EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
I would like to recognize and welcome Jose Kusugak, who has done a lot of work on languages, and also the Languages Commissioner, Johnny Kusugak, who has helped a lot with the language legislation. I would like to welcome them to the House.
Question 206 – 2(4): Audit of Motor Vehicles Office (Tootoo)
My questions today are for the Minister responsible for Economic Development and Transportation.
Earlier this year a report emerged that a recent audit of the Department of Motor Vehicles Office here in Iqaluit revealed the number of serious problems, including under-staffing, inadequate training, and violations of Nunavut’s Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
Can the minister update the House today as to what concrete action have been taken to address these disturbing audit findings?
Hon. David Simailak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) Operational problems were identified in the review for the 2006-07, and they’re being addressed or have been addressed by the department.
There has been reassignment of staff and preparation of a plan for increasing staff complement.
There’s been immediate implementation of measures to secure the office and documents held there.
A reviewer was contracted and returned to the Iqaluit office to address the immediate problems and recommends operational changes, and also our department has prepared and implementing an action plan in response to the review. That review was completed in a form of a letter to the department on January 18.
In there are plans to increase the staff there, and I know that in the report, it indicated that they concluded that the motor vehicles office here in Iqaluit was under-staffed and that the frontline employees did not receive adequate training.
In light of this, can the minister explain to the House exactly why the department’s budget for the Motor Vehicles in 2007-08 has actually decreased from the previous year?
We thought that the funding would be adequate but we didn’t realize that there was going to be problems in our office.
So what we are going to do is request for more funding or request for more staff here in Iqaluit, and to hire another manager, or supervisor, or something.
We will be requesting funding from the Financial Management Board.
I’m sure that for the staff at the Motor Vehicles Office this comes as good news. I’m sure that the report did point out that that was not the fault of the staff that were there; it was the lack of the staff that was causing the problems.
Can the minister indicate what kind of a time frame we’re looking at, at being able to put some extra bodies into that office to address those problems?
We are going to resolve this as soon as possible. They’re working on it right now and they’re sort of in a rush to get more staffing.
I certainly hope that this minister didn’t launch what seems to be a word, a phrase, that’s feared across the public service is: a witch hunt against the employee who blew the whistle and made these audit findings public.
Will the minister commit today to tabling the audit report in this House and the department’s action plan for addressing the issues raised?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Tootoo. Minister of Transportation, Minister Simailak.
Yes, we did a thorough review with the staff from Ottawa and we tried to resolve the problem as soon as possible.
Some of the items that were not picked up were also resolved as well.
Question 207 – 2(4): Visitation of Children in Care (Mapsalak)
Under Item 3, during Members’ Statements, I made a statement about my constituents not being able to see their children.
How would the parents be able to get some assistance to see their children that are in a southern centre? What can you do if they cannot see their children; what other route can those people take?
Speaker (interpretation): Mr. Mapsalak, if you can state who the question is for.
I’m sorry. My question is directed to the Minister responsible for Social Services.
The individual person that the member has raised, we have been trying to find out who this person is. I have asked for the member to provide a name, the person is 23 years old. We don’t know if the person is in our care or not without a name.
The person said in 1984, the individual was born but that’s all we have for information to even determine whether this individual is in our care or not.
But going through our records, there is no listing related to the individual family name of a person in care within the department.
So we don’t know who this person is and whether it’s someone in our care or not. It happened in 1984, 23 years ago, so those are the specifics of that particular concern that the member raises.
To respond to situations in our care, people that are in our care that require 24/7 residential treatment and care, outside of the territory or within the territory, for children, we provide two trips annually for the family, and for adults, we allow one trip for the family to go and see their family member in care.
We know about the incident.
They have seen that child years ago. They haven’t seen that child since he/she was born.
I didn’t know that they were given two trips a year, and apparently that child is in university now. The parents could not go see that child.
What is the reason for not letting the parents go see their child?
I wonder what the reasoning is when the parent cannot go see their child.
Minister for Health and Social Services, I will allow the minister to respond if she wants to.
It is very difficult to answer a question when we don’t know the name of this child, or this adult.
We don’t know if the person was given up for adoption.
But as far as I know, in terms of our records, we have no records of a person under the parent’s name in care.
So if a person is in university, you know more than I do. I don’t know who that person is.
So we’ve asked for information from the family, as well as the member, the name of the child, or this adult, to follow up.
But as far as we know, we have no one from the community of Kugaaruk in care in Calgary.
