EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
If they fail to meet those minimum targets, then there’s a penalty of 2 percent for every percent that they fall short.
There’s as well an assessment of the payroll and non-payroll component, which is more or less a business incentive policy of the government. In some cases, a contractor would earn a bonus for exceeding the minimum Inuit content, for example, but still have penalties for not meeting the financial commitment to Nunavut business and local business.
So we look at the entire picture and, from there, bonuses and penalties are determined.
I thank Mr. Barriault for that clarification.
When contractors submit bids to the Nunavut Housing Corporation that includes commitments for certain Inuit labour content levels, does the Nunavut Housing Corporation work with the contractors to determine if the commitments are realistic prior to the award of contracts?
In circumstances where contractors, including Inuit owned companies, cannot meet their labour content requirements, does the Nunavut Housing Corporation have the ability to exercise discretion and reduce or waiver penalties if it determines that the contractor was actually in good faith?
I do not get involved in procurement processes.
I’ll have Mr. Barriault respond to that.
As per the provisions of the NNI Policy and in accordance with the GN Contracting Manual, there is a mechanism whereby adjustments can be made to the minimum Inuit content. That is based on new information being brought forward and contractors demonstrating, at the beginning of the contract, that they have made all reasonable efforts to acquire the workforce that they originally committed to providing.
When tenders are put out, we first assess what work is taking place in the community and the manpower availability, as well as historical Inuit content that has been achieved in that community.
That’s how those numbers are set. In some cases, we do negotiated contracts and that number is agreed upon between the contractor and the housing corporation.
It should be noted that we only negotiated contracts where a relatively high level of Inuit content is committed to.
Otherwise, we would go through a public tendering process. We do have provisions whereby those adjustments can be made. It’s worthy to note as well that in those cases where minimum Inuit content is lowered, bonuses are only payable if the original minimum content is exceeded, not the new lowered one.
In the Government of Nunavut’s contract and activity report that was tabled, I think it’s for the 2010-11 fiscal year, it states that in all contracts that exceed $100,000, there is an average of about 30 percent Inuit content on contracts.
The construction company in my own community has a history of exceeding that as upwards to 60 percent Inuit content.
After the contracts were awarded for the building of public housing and staff housing in the community a couple of years ago, the contractor found out that they were not going to be able to meet those obligations and they have written letters to the housing corporation and sent emails with their concerns, with various reasons why they wouldn’t be able to meet the content.
In reading some of their reasons, some reasons aren’t probably legitimate when it comes to reasoning, but others are.
For example, while the contract was going on with the construction of new houses, there was a new school being built in the community, there was a new Co-op store being built in the community, and there was a new hamlet parking garage being built in the community.
It became obvious that they could not meet their obligation and they have made this known to the housing corporation in Cape Dorset and I think maybe even cc’d some letters to the president.
In one email, it was stated that it is our requirement that you employ additional qualified staff to assist with your negotiated contract obligations and the only way to get qualified staff was to go outside the community and bring people in.
With this history of it being known that they weren’t going to meet their contracts, when the contract was finally said and done, the Nunavut Housing Corporation did impose the penalties because they did not meet the obligations of their original contract.
Can the minister explain why this was done?
The line of questioning is regarding an individual who had some contract issues with the housing corporation. I’m going to have my president respond to that question.
In the contract which the member is referring to, we are actually preparing some communication to that contractor reviewing his concerns that he has expressed to us.
In terms of general performance of contracts, and I’m not saying that this is necessarily the case in which Mr. Rumbolt is referring to, but some contractors wind up in situations where they do have to bring in outside workers because they have fallen behind on the schedule for their construction. It will impact their Inuit content when those situations do occur.
So there are a number of different issues that have to be looked at in addressing individual concerns and we do treat every one of these concerns on a case-by-case basis, but there mitigating circumstances that need to be looked at.
Just one final comment. The president did mention that they’re reviewing the case in the community, so I will just leave it at that and I look forward to his update.
We are on J-3. $28,841,000.
The breakdown is on pages J-4 and J-5.
If you will allow me, I would like to go back to the minister’s opening comments. I have questions on those, if you will allow me, Mr. Chairman.
