EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
It is for their support. It is not going to change and it will remain that way.
I understand exactly why you’re asking why it was not already set that way, but all the changes have to be considered by the government and all the policies, as we discussed before, will have to be approved by the government.
We have no other reasons because the government has to approve those requests.
That is why it is the case.
Minister, can you elaborate further? Can you tell me where this $500,000 is? I can’t find it.
Can you show me where that line item is?
Our finance comptroller will elaborate further on that.
The reason why I keep saying that it’s not going to increase is that the contents, the ones that require the most spending in particular, will not change.
Our finance comptroller will elaborate further.
Ms. Nweze: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Based on the review, we are planning to reallocate some of our grants and contributions budget to different programs. One of the line items our minister mentioned here is Community Organized Hunts, which is $45,000.
We will move this to Disaster Compensation. We are also going to re-profile the budget for the Community Harvesters Assistance Program, which is $250,000. We are also creating a new grants and contributions program called Supports for Active Harvesters Program.
I don’t have the whole figure because this hasn’t been approved.
Once all the grants and contributions policies are approved, we will then re-profile our budget on the grants and contributions.
There are some changes that have not been approved by FMB or the government.
Once it’s done, there will be more changes in our contributions, but we cannot make the changes before the policies are approved.
That’s why we didn’t reflect it in our main estimates.
I hope this will be my last question.
We are to approve your proposed main estimates and what you’re saying is different from the main estimates.
I don’t know what I’m going to do now.
The ones that you will be re-profiling… .
Well, let me ask this question. The $500,000 you mentioned, I still haven’t found it yet.
Am I the only one who does not understand that?
With the ones that were mentioned by the financial controller, it seems like there’s still $300,000 missing.
You said that you were going to re-profile close to $300,000.
I still haven’t found that $500,000. There’s about $164,000. Where is that?
As I keep mentioning, for the disaster compensation and wildlife equipment damage compensation and for the community harvesters assistance, the $251,000, the $150,000 that I first mentioned, if you look at the item in I-6 for $251,000; (interpretation ends) Community Organized Hunts, $45,000; and Wildlife Damage Prevention, $60,000, (interpretation) they’re a little bit over $500,000 in total.
There are going to be some changes on that.
There’s only $40,000 at the top for natural disaster compensation for the harvesters.
Wildlife damage prevention and community organized hunts would be included up there too. If you total them, it would reach $100,000.
Even though the expenditures can be approved, changes can be allowed and approved by the government.
That’s why I keep mentioning the $500,000.
I have a difficult time understanding finances, but I’ll probably understand them slowly.
I believe that the department’s budget has to be approved by FMB first before they come to the House and that the cabinet has to approve it.
Was this not the case?
As I said before, we wanted to implement this on April 1, but at this time, we have no choice but to implement it after that date.
I don’t know how many times I have mentioned that when I explain the reasons for that. For that reason, there are no changes because we want to deal with that diligently.
We have also identified what you can expect to be changed in the main estimates.
If you can approve the main estimates, according to the changes that I mentioned, they have to go through FMB.
The funding will not increase or decrease. In total, we would use $506,000.
That’s what I keep trying to say.
Yes, I think I finally understand. If we’re going to approve this, we’re going to approve it. You have stated that you’re going to be moving budget items around.
This is after we approve it in the House and then the FMB will have to approve it because the House already approved it.
You’re going to be moving budget items around.
That’s what you’re going to do, right?
That’s the way it has to be. It’s now going to have to be after March 31.
As we said earlier, the changes that were recommended in that review are the reason why we have taken this position now.
The results of that review can only be available after April 1, as I said. It contains some very important items, which is also part of the reasons.
Thank you for clarifying that for me. We will be aware that this will be approved by FMB. The $45,000 will be moved and $251,000 will be moved to another budget item, as well as $60,000 from some other place.
I think it will be approved. We will know that FMB will approve that because it was already approved in the House and FMB cannot change that.
I now understand that.
I think you understood it and I’m glad. When you’re trying to control things and you have to follow policies, April 1 is the date for the Harvester Support Program review; it’s really connected to that date. It really affects our work.
We want this to proceed and that’s why we have explained to you what kinds of changes we anticipate.
There will be no requests for extra money.
That’s why I’m requesting this support.
Chairman: Thank you. We’re on Environment.
Branch Summary. Corporate Management. Total Operations and Maintenance, to be Voted. $4,408,000.
Chairman: Mr. Mikkungwak, do you have a question that hasn’t already been asked?
If you will allow me, I’ll give it a try.
With all these budget line transfers on I-6, in listening to the minister, is it correct that all these other programs where the budget line transfers will be occurring will be deleted as programs that are provided to communities across Nunavut?
