EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Mr. Chairman, my officials in Finance and I have actually had an opportunity as well to talk to Ms. Kimball about the PPD operations in CGS. She has been the deputy minister of that department for a little less than a year, so she learned quite a bit about the department. One of the areas that she’s focusing on is PPD and how to get better recordkeeping and reporting the chargeable and non-chargeable losses.
I have to say that I have been around for a number of years here. I think the reporting for the write-offs of petroleum products is getting more accurate as the years go by and we’re decreasing the shrinkage. Most of the shrinkage falls within the parameters for the shrinkage factor that’s set by PPD.
The amount of fuel that the Government of Nunavut purchases every year... .
We have six categories of fuel. For the amount of fuel that we do purchase, $175,000 is a very small amount. I recognize that it is an amount that we have to write off because of shrinkage, due to theft, evaporation, and other possible factors.
Ms. Kimball has worked very hard to strengthen the whole PPD process and I can ask her to comment and provide some more information on that.
I can assure you that as a government, we are working very hard on our entire PPD side. It’s a very important division to our government.
I understand that chargeable variances are going down, but in some communities it’s still crawling right up, with the documents that were provided to us.
When we look at this day and age, as indicated, transferring of fuel from a tanker to a holding tank, you have a meter reading going on.
After a dipping has occurred, do the current and modern holding tanks that are installed within the communities now… ? I know some probably don’t have a modernized holding tank yet, but is the department looking at installing and having meters within the new holding tanks for the Petroleum Products Division?
All of our tanks do have like an odometer, a meter of everything going in and everything coming out of the tank.
I think what you’re getting at, though, is some newer technology in terms of monitoring the levels constantly.
We are looking at new technology that’s emerging, but we also want to balance cost.
We also recognize that the cold and the conditions in the Arctic can be challenging to some electronics.
We want to make sure we are appropriately researching and piloting options before we start making investments in those technologies.
My last question is just a yes or no.
Are the majority of the holding tanks within the territory single-wall holding tanks or double-wall tanks?
That’s’ my last question.
I wish I could answer that question, yes or no, but I simply don’t know.
There has been a lot of talk about the hydro project, so most of the questions I was going to ask have already been asked, but I do have one concern.
I guess my concern is seeing that this project hasn’t gone as was expected, I’m concerned that you’re not going to pursue other options for generating power. I’m wondering: what is the long term?
You cut this.
Is there anything on the horizon? Can something like this be a P3? Can it be privatized?
I talked about carbon pricing in the House a number of times last week with the Premier. Maybe that’s something that can be looked at. I just want to get your comment from that, minister.
Unrelated to the write-off bill, but if the minister wants to answer it.
Just to clarify, we’re not cutting this; we’re writing it off.
We’re moving it from a work in progress to expenses on the recommendation of the Office of the Auditor General.
I can’t state with any degree of certainty where this will go in the future.
As I said to another response, it will have to be the Board of Directors of the Qulliq Energy Corporation working with the president and the minister, and then working with the cabinet, whether it is this cabinet or a future cabinet, to get some policy direction.
Again, it’s going to require a massive amount of money to proceed. Based on what I know today and based on what studies have already indicated, it’s going to be several hundreds of millions of dollars.
Again, it’s simply not a project that the Government of Nunavut could undertake on its own.
One of the things that were done while this project was active was that Iqalummiut that had cabins and that along some of the impacted areas were consulted.
Since this project is being put on hold, will the same people be consulted so that you could keep them up to date as to what’s going on?
The people and organizations that were consulted at the time and over the years, there is a lengthy list of individuals. I believe the Qulliq Energy Corporation kept the list.
Actually I know they did because it’s on their website. You can see where they consulted.
If those individuals are following the media, whether it’s CBC or one of the local print media, they will be able to understand that this project is not proceeding at this time.
Ms. Angnakak: Hopefully people have an interest in what we’re saying here today, especially those that will be impacted.
I want to move to the fuel shrinkage.
When I look at some of the numbers here, I see for Iqaluit there is no number at all for shrinkage.
Could you just explain why that is, minister, please?
The contract in Iqaluit for the distribution of fuel is a little bit different than the other jurisdictions in that the contractor actually buys all the fuel up front from us.
Therefore there is no adjustment on our books if anything goes missing because it’s in their custody and it’s all their responsibility.
Could you please tell us why Iqaluit is different than other communities and what kind of impact that might have on the cost to the government?
