EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
First of all, let me explain first the plans that we have today and I will reply according to the plans we have.
We have been collecting all the information on the number of students in the schools.
With all this data during the planning stage we look at how old the school is, how deteriorated it is and how full it is.
This is a concern.
Every time there are close to three hundred students, it becomes evident that we need to expand the school.
We look at the population growth of the community to find out whether we need to put in an addition for a school.
So we’d like to have the elementary schools and high schools separated.
Yes, you made a statement before. Like for example that you had a 20 year plan.
If we have 300 students and put a limitation on the number of students in one school, is that within your 20 year plan.
Perhaps I could respond by saying on the number of the schools, in view of the number of the students in the school and looking at the condition of the school, we try to estimate the number of new students that will be enrolling the next year.
So therefore we always try to estimate the number of students that will be enrolled the next year.
But to date within our twenty year plan, after the twenty years has passed we have not made any plans in regards to that.
But we are looking at a five year plan and the population growth and the number of students being enrolled.
The various construction companies construct units and they also take care of sprinkler systems and they do the electrical work and they do the foundation and also the dry walling of the schools.
The interior of the school has to be dry walled according to the Canadian Standards Code.
But I think we’re all aware that these companies urge the government so that they could get higher standards.
I know that they won’t tell you but companies ask for higher standards.
Have you negotiated with the Federal Government about the schools in Nunavut.
These schools are very expensive to constructed in Nunavut.
When we adhered the Canadian Building Standards Code, even though the transportation of these materials is very expensive by ship and the contractors are very expensive and especially for those people that make the foundation for the buildings it's very expensive.
Have you ever looked at the other options to build schools cheaper than we currently do so that we can build many more schools.
Hon. Peter Kilabuk (interpretation): Yes thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Yes, it’s true that the construction of the schools have to adhere to the Federal Buildings Standards Code so that it won’t become a safety issue in the future.
Yes, there are various codes that we have to follow and the capacity codes too.
Your question was if we ever looked at the options of building cheaper schools.
I will ask my capital planner to elaborate on what we are doing to date.
Whenever we go into the design one of our considerations is always the economics and it’s a balance because we have to ensure safety and you know there are certain building codes that we must comply to.
But we certainly do consider economics and getting best value when we go into designing construction.
I don’t have too many comments to make but I do have short questions to pose.
My first question, what kind of plans, we usually plan for the school curriculum in English.
I was wondering if you have an Inuktitut school curriculum or development plans.
I know that we live in the North and there are various issues that could be taught.
Do you have any traditional Inuit curriculum plans.
Did you raise your hand Rebecca.
Could you respond please Mr. Minister.
In the capital estimates that we are dealing with now there is no funding in here.
They are in the Main estimates.
I would like to ask the member if he could wait till we deal with the Main estimates.
I would like to thank the Minister for explaining that to me. I didn't realize I was asking an O&M question.
When that time comes I will be posing that question at that time.
So I will conclude with that for now. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
As regular members we usually don’t appreciate our government but I have something that I appreciate.
The community of Grise Fiord has a very beautiful school now and the community is very pleased and the school is very pleased because they have a hallway right into the gym.
It is a beautiful gym there and we would like to thank the government.
I will be more appreciative if we can build a new school for Resolute Bay because they are using the community hall as a classroom.
I would be more appreciative if you could get a new school for Resolute Bay.
In regards to James' comments, the students that are getting overcrowded in their classrooms, there seems to be conflict between the students.
So therefore we need adequate space for the students.
We don't usually get the chance to thank the government, we just ask for things but I would like to thank you at this time.
I will have questions.
Chairperson (interpretation): You don't have any questions at this time Ms. Williams.
There are no more hands from the members.
I would like to go page by page. 9-6.
Under 9-6. Corporate Services. 9-6.
Buildings and Works.
Two hundred thousand.
Mr. Arvaluk (interpretation): I just don't understand under minor capital for all of various Nunavut.
Under 200 thousand under capital.
What is that.
That 200 thousand dollars is for various minor capital such as renovations to the schools in Nunavut.
For instance, this winter there was a water logged floor in the gymnasium of the school.
That is what we used the money from the minor capital for, to renovate it.
Mr. Arvaluk (interpretation): Yes, I understand.
Do I also understand that if the windows at the school get broken, I understand that it would come from our capital.
If that is the case, I think it would be good if we, let's say for instance in Coral Harbour, how much vandalism has there been in Coral Harbour.
Say for instance all the vandalism in the communities and the minor repairs that have to be done, they should be written down, on a yearly basis, how many schools get vandalized.
The minor repairs such as windows and the door knobs and the closets or the hooks in schools are dealt with by the operations of the school or O&M.
