EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
For that reason, I’d like to get those projected accumulated deficits for maybe the next three or four years, whatever they have out there, so that the public service and the people of Nunavut can see exactly why we have to take the measures that the government has brought forward in his statement that we need to do something about it because if we just tell them that things are bad, and if you want buy-in from the people, you have to sell it to the people and I think that by providing that information; that will do it.
So I ask the minister: would he provide to the members of this House what those projected accumulated deficits will be that they have for the next three or four years? We all know that they’re projections, and things can change, and hopefully they will. Just to give an idea for the members of this House, for the public service, for the people across the territory to understand why the government has to take the action that it has.
I understand his questions and his reasons. As I stated earlier I will try and find what those might be.
If I do find something then I will give it to the Legislative Assembly.
Then if I can do so, then I will do it.
I appreciate the minister’s response but I have a question; he’s the Minister of Finance and it’s his departmental information and he indicated that “if he can do it”.
What could be preventing him from providing us with that information if he has it? I think it’s a pretty safe guess that they do have it otherwise you wouldn’t see a statement like that in there.
Just to get an idea of what excuses that they could have as to why they couldn’t inform us of what those numbers are?
Yes, I fully understand his question.
Looking at the forecast that we have, there are figures and the projections keep changing just about every day as to we might over-expend, but it’s clear that we won’t have enough.
At this time, because every year it increases by 3.5 percent and the assistance that we used to get every year was six to seven percent annually…because the funding that we receive from the federal government is insufficient in my department.
As I have stated before that my department will look into what kind of information that we can provide you on the future projections. When we are deliberating the future projections in the future I will provide the information on the future projection’s deficits.
Question 358 – 2(3): Update on Status of Obtaining Passports (Barnabas)
I will direct my question to the Minister of Immigration in regards to passports.
Up to today, while I visited my constituents, this question came up again as to what is happening with the photographer and it is clear now what we see through the media that we will need passports to go into the United States.
Can the minister give us an update as to the status of this?
Minister responsible for Immigration, Minister Picco.
The United States Government just recently announced in the last week that in the New Year, visitors from Canada and other jurisdictions will have to have a legitimate passport to enter into the country.
Now, here in Nunavut, as the member has raised again when we had a public meeting in Resolute Bay and also in Grise Fiord, that there has been issues with getting a proper photographer in place so that the picture standard that the Canadian Passport office needs can be met.
There was a dedicated photographer here for example in Iqaluit doing passport pictures and that person now is taking another position and is still doing it part time. Other than that, we really don’t have the equipment in communities.
What we have done, as Minister responsible for the issue of Immigration, the issue of passports is a federal responsibility but we do have a role to play. I’ve gone back to my Cabinet colleagues and we are looking at opportunities and I hope to be in a position in the next week and a half to be able to move forward on a plan to work with our federal partner in providing the services that the member has requested.
Thank you for giving me that information.
The photographer was going to go to the communities, at my last question when we started dealing with passports.
I wonder if the department has funding available for the photographer to visit the communities because they have to have a certified photographer and that photographer would come and visit my constituents.
Is there funding available for such visits?
Minister of Immigration, Minister Picco.
Hon. Ed. Picco: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The member is correct again. In our other discussions in the House here and in discussions with our federal counterparts…the way to look at how we can fund this type of program, there are two avenues to access.
One would be looking at, domestically here in Nunavut, to see if the equipment that we have available for taking photographs for example for drivers’ licenses and ID’s, would that meet the standards necessary for Immigration Canada.
That is number one. Number two; if that is not the case, then how do we facilitate the taking of the photograph for passports options.
What we are looking right now is negotiations with our federal partner. We are looking at approaching our federal partner say look here we have a need here in Nunavut.
We believe it is a federal responsibility is there an opportunity not only logistically, but financially to help us out and deliver this program. So that is the avenue that we are moving in.
I know that it will cost money to deal with the passport pictures and I know that it is going to cost a fee for the individuals who’d like to get a passport but my question is, for example for gun registration we kept on paying money to renew our re-certification and it cost $5 billion for the gun registration.
Perhaps, have you discussed the cost, how much it would cost in order to try and obtain a passport?
There are two issues here: one is the cost of a passport. All Canadians have to pay for their passport, and that’s a fee schedule set by the federal government.
Second point is, to actually obtain a passport, the Canadian citizen has to have a photographer take an accurate passport photo. And that has to be approved by the immigration office when the passport is issued.
That’s a secondary cost to the consumer. What we are looking at, in consultation with our Ottawa office, and the federal government is to see if there is an opportunity to facilitate that photographer to travel to Nunavut communities if necessary, and to see what type of logistics support we would provide.
