EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
This doesn't look too good for the new Nunavut Government, would the Minister be able to look for new funding or new dollars to be utilized for the deficit.
Chairperson (interpretation): Mr. Ng.
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Yes, Mr. Chairperson the intent is that we would pursue with our federal counterparts at every opportunity some of what we felt were their obligations instead of ours.
Chairperson (interpretation): Do you want to make a supplementary comment.
Mr. Irqittuq (interpretation): Mr. Chairperson, my name is Irqittuq, not Erkidjuk.
I know that you are working on this and although I had commented on this to the Premier, I know that the federal government do have lots of money for all Canadians, and we are from Nunavut and require a lot of funding.
You and the Premier, I would be able to give you some advice so you would be able to take it along to the Federal Government.
I know that the federal government can give you additional dollars if you say that there are extra costs because as Canadians we are already utilizing them for the NATO war and the federal government had given 10 million dollars for the NATO war.
We have been helping those Albanians while there are many people sleeping on the street in Canada and in Nunavut we are in a deficit.
So I can support you out if you need more tools or bullets if you want to go down to Ottawa.
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Mr. Chairperson I appreciate the members' comments.
Earlier I asked about how your department would ensure the other departments wouldn't go over budget and you indicated that you are just going to monitor them.
Are there any more detailed plans as far as what the exact processes will be in place, other than that we are just going to keep an eye on them?
Chairperson (interpretation): Member for Iqaluktutsiaq Mr. Ng.
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Mr. Chairperson, as I think I also indicated, because a lot of departments didn't have their financial management services in place yet, that the department and Finance & Administration was providing those services for them.
So we are processing all of the payments, and we are doing all of the details on the financial side for all of the departments, so we're right there first hand in respect to the expenditures of the departments.
All Ministers also sit on the Financial Management Board where all expenditures of the government are co-ordinated.
Somehow I knew you were going to say that.
I guess, getting back again, the same services and things are required for the departments to maintain a level of service, in the event it turns out that there isn't enough resources available in a departments budget as a result of something that was overlooked.
Is there a process in place if some one comes back partway through for additional resources for the department?
What's the process involved there and will those resources have to be cut somewhere else to make up for that?
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Mr. Chairperson, as I also indicated earlier, depending on the state of the expenditures and programs, the government, on an ongoing basis through the Financial Management Board would be reviewing those expenditures and if there are extraordinary expenses in a department there is the authority for supplementary appropriations to move dollars between departments in addressing those needs and reallocate it within the programs within the department to meet those needs.
Chairperson (interpretation): Mr. Tootoo that is your last question.
Mr. Tootoo: Is there a set criteria or something that is used in that, or is that something that is brought up on an as discovered, or as needed basis.
Chairperson (interpretation): Mr. Ng do you want to respond to that?
Mr. Chairperson there are pretty stringent Financial Management Board guidelines that outline the expenditures that departments have and in what circumstances they can come for supplementary appropriations.
So those guidelines are there and ultimately, its' the Financial Management Board that approves or disapproves, after justification, based on those guidelines that are put forward.
Chairperson (interpretation): I have no further names on the list of members of the Legislative Assembly.
Are there any further comments from the floor?
Mr. Tootoo: Mr. Chairperson. Another question, personally I would like to thank the other members for sticking around to hear this, a prelude I guess to what you are going to be in for, for the rest of the week.
My last question is in regards to lease costs that are being incurred by the Nunavut Government.
I understand, for example, that the Legislative Assembly building is now being, those lease costs are being incurred by the government of Nunavut.
I also understand that the reasons why the facility is not ready is because of some changes that happened after, but I am just wondering why we are paying these lease costs as a result of some changes in the plans that we had no control over.
I am just wondering if the Minister has an answer to that?
Chairperson (interpretation): Mr. Ng if you wish to respond?
Mr. Chairperson, that question is more appropriate to be answered by the Minister of Public Works, Telecommunications & Technical Services, who has responsibility for buildings, standards and criteria.
Chairperson (interpretation): Ms. Thompson, if you could respond to the question?
I am sorry, Mr. Tootoo, is that all?
Comments, questions, members comments?
Now with respect to the budget assumptions and main estimates we are going to go to page 34, 3-4, under Directorate.
So if you could open page 34 in your Government of Nunavut Main Estimates binder.
In 3-4, the Directorate, are there any questions or comments in respect to the Directorate?