Yes, I will allow you to ask questions on the opening comments, but if I could remind the members that if you have any questions in other pages rather than the capital estimates, we have the opportunity to ask questions.
I will agree with you at this time, Mr. Enook, that we have work to do and we have to continue with the work that we have before us, but just to remind you that we are in capital estimates.
I’ll try to remember that.
I would like to ask a question and thank you for allowing me ask questions.
In the minister’s opening comments under the corporation’s 2013-14 capital estimates, Mr. Chairman, the only question that I have is in regard to modernization and improvement of public housing, for the homeownership programs, and Heating Oil Tank Replacement Program.
Mr. Chairman, I have a question, but perhaps I’ll ask that later on. At this time, I would like to ask a question.
For the people who have homeownership, does that have to do with… ? For instance, there were HAP houses. I’m not exactly sure what they’re called in Inuktitut and there are also access houses and there is also homeownership.
If a person can still own a home, does that include people with their own homes? Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Your question is under J-5.
I believe the question is whether the M&I are public units or homeownership, but they pertain to public units only.
Did the response suit you, Mr. Enook?
No, my question wasn’t answered.
If I can, I want to ask this question.
Within the written minister’s opening comments, it states that the Nunavut Housing Corporation’s funds for modernization and improvement public housing renovations, which is under the acronym “M&I” in English, this is for modernizing and renovating public housing units.
I am not asking about this particular aspect, but rather the other parts of this statement.
I am asking about the old access and HAP homeownership programs, which were used for private homeownership by residents, and furthermore, the acquisition of homes for private homeownership outside of these programs. Is this referring to these programs that offer assistance to replace fuel tanks and other utilities?
Which houses are we talking about?
This would not include social housing, if I understand this correctly. Thank you.
I think Mr. Enook has clarified the question.
The M&I projects, improvements, renovations are for public units and other programs are for homeowners’ fuel tank replacements and renovations that pertain to homeowners.
Say, for instance, people who own their own home anywhere in Nunavut, do I understand it correctly?
Anything else? Mr. Enook.
Under J-5, if you allow me to ask a question.
The question that I had earlier, I just wanted to find out.
It states here in J-5, Seniors and Disabled Persons Preventive Maintenance Program, which is listed as $116,000, and additionally, my previous question to the minister highlighted that the fuel tank replacement program has existed for a long time.
If I am mistaken, please correct me. I seem to understand that I can only be eligible for these types of assistance programs if I have up to date coverage on my home insurance.
I’m going to have Ms. Kimball respond to that question.
The homeownership programs are really three-fold in terms of the budget.
So we have the $4 million spread across the three districts; $500,000 for the Heating Oil Tank Replacement Program and $116,000 for the Seniors and Disabled Persons Preventive Maintenance Program.
In regard to people’s applications, most of the programs have an income threshold because we are trying to service people who are lower income in their own homeownership. In regard to the Heating Oil Tank Replacement Program, there’s a whole point rating system that determines who gets helped each year because we don’t have enough funding to satisfy all the applications that we receive.
This year alone, new applications that have come in so far as of September 30, which is the halfway point, we have received 87 applications and we only have funding to satisfy a hundred people.
So through the years, we do have a point rating system.
I doubt that she touched upon the subject Mr. Enook raised in his question.
Please elaborate, Mr. Enook.
It just seems like it was an easy question, but I’ll ask it again.
For those of us who have their own home, for instance, if I want to replace my oil tank and I put in an application for assistance, I know that I could either get refused or approved.
If a person who owns their own home does not have home insurance, can they still apply for that assistance?
A lot of people have the understanding that if they don’t have home insurance, they cannot apply.
I believe I got that question clear this time, Mr. Chairman.
Whether a homeowner has insurance or not is not a requirement to get assistance for this type of program.
Mr. Enook (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I also thank the minister immensely as you have brought a smile to my face and I imagine many homeowners are now smiling. Many of us misunderstood the details, at least some of us and I don’t know why that is.
There is also another figure written down for staff housing which is listed as $5 million, if I understand the written figures correctly.
