EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
The Board of Directors of NBCC is still responsible for carrying out various responsibilities and are doing a very, very good job working with the Office of the Auditor General, working with our department, working with the interim CEO that’s in there, and working very, very hard to bring the NBCC up to snuff. And, all of that work is continuing.
The minister indicated there’s an interim CEO in place right now. How long has that been in place?
Since just before Christmas.
I just wonder if I can ask the minister if he can tell us what happened to the previous CEO that was there.
Yes, the previous CEO resigned.
Just before Christmas, and I know that you were out around the time when I was raising some issues with and about NBCC. So I’m just wondering if, as a result of the audits or any of the issues that have been raised, led to the resignation of the CEO. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
No, it was not because of those reasons.
Mr. Tootoo: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I guess, as you just said right now, there’s an interim CEO there right now, and also, you indicated that’s the same thing with Nunavut Development Corporation. Is that position remaining interim until a decision is made on the consultant’s report on the operational review?
I’m just wondering if one of the things that they’re looking at is the possibility of amalgamating those two organizations.
Yes, that’s one option the consultant was asked to look at.
I guess in looking at that I would like to ask the minister to explain what types of factors that they would look at in determining whether or not to consider an option like that of amalgamating or keeping them as two separate Crowns.
That will depend entirely on the recommendations by the consultant.
I’m not an expert in this area but if you look at my understanding of it, the Business Credit Corporation is an organization which is basically a lender of last resort to provide businesses an opportunity to start up and grow throughout the whole territory.
Nunavut Development Corporation strictly deals with certain little pockets of businesses that have a number of, I believe, subsidiaries under that and that’s all that they focus on.
So I would like to ask the minister how they could conceive of two totally different mandates for two different corporations and how they would look at amalgamating the two completely different mandates like that?
I don’t know how to answer that question at the moment. At the moment that’s a hypothetical question. As I said, that’s one of the things the consultant has been asked to look at and once we have seen the consultant’s report we will get a better idea of what, if anything, can be done there.
That’s going to have to wait a bit longer.
I understand that but I’m just wondering if there hasn’t been any thought given to how, since they have been asked to at that idea, that they may have some idea of an approach on that.
Also, one question is that, one of the factors the minister would look would be that these two corporations are in two different communities right now. One thing that this government has been strong on is decentralization. If positions are transferred out of one community, it is hoped that other ones will fill them.
I know in Iqaluit, we don’t have any positions in either of these two areas that are affected but I’m sure both Cape Dorset and Rankin Inlet would be curious to hear if that would be a factor, if there was a decision made to amalgamate those two corporations, that there would be a change. Both those corporations provide employment opportunities in their two respective communities.
If there is a decision like that made, would that be a factor to look at, making sure that there is no job loss in those communities that are affected?
Hon. David Simailak: Again, I don’t know the answer to that question at the moment because we are nowhere near there yet; I have not even received a copy of the final report yet.
Once we have received the final copy of the report we will then look at any and all options that are in there and take it step-by-step from there. At the moment I don’t know the answer to that question.
Chairman: Thank you, Minister. Economic Development and Transportation. Corporate Management.
K-5. Mr. Arvaluk.
During my opening comments I talked about Pond Inlet being able to get some boats but it can’t be done until the government assists my community to help protect the community.
The economy could be developed in Pond Inlet and the Inuit can be involved, if they get some assistance.
Under business plans in K-10, it states that in community economic development there has to be a community based approach.
Is that just for Economic Development and Transportation or can they include BaffinLand in Mary River.
Yes, we would like to be involved with the economic development of the Pond Inlet community because they have an economic development officer in the community as well.
I think he lives in Pond Inlet and works for the hamlet council.
And there are also some people over there that might want to start up a business and BaffinLand could also be involved as well for the economic development of Pond Inlet.
If they want to start taking on contracts and if they want to get more assistance, I think they have some private businesses, some government staff and the economic development officer to help out.
Mr. Arvaluk (interpretation): On one of the pages in your main estimates, I have a concern.
The senior economic development individuals, the directorate, should be providing the Baffin community economic development officers or the municipality with a report to make sure that everything is along the line of what they are supposed to do.
For example, in business plan K-4, healthy communities, the business plan states it very well.
It seems like if it is just lip service, it is not going to become reality and if it is just said then it is passed and there won’t be an impact.
Healthy communities should mean to identify communities with serious economic needs or to provide assistance to them so that the community can be healthy.
I think the income support people said productive lifestyles, for example. And also in page K-11 of your business plan, it states under mineral exploration and development, businesses or business opportunities will develop in at least 10 communities in the year 2006 and exploration investment in Nunavut was estimated to be approaching $200 million.
