EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Last year, one of my constituents went through a difficult time with a wildlife officer. This man went out with his son, and when the wildlife officer and that hunter saw a loon, and his name is included in there, the wildlife officer went to that hunter and asked him why he disposed of that duck. He wasted that bird and there were some disagreements.
My question is: are wildlife officers authorized to go to the dump to look at animals or birds that were disposed of?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Member Kattuk.
This is the first that I have heard of that and I have not been informed of this. I’ll check into this situation and find out exactly what happened.
Without the proper information, I don’t want to give a response.
It’s kind of difficult to respond at this time but I will certainly check into this matter.
I wonder when this will be dealt with.
Once you get the information, I would appreciate it if you could let me know. When are you going to start dealing with this?
I will be meeting with my officials this afternoon and I will definitely bring this up. Once we have more information about how this came about, then I will be able to let the member know.
I will definitely give him an answer by next week or the week after, before he leaves to go home.
The information that I want is: are the wildlife officers authorized to go to the dump?
Do they have that authority?
That’s the information I want to get. Are the officers authorized to check in the dumps and is it part of their job description?
I will definitely give him information to see if they’re supposed to do that because we want our conservation officers to abide by the rules. I’m pretty sure a lot of them work really well and I will definitely let him know.
Members, as you might have noticed, there is an error in the item numbers on our orders and we apologize.
We’ll just proceed with our Orders of the Day. I’ll say the correct number this time, Item 10.
Tabled Document 187 – 2(4): Photographs of Metal Waste Dump in Cambridge Bay (Peterson)
Earlier this week, I rose to draw the attention of the House to the issue of Cambridge Bay’s metal waste dump. I am tabling a collection of photographs today which clearly reveal the conditions at the dump.
Bill 27 – An Act to Amend the Land Titles Act – Second Reading
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Amittuq, that Bill 27, An Act to Amend the Land Titles Act, be read for the second time.
Mr. Speaker, this bill modernizes the Land Titles Act by allowing electronic filing of documents and removing the requirement for filing duplicate certificates of titles. This bill also clarifies certain provisions, corrects errors, and updates references for Nunavut. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The motion is carried and Bill 27 has had its second reading and is referred to a standing committee.
Bills 23, 24, and 25. Before we proceed with Committee of the Whole with Mr. Barnabas in the Chair, we will take a lunch break and return to the House at one o’clock.
>>House recessed at 11:55 and Committee resumed at 13:05
Chairman (Mr. Barnabas): Good afternoon.
We would like to continue with Bill 23 and the review of the Main Estimates for the Department of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs, followed by the Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Kattuk. (interpretation ends) Are we in agreement we first deal with the Main Estimates for the Department of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs?
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Premier. (interpretation ends) Does the committee agree to bring in the witnesses?
Chairman (interpretation): Sergeant-at-Arms, please escort the Premier’s officials to the witness table.
Mr. Premier, if you would like to make any comments, you may do so.
Before I begin, there are some visitors in the Gallery I would like to have recognized if it’s okay with you.
My colleagues, at this time, I would ask that we pause to recognize a number of visitors who have joined us in the Gallery this afternoon.
On November 6, 2007, this House began its sitting day by holding a minute of silence in honour of the memory of RCMP Constable Douglas Scott, who was tragically shot and killed in Kimmirut while in the line of duty.
Constable Scott’s family is travelling to Nunavut to visit the community of his last posting and acquaint themselves with Nunavummiut and the members of the RCMP with whom he served.
Joining us in the Gallery today are:
Constable Scott’s father, Doug Scott Senior;
His mother, Marla Scott;
His brothers, Layne and Chat;
His paternal uncle, Chris; and his maternal uncle, Glynn Lindsay.
On behalf of all Members of the Legislative Assembly, I would like to take this opportunity to welcome the Scott family to Nunavut.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you as we honour the memory of your son.
At this time, for the record, Mr. Premier, please introduce your witnesses.
I would also like to thank and welcome the family members. I had an opportunity to meet them personally and I thank them very much for that opportunity.
I wish to welcome them to Nunavut and our Legislative Assembly.
With me this afternoon is my Deputy Minister, whom you well know, David Omilgoitok, on my left and on my right is the Director of Corporate Services, Scott Marriott.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Premier. (interpretation ends) Members, we will continue with page B-4 of the Main Estimates for Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs.
