EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Mr. Nutarak (interpretation): If I use an example, if there is an advertisement out this week do they get re-advertised if the positions are not filled.
Some of them are re-advertised depending on whether we fill the positions or not.
This depends on the salary and benefits.
Mr. Nutarak (interpretation): There was an advertisement that was for Pond Inlet.
When we are going to know who the contract will be awarded to?
It is in regards to the renovation of the nursing station in my community.
In regards to the health centre replacement in Pond Inlet, only after the RFP closes will we know who got the contract and afterwards we’ll begin to plan how it is going to proceed.
We also put together the terms of reference afterwards.
Question 071 – 1(6): Amount of Funding to HTA for Musk Ox Hunt
I will be directing my question to the Minister responsible for Sustainable Development.
In your last response yesterday you said maybe the money will go to the Hunters and Trappers in Cambridge Bay.
Can the minister tell me how much money was given to the Hunters’ and Trappers’ Association in Cambridge Bay for the musk ox hunt? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
In regards to the member’s question, I don’t have the numbers in front of me.
I’ll take the question as notice.
Question 072 – 1(6): Review of Nunavut’s Income Support Program
Mr. Speaker, I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Education.
Can the minister provide this House with an update on the review of the Nunavut Income Support Program?
In regards to the review, I now have the documents and once they are approved by the Cabinet I will make the information available to the rest of the members.
I presume I can ask some supplementary questions on that.
Can the minister tell us whether the review of the Income Support Program will also include a review of what is considered as income when calculating social assistance payments and how the regulations are applied?
Sorry I didn’t quite get that question.
Could I ask the member to repeat the question please?
Speaker: Mr. McLean could you repeat your question.
Can the minister tell us whether the review of the income support program will also include a review of what is considered as income when calculating social assistance payments and how the regulations are applied?
I am talking about claw backs on federal funds.
I will provide the member with the total package stemming from the review.
But I also just want to add to that I will also include, because Nunavut is like the other eight jurisdictions in Canada, where there are claw backs for child tax national benefits through the income support program, those funds are applied to other programs which I will outline to the member in my response.
According to section 20 of the current social assistance regulations, child tax benefits received under the federal income tax act are not considered as income when calculating social assistance amounts.
Whereas the Nunavut child tax benefit received from the Territorial government are considered as income.
Hon. Peter Kilabuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In Nunavut the federal government and Government of Nunavut work jointly and like I said there are eight other jurisdictions in Canada that do the same as we do.
As I said it is considered as income and according to our regulations if they come out of the same pot of money it is considered as income.
Has and will the minister commit to considering abandoning the claw back of the Nunavut child tax benefits from social assistance recipients under the new income support program?
Hon. Peter Kilabuk: Mr. Speaker, I will commit to definitely holding more talks with the members on this issue after the members have had a chance to review the findings of the income support review.
Question 073 – 1(6): Staff Housing/Increase in Revenue
Mr. Speaker, my question is directed to the Minister responsible for Finance, or the Housing Corporation, I don’t know what hat he wants to wear when he’s answering this question.
He may need to wear both.
In the budget address yesterday, he projected nearly a third increase of nearly 3 million dollars in revenues as a result of recoveries from staff housing.
I understand that last year the revenues were just over 6 million dollars and the cost was around 36 million dollars.
In effect the government is subsidising staff housing nearly 30 million dollars.
I’d like to ask where that increase is coming from.
Is it because there is more staff houses being built and rented or is the rent going up for the employees?
Mr. Speaker, a couple of things.
There were some additional leases, so there was an addition to staff housing but more importantly, it was found after the first public accounts process, more I guess clarity around the treatment of staff housing rental income.
So that’s where a large percentage of the increase was in effect of identifying clearer the staff housing rental revenues.
Mr. Speaker, I was wondering if the funds weren’t recorded under staff housing revenue before, I’m sure the Auditor General must have identified or found where that money was being put.
I’m just wondering if the minister could inform the House, the 3 million dollars where was it in our revenues before if it wasn’t in the staff housing recovery.
Mr. Speaker, more than likely in the other revenues stream, as you see it’s a significant portion allocated to that amount.
Mr. Speaker, maybe the minister could explain how it’s shown and collected.
I’m sure that any time rent is paid off of employees; I think it’s recovered off of their pay stubs through finance.
I think and I’m just wondering, if it all goes into there, how could it have been distributed or applied differently in certain cases.
Mr. Speaker, in fact it wasn’t deducted from payroll, directly from payroll through the payroll.
At one point that did take place and I can’t remember the exact time because I remember there was a decision around that that was made.
I’d have to go back through the revenue to check on that.
Mr. Speaker, as I had indicated earlier, the subsidy based on the revenues and expenses last year for staff housing is roughly eighty-five percent.
