ensure that the GN takes part in future events of this nature so that we will be fully aware of current developments in emergency planning?
Hon. Daniel Shewchuk: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would just like to advise the member that we are and our departments are always in consultation in our own government to do what’s best for all of Nunavut and Nunavutmiut.
I would like to say that as early as last week, I had met with Brigadier General Millar in regard to arctic pollution and it is ongoing. I do have a commitment from him that they do plan, the Department of National Defence, the Canadian Coast Guard, and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, that we all partake in a simulation of an arctic fuel spill probably in the Northwest Passage.
These plans are in place right now and we are going to be heavily involved in them.
It’s going to include the territorial government, municipal governments, the rangers, and all organizations involved in communities, HTOs, etcetera.
So these talks are ongoing and a commitment was made by the general that he will plan this and keep all of us included and we will take part in an operation simulation to address such an issue.
I thank the minister for that. That’s amazing; I was hoping that my questions would actually lead towards something like that.
In my research, I found that I think a lot of scientists are not really aware and not sure what would happen if there was an oil spill.
The most recent information I was given was that there is brown algae that grow on the bottom of the ice formations that we have in the High Arctic and that actually feeds the food chain all the way up. If an oil spill was to occur, it would damage that and therefore damage our ecosystem.
So it’s nice to hear that all departments are working together. The next question would be: is there a timeline as to when this will be happening?
I cannot advise the member of an exact timeline right now, but I can tell you the commitment is there by the general and he will keep us up to date once this is all organized and this moves ahead.
I would foresee it being in the near future, I’m not going to give you a timeline, but I can foresee it happening in the next year or two for sure.
The last question that I have is: would the minister commit to allowing that operation to occur in Resolute Bay or in one of the communities that’s right on the Northwest Passage and would probably be affected the most by an oil spill if it was to occur?
Of course, the member knows that the jurisdiction of the coastal waters is under the federal government and they will have a say in the planning of where this does happen.
All indications is that it will happen some place in the Northwest Passage and I believe it’s going to be not only one community involved but many communities involved in this whole scenario.
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker
Question 035 – 3(2): Government of Nunavut Input into Review of Food Mail Program (Ningeongan)
Mr. Ningeongan (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) My questions are for Premier Eva Aariak.
In April of this year, the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs released two reports concerning the federal government’s review of the Food Mail Program.
During yesterday’s proceedings of the Committee of the Whole, members were informed that the GN will be providing the federal government with a formal and comprehensive submission outlining our government’s position and concerns.
Can the Premier update us today on the status of her government’s submission?
That is an excellent question as this is a common concern for Nunavummiut.
I will have to look into this issue and see exactly where it is at in this process prior to being able to provide an answer for the member. That is all I can state for the time being.
Speaker (interpretation): Your first supplementary, Mr. Ningeongan.
The reason why I’m asking that question is that the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs recommended that the Government of Canada should develop a pilot country foods initiative with regional Inuit organizations.
The recommendation stated that this ought to be done in conjunction with these organizations.
This would be good for our government to include itself in this initiative and it would be beneficial to find out if this is the case.
The country food that harvesters produce lessens the dependence of our people on store-bought foods, especially since it is very expensive to try and survive solely on imported foods. This was part of the reason I ask if this could be identified by our government.
Can the minister tell me if the GN will be supporting this recommendation in its submission to Ottawa? It would be beneficial to both Nunavummiut as well as to my colleagues in the House.
The mandate for this issue falls under the Department of Health and Social Services.
This is a very important issue to Nunavut as many of our residents utilize this program to order foodstuffs from the south.
In regard to the Food Mail Program, the review was conducted by the federal government and they are currently consulting the communities to get the input from the people of Nunavut via a tour.
Further, the people of Nunavut expressed an interest to be involved in the comprehensive review of the Food Mail Program.
My colleague, Tagak Curley, will be tabling a report once his department has completed its review.
In addition, the Department of CLEY wanted to be included in the consultations and that was during a meeting held on May 21 of this year.
