EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Seeing that Baker Lake is a decentralized community, would the minister be able to provide me information if there were summer student employment the past year?
Hon. Keith Peterson: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Mr. Mikkungwak.
In Baker Lake, there were ten summer students employed last year, one with Environment, three with Community and Government Services, and six with the Qulliq Energy Corporation.
I understand that there are other government departments within the community of Baker Lake. Will those other government departments also be pursued in reference to summer students?
Thanks to Mr. Mikkungwak for that question.
Mr. Chairman, all government departments are encouraged to submit applications to our summer student program. Whatever other departments are in Baker Lake, we certainly encourage them to consider summer student employment in the community.
Moving along on that same page again under Priorities (2016-17), the third bullet, “Undertake a formal review of workplace health and safety including WSCC compliance,” would that be related to government infrastructure buildings or government-funded infrastructure buildings?
We’re referring to our employees and our workplace buildings.
What happens to other organizations that haven’t been inspected by a WSCC officer?
Mr. Chairman, other organizations would be responsible for their employees and for their facilities.
I do recall that there was a WSCC officer that visited the community of Baker Lake and did some inspections to various buildings within the community.
There were some buildings that did not meet the National Building Code.
Would that report be provided to your department, even though they are not under government departments, but may be, for example, under the Nunavut Housing Corporation or Hamlet of Baker Lake buildings?
I just so happen to be the Minister responsible for the Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission.
If Mr. Mikkungwak can provide me with more information, it’s something I can take up with WSCC and get back to him with that information.
Chairman: Thank you. We’re on Branch Summary. Finance.
Comptrollership. Total Operations and Maintenance, to be Voted. $26,303,000.
I think I may just have one question here, but last year, I brought up some discussion on the Fuel Tax Rebate Program and the amount of dollars that were actually going to harvesters or tourism or quarrying practices, which was very miniscule in comparison to mining companies.
One of the commitments that are listed in the 2012-13 and 2013-14 reports was that that was acknowledged and that the department was going to be looking at ways to improve the program used by traditional activities.
I realize the 2014-15 report isn’t out yet, but I’m wondering if maybe the minister has some information on how the uptake of traditional activities has been on this program.
I recall him asking me about it last year, last October maybe.
The uptake for harvesters and outfitters has not been very good over the years. I’m looking at the numbers here.
In 2014-15, seven applications were received and we paid $715. In 2013-14, there were three applications received and we paid $404.
The bulk of the funding that is rebated under this program goes to mining companies.
That’s kind of exactly my point. It also states in that report that it has been several years since the GN has actively promoted the fuel tax rebate to harvesters, which, in the report, is a contributing factor for the decline in applications.
It states that information was going to be sent to previous recipients of this rebate. I believe that, if I recall correctly, the minister was going take a look at an awareness campaign across the territory to help initiate more uptake of this program by traditional activities.
We have sent that information to all the HTOs, all the government liaison officers that are in the communities, and to past applicants.
There should be very few instances where a harvester would not be aware of the information, especially if you’re the HTO. Most people in the community are hunters and harvesters or members of the HTO, so that information should be available to them there. We certainly have the GLOs and if you applied in the past, even though there have only been seven last year and three the year before, you will get that information or they will remind harvesters that that program is available.
Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you for that commitment from the minister to revisit those organizations to bring forward the information.
I was just thinking while he was speaking that it might be worth consulting with your counterpart, the Minister of Environment, of other sources of information that might be available to get out to consumers.
Chairman: Just a comment?
We are on Finance. Branch Summary. Centrally Administered Funds.
Just out of curiosity, Employee Benefits, it says there is $23,752,000 allocated for the 2015-16 year and it lists the different type of programs under that.
There is the Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission, relocation, medical travel, and other benefits. Out of curiosity, are we able to get a bit more of a breakdown of the $23 million or give us what the top three items are under this branch?
I believe, if memory serves me, medical travel, for example, would be $13,150,000, relocation would be $1,100,000, WSCC premiums would be $3,778,000, and sick leave accrual would be $3 million.
Mr. Joanasie: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you for the response, minister and his officials.
I was just curious, so I wanted to ask that.
Moving on to the Nunavut Child Benefit, has this been $2,055,000 for… ? Can you give us an idea of what more this program is about, and if there are any plans on moving like in the next year or two?
Is there any idea if there are any changes or can you just give us an overview about this program?
Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Joanasie. Minister Peterson.
It is a tax refund from the Government of Canada and then we get invoiced for it. We haven’t considered increasing the amount. It has been $2,055,000 for a while, I believe.
It’s a non-taxable amount paid monthly to qualifying families with children under 18 years of age which is fully funded by the Government of Nunavut.
The Government of Canada processes it and then we remit the funds to them.