Nearly 30 million dollars and as the revenues have gone up, I’m just wondering if the increase in the cost to staff housing, is that going to go up the same amount.
Mr. Speaker, I believe I have indicated in the past that we’re looking at all our staff housing policies.
Our public housing rent scales, the access program, all policies relating to housing whether it’s public or staff right now, are under consideration, and we have the full intent of consolidating the staff housing versus public housing responsibilities to bring some consistency to that whole process.
So in the long run, I would say that there are going to be changes or in the short term right now, obviously we have to work through and see what the impacts are before we move forward with actually finalizing and implementing the policy.
Question 074 – 1(6): Revenue from Tobacco Tax into Treatment Programs
In yesterday’s budget speech, the minister projected almost 10 million dollars in revenues from tobacco taxes and alcohol sales, liquor sales.
Will the minister consider earmarking all or a portion of this revenue for substance abuse treatment programs instead of putting all this money back into the general pot?
Speaker: Minster Ng.
Mr. Speaker, I wouldn’t commit to earmarking that money because if we’re going to do that you know, and we’d have to face reductions because of the fact that I’m sure that the Department of Health and Social Services put significantly more than that amount in their overall programs to deal with the areas of tobacco and alcohol use and abuse.
I’ve gone through a document that Yukon had gone through when they were reviewing their alcohol issue in Yukon.
In fact there is a recommendation on doing that.
Would the minister consider putting some of this money into treatment programs in Nunavut?
That’s a good question and as I indicated in my budget address yesterday, there is significant additional dollars to the Department of Health for mental health and alcohol addiction treatment programming.
I mean, I’m sure the minister will be more than happy to get into those details once his budget comes for review during the upcoming session.
We do have alcohol related problems.
Substance related problems in Nunavut in all communities of Nunavut.
And I’m sure the minister knows that being Housing Minister, if we are healthy, if we don’t drink too much, if we don’t do all the substance abuse we can look after our houses better.
We could be healthier.
Knowing that, can the minister seriously put some of this money into substance abuse programs in Nunavut?
Once again, the member does raise a good issue and I’m sure, like I said that the, first of all, if I could just clarify, as members know, it isn’t up to myself as Finance Minister to put money into different programs.
That is done collectively; there is the legislative process, Standing Committees and the Financial Management Board, Cabinet Colleagues, that’s where that process takes place.
Having said that, I know that Minister Picco has aggressively moved forward and argued for money for addictions abuse or sorry, addiction abuse funding and he’s more than happy to go into those details once his budget comes before the Assembly.
Question 075 – 1(6): Income Support Improvements
I would like to touch up on one of my colleague’s questions about Child Tax Benefits. I am speaking about the federal benefits.
They have caused problems in my communities as they are stated as being from the same pot.
Perhaps it’s a good system that we already use but perhaps there is a lack of understanding or a lack of communicating it to the public.
Perhaps it is not visible enough, Mr. Speaker.
One of the problems that I would like to clarify, regarding the concerns about funding that could have been used which just lapsed into the next year.
But here in Nunavut, through formula funding agreements with the Federal Government, they cannot get child tax benefits under both programs according to the agreement.
Once that’s deducted or considered as income, we can’t consider it twice and this is moved to other benefits, such as employment and for child tax benefits they also receive additional funding but they’re very useful for the individual.
Once an individual can’t get any money for that, they use it for other things.
If I make a mistake, please correct me.
I guess it’s okay to make a mistake.
Mostly for child tax benefits, I know that they’re very useful for people with lower income but for those who are employed, I don’t think they have any effect.
And also, I think people end up owing money to income tax because of this and I’m sure that this has created hardship for our communities and for all Nunavummiut and maybe it’s due to a lack of communication.
How can we as Nunavummiut find out more about funding that is available?
As Canadian citizens, we have to be aware of where we can receive funding or perhaps can your department supply us with that information.
Hon. Peter Kilabuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. First of all Mr. Speaker, I would like to say that the Federal Government is responsible for income taxes and as the Government of Nunavut we don’t have any jurisdiction over that as all MLAs are aware.
But the Nunavut child tax benefit is within our jurisdiction and if this child tax benefit is going to have an effect on our residents’ income tax submissions, yes, in order to clarify the matter and to rectify this problem, we can communicate it to the public.
During income tax years, the individuals receive receipts from the government.
Perhaps we can communicate this information to the public and to the income support recipients in regards to the Nunavut child tax benefit having an effect on them.
I understand his response and I’m glad to hear that proactive stance.
The income support recipients get their income statements annually.
It supposedly has been created for the ease of preparing income tax statements, but it seems like it’s not an actual receipt when you try to file your income tax.
Sometimes the workers can’t find their income statement copies and when they are filled out, the workers make a big fuss over the paperwork. I was wondering why they are included in the documents when they seem to be useless.
