EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
So that is why the money was requested to be transferred from the Qikiqtani General Hospital Furniture and Equipment to be able to proceed with the design. Taloyoak and Repulse Bay had some money, but there was no money that had been approved for Arctic Bay.
I think we have a Class “C” on the work to date, but that doesn’t really help us so much.
As I said, when we are a little further on with the design we’re working on right now, then we will be able to get to the higher class levels.
I can’t give you an exact time; it’s just a matter of when the reviews are done that the architect actually asks for the class level.
According to what we have and again we don’t have the substantiation sheets, we don’t know much of what to go by.
In 2009-2010, there’s not supposed to be any money allocated to that, but he had said just a couple of minutes ago that as of March 31, once the designs are completed, then the communities will be consulted and then further planning will go on. So obviously, there must be money coming from somewhere to do that.
Is that an O&M question because it’s going to go under O&M, or where would the money for that consultation over the 2009-2010 year come from?
Hon. Tagak Curley: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I believe that the member’s question involves the capital planning process; I understand and believe you.
Through the committee process, I think the finance department is providing some information to members about the capital estimates and the capital planning process of the government, so we are all abided by these particular processes.
Likely, through this summer, the architectural designs will be completed. But then again, the Cabinet and FMB will have to go through the capital planning process.
Like my colleague from the Department of Education the other day, he mentioned that on his plate, he has a number of schools that he wants to build, including Sanikiluaq, which was a priority, and we certainly have three facilities that we would like to put on the plate, but it will be up to all of my colleagues how many to build.
It may not be possible that we will build three facilities.
In my guestimates, you know, it’s going to cost at least $60 million or more for three of them.
So the estimates that will come out from the architectural and the Class “B” estimates for starting the discussions will be a very important part of the process for all of us on this side and the department to arrive at how we should proceed with which ones should be built first.
Again, I don’t know if the minister answered my question because what I was asking was... like I understand how the process is working and I understand that we have to wait.
But again, he’s saying that we’re going to continue with the planning but I don’t see where the dollar value of that is.
Is it under the minor projects at $500,000? Is it a small capital of $500,000?
If you’re obviously going to fly to Arctic Bay and Taloyoak and Repulse Bay to say, “Do you guys like this design; do you want something changed,” you know, consult with the hamlets, First Air is not going to fly people up there on their own, you’re going to have to pay for that and it’s got to come from somewhere.
I’m wondering where that is in there in terms of dollars. Where is it coming in the line item?
If you look at previous years, there are some carryovers of certain projects that are continuing. So they normally don’t just stop on March 31, they carry on in the planning process until the whole project is eventually completed and presented to Cabinet.
So I think that’s how it’s going to kick in.
But in terms of the amounts, I would like to have Rosemary Brown add to that, please, Mr. Chairman.
Not all of the money in 2008-09 for each project has been spent on the terms of the design because usually, the design money also carries some portions for the tender and so on.
So any money that has not been spent for each project will be requested to be carried over for that particular project, which means that if the carryover is approved, which is usually in June of the new fiscal year, then we would have some money to be able to do the community visits that we would plan.
And by then, the weather will be a little bit better so that we’re not getting weathered in or out.
Again, what I’m trying to get at is I want to make sure that this project doesn’t fall off the table, maybe that’s what the term is.
When I did my research and went back, the nursing station for Arctic Bay was on the books for quite a few years, I think eight in total, and then it kind of disappeared for two or three years and now, as Ms. Brown brought up, it is back on the table.
So it’s nice to see it, I just don’t want to see it fall off and not be...
I guess I should have borrowed Mr. Peterson’s calculator, but $60 million to build three nursing stations would be half of your budget this year. So obviously, I can recognize that if all the designs get done, then one of our nursing stations, or maybe two of them in the other members’ ridings, were not going to be build. Obviously, I want mine in Arctic Bay built and I’m sure the people in Arctic Bay want it as well.
Is there some type of priority that you have set up in terms of if we get $30 million, it would be Arctic Bay and if we get $60 million, it will be one of the other communities, or is there a priority system?
