EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
For a number of years the department has been planning to introduce amendments that would provide for the regulation of cheque-cashing fees.
Members of the standing committee appreciate that the department also took this opportunity to bring the current legislation up to par with similar legislation in other jurisdictions by introducing those new provisions that will allow Nunavummiut to seek relief from unconscionable loans and protection from unfair business practices.
Mr. Chairman, Bill 25 will provide the minister with the power to introduce regulations that may limit or prohibit cheque-cashing fees in Nunavut.
The department has indicated that it plans to introduce regulations that would limit cheque-cashing fees for government cheques.
The standing committee emphasizes that any regulated cheque-cashing fee must take into account the financial reality and needs of Nunavut residents, specifically the high cost of living that Nunavut residents experience.
The standing committee also emphasizes that government cheques should be defined to include local housing organizations, and therefore is in full support of an amendment to clause 4 of Bill 25.
The standing committee recommends the passage of Bill 25, as amended, to all members.
I don’t see anyone raise their hand. (interpretation ends) I have no more members on my list for general comments.
We will now proceed with the clause-by-clause review of Bill 25.
I believe everybody has their legislation binders now. (interpretation) Bill 25, (interpretation ends) An Act to Amend the Consumer Protection Act. Clause 1.
When the minister was done with his opening comments, I was supposed to ask this question then. Minister Savikataaq, welcome and good afternoon.
I would like to get clarification on cheque-cashing fees. We usually go to the Co-op store and the Northern.
Those are the two stores that are very prominent in our communities. They are the largest stores.
I’m not sure about your community, but they are the largest retailers in my community.
Currently we have federal legislation for cheque-cashing fees and I believe there are no fees for cashing federal cheques.
What about fees for Government of Nunavut cheques? What is the process for them here?
My understanding is that there are no actual regulations on Government of Nunavut cheques. Some retailers do not charge for cashing government cheques, but there are no regulations. The regulations that are in place for cheque-cashing fees are federally regulated and they are aimed at the banks and not the retailers.
Obviously you do consultations once you feel the new legislation is ready for public presentation and you take into consideration what you hear from the public, whom we represent, and we are obliged to take into consideration what we hear from the public before we consider any legislation.
Have you ever considered that there are no fees for cashing Nunavut government cheques, especially in the larger stores such as the Co-ops and Northern?
Yes, it was part of the consultation process. If I can redirect this question to Ms. Jodi Durdle-Awa because she was directly involved in the consultation process.
Ms. Awa.
Ms. Durdle-Awa: It is something that we have considered.
It wasn’t brought up in terms of feedback from the general public, but it is something that we have considered.
The feedback we did receive from the retailers indicated that they’re not in favour of any sort of limit to what cheques fees can be applied to.
It is certainly something that we would be willing to consider. We haven’t started the regulation process yet and that will be forthcoming once we’re completed this bill.
The stores like the Co-op and Northern would not be in support of this in order not to have cheque-cashing fees for government cheques, which leads me to my next question.
As we are all aware, we have Co-op stores in the majority of the communities in Nunavut. Our Co-ops are our own stores; we own the stores. We control the stores and they’re not controlled by outsiders.
Each Co-op can make regulations or policies on their own for anything because this store is owned and operated at the community level. They’re not controlled by outsiders.
Have you consulted with all the Co-op stores in each community? Were the responses similar to each other or were they totally different from each other?
Did you consult with each Co-op store in Nunavut? I’m not talking about the Northern stores because they’re out of our control, but the Co-op stores are our own.
As this is part of the consultation process again, I will pass this one on to Ms. Jodi Durdle-Awa, as she was directly involved in the consultation process.
Ms. Durdle-Awa.
Ms. Durdle-Awa: Thank you.
Appendix C of the last correspondence we had with the standing committee includes the report on consultations.
We started with letters to the retailers, to their headquarters in Winnipeg. We did do phone surveys of the local Co-ops and it’s outlined on page 2 of the appendices.
We were able to contact a total of 17 Co-ops. We had trouble getting any information from some of the Co-ops.
Each Co-op, as the member suggested, has their own rules and so they differ in terms of the fees that they charge. All the information that we collected is outlined in the appendices.
Six of the Co-ops charge no fees on government cheques. One charged a flat fee of $2.50 for non-Co-op members.