Well I cannot say that they are useless but our regulations state that we have to send out the income records to the individuals who were receiving income support annually.
All clientele copies are kept for the income tax submission period.
According to our policy that is what it states, that we have to provide a copy so that the individual can benefit from it.
I would apologize if there is a problem with this benefit.
The individuals usually are informed whether they will be receiving some money or if they will owe money for taxes.
As this is a federal responsibility, perhaps you can lodge a complaint with the federal system in regards to this problem.
Are those just receipts or income statement records that are given to the individuals?
If I am correct, they are called T5’s and they are not just receipts.
They are for income tax purposes and have to be sent to Revenue Canada.
The individual would file their T5’s with their income tax.
It is not just a document or receipt.
Petition 002 – 1(6): Provide Adequate Bussing Services in Rankin Inlet
Hon. Jack Anawak (interpretation): That jetliner was quite noisy.
I would like to table a petition in regards to bussing services for children in my community of Rankin Inlet.
This petition was signed by 593 individuals.
These signatories are requesting additional buses for the school children in Rankin Inlet.
Mr. Speaker, Rankin Inlet is growing in population.
The children can only be bussed up to Grade 4.
Younger children are bussed home but their older sisters and brothers cannot be in the same bus.
At times, this causes a problem when the younger children are home alone since their older siblings are walking home and it takes some of them a long time to get home.
Tabled Document 008 – 1(6): Workplace Wellness Survey
Mr. Speaker, I would like to table a document.
It is entitled “Workplace Wellness Survey.”
Tabled Document 009 – 1(6): Report on Repairs in Pelly Bay/Kugaaruk – Bad Gasoline
I would like to table a document about skidoo and outboard motor damages due to bad gas.
This document outlines sixty-seven pieces of equipment that broke down all together in my communities.
Tabled Document 010 – 1(6): Kivalliq Chamber of Commerce 2002 Annual General Meeting Report
This comes from the Kivalliq Chamber of Commerce Annual General Meeting in Rankin Inlet, March 26 & 27, from the Chamber of Commerce executive and also a resolution.
They indicated the government’s preference is to designate preferred carriers for air and sea transportation.
This proposal met with great opposition from the Chamber of Commerce membership.
A resolution was passed at the Annual General Meeting for the chamber to lobby the Government to abolish plans to designate preferred carriers that could undermine the viability of any competing businesses and result in monopolies with reduced services to the general population of Nunavut in order to foster carrier competition between carriers serving Nunavut.
Tabled Document 011 – 1(6): NNI Policy – 2000/2001 Annual Review
I would like to table a document.
The Annual Review of the NNI Policy for 2000 – 2001.
Are there any further documents to be tabled?
Bill 2 – Supplementary Appropriation Act No. 4, 1999-2000 – Notice
Bill 3 – Supplementary Appropriation Act No. 3, 2000-2001 – Notice
Bill 4 – Supplementary Appropriation Act No. 4, 2001-2002 – Notice
Bill 5 – Supplementary Appropriation Act No. 1, 2002-2003 – Notice
Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Friday May 3rd, I will move that Bill 2, Supplementary Appropriation Act No. 4, 1999 – 2000; Bill 3, Supplementary Appropriation Act No. 3, 2000 – 2001; Bill 4, Supplementary Appropriation Act No. 4, 2001 – 2002 and Bill 5, Supplementary Appropriation Act No. 1, 2002 – 2003, be read for the first time.
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters; Bill 6 with Mr. Iqaqrialu in the Chair.
Before we proceed, I’d like to read a letter that we received from the Commissioner of Nunavut.
“I wish to advise and recommend to the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut the passage of the following Bills during the 6th Session of the First Legislative Assembly.
Bill 2, Supplementary Appropriation Act No. 4, 1999 – 2000;
Bill 3, Supplementary Appropriation Act No. 3, 2000 – 2001;
Bill 4, Supplementary Appropriation Act No. 4, 2001 – 2002;
Bill 5, Supplementary Appropriation Capital, Act No. 1, 2002-2003;
Bill 6, Appropriation Act No. 2, 2002-2003.
Signed Peter Irniq, Commissioner of Nunavut.
Before we proceed to Committee of the Whole, we will take a short break.
Members could join me in the Members’ Lounge.
>>House recessed at 3.05 p.m. and resumed at 3.34 p.m.
Chairperson (Mr. Iqaqrialu) (interpretation): I would like to call the meeting back to order.
In Committee of the Whole, we have the following item to deal with, Bill 6 and supporting documents.
Do members agree we proceed to review the Main Estimates that support Bill 6 and commence with the Department of Education.
I would like to ask the Minister responsible for Education to do his opening remarks.
Bill 6 – Appropriation Act No. 2, 2002-2003 – Consideration in Committee
It is a pleasure to be here with you today.
I would like to highlight for you today the proposed budget for the Department of Education for the 2002/2003 fiscal year.