Due to that reason, I wish to ask the Premier a supplementary question.
When would she be able to provide a copy of the issues identified by our government for submission to this program review? And further, will she table a copy of the GN’s submission paper on the Food Mail Program and when?
It’s obvious to me that many residents of Nunavut will be anxious to obtain a copy of the aforementioned report once the consultations have been completed.
Further, I would be quite pleased to table a copy once the review has been completed and a report submitted.
Question 036 – 3(2): Resource Development Opportunities in Nunavut (Ningark)
As I made in my Member’s Statement, I was going to ask a question for the Minister of Mining.
While in Repulse Bay, I had the pleasure and opportunity to attend a hamlet council meeting and I was asked very interesting questions and very ambitious questions, though they meant well.
Recognizing that there is an economic downturn in the mining industry because of the sustainability and viability of the industry in Nunavut, the question was: can the minister support individuals or groups in Nunavut who want to do some minor drilling in the potential mining area?
The Prospectors Development Program that we have that exists within our department is to assist local people get some funds to actually go out there and do some prospecting.
For drilling, I’m assuming that you’re talking about small community mining, that’s a different situation altogether.
Again, in order to do that, there’s got to be a land tenure that’s owned practically by a community or individual residents who do live up here in Nunavut and who have already identified a deposit of whatever it may be, whether it be precious metals, iron ore, base metals, or gold.
There haven’t been any small community mining initiatives in the past and I’ll leave it at that.
We have had the opportunity in Kugaaruk a few years ago.
There was a person who came in from Arviat, according to my recollection, and did training at the local level.
Now, my supplementary question to the hon. minister, Mr. Speaker, is: will the minister direct his officials to have some expert go to Repulse Bay and hold a little workshop on mining?
I think there is a very good interest in that community.
Within the department, there are several workshops that are held throughout the year in geology courses - how to prospect, how to stake claims - and these workshops are ongoing in various communities throughout Nunavut.
I’m sure that some of the local people who are interested in prospecting and actually staking claims would benefit greatly from these workshops that are being held throughout Nunavut.
I’ll have to get back to the hon. member on the scheduling and the dates within which communities that workshop is going to be held at. But there are workshops held throughout Nunavut throughout the year.
I would like to take this opportunity to officially ask the minister to request a workshop for Repulse Bay.
The workshop scheduling has already been done for this year, mainly by which communities that they’re going to be holding the workshops.
Of course, we will look into that; I’ll have my officials look into that to see if Repulse Bay can be included.
Question 037 – 3(2): Update on New Power Plant for Cape Dorset (Schell)
My questions are for the Minister of Qulliq Energy.
A year ago, the Premier and then Minister Ed. Picco made a trip to Cape Dorset and they had a special announcement at the community hall in Cape Dorset that they were getting a new power plant, it was going to be around $13 million, and there was going to be a windmill built there.
I haven’t heard anything since then, so could the minister update me on what’s happening with that?
I know that there was a rash of announcements going out throughout the territory at that time. I would just like to inform the member that that issue is still being looked at by the power corporation.
My understanding right now is that there is a little bit of a dispute in regard to the land.
The building that the site that they’re looking at is in question as far as who owns the land and who owns the buildings that are on the land.
I’m sure the members are well aware of the issue and we can’t really move forward on anything until that issue gets resolved.
Once the dispute is settled, which I don’t think is a major issue there… I think it’s the power corporation that’s thinking they were going to get the property for nothing.
In any case, once that gets settled, what is the timeframe?
It’s rather embarrassing to come in there and announce that you are going to be building a new power plant, have a big feast there... like there was a feast, it wasn’t just like they made the announcement. They had a big feast and made a big deal about it that we’re getting a new power plant and now nothing is done about it.
I can understand the member’s frustration. Like I said, there was a rash of announcements made near the end of the Second Assembly exactly like that. This government is, given our fiscal limitations, having to deal with those previous political commitments made by the previous government.