The 200 thousand dollars is usually for capital minor repairs.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Minister. 9 - 7.
Buildings and Works. Total headquarters, 200 thousand.
Chairperson (interpretation): Carried. under 9-8.
Total Qikiqtaaluk Region, 10 million 200 thousand.
Mrs. Williams.
Resolute Bay is expecting money that will be used under 2002/2003.
Now once the materials arrive, will they start in the fall.
Under 2002/2003 we would like to be able to build the school in Resolute Bay as soon as possible.
Mr. Nutarak (interpretation): Under Qikiqtaaluk Region, Cape Dorset learning centre and Sanikiluaq, the learning centre planning.
They don’t seem to have any funding from 2003 to 2007.
But what are these for Mr. Minister.
Under Cape Dorset the learning centre and Sanikiluaq learning centre, these are for the planning of those schools.
Mr. Nutarak (interpretation): Under 2003/2007 perhaps they will start building it in 2008.
I am not saying that they will be building it in 2008 I can’t say that but if the government has a surplus they would be the first ones to be built probably, looking at which are the priorities.
They have to be in this year's planning and that is why there is money in there for that.
We are under 9-8.
Total Qikiqtaaluk region, 10 million 200 thousand dollars.
Under 9-8.
Total Kivalliq region, 4 million 555 thousand dollars.
Under Kivalliq region in Arviat.
New school. (interpretation ends) 405 thousand dollars is the design of the school.
How do we know when we are designing a school how big it is going to be.
What kind of a building is it going be and so on.
We already know that it is going to cost 11 million 42 thousand.
If you don't mind. I will get Mr. Levy to answer the question.
The first step we do before we go to design is the planning stage.
When we do that we look at the current enrolment and we project forward the enrolment to when we would like to have the school open.
We have our computer program then that we enter that information and it uses our standards and criteria which says how much space we should have for all students.
So we are able to project forward the actual size of the required school for the enrolments on the date of opening.
We can then take that space per square meter and multiply times the construction cost.
And that gives us a fairly good estimate which is what we use in our capital projections that you see.
For example for Arviat.
That's a lot of improvement over what I saw two and half years ago.
Some things were out of whack from the NWT times and they somehow escalated to look for additional funding to finish some of the schools that were built by GNWT, to complete them.
I welcome that comment and I hope it is a lot more accurate than we have experienced before.
Total Kivalliq region, 4 million 555 thousand.
Mr. Nutarak (interpretation): The DEAs in each community.
I am sure the minister and his officials would work with education authorities in each community as to the size and therefore the amounts here.
Do they decide on that with the District Education Authorities Mr. Minister.
Chairperson (interpretation): Who will respond.
The estimated amount I guess it is about 8 percent as to the schools estimated.
Mr. Nutarak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. So how did they decide on the eight percent.
My assistant noted that you look at how many students there are in a school, when the school might be completed and how many children were enrolled into the school at the beginning of the year.
Also looking at the safety issues and the square feet of the school was identified with depending on how many students there are enrolling.
It’s probably very confusing but that’s the response.
We’re on 9-8.
Total Kivalliq Region, 4 million 555 thousand.
Any questions regarding that.
Turn the page to 9-9.
Education. Branch Summary.
Total Kitikmeot Region, 4 million 545 thousand.
Total Buildings and Works.
Mr. Havioyak (interpretation): Thank you. I just want you to realize and for the information of those in Kugluktuk, the funds that are allocated are not enough.
I’d like some information from the minister whether those funds are enough because those funds last year were not enough and they had to discontinue the project.
Mr. Levy is going to respond to that question.
He’s responsible for that area.
Thank you.  Chairperson (interpretation): Mr. Levy.
Last year we looked at the entire project for Kugluktuk which included some site work as well as siding and some work on the roof.
For a number of reasons, one of which was the lateness of tendering, we were advised by the Department of Public Works that the budget we had set was inadequate by approximately 1 million dollars.
We were advised to break the project up into two parts.
To do the site work in this year and then we’d tender the siding part in the upcoming year.
That advice proved to be good advice because the site work ended up coming in at a very good price this year.
We will require the funds that in the current year weren’t used for site work to be carried over.
That’s part of our planning.
With that and the amount of money that we’ve put in the capital estimates for next year we’re very confident that we will have adequate funding to complete the project.
Of course we’re still on the estimates but we’re confident we will be able to do the project.
Mr. Havioyak: I understand what he is saying.
The reason why I asked that question is because my community leaders told me it was under budget due to the fact that it was deferred to another year.
That was my understanding from them.
Now I have the answer from you and that will clarify some of the things were out there.
So thank you for the clarification.
Just to get some clarification on the Kugaaruk high school addition.