The pricing we have for residents and businesses is actually all still set by CGS or by the government. It has no impact on the end user.
It’s just a difference in the contract for them to deliver fuel on our behalf. It’s just part of the formula of how they get a commission.
In Iqaluit they buy all of the fuel up front and there is a math formula of how much they have to reimburse, how much they pay for that, and there is a calculation for their profit margin and how much they can keep.
With the other communities, it’s a lot more straightforward in that we just pay a flat commission rate per litre. It’s very clean and easy math.
The idea was to support private sector development as something to evolve. I think Iqaluit basically serves as a pilot project of that compared to other delivery methods. That’s something that we’re looking at.
I have one last question and it’s to do with the Nunavut Housing Corporation’s assets to be written down.
Once there are units that have fire damage, the value is a lot lower once they have a fire. Once they are renovated, do you change the value from the books?
Obviously those houses’ value goes up.
Yes, that’s what would happen. We’re writing down the value of the house because of the damage, but once we incur the cost to renovate the house, then we add whatever those costs are back to the remaining book value to give it a new value for the financial statements.
We will now go clause by clause of Bill 21.
Please go to Bill 21 in your legislative binders.
Bill 21, Write-off of Assets Act, 2015-2016.
Schedule. Part 1. Total. $14,680,209.
Chairman: Go to the Schedule on page 2. Part 2. Total. $175,720.17.
Chairman: Go to page 1.
Chairman: Go to the Schedule on page 2. Part 3. Total. $408,240.08.
Chairman: Page 1. Clause 4. Agreed?
Chairman: Go to the Schedule on page 2. Part 4. Total. $617,687.70.
Chairman: Go to the Schedule on page 3.
Part 5. Total. $1,289,672.55. Agreed?
Chairman: Go to the Schedule on page 3. Part 6. Total. $10,040,743.44.
Do members agree that we have concluded Bill 21?
Chairman: Do members agree, pursuant to Rule 62(2), that Bill 21 can immediately be placed on the orders of the day for third reading?
I would just like to thank you and your committee for your excellent questions today. If the listening public are paying attention, they would notice a good discussion about PPD and in particular the Qulliq Energy Corporation hydro project. It’s very important to Iqaluit.
I would hope that they would have a good understanding of where we are with that project.
I would like to thank my colleagues for being here to support me in answering questions.
In particular I would like to thank my officials, Mr. Chown, Mr. Carlson, Mr. Pereira, and Ms. Kimball, for being here.
I’m very thankful for Ms. Kimball being here for the PPD side. Fuel is very important to us. She has a very in-depth understanding of how it works.
I’m sure Mr. Rumbolt will be working hard on that whole area. I know Mr. Mikkungwak had some questions here. It’s very important.
I just want to assure yourself, Mr. Chairman, and Mr. T. Sammurtok that we are going to review your opening comments in great detail and pay particular attention to urging the government to table a comprehensive report.
I’m sure Minister Mike will be talking to his president and board of directors about the whole Qulliq Energy Corporation hydro dam project and hopefully be able to clarify some of that and maybe put something out for public awareness where the project is at.
With that, Mr. Chairman, I’ll just simply say “thank you.” I wish everybody very safe travels home and a merry Christmas, if we don’t see you for a while. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman: Thank you, Minister Peterson and your staff.
Now that our wish list has been completed as of today, I would like to report progress at this time.
We have a motion on the floor to report progress and the motion is not debatable. All those in favour of the motion. Opposed.
Speaker: Item [20].
Your committee has been considering Bill 21 and would like to report that Bill 21 is immediately ready for third reading.
Hon. Minister of Health, Mr. George Hickes.
Bill 14 – Public Health Act – Third Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Aggu, that Bill 14, An Act to Amend the Public Health Act, be read for the third time.
Bill 21 – Write-off of Assets Act, 2015-2016 – Third Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Arviat South, that Bill 21, Write-off of Assets Act, 2015-2016, be read for the third time.
Before we proceed further, Mr. Clerk, will you determine if the Commissioner of Nunavut is prepared to enter the Chamber to give assent to bills.
Commissioner Nellie Kusugak (interpretation): Members of the Legislative Assembly, please be seated.
