EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Mr. Speaker, I have given this request to the Federal Minister to see if they could get funding from the monies that we had received because it has to be approved by the Federal Government in order to build a new terminal in Pond Inlet.
So, at this time we are just waiting for a decision from the Federal Government.
I would like to thank the Minister responsible for Transportation, but I also have a supplementary question.
I would like to know when you will hear of the funding approval from the Federal Government in regards to this issue.
Not too long from now, but I can’t determine a date at this time because I don’t know.
The review and all the correspondence have been completed and once I find out Mr. Speaker, I will call the member.
If you could obtain funding approval, would it be constructed in 2003?
Once we receive the approval for the construction to go ahead, we will inform the Hamlet Council.
The funding I talked about for Coral Harbour has been approved by the Federal Government.
In order to construct these air terminals we have to go through these procedures and that’s why the process has been quite slow.
Mr. Speaker, I will provide all the information to the member and to the Hamlet Council through correspondence.
Question 344 – 1(6): Update on Deficit Situation in Communities
Mr. Speaker, last year or perhaps it was the year before that my constituency community of Clyde River asked this question of the Minister of Community Government & Transportation.
For quite some time many communities have been in deficit situations due to the lack of funding from the department.
In my community we heard last year that our community was in a deficit situation and therefore I would like to ask this question of the Minister of Community Government & Transportation. The Municipality of Clyde River, since the deficit is quite old and we don’t even know what the cause of the deficit was because it goes back to the 1970’s and 1980’s.
That’s how far the deficit situation goes back to and it’s getting very hard to know what the reason was for the deficit situation.
We don’t even know what the money was used for and it’s getting hard to get clarification so I was wondering if we could get further clarification on that from the Minister.
Back in the 1970’s and the 1980’s, we had our first government in the north.
I cannot say what the money was used for, what the real reason was for the deficit.
I don’t know if this is an actual fact or not.
If they don’t know the reason for the deficit situation, then they have the opportunity to find that out through the auditors; the money that was expended by the municipality.
Mr. Speaker, I don’t know the reason why Clyde River went into a deficit situation.
More than one community is in that situation, but my officials have gone up to that community to look at ways they could make payment plans for the deficit repayment process.
Mr. Iqaqrialu .
I know what I’m talking about because I have been a member of the Hamlet Council in the past.
I know that the deficit of about 70 thousand seems groundless because that is a lot of deficit in that municipality.
I was wondering of the Minister could find out why they ran into a deficit and what the reason was.
Most of the charges submitted seem to be falsified, so that is why we cannot substantiate them.
I would like to have this matter resolved.
The auditor is very expensive, especially for municipalities that are in a deficit situation, this exercise becomes another expense that they have to pay.
The municipalities end up owing more money when the auditors come in to audit their accounts.
I was wondering if the Minister could look into this situation because if I remember correctly they were in a deficit of about 70 thousand and I’m sure that your department can review that situation.
I want to have this issue dealt with so that we will know exactly who owes what.
Perhaps the previous municipal councillors and the member here who was a member of the municipal council, they might know the reason behind the deficit.
Mr. Speaker, we can look into it.
But Mr. Speaker, I can say that since becoming the Minister for this department, I have told my officials that they have to review and periodically check the expenditures of the municipalities.
We have worked on that issue for a while and we now have auditors based in Baker Lake who are available for reviewing municipal accounts. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, this translation is confusing.
We have a division now under my department, Monitoring and Evaluation, a whole division that is located in Baker Lake that does more monitoring of the hamlets’ financial status.
We are doing everything that we can to assist our hamlets and we are available to our hamlets in the territory when we are needed, or when we are asked to travel to those communities, the regional department is always willing to travel.
I know that there has been a lot of work with the Clyde River Deficit Recovery Plan, which is being implemented now by the hamlet.
I like the response that I am getting.
It seems like some of the deficits did not have any basis for being included in the books.
They have never been written off and that is one of the reasons why the Municipality is in a deficit situation.
It seems like the deficit does not have any basis, because the municipality cannot even deal with the banks.
They lose out on economic opportunities.
Since they don’t identify what the money was used for, we lose quite a bit of economic opportunities especially in the smaller communities.
In the smaller communities, the majority of individuals are employed by the municipality.
And when the municipality is in a deficit situation, the staff salaries usually are capped.
I was wondering if the department can look into that.
We have done the audit already for the Hamlet of Clyde River and it is ongoing as well.
We have done a municipal finance review to see what kinds of things they can do to make sure that they pay out their deficit.
Mr. Speaker, can the Minister agree that the charges which I have maintained have no basis be checked in the previous years and corrected?
We have already done the financial review of Clyde River.
