EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
I think we need to look at more than just a shovel and pick or whatever to clean up oil spills. I think we can develop a proper or at least take a position as a government that we’re not in support of offshore development for oil and gas until proper spill preventative measures are invented for the Arctic.
That should be No. 1 in my view.
Would the minister be prepared to also have an open mind that he will consider proper clean-up and oil spill measures, that they be in place, not just for the offshore but also for the opening of the Northwest Passage?
If we’re too keen on supporting any business or any exploration of oil and gas, we’re going to overlook proper measures that we need to protect the environment.
Mr. Chairman, there is already a process taking place both with the Arctic Council and Greenland, who has been drilling offshore for the last three years.
There is a process that’s already happening to look at the potential of oil spills and how to deal with it up in the Arctic.
Mr. Chairman, I have an open-door policy.
That’s exactly what we have within this government and we do have regulatory systems in place. Our policies are not only just for Nunavut. We do have a lot of regulatory bodies within Canada.
Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada has a lot of that; Transport Canada. There is the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission that oversees nuclear mining and production. So there are a lot of regulatory bodies that make sure that the environment is not hurt and that people are not hurt.
It’s not like everybody thinks it is. It is an approach to balanced, sustainable development.
I thank the minister. If he is comparing Greenland to Nunavut, it’s not comparable.
Nunavut has a lot more potential for mineral development and also production for mineral activities, but in Greenland, that doesn’t really exist.
In terms of the offshore, maybe the minister can provide something that we might not know. What protection is he talking about that the regulatory processes are fair and protecting any kind of oil spill in the event that they do happen?
What would happen? What measures are you talking about in how to protect oil spills in the offshore activity?
As I indicated, there is a process taking place.
There are consultations within the Arctic Council to look at this very issue on how to deal with such an oil spill, not just from a approved producing oil well; it’s also from the traffic that’s out there.
Mr. Chairman, the Arctic Council is looking at certain procedures to make into policy where they can be incorporated into the regulatory body.
I’m aware of the information sharing the Arctic Council is doing, but they’re really not in a position to manage or establish policies for the respective jurisdictions of the nations. That’s within Canada.
In Canada, we still don’t have any technology that is going to be able to properly clean up and be activated because they are thousands of miles away. Any services that we would need are not based in Nunavut.
So it’s not convincing a whole lot of people. Our preventative measures to protect in the event of an oil spill are not here.
When are they going to be available to protect Nunavut?
A very good question by the committee member.
Mr. Chairman, I don’t have that information within the department.
I know that there are ongoing discussions throughout the Arctic, not only here, but in Alaska and Greenland.
As the member is well aware, Greenland has been drilling offshore for the last three years. They do have some protocols and procedures that will enable them to deal with any situation that may arise.
At the end of the day, that’s why there are community consultations to get all the issues and concerns out there.
Once that’s evaluated by the National Energy Board, I’m sure recommendations will be coming forward, not just to Nunavut, but to Canada.
Through you, I would like to just make a brief comment in regard to economic impact.
I do have a question in another area on K-5, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman (interpretation): I apologize, Mr. Aupaluktuq. (interpretation ends) Will you repeat?
Mr. Aupaluktuq: Yes, Mr. Chairman. Thank you. I had asked, with your permission, if I can briefly make a comment in the meantime, but I would like to follow up with another section under K-5.
My brief comment has to do with the economic impact and awareness of regulations.
On page 162, for the Nunavut Mine Training Program, a $200,000 contribution will be made in 2013-14.
There were two major fuel spills with contractors in the mining sector, a toxic waste dump, as confirmed by an environmental inspector. A concerned citizen’s group raised the matter and forced the clean-up.
All of these affect the Baker Lake municipality, the regional Inuit organization, the land claims agreement, and all of the investors. I would encourage stricter mining activities regulations and awareness that would directly impact the economy as well as the environment and livelihood of those in the area. That is a comment in regard to that aspect.
Mr. Chairman, my question has to do with the excellent announcement that the minister made today in regard to the update on Nunavut Carving Stone Deposit Evaluation Program.
In the second paragraph of your statement, it reads, “carving stone is culturally and economically important for Nunavut’s arts sector, and this work is crucial to ensuring” the reliability of this source.
On page 162, of the priorities for 2012-13, the second bullet, as you indicated, the year 3 project is over and that there are large deposits or extensions of known deposits identified outside of Arctic Bay, Iqaluit, Baker Lake, Pond Inlet, and Kimmirut.
Back to the last paragraph of the member’s statement, it reads, “We will work with our partners in the regions to find ways to make these resources available to everyone who earns their livelihood by carving.”