(interpretation ends) Bill 14, Public Health Act;
Bill 16, An Act to Amend the Travel and Tourism Act;
Bill 21, Write-off of Assets Act, 2015-2016;
(interpretation) As Chancellor of the Order of Nunavut, I wish to congratulate this year’s recipients of the order:
Ellen Hamilton of Iqaluit,
Louie Kamookak of Gjoa Haven, and
Red Pedersen of Kugluktuk.
I look forward to joining with you next year on the occasion of the investiture ceremony.
I am also pleased to take this opportunity to formally congratulate Charlie Panigoniak for having recently been awarded my office’s Performing Arts Award.
Although winter’s cold and darkness is fast approaching, let us think of the warmth of the holiday season that lies ahead and reflect on the blessings that we enjoy.
I wish all members a safe return to your communities, constituents, and families.
Orders of the Day for February 21, 2017:
Members, before we adjourn, I wish to take a moment to announce that our next Youth Parliament will be held later this month.
This year’s event is the sixth Youth Parliament to have been held since our legislature was established.
The event brings together senior high school students from our 22 constituencies.
The students travel to Iqaluit to learn about the work of the Legislative Assembly.
The sitting of this year’s Youth Parliament will be held on the afternoon of Thursday, November 24, starting at 1:30 p.m. eastern time.
The proceedings of the Youth Parliament will be televised live across Nunavut, and I invite all members and Nunavummiut to tune in to what I am sure will be an exciting event.
I also wish to thank our pages, who have assisted all the members, and of course our TV and technical people and our translators.
This House stands adjourned until Tuesday, February 21, 2017.
>>House adjourned at 18:09 Appendix – November 8, 2016
Asked of: Hon. Paul Quassa
Minister Responsible for Nunavut Arctic College
Number: 361-4(3)
Date: June 6, 2016
On March 1, 2016, the government tabled its response to the Report of the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Public Accounts regarding the 2012-17 Strategic Plan for Nunavut Tourism.
This response indicated that Nunavut Tourism worked closely with the Nunavut Arctic College to develop a multi-course certificate program, but the funding then lapsed.
Can the minister provide an explanation of why the funds lapsed, and why the course was never delivered?
Mr. Speaker, here is my return to oral question for a question that was asked to me by the Member for Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu.
Mr. Speaker, Nunavut Arctic College received funding through Nunavut Tourism to develop curriculum designed to provide a basic overview of tourism, an “Introduction to Tourism”.
Further curriculum development was funded through the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CANNOR), which produced “Festivals and Special Events”, and “Guided Visitor Experience” modules in support of the Introduction to Tourism.
As a part of the additional funding through CANNOR, the intent was to have the programs developed and delivered within the same fiscal year.
Responsibility for the Tourism file was transferred over to the Kitikmeot Campus, where Business Administration Programs are overseen by the Kitikmeot Dean.
Mr. Speaker, the availability of securing a coordinator locally was pursued, both at the Dean and President’s level; however, given the timeframe for delivery, and shortened timeframe related to the availability of funding from CANNOR, no one in Cambridge Bay was identified to coordinate the program.
As such the funding lapsed in the year it was available and the funds related to delivery transferred back to the Federal Government.
Mr. Speaker, while training has yet to take place, I am pleased that there is curriculum available for future use.
Indeed, Nunavut Arctic College and Nunavut Tourism have a long history of working together in efforts of helping to move training forward for the tourism industry, and future offerings of this program are currently being sought by Nunavut Tourism.
I hope this response is of assistance and look forward to the additional opportunities we will have to discuss training and our Government’s commitment to strengthening post-secondary education.