The 70 thousand dollars that the Member is talking about, I don’t have any information in front of me in respect to that matter, so I cannot answer him right now.
We have already done a review of all the Hamlet financial accounts in Clyde River and the deficit items.
Question 345 – 1(6): Outpost Camps for Inmates
Yesterday during a discussion of Justice in the Committee of the Whole, the Minister stated that there were only four communities that used outpost camps for this program and he stated that there are not very many people who operate the outpost camps.
There have been people in Igloolik and Hall Beach who have requested to run an outpost camp.
Perhaps the applications or proposals have not yet reached his office.
I have not heard of the two communities that requested an outpost camp program and I am happy to find out from the member that they have requested an outpost camp program for inmates.
I would prefer to receive a copy of their applications so that I may assist them wherever I can.
I know that those two communities have requested or asked the department about an outpost camp for inmates because they have an outpost camp that exists already which was inspected to see if it was suitable.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the minister whether there has been some confusion in his department and is that the reason why that proposal or letter has not reached his department?
What we have done in my department, what we’re trying to do, is to get a supervisor to run the outpost camp program in Nunavut communities.
That is the reason why we are hiring that individual to look into these applications and to look after the future applications for these types of operations and the suitability of those outpost camps for inmates.
I thank the minister for his response and because they are hiring an individual to look after outpost camps for inmates.
And Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask a question.
Any community that puts out a proposal for an outpost camp for inmates, what kinds of equipment do they require in the camp before they can get approved?
They have guidelines that they have to follow.
I could provide the member with the guidelines that are in existence and they give information on what kinds of equipment they have to have and what things they have to do.
I was happy to have some capital funds approved so that we also have some money in the capital budget for those outpost camps for inmates.
Mr. Speaker, is there an application form that the people can use to make a proposal to your department?
As far as I know, all you have to do is prepare a letter or proposal and you can have the assistance of my staff to put a proposal in writing.
Like I said before, we’re trying to hire an individual to look after the outpost camp operators for inmates and I would like to receive also a proposal from your community so you can get assistance from my staff.
Question 346 – 1(6): Implementing Assessment Testing
Mr. Speaker, my question for the Minister responsible for Education.
My colleague from Qamanittuaq would say it’s no secret that one of the things that I have raised in this House over the last two years at least has been the fight, if you might say Mr. Speaker, of the Iqaluit District Education Authority to implement assessment testing here in the schools of Iqaluit. Mr. Speaker, I know through the Bathurst Mandate to this government that education has been a priority and they are as we are, trying our best to improve our education system within Nunavut.
Given that Mr. Speaker, I know the minister’s officials met with the IDEA last week in regards to that issue. I would just like to ask the minister if he is committed to idea of implementing standardised testing here in Nunavut.
I am, as I stated to my officials and the people of the District Authority regarding this testing, at this time wanting to see, and also and knowing that there is a need for putting in measures, to see how our students are doing and how well the education system is working in Nunavut.
One thing I have to be cautious of Mr. Speaker, is the language of Inuktitut or Inuinnaqtun or French being used in our schools.
To do testing in our schools, we have to take this into consideration and make sure that we are not enforcing one language but to make sure when we do testing that we take into consideration other languages in the best interests of students.
Speaker: We need a quorum, members. Just a reminder that when we are short in the House, that everybody on both sides should make an effort to stay in the House, until we finish our business.
Mr. Speaker, I can see the minister’s kind of dancing around answering the question it would appear, but again I would like to ask if he is committed to assessment testing in the schools.
Speaker: Minister Responsible for Education. Minister Kilabuk.
I want to be very clear of that, I am committed to evaluating or testing of students to see what they are learning and have learned in our schools.
However I will state to the members and be very clear that I do not support at this time standardised testing for one language only in the schools because we have to take into consideration that they are learning more than one language, those are the factors that we have to consider in doing this testing.
Mr. Speaker, I know that the IDEA has proposed, and the minister’s indicated in the past that he positively looked to establishing pilot projects in Iqaluit to implement assessment testing in the first stages.
We here in Iqaluit I would assume are just in the English first language classrooms and not the Inuktitut or French streams here.
So, just on the minister’s last comment is he still committed to looking implementing those tests that the IDEA is trying to implement here in Iqaluit to assess and determine the strengths and weaknesses of the educational system itself, not the students.
When I got involved with the discussions regarding testing, as I had stated to the Iqaluit District Education Authority, I am committed to looking at piloting testing measures to see how our students are ranking within the current system that we have and with what they’re learning.
So I am committed to looking at testing for the schools and the District Education Authority’s test project that they want to take on.
So my staff and I are committed to working with District Education Authority’s and working out what kinds of tests that they want to undertake.