Hon. Tagak Curley: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I think the member will know that the former MLA from his community certainly did advocate and he did pretty fairly good in the effective case he built to put the architectural design phase on the books and he accomplished that.
So I think a credit goes to him as well because he pressured the government to put in the design phase into the amounts and he voted for it.
In terms of prioritizing divisions, that’s an exercise not only by my department and we certainly will be making a recommendation, but that will be presented to the FMB and the Cabinet some time during our regular capital planning processes.
But at this moment, we can’t say which will be the priority.
Certainly, if we can get any contributions, whether or not it’s from the federal government, we recognize that the facilities that are being planned for these locations equally share, I think, the urgency and importance of building them up.
But again, we will be facing a reality that financial constraints will prevent us from building them in one fiscal year, or two in my opinion.
Maybe if Mr. Okalik gets what he wants and everyone has lottery booths in their community, we will have lots of money to be able to built nursing stations and arenas.
And I know my predecessor did a lot of hard work to get that nursing station back in the books and I don’t want his hard work to go to waste, so that’s why I’m going to do my job and keep pushing for the nursing station in Arctic Bay.
So I guess what’s happening is that there’s going be little done, but there will planning done over the next year.
What sort of a timeline can we look at for some of these nursing stations to be built then? You sort of said in 2010-11, there’s actually going to be construction and sealift or orders brought in.
Mr. Chairman, certainly that would be my position that we build at least one and if we can get support from all of our colleagues.
But all of the departments have priorities as to which ones will come out of the capital planning process of the Cabinet and that remains to be seen.
But I will do my best and we regret too that we can’t proceed with them this summer because the cost estimating and the planning process don’t allow us to that.
We only have a short window of time to bring in supplies and issue tenders, and all of this stuff, but we will do our best to try and ensure that we at least have a project out of these three locations next year.
Could I get a commitment from the minister to let me know once the designs are complete for all three of the communities and when the communication will start with the communities?
I will commit to the MLAs that are affected, once the design phase and the architectural designs are complete, I will keep you informed as to when the capital planning group is travelling to communities. I will personally have a letter sent to all of you to make sure you do have an opportunity to see the plans.
I would just like to say maybe a phone call or an email might be faster for our communities. The mail takes quite a while, so I might be back down in Iqaluit and not get the message.
I’m going to change gears here and ask a different question or a different line of questions.
In some of the travels to my other two communities, one of the concerns that have come up is regarding long-term care.
At one time, there were plans for a long-term care unit at the new Qikiqtani General Hospital. Is the hospital currently able to provide long-term care and if not, why not?
I’m not sure whether this is a capital planning question or not, but I will give him the benefit of the response. Deputy Minister Campbell will respond to that.
Right now, we don’t have the Qikiqtani General Hospital in full capacity and we won’t have full capacity for a number of years to come, so I just wanted to make that clear. At this point, we don’t have long-term care at the hospital.
Just so I don’t get into O&M questions, I’ll save those for when we’re doing that, there’s another line of questions I have. But I wrote to the boarding home about the boarding home arrangements.
What’s the current status of the 90-bed boarding home that was contracted in Iqaluit?
Mr. Chairman, I think all members are pretty well aware, even from the local media, particularly the local newspaper groups, that the court case that was initiated sort of delayed the process for a while, but that has been cleared up at the early part of the year.
But still, to ensure that there are no outstanding legal issues, the department has a bit of time to make sure that all of the legal questions are out of the way because even once the court decides, there’s normally one month to clear up any potential legal challenges. I believe these timeframes are out of the way now.
So in order to have more detail, Rosemary Brown has the detailed plans for that project, I would say, but I’m not too sure. Alex Campbell will respond to that as to exactly when the bids or the issue of contracts will be honoured.
>>No audio due to power outage at 16:47 and Committee resumed at 16:59
Chairman: Welcome back everyone.
That was a nice experience.
I believe that we were about to have Mr. Campbell.
I believe I’m not going into any detail, I think the minister has answered the question there. It’s just a matter of waiting it out now regarding the awarding of the contract and the actual start date of the work to begin later this summer or fall.
Before we do that, I would like to thank Minister Curley and his officials.
As you know, we’re not done with you yet.
Perhaps if you want to say a few words, I welcome you to do that.