If there are no names, we will proceed with B-4.
Chairman: Branch Summary.
Total Operations and Maintenance, to be Voted. $578,000.
I would like to welcome our visitors.
I’m glad you have come up here. I know it’s probably not an easy thing to do, but I’m very pleased that you can come up here and visit us and see our part of the country also.
My first question here, Mr. Chairman, in 2007-08, they had $326,000 budgeted for Compensation and Benefits, it went down to $286,000, and this year, they’re projecting $430,000.
I’m just wondering if the minister could give us, and I’m sure it has to deal with staffing because it’s all compensation and benefits, an explanation as to why it was higher then went down, and it’s now going up again.
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) As I said in my opening comments, there’s one new PY added to this, which is from the Statistics Bureau, to keep an eye on the socio-economic benefits of mining activities.
This was done through an agreement with ED&T as we want to gather statistics of mineral activity throughout the territory.
The Statistics Bureau is the ideal place to take advantage of the expertise in collecting numbers and utilizing already existing facilities and resources. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Before I ask my next question, I just want to say hi to my aunt Dorothy who just popped in to the Gallery from Rankin Inlet. Hi aunty.
Mr. Chairman, one of the priorities that they’re looking at here that they had for 2007-08 was to “Develop regulations related to the Statistics Act and its implementation.” I’m just wondering if the minister can give us an update of what work has been done in that area.
Welcome to the Gallery, Dorothy.
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) From what I understand, we’re still working on those at this time. Welcome, Dorothy. If your nephew gives me a hard time, please talk to him. (interpretation) Thank you.
Mr. Premier, I think she might help me out, so I would be careful.
I’m sure, Mr. Chairman, between yourself and Mr. Akesuk, you might have some questions for Dorothy as well.
Mr. Chairman, can the Premier indicate when they hope to bring forward these regulations?
Is it something that they hope to have completed during this upcoming fiscal year?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) We’re probably aiming for the fall of this year. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I’ll probably be asking questions about it on the next page, but I know that some of the work that was identified through the Suicide Intervention and Prevention Strategy was they looked at gathering information. I’m just wondering if the Statistics Division of the department will be doing any work in that area.
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) From what I understand, that is the intention and we have to work with all of the affected departments in doing that. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Tootoo: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Also, one of the priorities for this division for the upcoming year is to “Participate in the development of the Nunavut General Monitoring Program established under the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement.”
I’m just wondering if the Premier can give us a little bit of an outline of what’s involved in there and what’s going to be done.
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) From what I understand, yes, we plan to do that but we have to work with the parties to the agreement to make sure that we do it properly. So that’s our intention - to work with our partners and do as required by our land claims agreement. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Can the minister indicate if any work has been done to date in that area?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) From what I understand, there have been preliminary discussions but there are in depth discussions to take place with our partners in March of this year. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
We’re on page B-5. (interpretation ends) Branch Summary.
Chairman: We’ll go to page B-6.
Total Operations and Maintenance, to be Voted. $1,313,000.
Chairman: We’ll go to B-7.
Total Operations and Maintenance, to be Voted. $3,967,000.
Just a quick question and that is: there seems to be a decline in the Cabinet and these individual ministers visiting our communities promoting government or giving information about government; is the budget being cut here?
I don’t see any budget cuts but why does it seems to be that the ministers don’t seem to be visiting more than they used to?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) We haven’t cut travel budgets for ministers, so it’s not the budget. I know that we have been busy here and there but we try and make visits wherever we can.
The ministers are here, so they can get the message that you have to do more. I enjoy visiting communities very much, particularly Pond Inlet in the spring. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
We’re on (interpretation ends) Branch Summary.
Total Operations and Maintenance, to be Voted.
I think all members in the Assembly are aware, especially the ones on this side of the House, that the ministers get other benefits that the regular members don’t.
I would just like to ask the Premier if the extra benefits that the ministers get come out of this area.
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) Compensation and Benefits outlines all the benefits that are there not just for minister but also their staff. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Can the minister indicate what specific additional benefits the ministers receive?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) I think the reports that are produced every fall outline the overall benefits that we all get as members and ministers.