And within the next five years, Nunavut may have five operating mines employing up to 1,700 people.
My question is under your business plan page K-13.
Critical Issues. Number 4, there is increased public scrutiny of our response to economic opportunities.
So my question is if they are going to be using this properly when are we going to get a response?
We don’t see these responses after the response.
Can we see these actually become reality in the communities?
Hon. David Simailak (interpretation): The comments that you made are true as we’re going to be using the healthy communities and other issues that you just raised, and also, K-13 number four, critical issues; that’s what we’re going to do.
My colleague knows himself as to who is the director in our office, who works on those issues and he knows the officials that work in that office.
It’s up to the residents of Pond Inlet; it’s at their discretion as to what kind of things that they would like to see from BaffinLand.
I met with BaffinLand officials.
They took part when I tabled the strategy and they said they want to work closely with the community of Pond Inlet and the other communities in Nunavut.
It’s evident that they will be receiving the request from BaffinLand and I’m sure that they will be supportive because the hamlets themselves have community economic development offices and there are some businesses already existing in the communities.
The hamlet council is backing up the economic development.
As well, our officials can provide support to the Pond Inlet Hamlet Council.
So I don’t see a reason why it should not go ahead.
We are just leery. For example, the road construction from Milne Inlet to Mary River, they said that contract is going to be done by the Qikiqtaaluk Corporation.
We were told that the Co-op contract for providing food services and providing over 40 employees may not be renewed. Is that going to be renewed?
So it’s not totally up to the residents of Pond Inlet.
If it were totally up to them, they would have held on to those contracts.
So I believe you need to monitor closely that this plan under K-4 and on other pages, especially under K-13, to be used properly and to make sure that they’re used.
After the fact, if Pond Inlet, Arctic Bay, Igloolik, or Clyde River were not involved, when you try to set them, it becomes impossible.
We realized that occurred in Nanisivik.
We don’t want to see this occurring again.
What kinds of benefits did Arctic Bay receive from the mining company in Nanisivik?
So we don’t want to see this occur in the Pond Inlet area, so therefore you as Economic Development have to monitor these very carefully so it won’t occur again.
Minister, it was more like a comment, if you would like to respond. Minister Simailak.
Yes, it’s better if the community can do things on their own, like the HTOs and the municipalities.
They’re working closely with those entities during the exploration stage.
If they find an appropriate company to do a contract then they would provide the contract.
Perhaps, maybe there’s a lack of communication between BaffinLand and the hamlet council.
I really don’t have any idea of what the problem is between those two entities but during the exploration stage of mining companies I have noticed that anytime they find a good appropriate company they usually contract them.
This is the very first time I have heard about this issue; so therefore, I really don’t know how to respond to your question. Perhaps I’ll get more information from my official in Pond Inlet.
Mr. Arvaluk (interpretation): My last question is under the Directorate.
For those of us who are regular members and people in the communities, sometimes we are just given rumours. Sometimes when somebody tells us we really don’t believe them.
Could the minister update me in a written form so I could have the same understanding as the communities of Pond Inlet, Arctic Bay, Clyde River, Igloolik, and Clyde River?
In Inuktitut, it’s Kangiqtugaapik, for Clyde River.
Clyde River is where my grandchild lives.
Yes, I can look into that but I am in support of Pond Inlet to do investigations on those because they have their own municipality. They have their own CEDO. The community has the authority, but we will look into it.
I will urge the community, and I’m sure that there would be more credibility and strength, if the community of Pond Inlet, or the hamlet, try to find out what they’re looking for.
I will look into that myself but I urge Pond Inlet to look into this themselves.
Total Operations and Maintenance. $7,837,000.
Chairman (interpretation): Before we proceed with page K-7 we will take a 20-minute break.
>>Committee recessed at 15:02 and resumed at 15:32
We are on Economic Development and Transportation. Branch Summary. (interpretation ends) Page K-7, K8, K-9, K-10, K-11, K-12, K-13, K-14, K-15, and K-16 are part of Page K-7. (interpretation) Do you understand?
Mr. Curley (interpretation): Yes, I wanted to raise another question. The Nunavut Development Corporation President. (interpretation ends) Yes, you are correct we got the correct version now, so I appreciate your comments. (interpretation) But at this time I would like to direct my question to the same, so who is the acting President for Nunavut Development Corporation?
We are on K-7 up to K-16.
At this time they don’t have a president, but a board of directors. John Hickes is the business manager.
So if I were to ask the minister what is the role of the business manager … is it included in the person years?
We finished K-5 and K-6, and I think you’re still referring to that, still.
John Hickes was appointed by the board.
Mr. Curley (interpretation): Did the board of directors recommend reappointing him, or did the minister not want to reappoint him?