My question to the hon. minister is: what strategies and plans are in place presently to make these resources available?
Mr. Chairman, to make these deposits accessible for individual carvers out there or community governments is still in works.
At this point, we’re still trying to determine the extent of the deposits that are out there. We still have one more year to go in the Kitikmeot region to identify deposits that are out there.
That would be exciting news for the community of Baker Lake as well as the other areas that have known to have found some large deposits.
In the question of having potential of having quarries there, will local people be hired and, if so, when is the plan to be in place in which a quarry will be done and how long will the projects last?
Mr. Chairman, we’re still evaluating some of the sizes and quality of the deposits that were located. There are existing deposits that were identified. New discoveries were made.
At this point, we’re still evaluating the accessibility on how to do that and the quality, and I would say the tonnage and size of the deposits themselves.
I appreciate the response, but the other question that I would like to ask for clarity is: once there’s a possibility for the potential of quarrying these, will local people be hired for employment to assist in the quarry?
If I can, with your permission, have my deputy minister respond to that in detail.
The way stone is quarried today is individuals take their own initiative and they go out to the quarries and they harvest their own stone.
In the past, we have provided training courses. We have provided some money for the clearing of overburden and things like that. We still have money available to do those sorts of things.
If a community proposes to use a quarry site and they came to us as a group and indicated that some preliminary work would be done, we would provide a grant for that work.
We would expect some organization or a group of individuals to take that initiative.
At this point, we are not contemplating hiring people to go out and prepare the quarries.
We are on page K-5. Branch Summary. Economic Development and Transportation.
Turn the page to K-6.
You have to make sure that I finish the sentence.
Total Operation and Maintenance, to be Voted. $24,899,000.
I believe, in the transportation and motor vehicles section, it is under this as well.
For individuals in the community who are trying to get their driver’s licence, who do we direct them to? Is it the GLOs or the MLOs?
Minister Taptuna, who’s responding?
With your permission, I would like my deputy to respond to that question in detail.
Chairman: Minister Taptuna, you have my permission. Mr. Long.
The approach has been that the contracts have been with the hamlets to deliver driver’s licences. As the GLOs are put into place, the request has been made to the community, “Would you like the GLO to take over the service or would you prefer that the municipal liaison officer continue to do that job?”
Up ‘til now, we have accepted the communities’ position on that on a community-by-community basis.
I believe, today, we have six GLOs that are delivering driver’s licence services and the rest are continuing to be done by the MLOs.
In particular, for individuals with disabilities, when they park in specific areas that are set aside for individuals with disabilities, are we, as a territory, providing that type of service to individuals in Nunavut who have disabilities?
Yes, that’s provided.
My understanding is that you would register and you would have to prove that you have a disability. You are given a blue symbol that you put on your window to allow you to park into a certain area.
At the same time, is there not documentation either on your licence or that goes with that that you would have to have as proof?
I would like to have my deputy minister respond to that in detail.
There is a place on the back of the driver’s licence that does identify disabilities, including the need to wear corrective lenses, and that sort of thing.
If somebody comes in and requests a disability card to use in their car, they would show that. If it was a more recent problem that had arisen, they would have to convince our agent at the driver’s licence issuing establishment that the need is there.
If it’s established, then the card is issued.
This can happen at any time. It’s not just a long-term disability thing.
Are those types of certification inter-jurisdictional in terms of if someone from Nunavut is travelling, let’s say, in Winnipeg and is in a rented car and wants a parking spot which is closer because of the need, does it work that way where you can actually… ? Is it just Nunavut-specific or does it work in other jurisdictions as well?
My deputy minister can respond to that.
I believe they are issued provincially. If I had that problem and I was travelling to Manitoba, I would take my card and I would try it.
In terms of identification for travel, a number of individuals would use their driver’s licence as a photo ID, which now has to be done travelling from community to community and the south.
It made me think about it because mine ran out and I got it renewed. I used my driver’s licence to check in at the airline.
Just out of curiosity, if I show up with this and then say, “I am Ron Elliott,” will the ticket counter accept this as photo ID of sorts?
I would like my deputy minister to respond to that in detail.
Under those circumstances, you better have another piece of photo ID.
Sorry and thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Elliott, does that clarify it for you?
Mr. Elliott: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes, it does.
Thank goodness I have another piece of ID. Otherwise, people would have to put up with me longer in Iqaluit.
Mr. Chairman, my next question is about the airport project, the P3 project. I believe some of the funds for this branch are covered under that.
I was wondering if we could get an update.
