EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Thursday, December the 4th, I will move that Bill 50, Interim Appropriation Act April 1st to June 30th of 2004, Bill 51, Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act No. 3 2003/2004, Bill 52, Supplementary Appropriation (O and M) Act No. 2 2003/2004 and Bill 53, Write Off of Assets and Debts Act 2003/2004 be read for the first time.
Bill 54 - An Act to Amend the Access to Information and Protection and Privacy Act (Change of Precedence) - Notice
Hon. Paul Okalik: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Thursday, December 4, 2003, that Bill 54, an Act to Amend the Access to Information and Protection and Privacy Act be read for the first time.
Mr. Speaker, I seek to unanimous consent from the Assembly to waive the two day notice requirement to allow for first reading of Bills 50, 51, 52 and 53 for today.
Bill 50 - Interim Appropriation Act April 1st-June 30th of 2004 – First Reading
Bill 51 - Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act No. 3 2003/2004 - First Reading
Bill 52 - Supplementary Appropriation (O and M) Act No. 2 2003/2004 - First Reading
Bill 53 - Write Off of Assets and Debts Act 2003/2004 - First Reading
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Honourable Colleagues.
I move seconded by the Honourable Member for Baffin South that Bill 50, Interim Appropriation Act April 1st to June 30th, 2004, Bill 51, Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act No. 3 2003/2004, Bill 52, Supplementary Appropriation (O and M) Act No. 2 2003/2004 and Bill 53, Write Off of Assets and Debts Act 2003/2004 be read for the first time.
Speaker: Thank you, Minister Ng. The Motion is in order.
All those in favour. All those opposed. The Motion is carried and the Bills have had first reading.
I seek consent of the Assembly to waive the one day notice requirement to allow for second reading of Bill 50, Interim Appropriation Act April 1st to June 30th 2004 for today.
Speaker: Mr. Ng, due to the fact that this is a money Bill, you do not need consent so you can put it straight forward.
Bill 50 - Interim Appropriation Act April 1st-June 30th of 2004 – Second Reading
Hon. Kelvin Ng: There you go.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for that clarification and direction.
Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Iqaluit West that Bill 50, Interim Appropriation Act April 1st to June 30th 2004 be read for the second time.
Mr. Speaker, this Bill authorizes the Government to make interim appropriations of the first quarter of 2004/2005 fiscal year.
This will enable the Government to make expenditures in the amount of $190 million, 640 thousand dollars. In total, 2004-2005 Main Estimates are approved.
The Motion is in order. To the principle of the Bill.
The Motion is carried and Bill 50 has had Second Reading and accordingly the Bill stands referred to a Committee.
Bill 51 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act No. 3 2003/2004– Second Reading
I move seconded by the Honourable Member for Hudson Bay that Bill 51, Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act No. 3 2003/2004 be read for the second time.
Mr. Speaker, this Bill provides a supplementary appropriation for the Government of Nunavut to defray capital expenditures for the fiscal year ending March 31st 2004.
The supplementary funding requested it specifically for the Nunavut Housing Corporation in the amount of $5 million, 900 thousand dollars.
The Motion is carried and Bill 51 has had Second Reading and accordingly the Bill stands referred to a Committee.
Bill 52 – Supplementary Appropriation (O & M) Act No. 2, 2003/2004 – Second Reading
I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Rankin Inlet South/Whale Cove that Bill 52, Supplementary Appropriation (Operation and Maintenance) Act No. 2 2003/2004 be read for the second time.
Mr. Speaker, this Bill makes supplementary appropriations for the Government of Nunavut to defray operating and maintenance expenditures for the fiscal year and in 2003-2004 in the amount of $6 million, 345 thousand dollars.
The Motion is carried and Bill 52 has had Second Reading and accordingly the Bill stands referred to a Committee.
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek consent of the Assembly to waive the one day notice requirement to allow for Second Reading of Bill 53, Write Off of Assets and Debts Act 2003-2004 for today.
Speaker: The Minister is seeking to waive Rule 62(1) so that Bill 53 can have Second Reading today.
Bill 53 – Write Off of Assets and Debts Act, 2003/2004 – Second Reading
Mr. Speaker, since this Bill deals with debt, I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Iqaluit East that Bill 53, Write Off of Assets and Debts Act, 2003/2004 be read for the second time.