As I stated earlier, the review was very difficult. It took two years. With the budget items that have been approved in the past, the money has never been all spent and some of the budget items were never even touched.
The figures just stayed the same.
As I said earlier, because of climate change, we have added to the annual harvester support of $40,000 from other budget items so that more money will be available because those other programs have not been used.
That’s why we want to be able to move them into this other budget item.
Those programs that we’re thinking of cancelling have always had money in the budget and the money just sat there.
That’s why we feel that we can look at those items and move them.
Corporate Management. Total Operations and Maintenance, to be Voted. Mr. Alex Sammurtok, do you have a question that has not been asked already?
The minister just stated that some of this (interpretation ends) Community Harvesters Assistance, $250,000, (interpretation) is never entirely used by the communities.
How do the communities know that there is money available for these programs?
The regions are aware of this money. The municipalities and HTOs are involved and they are aware.
The review that was done with the Harvester Support Program calls for better communications so that people are aware of these programs.
The Department of Economic Development and Transportation has assistance for country food and even if we get rid of that program, the Department of Economic Development and Transportation can do something similar.
On page I 5. Branch Summary. Environment.
Program Management. Mr. Qirngnuq.
I tried to ask this question earlier, but I was not following procedures.
Getting back to the $360,000 in funding for climate change initiatives, how exactly is that money spent?
I would really like to know.
That is one of the big things that we’re requesting.
It’s something our government has started working on and it needs to be funded. That would enable us to hire two people.
The Arctic is the most affected region by climate change. It has already been affected by climate change.
We feel the effects the most.
For those reasons, we need to hire people to look at climate change.
It has become obvious that we have to keep track of the effects of climate change. We have to make sure we’re keeping track of climate change. Are we adapting to climate change?
Things like the ice forming later and melting sooner, and the ice that used to be very thick and accessible is barely accessible now.
The weather conditions have been changing. It’s generally warmer. We have to make sure that we are aware of that.
We have to make sure that we serve the people of Nunavut properly along those lines and the only way we can do that is to have employees doing it, and that is why we need to hire two staff members.
I believe they are going to be newly created positions that will have to be set up properly.
What about the smaller communities? How are they going to be involved or how are they going to be informed about the work that is being done for climate change?
I would like to know that.
Hon. Johnny Mike (interpretation): Thank you. I thank the member for that question.
The communities in Nunavut and all their people have to be involved, so that’s why we’re going to be promoting it.
Even just in Nunavut, we can see that the land that was always frozen melts now. That is one reason.
There are other reasons for this.
We need to plan better for this if climate change is going to continue into the warming trend.
I would like my deputy minister to explain those two positions further, if you can give him an opportunity. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Previously, we always used to have to request money from the federal government. If this budget can get approved, we would be able to hire our own people.
In the communities, there are things that need to be looked at because of climate change like the foundations of buildings, for example. We need to be able to adapt to that and make considerations for it.
In addition, we want to see what the other regions in the Arctic are doing along these lines and keep communications open with them. The communities have to be involved. We have to work with them on what to do when land is melting.
We know it’s going to cost money to hire two people in addition to their day-to-day office work expenses.
That is the way it’s set up.
I hope I responded properly.
Let me ask for clarification on your opening comments about the $360,000 that I was concerned about earlier. Someone else asked about it.
I still don’t know what actual work they will be doing.
While we are on the topic of parks, let me try to translate what is in your opening comments into Inuktitut.
“In addition, the department will receive $431,000 funding that will help alleviate ongoing deficit to the Parks and Special Places…” and it goes on.
Where are you going to get that $431,000?
Why did you keep getting a deficit for that item?
I would like my deputy minister to respond to that, if you can give him an opportunity.
We have to work with parks for (interpretation ends) Clyde River, Hall Beach, Sanikiluaq, Coral Harbour, Arviat, (interpretation) and Kugaaruk. They are making requests for funds.
In the Baffin, we don’t have employees. In the Kivalliq and Kitikmeot, we do have employees.
I can’t really tell you why we don’t have any employees in the Baffin region.
We are requesting funds for a Baffin manager.
My question was with regard to the $431,000. Where is that money coming from?
I will refer this question to Nikki.
The $431,000 we are requesting as new funding is not coming from our budget. It’s new funding we are requesting to help us hire one manager for parks for Baffin Island, and $300,000 is to increase the parks core funding for their operating expenses.
We haven’t had any increase in the parks budget for at least several years until now. We have made that additional content for them to be able to operate effectively and efficiently.
Just to remind the minister, we don’t use the first name basis in the House.
I asked that question because you stated that you would get an additional $431,000. You assumed that we would agree to it.
In English, it says that you “will receive,” but I haven’t approved that yet.
Just for further clarity, the $431,000 will be used for a PY and for operations.
So which line item is it here in the main estimates?
