EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
And the contract has already been awarded by the sounds of it and we have never given the opportunity to be involved.
And we have no room to say what we’re saying.
Mr. Chairperson, I’m going to say something that’s not very nice to hear.
As Nunavummiut, we want to be able to develop and enhance ourselves.
We would like to be able to stand on our own two feet.
But it seems like Newfoundlanders have gotten Nunavut rather than us because they are the ones that have been awarded many contracts.
I know that this is not a very nice thing to hear. This has to be rectified.
And also, for those of us who are members, we should be consulted ahead of time before you make those kinds of major decisions.
There will be less animosity and less anger if you involve us because when you inform us of something that’s already been decided, we can’t do anything about it.
I cannot agree with what he’s saying. Newfoundland people did not get the Nunavut Government.
And also my colleague I did not understand where he is coming from.
We are all part of government.
We’re all here to represent the people.
We are the government and part of the government.
All of us are.
If I understood the Member, or my colleague, with his concern he talks about the Government and excludes himself from the Government. Perhaps we have to work together.
I would just like to state that I did not disagree with the Member.
Chairperson (interpretation): At this time, what is the wish of the Committee?
Mr. Nutarak (interpretation): I move to report progress.
Chairperson (interpretation): Just before that I would like to report to the Members that Minister’s Statement 070-1(6) is that concluded?
Can we resume it for another time during the Committee of the Whole this week? At the appropriate time.
Can we resume the discussion of the Ministers’ Statement sometime this week?
As far as I understand the contract has already been awarded, but I would like to ask the Minister to see whether we can be given information before the contract is given and that has been concluded.
Chairperson (interpretation): There is a motion to report progress and under the rules it is not debatable.
To the Motion.
Thank you to the Minister and his Deputy Minister for responding to the questions.
Mr. Speaker, your committee has been discussing the Minister’s Statement 070-1(6) and I would like to report that Minister’s Statement 070-1(6) is concluded.
There is a motion on the floor. Is there a seconder to the motion?
Mr. Arvaluk seconds the motion.
I would like to get consent to return to Item 5. Recognition of Visitors in the Galley.
Member is seeking unanimous consent to return to Item 5.
I would like to recognise somebody that has not been recognized before and that’s my father, Mathias Awa.
Item 22. Orders of the Day, Mr. Clerk.
A reminder for members, the meeting of the Standing Committees on Government Operations and Services, tomorrow morning at 9:00 in the Tuktu Room.
Orders of the Day for Wednesday, November 20th.
This house stands adjourned.
Our trusty clerk has reminded me to remind all members that there is a reception at 6:00 at the Navigator, sponsored by the Mayor and Council of Iqaluit.
I’ll have to talk to him later at the Discovery.
This house stands adjourned until Wednesday, November 20th, at 1:30.
>>House adjourned at 17.58 p.m.  Nunavut Canada
Wednesday November 20, 2002
Pages 1598 - 1668
Opening Prayer 1598
Ministers’ Statements 1598
Members’ Statements 1602
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 1607
Oral Questions 1608
Written Questions 1625
Petitions 1625
Reports of Committees on the Review of Bills 1625
Notices of Motions for First Reading of Bills 1626
First Reading of Bills 1626
Second Reading of Bills 1627
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 1627
Orders of the Day 1667
Wednesday November 20, 2002 1598
074 - 1(6): Minister Kilabuk Absent from House (Okalik) 1598
075 – 1(6): 2002 Mid-Year Statement: Fiscal Update and Introduction of 2003/04 Capital Estimates (Ng) 1598
242 – 1(6): Sports Hunting and Polar Bear Quota Studies (Williams) 1602