Mr. Speaker, this Bill authorizes the Government to write off assets in accordance with Section 82 of the Financial Administration Act and Debts in accordance with Sections 24 and 82 for the Financial Administration Act.
More specifically, the Act authorizes the Nunavut Development Corporation to right down slow moving inventory and for the Government and Nunavut Arctic College to write off debts that are not collectable.
The Motion is carried and Bill 53 has had Second Reading and accordingly the Bill stands referred to a Committee.
Bill 35, Bill 49, Bill 50, Bill 51 and Bill 52 with Mr. Iqaqrialu in the Chair and in accordance to the authority provided to me by Motion 2-1(6), the Committee of the Whole will stay in Session until it reports itself out.
Before we proceed to Committee of the Whole, we will take a short 20-minute break.
>>House recessed at 16:14 and resumed at 16:59
Chairman (Mr. Iqaqrialu) (interpretation): Thank you. Welcome back to the Chamber.
During the Committee of the Whole we will be dealing with Bill 35, 49, 50 and 52.
The Committee would like to begin with the review of Bill 49, an Act to Amend the Safety Act and after that we would like to deal with Bill 35.
During the Committee of the Whole we will be reviewing Bill 49.
Does the Committee agree that we deal with Bill 49?
Chairman (interpretation): Mr. Ng do you have your opening comments?
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Mr. Chairman, it is my pleasure to appear before you to review Bill 49, An Act to Amend the Safety Act.
Mr. Chairman, Bill 49 is the result of an open and productive process that was undertaken to bring about much needed changes to the Worker’s Compensation Act and the Safety Act.
Amendments will clearly identify the players in the modern work site and establish their respective responsibilities.
For the first time, individuals who supply equipment and tools to a worksite will be responsible for ensuring that equipment and tools are safe.
Where two or more employers have charge of an establishment, the principal contractor or the owner, depending on the circumstances, will be responsible for coordinating the activities of all the employers to ensure that health and safety of persons in the establishment.
Amendments will permit safety officers to directly address potential ongoing safety issues without the necessity of resorting to costly and time consuming court proceedings by issuing Stop Work Directions where an employer refuses to rectify a potential danger.
The current Safety Act only requires employers to have safety committees; however, modern occupational health and safety philosophy requires employers to have appropriate safety programs.
Safety committees are but one part of a proper safety program.
These amendments will require employers to develop appropriate safety programs for their business.
Regulations will be drafted to assist employers to determine the appropriate safety programs for them.
A Safety Advisory Committee made up of representatives of the interests of workers, employers and chaired by the Chief Safety Officer will have a mandate to advise on amendments to the Act and regulations that are required in the interests of occupational health and safety.
To assist workers and employers understand sections of the Act and regulations which are often unclear, the Chief Safety Officer will be given authority to issue Codes of Practice.
These codes will remain in place until proper regulations can be developed.
The provisions of the Act related to disclosure of information will be brought in line to recognize the fact that the WCB has been given responsibility to administer a number of Acts related to health and safety in Nunavut and can use information obtained under the Safety Act to properly administer other legislation.
The Bill also recognizes the WCB’s obligations under the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
Because the WCB is a shared NWT/Nunavut Board, any changes to Nunavut legislation must be mirrored in the NWT.
The content of the legislative proposal was developed with input from both governments.
Mr. Chairman, we are ready to answer any questions and deal with the Bill.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Ng. Before we go to the Bill, I would like to ask the Committee Chairperson, Mr. Tootoo, if he has any opening remarks.
Mr. Chairman the Standing Committee of Government Operations and Services is pleased to have had the opportunity to review Bill 49, an Act to Amend the Safety Act with the Minister and his officials.
Mr. Chairman Members recognize that the intent of this Bill is to enact a number of the recommendations made in the Act Now Report that was tabled in this House in February of 2002.
Mr. Chairman, during the previous review of Bills relating to the Worker’s Compensation Act, the committee has commented on somewhat unique circumstances facing Members of the Legislative Assembly both here and in the Northwest Territories given the desire to maintain essentially parallel statutes.
The Safety Act also comes under the jurisdiction of the board, which is jointly shared by the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
Mr. Chairman, the committee would again wish to stress the need for the government here to make efforts to ensure our Bills are introduced into this House in as timely a fashion as possible.