I will refer this question to Ms. Nweze.
We included all our programs in the main estimates in Program Management.
If you go to the business plan on that park, you will see the increase by $131,000 and the operating expenses increase by $300,000 in the business plan.
Can you give us what page?
Ms. Nweze or Minister Mike.
Hon. Johnny Mike: Sorry.
We’re just looking for what page Ms. Nweze is referring to.
Hon. Johnny Mike (interpretation): Ms. Nweze will respond to that question.
I’m sorry, I think I have a different business plan.
I just printed our own business plan. It’s on page 161.
I don’t know if you have the same page number that I have.
You will see in Operations and Planning, 2016-17, it’s $1,596,000. In 2016, we have $1,165,000. That’s where the increase goes.
If you go to down to our main estimates, we have summarized all our program management budget under one summary here under program management. If you go back and look at the business plan separately, we break it down there by division.
Maybe I wasn’t listening carefully. What is this manager going to be doing again, if you would remind me?
This individual will be the Baffin Island parks manager.
Are you asking for a manager for Baffin? Is it because our parks are large and there’s so much to do that you need someone to work solely for the parks?
Hon. Johnny Mike (interpretation): Yes, today, it is. It’s going to be established near Clyde River.
We have the Pangnirtung Auyuittuq Park. We have a park between Iqaluit and Kimmirut, Katannilik Park.
We also have some parks in tourist-related special places that are included in the parks division.
We definitely need an employee to work on those parks and special places.
Mr. Enook (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) First of all, Mr. Chairman, let me say my appreciation to Ms. Nweze for your distinct accent, which sometimes I have a problem understanding and that’s all it is.
So if you don’t mind me repeating a question, it’s only because of that, and it’s not a criticism of your distinct accent.
(interpretation) Mr. Chairman, for further clarity, in the minister’s opening comments, the $431,000 will be used to help alleviate the ongoing deficit to the parks.
Even though it’s written like that, now we’re saying that these monies will be used to hire a manager and to operate the office.
How is that going to alleviate the ongoing deficit to the parks?
Ms. Nweze will respond to that question.
That division’s budget, every year, they literally have deficits. They don’t have enough core funding. We decided this year to increase their operations and maintenance budget by $300,000 and $131,000 would be used to hire one PY for manager of Baffin region.
That’s why we’re requesting $431,000 to increase the budget. That’s all it is.
I will move on to another item.
In your business plan, just for further clarity, under Environmental Protection on page 154, it talks about climate change adaptation.
On page 155, under your priorities for 2015-16, the first bullet states, “…air quality monitoring to include Kivalliq and Kitikmeot communities.”
My first question is: if it’s related to climate change, is it because you’re concerned about the air quality?
Hon. Johnny Mike (interpretation): For 2015-16, we knew that there was a dump fire here in Iqaluit and that was of major concern.
At that time, we were concerned about air quality and, yes, it would be used mostly for air quality for 2015-16.
I’m not talking about that at all.
You stated that you’re going to be monitoring the air quality in several communities in the Kitikmeot and Kivalliq regions.
Are you concerned about the air quality in those regions that you would like to do monitoring?
Have there been indicators that there is a need to do air quality monitoring?
I’ll refer this question to my deputy minister.
Mr. Nirlungayuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I also thank Mr. Enook for that question. If I understood his question correctly, for the Kitikmeot and Kivalliq regions, we have done air quality studies.
We have baseline information to date.
As the minister indicated earlier, we like to know what we’re breathing in.
We have to know how the air quality is in the communities.
This is just a question.
Some of us, since we became members, have had sandstorms in our communities.
How can we get support for people with breathing problems?
They cannot even be outside because of the dust. Even when there’s no wind, dust is rising in the air from moving vehicles. It is not the case in every community, but there are many of people in that situation.
Is that not a concern? Is that why it hasn’t been studied?
I’m not sure whether the Department of Environment is responsible for dust being kicked up from the roads.
I think it is somebody else’s responsibility.
Chairman: Thank you. At this time, we will be taking a 15-minute break.
>>Committee recessed at 17:54 and resumed at 18:30
Committee Motion 003 – 4(3): Deferral of the Consideration of the Proposed 2016-2017 Main Estimates of the Department of Environment (Enook)
I move that consideration of the proposed 2016-17 Main Estimates for the Department of Environment be deferred and that the Committee of the Whole proceed with the consideration of the proposed 2016-17 Main Estimates of the Department of Culture and Heritage.
Please provide a copy of the motion to the table.
As the motion is not translated, we will take a short break to have it translated.
>>Committee recessed at 18:31 and resumed at 18:44
Order. The motion is in order.
The motion is very clear and I would just like it to be supported.
Chairman: Thank you. Comments on the motion.