243 – 1(6): Economic Development in Nunavut (Iqaqrialu) 1603
244 – 1(6): Need an All Inuktitut School (Alakannuark) 1603
245 – 1(6): Improvement Required in Decentralized Communities (Nutarak) 1604
246 – 1(6): New Fuel Contract Impact on Kivalliq Requires Roads (Arvaluk) 1604
247 – 1(6): Tammaatarvik Boarding Home Inadequate (Irqittuq) 1605
248 – 1(6): Inadequate Size or Aged Infrastructure in Communities (Puqiqnak) 1605
249 – 1(6): John Davidson Receives Award (Kattuk) 1606
250 – 1(6): City of Iqaluit Reception (Picco) 1606
251 – 1(6): Cumberland Resources Feasibility Study (McLean) 1606
250 – 1(6): Highway Construction – Rankin Inlet to Chesterfield Inlet and Baker Lake (Arvaluk) 1608
251 – 1(6): Update on Polar Bear Study (Williams) 1610
252 – 1(6): Airport Staff Transfer to GN from Hamlet (Nutarak) 1612
253 – 1(6): Capacity at Arctic College (Alakannuark) 1614
254 – 1(6): Explanation of NNI Policy (Iqaqrialu) 1615
255 – 1(6): Utilidor Hook-Up Subsidy (Tootoo) 1617
256 – 1(6): Capacity Problems at Tammaatarvik Boarding Home (Irqittuq) 1618
257 – 1(6): Mining and Training Strategy (McLean) 1621
258 – 1(6): Firearm Registration Office – Iqaluit (Puqiqnak) 1622
002 – 1(6): Medical Records for Miners from Rankin Inlet Nickel Mine (McLean) 1625
005 – 1(6): Swimming Pool – Repulse Bay (Alakannuark) 1625
012 – 1(6): Minister’s Statement 072-1(6) to Committee of the Whole (Tootoo) 1624
005 – 1(6): Bill 13 – An Act to Amend the Worker’s Compensation Act (Tootoo) 1626
I.  Bills
Bill 17 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, No. 1, 2002-2003 – Notice 1626  Bill 19 – Budget Measures Implementation Act – Notice 1626
Bill 25 – An Act to Amend the Maintenance Orders Enforcement Act – Notice 1626
Bill 26 – Inter-Jurisdictional Support Orders Act – Notice 1626
Bill 18 – Appropriation (Capital) Act 2003-2004 – First Reading 1627
Bill 18 – Appropriation (Capital) Act 2003-2004 – Second Reading 1627
Hon. Olayuk Akesuk, Mr. Ovide Alakannuark, Hon. Jack Anawak, Mr. James Arvaluk Mr. David Iqaqrialu, Mr. Enoki Irqittuq, Honourable Peter Kattuk, Mr. Glenn McLean, Mr. Jobie Nutarak, Honourable Kelvin Ng, Honourable Kevin O’Brien, Honourable Paul Okalik, Honourable Ed Picco, Mr. Uriash Puqiqnak, Hon. Manitok Thompson, Mr. Hunter Tootoo, Ms. Rebekah Williams.
Speaker: Members before we proceed with the Orders of the Day I’d like to read a letter that I received from the Commissioner of Nunavut.
“I wish to advise that I recommend to the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut the passage of the following Bills during the 6th session of the first Legislative Assembly. Bill 17 and Bill 18.”
Mr Okalik
Minister’s Statement 074 - 1(6): Minister Kilabuk Absent from House
I wish to advise the members that Mr. Kilabuk is unable to attend today as he is not feeling well. So he won’t be here this afternoon.
Minister’s Statement 075 – 1(6): 2002 Mid-Year Statement: Fiscal Update and Introduction of 2003/04 Capital Estimates
Mr. Speaker, today I will update Members and all Nunavummiut on the current fiscal situation of the Government of Nunavut and I will also be introducing the Capital Estimates for the fiscal year 2003-04.
As I have stressed in all my budget speeches, the Government of Nunavut is committed to maintaining a sound fiscal position while trying to maximize the benefits from our limited financial resources.
Nunavut’s long-term challenges continue to be immense and we must focus our expenditure efforts on priority areas that best meet the needs of Nunavummiut and the long-term goals of the government as expressed in the Bathurst Mandate.
In order to do this, choices have to be made that are realistic in terms of recognizing any assistance that may be forth coming from other areas.
The responsibility to invest available resources wisely is ours and ours alone.
Since I tabled the budget in April, Nunavut’s short-term fiscal situation has weakened.
This circumstance is as a result of two factors.
First, revenues from the federal government under our transfer agreement are lower than expected and secondly, our expenditures are higher.
