EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
I’m thinking that Search and Rescue, since it provides such a valuable and critical service to the people of Nunavut and all the Nunavutmiut in general in all our communities that we should perhaps use some of that $500,000 to provide more resources to the Search and Rescue groups.
It could bring them up to an adequate level of operations and training, help them get better organized, be incorporated, proper bylaws, committees, Chairman, and a Board of Directors.
Then they’d get a bit more respect and credit for the valuable service that they provide to us all so Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Chairman: Good point.
A comment or question.
I just want to follow the comments that I’m not in a position to comment as to where that $500,000 should go.
So I will make no comment to the intent of that money.
However, my colleague raised a good point about air searchers and the additional support that we have here in Nunavut.
When you require air support and more resources to do air searches, we get very good support from Trenton, Ontario.
And this does not cost this government any more money, so we do have available to us very good air support from Trenton, Ontario.
Mr. Peterson: No more comments. Mr. Chairman
I’m falling a little behind, when I heard Search and Rescue Committee.
Are we talking about the local HTO or was that for somebody else?
Well it could be in a community, but in most communities the Hunters’ and Trappers’ Organizations and the Search and Rescue Committees are separate.
Chairman: Mr. Kattuk.
So if we form a Search and Rescue Committee, is there an application to form a local Search and Rescue Committee?
Yes, there is a form in place and also a process in place that a community can use to establish a Search and Rescue Committee for their community.
It was just pointed to me.
Through this, we have also a start up funding available for a community of up to $2,500 so that is available.
Just in the last year, we had also increased the funding for rescue activities from $1,000 to $5,000.
So if my colleague wants more information on this and also on the process, that’s something, we would be more than happy to assist him with.
Mr. Kattuk: That’s all for now.
Chairman: Is that it.
I’d like to speak about the Search and Rescue a little bit.
Just following up on Mr. Peterson’s comments, as to where that funding that we just deleted could be used, just for consideration.
We live in a very cold climate from the Kivalliq Region up to the Kitikmeot Region.
The air rescues work very, very hard.
We don’t get any help from Trenton and the military cannot come to our region.
We don’t get any help from Trenton Air Rescue.
We are still very traditional in our Search and Rescue techniques.
Because the Search and Rescue usually hold bingos to raise funding to be used for Search and rescue.
I would like to be in support of the other comments that were made.
I think the Search and Rescue people, I think will have to start requesting or talking about getting those equipment such as communication equipment.
So, for that reason, I would like the Minister to be supported on supporting that $500,000, is not lost and it should be considered to be used for Municipal Training Organizations to train the Search and Rescue people in the communities.
They usually don’t have insurance.
I know that money is not going to be put to that but I just want to make sure that this is considered.
Does the Minister think it’s important to be used for Search and Rescue?
I understand what the member is saying because I talked to my officials a while ago for the communities to be able to work together.
We talked about that and we will be looking into it again as to what kinds of things that we can put together to help the Search and Rescue people.
It’s in the talks anyway with my staff.
Chairman (interpretation): Is that it.
This Protective Services Division houses something that has been an interest of mine for a little while now, and that is the Fire Marshall’s Office.
As members will note in the last sitting, I posed a written question to the minister on that.
I am just wondering, I have seen the overall budget has gone up every year but it seems like from last year to this year, in almost every area that there is a decrease in the stuff that has been done.
I recognize that it is after the time of the question that there was still one quarter left to do in the year, the fiscal year.
Is there a reason why the numbers would seem to indicate that they are doing less with more in that office?
Is there any rationale behind why that is the case there?
I know part of the reason has been the heavy emphasis on training, but Mr. Chairman, maybe my Deputy Minister can elaborate a little more on this subject.
The minister is quite right.
The particular emphasis of the Fire Marshall’s Office over the last two years has been developing the training programs that have been worked on in conjunction with the Municipal Training Organization.
That has required some direct involvement of the staff of the Fire Marshall’s Office.
That has also direct involvement of some of the professional fire fighters in communities; Iqaluit has been a particular community that has devoted some of their support in some of their professional fire fighters working with us to develop those training programs.
In 2004 the Office of the Fire Marshall conducted 227 inspections.
That can be limited by the number of staff that we had.
We did go through a staff turnover in the Baffin region.
We filled a position and then lost a position in the Baffin region in the past year so that has limited the numbers to some extent.
I think the Fire Marshall's Office or the people that office that train; they said the emphasis has been on training and that.
Are they the ones that train the local fire fighters, here in Iqaluit and throughout the communities in Nunavut?
Of course, recognizing that there is communication back and forth regarding the training needs, they developed the training programs.
It says specifically here that they call the Fire Marshall's Office was the one that deliver the training program, as well?
