EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
I am pleased to appear before the members today to speak to the following three supplementary documents: Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act #4, 2004-05; this supplementary appropriation will provide additional funding of $504,000 for the year-end adjustments for the unfunded liability of the Members of the Legislative Assembly Supplementary Pension Plan.
The Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act #2, 2005-06; this supplementary appropriation will provide additional funding of $4,772,000 for such items as the following:
$661,000 for the establishment of the new Devolution Division
$835,000 for increased energy costs for law enforcement, legal services board, and court services
$652,000 to fund early learning and childcare initiatives
$1,098,000 to lease and furnish 40 to 50 additional staff housing units in Iqaluit on a short term basis
The Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act #2, 2005-06; this supplementary appropriation will provide additional funding of $58,188,000, of which $54,338,000 is for capital carryovers from the 2004-05 fiscal year.
This is for capital projects that were not completed in 2004-05 and there is no negative effect on government operations as funding is being transferred from prior years’ capital appropriations.
Mr. Chairman, I would be pleased to answer any questions that the members may have.
Would you like to bring your officials to the table, Mr. Simailak?
Hon. David Simailak: Yes, I do.
Chairman: Does the committee agree to bring witnesses to the table?
Chairman: Sergeant-at-Arms, can you please escort the witnesses.
Mr. Simailak please introduce your officials for the record.
On my right is Bob Vardy and on my left Mr. Roy Green.
Chairman: Before we proceed, I would like to remind you again; according to the following: Rule 77 (1), you have 10 minutes to speak and according to Rule 77 (2), subjective to the discretion of the Chair, a member may speak more than once on the item under the discussion but not until every member who wishes to speak has spoken.
I suggest to members wherever possible you ask you detailed questions during the page-by-page review of the following estimates.
We are at Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act #2, 2005-06.
Human Resources. Capital.
Directorate. $32,000.
Chairman: Page 5.
Directorate. $143,000.
Chairman: Total Directorate. $143,000.
Chairman: Registration and Court Services. $945,000.
Community Justice and Corrections. $377,000.
Chairman: $377,000.
Chairman: Total Department. $1,000,465.
Capital. Special Warrant.
Directorate. $422,000.
Chairman: Total Directorate. $422,000.
Chairman: Total Department. $422,000.
Education Capital.
Special Warrant.
Corporate Services. $1,558,000.
Chairman: Total Corporate Services. $1,558,000.
Chairman: Total Department. $1,558,000. (interpretation) Do you agree?
Item not previously authorized.
Special Warrants. $30,626,000. (interpretation) Do you agree?
Chairman: Not previously authorized. -$1,120,000. (interpretation) Do you agree?
Chairman: Total Directorate. Special Warrants. $30,626,000. (interpretation) Do you agree?
Chairman: Total Department. Special Warrants. $30,626,000. (interpretation) Do you agree?
Environment. Capital.
Program Development. $1,955,000. (interpretation) Do you agree?
Chairman: Total Program Development. $1,955,000. (interpretation) Do you agree?
Chairman: Total Department. $1,955,000. (interpretation) Do you agree?
Chairman: Page 11 and 12.
Special Warrants. $13,065,000. (interpretation) Do you agree?
Chairman: Not previously authorized. $1,840,000. (interpretation) Do you agree?
Chairman: Page 12.
Special Warrants. Total Capital Planning and Technical Services.
(interpretation ends) One moment please.
I think on 12 there’s an amount there to support funding of $1.84 million for the buy-out of the Sivummut tenant leasehold improvement lease. Mr. Chairman, I’m just wondering...the $1.84 million, is that the total amount for the lease improvement? Is it the government that’s totally 100 percent off the hook for all of those tenant improvements that were done there?
Yes, that is the total amount; $1.8 million for Sivummut; $1,840,000 for it.
I don’t know if the minister over there, I’m pretty sure Mr. Vardy has vivid recollections of the Auditor General’s 2004 Report in which she indicates in October 2000, a separate tenant improvements agreement was signed.
So, is he saying that the landlord agreed to finance improvements for the interior of the building in the cost of $2 million? That was in 2000 and we are now in 2006. So, does that mean in six years, sorry five years, 2005, it’s getting close to Christmas, getting interest I guess.
In five years, he has only paid down $200,000 out of the $2 million?
