EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Mr. Speaker, the high cost of living and especially the high cost of food has a serious impact on the health and well-being of all Nunavummiut. Along with some of my colleagues, I will also be addressing the issue of the food mail subsidy later in this session.
Mr. Speaker, once again, I would like to extend my appreciation to the Minister of Education for listening to the concerns of the people of Sanikiluaq and increasing the food allowance rates for my community.
Member’s Statement 098 – 3(2): Transparency of the Government’s Budget Process (Elliott)
I rise today to express concerns regarding the transparency of the government’s budget process.
As members will recall, I asked questions in the House yesterday concerning the status of a new dozer for the community of Grise Fiord.
Although I have now had the opportunity to review the minister’s responses in yesterday’s Hansard, the situation still remains troubling. I want to take a moment to outline the facts as I understand them.
Earlier this year, the government introduced its proposed capital estimates for the 2009-2010 fiscal year.
The Department of Community and Government Services asked the Legislative Assembly for approval to spend just over $36 million.
We, the elected MLAs, approved the requested budget.
Approximately $4 million of the department’s budget was allocated for what the department defines as small capital projects. At that time, MLAs were provided with information from the government that indicated that $280,000 of the department’s budget would be used to purchase a much needed dozer for the community of Grise Fiord.
Mr. Speaker, I voted to approve the department’s capital budget on the understanding that the department would be spending the money on the projects that we, the elected Members of the Legislative Assembly, approved.
In the spring of this year, the department introduced its proposed main estimates for the 2009-2010 fiscal year.
When the minister appeared before the Committee of the Whole, he announced that the department was proposing to create a new pool of block funding in the amount of $1.5 million.
The purpose of this item was described as being created to “Provide annual core funding to assist communities in mobile equipment lifecycle planning, procurement and maintenance.”
No problem there, Mr. Speaker. I assumed that this would be a new pool of funding.
However, Mr. Speaker, it now appears that the department’s capital funding, which the Legislative Assembly had approved earlier this year for certain capital projects, has magically been transformed into O&M dollars by the department. When the minister appeared before the Committee of the Whole earlier this year, he did not give any indication that this was his intention.
Mr. Speaker, as a new MLA, I am often told that the ultimate power of the Legislative Assembly is to say “no”… .
Mr. Speaker, I would like to request unanimous consent to continue with my Member’s Statement, please.
There are none. Please proceed, Mr. Elliott.
I’ll read the last paragraph again and revise it in the spirit of hockey, I guess.
Mr. Speaker, as a rookie MLA, I am often told that the ultimate power of the Legislative Assembly is to say “no” to the government’s spending requests.
I am becoming increasingly inclined to do just that.
As an MLA, I am troubled by the fact that even though we approve funding for specific capital projects in good faith, it appears that the departmental bureaucracy can make arbitrary changes at their whim.
Mr. Speaker, this department and the government as a whole needs to take a close look at its budgeting practices. Although I recognize that any government needs a certain amount of flexibility to deal with emergency situations during the course of the year, it is clear to me that the government is far too eager to undertake budget transfers without adequate consultation or explanation. It is also clear to me that the government’s whole approach to the use of small or minor capital projects needs to be reviewed.
If there are no more Members’ Statements, (interpretation ends) Item 4.
Return to Oral Question 113 – 3(2): Vacancies in Quttiktuq (Curley)
This question was asked on November 26, 2009 by Mr. Ron Elliott with regard to the people in Arctic Bay and Resolute Bay.
Mr. Speaker, as of today, I can advise that candidates have been interviewed for the two positions and it is anticipated that job offers will be made by the Department of Human Resources within the next two weeks.
If the candidates accept the offers of employment and have satisfactory criminal reference checks, both social worker positions should be filled early in the New Year.
Return to Oral Question 124 – 3(2): Status of New Dozer for Grise Fiord (Kusugak)
This is in clarification to Question 124 – 3(2), asked by the MLA for Quttiktuq in reference to the Grise Fiord dozer.
Yesterday, I informed my colleague that the money for the Grise Fiord dozer under minor capital was reallocated to the Mobile Equipment Block Fund.
I have since learned that this money was not reallocated to the Mobile Equipment Block Fund as stated.
I would like to recognize a number of people who are here together.
There are 25 individuals here in the Gallery who are staff and members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada from all three territories: Nunavut, the Northwest Territories, and the Yukon.
They are here attending the first of a three-week union development workshop or program and I understand the other two phases will be held in the capital of each territory. That’s great to hear that they’re spreading the wealth around all three territories.
Mr. Speaker, from the Northwest Territories, I would like to welcome:
Jean-Francois DesLauriers, Regional Executive Vice-President of the Public Service Alliance of Canada for the North.
Roy Courtrielle.
I’m sorry if I pronounce your names wrong, but I have them written down and they will be spelled correctly in the record anyway.