Or do they contract that out?
The short answer to that is that we do both the Fire Marshall and also, when necessary, contract experts from outside.
Given all that that the Fire Marshall develops the training programs and then delivers some of it and contracts other professionals to deliver some of it.
My question is I know in the report that was issued on a fire here in Iqaluit, and the Fire Marshall’s Office had indicated that with a lack of training that led to the loss of the building by the fire fighters.
I kind of wonder how if his office is developing the training plan and implementing the training plan that he can say that they are not qualified to do that.
So if I can get an explanation or clarification on that?
We had met with both people from the fire department and also the Office of the City to discuss the issues souring this matter.
As a result of some issues that were raised also stemming from that particular incident, training has been a focus point for not only Iqaluit but also the other communities as a result of that fire.
I guess, I can understand but if the person that was developing and implementing the training plan was saying the people he trained weren’t trained and I understand that all the firefighters had just recently gone through some training with the fire marshal’s office, for him to come out and say after he delivered his course that they weren’t qualified, that raises some questions to me about the quality of the program.
Is it doing what we want it to do.
We have the people there with the expertise to be able to provide those training opportunities to our firefighters so we don’t have losses like we have in the past.
Yes, I guess to tell the house again, the importance of firefighter’s training both in procedures and practices has been very important to all involved.
That is why a major training planning started in this year. I will add Mr. Chairman, that the Iqaluit Fire Department, because of the resources and training they have, they have assisted greatly both with the personnel and resources for the fire training courses that have been run here in Iqaluit.
Mr. Chairman, I guess, if you read between the lines and the Minister indicating the development of the training program and the delivery of the training program prior to this year had some flaws in it and as a result of those things being exposed and as result of the incident that happened here, that we need to fix it.
I guess on that, I know that there was a considerable amount of hard feelings between the professionals on that.
Maybe it really wasn’t their fault.
They were doing what they were trained to do by the person who trained them.
The person who trained them is the same person who said they weren’t trained enough to do it.
Given that that’s been identified, nobody’s perfect.
New incidents, you always have to continually re-evaluate and re-look at things to try and improve it but no matter of what you think about at the time, something else always comes up that you missed.
I see that this is the process that’s been outlined here by the department and the Fire Marshal’s Office but given if that’s the case then, if there would be some kind of letter coming from the Fire Marshal’s Office to the City Fire Department, maybe expressing an apology of some sort over some of the comments that were made in the media and put in the report on that specific incident.
I will follow up on the member’s last comments because I believe that issue had been addressed.
However, I will follow up on it.
Now, in previous years, there was also a shortfall of funding to provide more training to firefighters straight across Nunavut, which included Iqaluit.
So, the lack of training stems greatly from not having had the funding that we see in this budget today.
Mr. Chairman on my written question, the third one, I asked about the annual report under subsection 3-E, and it indicates in response that there was no data recorded for 1999/2000 and that the reports for 2000/01, 2001/02, 2002/03, 2003/04 are now being prepared and will be presented to the minister by the end of this month.
First question; Why wasn’t I told that a question was asked that these reports were done; that they are required, under the Act, to do these. I’m just wondering why, you’re told something was asked about it, that all of a sudden they’re all being done now.
There are a couple of factors to the problem of the late report.
The reports currently are being produced from paper-based information, a cumbersome, insufficient system.
We are also now looking at a new fire reporting so which is under development by the national research council of Canada, and expected to be available early in 2006.
The report, 2004 annual report, should be ready by the end of this month, and will be tabled at the next available legislative session.
The minister indicated the late report; trying to think, from the creation of Nunavut, the report has been non-existent; it’s going on five years now.
I think it might be safe to say if that question wasn’t posed as a written question that they still wouldn’t be working on the report.
So, it is a requirement under the Act. So who’s monitoring this, and why, until someone asked the question about it, are they all of a sudden now being done for the last five years?
Hon. Peter Kilabuk: Thank you Mr. Chairman no I must apologize to my colleague, I must have misunderstood his question.
With that, I’m going to allow my deputy minister to go through process in relations to the fire strategy.
Chairman: please continue Mr. Rich.
The need for better fire reporting was identified as part of the fire strategy, which was tabled in the legislature in the fall of 2003, if memory serves me right.
We have been developing the system to do that.
Regrettably, we’ve been short of some of the resources, the human resources the minister mentioned some of the reporting resources that we needed to do that.
As a result we did not start working in earnest on gathering all of that data until this past year.
In fact, the work started on it last summer, early in the fall, and it was part of our identified work plan for this year to do that.
We had always targeted the end of this fiscal year as being the target for the production of the first report.
