EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
…the plebiscite authority can decide who can vote on the plebiscite.
Mr. Speaker, you don’t have to be a lawyer to understand this, but you have to listen very well. This means that the plebiscite authority has the ability to define who can vote in next year’s plebiscite.
My position is that voting should be limited to residents who presently have leases in municipal lands or are already landowners.
Can the minister give us the government’s position?
Hon. Tom Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) At this point, again, as previously mentioned, until such time that it is decided that the eligibility can or will be changed, I cannot indicate that it will be changed.
However, at this point, as it stands, a person has to be 18 years old and a resident of Nunavut for a year. (interpretation) Thank you.
We all know that time goes fast and March 2016 is 12 months away.
As the minister stated, he is waiting for EIA to assist in picking the plebiscite authority, but the ball has to start rolling. There’s so much work to be done and this is such an important vote.
We don’t want the preparations to be rushed because this is really important for all the people of Nunavut.
Is the minister working with EIA to try to get the plebiscite authority named as soon as possible?
Hon. Tom Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) As the member, I’m sure, is aware, this is a multi-jurisdictional issue. We are in conversation with EIA along with the Department of Justice on this issue. (interpretation) Thank you.
Question 406 – 4(2): Issues with Baker Lake’s Municipal Garage (Mikkungwak)
Mr. Speaker, the Baker Lake hamlet garage is used to store municipal vehicles like the water and sewage trucks, and it is the workplace for summer projects and even during the winter.
In the past month, the hamlet garage was inspected by workers’ compensation officials, which the safety inspector identified some of issues with the building.
After inspection, he noted the garage roof had mould and the cement flooring is deteriorating in some areas.
Can the minister tell us if his officials will be working with the Municipality of Baker Lake to deal the issues identified and to see that they are resolve?
Hon. Tom Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank my colleague for asking questions with regard to this. With regard to what he mentioned, it was brought to our attention just the other day on Monday, March 4.
I have instructed my department to deal with it and we are planning a trip into Baker Lake to better understand the scope of the problem.
During the recent fall sitting, the Legislative Assembly approved more than $27 million in funding for the department’s capital projects, including $5 million for minor capital projects.
At that time, the minister stated that this minor capital funding would be used to assist communities with minor infrastructure upgrades and repairs and for lifecycle renewal of GN-owned assets.
Will the minister look to allocating funds under his department’s minor capital budget to assist the Hamlet of Baker Lake in addressing the mould in its in-town garage?
Minister of Community and Government Services, Mr. Sammurtok
Municipal governments annually receive operations and maintenance funding to cover the upkeep of municipal facilities and buildings.
If they maintain their buildings properly, these problems would not surface so often.
With regard to his question, I can say that we are going to Baker Lake to better understand how big of a problem this is.
They will identify a work plan and it will become clear what sort of funding we will have to spend.
Can the minister outline his department’s capital planning process and whether those reasons will be taken into consideration when reviewing the garage replacement project for Baker Lake?
If the community feels that a garage is a priority and should form part of their capital plan, as per my usual response about (interpretation ends) Building Nunavut, (interpretation) that can be the process the hamlet can submit their request into.
Question 407 – 4(2): Mary River Project (Enook)
Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the leader of this government, (interpretation ends) Premier Taptuna.
(interpretation) As I noted in my Member’s Statement yesterday, I had the honour of hosting the Premier last summer on the occasion of his visit to the Mary River site near Pond Inlet.
As the House and perhaps all Nunavummiut are aware, Baffinland is proposing to lengthen its shipping season to possibly a ten-month shipping season to allow for year-round operations.
Mr. Speaker, I fully support the right of my constituents to make their views known on this issue and I strongly believe that my constituents need to have meaningful opportunities to provide input on proposals that are subject to regulatory review.
For that reason, let me ask the (interpretation ends) Hon. Premier: (interpretation) for the benefit of the listening public, can he update the House and my constituents in Pond Inlet on the status of the regulatory review of this issue?
Mr. Speaker, I’m not going to speak on behalf of the regulatory bodies that are out there.
I did receive letters, both from the proponent and the regulator, stating why there may be some delays, but I’m not going to be speaking on behalf of the proponent for the regulators.
As a government, we participate in the processes, but as Government of Canada members, we do not participate in the direct discussions.
I understand where the Member for Tununiq is coming from.
As we all know, Mr. Speaker, in Kugluktuk we established and made our mandate for employment.
With employment of a lot of people from Pond Inlet, I’m hoping that’s going to be continued because there are a lot of unemployed people.
With that, yes, I am aware that there are some delays there.
At what stage they’re at now, I just don’t know that.
I again thank the Premier publicly for taking the time and making the effort to become familiar with the opportunities and challenges that are facing my constituents.
I would like to ask this question for further clarity: can the Premier clarify what role the Government of Nunavut is playing in relation to the regulatory review of Baffinland’s request?