I will get Mr. Vardy to answer that question.
The exact amount that owed in October 2000 I don’t have here but there are fifteen years left on the 20-year agreement. It’s not unusual on a 20-year agreement that you would only get a couple of hundred thousand paid towards the full amount in that period.
What our analysis showed is that there would be a 34 percent saving by buying out the remaining fifteen years.
That is what the government was able to negotiate in this case, effective October 1, 2005.
Does the minister or his staff know what the monthly payments were for that lease that they bought out?
The amount that we paid to buy out the lease was $1,840,000, which was around $632,000 cheaper than paying the lease over the 15-year period.
It would be roughly $2.5 million over 15 years, which is roughly $60,000 a year that we would have paid.
That $60,000 that you mentioned would have paid a year for those improvements.
Actually I just noticed in the Auditor General’s report that the lease was just under $20,000 a month for twenty years, which is more than $60,000 a year.
For that $2 million of improvements, I’d like to know what was leased. I understand that there is a price for financing some work for you. We’re using their money, instead of them using ours.
What was the total cost to the government, with the buy out, and what we’ve paid already for that $2 million worth of improvements?
Yes, I was doing the math in my head and I agree with the member. It was more than $60,000, probably around $170,000 a year using the math there.
The question, what was the total cost of the lease, over a 20-year period would have been, it would have 20 times the $170,000, which would be $3.4 million.
So $3.4 million, that means we paid $1.2 million in five years for someone to do improvements to a building that was pretty old and decrepit already?
That building is the new building. It’s the Nova building.
The value of the improvements for the first five years, you have to add that in. So the premium the government paid was a bit less than the amount that you specified, but still the Auditor General’s recommendation is that we would look at the fair market value of those types of arrangements.
There was a reason why after five years we decided to buy out the lease; in this case it was a better arrangement than continuing to pay the negotiated lease arrangement.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Vardy.
Mr. Tootoo: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I apologise to the minister’s staff. For a moment there I was thinking about a different building.
I’ve got too many questions in my mind.
Is this the same building that the Auditor General indicated in her report that we paid an additional almost $200,000 for. It was offered that the deputy minister of the day authorized, I think it was $175,000 more to the purchase price, than was authorized by the Financial Management Board. Is that the same building?
Yes, this is the same building.
It was on the original lease on the building, whereas this is dealing with the leasehold improvements.
We paid an extra $175,000 on top of what was approved by Cabinet, which was a considerable amount, just for a shell?
And then we’re paying for another $2 million for the work to get done on the inside.
Is that correct? Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
The lease covered more than the shell but it didn’t include all of the leasehold improvements within the building.
Probably the Department of Community and Government Services would be in a better position to explain where the boundary between the two leases existed.
Maybe the minister can request that information from Community and Government Services to provide to the members for interests sake.
Mr. Chairman, I’d like to take this opportunity to recognize the clock and report progress.
The motion is not debatable. All those in favour raise your hand please.
Thank you, Minister Simailak, Mr. Vardy, and Mr. Green.
Mr. Chairman, Mr. Arreak.
Your committee has been considering Bill 1, and would like to report that Bill 1 is immediately ready for third reading and Mr. Speaker; I move that the Report of the Committee of the Whole be agreed to.
Orders of the Day for December 1:
Motion 5 – 2(3)
Motion 6 – 2(3)
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. This House stands adjourned until December 1, 2005, at 1:30 in the afternoon.