I stated earlier at the top, in 6 - 08, in respect to the Inuktitut translation, I understand that this is 608.
I would like the members to have better understanding, because as an Inuk I understand this to mean 608 dollars and it is kind of misleading.
As an Inuk I would prefer that the figures that you have, maybe if perhaps you included the zero's for translation purposes, this would be more convenient and understandable for those of us who are unilingual in dealing with government financial figures.
Chairperson (interpretation): We will reach that shortly, but we are dealing with the Directorate.
If there are any other comments in respect to the Directorate, we are still in 3-4, item on the Directorate and the total expenditure for operations and maintenance is 825 thousand dollars.
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Mr. Chairperson, just to let you know that the way it is laid out is in thousands of dollars, but if the members wanted to have the full figure for the next budget estimates, we can certainly make that available.
Historically it has been done in thousands of dollars, thank you.
Chairperson (interpretation): I would now pose the question as to whether the 825 thousand is approved.
Capital Items.
There is no total capital for the Directorate.
There is nothing in respect to the capital items, the total expenditures for the Directorate budget stands at 825 thousands dollars.
A Member: Agreed.
Chairperson (interpretation): Agreed.
Open the next page to 3-5, fiscal policy and expenditure management.
The operations and maintenance, in total is 3 million, 30 thousand dollars.
In respect to the capital, there is nothing in the total capital budget items and therefore the total expenditures for fiscal policy and expenditure management is 3 million and 30 thousand dollars.
I am just wondering if the Minister in going through each of these could just provide us with the total number of PY's in each division and a total number for the department.
If that would be possible?
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Mr. Chairperson, in this particular branch, 8.1.
Chairperson (interpretation): Does that answer your question Mr. Tootoo?
Mr. Tootoo: Just asking if he could do that for each division so we can get a total for the whole department?
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Oh, you want it for the whole department?
Chairperson (interpretation): We are still on page 3-6, financial services.
The operations and maintenance in total is 1 million 213 thousand dollars.
Capital items, there are no capital items for financial services, so therefore the total expenditures are 1 million 213 thousand dollars.
Again, I would just like to know the total number of PY's that are involved.
Hon. Kelvin Ng: 11.2 in financial services.
In financial services this is a division that looks after all of the other departments.
As the Minister indicated earlier they are going to be providing all of the financial services for all of the other departments.
I am just wondering if that includes taking that into consideration, or did that take into consideration each department having their own finance division?
Hon. Kelvin Ng: I will ask Mr. Vardy to respond to this one.
Mr. Vardy: Okay, the Financial Services division will provide support to the Financial Services staff in all departments, but there will be capacity built up in each department.
It is more a support and co-ordinating role in the first probably four years in the new government.
After, once you get the capacity established in the departments, that group will get smaller in finance and we will have controls through the Comptrollership role, like the government accounting as well as the budgeting.
Its' a transitional type service we are providing, not only to departments, but also to boards and agencies, to make sure there are proper financial systems in place in the government.
I would imagine that this number over time would go down as those responsibilities are devolved to the departments?
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Yes.
Chairperson (interpretation): We are still on page 3-6, the total expenditures is 1 million, 213 thousand dollars.
In respect to Informatics, in 3-7 the total operations and maintenance altogether is 4 million, 506 thousand dollars.
Mr. O'Brien: Thank you Mr. Chairperson.
Mr. Chairman, I wonder if the Minister could just speak briefly as to what their actual plan is for this Informatics technology program, I guess.
How do they ensure that all of the communities have access to this and it is as user friendly as possible?
Hon. Kelvin Ng: I'll ask Mr. Vardy once again on this one Mr. Chairperson.
Mr. Vardy: The Informatics program of the Government of Nunavut, could be a very massive expenditure.
It is one of the main reasons why the OIC went over their budget is because of underestimates of the cost of setting up the technology in a decentralized manner throughout the territory.
What we have in finance is the systems development side and in Public Works, they are responsible for the operations and the technical side of the system.
In the systems development side we have a budget of around 4 million dollars for next year.
If you develop the type of IT system that everyone would like, that is, if you tallied up the requests from all of the departments, we could easily spend 10 times that in Nunavut next year.
With regard to the actual set up of the network in each location, it is probably a better question to direct to the Department of Public Works.
What we have there now, the big systems are the payroll system, Human Resource Management System, the Peoplesoft.