Mr. Chairman, with your forbearance, if I can ask this other question, at this current time, it states that the corporation wants to construct $5 million worth of housing units.
Is it possible to be informed at this time about the communities where they want to construct these housing units?
The housing corporation hasn’t determined where the units are going to be built.
We’re still assessing the situation.
We’re working closely with the Department of Human Resources to determine and get the best value for the new construction that’s going to be for staff housing.
Do you have any more questions? Mr. Enook.
It’s already identified that the corporation wants to expend the $5 million for staff housing units.
How does the corporation already know that they require $5 million to construct these units, yet they state that they don’t know the other details?
Where did this $5 million amount come from?
Please ensure that you write your question down so that when we recommence our Committee of the Whole review next week, you can restate your question.
However, as the chairperson, I wish to recognize the time as it is past our allotted time.
Pursuant to Rule 6(1), it’s now twelve o’clock and I will now report progress.
Thank you, Minister Taptuna and your officials for appearing before us.
While the Sergeant-at-Arms is escorting the witnesses out, I will now rise to report progress, according to the clock.
Mr. Tapardjuk (interpretation): Mr. Speaker, your committee has been considering Bill 41 and the capital estimates, and I would like to report progress.
Just a reminder for all members, there’s a meeting of the Full Caucus at two o’clock in the Nanuq Room for a special presentation, and if members can also refer to the sessional work plan for meetings on Monday.
A new record.
Before we adjourn, members, I would like to ask you to join me in thanking the pages who were here this week: Joe Audlakiak, Amanda Percel, Anita Steeves, and Pakak Picco.
I would also like to recognize and thank our Sergeant-at-Arms, Sammy Josephie, for his first week as Sergeant-at-Arms.
Monday, October 29, 2012
Pages 3035 – 3096
Opening Prayer 3035
Ministers’ Statements 3035
Members’ Statements 3038
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 3048
Oral Questions 3048
Written Questions 3062
Tabling of Documents 3062
Notices of Motions for First Reading of Bills 3064
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 3065
Report of the Committee of the Whole 3095
Orders of the Day 3096
Monday, October 29, 2012 3035
195 – 3(3): 25 KV Distribution System Upgrade – Iqaluit (Kusugak) 3035
196 – 3(3): Firearms Safety Initiative in Nunavut Launched (Shewchuk) 3036
197 – 3(3): Nunavut Partnership to Deliver BizPaL Service (Taptuna) 3037
198 – 3(3): Training Program Accomplishments (Ell) 3037
317 – 3(3): The Passing of Mrs. Kanayuk Bruce (Curley) 3038
318 – 3(3): Remembering Mrs. Kanayuk Bruce (Ningeongan) 3040
319 – 3(3): Touring Saputi – Fishing Vessel (Ell) 3041
320 – 3(3): Solid Waste Management (Ningark) 3042
321 – 3(3): Arctic Council Consultations (Elliott) 3043
322 – 3(3): Tribute to Nunavut’s Volunteers (Aupaluktuq) 3044
323 – 3(3): Fair Hiring Practices (Oshutapik) 3044
324 – 3(3): Draft Nunavut Land Use Plan (Tapardjuk) 3045
325 – 3(3): Condolences to Family (Ugyuk) 3046
326 – 3(3): Pond Inlet Weather Commentators (Enook) 3047
435 – 3(3): Review of the Government of Nunavut’s Surplus Disposal Policy (Curley) 3048
436 – 3(3): Nunavut’s Arctic Council Priorities (Elliott) 3049
437 – 3(3): Lack of Daycare Spaces in Nunavut (Ugyuk) 3052
438 – 3(3): Government of Nunavut Hiring Practices (Oshutapik) 3054
439 – 3(3): Allocation of Conservation Officers (Enook) 3056
440 – 3(3): Status of Implementation of Nunavut’s Education Act (Ningeongan) 3058
441 – 3(3): Career Guidance for High School Students (Elliott) 3060
019 – 3(3): NAC Courses to Support Early Childhood Education (Ugyuk) 3062
244 – 3(3): Draft Plebiscites Act (Speaker) 3062
245 – 3(3): Public Consultation Materials on the Draft Plebiscites Act (Speaker) 3062
246 – 3(3): Interim Financial Report (Unaudited) March 31, 2012 (Peterson) 3063
247 – 3(3): Procurement Activity Report, Fiscal Year 2011-2012 (Kusugak) 3063