So that is what’s produced. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Does that report indicate whether ministers get so much money for housing allowance, or do they get vacation time and things like that?
Is that outlined in the report?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) The financial results are in the papers and published for everyone’s benefit. In terms of vacation, we are entitled to vacation like everyone, but at the same time, when ministers have to relocate to here, we provide the housing to them as well. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Can the minister indicate exactly what type of vacation benefits that the ministers get and exactly how much housing allowance they get?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) We don’t get a VTA; we just get time off.
So I can confirm that that’s the only benefit, really, out of the vacation time that we do have.
In terms of housing, it varies per family size.
We have asked them to relocate their families here and that’s what some of the ministers have done.
So it varies per minister and the family. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I would just like to ask the Premier if that information is provided in the report that he talked about and tabled in the fall.
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) The report that was tabled in the fall outlines the financial benefits and salaries that we do get as ministers, but it doesn’t outline the housing benefit that is provided to ministers. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Would the Premier commit to providing the information in a report or some form to be tabled in the House that outlines all of the additional benefits that the members of Cabinet receive?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) I’ll take that as advisement at this time.
I don’t know the particulars that are required by law as to privacy and those other matters, but I’ll do what I can. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
In my mind, this is public money and the public has the right to know exactly how that money is being spent.
If there are no privacy issues, would the minister commit to providing a report like that to the House outlining all of the additional benefits that members of Cabinet receive?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) I will do what I can, as I said, and do what I can do with the constraints that I may have. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Just going to the vacation time that the minister alluded to earlier, can he indicate how much vacation time that ministers are allowed to claim a year?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) I know it’s not any more than regular employees.
I don’t have all of the particulars at this time, but I must say that we don’t take any more than we are required. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I’m not sure how it works for government employees, but I don’t know if they, instead of taking vacation time, are allowed to just get a payout of that time.
Is that something that the ministers have available to them as well?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) We’re treated like government employees, so we get the same benefits here and there.
I’m sure that we don’t get any more than what our employees are entitled to.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. Premier Okalik.
My question was: are ministers able to get a payout for their vacation time?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) Yes, we’re treated like government employees and get the same benefits out of our government. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Would the minister be willing to provide a list of which ministers took their vacation time and which ones took the payout?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) Like any employee, there are privacy matters.
I cannot divulge all of these things for the benefit of privacy issues and I’ll have to get this looked at. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I can understand the minister’s caution, but if there are no privacy issues of just providing a list of which ministers took their annual leave and which ones took a payout of their annual leave, would the minister commit to providing that information to the House?
As I said, if there are privacy matters, I cannot divulge certain information in some cases. I’ll have to get this looked at very carefully as any employees are entitled to privacy of their affairs. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
We’re on page B-7. (interpretation ends) Branch Summary.
I had my hand up on the same page but I don’t think you saw me, so I am not doing this on purpose.
(interpretation ends) On the same page, B-7, (interpretation) under Travel and Transportation, the revised main estimates for 2007-08 was $789,000 and it’s now $787,000, which is $2,000 less.
I’m sure that all of the communities and the members request that ministers come and visit their communities. I know that members request ministers, as I do myself, but we have not had any ministers visit the communities.
This funding under Travel and Transportation, since it’s Government of Nunavut and they also govern the communities, it seems like they should be travelling out to the communities.
What is this Travel and Transportation line item, $787,000, estimated for this main estimate directed towards?
These estimates are created using our travel budgets in total and when we’re invited, we try to visit the communities.
This year, we were invited by Arviat for the student graduation ceremonies. I was able to attend and I was extremely grateful to be a part of the ceremonies.
We appreciate all of the invitations and we sometimes do have the time to travel to the communities. We will continue to do that during our tenure.
Yes, we were very glad to see you come and visit our community but we would like to have your other departmental ministers visit our communities, especially the Minister of Community and Government Services because the communities expect to see the Minister of Community and Government Services.
The Minister of Education also used to visit the communities when the schools started, but the communities really expect those ministers to come and visit the communities periodically.
My question is: how many ministers have visited the communities and how much did it cost? Could you table that kind of information?
We are very interested in seeing that kind of information and the communities, especially for those who know the ministers, expect to see the ministers come and visit their communities.