To date we’ve been in a position of considering Bills after their parallel version have first been considered and in some cases amended by our western counterparts.
The Bill was provided by the establishment of the Safety Advisory Committee that would make recommendations regarding the Act and the regulations made under it.
Members understand that these appointments would be made jointly by the Northwest Territories and Nunavut Ministers responsible for the Act and would urge our Minister to ensure that Nunavut is effectively represented on the committee.
Another concern raised by members is related to the establishment of Joint Work Site Health and Safety Committees.
The present Safety Act provides that these bodies would be composed of an equal number of workers chosen by the workers at the work site and persons chosen by the employer.
Members were concerned that this guarantee of balanced representation currently in the legislation was removed by Bill 49 and we were pleased the Minister agreed to being forward an amendment in committee of the whole this afternoon which we’ll be hearing to address this concern.
The committee would note for the record, the continued trend on the part of the government to remove elements from statutes and place them under regulation.
As members know regulations can be changed at any time by the Cabinet alone without any degree of public scrutiny.
The committee would strongly urge the government to ensure that new regulations are developed in a genuinely consultative manner and communicated clearly to the public.
The Standing Committee recommends passage of Bill 49 to all Members.
Individual Members may raise their own comments and questions as we proceed.
Minister Ng, will you have your officials present with you?
You may proceed to the witness table at this time.
Sergeant-at-Arms, can you assist the officials and the minister?
Thank you, Minister Ng. Please introduce your officials for the committee.
This is David Simms, the Acting Vice-president for Nunavut and to my right is Ms. Sarah McDermott who is legal counsel for both of the Worker’s Compensation Boards.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Minister Ng. In accordance with rule 77(1) we have 10 minutes for general comments and once that is complete, in accordance with the rules you will also have ten minutes for questions.
Does anyone have any general comments at this time?
If there are no general comments we’ll go to Bill 49, an Act to Amend the Safety Act.
Do all Members have it?
Bill 49.
Clause 1 of Bill 49, an Act to Amend the Safety Act.
Page 1. Are you on that page?
Do you want to go Clause by Clause?
Committee Motion 020 – 1(6): Clause 6 of Bill 49 An Act to Amend the Safety Act be Amended
Mr. Chairman, I would like to make a Motion here.
I move that Clause 6 of Bill 49 be amended by the addition of the following after 7(2):
Composition of the Committee
(3) Where an employer is required by the regulations or directed by the Chief Safety Officer under the regulations to establish a Joint Work Site Health and Safety Committee, the Committee shall be composed of an equal number of
Workers chosen by the workers at the work site who are representative of and who shall represent the occupational health and safety concerns of all the workers at the work site; and
Persons chosen by the employer, or by each employer where workers of two or more employers are employed at the same work site, to represent the employer.
Any comments on the Motion?
Mr. Nutarak (interpretation): Which Clause are we on?
Are we on Clause 6 or Clause 7?
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. We are on Clause 6 of Bill 49.
That is the Motion on Clause 6.
Can you see the Motion?
We are on Clause 6.
Chairman (interpretation): All in favour.
Clause 6, agreed as amended.
I just want another clarification on Clause 7 because there are two 7’s.
There is a Safety Program, Clause 7, and there is also a subsection under 7.
Which one are we dealing with?
Clause 7, there are two of them.
Minister Ng, if you can clarify for the Member, under Clause 7.
Mr. Chairman, Clause 6 actually deals with section 7.
Clause 7 deals with section 11, I believe, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Minister Ng. Clause 7.
Mr. Chairman, this clause deals with the code of practise and I guess I am just looking for clarification.
I know we have the Legislation, an actual Act that is right here and a lot of things that are outlined in regulations and this code of practise; I would just like some clarification on exactly what that is and the power and extent of that, if it has the same authority and the same power as the Act or regulation.
I will ask Ms. McDermott to speak to this.
Chairman (interpretation): Ms. McDermott.
Ms. McDermott: The code of practises intended to elaborate on anything that might be in the Act or the regulations to assist an employer or a worker to understand what their rights or their duties are under the Legislation.
They are meant to be able to respond in a timely way to changes in technology, changes in industry standards, changes in just practises.
One example that I could give is that often a regulation will quote a CSA standard and that workers or employers are to follow and those often change more quickly than regulations can be updated.
A code of practise would bring the updated standard into effect in a timely way so that they can be taken advantage of in workplaces.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Ms. McDermott.