I apologize for the mix-up on the standards of the hospitals.
I understood that our staff and the committee staff were going to take care of that and it hasn’t happened, so I apologize for that. I shall wait for tomorrow to respond to some questions.
Chairman: Thank you. (interpretation) Sergeant-at-Arms, please escort the officials out.
Mr. Ningeongan: Mr. Speaker, your committee has been considering Bill 1 and the capital estimates and would like to report progress.
Mr. Aupaluktuq seconds the motion.
Item 20: Orders of the Day
Orders of the Day for March 27, 2009:
This House stands adjourned until Friday, March 27, starting at 10:00 in the morning.
>>House adjourned at 17:05
Friday, March 27, 2009
Pages 441 – 471
Opening Prayer 441
Ministers’ Statements 441
Members’ Statements 444
Returns to Oral Questions 451
Oral Questions 454
Tabling of Documents 469
Orders of the Day 470
Friday, March 27, 2009 441
049 – 3(1): Nunavut at 10 – Song Competition (Tapardjuk) 441
050 – 3(1): Challenging the Proposed EU Seal Ban (Shewchuk) 441
051 – 3(1): 2009 Laura Ulluriaq Gauthier Scholarship Winner (Tootoo) 442
052 – 3(1): Results from Wildlife Symposium (Shewchuk) 443
088 – 3(1): Repulse Bay Health Centre (Ningark) 444
089 – 3(1): Hockey Tournament in Coral Harbour (Ningeongan) 444
090 – 3(1): Arctic Bay Atlas Website Launch (Elliott) 445
091 – 3(1): Pangaggujjiniq 2009 (Tapardjuk) 446
092 – 3(1): Happy 15th Birthday to Daughter Terri (Kusugak) 446
093 – 3(1): Seal Issue (Okalik) 446
094 – 3(1): Congratulations Genevieve Killulark (Aupaluktuq) 447
095 – 3(1): Pangnirtung After Last Year’s Emergency (Komoartok) 447
096 – 3(1): Nunavut at 10: IBC Call-in Show (Aariak) 449
097 – 3(1): Rankin Inlet Hunters and Trappers Organization (Curley) 449
098 – 3(1): Hockey Season (Tootoo) 450
099 – 3(1): Pauktuutit’s 25th Anniversary Gala (Pauloosie) 451
Return to Oral Question 076 – 3(1): Plans for Lottery Booths in Nunavut (Tapardjuk) 451
Return to Oral Question 070 – 3(1): Responsibility for Establishing Social Assistance Rates (Tapardjuk) 451
095 – 3(1): Baker Lake Water Treatment Plant (Aupaluktuq) 454
096 – 3(1): Repulse Bay Health Centre (Ningark) 456
097 – 3(1): Proposed EU Seal Product Ban (Okalik) 457
098 – 3(1): Ombudsman versus Child Advocate (Elliott) 459
099 – 3(1): Assistance to Hamlets with Cost of Leasing Heavy Equipment (Pauloosie) 461
100 – 3(1): $400 Rebate for Homeowners (Komoartok) 463
101 – 3(1): Nunavut Energy Centre (Schell) 464
102 – 3(1): Community Growth and Health Services (Aupaluktuq) 466
103 – 3(1): Children and Youth Advocate (Elliott) 468
028 – 3(1): Poster for the Launch of the Arctic Bay Atlas Website (Elliott) 469
029 – 3(1): Brochures for Government Support for Economic Activities (Taptuna) 469
030 – 3(1): Annual Report on the Operation of Medical Care Plan 2007-2008 (Curley) 470
031 – 3(1): Nunavut Food Guide (Curley) 470
032 – 3(1): Report on the Atlantic Council February 27, 2009 (Shewchuk) 470
033 – 3(1): Report on the Canadian Council of Ministers of Environment February 17, 2009 (Shewchuk) 470
020 – 3(1): Early Adjournment (Elliott) 470
Honourable Eva Aariak, Honourable James Arreak, Mr. Moses Aupaluktuq, Honourable Tagak Curley, Mr. Ron Elliott, Mr. Adamee Komoartok, Honourable Lorne Kusugak, Mr. John Ningark, Mr. Johnny Ningeongan, Mr. Enuk Pauloosie, Honourable Keith Peterson, Mr. Allan Rumbolt, Mr. Fred Schell, Honourable Daniel Shewchuk, Honourable Louis Tapardjuk, Honourable Peter Taptuna, Honourable Hunter Tootoo.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Shewchuk.