Thursday, December 1, 2005
Pages 692 – 776
Opening Prayer 692
Ministers’ Statements 692
Point of Privilege 692
Members’ Statements 695
Returns to Oral Questions 704
Oral Questions 707
Revert to Item 5: Recognitions of Visitors in the Gallery 727
Petitions 728
Tabled Documents 728
Motions 730
Point of Order 738
Point of Order 739
Tabled Documents 740
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 741
Report of the Committee of the Whole 774
Third Reading of Bills 774
Orders of the Day 775
Thursday, December 1, 2005 692
049 – 2(3): Absence of Minister Brown (Kilabuk) 692
050 – 2(3): Nunavut’s Promise to Children & Youth (Picco) 693
051 – 2(3): Kitikmeot Health Centre (Aglukkaq) 694
052 – 2(3): St. John Ambulance Recognition (Tapardjuk) 694
082 – 2(3): Arviat in Need of a Breakwater (Alagalak) 695
083 – 2(3): Working Together in the House (Mapsalak) 696
084 – 2(3): Christmas Greetings (Peterson) 696
085 – 2(3): Merry Christmas and Best Wishes (Aglukkaq) 697
086 – 2(3): Hospitality of Iqalummiut (Netser) 697
087 – 2(3): DVD Christmas Gift to the Members (Tootoo) 698
088 – 2(3): Labrador Celebrate 1st Day of Nunatsiavut (Curley) 698
089 – 2(3): Christmas Wishes (Barnabas) 699
090 – 2(3): Christmas Greetings (Kilabuk) 699
091 – 2(3): Sports and Volunteer – International Competition (Picco) 700
092 – 2(3): Best Christmas Wishes (Okalik) 701
093 – 2(3): Best Christmas Holidays (Evyagotailak) 701
094 – 2(3): Merry Christmas Wishes (Arreak) 702
095 – 2(3): Merry Christmas Greetings to Nunavummiut (Akesuk) 702
096 – 2(3): Working Together in the Legislative Assembly (Tapardjuk) 703
097 – 2(3): Wishes a Happy Christmas Session (Simailak) 703
Return to Oral Question 092 – 2(3): Passports for Arctic Winter Games Participants (Tapardjuk) 704
108 – 2(3): Administration Office Transferred To the Kitikmeot (Barnabas) 707
109 – 2(3): Nunavut’s Deficit Situation Resulting in Hiring Freeze (Tootoo) 708
110 – 2(3): Religion in the Schools (Netser) 710
111 – 2(3): Review of Funding Strategy for Safe Harbours (Alagalak) 713
112 – 2(3): Food Mail Program Point of Entry Winnipeg (Curley) 714
113 – 2(3): Northern Strategy Funding (Peterson) 716
114 – 2(3): Include Mine Training in Adult Learning Strategy (Barnabas) 719
115 – 2(3): Inuit Employment Plans (Tootoo) 721
116 – 2(3): Sixty Thousand Contract – Call for Tender (Curley) 724
117 – 2(3): Update on Access Road Funding (Barnabas) 726
Petition 002 – 2(3): Severe Shortage of Social Housing – Gjoa Haven (Aglukkaq) 728
062 – 2(3): First Ministers and National Aboriginal Leaders Strengthening Relationship and Closing the Gap Communiqué (Okalik) 728
063 – 2(3): Presentation to Members of Legislative Assembly of Nunavut on Mining by Miramar Mining Corporation (Peterson) 728
064 – 2(3): Kivalliq News Editorial on Literacy (Tootoo) 729
065 – 2(3): Letter from Seemee Angmarlik Concerning Time Change (Kilabuk) 729
066 – 2(3): Letter to Minister of Health & Social Services regarding Children’s Advocate for Nunavut (Peterson) 729
067 – 2(3): Photos of Damaged Boats in Arviat (Alagalak) 740
005 – 2(3): Rescinding of Motion 011 – 2(2) (Curley) 730
006 – 2(3): Mid-Term Leadership Review of the Executive Council of Nunavut (Curley).........731
007 – 2(3): Amendment to Motion 006 – 2(3) (Tootoo) 735
Bill 02 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act #2, 2005-06 – Consideration in Committee 741
Bill 03 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act #2, 2005-06 – Consideration in Committee 741
Bill 04 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act #4, 2004-05 – Consideration in Committee 741
Bill 01 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2006-07 – Third Reading 774
Bill 02 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act #2, 2005-06 – Third Reading 774
Bill 03 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act #2, 2005-06 – Third Reading 775
Bill 04 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act #4, 2004-05 – Third Reading 775
Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Honourable Olayuk Akesuk, Mr. David Alagalak, Mr. James Arreak, Mr. Levi Barnabas, Mr. Tagak Curley, Mr. Joe Allan Evyagotailak, Honourable Peter Kilabuk, Mr. Steve Mapsalak, Mr. Patterk Netser, Honourable Jobie Nutarak, Honourable Paul Okalik, Mr. Keith Peterson, Honourable Edward Picco, Honourable David Simailak, Honourable Louis Tapardjuk, Mr. Hunter Tootoo.
Speaker (interpretation): Good afternoon, Mr. Premier, Ministers, and Members.