Mr. Chairman, I just want to again, just for clarification, there is a code of practise, which is basically an agreement in principle until something is changed in the regulations if I am interpreting the response correctly.
What are the ramifications of violating the Act or violating the regulations?
You can be prosecuted for doing that.
Is that the same thing with these codes of practise?
Are you in violation?
Do they have the same penalties for violating a code of practise as you would of violating any regulation or a section under the Act?
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Minister Ng. That was a very good response.
We are on Clause 11.
Under the Safety Advisory Committee, is there a current Safety Advisory Committee in place now?
Was there somebody that said that they should set up the Safety Committee or is this something to add to the bureaucracy of the Workers’ Compensation?
Mr. Chairman, this Committee is vested with the responsibility to make recommendations on Legislative or regulatory changes in order to enhance safety in a workplace.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Minister Ng. At this time we will conclude with that number.
Mr. Chairman, just on that Safety Advisory Committee, and as we are all aware that the joint board with the Northwest Territories and Nunavut and other amendments that we have looked at through the Workers' Compensation Board, is the Minister responsible in the Northwest Territories who has the final say on who is on the appointments?
I am just wondering, in this case here, which says the Minister shall, is that the Minister, you in this case right now or would that be the Minister in the Northwest Territories that would be responsible for making those appointments?
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, the amendments when passed, will allow Nunavut and the Northwest Territories to set up separate their Safety Committees if they chose to do that.
I think the intent is to have a joint committee representative of Nunavut and the Northwest Territories in the interest of a spirit of cooperation that we have maintained right from the start, having a shared Board.
And of course, two new Ministers responsible, two new governments will deal with that issue once they come into office.
Mr. Chairman, does the Minister have any idea that the recommendation that these Advisory Committees would be made up equally from representatives from Nunavut and the Northwest Territories?
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, from my perspective, as the Minister responsible for Nunavut, I would say, yes that would be the ideal situation for us, but having said that, we recognize that it is based on the inter-governmental agreement that was signed off, and what the Northwest Territories and Nunavut have been working under.
The Northwest Territories has a bit more emphasis because they have a larger proportion of employers based in the Northwest Territories right now, and it was based on the traditional or historical clientele.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Minister Ng. Do you still have any questions?
Mr. Tootoo: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, we are done as that was Clause 16; there is another Motion that I would like to make.
It is not here right now so I do not know if you want to see if it will be ready shortly.
If it is not, then maybe we just report progress and then come back and deal with that one Motion tomorrow that deals with the coming into force provisions of the Act.
We cannot complete the whole thing without having something in there.
If it is not going to be ready right away, then maybe if we report progress and deal with it the first thing, that one Clause, and the finish it off then.
Since we do not have the Motion, at hand here, there is a Motion to report progress.
The Speaker can return to the Chamber.
I am sorry, Minister Ng. I would like to thank you and say see you tomorrow.
Chairman (Mr. Iqaqrialu) (interpretation): Mr. Speaker, your Committee has been considering Bill 49 and would like to Report progress. Mr. Speaker, I move that the Report of the Committee of the Whole be concurred with.
Mr. Puqiqnak will second the Motion.
The Motion is carried. Item 21.
Clerk: Thank you, Mr. Speaker, a reminder to the Members of the Standing Committee Government Operations is meeting tomorrow morning at half past eight in the Tuktu Board Room.
Orders for the Day for Wednesday, December 3rd.
Bill 35
Bill 49
Bill 50
Bill 51
Bill 52
Just a reminder to the Members that we do have a meeting at 7:00 this evening at the Navigator and we’d like all Members to attend.
In accordance to the authority provided to me by motion 2-1(6) this House stands adjourned until Wednesday, December 3, 2003 at 10:00 a.m.