Six Co-ops charged flat fees for all cheque cashing and their prices ranged from $2 to $10. Two of these would waive the fee if part of the cheque’s value went into a particular Co-op service.
One Co-op specified that it has to be 10 percent of the cheque’s value. One Co-op would only cash cheques that were deposited at the Co-op and would only allow withdrawals of $200 per day.
Two Co-ops charged percentage-based fees and 1 percent for non-government cheques and 1.5 percent for government cheques.
Two Co-ops used a two-tiered fee system ranging in price from $2.50 to a maximum of $15 or 2 percent depending on the value of the cheque.
I’m a bit confused now, as usual. For example, in Pond Inlet we have the Co-op that we control, operate, and own.
Why is Winnipeg included? Is the Co-op owned by Nunavummiut or are we members of the Winnipeg one even though the Co-ops are independent?
If I can ask another question at the same time, although I hear that there are various cheque-cashing fees in different Co-op stores, I note that the Northern stores are included, but I’m not asking questions about Northern stores because we don’t own and control them and we can’t do anything about them, at least me personally.
The Co-ops charge different fees. I was asking about what you said that you would like to do.
What was the input from each of the Co-ops in the communities?
Did they agree or make any recommendations during the consultations as community-owned Co-ops?
The reason ACL in Winnipeg would have been in contact and consulted with is because, I believe, all the Arctic Co-ops in Nunavut are part of ACL.
I don’t know the exact relationship in terms of what they dictate to the ACLs.
I guess the closest way to try to explain it in my view is the ACL is the mother company of all the Arctic Co-ops in Nunavut. That’s how I see it.
The cheque-cashing fee has been brought up many times and we have heard that where there are elders or people who are not well off are getting charged huge amounts for cashing cheques.
This is one of the reasons why we are dealing with it. How we’re going to deal with it is once the amendments are passed to the Act, we can make regulations limiting what people can charge for cheque-cashing fees.
We are treading a fine line here because, during the consultations, the retailers said that this is a service they provide for Nunavummiut.
They don’t have to cash cheques if they don’t want to and they said that if it becomes too financially burdened or too cumbersome, then they may stop providing the service.
When the regulations come out, we will be treading a fine line and coming up with a balanced approach to regulate the cheque-cashing fees.
I just wanted to get clarification.
Since you are treading through a fine line here, do I understand that our Co-op stores that we own in our communities are saying, “If you do this, we will stop cashing cheques”?
Did you hear that coming from our Co-op stores in Nunavut?
My understanding is that recommendation came from ACL and other retailers, but the ones from the Co-op came from ACL that it’s a service that is provided and if it becomes too financially burdened, then they wouldn’t do it.
They said that what they want to avoid is liabilities in terms of they take people’s cheques, give cash out, and then they have to bring more cash in if the cash leaves the community.
That is a liability. It’s just something that they’re willing to keep charging roughly what they charge now.
Right now the average for northern retailers is $3 a cheque or 1.5 percent of the cheque value.
That’s the average right now. Some charge more and some charge less, but that is the average currently.
Lastly, do I understand, when you were doing the consultations, our Co-ops in the communities themselves were not able to talk to you on their own? Were they not able to express their opinions and you had to get it from Winnipeg instead in terms of what they can do? It wasn’t our Co-ops up here that said that, the ones that we operate or manage, and it was ACL in Winnipeg that said that.
The local Co-ops gave what they charge, but none of the local Co-ops put forward a recommendation.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you very much. Next on my list is Mr. Okalik.
I would like to recognize the clock and I move to report progress.
Mr. Mikkungwak: Mr. Speaker, your committee has been considering Bill 25 and would like to report progress.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) This House stands adjourned until Thursday, June 8, at 1:30 p.m.
Appendix – June 7, 2017
Thursday, June 8, 2017
Pages 4523 – 4590
Speaker: The Honourable George Qulaut, M.L.A.