Good morning, Premier, Ministers, and Members of the Legislative Assembly.
Have a wonderful morning, Nunavummiut.
Minister’s Statement 049 – 3(1): Nunavut at 10 – Song Competition (Tapardjuk)
I rise today to tell you about an exciting new initiative that the Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth is launching in celebration of the 10th anniversary of Nunavut.
A song writing competition will be launched on April 1 with submission deadlines on May 15.
The songs written for the competition will be about Nunavut.
One grand prize winner and two runners-up are to be announced on June 1, 2009.
As part of the grand prize, the competition winner will have his or her song professionally recorded for release on July 9, Nunavut Day.
Mr. Speaker, I invite Nunavut musicians to submit a song celebrating our Nunavut territory and Nunavummiut.
Entrants must reside in Nunavut and songs can be submitted in any of the three official languages.
All of the entry guidelines will be published on April 1 for those interested in submitting an original song.
I encourage Nunavummiut, young and old, to be creative and submit their entries.
Minister’s Statement 050 – 3(1): Challenging the Proposed EU Seal Ban (Shewchuk)
During this legislative session, I updated members on the status of the proposed ban on seal products by the European Union.
It’s a ban that Nunavut strongly opposes and we have been actively involved in lobbying the EU against passing such a ban.
A vote on this ban was supposed to take place this week.
However, because of certain political events taking place in Europe, a vote on this ban has been delayed by at least three weeks.
The Government of Nunavut is using this extra time to once again lobby the 27 members of the European Union, to convince them of the folly of voting for a ban, and to convey our condemnation of the meaningless Inuit exemption.
The Government of Nunavut will support and urged federal government to take what is legally necessary to take this matter to the World Trade Organization as a last resort if the EU votes on a total ban in a few weeks.
I was writing a letter to all members of the EU explaining why such a ban is unnecessary and would be devastating to Nunavummiut.
As well, the Premier and I have spoken to federal Fisheries Minister Gail Shea and Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Stockwell Day.
Both have given us their support and we have been assured that Canada will use this extra time to continue to strongly lobby EU members to oppose the ban.
All these efforts are happening in the face of a vicious and well financed propaganda campaign by anti-seal hunt activists.
We view this extra time as an opportunity to convince any EU nations still on the fence about the folly of such a ban and plan to take full advantage of it.
I will continue to keep members updated about any future changes.
Ma’na, Mr. Speaker.
Minister’s Statement 051 – 3(1): 2009 Laura Ulluriaq Gauthier Scholarship Winner (Tootoo)
I am pleased to inform my hon. colleagues that the Qulliq Energy Corporation has awarded the 2009 Laura Gauthier Post-Secondary Scholarship to Genevieve Killulark of Baker Lake.
Genevieve is a second year student at the University of Ottawa.
Mr. Speaker, there were a great many applicants from all over Nunavut this year and narrowing it down to one recipient was difficult.
They are all dedicated to their education, their families, and their communities.
Many students overcame challenges to be where they are now.
They will be excellent role models and leaders for Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, Genevieve plans to further her university career after receiving a degree in psychology by pursuing a degree in education.
Genevieve’s goal is to become a guidance counsellor and to assist other students in making their dreams a reality.
Mr. Speaker, the Qulliq Energy Corporation has been awarding this $5,000 scholarship annually in the memory of Laura Ulluriaq Gauthier since 2001, the year after her sudden passing.
Applicants submit a package of information including an essay.
Applicants are reviewed on the following five criteria: academic performance, career goals, role model qualities, volunteer experience, and leadership contributions
Finally, Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Ms. Killulark as well as the other students who applied.
I would ask this House to join me in congratulating her and in remembering the dedication and the hard work of Ms. Laura Ulluriaq Gautier and her contributions to Nunavut, the Power Corporation, and her community.