>>House adjourned at 17:32  Nunavut Canada
DAY 71
Wednesday December 3, 2003
Pages 4695 – 4810
Replies to Opening Address 4071
Reports of the Committee of the Whole 4071
Wednesday December 3, 2003 4071
233 – 1(6): Release of Nunavut Adult Learning Strategy Discussion Document (Thompson) 4071
234 – 1(6): Nunavut Business Credit Corporation (Akesuk) 4071
235 – 1(6): Nunavut Power Corporation Laura Ulluriaq Gauthier Scholarship (Picco) 4071
236 – 1(6): New Culture, Language, Elders and Youth Web Site Includes Nunavut’s First Virtual Museum (Kilabuk) 4071
237 – 1(6): MYATT Conference (Picco) 4071
238 – 1(6): 2004 Arctic Winter Games (Kilabuk) 4071
747 – 1(6): Selection of Speaker (Iqaqrialu) 4071
748 – 1(6): NNI Appeals Board (McLean) 4071
749 – 1(6): Inuit Traditional Clothing (Puqiqnak) 4071
750 – 1(6): Elders Facility (Nutarak) 4071
751 – 1(6): Licensed Day Care Operations (Tootoo) 4071
752 – 1(6): Municipal Flag for Apex (Picco) 4071
753 – 1(6): Adult Learning Centres (Williams) 4071
754 – 1(6): Wellness Coordinator – Kugluktuk 4071
755 – 1(6): Gems Found in Kimmirut (Havioyak) 4071
756 – 1(6): Examination of Patients by Community Nurses (Akesuk) 4071
757 – 1(6): Kitikmeot Tahera Project (Alakannuark) 4071
758 – 1(6): Igloolik and Hall Beach Airline Transportation (Irqittuq) 4071
759 – 1(6): Access Road In Pangnirtung (Kilabuk) 4071
716 – 1(6): Amount of Investment on Day Cares (Tootoo) 4071
717 – 1(6): Igloolik and Hall Beach Airline Transportation (Irqittuq) 4071  718 – 1(6): Funding Instruction for Disabled Students (Netser) 4071
719 – 1(6): Proper Examinations for Patients in the Communities (Alakannuark) 4071
720 – 1(6): Water Problems at the Kugluktuk Water Treatment Plant (Havioyak) 4071  721 – 1(6): Update on Qikiqtarjuaq Shoreline Erosion (Iqaqrialu) 4071
722 – 1(6): Tanning Facility for Nunavut (Puqiqnak) 4071
723 – 1(6): NNI Policy Adjustment (McLean) 4071
724 – 1(6): Traditional Adult Learning Centre (Williams) 4071
Replies to Opening Address  003 – 1(6): Reply to Opening Address (Ng) 4071
161 – 1(6): Written Submissions on the Human Rights Act (Iqaqrialu) 4071
162 – 1(6): Developing an Adult Learning Strategy for Nunavut (Thompson) 4071
163 – 1(6): Nunavut Development Corporation Business Plan 2004/2005 (Akesuk) 4071
164 – 1(6): Second Annual Report of the Victims Assistance Committee of Nunavut, April 1st, 2002 – March 31st, 2003 (Okalik) 4071
165 – 1(6): 2003 Annual Report of the Utility Rates Review Council of Nunavut (Okalik) 4071
021 – 1(6): Bill 49 – An Act to Amend the Safety Act be Amended by Adding Clause 17 (Ng) 4071
Bill 54 – An Act to Amend the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act – First Reading 4071
Bill 54 – An Act to Amend the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act – Second Reading 4071
Honourable Olayuk Akesuk, Mr. Ovide Alakannuark, Mr. Donald Havioyak, Mr. David Iqaqrialu, Mr. Enoki Irqittuq, Honourable Peter Kattuk, Honourable Peter Kilabuk, Mr. Glenn McLean, Mr. Patterk Netser, Honourable Kelvin Ng, Mr. Jobie Nutarak, Honourable Kevin O’Brien, Honourable Paul Okalik, Honourable Ed Picco, Mr. Uriash Puqiqnak, Honourable Manitok Thompson, Mr. Hunter Tootoo, Ms. Rebekah Williams.
Minister’s Statement 233 – 1(6): Release of Nunavut Adult Learning Strategy Discussion Document
I send my regards to the people Rankin Inlet and Whale Cove.
Mr. Speaker, during our session in Baker Lake I announced an initiative currently underway in my department to address concerns and issues for a more coordinated and accountable mechanism for the planning and delivery of adult training and education programs.
(Interpretation ends) Over the last year, officials of my department have been working on the development of an Adult Learning Strategy for Nunavut.
The importance and need for this strategy had become very clear during our initial round of consultations.
However, what has also become clear is that there are areas where good quality information is currently not available.
We need to clearly identify our priorities, and we need to develop implementation plans to make things happen.