Chairman: Mr. Joanasie, are you done? Thank you.
On page 29 of the business plan, my question will be in reference to the Energy Subsidies.
In that particular section, it names off, “…residential customers to encourage private home ownership and to small commercial enterprises…”
When I look at Energy Subsidies, when you look at the budget in that area, would that include the fuel subsidy that was occurring across Nunavut?
No, this would be a subsidy we would pay directly to QEC or the small businesses directly.
In that paragraph, it says, “Energy Subsidies provide equitable power rates throughout Nunavut to residential customers to encourage private home ownership and to small commercial enterprises to support the development of local business.”
How does private homeownership fall into the picture?
I thank Mr. Mikkungwak for the question. Private homeownership falls into the benefits.
I believe the subsidy is up to the first 700 kilowatt hours on your monthly bill, so that keeps the power low. If there were no subsidies, your power bill would be quite high. That’s a little bit of a benefit that we provide to the private homeowners, 1,000 kilowatt hours in the wintertime, 700 when it’s not winter and 1,000 when it’s cold out there.
Chairman: Thank you. We’re on Finance. Branch Summary.
Centrally Administered Funds. Total Operations and Maintenance, to be Voted. $52,050,000.
Chairman: Back to C-3.
Total. Operations and Maintenance, to be Voted. $91,245,000.
Chairman: Thank you. Do members agree that we have concluded this department?
Chairman: Thank you. Minister, closing comments?
I thank you and your committee for your good questions today.
My officials and our staff in our departments across Nunavut will ensure that we follow up on some of the areas that you wish us to follow up on, particularly the summer student program. It’s coming up shortly and that’s going to be beneficial.
Your questions today allowed me the opportunity to make some statements to our public sector out there, the deputies and other officials, that it’s very important that there should be rigour and consistency in employment across Nunavut. Accountability is important.
I believe that you will continue to ask us those kinds of questions until we make some serious improvements. I appreciate the questions.
If you, Mr. Chairman, or your colleagues have issues or hear of instances where the human resources is suspect, please let me know and we will look into it right away.
I would like to thank my officials who were here with me today, Mr. D’Arcy and Mr. Tumilty. I would also like to recognize over in the gallery Christine Bens.
She used to work in the Department of Justice, so we are very pleased that she came to work for us in corporate services in Finance.
I would also like to personally acknowledge our Comptroller General, Jeff Chown, who does a lot of work to ensure that the human resource side is put together.
I would just like to thank all the departments for all of their participation in putting this year’s main estimates together.
Chairman: Thank you to you and your officials.
We will take a five-minute break in order to set up.
>>Committee recessed at 16:46 and resumed at 16:58
Bill 16 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2015-2016 – Economic Development and Transportation – Consideration in Committee
Chairman: Thank you and welcome back.
I would now like to ask the Minister responsible for Economic Development and Transportation if she has officials that she would like to appear before the committee.
To my right is Pauloosie Suvega, my Deputy Minister, and to my left is Jim Stevens, Assistant Deputy Minister of Transportation.
It is my pleasure to appear before the Committee of the Whole to present the 2015-16 operations and maintenance budget for the Department of Economic Development and Transportation.
The budget we are reviewing today is for grants and contributions, compensation and benefits, and other expenses. The total budget I am proposing for the 2015-16 fiscal year is $68,101,000.
This is an increase of $7,419,000 over the budget for 2014-15, which will help us manage Nunavut’s transportation system and support the development of Nunavut’s economy.
The budget increase comes in three separate areas:
The first is an increase in our support for Tourism and Cultural Industries totalling $3.8 million;
The second is a scheduled increase in the operations and maintenance budget of the Iqaluit International Airport and totals $2.6 million; and
The third is an increase of $1 million in our funding to community transportation projects.
(interpretation ends) The Department of Economic Development and Transportation is committed to acting on the Sivumut Abluqta priority to foster economic growth through responsible development across all sectors through the following actions:
The department’s budget will help the Government of Nunavut fulfill these commitments.
The increased support we propose for Tourism and Cultural Industries includes $1,550,000 for contributions to community-based projects through a revived Community Tourism and Cultural Industries Program.
Hamlets and local organizations engaged in the arts and crafts or tourism sectors will be able to access this money to carry out their own priority projects.
Another $1,661,000 is budgeted to support organizations with important sector development mandates, namely, Nunavut Tourism, Nunavut Film, and the Nunavut Arts and Crafts Association.
An additional $620,000 is budgeted to increase the capacity of the department’s Tourism and Cultural Industries Division, which has an important role in guiding the development of both the tourism sector and the cultural industries.
The division also has a role in the regulation of tourism operators, and this increase will help fulfill this role.