At the same time we believe this is a federal responsibility, but we do realize that there is a need in Nunavut to be able to provide these services and that’s why I suggested that we’re looking at the two avenues.
The Immigration Secretariat, which I am the minister of, we don’t actually have a set budget in the House as the members know. I do have one staff person who works on behalf and for this file through the gracious offices of the Premier through Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs, Mr. Carson who is the Assistant Deputy Minister in Ottawa and he’s been stick handling this file with our federal department. We’re hoping to be in the position to move forward on an agreement with our federal partner.
I’m scheduled to meet with the Federal Immigration Minister, Mr. Solberg, on March 1, I believe is in Ottawa, and I would hope to be at a position by that time to have an agreement in place.
Speaker: Thank you, Minister. (interpretation) Oral Questions.
As we know it would cost, to visit those communities and also for accommodation for those people who wish to apply for passports, and they have to pay. Would that offset the cost or would they be able to, or how would this be arranged?
It is Friday, which is a light kind of a levity day and I would suggest we take it out of the minister’s constituency budget, but that wouldn’t be appropriate.
There are two fee schedules in place for passport photos as I indicated. One is the actual fee to purchase a passport; everyone has to pay that as a Canadian citizen.
The second fee is actually in conjunction with that and is the actual taking of the picture and the individual has to pay for that also.
What we’re suggesting is that maybe an opportunity exists where we, in partnership with the federal government, can hire a photographer on a one shot kind of a deal, to go around to all of our communities, get the standard picture taken. If someone would like to have a passport picture taken. They would pay the photographer for that service, and our federal partner, in negotiation with us, we’d look at, what are the logistic and the other administrative costs to be able to facilitate that touring around to the communities.
That’s the basis of where we would like to bring this to our federal partner. Again, passport and passport issues are a federal responsibility. We believe, on the Nunavut side, we are trying to help our constituents and that’s why we are trying to help facilitate this agreement with our federal partner.
Question 359 – 2(3): Hiring Freeze (Peterson)
My question is for the Minister of Finance. Earlier this week the Minister of Finance announced in his economic statement that the Government of Nunavut instituted a hiring freeze in the government departments.
My question for the minister: could the minister clarify to the House, the instructions that he gave to the Government of Nunavut departments to identify which positions should be frozen within their departments?
Yes, the deputy ministers within our government had met to deal with this issue and they were the ones to identify the positions.
Well, they had asked and they agreed to look into which positions would be frozen, but right now, we’re working on this issue and the other departments are working on these, also as long as we…(interpretation ends)…program and services presently offered by this government. (interpretation) That’s how it is set up, and we had asked or requested the departments to look into which positions would be frozen, so that it up to the discretion of each department which positions will be frozen.
Oral Questions. Your first supplementary, Mr. Peterson.
The minister stated in his Economic Statement that he asked the departments to freeze all currently vacant positions that do not negatively impact delivery of necessary programs and services.
To me, that is giving a very wide, vague definition. I imagine that is up to the discretion of the departments.
My concern is that departments under pressure, under instruction from the cabinet to find one percent, two percent, three percent, they may decide to freeze essential positions and Mr. Speaker, we already know we have a critical shortage of Social Workers in Nunavut, nurses and doctors as well, and this may be due to burn out or lack of housing.
My question for the Minister: would he confirm with the House that essential positions such as the ones I just mentioned will not be frozen in the coming, or next fiscal year?
Yes, that is exactly how it is.
Each department was requested to identify which positions that are not essential could be frozen. To make sure these vacant positions, as long as they don’t negatively affect the programs and services, we asked the departments to identify the positions.
I’m sure that the ministers are working towards that goal and to make sure that they will put your concern into consideration to make sure they don’t freeze essential positions.
So with your concerns, all the Nunavummiut and members are concerned because we don’t want to freeze essential positions in Nunavut.
I thank the minister for that reassuring answer.
I hope the ministers heed his words.
Mr. Speaker, the Government of Nunavut often hires consultants as casuals to provide services to the departments where a qualified employee is not available.
Mr. Speaker, I’m wondering if the minister can confirm if the hiring freeze applies to the consultants and casuals as well.
Minister responsible for Finance. Mr. Simailak.
Yes, it’s evident that each department is looking at that.
I’m sure that each minister will consider this when they start looking at which position could be frozen in the departments, but it is evident that we will include that in considerations.
The hiring freeze is likely to be accompanied by an increase in overtime to pay current employees to work longer hours to deliver programs and services to Nunavut.