At the time of the budget a small surplus of around $2 million was forecast for the current fiscal year.
This was based on revenues of approximately $746 million and expenditures of about $744 million.
Mr. Speaker, now, mainly because of adjustments to the major transfer we receive from the Government of Canada; our revised revenue forecast is anticipated to be about $729 million.
This drop of $17 million stems mainly from adjustments to the formula financing grant because of factors beyond our control.
Although the formula financing grant is intended to reflect Nunavut’s expenditure needs, growth in this revenue source is determined mainly by factors established outside the territory’s control such as GDP growth, spending by provincial and local governments and even the taxing effort of other jurisdictions.
Budgeted expenditures for the current fiscal year are now $803 million.
This figure includes the initiatives in the Supplementary Appropriations introduced and approved this year.
The appropriations are provided for:
the Nunavut Housing Corporation to invest in much needed staff housing throughout Nunavut,
the Department of Health and Social Services to provide funding for the three health facilities in Rankin Inlet, Cambridge Bay and Iqaluit,
the Department of Community Government and Transportation to complete various water and sewage treatment projects in communities and to complete capital improvements to a number of airports throughout the territory, and
the Department of Education to replace the Baker Lake Community Learning Centre, as well as to complete a number of school additions and renovations.
It also includes the Supplementary Appropriation that will be considered by the Legislative Assembly during this sitting to deal with specific increases in departmental operating and maintenance budgets.
Allowing or further expenditure pressures before the end of this fiscal year, I anticipate an overall operating deficit of $74 million as compared to the small surplus expected at the start of the fiscal year.
The relatively significant surplus accumulated over the first years of operation for this government has allowed us the opportunity to provide much needed funding to deal with some key capital needs from operating surpluses.
We must now recognize that in coming years our expenditure needs may well out pace the total revenues we will receive from all sources, both internal to the territory and from the federal government.
In future years we will not be able to count on accumulated reserves to make up for additional expenditure needs over and above current revenue inflows.
We will have to work diligently at finding the right balance between what we do and what we can afford to do.
2003-04 Capital Estimates
Mr. Speaker, as I indicated earlier, I am also tabling the 2003-04 Capital Estimates.
As members will remember, this is the second year that we have approved the Capital Estimates in the fall.
This helps to ensure that project planning can be finalized and tenders issued on time to enable the timely delivery of project materials for the summer construction period.
For fiscal 2003-04 our government is planning to allocate just over $143 million for capital projects throughout Nunavut.
This is a major increase from the $70.3 million that was included in the 2002-03 Capital Estimates.
This increase is attributable to three factors:
We increased the base target for capital expenditures from $70 million to $75 million;
We allocated an additional $22 million from accumulated surpluses to high priority expenditures that departments could not meet within their regular targets; and
We have included $46 million for the three major health facilities that are underway in Rankin Inlet, Cambridge Bay and Iqaluit.
I will now highlight departmental capital budgets for the upcoming year.
For 2003-04 the Department of Health and Social Services will have the single largest capital budget for the coming fiscal year at over $56 million.
As I already outlined, this includes $17 million to start on the new Qikiqtani General Hospital in Iqaluit, $13 million for the regional health facility in Rankin Inlet, and $16 million for the regional health facility in Cambridge Bay.
In addition, the Capital Estimates include funding of $4 million to start construction of a new health centre in Igloolik, $4.4 million to complete the health centre in Pond Inlet, and $75,000 to start planning and design of a new centre at Pangnirtung.
These are major undertakings for our Government that will improve the capacity to provide health care to Nunavummiut close to home, and will reduce our dependence on facilities in the south.
Mr. Speaker, as members know, our communities depend upon the capital program of the Department of Community Government and Transportation to address many of their priority needs including waste disposal and water treatment.
Total funding in the budget for providing priority infrastructure in communities throughout Nunavut is $22 million.
A further $5.2 million is allocated for transportation projects including access roads and airport infrastructure.
Mr. Speaker, better learning facilities and opportunities are investments that that will yield far reaching returns for Nunavummiut, and to this end, the Department of Education will have the third largest departmental capital budget.
