EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Question 347 – 4(2): Activities of the Office of the Chief Coroner (Joanasie)
I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Justice, whose department is responsible for the Coroners Act.
Mr. Speaker, the terms of reference for the independent external review into the death of Makibi Timilak specifically states that the review “will not consider the cause of death of the infant…or any conclusions of the Chief Coroner for Nunavut regarding this case.”
Sections 21 to 24 of the Coroners Act provide for the circumstances in which a coroner’s inquest may be held.
Can the minister explain what conclusions, if any, have been made by the Office of the Chief Coroner in respect to the Cape Dorset incident?
The remains of the infant were sent out for an autopsy and they determined the cause of death.
I will make a copy of this report available as it speaks to the cause of death and this is the coroner’s report.
Can the minister confirm whether or not the independent reviewer, Ms. Peterson, will be meeting with the chief coroner as part of the external review process?
Yes, with respect to that, I am open to any suggestion related to this external review, although we have informed her that we will provide assistance wherever possible and we will be available to provide this assistance.
If the member wishes to meet with any of the parties, we can facilitate that. We will be available to provide assistance.
Can the minister indicate what further actions will be taken by the Office of the Chief Coroner in respect to the Cape Dorset incident?
Yes, the report outlines the findings of the autopsy, so our information is derived from that. However, with respect to the external review, it will only focus on the operational side, as we already know the cause of death.
We would like further answers as to how this slipped through the health care system. That is what we will review.
Question 348 – 4(2): Status of the Debt Cap (Hickes)
I would like to ask a couple of questions to the Minister of Finance.
Mr. Speaker, I found it noteworthy yesterday in the Budget Address that nowhere were the words “debt” or “borrow” mentioned.
It is no secret that the government is looking to ask Ottawa for an increase in our borrowing limit.
Can the minister clarify for us today what the status of this request is?
I met with Minister Oliver in Ottawa at our federal/provincial/territorial finance ministers’ meeting in December.
I presented him with a proposal to increase it from $400 million to $750 million. I have not spoken to Minister Oliver since.
I’m hopeful that they will give good consideration and we will get an increase, but I haven’t heard from him yet.
According to a recent news article, the minister was quoted as saying that at the end of this fiscal year, we will be approaching $305 million in debt. I have to presume that when we ask Ottawa for an increase in our debt cap, they would ask us to explain what we plan to use the additional borrowing room for.
Can the minister clarify what specific proposals the government has?
Hon. Keith Peterson: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank Mr. Hickes again for the question.
Mr. Speaker, with the $400 million debt cap that we have now, it will allow us to complete the Iqaluit airport. We don’t have much room for debt beyond that.
During devolution negotiations, there’s a possibility, if the agreement is signed, that at some point, we may take on capital leases from the federal government, so we would definitely need the increase. At the same time that I presented Minister Oliver with proposals for our debt cap increase, I gave him two proposals for $300 million for additional housing and $200 million for investment in energy in Nunavut to upgrade our power plants.
If we’re unsuccessful in getting $300 million or $200 million for all those other projects in our proposals or a similar amount, then we could potentially use some of the increased debt cap to invest in critical infrastructure in Nunavut.
I don’t have any specific proposals at this time, but it gives us that flexibility and I believe we can service our debt.
Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the minister’s response to that one.
Speaking of serving the debt, when ordinary people make purchases on their Visa or MasterCard, they eventually have to pay the money back or find themselves in a lot of financial trouble.
Although I recognize that government borrowing is not exactly the same as household borrowing, the basic concept of paying your debts is fairly simple.
Can the minister outline how the government plans to service its debt over the coming decade?
It’s a fairly simple explanation. We’re going to be very prudent financial managers, all of us here in the House and in all our government departments and public agencies, and spend within our means and hopefully produce annual surpluses that allow us to service the debt.
Question 349 – 4(2): Compliance with Duty Travel Directive (Enook)
My questions are for the Minister of Finance regarding part of the question I asked yesterday.
I stated yesterday that in 2011, the Government of Nunavut issued a request for proposals for a standing offer agreement for medical travel and duty travel on scheduled airlines.
Mr. Speaker, the Nunavut government’s request for proposals indicated that “annual duty travel business is estimated at $26 million across Nunavut in 2009-2010.”
Mr. Speaker, to put it another way that is understandable to the average citizen, the Government of Nunavut forecasted their duty travel expenditures at approximately $70,000 daily just for travel purposes within one calendar year.
What I want to ask the minister about is this: can the minister tell us today roughly how much the government spends annually for duty travel for their employees?