Also we are looking at another big program which deals with social welfare, but we recruited the Chief Informatics Officer who came on May 3rd and one of the things we are trying to do is set up a steering committee to oversee the whole IT area in government.
Its' one that is critically important but is an area that if its' not tightly managed, you could easily chew up a big portion of the budget of the territory.
I think there is a desire on everyone's' part to have the most advanced system in place, but in a territory of this size we can operate without having such systems in place right away in all departments.
I think it is a goal that all governments have of having those systems.
In the north as well, we have to look at the trade off between IT and other communication modes, including air travel.
It's a high priority area to get a handle on.
Chairperson (interpretation): Mr. O'Brien.
I am sure that it is a major task and fairly expensive.
Just my last question and without getting into detail, when this does occur, when we have a finished product, is it the intention to have it in French, English, Inuktitut?
Mr. Vardy: Mr. Chairperson.
Definitely in English and Inuktitut.
I don't know the extent that we will have the programming done in French.
Chairperson (interpretation): I wanted to speak shortly and remind you to please recognize the Chairperson before you speak and please wait patiently while the Chairperson recognizes you.
We have to stick to procedure.
Mr. Tootoo: Just on the PY's.
Chairperson (interpretation): Mr. Iqaqrialu.
In respect to the computers and the Informatics, if I didn't just hear about computers, I have heard about the Y2K bug and that there will be problems with all of the computers.
Is this going to create a big problem for the government, the Y2K bug?
Chairperson (interpretation): I believe you are speaking to computers, but could you speak to the Y2K and what effect it may have on the government.
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Mr. Chairperson, first of all in answer to Mr. Tootoo's question, it is 4.5 PY's and we think that all of the systems we have in place are Y2K compliant at this time.
Chairperson (interpretation): Are you going to respond to Mr. Iqaqrialus' question?
Hon. Kelvin Ng: I was trying to say in response to his question that we think all of the systems we have are Y2K compliant so there won't be any problems.
A lot of the stuff was developed recently after identification of the potential Y2K problem.
Let's proceed, the total expenditures is 4 million, 506 thousand dollars.
There's nothing in capital items, so therefore the total expenditures for Informatics is 4 million, 506 thousand dollars.
Some Members: Agreed.
Chairperson (interpretation): Okay.
Let's proceed to the next page, 3-8, Comptrollership.
The operations and maintenance budget is 17 million, 974 thousand dollars. There are no capital expenditures therefore the total expenditures for Comptrollership are 17 million, 974 thousand dollars.
The next page 3-9, details of Grants & Contributions.
I wish to ask a question to the members.
Mr. Iqaqrialu (interpretation): In respect to this issue, I don't quite understand the meaning of this in relation to the itemized budget.
Perhaps if you could clarify the items in details of Grants & Contributions.
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Go ahead Mr. Vardy.
Chairperson (interpretation): Mr. Vardy, you may proceed.
Mr. Vardy: Mr. Chairperson, the Grants & Contributions occur in different divisions throughout our department.
In government accounting we have insurance premiums of 1.5 million dollars.
Sorry, in response to that particular question, 3.8 million is for power subsidies.
It is just a continuation of the existing subsidies that the Government of the NWT had in place.
Chairperson (interpretation): Mr. Iqaqrialu, supplementary.
In respect to the 3.8 million dollars and how much expenditure, we may be looking forward to the power plant which is supposed to be built in Clyde River.
Perhaps there will be different rates for the different regions in Nunavut for power.
In light of this if that is the way it is, I would have a concern because the money we have for power subsidies is rather small, and perhaps if this could be clarified I would like to hear more as to whether this meets the whole year power subsidy.
This is again, based on maintaining stability in programs.
It is based on the Yellowknife market rate for power consumption and I believe it is subsidized for private homeowners up to 700 kilowatt hours per month based on that Yellowknife rate.
It is an ongoing program and it is what was spent on the Nunavut side last year and it is a continuation of that subsidy.
Is this geared only towards homeowners?
Is not everyone eligible for this subsidy.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Iqaqrialu.
Hon. Kelvin Ng: It is my understanding that all home operators have accessibility to the subsidy program, so you can be renting a unit and still get a subsidy on your power consumption on that unit.
Chairperson (interpretation): Did that answer your question, Mr. Iqaqrialu?
Mr. Iqaqrialu supplementary.