Minister’s Statement 049 – 2(3): Absence of Minister Brown (Kilabuk)
I wish to advise the members that the Honourable Levinia Brown will be absent from the House today.
I’d like to ask to rise on a Point of Privilege. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.)\
Speaker (interpretation): Mr. Tootoo, to your Point of Privilege.
I rise today again under the Rules of the Legislative Assembly to raise a Point of Privilege pursuant to Rule 20(1). I can assure the House that this time my point of privilege today will be a lot briefer.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to first say that I have always appreciated the efforts of the hard-working journalists in the press gallery who cover our sittings, and who put long hours into their work.
I believe the media play a vital role in keeping our constituents informed of our deliberations, and serve to help keep the government accountable for its actions, especially with respect to issues that need to be fully aired and discussed.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to provide a clarification with respect to this morning’s radio coverage of yesterday’s deliberations.
As the House will recall, I posed questions with respect to the government’s hiring practices in relation to positions under the jurisdiction of the Minister responsible for the Nunavut Liquor Commission.
The radio coverage this morning inaccurately stated that an employee of the Commission wrote to me on this issue.
I want to make it perfectly clear that an individual who is not employed with the Commission brought this situation to my attention. The individual, who is a beneficiary of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement, brought to my attention concerns regarding the operation of the government’s priority hiring policy.
This individual applied for the position that I referred to yesterday, and, as a result of his experience, wrote to me to express his frustration with how he was treated.
When I looked into his concerns, it did come to my attention that another qualified beneficiary who is employed with the commission for over half a decade also applied for this position.
However, this individual did not approach me.
I sincerely hope that this individual will not be inconvenienced or harassed as a result of this matter being raised.
Mr. Speaker, it takes courage for ordinary residents to speak up when they see examples of unfairness and injustice in their own government, a government that is supposed to be accountable to them.
These sorts of situations appear to occur with disturbing regularity. I will continue to do my best to be their voice here in this Legislative Assembly.
Minister’s Statement 050 – 2(3): Nunavut’s Promise to Children & Youth (Picco)
Nunavut’s Promise to Children and Youth is an inter-departmental committee which brings together Education, Health and Social Services, Justice and Culture, Language, Elders and Youth to work cooperatively towards a unique commitment to Nunavut’s Children and Youth.
Mr. Speaker, Iqanaijaqatigiinniq, Working Together for a Common Cause, is guiding us as we bring together this government’s effort to promote the health, learning, safety and wellness of children and youth in Nunavut.
The coordinator of this committee will work with key people in the communities, including youth coordinators and groups as well as Members of the Legislative Assembly, hamlet councils, educators, healthcare workers, social workers, Early Learning Childhood workers and parents to bring their priorities for children and youth to the government decision making table.
Mr. Speaker, by working together with through this committee, we can share expertise and make the best use of available resources to develop programs and services that respond to the needs expressed by the community.
Thus, making it easier for the communities to share their priorities with us will help us incorporate Inuit societal values into our activities and support our children and youth to make positive choices in life.
Mr. Speaker, I look forward to working with my colleagues to help fulfill these priorities.
Minister’s Statement 051 – 2(3): Kitikmeot Health Centre (Aglukkaq)
On October 12 we held the grand opening of the Kitikmeot Health Centre in Cambridge Bay. Unfortunately, due to a blizzard I was not able to meet with my staff in order to offer my personal thanks to a job well done in getting organized for the grand opening.
The staff at the health centre also is to be commended for their role in ensuring that everything went smoothly. They made the grand opening last month a very special event for everyone that was there to participate.
I hope the members of this House will join me in thanking the staff of the Kitikmeot Health Centre and the Kitikmeot Regional Office for their dedication and hard work in seeing this important project through. The Kitikmeot can now provide health care closer to home to the benefit of us all.
Minister’s Statement 052 – 2(3): St. John Ambulance Recognition (Tapardjuk)
I am pleased to announce that this past Tuesday I accepted a special territorial award of thanks from Commissioner Ann Hanson, in her honorary role as Commander of Northern Council of St. John Ambulance.
I accepted this award on behalf of the Department of Human Resources in recognition of our initiatives in the delivery of first aid and CPR.