248 – 3(3): Contract Activity Report, Fiscal Year 2011-2012 (Kusugak) 3063
249 – 3(3): Lease Activity Report, Fiscal Year 2011-2012 (Kusugak) 3063
250 – 3(3): Correspondence Concerning Return to Written Question 18 – 3(3) (Enook) 3063
251 – 3(3): Annual Report 2008-2009, Nunavut Liquor Licensing Board (Shewchuk) 3063
252 – 3(3): Annual Report 2009-2010, Nunavut Liquor Licensing Board (Shewchuk) 3063
253 – 3(3): Annual Report 2010-2011, Nunavut Liquor Licensing Board (Shewchuk) 3063
254 – 3(3): Annual Report 2011-2012, Nunavut Liquor Licensing Board (Shewchuk) 3063
255 – 3(3): Articles Concerning Arctic Search and Rescue (Elliott) 3064
256 – 3(3): Towards a Representative Public Service, Statistics as of March 31, 2012 (Ell) 3064
257 – 3(3): Towards a Representative Public Service, Statistics as of June 30, 2012 (Ell) 3064
258 – 3(3): Executive Summary of the Draft Nunavut Land Use Plan and the Baffin Island Community Consultation Schedule (Tapardjuk) 3064
Bill 45 – An Act Respecting Constituency Names and Superannuation of Certain Independent Officers of the Legislative Assembly – Notice 3064
Bill 41 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2013-2014 – Nunavut Housing Corporation – Consideration in Committee 3065
Before we proceed, I would like to ask Mr. Ningeongan to lead us off with a prayer, please.
Members, before we proceed with the orders of the day, I wish to make a statement.
Ten years ago, the Legislative Assembly passed a new Nunavut Elections Act at its fall sitting. This statute has served us well during the past decade.
Later today, at the appropriate time, I will be tabling a draft new Plebiscites Act.
If passed by the House, this proposed legislation will replace the statute that was inherited on division with a modern and responsive legal framework for the conduct of plebiscites.
As members are aware, direct votes have been undertaken in the north to determine the public’s view on important issues, including the creation of Nunavut itself.
As members are also aware, legislation concerning territory-wide elections falls under the jurisdiction of the Legislative Assembly itself.
Accordingly, I am announcing today that the Management and Services Board is inviting formal submissions from members of the public and interested organizations on the draft new Plebiscites Act.
The deadline for submission will be January 18, 2013.
After colleagues and I have had the opportunity to review submissions, I anticipate being in a position to formally introduce the bill at the spring sitting of the House.
I thank members and the House for their attention.
We will now move on with our orders of the day.
Minister’s Statement 195 – 3(3): 25 KV Distribution System Upgrade – Iqaluit (Kusugak)
Good day, our fellow Nunavummiut. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this time to inform Nunavummiut about the completion of the 25 kilovolt upgrade of Iqaluit’s distribution system.
Finalizing this three-year project will have many benefits now and into the future for not only Iqaluit, but all of Nunavut. By reducing operating costs in our capital city, there will be an anticipated net project benefit of over $20 million over the next 20 years for the Qulliq Energy Corporation overall.
Mr. Speaker, in addition to the financial benefits of this project, other immediate benefits of this project include reducing our greenhouse gas emissions, improved power quality with greater control, and shorter downtimes during planned and unplanned outages.
Mr. Speaker, upgrading from the original 5 kilovolt to the current 25 kV distribution system will also accommodate the growth of Iqaluit for the foreseeable future and simplify power integration from other sources if prospected renewable energy projects come to fruition.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the great work provided by our engineering and operations staff and also work done in sometimes less than ideal weather conditions by the contracted crew from Valard.
Mr. Speaker, while our crews worked continuously to work around personal and commercial clients’ needs during these planned outages, I would like to recognize and thank all Iqalummiut for their patience and understanding during the planned outage cycles of this upgrade.