Is it just for planning or what is this money going to be used for.
Is it the planning of the school or expansion.
Hon. Peter Kilabuk (interpretation): I'll be glad to clarify this.
It has been planned.
This money would be used towards the expansion.
I have a question regarding the Cambridge Bay Killinik school replacement.
The 105 thousand dollars.
What would that 105 thousand dollars be used for.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Arvaluk. Mr. Minister.
The amount for 2001-2002 is 5 million 12 thousand.
The 105 thousand is to complete the project.
What does he mean by completing the project.
The money will be used for the siding or the parking area.
The playground area.
Just to complete the exterior.
Total Kitikmeot region, 4 million 545 thousand.
Total buildings and works, 19 million 500 thousand.
Mr. Arvaluk: During 2002-2003 construction will be carried out on Nunavut Arctic College facilities in six communities.
Can the minister provide an update on what kind of facility arrangements will be made for delivering Nunavut Arctic College programs that don't have dedicated facilities.
For example, in my community of Coral Harbour the Arctic College in the old wing or the condemned wing of the school, that is virtually an unusable part of the school.
Are there other facilities like that borrowing from the school wings and if so do you have plans for dedicated buildings for Arctic College especially for upgrading the parts of the school.
To respond to the member's question.
It’s a concern that has been raised a few times.
For those communities that don't have schools for adult education centres, we are putting in buildings depending on programs that are in that community as we work with adult education or Arctic College to see what is needed.
But the 19 million 500 thousand and under 2001-2002, 29 million 70 thousand.
There was a shortage in funds so they had to put in a supplementary appropriation under Education, even though Education is a priority.
I am talking about the total buildings and works, 19 million 500 thousand.
The Minister of Finance said they will probably be able to have a surplus because the Federal government is giving them about 60 million.
So why has this decreased about 10 million from 2001-2002 under Capital estimates.
Why are the amounts so different from the year before.
I understand his question and where he is coming from.
He is concerned about Education not being treated as a priority and I am sure it is the concern of my colleague.
Last year and the previous year they had a supplementary surplus.
In 2002-2003, we didn't have a surplus last year and the previous year before the schools that we built.
We built quite a number of schools since then.
For example the Health Department and the Housing Corporation, housing is a priority too.
So therefore we had to look for funds together.
But the 19 million 500 thousand in our objectives for the 2002-2003 Capital estimates, at this time they are coming from there.
Mr. Nutarak is the Chairperson for the Standing Committee for Community Empowerment and Education.
In his opening remarks he said that the standing committee recommended to the Department of Education to build new schools instead.
Currently we spend about 20 million dollars retrofitting the schools and renovating them.
This 20 million is within the 5 year capital plan just to renovate the old schools.
I would like to ask a question. Does the minister agree with the Standing Committee on Community Empowerment that Education should build new schools rather than just using 20 million for retrofitting.
If I could use an example, the ones that I have available within the plans, we used for planning purposes, at this time for retrofit funding for 10 schools.
If we renovate the schools, that school could be used for 10 more years.
Also if a new school is constructed we expect to utilize that school for the next 20 years.
If the school deteriorated too much and it was condemned we would not renovate it.
If we can renovate the schools so that we don’t have to use so much money, because we have limited resources, then we just renovate them.
I would like to ask another question, well just another clarification in regards to my colleague Mr. Arvaluk’s question.
In one of my constituencies there is no Arctic College facility.
Do I have to request one, if I am wrong you can correct me, do I have to apply for it or is it already in your plans.
The adults up there need an adult facility.
Which community of your constituency, I am sorry,
Chairperson (interpretation): Ms. Williams
Grise Fiord.
Yes we are working with the Board of Governors of Nunavut Arctic College, usually they make those decisions as to where these Nunavut Arctic Colleges will be located, so they work with us and we come up with that.
Who are they and where are they.
My colleague wants to know that information but I do not have that information on hand right now but I will be able to give it to you outside of the chambers.
Chairperson (interpretation): Going back to the page.
Total Buildings and Works, 19 million 500 thousand dollars.
Total Capital expenditure, 19 million 500 thousand.
Questions. Are you agreed.
Going back to 9-5.
Education. Program summary.
Capital Expenditures, 19 million 500 thousand.
Department of Education. Capital estimates.
Since we don't have any general comments or any questions.
Mr. Minister I would like to thank you and your officials for appearing before the Committee of the Whole.
We are done with the Department of Education.
The second department that we will deal with is the Department of Community Government & Transportation.
The Minister has gone to get his material.
So we will take a 5 minute break.
>>House recessed at 5.12 p.m. and resumed at 5:23 p.m.
Chairperson (interpretation): Ministers, members.