From a total budget of $24 million for fiscal year 2003-04, the Department will commence new projects in Cape Dorset, Arviat, Whale Cove, Baker Lake and Cambridge Bay, and will complete ongoing projects in Hall Beach, Kugaaruk, Baker Lake, and Resolute Bay.
These projects include schools, learning centres, and additional student accommodation for Arctic College.
For 2003-04 the Nunavut Housing Corporation will have a capital budget of $20.3 million.
This is a 15% increase over the 2002-03 Capital Estimates, and will enable the Corporation to provide additional public housing in almost every community.
The Department of Public Works and Services will have a capital budget of $10.7 million.
Nearly $9.7 million of this amount has been budgeted for maintenance and enhancement of bulk fuel storage facilities across Nunavut.
Major projects to receive funding include the tank farms in Arctic Bay, Resolute Bay, and Kugaaruk.
For 2003-04 the Department of Sustainable Development will manage a capital budget of over $2.5 million.
This will include visitor centres, parks development, and enhancement of facilities for wildlife management.
The Department of Justice will be provided $1.6 million for capital projects in the coming year.
This includes funding for improvement of correctional facilities, and for continued development of a new Justice Center for Nunavut.
The Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth will have a capital budget of $1 million.
This amount will be used for contributions to community heritage, youth and elders centres across Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, I want to reiterate our commitment that we will manage our resources wisely and continue to invest in priority areas that best meet the needs of Nunavummiut. We have been able to make these investments as a direct result of our commitment to sound fiscal management during our first years of operation.
We must continue to weigh our options carefully and make strategic investments.
We must continue to plan with caution and make the most of our limited resources.
We must ensure that Nunavut finances continue to be managed prudently.
Speaker: Minister Statements.
Member’s Statement 242 – 1(6): Sports Hunting and Polar Bear Quota Studies
Ms. Williams (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I arise today in support of none decentralized communities economic development opportunities in those communities.
(interpretation ends) I wanted to relate to the tourism sector and support hunting of polar bears for specifically in Resolute Bay, Grise Fiord and Arctic Bay.
As members are aware these three communities host close to thirty polar bear sport hunts every year.
This accounts for significant amounts of money flowing into these communities each year into hands of residents and their families.
(interpretation) Mr. Speaker, recent news report have suggested that polar bear quotas are being reduced and that studies based on Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit are being done to develop a better way to determine bear population.
Mr. Speaker, polar bear hunts are important across the territory, but it is especially important in my constituency which has been hit hard by the closures of the Nanisivik and Little Cornwallis Mine.
I am concerned that the memoranda of understanding between hunters and trappers organizations and Government of Nunavut regarding polar bear quotas have not been renewed in some time.
I understand that current memoranda of understanding date from 1996 and deal with Hunters and Trappers Associations from the Government of the NWT.
Mr. Speaker the polar bear hunt allows my constituencies to utilize dog teams in a traditional manner, and to stimulate the economy at the same time.
That is why in answered regarding the polar bear quotas should be avoided.
Speaker: The member is requesting unanimous consent to conclude her statement. Are there any nays?
Ms. Williams (interpretation): Thank you, colleagues.
Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge the government to maintain open lines of communication with the communities and to take into account the importance of sport hunting to the economy of non-decentralized communities when developing regulations regarding polar bear quotas.
I will be asking questions of the Minister of Sustainable Development at the appropriate time thank you Mr. Speaker.
Member’s Statement 243 – 1(6): Economic Development in Nunavut
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Government of Nunavut, which I have never done previously.
I am proud of the Government of Nunavut because they are truly trying to represent the needs and wishes of Nunavummiut in trying to develop economic development.
It is something that we can do better as there are spin-offs when we meet the needs and wishes of the people of Nunavut.
As regular members we were told yesterday that the Nunavut Government is a public government.
As regular members, when we try to oppose the comments made by the Government, we have to voice our disagreement.
We want to have a close working relationship with the Government and we do voice our disagreement, it seems like it falls on deaf ears.
If the Nunavut Government is truly representing the needs and wishes of the people of Nunavut, they are truly doing that, then the people of Nunavut should be given the opportunity for economic growth and other ways of growing.
We were elected to be the Nunavut Government so that our culture and language would be more visible and promoted.