We certainly agree that it’s been unfortunate that previous year reports were not done because of lack of resources, which is one of the reasons that’s been identified as part of the strategy and in fact, we put financial resources into reporting as part of fire strategy.
Chairman: Thank you. Are you done.
Thank you. Mr. Barnabas.
The inspections of the fire marshal, because in the smaller communities especially after some school fires, in Arctic Bay, when the students were in classes, they used to have problems with sprinklers.
Are the contents in the reports followed up after.
That’s one of the duties of the fire marshal.
He has a big responsibility.
In the past, he didn’t always have staff to help him, but if members have concerns in the content of the report, or if you have seen problems or want more information, I can look for that information.
How often does the fire marshal go to the communities to do inspections?
The fire marshal further inspected 247, but regrettably the member was referring to the smaller communities. I can’t give him a figure on that because there are three communities which are considered bigger communities that are growing is where I think the inspections were done on.
I will let my colleague know of how many inspections were done in the smaller communities, but I can’t give him that answer right now.
The smaller communities, it’s very obvious that they don’t get the same services as they do because there is no government in the community and the gymnasium or the community centre, it seems like the fire marshal has to write a report, especially the gymnasiums.
When the residents use it, I wonder if those can be looked at.
Yes, it would be good to be able to visit all the communities within a year, but Mr. Chairman.
I just got information that the fire marshal inspects the schools, daycares and the smaller communities.
Even the bigger communities are treated the same way.
One of the most frequent is Iqaluit because they have more buildings here.
Even the bigger communities than the smaller ones sometimes don’t get more frequent inspections.
So, according to the information I have they’re treated the same.
The smaller communities, when they are visited, there is no change in the funding because the municipalities are responsible for the inspections.
I wonder why is that the case?
I did not quite understand my colleague’s question.
It seems like he is stating the municipalities is responsible for fire fighters.
Can he re-state his question?
Please re-state your question, Mr. Barnabas.
The municipalities are given inspection reports after the Fire Marshall has done his inspection.
Also it seems like there is no funding increase for the fire inspections or to follow-up further with the Fire Marshall’s Report?
The Fire Department with the Fire Marshall’s inspector’s after they have gone to the inspection, the Fire Department and the Fire Marshall themselves will identify where the funds would come from to fix the problems.
Usually that is what the report contains.
Mr. Barnabas (interpretation): Does that mean that process, even though the smaller communities are experiencing a lot of difficulties because of the Fire Marshall’s Report, so there is not going to be any change?
You are not going to rectify the smaller communities’ situation even though there is the Fire Marshall’s Report stating that there are problem areas in the smaller communities?
Currently the issue that we are discussing with my colleague, we can’t really identify which areas where we have problems areas.
When it comes to Nunavut Government’s infrastructure, the Fire Department can do inspections but also the municipality infrastructure or if they need to make improvements on the building they are administered by a private business.
We are on page J-12. (interpretation ends): Community and Government Services.
Operations and Maintenance. $4,888,000.
Chairman: Thank you. We will go to J-14.
Capital Planning and Technical Services.
Operations and Maintenance. $1,171,000.
Any questions to J-14.
An information item is on J-18.
We are in J-19 and we will go back to J-4.
We will go back to J-4.
Departmental total. $132,665,000 less reduction of $500,000 for a revised total of $132,165,000.
Does the Committee agree that the Department of Community and Government Services is concluded?
Mr. Minister, if you had any comments before we proceed with the Housing Corporation?
I just want to thank the members for their input and questioning and also my staff who prepared the work necessary for our appearance today.
With that thank you so much, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman: Thank you, minister and your officials for being here today.
We are going to deal with Housing Corporation.
Do you have any opening comments Mr. Minister?
Hon. Peter Kilabuk: Sorry, Mr. Chairman I do.
Chairman: just a moment.
Mr. Mapsalak: (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman: We have a motion on the floor to report progress and it is not debatable.
All those is favour of the motion.
Motion defeated.
Mr. Minister, proceed with your opening remarks.
I am very pleased to be able to appear before you to discuss the 2005-06 business plan estimates of Nunavut Housing corporation.
We have another full and exciting year ahead of us in housing.
We will once again concentrate on both public and staff housing supply.
All there, with different approaches to each.
Additionally, we will promote suitability and adequacy in home ownership to positive proactive changes to the popular home repair program.
Mr. Chairman, we will renew our commitment to our community partners, the local housing organizations.
The Nunavut Housing corporation is taking both steps towards long term solutions to the housing crisis and public housing soon the Nunavut 10 year Inuit Housing action plan.
This plan clearly presents Nunavut’s housing need and outlines the resources needed to address the shortages in every community.