I think that the last time we were updated for the P3 project, it was different forms had to be signed and whatnot.
I know it could be considered capital, but my understanding again is that there are specific PYs or positions that we’re approving funding for.
These individuals’ job is to watch over that project because it’s such a big project.
I’ll have my deputy minister respond to that in detail.
I’m not completely sure about the question, but at this point, as we go through the process leading up to a contract to build the airport, we’re now at the point of a request for proposals.
The technical part of that would be completed by the end of March, this month.
We have a group of individuals working for the government that are part of the decision-making process as this moves along.
We have two people from the Department of Economic Development and Transportation, that being the airport manager and our director of finance.
In addition to that, we have one person from the Department of Finance and a person from CGS. They’re all involved with our consultants and working through this process.
At this point, those positions do this as required. It is not a full-time job.
If the question was really what happens after the contract is complete and the contractors operating the airport, there will be a number of people who will be involved in monitoring that the contract is being conformed to.
There are penalties that will be placed if the terms and conditions are not met. There are also bonuses that are part of the contract when they exceed their performance.
How many people that will be exactly and their job descriptions are not yet complete. We are some time away from somebody else operating the airport, at this point, at least six months away.
Thank you for that. I was looking more for an update since this is our first P3 project that we have worked through. As a government, it’s nice to stay on top of what’s happening.
I want to make sure that we stay within budget because I’m starting to feel that every dollar we go over on the airport, it means fewer capital projects for all of the other communities, including smaller communities.
My next question was about the automated weather observation equipment. I think it’s a partnership between Nav Canada and our weather observers, which are people who are hired, and contracts that would be taken out of this budget.
Could the minister provide an update as to what’s happening with that area?
Mr. Chairman, with your permission, I would like my deputy minister to respond to that.
The weather observation process at Canadian airports is the responsibility of Nav Canada in terms of the government process of putting automated systems into place and they will continue doing that until all of our airports have an automated system.
It’s my understanding that to date, there are six of them in place. Over the course of the next year or two, they will be putting more in.
So the Government of Nunavut does not provide any funding in terms of installation or purchase or having to do with the automated weather observations.
No, this department does not do that.
So are we going to be phasing out the human aspect of weather observers or are we not going to have individuals in the airports providing that service?
They are still going to be CARS operated or live people working in these stations, but as far as we know, there are some automated airports down south, and it’s going to be the decision of Nav Canada.
We’re on page K-6.
I also have a question on this page.
While we’re reviewing transportation, I want to ask the minister about his announcement of plans for improvement of the roads as well as improving airstrips, as that is a stated goal.
One of the department’s priorities listed in the 2013-16 business plan is for future improvements related to reaching this goal.
On page 164, it indicates that roads used daily in our communities along with airstrips have been listed as future improvements.
Exactly what types of improvements are you talking about completing this year? What types of improvements are discussed here? Can the minister elaborate on the type of improvements they are considering and respond to the members here?
Mr. Chairman, with your permission, I would like to have my deputy minister respond to that.
I’ll deal with the road question part of it first.
At this point, there is only one road in Nunavut that we are responsible for. The rest are all within municipal boundaries and that’s the responsibility of the hamlets.
The road to Nanisivik and the Nanisivik Airport is still identified as an operational road and we are required to keep it in that condition until we have completed remediation of the Nanisivik Airport.
So we will be doing some summer maintenance to keep that road passable and that is the extent of our road activities at this time.
In terms of airports, we do have a plan over a period of years within our capital budget to keep airports safe and in operating condition. We are systematically hoping to upgrade or replace airports as required.
I guess this is not the time or place to go into detail on capital projects.
Maybe we should not just say “Road Improvement.” It should say “Nanisivik Road Improvement” so that we don’t get confused about it.
Again, for us Inuit, when we talk about roads, it could be either within or outside municipal boundaries.
In English, it says “Community Access Roads.” Does that only apply to Nanisivik also?
Thank you for the question from the committee member.
The Community Access Roads Program is separate from Nanisivik.
I wanted to get that clarified while we are on the road issue.
In our community, we’re going to start looking at how we can go down to the shoreline because our community is surrounded by mountains.
The ice is almost inaccessible during this time of the year. We’re making improvements, but it’s a very slow process.
At times, we do get a little bit of funding to make some improvements so that the hunters have easier access to the sea ice, but it’s a very slow process and we have not made much advancement.
They’re making a road quite slowly.
When we start boating this spring, the road is going to make it a lot easier to go down to the shoreline. We can’t access the sea ice, even though you can still travel on the land outside of Pangnirtung.