Opening Prayer 4523
Speaker’s Statement 4523  Ministers’ Statements 4523
Members’ Statements 4527
Returns to Oral Questions 4538
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 4539
Oral Questions 4539
Written Questions 4562
Tabling of Documents 4569
Report of the Committee of the Whole 4588
Third Reading of Bills 4588
Assent to Bills 4589
Orders of the Day 4590
Thursday, June 8, 2017 4523
333 – 4(3): Educational Upgrade Program (Hickes) 4523
334 – 4(3): Success in Education for Nunavummiut (Quassa) 4524
335 – 4(3): New Policy Development Program for Public Servants (Taptuna) 4525
336 – 4(3): SPOT Devices (Savikataaq) 4526
337 – 4(3): Energy Wise Campaign (Mike) 4526
338 – 4(3): 60th Annual Mine Rescue Competition (Peterson) 4527
593 – 4(3): Petition Concerning Creation of North Baffin Inuit Organization (Enook) 4527
594 – 4(3): Canada Day 2017 (Mikkungwak) 4528
595 – 4(3): Importance of Volunteers (Akoak) 4529
596 – 4(3): Happy 21st Birthday to Daughter (Mapsalak) 4529
597 – 4(3): Support for Sports (Qirngnuq) 4530
598 – 4(3): The Importance of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (Shooyook) 4530
599 – 4(3): 2017 High School Graduates of Clyde River (Keyootak) 4531
600 – 4(3): Canada 150 Commemorative $10 Bank Note (Joanasie) 4532
601 – 4(3): In Support of Our Hunters (Angnakak) 4533
602 – 4(3): Celebrating Kugluktuk’s Tiffany Ayalik (Taptuna) 4534
603 – 4(3): 2017 High School Graduates of Arviat (Savikataaq) 4535
604 – 4(3): Economic Development Activity in Pangnirtung (Mike) 4536
605 – 4(3): Appreciation of Support (Peterson) 4537
606 – 4(3): 2017 Graduation Ceremony in Rankin Inlet (Sammurtok, A) 4537
Return to Oral Question 776 – 4(3): Funding for Community Arena Upgrades (Savikataaq) 4538
790 – 4(3): Need for Inuktitut Daycare in Baker Lake (Mikkungwak) 4539
791 – 4(3): Contracting Processes (Enook) 4541
792 – 4(3): Supporting Volunteerism in the Public Service (Akoak) 4543
793 – 4(3): Community Transportation Initiatives Program Policy (Mapsalak) 4544
794 – 4(3): Sanikiluaq’s Water Supply (Rumbolt) 4545
795 – 4(3): Support for Sports (Qirngnuq) 4547
796 – 4(3): Nunavut Business Credit Corporation (Angnakak) 4549
797 – 4(3): Integrating Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit across the Government (Shooyook) 4550
798 – 4(3): Status of Learning Coach Positions (Joanasie) 4552
799 – 4(3): Public Housing in Rankin Inlet (Sammurtok, A) 4553
800 – 4(3): Police Conduct Investigations (Okalik) 4555
801 – 4(3): Expansion of Martha Taliruq Centre (Mikkungwak) 4555
802 – 4(3): Inuit Curriculum Lost (Okalik) 4557
803 – 4(3): Activities of the Climate Change Secretariat (Angnakak) 4559
804 – 4(3): Issues with Medical Travel (Akoak) 4560
805 – 4(3): Justices of the Peace Appointment and Remuneration Committee (Mikkungwak) 4561
027 – 4(3): Administration of the Child and Family Services Act (Okalik) 4563
028 – 4(3): Administration of the Coroners Act (Okalik) 4563
029 – 4(3): Enforcement of the Liquor Act (Okalik) 4563
030 – 4(3): Administration of the Canada-Nunavut Territorial Police Services Agreement (Okalik) 4563
031 – 4(3): Vandalism-related Damage to Public Housing Units (Okalik) 4564
032 – 4(3): Annual Report under Section 6.3 of the Client Travel Policy (Enook) 4564
033 – 4(3): Administration of the Nunavut Down-payment Assistance Program (Joanasie) 4565
034 – 4(3): Enforcement of the Wildlife Act (Mikkungwak) 4565
035 – 4(3): Community Transportation Initiatives Program and Small Craft Harbours Program (Mapsalak) 4566
036 – 4(3): Annual Report under 6.4 of the Medical Travel Policy (Sammurtok, T) 4567
037 – 4(3): Out-of-territory Services provided by the Ottawa Health Services Network (Angnakak) 4567
038 – 4(3): Nunavut Public Service (Angnakak) 4568
332 – 4(3): Petition Concerning Creation of North Baffin Inuit Organization (Enook) 4569
333 – 4(3): Image of Canada 150 Commemorative $10 Bank Note (Joanasie) 4570
334 – 4(3): Family Abuse Intervention Act Annual Report 2015-2016 (Peterson) 4570
335 – 4(3): 2016-2017 Annual Report – Ethics Officer for the Nunavut Public Service (Peterson) 4570
336 – 4(3): 2017-2018 Letters of Expectation for Territorial Corporations (Peterson) 4570
337 – 4(3): Nutrition North Letters (Taptuna) 4570
338 – 4(3): Report of Members’ Absences from Sittings of the House and Meetings of Committees and Caucuses for the Period January 1, 2017 to March 31, 2017 (Speaker) 4571