Minister’s Statement 052 – 3(1): Results from Wildlife Symposium (Shewchuk)
I am pleased to provide an update on the wildlife symposium held recently in Rankin Inlet.
The event was organized by a joint steering committee of representatives from the Nunavut Inuit Wildlife Secretariat, the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board, Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, and the Department of Environment.
The symposium was a great success as participants came together to share and listen to the positive dialogue.
It focused on how to work more collaboratively towards our common goal of ensuring sustainable wildlife populations for future generations of Nunavummiut.
The symposium came at a critical time when there was a need for all stakeholders to listen and work towards addressing the concerns from Nunavummiut.
The discussions at the conference have resulted in a better appreciation and understanding among wildlife scientists, elders, co-management partners, and other representatives.
I believe this symposium has strengthened the foundation of the wildlife co-management program in Nunavut.
One of the results of the symposium will be the formation of a small, focused co-management committee.
The first task of this committee will be to address the main issues that came out of the symposium and to work towards finding ways to resolve them.
As mentioned earlier this week, Mr. Speaker, my department has also created an elders committee that will meet for the first time next month.
Many of the issues raised during the symposium will be tabled at the first elders committee so we can get further advice on avenues towards resolution.
My staff will also be resuming consultations next month in the Foxe Basin communities to discuss planned polar bear research activities on this population.
We are also in the process of drafting a caribou strategy for Nunavut.
Once this draft is approved internally, it will also go to the regions for consultation.
The Department of Environment remains fully committed to working together with all co-management partners to ensure responsible wildlife management that draws on the strengths of both science and Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit.
If there are no more, we will go back to the Orders of the Day. Item 3.
Member’s Statement 088 – 3(1): Repulse Bay Health Centre (Ningark)
I rise today to talk about the issue of health prevention and nurses in the communities.
When we’re talking about health issues, we have to consider, Mr. Speaker, prevention of fatigue to our health staff and a healthy and new working environment at the community level.
They are responsible for a whole slew of work, monitoring of patients and also management of their duties.
The issue of prevention and treatment is the responsibility of the nurses at the community level. They train and orient new staff coming into the communities and are also responsible for the administration duties.
Mr. Speaker, the creation of new health centres, particularly in the smaller communities, is very important. Nunavut is no longer newly created and yet, the disparity between smaller communities and larger centres still exists today with respect to new infrastructure.
Mr. Speaker, one area of improvement is in the communications field, where you can call out immediately, along with sending facsimiles and now, electronic files via email but yet, if we look at the community level, these things haven’t changed the lifestyles of our local people.
At the appropriate time, I will be directing my question to my esteemed colleague, Mr. Curley, who heads the Department of Health and Social Services, in regard to the Repulse Bay Health Centre.
Member’s Statement 089 – 3(1): Hockey Tournament in Coral Harbour (Ningeongan)
This morning, I wanted to rise to announce my enviousness and pride in my fellow residents of Coral Harbour as they are hosting a tournament.
The Joseph Nattaqqut Memorial Senior Men’s Hockey Tournament is being held there. Our community has three local teams competing in this tournament and they are joined by hockey teams from Rankin Inlet, Kangirsujuaq, Repulse Bay, Whale Cove, Arviat, and Cape Dorset.
Mr. Speaker, the reason why this makes a person proud is that it shows that competitive sports games are thriving as we also have participants from other jurisdictions playing in this tournament.
Due to this reason, I would like to commend all the volunteers in Coral Harbour and I am proud that they were able to have these teams participate in the hockey tournament.
I know that they are happy to host the teams and I hope that the tournament will proceed without any problems.
I would like to welcome all people to Coral Harbour.
I would also like you to note that I am wearing a tie since Paul Okalik was able to lend me his. I am very pleased that our hockey team is back up on their feet.
Member’s Statement 090 – 3(1): Arctic Bay Atlas Website Launch (Elliott)
Today, I would like to invite you and my fellow Members of the Legislative Assembly to attend the launch of the Arctic Bay Atlas website on Monday, March 30, 2009, from ten o’clock to twelve o’clock noon at the Nunatta Campus of the Nunavut Arctic College here in Iqaluit.