Premier of Nunavut, Mr. Taptuna.
Mr. Speaker, as a government, we have a role to play in the regulatory processes, including monitoring of projects that are approved by the regulatory bodies and the federal minister.
Mr. Speaker, when called upon by the regulatory bodies, we do participate, we do have a sustainable development committee that puts into action to participate along with other regulators, whether they be from federal departments, the Inuit organizations, and the landowners. We play a part in that.
This will be my final question.(interpretation ends) Can the Premier update the House today on what issues he has raised with the federal government in relation to the impact of the Mary River project on the community of Pond Inlet in respect to such matters as the need for new investments in strategic infrastructure?
My cabinet colleagues make a lot of effort in talking to our colleagues down in Ottawa by lobbying and talking about our situation here in Nunavut.
As we stated over a number of years, Nunavut is in a major infrastructure deficit and we talk a lot about that.
As I indicated two days ago in one of my statements, during our discussions as premiers in August, infrastructure was one of the priority items within our agenda for all the premiers and Nunavut.
The regulatory bodies are established through the land claims agreement.
We do not interfere with that, but we have full participation in projects that are proposed in the Nunavut Settlement Area.
Mr. Speaker, I fully understand that the project itself is on Inuit owned lands, both surface and subsurface. There has been an Inuit Impact Benefit Agreement signed with the Qikiqtaaluk Inuit Association.
We are hoping that the work continues. These benefits are for Inuit of the region.
Mr. Speaker, it is very clear in the regulatory institutions that within their website, any public member can participate. They can bring up their concerns and issues to the regulatory bodies by writing and calling.
That is one of the open and transparent things that we see through these regulatory bodies that were established under the land claims agreement. It gives public members, big or small, and small communities an opportunity to raise their issues with the regulatory bodies that are established under the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement.
Tabled Document 109 – 4(2): Natural Resources Conservation Trust Fund Annual Report – April 1, 2013 to March 31, 2014 (Mike)
I am pleased to table the Natural Resources Conservation Trust Fund Annual Report for the period of April 1, 2013 to March 31, 2014.
Bill 20 – Legislation Act – Notice
Hon. Paul Okalik: Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Monday, March 9, 2015, that Bill 20, Legislation Act, will be read for the first time. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Item 17.
Bills 14, 15, 16, and 18 with Mr. Enook in the Chair.
>>House recessed at 15:03 and Committee resumed at 15:33
First of all, Nunavummiut who are listening to the radio broadcast and watching the televised proceedings, welcome to your Committee of the Whole.
We wish to continue with the review of the 2015-16 Main Estimates of the Nunavut Housing Corporation and, if time permits, the Department of Family Services.
Are we in agreement that we first deal with the main estimates for the Nunavut Housing Corporation?
Bill 16 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2015-2016 – Nunavut Housing Corporation – Consideration in Committee
Minister Kuksuk, welcome to the Chamber.
First of all, do you have witnesses that you would like to bring to the table?
Hon. George Kuksuk (interpretation): Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. Good day to the people of Nunavut.
Today, I have with me on my right Ms. Lori Kimball, who is the President of the Nunavut Housing Corporation.
On my left is Tim Brown, who is the Manager of Policy and Planning.
Welcome to the Chamber, Ms. Kimball and Mr. Brown.
At this time, I would like to give you an opportunity to make your opening comments.
(interpretation ends) Thank you, Mr. Chairman and Committee Members. I am very pleased to meet with the members of the Committee of the Whole today to discuss the 2015-16 main estimates and business plan for the Nunavut Housing Corporation.
As I said earlier, I have with me Lori Kimball, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Tim Brown, Manager of Policy and Planning at the Nunavut Housing Corporation.
Looking at NHC’s business plan, you will notice a common thread in the development and acquisition of better tools to improve the administration of its three core business areas of public housing, staff housing, and homeownership.
NHC’s objectives for 2015-16 demonstrate a clear agenda for increased support for local housing organizations and a renewed client-based approach to service delivery.
The GN funding for the Nunavut Housing Corporation for the fiscal year 2015-16 will increase by $10,983,000 from the 2014-15 main estimates.
$338,000 to cover the net reduction in CMHC debt repayment
$2 million to facilitate new staff housing units
$6,813,000 to cover costs of new public housing units
$1,832,000 to cover new positions established as a result of NHC’s internal organizational review.
With the awarding of 248 new public housing units, all of which will be complete by December of 2015, and an operating cost of approximately $25,000 per unit per year, NHC will require increased funding to maintain and operate these units.
2015-16 will also see an increase in GN staff housing units with the recent completion of ten units and another eight new units under construction, as well as the potential for a significant number of new units to be leased.