I know that we are looking at that site. There is some work beginning as far as design and what the requirements are. I know that they are also looking at finding a way to design a plant there that could take into account alternative energy sources, including wind and things like that.
So the work is ongoing and things will progress, but like I said, right now, the one main issue that seems to be holding up the process of things going on is the land issue going on in the community of Cape Dorset.
Hopefully the minister will be able to at least confirm that Cape Dorset is the next place that gets a new power plant and that you don’t sneak another one in there in the meantime.
I just want to assure the member that it’s not me that sneaks anything in anywhere as far as the power corporation goes.
The power corporation has a board of directors and it’s the board of directors that approves the capital budget and the projects that are included in the capital budget for the power corporation.
It is not me, so he doesn’t have to worry about me slipping anything in there.
I have the utmost confidence and faith in the board of directors and the staff at the power corporation to make sure that their capital plan is developed based on need and requirements in the community and not based on what I think they should put in there.
I would certainly hope that if I did try to do something like that, they would put me in my place very quickly.
Speaker: Thank you, Minister. (interpretation) That’s it?
Question 038 – 3(2): Housing Maintenance Costs per Unit (Elliott)
My question is for the Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation, the Hon. Minister Tootoo.
My understanding is that there are 4,000 housing units in circulation for the housing corporation.
With the $200 million program coming to an end and the announcement yesterday of 750 new units and now the new $100 million with a possibility of 285 new units, is it correct that the average cost for maintaining those units is about $20,000 per unit?
I must commend the member; he does his homework very well. The average cost for maintaining a public housing unit throughout Nunavut is around $20,000 a year.
In some communities like in the High Arctic, it may be a little higher than in places like my colleague from Hudson Bay would call the banana belt of Nunavut where the costs are sometimes a little bit cheaper. So the cost varies throughout the territory but on the average, he is correct, the amount is around $20,000 a year.
My next question is in regard to CMHC’s commitment to providing that funding. It’s my understanding that by 2038, the funding for that will be totally cut and it’s not going to be cut off drastically but it will be sort of gradually let out. Is it correct that by 2038, the funding will no longer be available?
I can inform him again, the member is doing his homework very well. In the year 2037-38, the funding that we do receive from CMHC under the social housing agreement to maintain our public housing inventory will be down to zero.
I would say that this is an issue that I remember raising when I was sitting on that side of the House.
Every year, under this new social housing agreement, it actually started in 2003-04, there was a decline in funding from CMHC to the housing corporation to maintain those units and it falls down every year.
How it works, Mr. Speaker, is as the mortgages for those units come due and are paid off, the operation and maintenance funding for those units also falls off the formula.
This year, Mr. Speaker, for the 2009-2010 year, we are looking at a funding decrease as a result of that. It was a little over $2.3 million this year, a little over $3.2 million next year, and a little over $4.6 million the following year.
So this will have an impact on the funding and the resources required to maintain public housing throughout the territory.
As the member knows as well, there were additional resources that the Government of Nunavut had to kick in as a result of that drop in funding from CMHC.
Yes, I figure if I do my homework, hopefully the Nunavut Housing Corporation will do their homework too. I guess my questions are leading up to: where is that money going to come from in the future to maintain those houses if the money is not coming from CMHC?
Is there some type of an implementation plan or some type of strategy in effect?
Again, this is something that I have been raising for a number of years to deal with and now I can raise it to myself and carry forward that message.
This is a concern not only for us here in Nunavut but also for the other two territories.
I have met with my two territorial counterparts twice in the last six months and this is an issue that we have discussed both times.
Our last meeting was in Yellowknife when we signed off the new funding agreement with CMHC. This was an issue that I raised with officials from CMHC as well.
The three territories are trying to find a way to bring this issue to the forefront at the next federal/territorial/provincial meeting that is being held this summer in August to try and get it on the agenda, and then try and find a solution that will help us deal with that declining funding.