Generally, they know that the minister is scheduled to come in, is coming in this week, or has been delayed due to funding issues. As Members of the Legislative Assembly, we can say that there was not enough money to travel.
So if you could provide that information to us, I would appreciate it so that we can disseminate the information to our constituents. Can you provide us with that information?
We would have to fix that. It may take some time if the members wanted us to work towards making changes in the policy and regulations, but we can undertake that process.
We inform each other as to our travel plans, either to the communities or when we wish to invite other members when visiting the communities in their constituencies, and this is our usual policy. If we could add it to the report, then I will request that it be added.
I’m not saying you ought not to do that but please understand that we would like to see the ministers in our communities and we would welcome all ministers and our government leaders from Iqaluit who travel to our communities.
I know that you have already met with Members of the Cabinet and our new fiscal year is already coming close on April 1.
Do you have any plans on whether you or the ministers would be visiting the communities in Nunavut and when? Have you planned which communities to visit and for which event or activity?
At this point, we haven’t decided where we will go.
As you may know, we are sometimes forced to make unscheduled travel, so we have to make allowances for those unexpected occasions.
At other times, we are more than happy to accept invitations, especially when we have not paid a visit for quite a few months. It makes things much easier when we get invited ahead of time. So whenever your constituents wishes to invite us over, having a few months lead time really helps us prepare and make the time.
We are on B-7. (interpretation ends) Branch Summary.
Total Operations and Maintenance, to be Voted. $227,000.
Is this Compensation and Benefits for the commissioner’s assistant?
I understand that the commissioner is an employee of the federal government, so is this $127,000 for the EA?
Mr. Kattuk: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. On this page, B-9, there seems to be an increase to $424,000. What would these additional funds be used for?
Are they for the secretariat priorities for the coming year?
I’m not sure exactly what he is referring to, I’m sorry.
Could you clarify your question, please? Mr. Kattuk.
It’s the department’s Energy Secretariat; it has increased to $424,000.
I spoke to this matter previously in regard to another position for addition to the Energy Secretariat. This position will assist in the planning of how to conserve energy and petroleum as we need to conduct more research into alternative energies.
Also in Intergovernmental Affairs, outside of Nunavut, other jurisdictions, this position is responsible for them.
In the Legislative Assembly, I sometimes voice our concerns regarding our environment, but I would like to understand something.  In regard to some of the concerns we have raised about matters under the jurisdiction of the Quebec Government, what will the GN do to deal with this in the future?
How are you going to work with the Quebec Government in the future to discuss some of the Nunavut Inuit concerns?
We have tried to represent all of the communities’ concerns and wishes in relation to this matter, especially in this upcoming year. The Department of Environment will also set aside monies pertaining to this development project, including our staff, Sanikiluaq in particular, and some of these issues will be brought forward.
The federal government does not notify any of the communities, especially the smaller communities.
Although we have computers and satellite technology in most of our communities, there are Inuit who still don’t use them.
My question is: do you inform the federal government about our government’s plans and infrastructure requirements in the smaller communities?
As an example, although I never heard any news from our government, one of my constituents was surfing the Web and found some news items regarding ports in remote communities in Canada, including Nunavut.
This news item stated that there are 987 fisheries ports and 183 recreational facilities for boaters. Over 6,000 docks and harbours have been erected in the communities and over $3 billion operational funds for the ports in these communities.
Yet, we have never heard any of these programs in the communities from our government, so I am posing a question to Intergovernmental Affairs.
These federal programs already in existence, whether they pertain to docks and harbours, or for that matter, any other useful program to Nunavummiut which can be utilized by our people… shouldn’t our government keep us informed of programs we can access since the federal government is not keeping our people informed of these useful programs?
In some ways, this is impossible because in some matters, we run our own affairs and resolve the problems within the Government of Nunavut.
The federal government doesn’t always notify us either. If we are trying to access these programs and if we were trying to be included in any of these programs but we did not keep up with them, then we would be the ones being blamed.
This is part of the problem, although we want to assist the communities where we can and we try to assist them in anyway. Where we are familiar with the program, we advise our constituents, that if you go to this department or office, even though it is not under our programs, the federal government would try and assist them.
Although we assist Nunavut entities and people, we do not run these programs and we are not aware of all of the details of these programs and we do not want to send people to the wrong places. There is bit of a problem with communication between governments.