And so, (interpretation) I can’t answer your question (interpretation ends) when I don’t have that information. So I can’t respond to that.
I wonder if the minister and her officials can assist to try and get that information if I give the minister the names and where she was born. Can the minister assist me if I provide that information?
A name would be very helpful to follow up.
If you can provide the name, we will do our research internally, again, to try and find out who this individual is and where that person is for the family.
Mr. Mapsalak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the minister for providing the answer.
The couple has gone through a very difficult time.
As soon as the minister gets the information, will she be able to provide some information to that family?
Hon. Leona Aglukkaq: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation) Yes, I can do that.
Question 208 – 2(4): Training of Economic Development Officers (Peterson)
In my Member’s Statement I talked about some of the economic development issues in the Kitikmeot, and one of them is the staffing of community economic development officers.
My question for the minister: can the minister tell me how the department assist hamlets in recruiting, train, and retaining community economic development officers?
If a community asks for assistance, my office or our regional offices can assist them, and we provide $190,000 to the communities to get an economic development officer.
The staff in our regional offices can provide that information and they do provide that information.
If possible, maybe twice a year, our staff visits the communities, especially during annual general meetings.
We also provide $100,000 for those communities for assistance - the Municipal Training Organizations - so they can train more officers through Arctic College. We also provide $50,000 annually so that the regional economic development officers can have more training and workshops.
We also provide the Economic Development Officers’ Association $100,000 in regard to their responsibilities.
I am sure the hamlets will find it valuable when they read the Hansard.
The Hamlet of Cambridge Bay has held at least four competitions to staff the community economic development officer position that is currently vacant. Offers currently are outstanding on the latest competition.
Can the minister tell me what options are available to entrepreneurs and the business people in Cambridge Bay who require assistance from the economic development officer when a position is vacant?
When there is no economic development officer in a community, then our regional staff can provide assistance if they are asked by that community, or if they can call to our headquarters office, then we can ask our regional staff to visit the communities.
Any community can request such things.
Mr. Speaker, earlier the minister mentioned that there was $190,000 available to hamlets. I am sure that the minister is aware that the entire $190,000 isn’t available to hire community economic development officers. More likely there is $90,000 of that money that is available to staff that position.
I recall several years ago under the Government of Northwest Territories, when they did the Community Empowerment Initiative, they were paying economic development officers in the community $125,000 to $140,000 for the salary and benefits. Under Community Empowerment, the hamlets are expected to do the same with $85,000 to $90,000.
My question for the minister: can the minister tell me how his department works with hamlets to assist and retain staff when the Government of Nunavut is in direct competition with the hamlets for qualified personnel?
The $90,000 was quoted to us, and we were told that it was not enough by a member, just like the member is stating.
This was to be the salary for the economic development officer, and we added more to the Community Initiatives Program.
So we were able to provide $190,000, and it is up to the community to determine how much they will use towards the salaries of their economic development officers.
These have been given to the communities, and all that information has been provided.
I’m sure the minister would agree with me that the hamlets would like to have a salary level of, say, $100,000, and $30,000 for benefits, so they can hire economic development officers, and then have an additional $190,000 for community projects, which I believe this $190,000 is supposed to include.
With that in mind, Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the minister if the minister will commit to reviewing the funding levels for community economic development officers. Will he commit to reviewing them again?
Minister responsible for Economic Development and Transportation, Mr. Simailak.
Yes, it is up to the community as to how they want to utilize that $190,000, and it is up to the community as to how much they want to pay for their economic development officer.
In our department, we have some funds available outside that program if they want to be assisted.
The communities are aware of how much they can get because we get requests, and the communities can ask our offices, and our regional offices. So we would be able to provide them with that information.
Question 209 – 2(4): RCMP Detachment in Kugluktuk (Evyagotailak)
My questions today are for the Minister of Justice.
Mr. Speaker, as we speak, construction is finally taking place on the addition to the RCMP Detachment in Kugluktuk.
This is long overdue and we are very pleased about this addition.
However, I have received some concerns about this facility.
I have been informed that this facility will not have a ramp for disabled people, which I understand is necessary for the building to be up to code.
I recognize that the minister does not direct the RCMP. However, would he be willing to have the Department of Justice raise this issue with the RCMP while the construction is still under process?
Yes, I will be speaking with them about this.
(interpretation ends) I am actually meeting with the Commanding Officer for V Division tonight.
So I will raise this issue with our commanding officer and make sure that this matter is addressed.
