EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
I know that members had a lot of questions earlier on in the session regarding where those dollars were going to be expended. I would like to ask the minister why this amount, was the initial plan for these dollars to be allocated towards that one project in Cambridge Bay.
The reason why it is heritage centres is that we want to be open to future projects coming from communities, so that's the main purpose of having it as heritage centres, we don't want to shut the door once Cambridge Bay is done.
We want to be able to see these in other communities where they are wanted.
Mr. Chairman, usually the main estimates and the budgets and the descriptions of projects in there are specific to that particular project.
So in this particular case it is one heritage centre as opposed to heritage centres.
Also the fact that it was also shown in the headquarters budget and not allocated to any specific region, which again as we found out after, seems to be the case that it is allocated not only to one particular region but to one particular community.
So I would like to ask the minister why the tabled documents and the main estimates don't accurately reflect where the expenditures of those dollars are going.
I wish we could identify it specifically at this point with all the headaches that go with it.
But we wanted to be open, as I said to other projects in the future and that was the main purpose of having heritage centres in there.
At this point everybody knows that it is for Cambridge Bay and this is a very good lesson for all of us at the Financial Management Board, that we'll have to identify clearly where the projects are for.
Mr. Chairman, I realise that this is a portfolio that the minister has recently adopted.
However, again I would like to ask, what rationale could be given for this amount to be reflected, not just showing the centres, but the dollars not actually being reflected in the budget in the main estimates as to where they are actually going to be spent.
If you look under the distribution of the budget in the main estimates, it shows a break down of headquarters, Baffin, Keewatin and Kitikmeot.
In that break down it clearly shows that the capital dollars for this department are for various Nunavut communities.
Now I know that the minister had indicated that the contributions for youth centres are targeted to 15 communities.
So I guess being in a headquarters function and not being able to identify that to a specific region.
However, in the case of the heritage centre, it seems apparent now that it is directly going to one region, or one community.
Again I do not understand and would really like an explanation as to why the main estimates, or the budget doesn't reflect accurately where those dollars are going to be spent.
I don't know how I can explain it to satisfy that requirement.
We wanted to be open for projects and that is what we are trying to do.
It should have been clearer and I admit that.
It is a very good lesson and apologies are given for misleading, if members were misled.
So everybody knows that it is for Cambridge Bay so we have to move on.
This is replacing a facility that was pre-existing before our government was in existence.
Mr. Chairman, I think based on the debate here in the House today and the feelings, the minister can appreciate very well as can all the members what can happen if things are not clearly identified and explained to members.
So I sincerely hope that this type of thing will never happen again and from now on, in future budgets that, where as much as possible we know that dollars are going to be allocated, that it is accurately reflected in the main estimates.
Because Mr. Chairman, by doing it this way, it leads to the perception of something not being, you know if you knew it was going there, why wasn't it put there.
For whatever reason, we don't know, but I think we do not want to get in a situation where members don't feel comfortable or confident in the information that is provide to us in order for us to make our decisions.
In order for us to make informed and sound decisions we need to be given all the information that is out there available.
Our job is to ensure the best use of public funds and the only way we can do that is if we have access to all the information as clearly as possible.
So I sincerely hope that this is something that won't happen again in the future.
I am sure that it won't happen again.
With the amount of headaches that flow from it, it is not worth it.
I don't want to mislead the House in any way and that wasn't the intent.
During the proceedings there were many questions to various ministers and we were told that the Northwest Territories Government wasn't able to put things through.
Now we are told that this has already been in the works from the GNWT days.
But I would like to make a further comment on this issue.
If we are going to put 200 thousand dollars to this heritage centre I would agree to it as long as the 300 thousand dollars will be made available to the Nunavut communities.
I could support it in that case.
Looking at the 500 thousand dollars.
There is 500 thousand dollars made available to other Nunavut communities, and 500 thousand dollars just to one particular community.
That is something that effects the whole of Nunavut, including the members.
I believe that we have to truly represent all the Nunavut communities.
We will put in another 200 thousand dollars next year.
I will be able to support it like that.
Following the response that was made we were told that this was in the works even before the creation of the Nunavut Government.
It was already an exception and we have been saying all along that we should use the money now for essential facilities.
For example, schools and so on and then when we are not so new we can start concentrating on heritage centres and so on.
I think that would be the most effective way of using our public money.
There are many projects that got started for example, my school.