Do we agree that we will be dealing with Bill 12.
Appropriation Act 2002-2003.
Department of Community Government & Transportation.
Chairperson (interpretation): We will be dealing with the Minister for Community Government and Transportation. Mr. Jack Anawak you can go ahead with your opening comments.
Bill 12 – Appropriation Act No. 1, 2002/2003 - Consideration in Committee
Hon. Jack Anawak (interpretation): I’m sorry Mr. Chairman I had to do some errands earlier on.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman for this opportunity to present our Capital Budget to the Committee of the Whole.
As you are aware, the Department of Community Government and Transportation is leading consultations with the communities for the development of the Government of Nunavut’s Capital Plan.
They are being carried out in conjunction with the Departments of Finance, Public Works, Education, and Health and Social Services.
These consultations have included discussions with council members and senior administrative officers from each of Nunavut’s municipalities.
Our main objective is to give community representatives an opportunity to discuss with us what their priorities are with respect to capital projects.
We recognize that there are many needs in the communities in terms of capital projects.
However, it must be recognized that as a government, the funds available to us for capital planning are limited.
As a result, the government is focusing its capital effort in three areas of critical importance.
During each one of the discussions we have held with the communities, the Government of Nunavut had made clear that its capital budget reflects the government’s commitment to Education, Housing and Health.
While we cannot ignore other issues, these three are of critical importance to the well-being and future development of Nunavut.
Inevitably, the government’s focus on Education, Housing and Health has an impact on the level of funding available to the Department of Community Government and Transportation for its capital projects.
Much has been said in the past, by the mayors, about our perceived lack of consultation with the communities.
We have been told that we have imposed our capital priorities onto the communities.
Despite the fact that we would like nothing better than to build new community halls and arenas in every community, the reality is that the limited funding available to us must be directed first to capital projects required by law.
These regulatory requirements require us to deal with issues related to water, sewage and sanitation.
While not glamorous, these projects are the most basic requirements for promoting and ensuring healthy communities.
They are imposed on us by law precisely because of their importance to the well-being of each and every community.
In the spring of this year, our department held wide-ranging consultations with each of Nunavut’s communities.
During these consultations, specific changes to the Capital Plan were requested by certain communities to address some of their priorities.
Some of these requested changes are being considered based on the priorities of water, sewage, solid waste and supporting infrastructure, airport facilities, and projects to address urgent Health and Safety issues.
We understand that communities have a right to determine their own priorities.
Capital projects identified by communities can be put at the top of the capital planning list as long as they fit within the basic criteria of basic regulatory water, sewage and sanitation priorities.
We are committed to responding to the needs of the communities in so far as they are consistent with regulatory requirements.
The Department of Community Government and Transportation has been allocated a Capital Budget of 17.05 million dollars for the 2002-03 fiscal.
These funds are being distributed according to the substantiation sheets provided.
Projects were not selected by Community Government & Transportation headquarters, but by the Department’s regional offices in consultation with the communities.
Our search for capital funds, however, does not end with the Government of Nunavut.
Community Government & Transportation staff have worked hard to find other sources of potential capital funding and increase the department’s capital investment in Nunavut’s communities beyond what is available to us through the Government of Nunavut.
The Department is currently in negotiations with the federal government to obtain funding under the Canada-Nunavut Infrastructure program.
We will also be negotiating for funds under an Environment Canada program that promotes water quality.
These funds will help us meet our regulatory requirements under water, sewer and garbage-related infrastructure.
As we do every year, we are again seeking major funding from the federal Airport Capital Assistance Program, which makes funds available for safety-related capital projects for Nunavut airports.
My officials are also negotiating for funding for a number of other projects under this program.
One of the major requirements under this program is that the Government of Nunavut must spend approximately five million dollars a year in airport safety-related capital projects to be eligible.
We are committed to maintaining airport safety in Nunavut.
I am also pleased to inform the Committee of the Whole that we have signed a memorandum of understanding with the Canadian Coast Guard under its Minor Works Program that will provide us with 500 thousand dollars annually for the next five years.
These funds will be used to maintain wharves for the protection of small craft and sealift re-supply sites.
We have also managed to secure funds under the Department of Fisheries and Oceans’ Harbours program.
The first community to benefit from this program is Kugluktuk, where we are spending 1.2 million dollars for work on a new sealift re-supply site, which is already well underway.
I would like to mention here that the location of the new site was chosen in consultation with the community and reflects our efforts to make the communities an integral part of this process.
I would also like point out that negotiations are progressing positively toward a similar project in Clyde River next year.
(interpretation ends) Another program that the Department of Community Government and Transportation has managed to tap into is Transportation Canada’s National Highways Infrastructure program.