Hon. Keith Peterson: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank Mr. Enook for the information.
I don’t have the specific details, but I do know that, as Mr. Enook clearly stated, we do spend a lot on duty travel.
This is a large territory and I don’t need to go into the details, but to deliver our programs and services, our people do need to go to the communities or travel to Iqaluit or travel to meetings down south.
All duty travel, as I pointed out to Mr. Enook, has to be approved by the supervisor and it has to be accounted for, so it shouldn’t be for frivolous types of trips; it should be for trips that are necessary and promote the delivery of programs and services to this government.
Mr. Enook (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am sure that the minister will agree that it is only prudent for the government to be fully in compliance with its own duty travel directive, which requires that air travel must be “at the lowest practical fare.”
Yesterday, the minister informed the House that GN departments and Crown agencies have been made aware of the rules surrounding duty travel, but he could not tell us if they are all in compliance with the rules.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the minister if he is able to respond today about which departments are in full compliance with this directive.
I’m not sure I understand Mr. Enook’s question with respect to what he means by compliance. All the departments are aware of the FAM directive, they’re all aware of the contract with the two airlines, and they have all been reminded of the codes.
I checked with my officials yesterday. Again, they reassured me that our comptroller general, who is pretty senior in this government, has sent the information and reminders to all the departments and all the public agencies that this is the contract. He also sent them information on “Here is how much you have spent on the two airlines.”
Our department has the ability to track what the usage is on a monthly basis and if they’re using their corporate credit cards.
We will continue to do that and remind them that there are some serious discrepancies in some departments.
We have urged the deputy ministers and our officials to monitor very closely and correct those deficiencies.
Is that due to our questions or due to the information you receive? Does the minister or his department have specific details about our departments, our Crown agencies, and whether they are complying with this directive? What measures do you use to determine compliance?
I wasn’t getting a clear translation, but if I understood what was asked, again, our comptroller general has sent some strongly-worded directives to the departments to ensure that their staff use both airlines in a fairly even manner.
We will continue to monitor it and if we don’t see any improvements, then our comptroller general has some tools at his disposal to bring departments into compliance or improve their use of both airlines.
Question 350 – 4(2): Comprehensive Review of NNI Policy (Hickes)
I have a question today for the Minister of Economic Development and Transportation, whose department is responsible for the government’s NNI Secretariat.
Mr. Speaker, I asked this question to her predecessor to the position and I’m sure the minister has been kept up to speed on this topic since she took over the portfolio.
A little over three years ago, the government announced that it would be undertaking a comprehensive review of the NNI Policy in cooperation with Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated.
At that time, the government announced that it would also be conducting a comprehensive internal review of public procurement practices.
In September of 2013, the report of the NNI Review Committee was formally tabled in the Legislative Assembly.
This report contains recommendations on almost two dozen issues.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) The Hon. Minister of Economic Development and Transportation, Ms. Ell.
Hon. Monica Ell (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the member for Tasiluk. (interpretation ends) As he mentioned, the NNI comprehensive review has been completed.
The NNI Secretariat is currently working with NTI and other GN departments to draft a new policy which will better support Article 24 of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement.
We’re hoping that this new policy that supports the development of Inuit and Nunavut businesses and employment of Inuit workers, and so forth, that the final policy will hopefully be released and ready for the spring of 2015.
I look forward to seeing that final review of the policy.
Mr. Speaker, one of the recommendations in the report of the NNI Review Committee was that the government’s current system of bid adjustments for Inuit owned firms, Nunavut businesses, and local businesses should be restructured.
Can the minister indicate what the government’s position is on that recommendation?
Revisions to the NNI Policy that are being considered by the review committee, which is Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated and our NNI Secretariat, are currently reviewing several recommendations that have been put forth. One of them is looking at the changes to the bid adjustments.
Currently, they’re analyzing what new formulas might be agreed to.
I understand one of the challenges why this has been taking so long is that there are a number of stakeholders involved in the process of the review of this policy.
I would like to get the government’s position on one of the other recommendations from the report recommending that the current system of bonuses and penalties under the NNI Policy should be reviewed.
Can the minister indicate what decisions the government has made on this recommendation?
Currently there is a bid cap when bids are being put together and that is also under review by the review committee.
What they are looking at is whether the cap can be flexible so that the businesses that would like to make bids under the Inuit Employment Plan can have more opportunities to hire more Inuit that they would like to hire during their bid to the government, whatever that might be.
Currently that also is only for goods.
Currently, the committee is looking at whether that would also include goods as well as services that can be provided under bid adjustments.
