EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
I believe, the last time we talked, there were 14 positions in the internship program and to me, there should be 100 or even 200 positions.
One of the benefits that Nunavut has had the ability to have in the past is oftentimes, because we have been building our government over the last 15 years and we don’t have the in-house knowledge, we’ve had the opportunity to hire people from other jurisdictions to help us build our government.
Sometimes some of these people are towards the tail end of their career, that maybe sometimes they’re even finishing off their career here in Nunavut.
I think we’re missing a learning opportunity when you’ve got somebody here that it’s fairly clear they’re only going to be here on a fairly short-term basis to act in their role as a mentor or trainer in addition to their daily function.
I’m just wondering: is part of this review looking at expanding the Sivuliqtiksat Internship Program?
Absolutely, as a government, we’re trying to redefine our programs and we’re trying to find ways to encourage and retain more Inuit employees within our departments.
Of course, that’s a suggestion we will look at very carefully and hopefully, going into the future, we will be able to hire more Inuit.
I participated in a portion of the review when they were speaking to previous participants.
One of the things that I stressed at the time was that I think these positions are usually application-based. I know they are posted out there.
What I would like to see in the future as well, maybe it will come up in the review, is that young or Inuit current workers of a department that show the initiative and potential to move further up the ladder that may not have the academic background that is needed to move into some of the more senior management positions, such as myself.
When I went into a director program, I didn’t have the academic background to specifically qualify for that position, but I think I proved my value and my worth just through the experience that I gained by working under some great leadership.
I think that when you can identify people who are already employed, maybe at junior or mid-management levels, the directors, ADMs, and DMs know who these skilled people are.
I think there should be more targeted approaches maybe in addition to the application basis of the program.
That’s just a comment, Mr. Chairman. I’m sure I see a deputy minister nodding his head. Maybe if the Premier wanted to comment, that will be my final question under this category.
That’s a very good comment and suggestion.
Of course, as soon as our budget is approved, we will certainly take a look at that.
On page 8 of your business plan, the first bullet on Priorities (2014-15) states, “Finalize the Decentralization Plan and begin implementation in collaboration with other departments in the GN.” I know that decentralization has been ongoing for a long time.
It says, “Finalize the Decentralization Plan...” Can the minister just give us an update on what changes have been made or are going to be made to the action plan?
We work with other departments to deal with this.
Of course, the draft is under final reviews and we will certainly be able to share it then.
Can he give us a timeline on when he might be able to share that information with us?
Yes, we will certainly try and do that, but as the members are well aware, some of these things do take time.
I’m hoping that we would be able to do that in the spring.
I’m from a decentralized community, and I have also heard that there are some jobs or positions that have been unfilled for extended periods of time. I just wanted to know if there are any plans or any actions in this plan where maybe these jobs… . I don’t know why they can’t be filled.
Maybe people don’t want to live in the decentralized communities or there is no housing. I don’t know why they are not being filled.
Are there any thoughts or plans to put a different position in there that might have a better chance of being filled?
I have said in the past that once a position is moved out of a decentralized community, we are hoping that the position can be filled by locals.
That’s one of the things that we’re hoping to do. If a senior position is moved out and there are no qualified locals, we are hoping that we can exchange or transfer a different position in there so at least locals from the community can actually position themselves for that job.
I don’t know if the minister would have this information in front of him, but I’ll ask anyway.
Does he know what the vacancy rate is for the decentralized communities in each community?
I don’t have that information in front of me, but we do have the minister responsible for human resources over there. I’m not sure if he would be able to respond to that, but at this time, I don’t have that information.
Chairman: Mr. Peterson, would you like to respond to the question?
It’s a very good question. Unfortunately I don’t have that information, but my officials are listening in and perhaps before the end of this committee meeting, we can have that information or share it tomorrow, but I will commit to it.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you very much. (interpretation ends) We are on Branch Summary. Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs.
Sivumuaqatigiit. B-9.
Total Operations and Maintenance, to be Voted. $8,249,000. Agreed?
Chairman: Thank you. (interpretation) Going to page B-10. (interpretation ends) Page B-10. Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs.
Devolution Secretariat.
Mr. Enook (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) Hon. Premier, (interpretation) welcome.
I have a general question first of all related to the most recent tabling of an agreement that resulted from the negotiators tasked to complete the agreement. The positions finally started getting filled just a short while ago.
I would like an update from the Premier on the operational issues to date, whether or not he is satisfied with the progress.
I thank the committee member for that question. Mr. Chairman, within the Devolution Secretariat, there are 10 positions, but at this time, we have five filled and five vacant.
I’m quite satisfied with the level of progress that has been made at this time with our chief negotiator and deputy negotiator.