My question for the minister is: can he give an indication as to how much he estimates the Government of Nunavut can and will save by implementing a hiring freeze here in Nunavut?
I cannot really respond to that question right now because we don’t even understand how many positions could be frozen so therefore I cannot really respond, but it’s clear that as soon as the departments start setting up and making their recommendations to the Cabinet that it will be clear as to how much it will cost.
Question 360 – 2(3): Deadline Given to Hiring Freeze (Tootoo)
I think from that last exchange between my colleague from Cambridge Bay and the Minister of Finance it seems pretty clear that our federal government is helping us towards global warming but also moving us towards an ice age here in the government.
My question for the Minister of Finance is, in his fiscal update, or financial report that he gave us on Tuesday he indicated that all departments have been asked to bring forward expenditure reduction proposals that could be implemented in the short term.
Can the minister indicate what timeframe or what timeline he has given the departments to provide them with those proposals?
Hon. David Simailak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, the deputy ministers have been working on this as a priority, but at this time I cannot say when it is going to be clear to identify.
I know and I have said before that the Department of Finance is the middle man between the budgets and then the departmental budgets; they just collect the information from the departments.
In the past they have indicated that some of the reasons for the public accounts, and things like that to be late is some of the line departments weren’t getting the information to the Department of Finance in a timely manner.
What I’m looking for is: did the Department of Finance give a time deadline as to when these proposals were to be brought forward to them for review?
Hon. David Simailak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This was dealt with mainly by deputy ministers.
I apologize I wasn’t given any timeline, or deadline personally, myself. I didn’t ask my deputy minister what the timeline is to receive those proposals.
I think we all know that this is a project that needs to be undertaken by senior civil servants for their departments.
The minister has just indicated that he wasn’t aware of a deadline.
I am just wondering if he could check into that and find out from his deputy if any instructions were given as to when that deadline would be because if there is no deadline it can go on, and on, and on, just like the energizer bunny. We want to see what those reductions would be.
Given that, once he has checked in with his deputy as well on that, could he look into the idea of, I would assume that those reduction proposals would have to be approved by each individual minister, and once that is done would they provide that to the Department of Finance and would he provide that information to the Members of the House.
Yes, I will look into all your requests.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, you will note that the allotted time for Question Period is now over.
Tabled Document 168 – 2(3): Federal/Provincial/Territorial Ministers Responsible for Francophone Affairs – Ottawa, Ontario, October 12-13, 2006 (Tapardjuk)
Mr. Speaker, I wish to table a document: Federal/Provincial/Territorial Ministers Responsible for Francophone Affairs, Ottawa Ontario October 12-13, 2006.
Please forward the documents to the Table Officers.
Tabled Document 169 – 2(3): Nunavut Human Rights Tribunal – Annual Report to March 31, 2006 (Okalik)
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I wish to table the following document: Human Rights Tribunal Annual Report to March 31, 2006.
Please bring the documents up.
Tabled Document 170 – 2(3): QEC Annual Report – March 31, 2006 (Picco)
Hon. Ed. Picco: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to table the following document: The Qulliq Energy Corporation Annual Report March 31, 2006.
Hon. David Simailak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I request consent of this Assembly to waive the two-day notice requirement to allow the first reading of Bill 23, Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act #4, 2005-06.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. The minister is seeking unanimous consent to waive Rule 62(1) so that Bill 23 may be read for the first time today.
You may proceed, Mr. Minister.
Bill 23 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act #4, 2005-06 – First Reading
Hon. David Simailak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker and my colleagues. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Nattilik, that Bill 23, Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act #4, 2005-06, be read for the first time.
All those in favour, please indicate.
Bill 23 has had its first reading.
Again, I seek a consent of this Assembly to waive the two-day notice requirement to allow the first reading of Bill 24, Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act #2, 2006-07.
The minister is seeking consent to waive Rule 62(1) so that Bill 24 can have first reading today.
Bill 24 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act #2, 2006-07 – First Reading
Hon. David Simailak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker and my colleagues. I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Iqaluit West, that Bill 24, Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act #2, 2006-07, be read for the first time.
Bill 24 has had its first reading.
Again, Mr. Speaker, I seek consent of this Assembly to waive the two-day notice requirement to allow the first reading of Bill 25, Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act #2, 2006-07.
The minister is asking to waive the two-day requirement, Rule 62 (1), for first reading of Bill 25.
Mr. Minister, go ahead.
Bill 25 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act #2, 2006-07 – First Reading
Hon. David Simailak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker and colleagues.
I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Baffin South, that Bill 25, Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act #2, 2006-07, be read for the first time.