Consistent with Sivumut Abluqta, these investments will help the department and our partners build on and add value to identified areas of potential, particularly the arts and tourism sectors.
Similarly, these investments will support the development of current and future Nunavut artists working in all media.
For the Iqaluit International Airport, the proposed increase stems directly from a scheduled increase in the annual service payment and is part of the P3 project plan.
It is important to emphasize that the O&M annual service payment is separate from the capital payment.  The airport project is proceeding on budget and on schedule, and airport operations are now being carried out by the private partner.
We are satisfied with the performance of the airport operator and maintainer, Nunavut Airport Services Limited.
While airport operations are now performed by the private partner, the department still needs to retain enough internal capacity to manage those responsibilities which have not been transferred to the private partner.
This includes management of responsibilities, such as commercial development and leases on airport land, collection of aeronautical fees, and oversight of the project agreement provisions dealing with Inuit participation in employment and contracting opportunities.
The additional $1 million for community transportation projects will allow us to broaden the scope of the popular Community Access Roads Program and to include marine infrastructure projects in the program eligibility.
The new program will be called the Community Transportation Initiatives Program and it will be delivered using the same process as the access roads program.
At the same time, we will maintain the $500,000 Small Craft Harbour Program within our capital budget.
Sivumut Abluqta commits us to supporting local economic development initiatives that build on and add value to areas of potential identified by communities.
Many communities have made it clear that their local economic initiatives, whether they are tourism-related, mineral exploration, or in the fisheries, are dependent on investments in the transportation infrastructure that connects communities to resources and opportunities.
This new funding doubles the funding available for local access road and marine projects across Nunavut.
We are pleased to help communities realize their visions.
(interpretation) Mr. Chairman, I believe I did not go through a part of my prepared speech here.
It was in the first part of my presentation.
Promoting entrepreneurship and business development by simplifying rules and making it easy for small businesses to comply; and finally
Besides the areas I have mentioned, the Department of Economic Development and Transportation is also continuing to make progress on a number of important files.
I would like to highlight a handful of these.
Firstly, the renewal of the Nunavut Economic Development Strategy is nearing completion. A draft strategy is currently being reviewed by members of the Nunavut Economic Forum.
Renewal of the NNI Policy continues, in collaboration with Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated.
This work is on track for completion and we are hopeful that this will be early in 2015-16.
We will continue to improve driver’s licence and vehicle registration services to Nunavummiut while also increasing safety through vehicle inspections and public awareness.
Last but not least, we will encourage the responsible development of our territory’s mineral resources. This is an important moment in Nunavut’s development, with several mining projects at or approaching important milestones.
We will be focusing on helping Nunavut’s communities, business, and workers take advantage of the many opportunities that are emerging.
Mr. Chairman, the main estimates and business plan of the Department of Economic Development and Transportation for 2015-16 reflect the department’s mandate to develop Nunavut’s economy and maintain and improve Nunavut’s transportation system.
This budget will allow the department to fulfill its commitments under Sivumut Abluqta.
I would be happy to respond to any of my colleagues’ questions on the department’s 2015-16 main estimates and business plan. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I am pleased to provide opening comments on behalf of the Standing Committee on Community and Economic Development on its review of the proposed 2015-16 main estimates and 2015-18 business plan of the Department of Economic Development and Transportation.
The standing committee notes that the department’s proposed 2015-16 operations and maintenance budget of $68,101,000 has increased by 12.22 percent since the introduction of the department’s 2014-15 main estimates.
The number of positions in the department is 141 for the 2015-16 fiscal year.
The department’s 2015-16 business plan indicates that a priority for the 2014-15 fiscal year has been to work toward the release of a new Nunavut Economic Development Strategy.
The standing committee recognizes that the Nunavut Economic Development Strategy reached the end of its ten-year life in 2013.
The standing committee looks forward to the launch of the new strategy in the 2015 calendar year.
The department’s 2014-17 business plan indicated that one of its priorities for the 2014-15 fiscal year has been to “draft a renewed policy to implement Article 24 of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement, implementing the changes identified in the 2012-2013 comprehensive review of the NNI Policy.”
The department’s draft 2015-18 business plan indicates that the “First draft of the NNI Policy has been completed” and that “on December 4, 2014 an MOU was signed between the GN and NTI for working towards a renewal of the NNI Policy.”
The standing committee supports the fundamental objectives of the NNI Policy which are, “Good Value and Fair Competition, Strengthening the Nunavut Economy, Inuit Participation and Nunavut Education and Training.”
The standing committee is concerned about the issue of incentives and penalties regarding compliance with Inuit employment and training targets.
During the minister’s recent appearance, members raised a number of concerns related to this issue.
Another ongoing issue regarding the NNI Policy relates to the contracting and procurement activities of the Qulliq Energy Corporation.