Mr. Chairman, the work is ongoing and even at this time, there have been some main table negotiations and throughout the most part, it is going very well.
One of your priorities for 2015-16 is to “…finalize the devolution Agreement-in-Principle…” Do you believe that you will be able to achieve the goal or the consideration that you have?
Chairman (interpretation): Before he responds, Mr. Enook, what page are you alluding to in the business plan?
Mr. Enook (interpretation): If you will give me a moment, it’s on page 13.
He said that it’s on page 13. (interpretation ends) Hon. Premier, Mr. Taptuna.
Absolutely, I’m optimistic that we will be able to do it in that time.
As members are well aware, we’re the last jurisdiction to have devolution.
I have said in the past that both sides have learned from previous completed devolution agreements between NWT and Canada and we’re fast tracking this.
At the end of the day, the devolution agreement has to benefit Nunavummiut and we’re quite cognizant of that.
Again, that depends on the benefits that would be flowing into Nunavut and Nunavummiut. We are hoping that we can complete this AIP.
This draft agreement or (interpretation ends) agreement in principle (interpretation) is something this government wants to complete within the calendar year. Further, (interpretation ends) Mr. Premier, (interpretation) you just stated that this may be doable.
Further, you stated that the negotiation process has been fast tracked to do so.
The question I want to ask here is our sister northern territories, such as the Northwest Territories, spent many years negotiating these devolution agreements.
In some cases, it took over 20 years or longer to finalize the devolution agreement with the federal government.
With that statement, aren’t we being too hasty?
Yes, I know that we are in a hurry, but if we rush to complete the negotiations, some items may be overlooked. Won’t there be some danger in this rush?
Compared to the other territories that took decades to negotiate their agreements, Nunavut seems to be set in trying to reach an agreement now that an AIP milestone is visible.
I just want to be completely clear in understanding this process.
I also know our negotiators and believe in their capacity, as they are adept at their work and they can do their jobs.
I just wanted to be clear on this matter.
I thank the member for the encouragement.
Mr. Chairman, the agreement in principle is one of the first phases of negotiations and within that, of course, we have our mandate.
Mr. Chairman, depending on how the negotiations go, we’re hoping that we could reach that point. Of course, if we do reach that point, our mandate is within the agreement in principle.
Like the member stated, it does take time for the second phase of the negotiations.
The agreement in principle is just outlining the framework of what we’re going to be going after.
Devolution encompasses many things and I’m sure the negotiations will be long and hard.
There are the federal positions that would come down when you start administering the land and the royalties and stuff.
One part I just want to question on is the royalty part of it.
This year, the media reported that the NWT, which does have devolution, got less money than they anticipated because mining exploration and mining was down.
I assume that we will have a similar deal with Canada as NWT does with them.
Are there any provisions… ? I know that you’re negotiating and it will be part of the negotiations, so maybe you can’t answer it, but is there a chance that in the end, we will actually get less funding for Nunavut than we currently get without devolution?
Mr. Chairman, that’s why we negotiate and during negotiations, we’re trying to come up with the best possible scenario for Nunavummiut.
The reason I brought this up or asked about it is because, as we are all aware, even Canada has a limited amount of money. If they start giving Nunavut the rights to the royalties, I would think that they are going to give less money in the funding formula that we currently have that’s based on, I think, per capita or other transfer payments.
Am I right to say that the funding formula that we currently have will change to a lower scale once we have devolution?
Hon. Peter Taptuna: Thank you, Mr. Chairman and the member.
That’s why we do negotiations, to minimize that.
Mr. Chairman, when we talk about devolution for Nunavut and collecting royalties from resource extraction, whether it be minerals or oil and gas, it is still a long ways out. At this point, when we talk about the agreement in principle and actually collecting royalties, it is quite a ways out.
As members are well aware, the majority of royalties for other jurisdictions is from oil.
Although there are royalties to other jurisdictions from mining, for the most part, that’s a smaller part of the equation.
Mr. Chairman, that’s why we negotiate whether the impact on our transfer payments from Ottawa.
That’s one of the things that we are quite cognizant about from the main table negotiating.
This is just a closing comment from me.
I hope the best for the negotiation team because I believe that we as Nunavut have to take care of ourselves.
Devolution will give us more authority to make things go the way we want or the way the people of Nunavut want. We will have more control over our resources and more stuff.
I wish the Premier and his negotiating team well. I hope his negotiators are very good.
I didn’t hear a question, so I will move along. Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs. Branch Summary.
Devolution Secretariat. B-10. Total Operations and Maintenance, to be Voted. $2,052,000.
We will go back to B-3. Department Summary.
Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs. Detail of Expenditures. Total Operations and Maintenance, to be Voted. $27,547,000.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you very much. (interpretation ends) Closing comments, Hon. Premier, Mr. Taptuna.