Bill 25 had its first reading.
I request the consent of this House to waive the two-day requirement to allow the first reading of Bill 27, An Act to Amend the Pharmacy Act.
Speaker: Thank you, Minister. (interpretation) The minister is asking to waive the two-day requirement for the first reading of Bill 27.
Go ahead, Madame Minister.
Bill 27 – An Act to Amend the Pharmacy Act – First Reading
I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Baffin South, that Bill 27, An Act to Amend the Pharmacy Act, be read for the first time.
Bill 27 has had its first reading.
(interpretation ends) Item 17.
Hon. Leona Aglukkaq: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I request the consent of this Assembly to waive the one-day notice requirement to allow for the second reading of Bill 27, An Act to Amend the Pharmacy Act.
Speaker: Thank you, Minister. The minister is seeking consent to waive Rule 62(1) so that Bill 27 can have second reading today.
(interpretation) There are no nays.
Please proceed, minister.
Bill 27 – An Act to Amend the Pharmacy Act – Second Reading
Hon. Leona Aglukkaq: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Baffin South, that Bill 27, An Act to Amend the Pharmacy Act, be read for the second time.
Mr. Speaker, this bill amends the Pharmacy Act in a number of ways: it clarifies that the Act does not prevent a nurse practitioner from exercising a privilege conferred by legislation relating to the practice of a nurse practitioner.
It updates the definitions of “narcotic.” It increases the penalties for a contravention of the Act or regulations. It changes all references to the Northwest Territories so that the Act will refer to Nunavut and other changes.
The motion is carried, and Bill 27 has had second reading, and accordingly, the bill stands referred to a committee.
Bill 23 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act #4, 2005-06 – Second Reading
I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Iqaluit East, that Bill 23, Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act #4, 2005-06, be read for the second time.
Mr. Speaker, this bill makes a supplementary appropriation for the Government of Nunavut to defray the operations and maintenance expenses of the Government of Nunavut for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2006.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. The motion is in order. To the principal of the motion.
The motion is carried and Bill 23 has had second reading. It is ready, and accordingly, the bill is referred to the Committee of the Whole.
Bill 24 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act #2, 2006-07 – Second Reading
I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Amittuq, that Bill 24, Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act # 2, 2006-07, be read for the second time.
Mr. Speaker, this bill makes supplementary appropriations for the Government of Nunavut to defray the operations and maintenance expenses of the Government of Nunavut for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2007.
The motion is carried, and Bill 24 has had second reading. Accordingly, the bill is referred to the committee.
Bill 25 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act #2, 2006-07 – Second Reading
I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Baffin South, that Bill 25, Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act #2, 2006-07, be read for the second time.
Mr. Speaker, this bill makes supplementary appropriations for the Government of Nunavut to defray the capital costs of the Government of Nunavut for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2007.
All in favour. Opposed.
The motion is carried, and Bill 25 has had second reading. Accordingly, the bill stands referred to the committee.
Bills 23, 24 and 26 with Mr. Barnabas in the Chair.
Before we go to the Committee of the Whole, we will take a break for an hour.
>>House recessed at 11:45 and Committee resumed at 13:01
Chairman (Mr. Barnabas)(interpretation): Good afternoon.
At this time in the committee of the whole we will be discussing Bills 23, 24, 25, and 26. What is the wish of the committee?
We wish to continue with the review of Bill 26 and the capital estimates for the Department of Education.
Are we in agreement to continue with the capital estimates for the Department of Education?
Chairman: Agreed. I would like to ask the Minister of Education if he has any witnesses that he would like to bring to the table.
Hon. Ed. Picco: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I do, and I would ask them to join me now at the witness table.
Chairman: Sergeant-at-Arms, can you assist his officials?
Thank you. (interpretation) For the record I would like the minister to introduce his officials.
Today, I have with me on my immediate left, Mr. Lorne Levy, who is the mentor for capital projects and also the senior person within government for the Department of Education, and also now with Community and Government Services for Capital Planning. On my immediate right is Mr. Tim Innualuk, and Tim is the Capital Planner now for the Department of Education. In the audience, in the Gallery we have the Deputy Minister of Education, Kathy Okpik.
Mr. Arreak had the floor.
I would like to thank the minister and his officials for returning.
I was asking about the Inuksuk School in Qikiqtarjuaq.
The response that the minister gave me some of them we have already heard.
(interpretation ends) On March 7, 2006 I asked the Minister of Education what he had done to respond to this motion.
I was, and the House was lead to believe, that he was going to move the construction forward. He replied that he was going to ask his capital planners to review opportunities within the capital budget to see if the project could be moved up.