To ensure the smooth completion of new construction as well as to ensure that NHC has the capacity to meet its operational requirements and move away from its dependence on casual employees, new funding was approved for the creation of 21 new positions, more than half of which will go to the decentralized communities of Cape Dorset and Arviat.
The need for these new positions was determined based on a comprehensive internal organizational review.
The review identified that increasing NHC’s human resources capacity is critical to the proper functioning of the corporation.
New positions will be hired incrementally over the next year.
This year will also see NHC take a stronger stance on the collection of rent and arrears, with a focus on individuals who have the ability to pay, but choose not to.
Arrears accumulated by public housing tenants and homeownership program clients threaten NHC’s ability to continue to support Nunavummiut in having a safe, suitable, and affordable home.
The over $25 million in rental arrears currently owed to NHC could pay for the construction of almost 60 new public housing units.
NHC is vigorously and actively pursuing the collection of these arrears and the collection rate has increased over the past year from 80.5 percent to 90.1 percent.
However, there is still much work to be done.
The 2015-16 year will be a particularly important one for the corporation as it oversees the creation of the blueprint for action for the implementation of the GN Long-term Comprehensive Housing Strategy.
Nunavut’s housing crisis cannot be addressed in isolation.
The blueprint for action will focus on collaboration between many stakeholders both within and outside the GN to map out the opportunities that exist to effectively address our housing crisis.
Important areas of focus of the blueprint for action that require significant collaboration include:
Land development and availability for new housing construction
Supportive housing to fill gaps in the housing continuum, including housing for elders
More energy-efficient housing to save costs and reduce environmental impact
In the longer term, the need for additional public and affordable housing continues to place a burden on the finances of the government and we must seek alternative solutions and sources of funding.
Access to adequate and suitable housing is intricately linked with other aspects of individuals’ well-being, including health, education, and employment. Increased funding for housing will ensure more affordable and adequate housing options are available to meet the varied needs of Nunavummiut.
I would be pleased to answer any questions you may have regarding the Nunavut Housing Corporation’s 2015-16 main estimates and business plan.
Chairman: Qujannamiik, Hon. Minister. (interpretation) Does the Chair of the Standing Committee on Community and Economic Development have opening comments?
Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to provide opening comments on behalf of the Standing Committee on Community and Economic Development on its review of the 2015-16 main estimates and 2015-18 business plan of the Nunavut Housing Corporation.
The standing committee notes that the Nunavut Housing Corporation’s proposed 2015-16 operations and maintenance budget of $183,856,000 has increased by approximately 6.4 percent since the introduction of its 2014-15 main estimates.
The number of positions in the Nunavut Housing Corporation is 121. This is an increase of 17 positions from the 2014-15 main estimates.
The Nunavut Housing Corporation’s draft 2015-18 business plan indicates that it has completed a comprehensive organizational structure review and that one of its priorities for the 2015-16 fiscal year is to “Implement approved recommendations as a result of [NHC’s] comprehensive organizational structure review.”
The 2014 Organizational Review Summary Report, which was provided to the standing committee, indicates that “a total of 21 new positions will be requested from Cabinet as high priority for meeting the immediate needs of the Corporation.”
The Nunavut Housing Corporation’s 2015-18 business plan indicates that it “is now proceeding with the implementation plan for its organizational review, and has initiated steps to begin the first round of competitions.
The balance of the organizational review will be implemented throughout fiscal 2015/16.”
The standing committee looks forward to an ongoing update on the implementation of the organizational review.
The standing committee anticipates this to be a significant component of next year’s operations and maintenance budget in its evaluation of its success.
During the minister’s recent appearance, a number of concerns were raised regarding the subject of board governance, including the respective authorities of the board, the minister, the cabinet, and the Financial Management Board.
Members will recall that this subject was also a topic of significant concern during the recent hearing on the Qulliq Energy Corporation’s annual report and business plan.
The 2014-15 Ministerial Letter of Expectation to the Chairperson of the Nunavut Housing Corporation’s Board of Directors was tabled in the Legislative Assembly on November 4 of 2014.
The standing committee looks forward to the minister’s 2015-16 letter of expectation being tabled in the House in a timely manner.
The standing committee reiterates its recommendation that the Nunavut Housing Corporation’s future annual reports account in detail for the activities and decisions of the board of directors, including its audit committee, the statutory mandate of which includes the responsibility to “ensure the critical and objective oversight of the corporation’s reporting of financial information and practices of strategic management and financial control.”
The standing committee recognizes that this issue was included in the minister’s 2014-15 Letter of Expectation to the Chairperson of the Nunavut Housing Corporation’s Board of Directors, following the standing committee’s prior recommendation.
The standing committee recommends that the Nunavut Housing Corporation’s updated management agreements with local housing organizations be tabled in the Legislative Assembly.
I would like to note that the minister did table this document a couple of days ago.