Hon. Peter Taptuna (interpretation): Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. First of all, I want to expressly thank my officials, as well as our departmental officials.
There are many employees who work in the department and they work to resolve the problems and to identify the issues. I want to express my gratitude for their hard work.
Also, I appreciate your questions and we will try to respond to the questions we couldn’t answer in order to try to resolve these problems and to assist Nunavummiut. (interpretation ends) Thank you very much again for your questions and your comments.
We will certainly take note and try to improve on finding ways to better benefit Nunavummiut.
Before we go on to another department, we will take a five-minute break.
>>Committee recessed at 17:11 and resumed at 17:23
Bill 16 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2015-2016 – Environment – Consideration in Committee
I would now like to call the committee meeting to order. (interpretation ends) I would now like ask Minister Mike if he has officials that he would like to appear before the committee. Mr. Mike.
Hon. Johnny Mike (interpretation): Yes, I do.
Minister Mike, please introduce your officials.
Hon. Johnny Mike (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, my colleagues and the people watching the proceedings.
To my right is my Deputy Minister Gabriel Nirlungayuk, and my Assistant Deputy Minister, Steven Pinksen.
I would like to extend a special welcome to the Deputy Minister, Mr. Gabriel Nirlungayuk, as this is his first appearance in Committee of the Whole.
You may now proceed with your opening comments, Mr. Mike.
I am pleased to be here today to present my department’s business plan and main estimates for the 2015-16 fiscal year.
The Department of Environment’s proposed budget for 2015-16 is $25,754,000.
This represents an increase of $1.76 million from the previous fiscal year.
The increase includes $150,000 for an air quality specialist position, which will provide the department with improved capacity for monitoring air quality in the territory and support expansion into the Kivalliq and Kitikmeot regions.
It also includes $1 million for a contaminated sites financial liabilities assessment and review. (interpretation ends) This funding is required in order to fill information and knowledge gaps to provide a clearer picture of the GN’s outstanding liabilities.
In addition, the department is requesting $350,000 to help assess and monitor the Baffin Island caribou population.
This amount includes the creation of a new technician position to support the regional Baffin, High Arctic biologist stationed in Igloolik.
(interpretation) The department’s proposed budget also includes $100,000 for the Fisheries Strategy Action Plan implementation.
(interpretation ends) The remaining $160,000 will be used to increase the purchase price of sealskins from harvesters in order to offset the increasing costs associated with harvesting.
(interpretation) Mr. Chairman, the department’s 2015-16 business plan and main estimates are focused on the priorities and goals outlined in Sivumut Abluqta. (interpretation ends) They also uphold the Government of Nunavut’s obligations and areas of responsibilities under the land claims agreement that relate to the management of natural resources, as well as ensuring that the department’s many statutory obligations are fulfilled.
Avatittinnik Kamatsiarniq, or environmental stewardship, (interpretation) continues to be a key element of our departmental focus.
We will continue to manage Nunavut’s wildlife effectively, (interpretation ends) with our actions rooted in Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit supplemented with western science.
(interpretation) The department will continue to work with government, businesses, and communities to ensure that industrial projects in Nunavut are undertaken in such a manner that negative impacts to the environment are minimized.
(interpretation ends) Working together with our co-management partners, the department will implement caribou management actions to address the decline of caribou on Baffin Island in the coming year.
We will continue to consult with and receive valuable input from communities, HTOs, and our co-management partners throughout this process.
(interpretation) In the coming year, the Department of Environment will work together with the Department of Economic Development and Transportation to review current legislation and to explore options to address any gaps identified in the management of resource development.
In the 2015-16 fiscal year, we will complete new management plans for Katannilik Park and Sylvia Grinnell Park. (interpretation ends) We will also complete a cultural landscape resource inventory study for Katannilik Park and another for the proposed Napaaqtulik Park on Axel Heiberg Island.
(interpretation) Mr. Chairman, as you can see, the Department of Environment’s 2015-16 main estimates and business plan support the obligations and priorities of the Government of Nunavut and provide real benefits to Nunavummiut.
I will be pleased to take any questions you may have. Thank you.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you very much. (interpretation ends) Does the Chair of the Standing Committee on Community and Economic Development have opening comments?
I am pleased to provide opening comments on behalf of the Standing Committee on Community and Economic Development on its review of the proposed 2015-16 main estimates and 2015-18 business plan of the Department of Environment.
The standing committee notes that the department’s proposed 2015-16 operations and maintenance budget of $25,754,000 has increased by 7.3 percent since the introduction of the department’s 2014-15 main estimates.
The number of positions in the department is 131.5. This is an increase of three positions from the 2014-15 main estimates.