If we are going to start awarding contracts outside of Nunavut, of course there would be no economic growth.
And we would stay stagnant.
Member’s Statement 244 – 1(6): Need an All Inuktitut School
I would like to talk about our young people in the communities who are school drop-outs.
Although they would like to continue their education through the Arctic College, they are unable to when the class sizes are filled to capacity.
There are no jobs for them and they are not fluent in Inuktitut.
Even if they wanted to go hunting, they have no equipment.
So those are some of the things that we have to face.
There is a real need for an Inuktitut School in Nunavut.
There are elders are willing to train them, but they are unable to because of the lack of space.
There needs to be an all Inuktitut School and we will continue to educate them in English at the appropriate time.
Member’s Statement 245 – 1(6): Improvement Required in Decentralized Communities
I would like to make some comments about the decentralized communities where there are departments being decentralized to the communities.
What I am concerned is that some of the jobs like DPW and other positions that are placed under the Hamlet Council. I think that there should be a review done to see if this whole system is working and if there’s a need for improvement.
We’re now starting to hear more and more about the issue and it seems like some of the communities are trying to get back the responsibility of the airports back to the government.
At the appropriate time I will be asking for the minister.
Member’s Statement 246 – 1(6): New Fuel Contract Impact on Kivalliq Requires Roads
Yesterday, we had a discussion on the new transportation of fuel in the Keewatin and Baffin area.
This was a concern of the members and presently there are transportation companies which transport both fuel and dry goods.
A concern with that, if these two were separated that the companies would, in a non-Nunavut company, should take on the fuel transportation contract that the other companies would bankrupt.
In the Keewatin region, we have the potential for building roads and connecting the communities and I think it’s the appropriate time for the Nunavut government to make a decision on whether they should built a docking facility, albeit in Rankin Inlet and build roads to the outlying communities.
And that way there will be a transportation link and would be able to transport the fuel and dry goods to those outlined communities.
If those ships would be able to dock in one Keewatin community then that would be a cost savings for the rest of the Keewatin region.
I’ll be asking questions on this issue.
Member’s Statement 247 – 1(6): Tammaatarvik Boarding Home Inadequate
Yesterday, I had some questions about the Tammaativvik Boarding Home for patients here in the Baffin and I would like to make further comments about the patients that are placed at that boarding home.
Mr. Speaker, the patients need adequate space and I think that’s come to an emergency situation.
There are all types of patients that are boarded there.
They have different sicknesses, there are some mental cases here for psychiatric purposes and I think they should be properly housed, not in a general boarding home.
I’ll be asking questions about that.
Member’s Statement 248 – 1(6): Inadequate Size or Aged Infrastructure in Communities
Mr. Speaker, I’ll ask today to talk about some of the smaller communities in Nunavut.
For example, one of the communities that I represent and there’s the airport, the gymnasium, and the community halls and popular public places that have been used for many, many years.
Even with the population growth, the fact that these public facilities and even the churches haven’t grown along with the size of the community.
We’re talking about the community halls, the airports, the churches and other facilities.
Mr. Speaker, I would also like to talk about the grants and contributions that are made available by the government.
There are problems, even though there is money available for expansions or for some types of programs that could be done in a community.
Usually there is no housing to provide those types of programs and services that are funded.
As Members of the Legislative Assembly we realize that we have a five year plan to build those facilities to meet the needs of those communities, but there are a lot of other communities that now have buildings that are way too small for the population in their community.
I will be asking further questions at the appropriate time.
Member’s Statement 249 – 1(6): John Davidson Receives Award
I would like to make a comment about what happened last week in Sanikiluaq.
There was an individual who went down to Ottawa to receive an award.
I would like to congratulate John Davidson from Sanikiluaq who is the school principal.
John has been a long time resident of Sanikiluaq.
He first moved there he learned about living off the land.
Afterwards, he started collecting and displaying Inuit artefacts and traditional tool and kayaks.
I would like to congratulate John for receiving this award.
Member’s Statement 250 – 1(6): City of Iqaluit Reception
Hon. Ed. Picco: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, last might members were able to meet in an informal session with the mayor, councillors and some of the senior staff of our Nunavut capital in the City of Iqaluit.