On May 13 of 2013, the Government of Nunavut’s Long-term Comprehensive Housing and Homelessness Strategy was tabled in the Legislative Assembly.
The Nunavut Housing Corporation’s 2014-17 business plan indicated that one of its priorities for the 2014-15 fiscal year has been to “establish [an] interdepartmental collaboration structure for the development of a multi-year Action Plan for the Government of Nunavut’s Long-Term Comprehensive Housing and Homelessness Strategy.”
The standing committee notes that a request for proposals was issued and awarded at the beginning of this year for consultation to be completed by the fall.
The Nunavut Housing Corporation’s draft 2015-18 business plan indicates that “Each Public Housing unit requires more than $24,800 per year to operate and maintain. However, funding from CMHC for the social housing inventory, which was transferred to the Corporation in 1996, is declining and will terminate completely in 2037.
Additional resources will need to be identified and dedicated to the operations and maintenance of public housing.”
The standing committee identifies that this priority is included in the minister’s 2014-15 letter of expectation.
In 2004, a Member of the Legislative Assembly posed a written question concerning public housing rental arrears and tenant damages. The government’s response indicated that as of November of 2004, approximately $6.6 million was owed in public housing rent arrears to local housing organizations across the territory.
The Nunavut Housing Corporation’s 2009-2010 business plan indicated that one of its priorities was to “Strengthen LHO financial management by” the Nunavut Housing Corporation taking over the direct payment of the “non-controllable utility expenses for LHOs and allowing them to dedicate their resources to increased internal financial management on administration, maintenance and collection of rents.”
The Government of Nunavut’s Long-term Comprehensive Housing and Homelessness Strategy, which was tabled in the Legislative Assembly on May 13, 2013, indicates that “arrears stood at $18.5 million as of March 2012.”
The Nunavut Housing Corporation’s 2013-14 annual report, which was tabled in the Legislative Assembly on November 4, 2014, indicated that this amount has increased to $26,998,523.
The Nunavut Housing Corporation’s 2013-14 annual report also indicates that it “has drafted a Collections Policy that has been reviewed by the Board and approved for consultation with the GN.” It also indicates that during the fiscal year of 2013-14, “the collection rate increased from 80.1% to 89.6%.”
The standing committee looks forward to the tabling of the Nunavut Housing Corporation’s Collections Policy in the Legislative Assembly.
These came into effect on February 1 of 2014. The Nunavut Housing Corporation’s 2014-17 business plan indicated that one of its goals was to “Monitor impact of changes made to the public housing rent scale and identify how the new rent scale software can assist the NHC in demonstrating the social, economic and cultural impacts of housing issues across Nunavut.”
Mr. Chairman, the Nunavut Housing Corporation’s 2015-18 business plan indicates that it is “producing monthly reporting from the new rent scale software, as well as certain key statistics on a quarterly basis.”
The standing committee recognizes the importance of having comprehensive information with which to address housing issues faced by Nunavut and that a key goal of reforming the rent scale has been to remove disincentives to employment.
The standing committee looks forward to evaluating the success of this priority.
The corporation’s 2015-16 capital estimates, which were approved by the Legislative Assembly in October of 2014, included a total of $4,616,000 in funding for homeownership programs.
The Nunavut Housing Corporation’s 2014-17 business plan indicated that one of its priorities for the 2014-15 fiscal year has been to “Research and develop proposed changes to…home ownership programs resulting from the GN Comprehensive Long Term Housing [and Homelessness] Strategy.”
The corporation’s draft 2015-18 business plan indicates that a priority for the 2015-16 fiscal year is to “Identify proposed changes to the NHC’s home ownership programs resulting from the Blueprint for Action.”
Mr. Chairman, public demand for the Nunavut Housing Corporation’s homeownership programs is significant. The corporation’s 2013-14 annual report indicates that the corporation received 447 new applications during the 2013-14 fiscal year.
As of March 31 of 2014, a total of 293 applications were pending or waitlisted.
The standing committee continues to encourage the Nunavut Housing Corporation to carefully review such issues as the current income thresholds for its programs, as well as need to take into account such factors as local availability of skilled tradespeople in remote communities when determining allowable amounts under such programs as the Emergency Repair Program and Home Renovation Program.
The standing committee recommended in its 2014-15 review of the Nunavut Housing Corporation’s main estimates that the Nunavut Housing Corporation review its current residency requirements for its homeownership programs so as to achieve greater consistency with other territorial programs and entitlements. For example, individuals are required by law to have been residents of the territory for a consecutive period of 12 months prior to being eligible to vote in a general election.
Mr. Chairman, the standing committee again recommends that this recommendation be implemented by the Nunavut Housing Corporation.
Mr. Chairman, that concludes my opening comments on the proposed 2015-16 main estimates and 2015-18 business plan of the Nunavut Housing Corporation.