EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
When I look at that, I guess that’s why I have been lobbying so much for a GPS instrument approach for my community, taking that into consideration.
Yesterday when the minister responded to one of my questions, the concern was a bit of a slope.
For clarity, when we look at that slope and the stockpile to maintain safety within our airport, in this document that your department has provided along with the federal government on page 2-3, Baker Lake is identified as having “either very little or no stockpiles of granular material available for airport maintenance.”
When we look at this GPS approach and very little or no stockpiles of granular material, does your department have an idea of what capital amount of money to deal with the gliding slope, as indicated by the department, to make it feasible to get a GPS approach system?
I would like Mr. Hawkins to respond to that. (interpretation ends) Thank you.
I’ll start with the instrument approach. There is a GPS instrument approach currently in Baker Lake published this year, but it doesn’t offer much of an improvement over the old one because of the terrain.
In order to get a better instrument approach or lower approach limits into Baker Lake, it would take approximately... . We have an estimate of $7 million.
I’m not sure if that estimate is current enough, but it’s the only one that we have at the moment.
Because Baker Lake, as you know, is bounded by a hill on one side and a hill on one end, it makes a challenge.
The instrument approach there would not likely be upgraded for some time.
The stockpile is a little bit simpler.
Although having done a layover in Baker Lake years ago, I know that there were some challenges with the material there. I’m not quite sure why there isn’t much of a stockpile there.
I know that in my community I often to go to the airport. I was very fortunate, after I got elected, where a number of cabinet members were able to travel to the community of Baker Lake.
I definitely do not have two hills that impact my runway.
I believe there is just one.
If you do lengthen and widen the runway, I think that would resolve a lot of the concerns that have been indicated by the official. I would like to make that correction.
There are no two hills that are an obstacle. It’s just one and it’s off to the side.
Your department’s June 23, 2015 presentation to the Canada Transportation Act Review Panel recommended “paved runway and apron surfaces at all major hub/regional centre airports.”
The minister and I are fully aware that apron services have been tackled in Baker Lake.
This process hasn’t been completed yet, although we have deliberated on the issues with the federal government.
This includes the (interpretation ends) Canada Transportation Act review (interpretation) where I presented the report to the review panel. However, the federal government has to consider the recommendations. I discussed that with the minister when he was in Iqaluit in July.
The funding application process hasn’t been completed to date, so I can’t provide any new information.
When we’re talking about airports, I know some of my colleagues have mentioned it and I’ll leave the runway portion for now.
I’ll go into my air terminal building upgrades.
On this particular document on page 2-7 again, “A number of communities require substantial upgrades to their existing ATB facilities to address building system faults or major structural items.
These airports are:
Baker Lake;
Kugluktuk;
Kugaaruk; and
Gjoa Haven.”
Are there current plans in place to address these issues?
I will refer this question to Ms. Rowe.
Ms. Rowe: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes, we continually work with our internal report, our 20-year needs assessment.
We keep going through the report. We keep making priorities. We continue to look at ways we can do everything that needs to be done with the limited dollar amounts we have.
How are the communities that have been identified that have building system faults or major structural items... ? Are they advised and is there a cost estimate identified for each air terminal building to make it suitable?
This particular 20-year infrastructure needs assessment for Nunavut requires improvements, such as optional ideas, but it doesn’t include a cost estimate for these projects.
When we start to develop the details upon approval for funding, the actual needs are identified after studying the building, whether it needs renovation or replacement, and it includes any land remediation or work required.
There are many details that have to be factored into these projects that identify the cost estimates for the facility work.
I can’t tell the member how much a project would cost at this time.
Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. I thank the minister for the response.
I look forward to working with the minister and the officials to rectify the issues of concern at the Baker Lake Airport Terminal Building.
I’ll move on to, one of my colleagues touched on this, the Motor Vehicle Information System project. As we all know, Inuit in our territory are travelling south, whether it be on medical travel or some other things.
When we look at this, it’s a critical ID system which benefits a lot of the Nunavutmiut.