There being none, I wish to inform the committee that I have no more names on my list.
Does the mover have any last reply? Mr. Enook.
Mr. Enook (interpretation): No.
Chairman: The debate is now closed.
Sergeant-at-Arms, please excuse the witness from the witness table.
Bill 13 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2016-2017 – Culture and Heritage – Consideration in Committee
Chairman (Mr. Mikkungwak): I would now like to ask the Minister of Culture and Heritage if he has officials that he would like to appear before committee. Mr. Mike.
(interpretation ends) For the record, minister, please introduce your officials. Minister Mike.
To my left is the (interpretation ends) Acting Deputy Minister, Stéphane Cloutier, (interpretation) and to my right is the (interpretation ends) Director of Corporate Services, Regilee Adla. (interpretation) Thank you.
You may proceed with your opening comments, Minister Mike.
Good evening, colleagues and those who are watching the proceedings.
Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to appear before the committee to present the Department of Culture and Heritage 2016-17 main estimates and business plan.
The department’s main estimates for 2016-17 is $25,697,000, which consists of $11,784,000 for salaries and benefits, $6,751,000 for operations and maintenance, and $7,162,000 for grants and contributions.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Chairman, as was recently reported in the news, my department has signed a memorandum of agreement with the Winnipeg Art Gallery.
This agreement has been created in the spirit of the Manitoba-Nunavut MOU for Cooperation and Development.
(interpretation) Mr. Chairman, through innovative and collaborative education, training, and exhibit programs, we have the opportunity to provide greater public accessibility to the collections and to promote broader awareness of Inuit art and culture.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Chairman, in keeping with “Self-reliance and optimism through education and training,” the department aims to work with our partners, including the Inuit Uqausinginnik Taiguusiliuqtiit, to improve Nunavummiut’s language skills and enjoyment of Inuktitut literature in an oral format through a computer text-to-speech program based on Greenland’s model. (interpretation) We will continue to strengthen our partnerships with the Government of Greenland and (interpretation ends) the Greenland National Theatre School in the development and delivery of an exchange program with Inuit students.
(interpretation) Within our Official Languages Branch, we are continuing to coordinate the implementation of language programs and services across the government, including the development of a set of guidelines and regulations on the delivery of communications and services in the official languages that implement the Official Languages Act and the Inuit Language Protection Act.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Chairman, since the creation of Nunavut, Culture and Heritage has worked on strengthening our Archives program.
We are working on the development of a guide to Nunavut genealogy that will complement Nunavut’s rich family and social history and to conform to comparable genealogical services of national, provincial, and territorial archives.
This work will complement our family relations and genealogy workshops.
(interpretation) Mr. Chairman, Culture and Heritage brings focus to the coordination and effective implementation of initiatives that incorporate Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit into Government of Nunavut policies, programs, and services.
Culture and Heritage will assist departments in developing and implementing Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit goals and initiatives outlined in the IQ framework through the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Katimajiit and Tuttarviit.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you very much. (interpretation ends) Does the co-chair of the standing committee have opening comments?
As Co-chair of the Standing Committee on Social Wellness, I am pleased to deliver the standing committee’s opening comments on its consideration of the 2016-17 Main Estimates and 2016-19 Business Plan of the Department of Culture and Heritage.
The standing committee notes that the Department of Culture and Heritage’s proposed 2016-17 operations and maintenance budget of $25,697,000 has not changed since the introduction of its 2016-17 main estimates.
The number of positions in the Department of Culture and Heritage is 90.8.
This number remains unchanged from the previous fiscal year.
The Department of Culture and Heritage is responsible for coordinating the government’s initiatives to meet its obligations under the Official Languages Act and the Inuit Language Protection Act, including the tabling of annual reports on the government’s activities, programs, and policies related to language of work, territorial and federal language promotion funds, and the provision of language services within the public sector.
The government’s 2011-12 annual report on the administration of the Inuit Language Protection Act was tabled in the Legislative Assembly on June 12, 2014.
The standing committee emphasises the importance of providing this information to the public and encourages the minister to table the government’s 2012-13, 2013-14, and 2014-15 annual reports on the administration of the Official Languages Act and Inuit Language Protection Act in a timely manner.
The department’s draft 2016-19 business plan indicates that one of its goals for the 2016-17 fiscal year is to update the government’s Uqausivut Plan.
This plan guides the government’s work to coordinate, monitor, and implement its obligations as provided in the Official Language Act and the Inuit Language Protection Act.
The standing committee looks forward to reviewing this updated plan with care.
The Department of Culture and Heritage is responsible for coordinating and providing translation services in the Inuit, French, and English languages.
The department is also responsible for administering the government’s Translation Policy, which expired on December 31, 2014.
The standing committee encourages the department to update this policy at the earliest opportunity.