Tuesday, February 21, 2017
Pages 3119 – 3153
Money Message 3119
Returns to Oral Questions* 3129
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 3130
Oral Questions 3132
Returns to Written Questions* 3149
Tabling of Documents 3149
Notices of Motions 3150
Notices of Motions for First Reading of Bills 3151
Motions 3151
First Reading of Bills 3152
Orders of the Day 3152
Tuesday, February 21, 2017 3119
228 – 4(3): Notice of Budget Address (Peterson) 3119
229 – 4(3): Official Meeting with Prime Minister Trudeau and Mary Simon (Taptuna) 3120
230 – 4(3): Expansion of the QEC’s LED Street Light Project (Mike) 3120
231 – 4(3): Quota increase for Sub-area 0 Turbot (Savikataaq) 3121
232 – 4(3): Pink Shirt Day (Quassa) 3122
419 – 4(3): Celebrating Wedding Anniversary with Wife and Happy Birthday to Granddaughter (Sammurtok, A) 3122
420 – 4(3): State of Inuit Culture (Joanasie) 3123
421 – 4(3): New Health Centre in Arctic Bay (Shooyook) 3123
422 – 4(3): Status of Qikiqtani General Hospital Board of Management (Angnakak) 3124
423 – 4(3): Congratulations to Netsilik Youth Parliamentarian (Qirngnuq) 3124
424 – 4(3): Clyde River Trauma Team in Qikiqtarjuaq (Keyootak) 3125
425 – 4(3): Opening of the Iqaluit Aquatic Centre (Ell-Kanayuk) 3126
426 – 4(3): Meeting with the City of Iqaluit Council (Okalik) 3127
427 – 4(3): New Infrastructure in Kugluktuk (Taptuna) 3127
428 – 4(3): Pangnirtung Northern Store (Mike) 3128
429 – 4(3): Appreciation of Canadian Rangers, Junior Rangers, and Cadets (Quassa) 3128
509 – 4(3): Northern Employee Benefits Services Pension Plan Act (Savikataaq) 3129
559 – 4(3): Services for Children in Care Outside of Nunavut (Clerk) 3130
571 – 4(3): Meetings of Federal-Provincial-Territorial Ministers of Agriculture (Clerk) 3130
574 – 4(3): Status of Hospital Board of Management (Angnakak) 3132
575 – 4(3): Municipal Funding Formula (Sammurtok, T) 3134
576 – 4(3): Public Housing Construction (Akoak) 3136
577 – 4(3): Status of Medical and Duty Travel Contracts (Mikkungwak) 3137
578 – 4(3): Development Partnership Agreements (Enook) 3139
579 – 4(3): Activities of the Makigiaqta Inuit Training Corporation (Joanasie) 3141
580 – 4(3): Status of Mental Health Treatment Services in Nunavut (Sammurtok, A) 3142
581 – 4(3): Status of Sanikiluaq’s Sewage Lagoon (Rumbolt) 3144
582 – 4(3): Status of New Power Plant in Cape Dorset (Okalik) 3146
583 – 4(3): Baffin Island Caribou Management (Keyootak) 3147
016 – 4(3): Small Craft Harbour Capital Contributions (Clerk) 3149
017 – 4(3): Ministerial Travel (Clerk) 3149
018 – 4(3): Public Service (Clerk) 3149
019 – 4(3): Marine Infrastructure (Clerk) 3149
020 – 4(3): Inuit Employment Initiatives (Clerk) 3149
021 – 4(3): Western Canada Lottery Act (Clerk) 3149
238 – 4(3): Correspondence to the Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Concerning the Nutrition North Canada Program (Enook) 3149
239 – 4(3): Excerpt from Senate Hansard of February 7, 2017 (Enook) 3149
240 – 4(3): Correspondence from Agnico Eagle Mines Concerning Carbon Pricing Mechanisms (Mikkungwak) 3149
241 – 4(3): Correspondence to the Minister of Education Concerning Arson Prevention Initiatives in Cape Dorset (Joanasie) 3150
242 – 4(3): 2015-2016 Qulliq Energy Corporation Annual Report (Mike) 3150
243 – 4(3): 2015-2016 Annual Report of the Chief Electoral Officer and the Report on the 2016 Netsilik By-election (Speaker) 3150
244 – 4(3): 2016 Report of the Chief Electoral Officer on the Municipal Land Sale Referenda/Plebiscites (Speaker) 3150
245 – 4(3): 2015-2016 Annual Report of the Languages Commissioner (Speaker) 3150
041 – 4(3): Extended Sitting Hours and Days – Notice (Mikkungwak) 3150
041 – 4(3): Extended Sitting Hours and Days (Mikkungwak) 3151
Bill 34 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2017-2018 – Notice 3151
Bill 38 – Nunavummi Nangminiqaqtunik Ikajuuti Implementation Act – Notice 3151
Bill 38 – Nunavummi Nangminiqaqtunik Ikajuuti Implementation Act – First Reading 3152
Speaker (Hon. George Qulaut) (interpretation): Can you say the opening prayer, please, Mr. Paul Quassa.
Speaker (interpretation): Good afternoon, members, visitors, ministers, (interpretation ends) Premier, (interpretation) and Nunavummiut who are watching the televised proceedings. Welcome to the House.