Mr. Chairman, there’s good news in this budget proposal.
During the last year, we have listened to many individuals, groups and organizations.
The budget that I’m proposing to bring forward touches on different aspects of the department’s mandate.
Schools are experiencing increasing enrolment each year.
As a result of the increased enrolment, I am proposing that 2.8 million dollars be used to meet the forced growth needs of our schools.
This maintains our schools at their current levels.
I am also pleased to announce the District Education Authorities will receive an additional 800 thousand dollars for the next fiscal year.
This funding will be spread across several areas such as increasing the base amount each District Education Authority receives and increasing available funding for substitute teachers and providing for regular regional meetings of all District Education Authorities.
Mr. Chairman, the number of senior citizens that are eligible for senior citizens’ supplementary benefit has increased.
To meet this growth, I am happy to announce that 186 thousand dollars will be allocated to meet that increased demand.
Mr. Chairman, during the past two years, the Department of Education has conducted an Income Support Policy Review and tabled a management response in the Legislative Assembly.
As a result of that review, and response, I am proposing an additional 740 thousand dollars to be allocated to various initiatives in income support.
These initiatives include increased training for our workers so that they can better serve our clients.
We will increase the training opportunities and the training allowances for those individuals currently on Income Support.
Mr. Chairman, two additional initiatives as a result of the Income Support Policy Review, require regulatory changes before they can be fully implemented.
Income exemptions and transition benefits for working income support recipients will be initiated as soon as the necessary steps are completed.
Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to announce that 500 thousand dollars will be added to student financial assistance.
This will also require a change to the regulations that govern this area.
I expect to take to cabinet in the very near future proposals for their consideration that will increase living allowances for students.
Another area that needs further support is daycares.
Across Nunavut the number of new daycares that are starting up is increasing.
The Department supports new daycares with start up grants and on-going funding based on available spaces and attendance.
These new daycare centres will receive an additional 474 thousand dollars in support over the next year.
Mr. Chairman, in an effort to continue the work on Inuktitut school curriculum and resources, the department will allocate 500 thousand dollars to this for the next fiscal year.
This is an important component for our plan.
I have supported this work over the past three years and will continue to support it again this coming year.
Mr. Chairman, the 6 million dollars directly supports the spirit and intent of the Bathurst Mandate; healthy communities, self-reliance and continued learning.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you, Minister. If it is okay with the members, do you wish to bring in your witnesses?
I am sorry I forgot my procedures.
Do you have any witnesses that you would like to bring forward Mr. Minister?
You can go ahead to the witness table Mr. Minister.
After your introductions, I will be asking the appropriate Chairperson to submit their reports.
Thank you, Mr. Minister if you could introduce your officials.
With me today on my left is my Deputy Minister Tom Rich and on the right, Bob Loehr who deals with finance for the Department of Education.
I would like to ask the Chairperson of the Committee on Health and Education if he has any opening remarks.
As Chair of the Standing Committee on Health and Education, I am pleased to have an opportunity to make some introductory remarks as we begin deliberations on the budget of the Department of Education.
The Standing Committee notes that once again, the Department of Education holds the largest share of the government’s total budget.
The department’s operations and maintenance budget for 2002-2003 has increased somewhat since 2001-2002.
While some of these increases are certainly due to forced growth issues with the number of students increasing steadily year by year, committee members continue to have concerns that the means of allocating school funding based on the previous year’s numbers of students is not adequate.
Members understand that the minister will be reviewing this funding formula in the coming months, although it is unclear whether or not the review will be part of the government wide program review initiatives.
Many District Education Authorities continue to be sorely under funded based on similar formulas.
While the proposed budget indicates additional funding in this area, members would like to see more detailed information, such as the allocated amount of base funding for individual Education Authorities.
Members continue to express concerns over the department’s approach to the roles and responsibilities of District Education Authorities.
The committee expects to address this and other issues in more depth in its upcoming review of Bill 1, the proposed new Education Act.
The committee further notes that despite strong recommendations over the past two years supporting the establishment of a Nunavut District Education Authority Association, the department still does not appear to have addressed this issue.
The committee has met with the minister a number of times over this past year and was pleased to receive updates on initiatives such as the income support review, the language of instruction report and progress on the new Education Act.
The issue of income support continues to be an important one across Nunavut.
The committee is in full support of initiatives that seek to provide and improve the services to assist people in becoming more self-reliant.
However, members feel that many areas of income support program delivery could be improved upon.
The committee was pleased to note the department’s response to its recommendation regarding the incorporation of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit into the curriculum.
Although it is a one time initiative, the committee hopes that the Inuktitut curriculum project proposed for 2002/2003 will be a long term benefit to the students.
In addition, members encouraged the minister to continue supporting the involvement of elders and other community members as language and culture instructors in schools.