Mr. Speaker, I recently made a Member’s Statement about a young woman who will be working at the RCMP this summer.
In the current RCMP Detachment there is only one washroom. I understand that when the court party goes to Kugluktuk they often hold meetings at the RCMP Detachment.
The lack of adequate space makes it difficult to accommodate both women and men.
I understand that the minister cannot tell the RCMP how to maintain its own facilities, but could he convey those concerns to the RCMP’s leadership so that they provide adequate resources to the community’s detachment?
Yes, I will convey that concern to the RCMP at the meeting tonight.
Yes, I will raise that concern.
I thank the minister, again.
The minister recently tabled a report on policing services in Nunavut.
In general, is the department satisfied with the current conditions of the RCMP Detachment in Nunavut’s 25 communities?
And, how does it work with the RCMP to identify needed improvements?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I know that it’s a daily challenge because the capital for RCMP is done by the federal government.
We can do work with them on daily affairs but it’s very difficult to try and push the federal branch, in terms of capital, here in Nunavut.
There’s some progress: the member mentions there’s actually work being done in Kugluktuk. So that’s an improvement. It has taken a long time.
I appreciate the member for supporting us in trying to get work done in Kugluktuk but I’m sure there will be ongoing work throughout Nunavut on other offices. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 210 – 2(4): Commitments to Core Funding (Arreak)
On March 15, 2007, the Minister of Health and Social Services stated that pilot projects to establish a funding framework for Ilisaqsivik Society in Clyde River and the Cambridge Bay Wellness Centre were being initiated.
Can the minister provide an update on the status of these pilot projects that she committed to in March?
The pilot projects … I spoke to a bit about that in the Minister’s Statement I made earlier today in that we’re trying to develop the framework.
From what I understand, the Health and Social Services office in the Baffin have met with the Ilisaqsivik group as well as the group in Cambridge Bay to start the framework on the discussions. At the same time senior officials have met with the federal government on trying to streamline some of that process.
So the discussions are ongoing in trying to develop a framework where the whole application process for federal funding is made easier.
The Ilisaqsivik Society received a letter from the minister but it has been two months since we’ve heard anything.
What she had said earlier, what will be the following and what are they going to be doing for the next step?
Part of the discussions that we’re having with the society as well as the Cambridge Bay Wellness Centre involves also discussions with the federal government.
How long will it take will depend on how successful we are with the federal government in our negotiations of simplifying the process that they have put upon us in administering their Vote 4 funding as I outlined in my Minister’s Statement earlier today.
The challenges that we have is to work to that. And I hope that within the fiscal year we’ll be able to streamline and make it easier for groups like the Ilisaqsivik Society to access federal funding, as well as for Cambridge Bay.
But as far as I know the discussions are ongoing and it involves really three levels of government, in the instance of Cambridge Bay and a society in Clyde River.
Question 211 – 2(4): Capital Budget for Nunavut Trade School (Alagalak)
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, as the minister knows, I recently wrote to him on behalf of the Standing Committee on Health and Education to ask for some clarification on the capital budget for the Nunavut Trades School.
Last fall the Legislative Assembly was asked to approve over $5 million for the trades school project for 2007-08.
However, on April 26, less than a month into the new fiscal year, we were advised that over $4 million of those funds were being transferred to a project.
As I have not received a reply to my letter, I would like to take this opportunity to ask the Minister of Education to clarify why his department has moved almost 80 percent of this year’s capital funding for the trades school project to other projects. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Just before lunch, after we had our caucus meeting, I was actually signing off the letter for the member.
The reason for the transfer of the funds, and we had an opportunity earlier this week to debate the capital budgets and the supplementary amounts and the carryovers, which included the Nunavut Arctic College amounts, was based on some of the delays that we found in Rankin Inlet with the trades school.
Some of those were some of the issues with the original building that we had planned to renovate and upgrade for the trades school.
We weren’t able to access that building; there were some concerns with its location and so on. We had to have discussions with the hamlet to pick different site - a lot. Once that site was secured and the meetings were held, there was a delay in the expenditure based on the fiscal time frame, April 1, the new fiscal year, and that’s why the slippage in the funds.
However, Mr. Speaker, the good news is that the project will be on time. The information that the member has requested and there are several pieces of information in the members’ letter on behalf or for the standing committee, have been answered in that letter.
I think there’ll be more questions towards that, but (interpretation ends) the minister’s letter was advising me of the transfer of funds all indicate that there will be no impact on scope of completion schedule for the trades school this fiscal year and that the funds will be replaced in the next fiscal year.