Is it possible to use these access road funds for improvements within our community or not? It would speed up the process of building roads within the community because it’s not enough to finish projects.
Yes, we do have a small budget allocated to it and that’s the Community Access Roads Program, which is one of the most popular programs in Nunavut.
Last year, we had applications in that amounted to over $1.6 million for a $500,000 program.
Yes, that money can be used for specifics, especially for hunters and fishermen.
Mr. Oshutapik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) Can we have all that allocation for the next fiscal year, please?
An Hon. Member: You wish.
We await the contribution agreement signage.
I believe the community has already applied and there is a small amount going to Pangnirtung in the amount of $35,000.
Using my discretion as the Chair, we will take a 15-minute break before we move on.
>>Committee recessed at 15:01 and resumed at 15:21
We will now continue with page K-6.
I give Ms. Ugyuk the floor.
Were these feasibility studies completed and when will you table them to the Legislative Assembly?
If the committee member can identify the page number, please.
Ms. Ugyuk, please indicate which page you’re asking a question on so that you will get a proper response.
Ms. Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) I believe it’s on 165, bullet No. 3.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Ms. Ugyuk, for your clarification.
Minister Taptuna, did you find the page number?
Ms. Ugyuk, please rephrase your question.
Ms. Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Your 2011-14 business plan indicated that “The contract for the feasibility study for ports in Pond Inlet, Rankin Inlet and Cambridge Bay has been awarded and work is underway.
If I understand her question, I believe she’s just trying to ask if the feasibility studies have been completed.
I believe that was her question, if I’m not mistaken.
I don’t have that information in front of us, so I’ll have to get back to the member on that.
Perhaps we can further assist our witnesses here by indicating the page number related to our questions if we are going to query them about the plans. That way, you will get your responses. That would help because we want proper responses.
I have another question regarding the Community Access Roads Program. It is part and parcel of Mr. Oshutapik’s question.
In Gjoa Haven, we have some steel material that is going to be used to build a bridge across the river.
They had acquired those materials using the Community Access Roads Program funds.
When are they going to build that bridge? The material has been there for about two or three years now.
When is the completion date for that bridge?
With your permission, Mr. Chairman, I would like my deputy minister to respond to that in detail.
The cost of putting that bridge into place is going to be more than we can cover under the Community Access Roads Program. We’re going to have to put that into the capital plan.
We will be doing the research we will have to study this year to determine the cost of building that, and then we will proceed as quickly as we can after that.
On the same subject, in Taloyoak, they have been waiting to put up a floating dock for quite a while. The material has been there for a number of years now.
When are they going to complete that floating dock construction?
Mr. Chairman, with your permission, I would like my deputy minister to respond to that in detail.
There are a number of communities in a similar situation. Again, we are assessing that now. We will attempt to get some of them done this year, where it makes sense and we can afford it.
The rest will be done in a year or two. It’s gong to be based on the degree of difficulty. If it becomes extremely expensive, then it will have to become a capital project.
Otherwise, we will attempt to assess and do as much as we can this year.
Ms. Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you for your responses.
I have another question on the same subject regarding building roads to the wharves or docks.
I think there was $80,000 given to Taloyoak so they can build a road to Red Fish Lake and to Nattilik Lake.
They were going to build three access roads to those lakes, but they only built a portion of it.
Do you inspect those roads that are funded by the government to see if they have been completed?
As Allan Rumbolt has indicated, (interpretation ends) “The standing committee encourages the minister to report annually to the Legislative Assembly on how the department measures and evaluates the success of its grants and contributions expenditures.”
(interpretation) I know there are inadequate funds, but if we are told that we are going to get access roads built, we expect to see them built.
We don’t want to see partially built roads. Are you going to do any inspections of the projects to see if they are completed or not?
Mr. Chairman, as I stated earlier, the small amount of money that we have in our access roads program is demanded a lot by the communities.
I stated earlier before that the applications that came in last year were in excess of over $1.6 million.
I believe Taloyoak does have an application with our department now for an amount of $20,000.
The hamlets administer that and they go at their own pace for the program that is available to them.
We encourage every hamlet to put in their applications for this access roads program because we see it as an enabler for the boaters, the fishermen, and the harvesters who usually use these small access roads to get to certain locations.
We are on page K-6. Mr. Aupaluktuq.
Along the lines of my colleagues, Mr. Oshutapik as well as Ms. Ugyuk, prior to division from the NWT, an access road was felt by community members as incomplete and Baker Lake will be providing some submission as well to enhance and improve this road and hopefully extend it as to what the initial plan was.