During the winter 2016 sitting the Legislative Assembly approved $3,079,000 in supplementary funding for your department’s Motor Vehicle Information System project. Figures provided by the department indicated that the total system cost would be $7,579,000.
In June of 2016 the Legislative Assembly approved a $4 million capital carryover for this project.
The MVIS replacement project has begun and is now in the system requirements phase. We expect the new system to be in place across the territory in late 2018.
What is the likelihood of your department requesting additional funding to complete it?
Yesterday I forgot to ask a question regarding the Iqaluit airport or part of the project.
Just to go back, we have heard in the news over the last couple of years since the project began, there was some talk about working with the city here and the issue of the road going up to the new airport, who is responsible for paving it and who is going to do what.
Yesterday when I was asking some questions, I was just looking at the Blues, I was asking about contaminated sites yesterday. The minister replied by saying, “Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
We had estimates for the clean-up before the paving began at the airport.”
I guess what you’re referring to are two different projects.
Are you talking about paving at the airport and, if you are, what about the paving of the road?
What are the next steps in determining who would be responsible for that and where are you at now with that?
I was talking about the airport runway when I was talking about the contaminated sites.
The road to the airport is a municipal responsibility.
If the city is claiming that it’s not or that they don’t have the money to do the paving or whatever reason that comes up, what’s going to happen to that road? Are we going to have a bumpy road like how it is now with all that traffic going up to the airport?
Will it become a safety issue?
Is it wide enough?
There are a lot of questions there and a lot of concerns. How are you as the minister and how is your department going to address that?
I will refer this to my Deputy Minister, Ms. Rowe.
The road is a municipal responsibility, but we all agreed that with a brand-new terminal building and the traffic, there is going to be a problem with the road and the condition it’s in right now.
Although Economic Development and Transportation has funding for access roads, we don’t do any in-community roads. That would belong to the Department of Community and Government Services. I believe they’re having conversations with the City of Iqaluit on the road, but it’s not Economic Development and Transportation that would be paving the road.
It’s probably a question I would like to ask the Minister of CGS, if possible.
I don’t know how it works, although it has to go through. I guess it will be an oral question or something to the minister.
I also wanted to touch on and I’m looking at page 9-2 of the Nunavut Airports 20-Year Infrastructure Needs Assessment. Actually if you go first to 9.2, Policy Development, there’s a table in here, 9-1.
It says, “Policy Development Requirements” and there are five areas where you have a requirement for policy and you have a requirement for standards, but the department doesn’t have any of them developed.
It says here in the report over the next page that “Nunavut Airports staff are hampered because they do not have formal policies and standards for the situations identified” in that table.
“As a result, they cannot properly defend the budgets they request for maintaining the territorial airport system.
They cannot prioritize their requirements in the budget process in a way which ensures that the long-term objective of providing a safe and reliable transportation system [is] achieved.”
I was quite surprised to read a statement like that about policies and that. What are you doing to address that now? Like you were saying, there is very limited money.
Is this part of the reason why you don’t have the budget that you require?
This is the opinion of the consultant that worked for us. There are some areas in there where they should be reasonable. Some of these policy areas may be reasonable.
I’m not sure that all of them are, but I don’t believe that we have made any progress on developing any of these.
I think I heard two things, one they’re reasonable and one that you didn’t make any development. I’m going to leave that.
That’s a comment. I’m a little bit concerned about that. It’s probably something that perhaps this House will come looking for an update over the next year or so to see how that is coming along.
I just want to know from 9.3, Development Planning, it says that you need a “Master Plan for all airports with a 15 to 20 year planning horizon...” I guess that’s what Transport Canada requires.
In here it says, “The Government of Nunavut has not implemented a consistent policy in respect of airport planning to date. Currently only the Rankin Inlet, Cambridge Bay and Baker Lake Airports have master plans prepared within the last five years.”
It says here, “It is strongly recommended that master plans/development plans be developed for the remaining 19 airports.”
What are you doing to address this?
We have not made any progress in that at this time.