Mr. Speaker, the minister’s indicated a couple of times now that it’s been testing the students to see how they rank.
Mr. Speaker, I made it clear and the District Education Authority’s made it very clear, it’s not the students that these tests are targeted at.
The tests are based on the curriculum that is being used in our schools, which is the Alberta curriculum.
The tests are standardized tests based on that curriculum to determine whether our system, our education system, is where it should be and if not they’re used to determine where the problems may be.
So, without knowing where those problems are, how can you fix something and I think that’s what the District Education Authority is trying to do through the schools here in Iqaluit, is to identify possible weaknesses or gaps in the system to ensure that the students here in Iqaluit are getting the quality of education, so that they can address those problems and ensure that the students are getting the quality education that they’re going to need and deserve in the future.
I am asking will he commit to; I know the District Education Authority wants to implement these standardized tests on Alberta tests based on the Alberta curriculum in the schools. Would he commit to ensuring that that happens?
Speaker: Minister Kilabuk.  Hon. Peter Kilabuk: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I can state to the member that in our schools today, Nunavut schools use standardized testing in grade 12 in relation to the Alberta academic subjects, English, mathematics, and sciences and we also participate in the National SAE test from the Council of Ministers of Education for students, age 13 to 16.
So, we are currently participating in some testing, however, to your comments about needing to do further tests to determine their level of learning; for both languages, or all languages that they teach in schools, we have to take that into consideration. Also Mr. Speaker, we have to recognize that the Inuktitut or Inuinnaqtun languages are most important to a lot of the parents in Nunavut.
Question 347 – 1(6): Lower Fuel Price During Winter
My question is very brief.
The letter that I read in my Members’ Statement stated that they use up a lot of fuel in the wintertime and I wish to direct a question to the Minister of Public Works and Services.  This winter for those three months that the fuel will be used in primarily, it is very expensive.
We use up a lot of fuel for the homeowners.
I wonder if it is possible during that three month period whether that price can be subsidized during those months so it will be easier on our people.
The letter that he read under Members’ Statements was very good to hear.
To date the Government has not agreed or has not discussed the possibility of bringing the prices of the heating fuel down.
And there was also a mention where the houses should be skirted during the wintertime.
In regards to his question, we haven’t had any prior discussions about it so I cannot reply at this time.
I understand that he cannot give a response at this time.
Maybe he can commit to being able to have a discussion to see if it would be an option for the three months where it is coldest.
In some communities, where the homeowners don’t make very much money and they have to have food, a lot of times they run out of fuel and it gets really cold in the houses, especially when they have to use a lot of fuel in the winter.
I would like to ask the Minister if he can commit to starting departmental considerations on trying to find some way they can assist.
This was the first time that we have heard about it.
I cannot say that I will commit, but I would have to have discussions with my Cabinet colleagues, maybe with the Minister of the Housing Corporation.
I am sure that we can have a discussion but I cannot say that we will agree to this.
That is the only response that I can give you at this time.
The concern that you have is very sensible and quite reasonable.
I just want to inform the Member that we have not had any previous discussions on the matter.
You selected a different contract so you could save 19 million dollars, that is a lot of savings so keep that in mind and I am making a reasonable request, if you are going to be saving that much, I am pretty sure that you should be able to afford to lower the prices of fuel.
Can this be given consideration?
His reference to the 19 million dollars that we will be saving is in the revolving fund of petroleum products which we use to serve the communities.
The question that he’s raising or making reference to the 19 million, I can’t give an answer at this time, but I’m just saying that his concern is very logical but we haven’t had the time to give this proper consideration.
Supplementary. Supplementary.
He doesn’t seem to understand what I’m trying to ask.
I was asking if this can be given consideration in the future.
We try to assist and support the residents of Nunavut especially with heating fuel and especially the older people of Nunavut we try to assist them.
And we already give them assistance in regards to fuel so they won’t spend too much and we assist our elders in that way.
Question 348 – 1(6): Employees Wellness Service Program Move to Nunavut
I’d like to direct my question to the Minister of Human Resources.
I have asked about the 700 thousand dollars that I keep raising that goes to Ottawa for employee assistance and he stated that the position would be moved to Nunavut on September 30.
I want to know what the status is now.
I’m sorry but I would like her to repeat her question please.
Speaker: Ms. Williams, can you kindly repeat the question?
Ms. Williams: I will repeat it in English but I think I’m forgetting to speak in Inuktitut here.
My question to the minister is about that employees’ wellness program that we’ve been spending 700 thousand dollars on for an 800 number in Ottawa.
The minister indicated that it will be moved to Nunavut by September 30th.
I would like the minister to update us as to how this is working out in Nunavut.