Before we proceed, I will read a letter from the Commissioner of Nunavut. It reads:
Bill 32, Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 5, 2015-2016;
Bill 33, Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, No. 3, 2016-2017;
Bill 34, Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, 2017-2018; and
Bill 35, Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 1, 2017-2018.
Sincerely, Nellie T. Kusugak
(interpretation) Going to the orders of the day.
Minister’s Statement 228 – 4(3): Notice of Budget Address (Peterson)
Welcome back to all my colleagues and Nunavummiut to our winter sitting.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to notify my colleagues that on Wednesday, February 22, 2017, I will introduce the 2017-18 budget on behalf of the Government of Nunavut.
This budget will outline our government’s financial priorities for the fiscal year 2017-18.
Minister’s Statement 229 – 4(3): Official Meeting with Prime Minister Trudeau and Mary Simon (Taptuna)
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I rise today to welcome my colleagues to this fourth session of the Fourth Nunavut Legislative Assembly.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to update members on my recent meetings here in Iqaluit with Prime Minister Trudeau and Mary Simon, the Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs’ special representative on arctic issues.
Mr. Speaker, on February 9 I had the opportunity to meet with the Prime Minister here at the Legislative Assembly and welcome him on his first official visit to Nunavut.
We had a very productive conversation and I reiterated the need for increased and dedicated resources for infrastructure here in our territory.
Our discussion also centred around the lack of consultations with the territories on implementing an arctic oil and gas moratorium and specifically its possible effects on Nunavut’s devolution negotiations.
I stressed the need for the territorial government’s involvement and thorough consultation in the development of future planning involving Nunavut, especially with regard to the federal government’s arctic policy development.
Mr. Speaker, the next day, on February 10, I was fortunate enough to meet with Ms. Simon and discuss her work to develop a new shared arctic leadership model. We spoke about the need for conservation to be balanced with the socioeconomic realities of the north.
I emphasized Nunavut’s robust regulatory framework when it comes to resource development, wildlife protection, and conservation.
Mr. Speaker, in both these meetings I restated our government’s commitment to build healthy families through strong and resilient communities, and the necessity to provide Nunavummiut with access to opportunities.
I continue to lobby on behalf of Nunavummiut to ensure our voices are heard, understood, and appreciated.
Ministers’ Statements. (interpretation ends) The Hon. Minister of the Qulliq Energy Corporation, Mr. Johnny Mike.
Minister’s Statement 230 – 4(3): Expansion of the QEC’s LED Street Light Project (Mike)
I’ll be making a statement on the expansion of the QEC’s LED street light project.
I am pleased to rise in the House today to announce the continued expansion of the Qulliq Energy Corporation’s energy-efficient street light project in Nunavut.
Last year in Iqaluit the QEC replaced conventional street lighting with LED, or Light Emitting Diode, lights in a portion of the city to test the benefits of energy-efficient lighting.
The successes of the pilot project informed the decision to expand the installation of LED street lighting to other communities in the territory.
The QEC is continuing with the installation of LED street lighting in our capital city and will begin upgrading all street lights in Cambridge Bay and Rankin Inlet this summer.
LED street lighting offers a number of benefits. These benefits include a reduction in energy usage by approximately 30 percent, further leading to lower carbon emissions.
The new street lights also bring significant savings in maintenance costs since LEDs last five times longer than conventional street lights.
In addition to the environmental and financial benefits, LED street lights also offer improved road safety as they provide brighter illumination of the roads.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledge Natural Resources Canada for their financial contribution and continued support of the QEC’s energy efficiency initiatives such as the LED street lights project.
The QEC is actively working with the federal agency on plans to further expand this project to other communities in late 2017.
(interpretation) The QEC is committed to seeking opportunities that will enhance energy efficiency in all aspects of its operation, reduce reliance on diesel fuel, and cut carbon emissions to reduce our impact on the environment.
Minister’s Statement 231 – 4(3): Quota increase for Sub-area 0 Turbot (Savikataaq)
I am pleased to report that Nunavut has received an increase in quota for Greenland halibut, also known as turbot, of 575 tonnes in Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization Division 0A and 575 tonnes in Division 0B, for a total quota increase of 1,150 tonnes.
Our government’s long-standing position has been that 100 percent of any fisheries quota increase in adjacent waters must go to Nunavut until we reach an equitable share of our adjacent resources, and this recent allocation is a welcome sign of progress in this regard.