It says here, “Without the proper approved planning documentation, airport staff are unable to effectively plan, prioritize and obtain funding for their projects.” That’s the biggest concern. Even you as a department have raised the issue that you can’t get funding.
The members here have raised all the issues that they’re finding in their own airports. To me it would be something that should be worked on as a priority.
If you don’t have it now, when do you anticipate that you will be able to start work on this, working with the communities?
We have not done that as yet. I would like to take that question back to the department and get back to you.
Mr. Joanasie (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for allowing me another opportunity to ask more questions.
I believe it was yesterday that questions were raised by Mr. Okalik and I understood that with respect to the Iqaluit airport project, his reasoning was to look at an independent review of the various pricing options if this project was a P3 project.
When he was asking about these issues, I wanted to ask as well whether we could have a comparison. I noted the minister concurred that they could look into the cost-effectiveness of those two different options.
The Iqaluit terminal building project costs will be reviewed as the completion date approaches and to delineate the costs critically, as this project has expended an enormous amount of funding or it already has used a lot of funds.
Upon completion, I wonder if the costs could be reviewed independently on the side.
That is what I am trying to ask.
That gives me an opportunity to firstly clarify to my colleague from Iqaluit-Sinaa with the breakdown of the costs associated with the Iqaluit International Airport Improvement Project.
As members are aware, unlike most of the other projects, this is a 30-year initiative. The capital cost of the project will be $305,193,000. The other costs my colleagues referred to include the servicing of debt over 30 years as well as the lifecycle rehabilitation that will be undertaken to ensure the facility is near new condition when the GN gets it back at the end of that 30 years.
Saying that, I would like to clarify that the value-for-money analysis was undertaken before entering into the procurement of this project.
That analysis demonstrated approximately $100 million savings through the delivery of this project as a P3 initiative.
A full project report which includes these figures is available currently on the EDT website.
Can the minister respond to my question about an independent review of the expenditures for this project? I am referencing the $305 million project costs as we are looking at the total amount here.
When the project is completed, will a financial analysis be undertaken to check if the funds were spent appropriately?
As an example, the members ask questions about cost analysis and I wonder if this review can be undertaken by her department.
We have been on time and on budget for this project.
Unless members are telling us that we have not spent our monies prudently, I would say no.
Maybe I’ll ask it another way. (interpretation ends) I’m going to go back to the 20-year infrastructure needs assessment and it’s regarding the Kimmirut Airport on page 6-1.
It’s indicating that there was a study “carried out for the relocation of Kimmirut Airport in the late 1990’s by the GNWT.”
I guess you guys have a copy of that study. Do you, Mr. Chairman?
It’s probably in Rankin Inlet. I will have my staff look into that.
In regard to this potential project for relocating Kimmirut’s airport, the study from the 1990s must include some useful information.
I just wanted to make sure that the department will be considering that study in full length.
In addition, most recently they have done some aerial surveys and other site studies.
I know it’s an older study, but I’m sure there’s some useful information in it.
I’m trying to ask if they can look at that in full length and hopefully they won’t be coming to the legislature to add money for a study for Kimmirut. There has already been one in the 1990s.
Mr. Chairman, if the minister can respond.
As a department, we always look into what has been done out there. We don’t like to “reinvent the wheel” either.
The department has looked into that, but it’s an old study.
At this time we have done airport siting studies in Kimmirut. We have done photogrammetry data collection. That has taken place there.
The next step, as I said, we need to have this in our capital project.
I look forward to it being in the capital project next year.
Moving on to the MVIS, I have asked a few times in the House about this program which is, as we know, delivered through the GLOs and it involves photography for identification purposes and I guess for passport purposes.
I know that program is a federal program, but it’s hard to find places to get, especially in smaller communities, passport photos that are accepted by the passport office.
Will this MVIS system be able to take passport-eligible photos?
This is for motor vehicle purposes and we will not be using it for passport purposes.
I guess there was a previous minister that responded otherwise and I don’t know why the department was saying that it won’t have any capabilities regarding passport photos.
Does the Department of ED&T work with Passport Canada in regard to passport photo issues?