As we stated before, after we finish the review then we will be able to complete this.
Mr. Curley (interpretation): Yes, I know we passed the directorate but another question that I wanted to pose, are the board of directors’ independent from the minister, or do their decisions have to be recommended to the minister in regard to personnel?
They have their own board of directors, as was said earlier, that’s how they’re put together.
Mr. Curley (interpretation): Yes, we will expect to see what they will do with this.
Another comment I wanted to make, it’s merely a comment as we will probably discuss it in May.
The minister will probably consider the loan funds because they seem to run very smoothly and they’re very important to the business community, to the Inuit, and the old Eskimo Loan Fund.
I think the amount of dollars that were given from the federal government is still there.
I haven’t heard at this time but I feel that the loan fund should be an independent body.
With the development corporation with the business manager running, I just don’t feel that it should be done like that because there are loan funds and there are Inuit that have business loan funds and some of them have equity contributions. The Business Development Corporation, I think there would be more concern.
I also would like to bring up; first of all, I would like to thank the department and the assistant deputy minister. I watched him in regard to the anti-sealing lobby in Ottawa. You were in Ottawa and there were department panel discussions.
I would also like to thank your officials still in the European Union.
Can the minister state exactly what they’re boycotting there because I heard that they’re making legislation to boycott seal products.
Is it all fur products, which includes Inuit? Maybe you can elaborate as to exactly what they’re boycotting. The reason I bring it up is because Inuit have to understand exactly what they’re boycotting and impact that will have on the Inuit.
Pauloosie Suvega can respond to that because he looks after that.
Mr. Suvega.
Mr. Suvega (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
The European countries haven’t said to boycott the Inuit, just the seal pelts and meat that are imported from Canada. They have also stated that the aboriginal people will not be affected.
We keep pushing that we will be affected as Inuit by that while we’re trying to earn a living.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. Mr. Suvega.
Mr. Curley (interpretation): Thank you. Thank you to the minister and his assistant deputy.
First of all I believe that Aaju Peter was in Brussels, we even saw her on TV.
I also have a daughter in Europe and my daughter was so proud of her. My daughter had said that she didn’t have the sealskin clothing.
I’d like to thank her.
That is the way we have to lobby because as a government, I don’t think we’re doing enough because at this time Mary Simon is in Europe.
To Paul Suvega’s answer ... when such products are banned, we Inuit feel the effect on us. It’s not just the economy; we have to sell by-products from the seals.
They have to understand. Can the minister state if you are unable to lobby yourself can you assist the different organizations to lobby?
Whenever we can we try and assist, as Pauloosie Suvega was in Ottawa when they were doing the demonstrations.
We assisted through our staff with the clothing that they wore. We will continue to do so, whenever we can.
Our fellow Inuit want to hear more of this; where the government supports this.
The European Union it takes them awhile for things to become legislation. I think we should send lobbyists before this becomes legislation. If a politician from this government can go over there to lobby.
I wonder if you hire consultants to do the lobbying for you in the European countries because we have to do as much as we can. Maybe some students can be sponsored to take trips to the European countries.
Why doesn’t the government invite the European Union to the May session so can explain to them? Why don’t you try those different kinds of avenues to ask them and invite them because there are Inuit in Iqaluit and they can watch people eating seal meat and they can see people selling the by-products?
I urge you to ask the European Union to see firsthand how we use the seal.
Currently, we are part of the Fur Institute of Canada; we are a member of that institute.
And we have asked that Institute to give us more support as to what we are trying to do.
So that is what we have done to date.
Mr. Curley (interpretation): Thank you. I thank the Minister. Yes, we are a member but we can also do our own lobbying even though we may be members of that institute.
As I stated earlier, maybe using consultants, you could ask the European Union to come to Iqaluit.
If we were to have unanimous consent to officially invite, I wonder if that would help with the lobbying to the minister.
We have invited media and journalists from Europe so we can give them first hand information and explanations on how it is up here.
It is most likely that this will proceed and just before they come here we will make plans so we can have people ready to give presentations to the European journalists.
We will certainly check into this further.
K-7.
Mr. Alagalak (interpretation): I didn’t put up my hand but I would like to.
On K-8 and K-9, under Prospector Assistance Program, it states $100,000 is given.
Is that for all of Nunavut?
Yes, this applies to all of Nunavut.
Since 2005-06, the funding has been similar. We are told that the prices of fuel keep going up and the Inuit obtain licenses for prospecting and if there are aircraft close by they can be transported along with their gear.
Now, the prices of everything else went up. In our region, in Keewatin, there is far less funding that is available because it costs so much now.
I wonder how we can fix this so it’ll run smoother this summer.