Question 351 – 4(2): Staff for Corrections Relief Structure (Hickes)
I guess I’m on a bit of a roll here. I don’t like leaving time on the clock during Oral Questions.
Mr. Speaker, I have a question for the Minister of Justice.
Recently, he had arranged to have a tour provided for the social wellness committee to tour the correctional facilities here in Iqaluit. It was very much appreciated to give us a real hands-on look at the conditions of the facilities that are here.
What I would like to get to in my question here today is the overcrowding relief structure that is anticipated to be opening fairly soon. I would like to get an update on the status of staffing that facility.
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) From what I understand, the staffing has been quite well planned. My officials have travelled throughout the communities seeking applicants for positions at Makigiarvik, the new facility which should be open very shortly. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, the Inuit Employment Plan for the Department of Justice has indicated that it wishes to promote active and regular recruitment of employees for positions in correctional facilities through an open ad for casual employment.
Can the minister indicate how successful this strategy has been in recruiting Inuit beneficiaries to positions at BCC and other facilities in this city?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) There has been limited success with our traditional methods of recruitment, so we tried something different with the Makigiarvik.
I must say that the results have been very impressive. I think that we are reviewing both and making sure that we find the best combination to recruit as many Inuit into our facilities. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
When I asked similar questions almost a year ago, the minister responded that there are a little over 20 employees that will be working in the new facility.
As of now, how many of those positions are filled and how many are beneficiaries?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I don’t have all the details on that question so far. I’ll make sure that I provide that information to the House as soon as I get it. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 352 – 4(2): Palliative and End-of-Life Care Services (Hickes)
Mr. Hickes: I don’t like leaving time on the clock, Mr. Speaker.
I have a question a question for the same minister but under his health portfolio.
In the past, I have asked a question regarding providing end-of-life care and I just want to warm the minister up for the continuation of Committee of the Whole this afternoon.
I would like to ask the minister: in addressing the growing need for training and support to provide palliative and end-of-life care to Nunavut residents and their families, can the minister describe what programs and services are currently available to providing support, training, and care to address palliative and end-of-life needs across Nunavut’s communities, and to what extent palliative and end-of-life services are currently being delivered?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) From what I understand, there are two dedicated spaces that are used here in Iqaluit for palliative care as and when they’re needed.
That’s all the information I have for now. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
When I asked the minister’s predecessor in that position almost a year ago, she had mentioned that there was a program on palliative care education and training, and I’ll quote, “is being planned for home and community care workers and continuing care workers” for the 2014-15 fiscal year. The first delivery was to take place in the Kitikmeot area.
Would the minister be able to update me today on how that palliative care education and training program is being run across the territory?
Hon. Minister of Health, Mr. Okalik.
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I’m sure it’s somewhere in my other binder that I’ll be using in Committee of the Whole, so I look forward to answering that at that time.
I apologize that my other binder is not with me. (interpretation) I apologize.
With that notation, I’ll save this question for Committee of the Whole and I can assure the Chair that I’ll probably be using my full 10 minutes allocated and maybe even a little bit more.
Question 353 – 4(2): Water Licence Compliance Issues (Joanasie)
Like Mr. Hickes, I want to raise my questions prior to the end of question period while I have the chance.
I want to direct my question to the Minister of Community and Government Services.
While we were in Ministers’ Statements, he announced that four communities or hamlets are operating without a water licence.
I would like to first ask the minister why these communities didn’t have valid water licences they need to provide water services.
Yes, my earlier statement today spoke to the five communities without a water licence and they are Taloyoak, Gjoa Haven, Cape Dorset, Hall Beach, and Kimmirut.
I doubt they are the only ones, but these communities had some issues with their licences and our department was working with the communities to bring the licences up to date.
At this time, I can now say that the hamlets are moving towards compliance and the federal government is happy with the work we have done. They will be able to get new licences upon completion of the paperwork and recommended work.
I heard that AANDC sent out correspondence to the communities, but what I now hear is that the correspondence has been returned or (interpretation ends) rescinded.
(interpretation) What plans does your department have for future community water licences so that they can retain them? How can these licences be rescinded or will your department ensure that no future water licences contravene these requirements?
Yes, currently we have completed these plans for every community in Nunavut, not just related to water licences but all legal requirements the hamlets have to comply with. We will continue to work with the communities to ensure that their water licences comply with these requirements.
Mr. Joanasie (interpretation): Thank you. I apologize I made an error since the minister highlighted five communities: Taloyoak, Gjoa Haven, Cape Dorset, Hall Beach, and Kimmirut. I thought he mentioned four communities, but now I know there are five.