The Department of Economic Development and Transportation does not deal with passports.
I guess I’ll take that as a no then.
Going back, my colleague from Hudson Bay was talking about how and I’ve gotten similar cases in my constituency where people are waiting months and months in the year either for their general ID or to renew driver’s licences.
Sometimes they will have to go in to renew their temporary driver’s licence after a period of time.
I’m wondering: with the new MVIS system, can those temporary licences or ID cards be temporary indefinitely until they get their actual cards?
The temporary driver’s licences are issued with an expiry date and if the person that is holding a temporary driver’s licence realizes that the expiry is getting closer, I would suggest they go back to get another temporary driver’s licence.
Mr. Chairman, in our department we are notified by our fellow MLAs about issues they are having with their clients.
I have seen in the past my department working diligently to address the problems.
I guess on that note, (interpretation) maybe we will take a break, so I’ll end there for now.
Mr. Akoak: Mr. Speaker, your committee has been considering Bill 24 and the capital estimates, and would like to report progress.
Mr. Rumbolt. (interpretation ends) The motion is in order.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) This House stands adjourned until Friday, October 21, at 9:00 a.m.
Friday, October 21, 2016
Pages 2368 – 2406
Opening Prayer 2368
Ministers’ Statements 2368
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 2376
Oral Questions 2376
Tabling of Documents 2393
Notices of Motions for First Reading of Bills 2393
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 2395
Orders of the Day 2406
Friday, October 21, 2016 2368
163 – 4(3): Influenza Vaccination Campaign (Hickes) 2368
164 – 4(3): National Foster Family Week (Mike) 2368
165 – 4(3): Government of Nunavut Recipient of Museum of Inuit Art Assets (Kuksuk) 2369
166 – 4(3): Recycling Program (Savikataaq) 2369
167 – 4(3): All Arts Summit (Ell-Kanayuk) 2370
321 – 4(3): Sanikiluaq Athletes Earn Recreation and Parks Awards (Rumbolt) 2371
322 – 4(3): The Need for an Elders Centre in Taloyoak (Qirngnuq) 2371
323 – 4(3): Congratulations to the Hansons on their 50th Anniversary (Angnakak) 2372
324 – 4(3): The Urgent Need to Incorporate Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Principles (Shooyook) 2372
325 – 4(3): Tribute to Annie Pootoogook (Joanasie) 2374
326 – 4(3): 2016 Graduate of Qikiqtarjuaq (Keyootak) 2374
327 – 4(3): Breast Cancer Awareness (Enook) 2375
421 – 4(3): Sanikiluaq Water Supply (Rumbolt) 2376
422 – 4(3): Rankin Inlet’s Water Supply (Sammurtok, T) 2378
423 – 4(3): Departmental Vacancies (Enook) 2379
424 – 4(3): Mould Remediation in Public Housing Units (Joanasie) 2380
425 – 4(3): Overtime Expenditures (Mikkungwak) 2382
426 – 4(3): Nunavut’s Municipal Funding Program (Angnakak) 2384
427 – 4(3): Energy Efficiency Initiatives (Okalik) 2386
428 – 4(3): Ministerial Relations with LHOs (Mapsalak) 2387
429 – 4(3): Language Services for Elders (Joanasie) 2389
430 – 4(3): Building Maintenance Division (Mikkungwak) 2391
188 – 4(3): NBCC Contracting, Procurement and Leasing Activity Report 2014-2015 (Ell-Kanayuk) 2393
189 – 4(3): NBCC Contracting, Procurement and Leasing Activity Report 2015-2016 (Ell-Kanayuk) 2393
190 – 4(3): NDC Procurement, Contracting and Leasing Report 2013-2014 (Ell-Kanayuk) 2393
191 – 4(3): NDC Procurement, Contracting and Leasing Report 2014-2015 (Ell-Kanayuk) 2393
Bill 20 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 3, 2015-2016 – Notice 2393
Bill 21 – Write-off of Assets Act, 2015-2016 – Notice 2393
Bill 22 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 3, 2016-2017 – Notice 2393
Bill 23 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 2, 2016-2017 – Notice 2393
Bill 25 – An Act to Amend the Consumer Protection Act – Notice 2394
Bill 26 – An Act to Amend the Social Assistance Act – Notice 2394
Bill 27 – Waste Reduction and Diversion Act – Notice 2394
Bill 28 – An Act to Amend Certain Acts Respecting Codes and Standards – Notice 2394
Bill 24 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2017-2018 – Economic Development and Transportation – Consideration in Committee 2395
Good morning, my fellow Nunavummiut.