Leon Nason.
Rossana Deboer.
Sheila Sauter-Chadwick.
Sandra Lockhart.
Frank Walsh.
Steve Walsh.
From the far west of the Yukon:
Joan Stickney.
Wendy Dindia.
Jack Bourassa.
Steve Geick.
David Ryce.
LoraLee Kessler.
From our own host territory, an individual first off that I went to high school with, I would like to welcome here Jackie Otuk.
Ely Panipakoocho.
Wes Smith.
Bill Fennell.
Elaine Wyatt.
Thomas Langman.
I would like to welcome Leon Nason here. He used to work in Cape Dorset and he was with public alliance. He used to work for the hamlet and housing in Cape Dorset.
I will try not to miss anybody today.
I have Craig Borden from Resolute Bay. He’s one of the teachers up there at the school. He’s down here for union training.
Question 137 – 3(2): Fuel Price Reduction (Okalik)
Mr. Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to welcome the visitors.
First of all, I would like to thank the Minister responsible for the Petroleum Products Division because this is going to be beneficial to Nunavut.
I still need to ask detailed questions in regard to heating fuel, not gasoline.
I am very pleased that homeowners will be getting a $500 rebate, but will you also be decreasing the price of fuel?
Further, aviation fuel costs have an impact on air travel costs. So I would like to ask the minister: what are you going to be doing with aviation fuel?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Hon. Lorne Kusugak.
We are still in the process of reviewing the heating fuel prices and other fuel products that are used. We are still in the process of reviewing them at this time, Mr. Speaker.
Since we’re in the Christmas season and Christmas Day is coming closer, I’m sure that some people will be going back to their home communities and others.
Aviation fuel has an impact on the prices of airline tickets.
So I would like to ask the minister when he can make an announcement on this matter.
Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): Yes, people will be heading home for the month of Christmas however I apologize that I can’t tell you the exact date when we would make an announcement.
Yes, we all want to have a good Christmas and the minister can be a great Santa Claus if you can reconsider this carefully with your cabinet colleagues. Therefore, I urge the minister to make an announcement as soon as possible.
That was more of a comment, but it’s up to you if you would like to respond.
Thank you, Mr. Okalik. (interpretation ends) Oral Questions. (interpretation) Member for Tununiq, Mr. Arvaluk.
Question 138 – 3(2): Adult Educator for Pond Inlet (Arvaluk)
I would like to direct my question to the Minister responsible for Arctic College.
Not long ago, I was asking questions outside of the session about the adult educator, which we currently don’t have in our community. I was asking questions regarding the upgrading program.
With our adult education centre, we don’t have an upgrading instructor in our community.
Does the minister know when this position will be filled at the new Arctic College in Pond Inlet?
It is my understanding that the adult educator position is temporarily filled in Pond Inlet.
That is my understanding at the present moment and due to circumstances that arose there, if this is not the case, I would really like the member to inform me of this.
I understand the same thing as you; you understand that it is temporarily filled.
Does that person who is temporarily filling the position have an adult education teaching certificate to teach independently, without any supervision required?
I’m not sure of the qualifications of that adult educator at this time, but I would be willing and more than happy to find out and get back to the member.
Will the minister also include, when he responds to me, that in the event the person who is filling in temporarily right now as an adult educator is certified? If not, will he also further tell me that he will urgently fill the position with a certified adult educator?
I will again check on the information for the member and we will take all steps to ensure that we can try and have a certified adult educator in the community.
Oral Questions. Member for Akulliq, Mr. Ningark.
Question 139 – 3(2): Maintenance of Older Housing Units (Ningark)
I have been told by the Hamlet of Kugaaruk and I have visited Repulse Bay. In Kugaaruk, we have over 30 units that were constructed back in the late ‘60s. I am told that some of these homes are moulding inside and wires may not be up to par as we speak today.
My question to the hon. minister is: what are the hon. minister and his department doing to ensure that these homes are up to the standard?
I would like to thank the member for raising that question on behalf of his community.
As we just approved our capital budget, there are dollars in there for M&I retrofits for public housing units.
My understanding of the process, Mr. Speaker, is that our community delivery agent, whether it’s a municipality, local housing organization, or authority that is delivering the public housing in the communities on our behalf, is supposed to do annual condition ratings of units to be able to identify the state that our units are in.
When they get that information, they prioritize what units and what repairs need to be done in the community. That’s how those issues are brought forward and addressed through that process.
If anyone in a public housing unit has any issues regarding the maintenance or the state of their unit, they’re supposed to contact our delivery agent in the community and then it’s up to the delivery agent to go in and check out any concerns that have been brought forward to them.
There is a plan to do a condition rating. Speaking of condition ratings, will the minister have his people going to two of my communities in the summer of 2010 to do what he has said, condition ratings?