Since 2001 my department has been active in the delivery of first aid and CPR training throughout Nunavut. Employees of the Government of Nunavut, hamlets, beneficiary organizations, and the private sector have attended this training.
Our plan is to continue to support training that promotes a safe and healthy workplace for more than 300 work sites, and to continue to train instructors to deliver training of first aid and CPR throughout the territory.
I would like to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of my staff and congratulate them on this achievement and thank them for their leadership in this important area.
Member’s Statement 082 – 2(3): Arviat in Need of a Breakwater (Alagalak)
I rise today to raise a concern that has been expressed to me by the community of Arviat on the need for a safe harbour. (interpretation ends) Members will recall being in Arviat for our full caucus retreat last year.
As you know the community was once known by the name of Eskimo Point.
The original point is a part of our local landscape.
A second Eskimo Point was built fifteen years ago at the point along the shore where we could have a wharf.
Another wharf was to be built the following year alongside of the first wharf that was built to make two side-by-side bridges to make a boat shelter, but this never happened up to this date.
We never got our third Eskimo Point and we never got adequate shelters for our boats for all this time.
Arviat has been left without an adequate breakwater along the shores of our community.
Evidence of damage caused by not having a breakwater is on display at our old airstrip with wrecked boats set along the strip.
At the appropriate time I will be tabling photographs of the wreckage.
At the present time boats have to be pulled up every time the hunters arrive on shore.
Many hunters do not have the expensive equipment needed to pull their boats up on arrival. This means that boats are constantly rubbing up against the shore and that their operating lives are considerably shortened as a result.
I would like the minister responsible for ensuring that our community harbours are safe to take action on this issue, and resolve the lack of a decent breakwater in Arviat.
Member's Statement 083 – 2(3): Working Together in the House (Mapsalak)
Today will likely be our last sitting day of 2005.
I want to take a few moments to talk about the need to truly work together.
Mr. Speaker, when I was first elected to this House in 2004, I was excited and nervous. I was excited because I believed that my constituents in Repulse Bay and Kugaaruk trusted me to do my best on their behalf.
I was nervous because I certainly didn’t want to make any mistakes in this important House.
Mr. Speaker, in the last two years, I have become less nervous. I recognise that everyone is human and nobody has all the answers to the many challenges we face.
Mr. Speaker, two years ago, we passed a motion calling for us to work together.
We have many challenges that we need to address over the next two years in office. We will not be able to make a positive change unless we face them together.
Member's Statement 084 – 2(3): Christmas Greetings (Peterson)
I rise today to wish you and all Members of the House a very safe and joyous Christmas season back in your home community with family, friends and constituents.
Mr. Speaker, I also want to extend special Christmas greetings to my constituents in Cambridge Bay. I look forward to returning home shortly to celebrate this time with them. This season is one that is rich with community events and celebrations, especially for the kids.
Mr. Speaker, I would be remiss if I did not wish all of our hard-working public employees the very best during the festive season.
While it may not sound like it at times, we sincerely value their services to the people whom we represent. A strong and caring public service in Nunavut makes life better for all Nunavummiut.
Mr. Speaker, on Christmas Day, while most of us are enjoying the comforts of home, nurses will be on call in our health centers. Police officers will be on patrol.
Airports will
be staffed.
Emergency services workers will be ready to respond to situations. I respect their dedication. They have truly earned a visit from Santa.
Mr. Speaker, the coming year will be an exciting one.
We have many challenges ahead. As a Legislative Assembly, we will be back to work here in the capital in just a few short weeks. We may have differences at times, but in the end, I believe that all of us want to make a positive difference for our communities and constituents.
I want to wish all Nunavummiut the very best for a prosperous New Year in 2006.
>>Applause.  Speaker (interpretation): Thank you.
Member's Statement 085 – 2(3): Merry Christmas and Best Wishes (Aglukkaq)
I, too, want to send my best wishes and Christmas greetings to a number of people.
First of all, I would like to wish my colleagues of the Assembly a very merry Christmas and safe travels back home, to my constituents in Taloyoak and Gjoa Haven, constituency staff, Helen Tiriraniak and Johnny Kootook, to my staff upstairs, Phil and Annie, as well, to my family and my friends who are always there for me.
I also want to express my sincere appreciation and to recognize those individuals while we’re celebrating Christmas festivities that will be providing essential services to Nunavummiut.