Members, ministers, and (interpretation ends) Premier, (interpretation) welcome to the House.
Minister’s Statement 163 – 4(3): Influenza Vaccination Campaign (Hickes)
This morning I will be participating in the influenza vaccination clinic in the foyer of the Legislative Assembly to get my flu vaccination.
Because I have been vaccinated, I can take comfort in the fact that I won’t pass the virus to others, especially those at greatest risk such as the very young and the elderly.
Immunization is the most effective and easiest way to prevent influenza and to prevent the spread of this serious illness.
Mr. Speaker, the flu vaccine is available in all of our health centres and is free for everyone.
We can all do our part this year by getting our influenza vaccination.
I encourage everyone to join me at the morning break to get your vaccination in the foyer.
Minister’s Statement 164 – 4(3): National Foster Family Week (Mike)
Good morning, Nunavummiut and people of Pangnirtung.
I am pleased to be making a statement on National Foster Family Week.
Mr. Speaker, every year my department celebrates National Foster Family Week from October 16 to 22.
This occasion gives us pause to recognize the support and commitment that foster parents model day in and day out for their children.
This week each community in Nunavut is given special funds to support a local appreciation event for foster families.
We have 250 foster families in Nunavut who continue to be the foundation and strength of our children and family services, providing safe and nurturing homes and care.
On behalf of my department, I would like to thank Nunavut’s foster families for their dedication year round, and encourage other Nunavummiut to consider fostering a child today.
Minister’s Statement 165 – 4(3): Government of Nunavut Recipient of Museum of Inuit Art Assets (Kuksuk)
Mr. Speaker, this past May the Toronto-based Museum of Inuit Art announced its closure after serving for nine years as an exhibit showroom, workshop, and boutique at the Lake Ontario Harbour front.
The Government of Nunavut was offered a significant portion of its holdings with Inuit art objects representative of all three regions of Nunavut
(interpretation ends) The former Museum of Inuit Art material is a welcome addition to the Department of Culture and Heritage collection, which in numbers is over 7,000 pieces from the early years of Canada’s Inuit art production.
This recent acquisition of relatively recently produced art will complement the government’s early creations that are currently housed at the Winnipeg Art Gallery for a five-year period.
Mr. Speaker, we trust that this will provide educational opportunities and other values for the public, perpetuating the legacy of the former Museum of Inuit Art.
Minister’s Statement 166 – 4(3): Recycling Program (Savikataaq)
I have a good news story today as it is Friday, and I wish everyone in Nunavut a happy weekend.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to update the House on what I believe is a real success story that shows how the Government of Nunavut and our partners are doing their part in reducing waste here in Iqaluit.
Since 2006 the Department of Community and Government Services, in conjunction with the Department of Justice, Canadian North, and Cascades Recovery Incorporated, has diverted over 1 million lbs. of recycled bulk computers and waste paper from the Iqaluit dump.
Young offenders are supervised while they collect the waste from GN facilities and deliver it to the CGS warehouse where it is shredded and bailed.
Canadian North then uses these bails for ballast on their southbound flights.
Once in Ottawa, Cascade Recovery Incorporated picks it up and trucks it to the recycling facility.
This is a significant achievement in reducing waste, encouraging sustainable recycling practices in our communities and meeting our government’s Sivumut Abluqta commitments to be responsible stewards of our environment.
Mr. Speaker, this initiative could not be possible without the continued support of our partners.
We thank them for their involvement and partnership of this important initiative, and look forward to the continued success of this program.