Together with NTI we have been pursuing an ambitious advocacy effort to bring the federal government to table as a full partner in the action plan.
On December 13, 2004 we met with Minister Fontana, the federal minister of Labour and Housing. We then sent correspondence to Minister Fontana detailing our expectations and our next steps, and are currently awaiting a reply.
I had the opportunity to host Minister Godfrey, Minister of State for Infrastructure and Communities.
We discussed how the action plan has had the potential to stimulate the economic development across the Nunavut Territory.
In cooperation with NTI determined to raise the profile of the action plan with federal decision makers in advance to Minister Fontana’s visit to Nunavut later this spring.
On the staff housing side, we continue to develop recommendations to address supply shortfalls and are currently developing homeowner and rental options.
In 2005/06 we hope to be able to finalize those policy initiatives.
Mr. Chairman, funding to our community partners is the largest single change to the corporation budget this year.
However, it is not the biggest initiative that the corporation with our community partners.
Local housing organization block funding for administration and maintenance has remained the same for over 10 years.
While it is true that the additional operations and maintenance funds for incremental housing units have a small component of administration and maintenance in them.
The formula itself is outdated and must be refreshed.
During 2005/2006, a task force made up of Nunavut Housing Corporation and local housing organization staff members will develop a draft revised funding model for review.
As I announced in the Legislative Assembly before Christmas, we have increased the funding for the home repair program.
As well, we have increased the amount of funding a home owner can access and have raised the income limit.
The changes mean that Nunavut home owners will be able to make more significant repairs to increase the adequacy and suitability of their homes.
(interpretation ends) Before we discuss the fiscal changes to the corporation’s main estimates for 2005/06, I also want to thank the members for their interest in many aspects of housing in Nunavut.
During the last session, several members posed both oral and written questions with respect to housing.
Unfortunately, some of those questions could not be answered either due to privacy issues or because the information was not available.
I want to assure the members that the corporation is complete open in it’s business practices.
We encourage members to ask any questions they feel is necessary to increase the understanding of housing realities in Nunavut and Canada.
Recognizing, Mr. Chairman, some things, however, cannot be discussed in the public domain.
I wish to emphasize that as long as we respect the Integrity Act, I am willing to share any and all information with members privately either one on one or as part of standing committee appearances.
Fiscal 2005/06 Government of Nunavut funding to the Nunavut Housing Corporation will see an increase by $10 million 469 thousand from the main estimates of 2004/05.
This amount is made up of the following;
Increases in funding to local housing organizations of $8 million 92 thousand.
This amount represents over 77% of the Nunavut Housing Corporation total increase
$1 million 440 thousand for the operating and maintenance of new public housing construction
and one I’m very proud of Mr. Chairman, $5 million 626 for historical increases in utility costs
$1 million 26 thousand for forced growth.
An increase of $1 million 420 thousand to staff housing
Bolt $1 million 334 thousand for utility costs mostly due to the conversion of condominium units to rental housing
$86 thousand for forced growth.
An increase of $957 thousand for general administration and maintenance.
$690 thousand for a new collective agreement impact
$267 thousand for forced growth.
(interpretation) For 2005/06, the Nunavut Housing Corporation projects a full staffing compliment.
We currently expect the full salary allocation to be used during the 2005/06 with any savings from vacancies used by casual staffing requirements and over time.
Mr. Chairman, in all of the material respects, the main estimates for the Nunavut Housing Corporation remain unchanged from last year.
I would be pleased to answer any questions you may have regarding the Nunavut Housing Corporation 2005/06 main estimates.
Does the chair of the standing committee have any opening comments.
I am pleased to provide you with my comments as the chair of the standing committee on infrastructure, housing and economic development.
The committee has reviewed the 2005/06 main estimates and business plan of the Nunavut Housing Corporation and had the opportunity to meet with the Minister Responsible in January.
Mr. Chairman, I would like to take this opportunity to remind the house that one of the key priorities for our mandate that was determined during our caucus retreat in Arviat was to quote, “address the ongoing housing crisis by actively supporting homeownership and improving programs in addition to partnering with Nunavut Tunngavik Inc and lobbying the Federal Government to join in implement the 10 year Inuit Housing Action Plan”.
Mr. Chairman, members recognize the work that the corporation is doing to lobby the Federal Government for funding for social housing in Nunavut.
The standing committee shares the Minister’s concern with respect to federal infrastructure programs that do not always recognize the severity of our needs for increased investments in housing.
Committee members were disappointed to the lack of reference to the 10 year Inuit Housing Action Plan in this year’s federal budget address.
Committee members continue to support the Minister in his efforts to secure further federal funding for new housing construction and for new funding for the operations and maintenance of the current housing stock.