While we are on this issue in relation to the budget items, perhaps when Mr. Picco is here I can pose further questions, so I will just let this go.
Chairperson (interpretation): Report on the budget for detailed Grants & Contributions.
I would like everyone to know that they will not proceed because at this time they are for information purposes only.
We are at 3-9 the details for Grants & Contributions.
This is just an information item to help us understand why they have budgeted what they have.
At this point in time I would like to ask if these are agreed to.
On the next page 2 - 10, Distribution of Budget.
Again for your information.
Mr. Tootoo: Mr. Chairperson, we are on 3-10.
On that, I would like to ask the Minister if he would explain this, taking a look at the total operations & maintenance for the three regions.
The Baffin has 734 thousand, Keewatin is 1 million, 103 thousand, and the Kitikmeot is 977 thousand.
Given that the Baffin is twice as large as the other two regions, I would just like to inquire as to why the difference in the dollar amounts.
If he could explain that?
Thank you Mr. Chairperson
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Tootoo.
Mr. Chairperson it is mainly because the Baffin region is being serviced from the headquarters division right now.
Mr. Iqaqrialu (interpretation): We have about twice the population in the Baffin area, and Baffin has 1/2 the budget.
Why is that.
Chairperson (interpretation): We can discuss that at a later time.
Mr. Arvaluk did you have a comment?
Hon. James Arvaluk (interpretation): Mr. Chairperson it is the same question that was asked by the previous member.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Arvaluk.
Distribution of Budget.
Okay, then we will refer back to 3-3.
Details of Expenditures.
Total operations & maintenance 27 million, 548 thousand.
Total capital and total expenditures, zero balance for total capital, and total expenditures 27 million, 548 thousand.
I would like to ask if you approve the Finance & Administration.
Thank you Minister of Finance and also your officials.
Chairperson (interpretation): At this time I would like to ask what the committees' wish is.
Mr. Iqaqrialu (interpretation): Mr. Chairperson, I would like to report progress.
Chairperson (interpretation): If you would like to report progress we have to do it by motion.
Mr. Nutarak (interpretation): I move that we report progress at 5.55.
Chairperson (interpretation): There is a motion on the floor, moved by Mr. Nutarak.
Agreed?
Speaker (interpretation): Please be seated.
Item 21: Report of the Committee of the Whole
Mr. Puqiqnak (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker your committee has been considering Bill 1, and Committee Reports 1 and 2 and would like to report progress.
Mr. Speaker I move that the report of the Committee of the Whole be concurred with.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Puqiqnak. (interpretation ends) Is there a seconder for the motion?
Seconded by Mr. Ng. Motion is in order.
All those opposed?
Item 22, Third Reading of Bills.
Item 23, Orders of the Day, Mr. Clerk.
Mr. Quirke: Thank you Mr. Speaker.
Tuesday, full caucus meeting at 9.00 am here in the Parish Hall, followed by a meeting of regular caucus.
Orders for the Day, Tuesday May 18, 1999:
- Standing Committee Report 1 - 1 (2)
- Standing Committee Report 2 - 1 (2)
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Clerk.
We will report progress and we will resume at 1.30 pm, May 18th.
>>Assembly adjourned 5.57 pm.