It has never been completed to date and then all of a sudden there is a huge sum of money being slotted for a heritage centre.
So I would very strongly recommend that we concentrate first on essential programs and services.
I do not know whether I will be supporting this compromise.
But I would most certainly support it if we were to take out 400 thousand dollars.
For the minister I would like you to truly say that we will never see this again.
I see two.
There was a fire and it was destroyed.
It is not only a heritage centre, the one that was built previously and that burned down was used by the elders.
The elders taught their children and their grandchildren about the cultural aspects.
Like I said this community is very strong on culture and language and they are looking to the future.
This is part of the preservation and promotion.
Because of that they did their own fundraising to pay for some of the expenses.
I just wanted to make those additional comments.
I was there in Cambridge Bay and they have an elders' facility and they have all the facilities.
When you look at the other communities we cannot even get a little amount of money.
The majority of the budget is going to the larger centres and those are the reasons why we want to talk about this.
In my community Petroleum Products, there is nothing for our community.
It is for Pelly Bay.
Then the pipelines are about 400 thousand plus dollars that is going to my community.
Looking at other communities they are getting 14, 15 million dollars. So it is very unfair from my perspective.
Thank you Mr. Chairman.  Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Irqittuq.
In order to proceed properly, we are on the Department of Culture, Language, Elders & Youth. We will try to stick to the subject. Thank you.
Mr. Premier.  Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Chairman.
We are open to taking out 200 thousand for now for this year and set aside another 200 thousand to replace it next year. The balance of 300 thousand will then be able to be used by the communities. I just wanted to reiterate that.
This is for the heritage centre and the business of having a heritage centre, I think the members realize that the people of the Kitikmeot have wanted to have a heritage centre and they even came here to make a presentation.
Because the Inuit over in the Kitikmeot region, it is for the people, not the government.
That is what we are trying to do.
We didn't know that this was going to burn, so if we are going to be debating and whenever members lose are we just going to walk out.
Are we just going to be like kids.
That is not very nice.
I do not know how the government can run properly that way.
We are trying to run the whole of Nunavut and if some people are going to act like children then it is not nice.
Chairperson (interpretation): We are now dealing with Culture, Language, Elders & Youth.
I just wanted to tell the members that Nunavut is very large and this is the first time that we have ever dealt with a budget.
There are 26 communities in Nunavut and all of the communities have needs.
When some communities are left out then some members have hard feelings.
This is the first time, one year after the first of April 99, that we are a government.
We are just starting as one government and we will have to make mistakes. We already knew that we were going to make mistakes the first time.
So this is the first time that the Nunavut Government has produced a budget and there will be mistakes.
But we learn from our mistakes.
I know that all the cabinet is learning from their mistakes, so I am just trying to control the meeting as a Chair.
I just want to continue with the meeting, please be in order.
Mr. Chairman, the members have been asking questions of the cabinet and when we do not get adequate answers we have to act like children, if we are not responded to properly.
We ask questions because we want answers from the ministers.
We ask about money for the smaller communities.
The smaller communities are not receiving as much as the larger communities.
Chairperson (interpretation): I think there is a point of order.
But it is better to continue with the meeting.
I just want to get a clarification.
If we reduce it down to 200 thousand dollars, will you change the figure right away in the estimates.
Hon. Paul Okalik: Yes, like I said before, if you approve Culture, Language, Elders & Youth's budget the 200 thousand will be deleted and 200 set aside and 200 thousand next year.
It will be available to other communities.
Yes, that was a very clear answer and now that I understand that the figure will change right away therefore I do not mind dealing with the details right now.
Chairperson (interpretation): We are under Elders and Youth Capital expenditures.
Total 1 million dollars.
Total capital expenditures.
I would like to get a clarification about the heritage centres, it seems the funding to going to two of these.
Chairperson (interpretation): Mr. Iqaqrialu I think you are in a different book all together.
We are dealing with the Capital expenditures.
I do not see the subject that we are talking about.
We are on page A-5.
I am sorry I was in the wrong book.
Headquarters region. 1 million dollars.
Mr. Tootoo: Just for clarification.
There was so many thousand dollars being thrown around in the room and the numbers being thrown.
I just want to confirm my understanding what the Minister or the Premier committed was that out of the 500 thousand dollars that is in the Main Estimates for heritage centres. 200 thousand of that would go towards Cambridge Bay project. 300 thousand would go to other communities and that would be looking at another 200 thousand going to the Cambridge Bay project next year.