We had just left it at $100,000. Sometimes we deplete this line item and sometimes we don’t.
For example, in 2006 there were 15 applications; nine from the communities which we gave assistance to.
The total amount that we used was $110,000.
Pangnirtung, Iqaluit, Grise Fiord, Rankin, Repulse, and Taloyoak made applications.
Sometimes this line item is depleted and at times we have leftovers so we just left it at $100,000.
I had also heard about some people who would like to apply for more money but they knew that there wasn’t enough money left in this pot to get any further assistance.
Now that I have a better idea of how this program is run, I can now inform those people that it’s okay if you make another application because they can go over this amount.
Could I do that, Mr. Minister?
Hon. David Simailak (interpretation): If I heard somebody say that I would urge those individuals to make another application if they have to.
Again, on K-8, we have the Fur Pricing Program where it is set at $70,000 and it says here “grants to harvesters in the form of a guaranteed minimum price for selected furs. Individuals must be residents of Nunavut and hold a valid Nunavut general hunting or trapping license.”
As long as they are beneficiaries they are eligible for the Fur Pricing Program.
According to what is said here, individuals must hold a valid Nunavut general Hunting or Trapping License. I am sure that’s there for a good reason. You have stated that the general hunting license doesn’t apply but I think that it should state here that there are individuals who are not beneficiaries who hold trapping licenses.
I think that should be better worded there.
Chairman (interpretation): Minister Simailak.
Yes as long as they have a valid license they can get grants.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Minister. (interpretation ends) Page K-7.
On K-9 there is $800,000 for the business development centres. I’m just wondering if the minister could indicate which business development centres those are, where that funding is split up.
The Baffin Business Development Corporation is funded $370,000; the Kivalliq Business Development Corporation is $275,000. There will be a business development centre opening up in the Kitikmeot region around April 1, 2007 and they will get funding of $155,000.
This funding, from questioning I asked the  Minister, how is it all done, through partnership agreements or contribution agreements?
Through contribution agreements.
And in part of those contribution agreements there’s an appendix there that outlines exactly what the funding is to be used for. Is that correct?
Also, as part of the contribution agreement, is there required reporting?
If there is, can the Minister indicate what they are?
Hon. David Simailak: Thank you, Mr. Chair, yes there is.
Mr. Campbell can go through what those requirements are.
We do have a standard contribution agreement for all organizations that they report on the money that we’ve provided to them through financial statements.
We’ve asked, as well, for business plans to be attached to the contribution agreements sometimes.
We’ve also, at various times, asked for the governance structure of their organization as well as attachments.  We do have three standard attachments and it’s A, B and C on the contribution agreements.
Sometimes we don’t use all three depending on the negotiations we have with the particular organization.
Some of these organizations that we provide in Nunavut, this funding is supposed to be for seed money. I’ve noticed that in some of these, we provide most of the money to the organizations.
As an example, the $275,000 that we provide to KBDC, we are hoping that they use that as seed money to attract other investments from other groups to contribute to their budgets.
Chairman: Thank you Mr. Campbell.
I guess that the contribution agreements would be the same as a contribution agreement if someone went through KBDC to get some funding to buy some equipment for their business or for whatever purpose where it is outlined what you are going to spend it on and evaluate it but if it is going to cost less than what you thought it was going to, that amount of the contribution would drop accordingly to the percentage of the contribution and that there’s a mechanism in place where that’s monitored on an annual basis.
Is that how they follow up and make sure they spent the money how they were authorized to spend the money?
Hon. David Simailak (interpretation): I’ll have Mr. Campbell respond to your question.
Depending on the situation, depending on the organization and depending on the mandate of that organization, the contribution agreement, we have a standard template for contributions, but we do have inserted specific requirements on different scenarios depending on the organization.
We do require regular reporting on these, on some of the operations from some of these organizations. What else can I say?
We do have as well, audited financial statements that we insist on getting done.
The other thing I could say is that we don’t receive the breakdown of their budgets.
We don’t necessarily enforce exactly the categories that they’ve submitted. One of the reasons why is we’re trying to be flexible to organizations that may adjust their initiatives through the year.
We could go to the extreme and start picking on various line items and start enforcing some of those requirements.
We do have regional offices in the three regions. We have program officers that are supposed to assist with the preparation of these contribution agreements and we do have program officers as well in the regions that do monitor the contribution agreements.
But like any department, we sometimes have sometimes a lack of capacity to do all this monitoring.
In the last year and a half we have hired a monitoring and evaluation position at headquarters that will be responsible for gathering all of these contribution agreements.
We’re planning on having that person generate a report on an annual basis on how well we’ve done, or how we didn’t do well.