The department has been looking at this and how the employees can benefit from the employees’ wellness program. I would like to update my colleague about that position which was going to be moved after I get further information from my officials. Then I will let my colleague know.
Can the minister indicate that this program has been moved to Nunavut?
It’s a lot of money for the minister not to know, it’s 700 thousand dollars.
We have an employee now to review that in Human Resources, the Employee Wellness Program, and we have set that up under our department.
To reply to her question, in our department, yes, there is such a position.
So I understand; if I call this 1-800 number would I get a response from Iqaluit or Ottawa?
I would have to call this number to find out where I would get the response. As I do not have an answer to that question I’ll have to check and maybe call that number to find out.
That was my initial part of the question.
The Minister indicated before that it would be moved to Nunavut and it would not be in Ottawa anymore.
To this day the Minister does not know.
I would appreciate getting a clear answer, we’re always looking for jobs, and we are just putting 700 thousand dollars into Ottawa.
That’s more of a comment but is the Minister is prepared to address it?
I want to make it clear that we’re not just putting 700 thousand to Ottawa for the sake of doing so.
It is for a service.
To the member’s question, I will make sure that my response will be very clear as to where this service is being provided at this time.
It’s probably over for this year with Ms. Williams having the last say.
Tabled Document 073 – 1(6): GN Appointment, Compensation and Benefits - Deputy Minister Employment and Compensation Terms
I wish to table the following documents; GN Appointments, Compensation and Benefits, Deputy Minister Appointments, Compensation terms.
Bill 27 – An Act to Amend the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (Change of Precedence) – Notice
Hon. Pal Okalik: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I give notice that on Thursday, December 5, 2002 I shall move that Bill 27, An Act to Amend the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act be read for the first time.
I request consent of this Assembly to waive the two day rule notice requirement to allow for first reading of Bill 27, An Act to Amend the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act today.
The Minister is seeking consent to waive rule 62 (1), so that the bill can have the first reading today.
Bill 27 – An Act to Amend the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (Change of Precedence) – First Reading
I move, by seconded by the Honourable Member for Pangnirtung, that Bill 27, An Act to Amend the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act be read for the first time.
The motion is carried and Bill 27 has had first reading.
Hon. Paul Okalik: Qujannamiik, Uqaqti. I move, seconded by the honourable member for Hudson Bay, that Bill 27, An Act to Amended the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act be read for the second time.
Mr. Speaker, this legislation is to postpone the coming into force of subsection 42 of the Act to Amend the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
Speaker: I believe the Premier would like to ask for consent to continue.
I believe we have been here before and I request consent of my colleagues.
Speaker: The Minister is seeking consent to waive rule 62(1) so the Bill can have Second Reading today.
Bill 27 – An Act to Amend the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (Change of Precedence) – Second Reading
I move, once again seconded by the Honourable Member for Hudson Bay, that Bill 27, An Act to Amend the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act be read for the second time.
Question has been called. All those in favour?
Hon. Paul Okalik: Qujannamiik, my colleagues. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to waive rule 67 (2) and order Bill 27 to the Committee of the Whole.
The Minister is asking unanimous consent to waive rule 67(2) so that Bill 27 can be ordered to the Committee of the Whole.
Bill 27 is referred to the Committee of the Whole for today.
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters: Bill 13, Bill 17, Bill 18, Bill 19, Bill 27, Minister's Statement 072-1(6) and Minister's Statement 095-1(6) with Mr. Iqaqrialu in the Chair.
In accordance with the authority provided to me by Motion 002-1(6), the Committee of the Whole will stay in session until it reports itself out.
Before we report to the Committee of the Whole members we will take a short break for lunch.
Relax members; we’re going to get there.
We’ll return to the chamber by 1:30.
>>House recessed at 11.59 a.m. and resumed at 13.36 p.m.
Chairperson (interpretation): We can begin the Committee of the Whole.
During Committee of the Whole, we’ll be reviewing Bill 13, Bill 17, Bill 19, Minister’s Statement 072-1(6) and Minister’s Statement 095-1(6).
At this time what is the wish of the committee?
I would like to begin with reviewing Bill 13 and after that we’ll do Bill 17 and then from there we’ll move to Bill 19, Bill 27 and Minister’s Statement 072-1(6).
Chairperson (interpretation): We’re reviewing Bill 13.
I am pleased to appear before the committee today to address Bill 13.
This bill Mr. Chairman will amend the yearly maximum insured remuneration, known as YMIR to be increased to 64 thousand, 500 dollars for 2003.
YMIR is reviewed on an annual basis by the Worker’s Compensation Board of Directors and accepted on a recommendation of the board by both Legislative Assembly’s of Nunavut and the Northwest Territories.