Hon. Paul Okalik: Basically a two-year project.
It will be spread out over two years. 200 thousand each year and the other monies will be available for other communities.
We are under 8-5.
Contributions. 1 million dollars.
Total Capital expenditures. 1 million dollars.
Chairperson (interpretation): 8-6.
Culture, Language, Elders & Youth distribution of budget.
Getting to the Main Estimates.
Main Estimates for 2000-2001. 8-3.
We are on 8-4.
Culture, Language, Elders & Youth. Mr. Premier.
We are almost completed with this Main Estimates.
I have to leave for today with the Minister.
We are quite finished so I would like to thank the Members for giving me the opportunity to be at the witness table.
Chairperson (interpretation): We thank you Mr. Premier for the responses that you provided to the Members.
Thank you, Mr. Premier have a safe trip.
Chairperson (interpretation): 8-4.
Culture, Language, Elders & Youth branch summery.
Total operations & maintenance 1 million, 933 thousand.
Chairperson (interpretation): Total expenditures 1 million, 993 thousand.
Chairperson (interpretation): 8-5.
Culture, Language, Elders & Youth.
Culture, Language, Elders & Youth Language and Communication Bureau. 8-6 operations & maintenance.
Total operations & maintenance 1 million, 783 thousand.
Chairperson (interpretation): Total expenditures 1 million, 783 thousand.
Chairperson (interpretation): 8-7 Language and Communication Bureau.
Information item. 8-8.
Culture, Language, Elders & Youth operations & maintenance.
Total operations & maintenance 2 million, 888 thousand.
Chairperson (interpretation): Total expenditures 3 million, 888 thousand.
Chairperson (interpretation): 8-9.
I had that question earlier on.
It is for a museum contribution and Arts Council. It seems like there is that the 145 thousand.
I wonder how that is broken down.
Deputy Minister Ms. Levi.
Ms. Levi (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairperson.
That money is to be used for museums and the Arts Council because we have an Arts Council.
Lutie Pijamini is the Chairman of the Arts Council.
That is what that is going to be used for.
Information item. 8-9.
Culture, Language, Elders & Youth detail of work performed on behalf of third parties.
Information item. 8-3.
Chairperson (interpretation): Get back to 8-3.
Culture, Language, Elders & Youth detail of expenditures.
Operations & maintenance. Total operations & maintenance 6 million, 604 thousand.
Chairperson (interpretation): Total Capital. 1 million dollars.
Chairperson (interpretation): Total expenditures 7 million, 604 thousand.
Chairperson (interpretation): Does the Committee agree that this Department is concluded with.
Chairperson (interpretation): I would like to thank the Deputy Minister and her staff.
Thank you very much and to the other witnesses.
Your officials.
Thompson and Kadlutsiak.
Thank you for being to be able to appear before the Committee.
Chairperson (interpretation): Do you agree that Tabled Document 41-3. 41-1(3), 61(3), and 101-1(3) are concluded with.
Bill 13 - Appropriations Act
Chairperson (interpretation): All the Departments have been completed and we will go to Bill 13.
General comments on Bill 13.
Appropriation Act 2000-2001.
Appropriation Act this Bill authorises the Government of Nunavut to make operations & maintenance, expenditures and capital for the fiscal year ending March, 31.
Operations & maintenance 572 million dollars, 855 thousand.
There is a typo in the Inuktitut version for Capital.
Capital Appropriation 6 million, 171 thousand.
Total Appropriation. 639 million, 26 thousand.
Bill 13. Bill 13.
Appropriation Act 2000-2001
Chairperson (interpretation): Clause 5.
Chairperson (interpretation): Do you agree Bill 13 is now ready for third reading.
Chairperson (interpretation): Since we do not have anymore items in our agenda, would you like to end the session.
I would like to move to report progress at this time.
There is a motion on the floor to adjourn.
All Opposed.
Motion is Carried.
I would like to thank all of you since this is our last session.
I also would like to thank my colleagues since we have been here for quite sometime.
Although many of you do not know that Nattilik people by name, we want to thank you for your support since we now have very good gasoline in my riding.
So let us support each other because we have a huge task ahead of us to represent the Nunavut Territory.
Speaker: Sergeant-At-Arms.
Returning to Orders of the Day.