I know that it was pointed out by the Auditor General that the corporation did not have a good idea or a good picture of the state of public housing units across the territory.
Mr. Speaker, since then, the corporation has contracted three teams to be going around and do condition ratings on all of our public housing units throughout the territory. I know they’re going to Igloolik, Coral Harbour, Cape Dorset, Hall Beach, and Repulse Bay, with plans to complete the work… .
We’re done before the middle of this month as of today, December 1.
In addition, I expect that half of the units here in Iqaluit will be inspected.
I know there are plans to go to the other communities as well to get these condition ratings done.
As far as when they’re going to go into Kugaaruk, I will check with my officials and see when it’s scheduled in there, and then I would be more than happy to provide that information to the member.
Question 140 – 3(2): Paris Air Show (Rumbolt)
My question will be for the Minister responsible for Economic Development and Transportation.
Mr. Speaker, in the Minister’s Statement, the minister talked about a highly successful trip to Paris for the air show. Can the minister update the House on whether any contracts were secured for cold weather testing in Nunavut?
Yes, to a certain degree. Some of these companies that are out there, we did sign some agreements where there is confidentiality of certain companies that are involved. There is going to be some cold weather testing here in Iqaluit in the next short while.
Question 141 – 3(2): Talluruti: The Inuktitut Name of the Northwest Passage (Arvaluk)
We read in newspapers and other media that the name of the Northwest Passage is going to be changed.
I think it’s only Qallunaat who are saying that.
I think they call it the Northwest Passage because they can’t say Tallurutiup Tariunga, which is the original name in Inuktitut.
We know that even before the Europeans came around and the whale hunts started in the north, the mouth of the Northwest Passage, Lancaster Sound, was always utilized by Inuit.
Is the government going to inform the federal government, other countries, and overseas that the mouth of the Northwest Passage already has a name in Inuktitut and that we don’t want to see it changed?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Arvaluk. (interpretation ends) Minister of Environment, Hon. Daniel Shewchuk.
Hon. Daniel Shewchuk: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you for the question. That’s an interesting question.
I thought it was always the Northwest Passage. I understand now that there is an Inuktitut name. I think we could relay that name onto our federal partners and explain the situation and importance to us.
As far as the Northwest Passage is concerned, the waters are governed by the federal government, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and the Coast Guard. I think that information is something that we could take and pass on to our federal partners.
That’s nice to know because I read again that perhaps the name change should be changed from Northwest Passage to Canadian Northwest Passage.
It is quite disturbing for us because we have no desire to change the name of that particular sound.
It’s been suiting us fine for the last 5,000 years. It’s a perfectly okay name.
Perhaps the message can be relayed to the federal counterparts and other people who want to change the name that maybe they should consider reinstating what aboriginal people call it before they try to introduce a new name through explorers and whatever.
Can the minister tell me then that there may be other names, including Tallurutiup Tariunga, which can be reinstated?
Early explorers and whalers, etcetera, were naming it as if they were making a cake with the Inuktitut name and they couldn’t pronounce it, so they put a new name on top of it.
There is a whole lot of duplication in there. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I would like to thank Mr. Arvaluk for that comment.
I’m just learning today that they may want to change the name to the Canadian Northwest Passage. That’s what is being talked about. It’s the first that I have heard of it, though.
I think we can work together with our federal counterparts to voice Nunavut’s concern about this and I would welcome the member to write me a letter with his concerns so I can portray it directly to the federal government.
I also know that the High Arctic exiles were put in the High Arctic, not so much to get them into the good hunting grounds. If you’re from a sunny country like Hudson Bay, it is very difficult.
Even if there are a lot of animals up in the High Arctic, it’s very difficult to hunt in the dark unless you were actually born and raised there, but that was kind of ignorant, so I’ll ignore that.
But they were put there to show, actually, that this is a Canadian island in the High Arctic.
The government wanted to show the international community that Lancaster Sound is the internal waters of Canada. They should stick to the Inuktitut name. The name is so old that none of the Europeans will ever remember how it was named, but we would.
Can the minister ensure that the full explanation to the federal government is given so that the appreciation of the Inuit naming has meaning and purpose?
I think the government would support that type of recommendation.
I also think that it’s Canadian jurisdiction, but it’s also the responsibility under the land claims agreement that NTI voice their opinion in this regard too. I think they’re a very major player in this too.
Question 142 – 3(2): Status of New Fire Truck for Baker Lake (Aupaluktuq)
My questions are for the Hon. Minister of Community and Government Services, Mr. Lorne Kusugak.
My colleague from Quttiktuq raised concerns about this department’s budget practices previously. I also have concerns about this department and its allocation.
Earlier this year, the Legislative Assembly approved $290,000 in funding for the purchase of a new fire truck for Baker Lake. However, the department subsequently cancelled this purchase and transferred the funding to another project.