Can the minister clarify for this House why his department required $5,500,000 for this project for this fiscal year, if the transfer $4,350,000 of those funds will be no impact on what was to be accomplished this fiscal year?
I think I just explained what had occurred in the fall because of some of the delays with the project. When it became known that the initial progress of negotiating with the Hamlet of Rankin Inlet to acquire a suitable site, because the building that they were going to use as the trades facility was not appropriate; we were able to do that, and that caused a delay.
On April 26 I actually went to the FMB and had the opportunity to use the FMB to be able to assure the financial resources to be used to address the funding shortfall for any project cited, as the member has mentioned, would be replaced and replenished through the regular FMB submission process.
Mr. Alagalak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) Can the minister provide an update on the current status and timeline for the completion for the Nunavut Trades School Project because there’s a lot of money; millions of dollars being taken away from that project, and there are a lot of questions of how and when this project can proceed and be completed.
There is a design and a project brief phase, as the members know, it takes considerable time. The design phase of the project, of course, was delayed because the building that we’re going to use had issues with sewage, which I believe was sewage lagoon close by the site. A better site was recommended by the hamlet.
So those were some of the delays.
However, we still look at the construction in earnest in this upcoming season for 2008, with the completion for 2009. Site work will go on in 2007.
However, maybe to make matters a bit more clear, I have a copy of the letter to the member right on my desk right now and I could table matter at Tabling of Documents, so the member would have it immediately, and all members would have an opportunity to see a copy of that letter, if the member would concur.
Question 212 – 2(4): Chief Coroners Inquiry (Curley)
The Coroner’s Act is very clear when there is a requirement, or the need for any type of inquiry.
There was more than one provision that the minister, the chief coroner, and the coroners have provided to the Act.
It was not clear yesterday when the Minister of Health replied to me and not responding to my question.
Under what provision of the Coroner’s Act this so-called judicial inquiry, or some sort, is going on.
So I’d like to ask the minister, but before I do so, the first provision of the Act, “When any death occurs the duty to notify.”
I’m not sure whether that is still going on in the case of Rankin Inlet.
But there is also another provision that says section 21 of the Coroner’s Act allows any coroner to request an inquest.
That’s his authority. Section 23 allows the coroner, when he decides that inquest is not necessary, a next of kin may request an inquiry. So that’s another provision.
Another provision is also section 24, which states that the chief coroner or the minister could request a judge to hold an inquiry intro any accidents.
With respect to Rankin Inlet, under what section is the inquiry being conducted so that it will be clear and fair for those that are affected?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) From what I understand, there is an investigation taking place for this incident, the unfortunate death in Rankin Inlet.
I cannot disclose or comment on what may be taking place, other than to say that the investigation is ongoing and may take a little bit of time to be completed.
So it would be difficult for me to comment on this specific case. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Curley: Thank you. I understand Mr. Speaker.
I am only asking, under what provision, if any, the investivestigation is going on, or the inquiry is being carried out.
Section 8 appears to be the preliminary requirement in a death in Nunavut that the report be completed and provided to the judicial bodies.
So, yesterday, I was under the impression that there was an actual inquest going on.
So if the minister could perhaps clarify exactly under what provision the current investigation or inquest is being carried out; we’re not sure.
The Minister of Health seemed to indicate to the House yesterday that something is going on.
It is not fair if something is going on when we don’t know what is going on. So will the minister clearly state exactly what is going on?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I know that there is an investigation taking place at this time, so I cannot disclose what that investigation will find at this time.
I will wait for the findings of the investigation and I guess the coroner’s office will make a decision at that point.
Question 213 – 2(4): Photo Identifications (Kattuk)
I will direct my question to the Minister of Economic Development and Transportation.
He said earlier that as of June 18, people who are 12 years of age and older travelling outside of Nunavut by air will be required to give government-issued photo identification, and that this requirement has been introduced by the federal government.
The Department of Economic Development and Transportation currently issues Nunavut I.D. cards to Nunavut residents through the Motor Vehicles Division or through local municipal liaison officers in each community.
June 18 is only next week, so for those that want to get a license for their vehicles, they have to wait six months.
Are they able to make the same photos that we have as Members of the Legislative Assembly? Do they provide the same in the communities?
Yes, they can now make the photos in the communities and the identification can be made in the municipality offices.
I am now confused because it takes a long time to get a driver’s license in our community, and here, when we request identification cards, we have to send them out.
When did the communities receive the equipment to make identification cards?