Minister’s Statement 196 – 3(3): Firearms Safety Initiative in Nunavut Launched (Shewchuk)
As Minister of Justice, it gives me great satisfaction to report on the joint initiative of the departments of Justice and Environment and the RCMP on an awareness campaign on firearm safety in our territory. The campaign is seeing RCMP and wildlife officers going house to house throughout the territory to discuss the safety protocols in storing firearms in an effort to enhance and protect community safety.
The recent spike in firearm-related incidents has warranted a safety awareness campaign within each community throughout Nunavut.
This initiative began in Cape Dorset and was very successful there. Inuit members and local detachment members provided firearm safety information, including trigger locks, door to door.
Building on that success, the RCMP implemented the same initiative in Clyde River during the week of September 25 and Baker Lake the week of October 15.
The Clyde River session included home visits resulting in approximately 80 homes being visited and 80 trigger locks being handed out; the delivery of a safety presentation to high school students; and a radio call-in discussion on firearm safety and security.
This call-in discussion experienced a high volume of calls, with most callers being very positive and supportive of the initiative.
Callers all agreed with and supported the importance of firearm safety.
While recognizing and respecting our Inuit hunting traditions, we must ensure the safe handling and storage of firearms in order to improve and ensure the safety of our families and our RCMP members.
This approach is critical to our efforts to make Nunavut communities safe.
The locks have been generously funded by Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated and the Canadian Firearms Program’s chief firearms officer for Manitoba and Nunavut in Winnipeg.
The initial response has been very positive so far in the communities visited by the RCMP.
In the coming weeks, the RCMP will continue visiting communities, with the next stops being Arviat and Igloolik during the month of November.
Minister’s Statement 197 – 3(3): Nunavut Partnership to Deliver BizPaL Service (Taptuna)
Hon. Peter Taptuna: Good afternoon, colleagues.
Good afternoon, Nunavummiut. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to thank my colleague, the Hon. Monica Ell, for assisting with the announcement of the BizPaL partnership between the Government of Canada and the Government of Nunavut.
I am pleased to say that the partnership will facilitate the delivery of BizPaL service for Nunavummiut.
Mr. Speaker, BizPaL is an innovative online tool that provides entrepreneurs with simplified access to the permits and licences they need to establish and run their business.
This federal, provincial, and territorial partnership is designed to lower the burden of red tape that small business owners encounter when they’re dealing with government.
Partnerships such as these assist us in our commitment to supporting community-based and sustainable economies.
We want to ensure that businesses in Nunavut have easy access to all the resources available to them for start-up and expansion.
Mr. Speaker, when the service is available in all of our official languages, it will be accessible online through a customized Nunavut portal and at www.bizpal.ca.
Minister’s Statement 198 – 3(3): Training Program Accomplishments (Ell)
As Minister of the Department of Human Resources, it is a great pleasure for me to rise today to acknowledge our training programs’ accomplishments through the years and congratulate 291 graduates to date, 178 of whom are beneficiaries. (interpretation ends) These numbers include 207 from various occupational training programs for 2009 to 2012 and 84 from the Nunavut Advanced Management Program for the years 2003 to 2012.
Courses have been delivered in Iqaluit, Rankin Inlet, and Cambridge Bay previously and will be offered again in these communities in 2012-13.
(interpretation) These training initiatives are essential for us to build the capacity of our public service and create the ability to reach our Inuit employment targets in all sectors and levels of the public service.
(interpretation ends) All existing administrative, human resource, supervisory, and communication staff have been given the opportunity to strengthen their leadership, management, and communication skills.
The job-specific knowledge and hands-on practise received from these excellent training programs have given them confidence and the working knowledge to perform more effectively in their current positions and advance in their careers.
(interpretation) Mr. Speaker, building on these achievements, we will continue to offer support and encouragement to all of our training participants to continue their educational pursuits in contribution to excellence in our public service.
Minister Ell, could I please ask you to send a copy of your Minister’s Statement with the page up to the table as we don’t have a copy of it.