I received a letter from the department advising me that this had been done, but the letter did not even attempt to explain the reasons why.
The department certainly did not bother to ask me what I thought about the issue. I immediately wrote a letter to the minister on this matter.
Can the minister indicate to the House why his department cancelled this project without consulting the community’s MLA?
I had thought that the Member of the Legislative Assembly was informed about the change and I apologize if he wasn’t notified.
However, we did send you a letter written in English and I’ll try to translate it to Inuktitut.
When we were talking to the Fire Marshal’s Office, they thought that it wasn’t the appropriate time to purchase a new fire truck.
Usually, the lifespan of a fire truck is 15 years.
With respect to the one in Baker Lake, it was brought up in 1999.
The whole vehicle was inspected and the consensus was that if we conducted $25,000 of repair on the water pump mechanism and its lights, then that vehicle would be back up to our standards.
It further states here that the mechanics will be coming in from the Fort Gary Fire Brigade and they would be conducting the necessary repairs to the fire truck to make it serviceable.
Those are the details included in the reply documentation.
I also thank the Hon. Minister Lorne Kusugak for answering.
I apologize to the minister as well as my colleagues here in the House. I did receive correspondence in regard to the matter, but I just wanted to ask as a formality in the House to address it on behalf of the constituents of Baker Lake.
As I said, I indicated I want to thank the hon. minister for the response and by no means, I want to embarrass the minister in these circumstances, but I did want to formally ask.
I did have some hamlet council members as well as firefighters requesting for me to pursue the matter under the circumstances, even though I did share some of the concerns and some of the correspondence.
As a former volunteer firefighter, I show my support to all volunteer firefighters. Under the circumstances in particular, I do throw all of my support behind the Baker Lake fire department. I’m aware that the fire truck has not met the 20-year lifespan and the minister has indicated that mechanics were being sent to correct the deficiencies or the broken parts of the vehicle.
With the shortage of housing as it is, two separate duplexes for four families were affected by fire damage. As well, with our vastly growing population, the emergency service provider cannot meet the demands. I think this is a priority in which the first circumstances should be that the emergency services are provided according to the demands.
Can the minister and his department commit to putting it back into the budget?
The situation as stated by the member is correct since the majority of our volunteer firefighters continue to operate under difficult circumstances and they are the first response personnel, especially when life-threatening situations occur. Many of their duties and work are very demanding and many firefighters put themselves in precarious situations in trying to save lives.
With respect to the comments voiced by the member, I would like him to know that I will ensure that this situation is reviewed.
This will be my last question to the minister, peppered with some comments with respect to capital projects that have been previously authorized by the Legislative Assembly.
Will the minister commit to ensuring that when his department cancels capital projects that the Legislative Assembly has approved or transfers funds to other projects, elected MLAs will not just be informed of the decision after the fact but actually consulted by the department?
I just wanted to comment on that and I also wish to thank the minister for responding to my correspondence.
Once I return to Baker Lake, I will be relaying that information to the hamlet and the Baker Lake firefighters for their benefit. (interpretation ends) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I thank the member for that line of questioning.
Yes, I apologize that the member was not informed prior to that change, but I will task my senior staff to do as you have recommended. I will ask that if there is any further review of capital projects, they will communicate the news.
I just wanted to add that the fire truck in Baker Lake is currently being repaired and the parts they need are ready for shipment to the community. We are expecting them to arrive soon and to have the fire truck operational prior to the Christmas holidays.
That’s just for information.
Thank you, Mr. Aupaluktuq.
Question 143 – 3(2): Contract for Medevac Services in Kivalliq (Ningeongan)
I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Curley.
I was asked to question your department on when the medical travel contract is going to end for the Kivalliq region.
It’s very important to deal with emergencies in any of the communities, whether it’s in Baffin or the Kivalliq. This past winter, Kivalliq had a lot of emergencies.
From what I recall, the contract will end on March 31, 2010 and since this date is fast approaching, we are starting the planning to determine how we will award this next contract.
Question 144 – 3(2): Transparency of the Government’s Budget Process (Elliott)
Going back to the clarification to the question… .
I can’t talk today.
His response was that yesterday, he informed the House that the money for the Grise Fiord dozer under minor capital was reallocated to the Mobile Equipment Block Fund and he has since learned that this money was not reallocated to the mobile equipment fund as stated.
My question then goes back to the start. Where did the money go if it’s not where you said it was?
When the small capital budget was created, it was… . And I explained to him that we are targeted for a variety of projects that primarily address emergencies, and so on and so forth.
On that, for more transparency, I guess from previous governments, CGS attempted to be fully transparent in producing and presenting a list of potential small projects. It may include the dozer in his community or not, and there’s that list of potential.
Sometimes, as emergencies and other things come up, that potential could change because it is, after all, a potential small project. So that’s what happened to that.