For my final question, I want to ask the minister if every community in Nunavut has a valid water licence.
Actually these five communities were the most complex in trying to comply with the regulations, but there were other communities who fell short of these requirements for their licences.
However, the correspondence we received from AANDC showed the deficiencies and the result was a review of every community water licence for compliance.
At this time, we are still working with the communities to ensure they get valid water licences both for water delivery and sewage services.
Tabled Document 096 – 4(2): Response to the Standing Committee on Oversight of Government Operations and Public Accounts’ October 29, 2014 Report on the Review of the 2012-2013 Annual Report of the Languages Commissioner of Nunavut (Kuksuk)
I am pleased to table the Government of Nunavut’s Response to the Standing Committee on Oversight of Government Operations and Public Accounts’ October 29, 2014 Report on the Review of the 2012-13 Annual Report of the Languages Commissioner of Nunavut.
Hon. Premier, Mr. Taptuna.
Tabled Document 097 – 4(2): Response to the Standing Committee on Oversight of Government Operations and Public Accounts’ Report on the Review of the 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 Annual Reports of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Nunavut (Taptuna)
I am pleased to table the Government of Nunavut’s Response to the Standing Committee on Oversight of Government Operations and Public Accounts’ Report on the Review of 2012-13 and 2013-14 Annual Reports of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Nunavut.
Tabling of Documents. Minister of Environment, Mr. Mike.
Tabled Document 098 – 4(2): Nunavut Wildfire Annual Report for the Period January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014 (Mike)
I am pleased to table the Nunavut Wildfire Annual Report for the period January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014.
Tabled Document 099 – 4(2): Environmental Rights Act Annual Report for the Period January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014 (Mike)
I am pleased to table the Annual Report for the Environmental Rights Act for the period January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Tabling of Documents. (interpretation) Moving on. (interpretation ends) Item 15.
Bill 14 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 3, 2014-2015 – First Reading
Hon. Keith Peterson: Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Pangnirtung, that Bill 14, Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 3, 2014-2015, be read for the first time.
The motion is carried and Bill 14 has received first reading.
First Reading of Bills. Hon. Minister of Finance, Mr. Peterson.
Bill 15 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 2, 2014-2015 – First Reading
Hon. Keith Peterson: Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Pangnirtung, that Bill 15, Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, No. 2, 2014-2015, be read for the first time.
The motion is carried and Bill 15 has received first reading.
Bill 17 – Write-off of Assets Act, 2012-2013 – First Reading
Hon. Keith Peterson: Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Pangnirtung, that Bill 17, Write-off of Assets Act, 2012-2013, be read for the first time.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) The bill is in motion. (interpretation) I’m sorry.
(interpretation ends) The motion is in order. I knew you would smile on that one.
The motion is carried and Bill 17 has received first reading.
Bill 18 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 1, 2015-2016 – First Reading
Hon. Keith Peterson: Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Pangnirtung, that Bill 18, Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 1, 2015-2016, be read for the first time.
The motion is carried and Bill 18 has received first reading.
Bill 19 – An Act to Amend the Workers’ Compensation Act – First Reading
Hon. Keith Peterson: Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Pangnirtung, that Bill 19, An Act to Amend the Workers’ Compensation Act, be read for the first time.
The motion is carried and Bill 19 has received first reading.
[Consideration in] Committee of the Whole on Bills and Other Matters. Bill 16 with Mr. Enook in the Chair.
>>House recessed at 15:17 and Committee resumed at 15:44
Chairman (Mr. Enook)(interpretation): I will now call the committee meeting to order.
Good afternoon, Nunavummiut, the people watching the televised proceedings and listening to the radio broadcast. Welcome to your Committee of the Whole.
We will now proceed. We have the following item to deal with: Bill 16.
Mr. Chairman, we wish to commence with the review of the O&M appropriation for the Department of Health and, if time permits, the Department of Community and Government Services.
Does the committee agree that we continue with our review of the main estimates for the Department of Health?
Are we in agreement to have Minister Okalik’s witnesses return to the table?
Minister Okalik, for the record, please introduce your witnesses. (interpretation ends) Hon. Minister.
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you and good day, Mr. Chairman.
With me again today are my Deputy Minister, Colleen Stockley, and Assistant Deputy Minister Rosemary Keenainak.
Also, prior to commencing our opening comments, I directed staff to research some of the issues raised in the questions we couldn’t answer yesterday, but we have some information available now. With your permission, Mr. Chairman, I can provide them now.
Chairman: Qujannamiik, Hon. Minister. (interpretation) Welcome, Ms. Stockley and Ms. Keenainak.