TUESDAY, MAY 18, 1999
Pages 116 - 167
Petitions 28
Tabling of Documents 28
Notices of Motions for First Reading of Bills 28
Report of Committee of the Whole 28
Tuesday May 18, 1999 28
11 - 1 (2): X-Ray Assistant Program Graduates (Picco) 28
33 - 1 (2): Baker Lake Inuit Heritage Centre (McLean) 28
34 - 1 (2): Congratulations to Students of Inuglak School (Thompson) 28
35 - 1 (2): Traditional and Contemporary Heat Sources (Iqaqrialu) 28
36 - 1 (2): Condition of Iqaluit Roads (Tootoo) 28
37 - 1 (2): Thanks to Constituents, Family and Members (Anawak) 28
38 - 1 (2): Sympathy to Bereaved Family (Akesuk) 28
2 - 1 (2): Question 12 - 1 (2) Hall Beach School Addition (Arvaluk) 28
3 - 1 (2): Question 2 - 1 (2) House of Commons Standing Committee Report (Anawak) 28
4 - 1 (2): Question 5 - 1 (2) Constituents' Letter (Anawak) 28
37 - 1 (2): Research into Gasoline in Pelly Bay (Puqiqnak) 28
38 - 1 (2): Urgent Funding Requirements for Hamlet of Clyde River (Iqaqrialu) 28
39 - 1 (2): Decentralization (O'Brien) 28
40 - 1 (2): Transition Planning for Dissolution of Boards of Education (Tootoo) 28
41 - 1 (2): Decentralized Positions for Hall Beach (Irqittuq) 28
42 - 1 (2): Regular Members Input to Decentralization Review (McLean) 28
43 - 1 (2): Infrastructure and Decentralization in Pond Inlet (Nutarak) 28
44 - 1 (2): Rent Scale and Public Housing (Alakannuark) 28
45 - 1 (2): Nursing Shortage (Iqaqrialu) 28
46 - 1 (2): Arctic College Nursing Training Program (Akesuk) 28
47 - 1 (2): Rehabilitation Programs for Inmates (Kattuk) 28
48 - 1 (2): Consulting Contract, Department of Health (O'Brien) 28
49 - 1 (2): New Staff Housing Units (Tootoo) 28
PETITIONS
Petition 1 - 1 (2): Keewatin Regional Health & Services (McLean) 28
3 - 1 (2): Ajauqtiit, Review of Draft Business Plans and Preliminary Budget Information 1999/2000 Main Estimates (Tootoo) 28
4 - 1 (2): Culture, Education & Health, Review of Draft Business Plans and Preliminary Information on the 1999/2000 Main Estimates (Nutarak) 28
TABLED DOCUMENTS
2 - 1 (2): Placement of Doctor in Baker Lake (McLean) 28
3 - 1 (2): Ambulance Service in Baker Lake (McLean) 28
4 - 1 (2): Report # 7, House of Commons Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development (Tootoo) 28
5 - 1 (2): Report on Meetings in Clyde River and Broughton Island (Iqaqrialu) 28
NOTICES OF MOTIONS FOR FIRST READING OF BILLS
Bill 2 - Boards of Management Dissolution Act (Picco) 28
Bill 3 - Divisional Education Councils Dissolution Act (Arvaluk) 28
5 – 1 (2): Regular Reports on Staffing GN Departments (Tootoo) 28
6 – 1 (2): Mid Year Progress Report (Tootoo) 28  Tuesday May 18, 1999
Tuesday May 18, 1999
Mr. Ovide Alakannuark, Mr. Olayuk Akesuk, Honourable Jack Anawak, Honourable James Arvaluk, Honourable Levi Barnabas, Honourable Donald Havioyak, Mr. David Iqaqrialu, Mr. Enoki Irqittuq, Mr. Peter Kattuk, Honourable Peter Kilabuk, Mr. Glenn McLean, Honourable Kelvin Ng, Mr. Jobie Nutarak, Mr. Kevin O’Brien, Honourable Edward Picco, Mr. Uriash Puqiqnak, Honourable Manitok Thompson, Mr. Hunter Tootoo.
Speaker (Mr. Levi Barnabas): I would like to ask Ms. Thompson to say the opening prayer.
Speaker (interpretation): Going to the Orders of the day Item # 2, Ministers' Statements.
Ministers' Statements 11 - 1 (2): X-Ray Assistant Program Graduates
Hon. Ed Picco: Qujannamiik, Uqaqti.
Uqaqti last Saturday 13 students from 9 different communities in the Baffin Region graduated from the first ever X-Ray Assistants Training Course.
Mr. Speaker, these students have had much to be proud of, they have worked very hard and I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate each one of them for their commitment and dedication.
Mr. Speaker, the X-Ray Assistants Program is an example of the kind of Medical Training we want to see more of.
In Nunavut we must open the door to Nunavummiut to pursue careers in the health and social services fields.
Students like those who graduated on Saturday represent a step towards a goal of increased self-sufficiency for Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Donald Havioyak, who stood in at this Ceremony on Saturday as I was out of this town.
Once again, Uqaqti I congratulate them, I wish them the very best in their new pursuit.
Qujannamiik, Uqaqti.
Item # 3 from the Orders of the day.
Members' Statement 33 - 1 (2): Baker Lake Inuit Heritage Centre
Today I would like to take this time to congratulate the Elders of Baker Lake for all their hard work, dedication and foresight in their efforts in establishing the Baker Lake Inuit Heritage Centre.