Report of Committee of the Whole with Mr. Chairperson Mr. Puqiqnak.
Your Committee has been considering Bill 13 and Tabled Documents 41-1(3), 61-1(3), 101-1(3), and would like to report that Bill 13 is ready for third reading and Tabled Documents 41-1(3), 61-1(3), and 101-1(3) are concluded. And Mr. Speaker, I move that the report of Committee of the Whole be concurred with.
Is there a seconder. Is there a seconder.
Bill 13 Appropriations Act, 2000/2001 - Third Reading
I move seconded by the Honourable Member for Pangnirtung that Bill 13 Appropriation Act 2000-2001 be read for the third time.
Bill 13 has had third reading.
Meeting of Regular Caucus at 6:30 this evening.
Orders of the Day for Wednesday, October 18.
It is nice to see we have a few Members of the Cabinet still in the House.
Before I ask the Clerk to ascertain if the Commissioner of Nunavut is prepared to enter the Chambers to give assent to Bill 13, I would just like to take a minute to wish all the Members a safe time off.
I know many the members and ministers will be here on a regular basis.
Regular Member will be also back soon, some even next week and we will have scheduled meetings throughout the summer.
So although we will not be meeting formally there is still much work to be done over the next few months.
Have a safe and enjoyable summer.
Mr. Clerk would you please ascertain if the Commissioner is ready to enter the chamber to give Assent to Bill 13.
Bill 13 - Appropriations Act, 2000/2001 - Assent
Commissioner Irniq: Please be seated.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Mr. Premier, Honourable Members. I give assent to Bill 13 Appropriations Act for 2000-2001.
Speaker: This House stands adjourned until Wednesday, October 18 at 1:30 pm in the year 2000.
>>House adjourned at 6:14.
DAY 47
Wednesday October 18, 2000
Pages 2283 - 2321
Premier; Minister of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs, Minister of Education
James Arvaluk
Deputy Clerk  Leona Aglukkaq
James Saittuq  Hansard Production
Opening Prayer 2283
Speakers Opening Remarks 2283
Ministers' Statements 2284
Members' Statements 2286
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 2295
Oral Questions 2297
Written Questions 2316
Returns to Written Questions 2317
Tabling of Documents 2318
Notices of Motions 2319
Motions 2319
Revert to Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 2320
Orders of the Day 2320
Wednesday October 18, 2000 2283
133 – 1(3): Building New Pan Canadian Housing Partnerships (Thompson) 2284
134 – 1(3): FPT Ministers of Justice Meeting (Anawak). 2285
135 – 1(3): Uqausiit Tukingit Dictionary (Okalik) 2286
417 – 1(3): Success of Power Corporation Decentralization (McLean) 2286
418 – 1(3): Gjoa Haven Water Update (Puqiqnak) 2287
419 – 1(3): Open and Accountable Government (Tootoo) 2288
420 – 1(3): Finding Solutions for Suicide Problems (Iqaqrialu) 2288
421 – 1(3): Coral Harbour Bowhead Whale Hunt (Arvaluk) 2289
422 - 1(3): Time Zone Change Process (Havioyak) 2290
423 – 1(3): Iqaluit Town Council Elections (Picco) 2291
424 – 1(3): High Arctic Constituency Concerns (Akesuk) 2291
425 – 1(3): Kivalliq Boating Tragedy (Anawak) 2292
426 – 1(3): Passing of Rosie Oolooyuk (Irqittuq) 2293
427 – 1(3): Role as New Minister (Kattuk) 2293
428 – 1(3): Improved Roads for Kugaaruk (Alakannuark) 2293
429 – 1(3): Inuktitut Language Dictionary (Nutarak) 2294
430 – 1(3): Visit to Pangnirtung (Kilabuk) 2294
590 - 1(3): Purchase of Art Program (Puqiqnak) 2297
591 - 1(3): Five Year Capital Plan Consultations (Akesuk) 2299
592 – 1(3): Paying Workers for Relocating Graves (Irqittuq) 2299
593 – 1(3): Request to Review Time Zones (Havioyak) 2300
594 – 1(3): Staffing Targets & Capacity (Tootoo) 2302
595 – 1(3): Initiatives to Assist Carvers (McLean) 2304
596 - 1(3): Status of Anti-Smoking Campaign (Nutarak) 2306
597 – 1(3): Expenditures on Anti-Smoking Campaign (Irqittuq) 2309
598 – 1(3): Inuit Employment Plan (Alakannuark) 2311
599 – 1(3): Policy & Procedures of Health & Social Services Review (Iqaqrialu) 2313
600 – 1(3): Positions for Kugluktuk (Havioyak) 2315
17 – 1(3): Details of Community Initiatives Program Funding (McLean) 2316