339 – 4(3): Financial Statements for the Legislative Assembly Retiring Allowances Fund for the Year Ending March 31, 2017 (Speaker) 4571
340 – 4(3): Financial Statements for the Legislative Assembly Supplementary Retiring Allowances Fund for the Year Ending March 31, 2017 (Speaker) 4571
341 – 4(3): Speaker’s List of Outstanding Statutory Tabling Requirements (Speaker) 4571
052 – 4(3): Extension of Question Period (Mikkungwak) 4555
053 – 4(3): Extended Adjournment – Notice (Mikkungwak) 4571
053 – 4(3): Extended Adjournment (Mikkungwak) 4572
Committee Motion 017 – 4(3): Bill 29, An Act to Amend the Motor Vehicles Act, Clause 77 Amendment (Ell-Kanayuk) 4587
Bill 25 – An Act to Amend the Consumer Protection Act – Consideration in Committee 4572
Bill 29 – An Act to Amend the Motor Vehicles Act – Consideration in Committee 4574
Bill 25 – An Act to Amend the Consumer Protection Act – Third Reading 4588
Bill 29 – An Act to Amend the Motor Vehicles Act – Third Reading 4588
Before we proceed, I will be making a statement.
(interpretation ends) I am very pleased to take this opportunity to invite Nunavummiut to visit our Legislative Assembly building to view an exhibition of qajaqs that are now on display.
A number of qajaqs are on display that represent different styles and methods of construction, including a qajaq that is believed to have been built over half a century ago in Kugaaruk.
This piece was recently returned to the Arctic thanks to the support of the Inuit Heritage Trust.
The exhibition also includes artwork that will be enjoyed by all visitors, and I again encourage Nunavummiut and visitors to Iqaluit to a freely, warmly welcome at the Legislative Assembly. (interpretation) Thank you.
Minister’s Statement 333 – 4(3): Educational Upgrade Program (Hickes)
Increasing Inuit employment, retention and development is important for the Department of Health to build a stronger, self-reliant health system.
Further, the department is committed to the development of a supportive Inuit employment plan that encourages and develops Nunavut Inuit. To this end, the Department of Health has developed an educational upgrade program that provides educational opportunities to support and increase the number of Inuit public health workers in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, the Educational Upgrade Program offers Nunavut Inuit exciting opportunities for career advancement and promotion, and to be active participants in their career choices.
To be eligible for the program, employees will hold either a High School Diploma or mature student status.
The Educational Upgrade Program uses a laddering approach to educational advancement (i.e. moving from a certificate qualification to diploma and eventually attaining a university degree).
Students who successfully complete this diploma program will have an opportunity to transfer credits to Thompson Rivers University in British Columbia to complete the Bachelor’s Degree in Health Sciences.
Mr. Speaker, currently 15 Health employees are enrolled in the Diploma Program in Community Health Promotion at the Native Education and Training College (NETC) in Ontario.
Students are expected to graduate from the program by January 2019.
Mr. Speaker, measures and supports are in place to promote student success.
Academic tutors have been recruited and are providing comprehensive academic support to our students.
Recently the students completed a five-day final examination prep course here in Iqaluit to support and prepare them for their first semester exams.
Mr. Speaker, education was targeted as a key commitment and priority of our government, as outlined in our Sivumut Abluqta four-year mandate.
I am extremely pleased that the Department of Health is working to advance career opportunities for Nunavut Inuit in health. Going forward, the Department of Health has identified mental health and addiction as the priority area for the next academic training in preparation for the September 2017 intake.
Minister’s Statement 334 – 4(3): Success in Education for Nunavummiut (Quassa)
Good day to the residents of my community and fellow members.
Mr. Speaker, I stand before you and my fellow members today because I wish to express my pride in our young people and my thanks for the dedication of our educators and educational staff across the territory.