The proposed 2015-16 main estimates of the Department of Environment include approximately $1,046,000 in funding for its harvester support programs, including core funding for hunters and trappers organizations, regional wildlife boards, the Fur Pricing Program, and the Disaster Compensation Program.
On March 13 of 2006, the final report on the joint review of harvester support programs that was undertaken by the Government of Nunavut and NTI was tabled in the House.
The report contained a significant number of observations and recommendations.
The department’s draft 2015-18 business plan indicates that one of its goals is for the 2015-16 fiscal year is to “Implement revised/renewed programs and supports for harvesters.”
The standing committee emphasizes the importance of the department working with such entities as regional wildlife boards, Nunavut Arctic College, and the Municipal Training Organization to identify ways of providing training opportunities for local hunters and trappers organizations to strengthen their capacity in such areas as financial management, which can be anticipated to enhance their ability to effectively access and administer funding provided under the department’s harvester support programs.
The Department of Environment’s draft 2015-18 business plan indicates that “Options are being considered to better align the department’s organizational structure with changing needs of the territory and new government priorities.”
The standing committee looks forward to receiving ongoing updates on any significant changes that may affect the department’s main responsibilities and programs.
The Department of Environment’s draft 2015-18 business plan indicates that it will undertake a number of initiatives to enhance Inuit employment over the next two years.
The standing committee recognizes the importance of providing effective training and orientation for staff to enhance Inuit employment within the government.
The Department of Environment’s draft 2015-18 business plan indicates that one of its priorities for the 2015-16 fiscal year is to “Provide financial and human resource training workshops for staff in decentralized offices” in a number of communities, including Igloolik.
During the recent fall sitting of the Legislative Assembly, the Minister of Finance tabled the government’s quarterly employment report, Towards a Representative Public Service.
This report indicates that as of June 30, 2014, 32 percent of the department’s positions in Igloolik were vacant.
The standing committee notes with concern the ongoing high rate of vacancy in the Department of Environment’s Igloolik office.
The Department of Environment’s draft 2015-18 business plan indicates that it intends to complete and implement a number of wildlife management initiatives over the next three fiscal years, including the management planning for all caribou populations, a new polar bear management plan, and the development of a grizzly bear management plan.
On December 19 of 2014, the Government of Nunavut announced that an interim moratorium on the harvest of caribou on Baffin Island would become effective on [January] 1 of 2015.
The Department of Environment’s 2015-18 business plan indicates that this moratorium has been placed “until effective conservation measures are implemented through the co-management system.”
The standing committee emphasizes the importance of working with entities such as local hunters and trappers organizations and wildlife management boards to identify effective conservation measures to address this issue.
The standing committee also emphasizes the importance of the department working with its Elders Advisory Committee, which is established under the Wildlife Act and facilitates the application of IQ principles into wildlife and environmental management in Nunavut.
The Department of Environment is responsible for administering regulations under the Wildlife Act.
The Wildlife Act was passed by the First Legislative Assembly in 2003.
The standing committee continues to note with concern that a comprehensive set of new regulations under this legislation has not yet been introduced.
The Department of Environment is responsible for administering the Natural Resources Conservation Trust Fund. One of the statutory purposes of the fund is to “promote education and training respecting IQ, safe and humane harvesting methods, harvester education and wildlife conservation.”
The 2013-14 annual report on the administration of the Natural Resources Conservation Trust Fund was tabled in the Legislative Assembly on March 5 of 2015. Information provided by the department in response to questions asked in the Legislative Assembly on the use of the Natural Resources Conservation Trust Fund indicate that new surcharges on licences issued under the Wildlife Act “will be the largest ongoing source of revenue” for the fund.
The new surcharges are to be brought into effect in association with new regulations under the Wildlife Act. The standing committee looks forward to greater utilization of the Natural Resources Conservation Trust Fund in future years.
The department’s proposed 2015-16 budget for its Environmental Protection Division is $3,799,000.
The division’s responsibilities include “enforcing Nunavut’s environmental acts and regulations, primarily the Environmental Protection Act,” a function which includes “environmental monitoring, inspections, investigations, spill response, and enforcement action.”
Mr. Chairman, that concludes my opening comments on the proposed 2015-16 main estimates and 2015-18 business plan of the Department of Environment.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you very much. (interpretation ends) Before we proceed, on your page 2 in the last paragraph, you indicated July 1, 2015, but in the written document in front of me, it states, “January 1, 2015.”
Which page did you refer to?
In your openers on page 2, the last paragraph, you indicated verbally “July 1, 2015,” but in the written document, it indicates, “January 1, 2015.”
It should read “January 1.”
I want to remind members that the contents of the opening comments are covered in different branches of the department.
(interpretation) General comments. (interpretation ends) I have no names. I have no members on my list for general comments.