WQ 12-1(3): Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Review Committee (Kattuk) 2317
WQ 14-1(3): Ministerial Portfolio Responsibilities (Okalik) 2317
WQ 15-1(3): Ministerial Responsibility - Income Support & P-3 Projects (Okalik) 2317
104 – 1(3): Gjoa Haven 2000 Water Study (Puqiqnak) 2318
105 – 1(3): Nunatsiaq News Article, June 30 2000 (McLean) 2318
106 – 1(3): Letter on Time Zone Changes (Havioyak) 2318
107 – 1(3): Inuktitut Dictionary (Okalik) 2318
26 – 1(3): Appointment of Chief Electoral Officer (Ng) 2319  Wednesday October 18, 2000
Mr. Ovide Alakannuark, Mr. Olayuk Akesuk, Mr. James Arvaluk, Honourable Jack Anawak, Mr. Donald Havioyak, Mr. David Iqaqrialu, Mr. Enoki Irqittuq, Honourable Peter Kattuk, Honourable Peter Kilabuk, Mr. Glenn McLean, Honourable Kelvin Ng, Mr. Jobie Nutarak, Honourable Kevin O'Brien, Honourable Paul Okalik, Honourable Ed Picco, Mr. Uriash Puqiqnak, Honourable Manitok Thompson, Mr. Hunter Tootoo.
Speakers Opening Remarks
Speaker: Ullukkut.
Good afternoon and welcome back members, Mr. Premier.
Before we get on to the orders of the day, I would like to draw your attention to some of the changes that have been made in the Chamber.
Firstly, directly above my head, you'll notice a Coat of Arms carved of yellow birch.
This piece was done by Mr. Chan Chung of Alberta as a gift from the Legislative Assembly of Alberta.
I hope it is well anchored up there, as it weighs 80 pounds.
Also, in the Chamber you will note on the left hand side adjacent to the interpreters’ booths are five new tapestries on the wall.
These tapestries were done by the Centre for Arts and Crafts in Pangnirtung.
These tapestries are being displayed as part of a new plan to showcase art from across Nunavut by displaying it in the Assembly building.
You will also notice in the foyer a gift from the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick.
A picture taken of the coast of Ellesmere Island by photographer Freeman Paterson from New Brunswick.
I would like to also welcome our new Deputy Clerk Leona Aglukkaq who is joining us for the first time and will be working hard to take on the challenges while carrying out her responsibilities as Deputy Clerk.
I would like to note the passing of one of Nunavut's brightest lights, Sam Pitseolak of Kimmirut who died in a plane crash earlier this summer and extend our deepest condolences to the family.
Also, I would like to acknowledge the passing of Pete Fraser in the NWT.
He was an MLA for a number of years and also a Deputy Speaker and known to be a good friend of the Inuit people.
Ms. Manitok Thompson.
Minister's Statement 133 – 1(3): Building New Pan Canadian Housing Partnerships
I am very happy to be back in the chambers and wish to welcome the members back as well.
I look forward to working with our new Deputy Clerk, Leona Aglukkaq.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to tell the members about the travelling I have done, and the housing partnerships we have made and renewed, over the summer months.
Mr. Speaker, on September 18-19th, 2000, I attended the Federal/ Provincial/ Territorial meeting of Ministers Responsible for Housing in Fredericton, New Brunswick.
Mr. Speaker, in addition to it being my first time in that beautiful province, it was also the first time in over five years that the Federal Government was at the table with us as an equal partner.
It is a very encouraging step forward to have the Honourable Alfonso Gagliano, MP, Minister Responsible for the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation participate in our housing forum and to come away from those meeting with a renewed commitment from the Federal Government to work with the Provinces and Territories to begin to address housing challenges in Canada using a partnership approach.
Mr. Speaker, these are not just empty words.
We left those meetings with clear directions to our senior officials to create two specific working groups to tackle the two most important challenges facing housing in Canada today.
Particularly, rural and remote housing and for southern Canada affordable market housing.