Every day our young people are working towards achieving excellence in their education, and they are being supported by a dedicated team of educators and staff.
Earlier this week we recognized and celebrated a young student from Iqaluit, who is on a fast-track to medical school, and with the close of this school year Igloolik, Sanikiluaq, and Clyde River will see the highest graduation rates in their schools’ histories.
Mr. Speaker, all of the people that work in our education system are focused on the success of our students.
Together we are implementing key tools to support students and continually improve the quality of our education system and resources.
For example, we are proud of the development of over 300 Inuktitut books for our guided reading program, the initiation of the development of the guided reading program in Inuinnaqtun, and the upcoming implementation of our updated K to 6 Inuktitut Language Arts Curriculum.
Mr. Speaker, I appreciate this opportunity to stand before the House and recognize all the success of our students and the positive work of our staff and educators across our great territory. We often hear negative comments about our education system or the loss of our language and our culture, but I want us to remember our successes too.
I want our children to know we are working hard for their futures, and I want to make sure that we don’t forget how important it is to encourage each other as we work towards achieving all our dreams for the future of Nunavut.
I am grateful to work with such devoted people and to partake in celebrating the success of our students.
Mr. Speaker, I think we can all look forward to the positive contributions our students will make to our communities in the future.
Premier and Minister of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs, Mr. Peter Taptuna.
Minister’s Statement 335 – 4(3): New Policy Development Program for Public Servants (Taptuna)
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, as Minister of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs, I rise today to introduce to my fellow members a new comprehensive policy development program for Government of Nunavut employees.
Government of Nunavut policy-makers must have the knowledge, skills, and cultural competence to develop legislation, policies, and programs that respond to and reflect the unique circumstances and needs of Nunavummiut.
Policy-makers must also enable a healthy, culturally attuned work environment in Nunavut’s public service. We must develop Inuit to become policy-makers through a combination of training and career development programs.
Mr. Speaker, this policy development program will provide modular, classroom-based learning in three series:
Policy Foundations – for Inuit employees interested in exploring a career in policy;
Policy Training – for policy professionals and policy managers; and
Policy Leadership – for senior leaders who provide oversight for policy development and implementation.
Mr. Speaker, my department issued a request for proposals in January to design and deliver the policy development program and awarded to PGF Consultants Incorporated and the Institute on Governance.
We are currently in the curriculum design phase and aim to launch the program for its first intake in the fall of 2017.
Dalhousie University will also review the program for consideration towards advanced standing accreditations to some of their post-secondary programs.
Mr. Speaker, the new policy development program supports the Fourth Assembly’s mandate, Sivumut Abluqta, by developing public policy-makers to enable a strong, sustainable, and representative public service in Nunavut.
Minister’s Statement 336 – 4(3): SPOT Devices (Savikataaq)
I want to remind people that they have a responsibility to be prepared when going on the land.
It is important to have a trip plan and that you let your family members know where you are going and when you expect to return. You need to bring extra fuel and supplies and it would be wise to know how to fix your machine if it breaks down. If you are new to travelling on the land, go with someone who is experienced.
Mr. Speaker, satellite phones are expensive, so I don’t expect that everyone would have access to them. That’s why my department provides SPOT devices that are available in every community free of charge. When you sign one out, you are responsible for bringing it back so that others can make use of it on their travels.
Mr. Speaker, as leaders in our communities, we have a responsibility to share the message of being prepared. We should do this to support search and rescue volunteers because the more we are prepared, the less pressure is on the overall system from the ground up.
Mr. Speaker, we all play a role in that system. We all are responsible for taking care of ourselves and our fellow Nunavummiut.
Minister’s Statement 337 – 4(3): Energy Wise Campaign (Mike)
I am pleased to announce that the Qulliq Energy Corporation has partnered with the Government of Nunavut’s Climate Change Secretariat and the Nunavut Housing Corporation to launch a new Energy Wise campaign.
(interpretation ends) The Energy Wise campaign aims to encourage Nunavummiut to become more aware of the energy we use and the impact of our energy consumption on our environment.
By reducing our energy consumption, we can lower the amount of fossil fuel we burn and decrease the amount of greenhouse gases we release into the environment and in turn lessen our impact on the changing climate.
(interpretation) In addition to helping the environment, saving energy at home also means saving money.
Small energy savings add up quickly to make a difference in reducing our energy bills.