The Qulliq Energy Corporation has argued that it is not bound by Article 24 of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement.
This issue was raised in the 2012 External Review of the NNI Policy and has been raised in this House on many occasions.
Mr. Chairman, the standing committee is looking forward to the tabling of the revised NNI Policy in the Legislative Assembly this calendar year.
The Department of Economic Development and Transportation administers a number of policies concerning its funding programs, including the Community Transportation Initiatives Program Policy, the Strategic Investments Program Policy, the Small Business Support Program Policy, the Country Food Distribution Program Policy, the Community Tourism and Cultural Industries Contribution Policy, and the Film, Television and Digital Media Development Contribution Policy.
However, the versions of these policies that are publicly available indicate that almost all of these policies have expired or are about to expire.
The standing committee recommends that the department ensure that all of its key policies are up to date.
The Department of Economic Development and Transportation’s proposed 2015-16 main estimates include $600,000 in core funding for the Nunavut Business Credit Corporation and $3,358,000 in core funding for the Nunavut Development Corporation.
The 2014-15 Ministerial Letters of Expectation to Crown agencies and territorial corporations were tabled in the Legislative Assembly on November 4 of 2014.
The standing committee encourages the timely tabling of her 2015-16 Ministerial Letters of Expectation.
The Nunavut Development Corporation’s draft 2015-18 business plan indicates that one of its priorities is to work within the corporation’s investment guidelines and the Nunavut Development Corporation Act to “assess opportunities for new subsidiary company investment in Nunavut’s smaller communities.”
The standing committee encourages the minister to carefully consider this issue while preparing her 2015-16 Letter of Expectation to the Nunavut Development Corporation.
The Nunavut Business Credit Corporation indicates that a priority for the 2015-16 fiscal year is to “Support efforts to increase the loan limit to $2 million per business enterprise.”
This represents an increase of $1 million.
Given the significant increase in the loan limit to business enterprises, the standing committee recommends that the Nunavut Business Credit Corporation ensures that this change is closely monitored.
The Department of Economic Development and Transportation’s new Tourism Strategy was tabled in the Legislative Assembly on May 16 of 2013.
The department’s proposed 2015-16 budget for Nunavut Tourism is increasing from $1.8 million in 2014-15 to $3.08 million in 2015-16, which represents an increase of $1.25 million.
During the Committee of the Whole review of the department’s 2014-15 operations and maintenance budget, the standing committee had recommended that the minister table a copy of the department’s contribution agreement with Nunavut Tourism.
However, this has not been done.
The standing committee again recommends that the minister table the department’s current contribution agreement with Nunavut Tourism.
Mr. Chairman, as members will recall, a number of concerns have been raised in the Legislative Assembly regarding the accountability of Nunavut Tourism.
The standing committee has expressed serious concerns about the accountability of Nunavut Tourism and has concerns about this budget increase.
The standing committee notes that the department’s draft 2015-16 business plan indicates that one of its priorities for the 2015-16 fiscal year is to “provide leadership to develop stakeholder consensus on a proposed Strategic Environmental Assessment to address petroleum exploration and development.”
Mr. Chairman, earlier this year, the department hosted an “Oil and Gas Summit.”
The focus of the summit was to provide “a consensual path forward” for all with an interest in Nunavut’s petroleum industry and possible resource exploration and development.
The standing committee recognizes that oil and gas development is a complex and contentious issue in Nunavut.
The standing committee looks forward to a comprehensive report on the outcomes of the Oil and Gas Summit being tabled in the Legislative Assembly.
The department’s 2014-17 business plan indicated that a priority for the 2014-15 fiscal year was to “Update 20-year capital needs assessment for Nunavut airports.”
The standing committee was pleased to learn during the minister’s recent appearance that this has been completed and will be tabled in the Legislative Assembly.
The department’s proposed business plan also indicates that it will “Continue to work with the Government Liaison division [of the Department of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs] on improving the delivery of motor vehicle services throughout Nunavut,” an issue that has been raised on many occasions.
On October 28 of 2014, the Minister of Finance tabled the government’s 2013-14 annual report on grants and contributions made by all departments during that fiscal year.
The Department of Economic Development and Transportation’s 2015-16 main estimates include a total of $25,943,000 in funding for grants and contributions programs.
This constitutes approximately 38 percent of the department’s total operations and maintenance budget.
As members will recall, the Commissioner’s Opening Address that was delivered in this House last year announced that one of the government’s priorities is to “ensure funds provided to organizations, communities, and individuals adhere to better accountability practices that achieve the outcome this government expects from its investment.”
Mr. Chairman, that concludes my opening comments on the proposed 2015-16 main estimates and 2015-18 business plan of the Department of Economic Development and Transportation.