It’s a serious issue for us here in Nunavut but it’s also an issue shared because the social housing agreement that we have with CMHC is the same agreement that every jurisdiction in the country has as well. So it has the same effect on every jurisdiction across the country, but the effects of it are most seriously felt here in Nunavut and the other two territories.
So this is something that we are working to try and address with Minister Finley of CMHC and the federal government to try and find a way that we can help offset those additional O&M requirements.
With the Housing Trust and this new funding, we’re going to be getting an additional 1,000 units roughly on the ground. If you look at 1,000 at $20,000 a pop annually, that funding has got to come from somewhere. So we’re working with CMHC to try and find a way to address that issue.
They realize that it is an issue for us as well.
Question 039 – 3(2): H1N1 Swine Flu Update (Ningark)
Yesterday, during Committee of the Whole, Dr. Sobol gave us an outline of the H1N1 swine flu.
He indicated that even though there are cases, they are not severe and they didn’t have to send anyone out on an emergency basis.
That was according to Dr. Sobol and I would like to thank him for that.
My question to the minister is: it’s going to be June and July, are you going to be giving a directive out there to the people of Nunavut to stay in their communities instead of visiting the outlying communities?
We have been told that there were no emergency or severe cases, which I’m grateful for, but I would like to ask the minister what kinds of plans they have to keep this from becoming severe.
Dr. Sobol and I had a press conference this morning with our deputy minister.
Yesterday, during Committee of the Whole, we were told that there are 25 cases. That has jumped up from two days ago.
We gave an update this morning with our press release and we now hear that there are 53 cases in Nunavut.
We have no plans to keep anyone in their communities.
We are working very closely with the Canada Health Council. If there is going to be any directive coming from the federal government, we will make sure that it’s implemented up here.
We hear that the H1N1 is on a number five level, but there is a possibility that they might raise it to the pandemic level.
The people of Nunavut can move or visit any community that they wish. We haven’t taken any measures to put a directive out there.
We will only entertain such an idea if that’s the recommendation of our health officials.
Thank you, Mr. Ningark. (interpretation ends) Oral Questions.
Question 040 – 3(2): Project Tendering for Cape Dorset (Schell)
I think it’s the Minister of the Nunavut Housing Corporation’s day today.
I see he was stretching out the last answer there hoping I was going to get back to him, but...
In regard to these housing units that are coming in, the individual houses, I noticed for Cape Dorset, there are nine individual houses and they’re all prefabricated units.
My question to the minister is: was that tendered out or was that sole sourced?
If the member is referring to the new units that are coming in under this new $100 million funding that the Government of Nunavut is receiving under the federal budget, I just want to clarify first for the fact that they are not prefabricated houses, they are called structured insulated panels.
The panels come up and they get put together, and there’s still a considerable amount of work that’s required to complete them.
But the main thing with that type of structure is that it’s closed in.
In a very short time, we’re hoping that will allow, in the communities, to get them closed in, get them all closed in, in a hurry and then be able to work throughout the winter on the inside of them.
The tender for this hasn’t even gone out yet, but I can assure the member that this is something that we are putting out.
The corporation will be developing and issuing a request for proposals on these units, and that should be coming out soon.
So in other words, any company that can make these panels can tender on this project?
What the member is indicating is not correct; they won’t tender on it, they will submit proposals and that’s the difference between a tender and a request for proposals.
The corporation is planning on putting out a request for proposals.
So any company that wants to submit a proposal on providing those units will be able to put together a proposal and submit it to the housing corporation for evaluation. That’s how it’s processed.
So it is going to be a publicly-done process so that any company that wishes to provide a proposal on constructing these units will have the opportunity to do so.
Question 041 – 3(2): Arctic Bay Health Centre (Elliott)
I guess since Mr. Okalik is not here today, I get to ask more questions.
My question is going to be directed towards the Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Curley.
I hope he didn’t miss me too much yesterday when I was away at the NTEP graduation. I heard I need to thank Mr. Rumbolt and Mr. Schell for asking questions for me.
My questions are about the Arctic Bay Health Centre.