EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
“Income assistance” is the umbrella term for all programs that provide support to vulnerable Nunavummiut to meet their basic needs.
This includes social assistance but also, for example, the daycare user subsidy and the senior fuel subsidy.
Changing the name of the Social Assistance Act will improve the clarity of the legislation.
(interpretation ends) Updating and removing terms that are out of date. This includes, for example, references to “welfare.”
Strengthening content related to privacy legislation. The bill adds new content to specify under what circumstances the department may collect and use personal information to align with requirements under the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
This is especially important since the current Social Assistance Act was created before the introduction of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
Standardizing content related to the appeals process.
Although the appeals process itself will not change, the bill proposes to move sections of the appeals process to regulations, which will allow the department flexibility to improve the appeals process on an ongoing basis by requiring a regulation change rather than a change to the Act. The amendment also strengthens the independence of the appeal board by clarifying that Department of Family Services’ staff cannot be members of the board.
Together the proposed changes to the Act are meant to improve the administration of income assistance programs, provide more clarity on the program, as well as strengthen the Act’s provisions for privacy and confidentiality.
I will also note that although the changes to the Act are considered minor, the broader work on the income assistance review and reform is ongoing. As most of the income assistance rules are set out in regulation rather than in legislation, many of the reforms we are aiming to implement can be made without legislative changes.
(interpretation) With the 20 proposed reforms we outlined in the final report on the review and reform of income assistance and economic development, Nunavummiut will be able to engage with an income assistance system that is more focused on their strengths and goals.
Those that need help will receive it, and there will be stronger supports to help Nunavummiut build their skills, work in the wage economy, or through traditional livelihoods.
(interpretation ends) We still have more work to do to turn these proposed reforms into real changes. (interpretation) I look forward to continuing to update members on progress on each of these reforms, and I thank you for your support in moving this important work ahead.
As Chair of the Standing Committee on Legislation, I wish to make some opening comments as the Committee of the Whole begins its consideration of Bill 26, An Act to Amend the Social Assistance Act.
The standing committee recognizes that Bill 26 was introduced to amend the current legislation by updating terminology, improving the operations of the appeals process by moving it to regulations, and to address the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information.
Amending the current legislation was one of the recommendations in the government’s report on the review and reform of income assistance and economic development which was tabled in June of 2016.
Standing committee members appreciate that implementing the other recommendations of that report may also include additional changes to regulations and policy as well as a number of other initiatives. Members encourage the minister and his staff to ensure that information with respect to revised or new regulations associated with the legislation is shared with Members of the Assembly at the earliest opportunity.
Mr. Chairman, while the standing committee accepts that a number of the proposed amendments to the current legislation will improve the income assistance appeals process, members expressed some concern with the length of time allocated for that process to be conducted.
Clients who have been denied income assistance could wait up to 30 days to receive a resolution regarding their appeal of that decision.
Members were of the view that this is a long time to wait without being able to buy food to feed a family and recommend that future revisions of the regulations address this issue.
Mr. Chairman, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Nunavut’s Information and Privacy Commissioner for her input during the standing committee’s review of Bill 26.
Her comments and observations relating to the access, use, and disclosure of personal information collected under the auspices of the legislation reinforced the standing committee’s position that the bill needed to be strengthened with respect to the protection of privacy of income assistance clients.
The standing committee was therefore in full support of an amendment to clause 13 of Bill 26 to ensure that information collected under the Act will only be used for clearly specified and prescribed purposes, that any information-sharing agreements will put limits on the disclosure of personal information, and that retention and destruction schedules of information collected will be included.
Another amendment to the bill under clause 12 clarifies the reference to taxation laws to specifically refer to the Income Tax Act and the Income Tax Act (Canada).
Mr. Chairman, the standing committee welcomed the opportunity to work with the minister to strengthen and improve Bill 26, An Act to Amend the Social Assistance Act.
The standing committee recommends the passage of Bill 26, as amended and reprinted, to all members.
Are there any general comments to the opening comments by Minister Mike and Mr. Sammurtok?
If there are none, let’s go to Bill 26 in your legislation binder. We will begin the clause-by-clause review of Bill 26. Please indicate if you have any questions as we’re going through the bill.
I have the English copy, so I’ll read it in English.
It reads, (interpretation ends) Bill 26, An Act to Amend the Social Assistance Act. (interpretation) Clause 1.
I would like to ask the minister a question related to collection and use of personal information.
I would like to know how you will go about ensuring that the clients using the service who must provide written consent absolutely understand what they’re consenting to.
Yes, this issue relates to the implementation of the Social Assistance Act. When the legislation started being used, the matter of confidentiality arose and due to that issue surfacing, the issues surrounding confidentiality became clear.
That is included in the amendments to the legislation.
I want that clearly understood, especially by the listening audience.
With that being the case, amendments have been made to undertake these changes.
Now a client served by the department is included in the compiling of the information and they are required to sign a form due to the confidentiality issues that arise from providing their personal information and to allow the social worker to release this information to other officials they have to work with. This is part of the process to protect confidentiality of a client served by a social worker, as they have to consent to the information that applies to them.
The information can be shared only with their consent.
This legislation is to protect confidentiality of the client and within the parameters of the protection of privacy legislation.
That would allow the client to be served and to abide with our existing legislation.
Ms. Angnakak, are you done?
We are reviewing Bill 26.
I’ll continue where I left off.
Chairman (interpretation): Clause 19. Do you agree?
Members, do you agree to Bill 26 as a whole?
Members, pursuant to Rule 62(2), do you agree that Bill 26 can immediately be placed on the orders of the day for third reading?
Minister Mike, if you have any closing remarks, I give you the opportunity to make them.
I would like to thank my two officials here at the witness table and the staff in our department.
I would like to tell the people of Nunavut that we will be making changes to our legislation.
I would like to thank the people of Nunavut who participated in the consultation process.
We have proposed to make some changes to this Act.
I thank the people of Nunavut and the people that I work with at the Department of Family Services.
I also thank the committee.
We will proceed and before we do, Sergeant-at-Arms, please escort the minister’s officials out.
We will be dealing with Bill 28.
If you would like to get ready for the next bill, we will be dealing with Bill 28.
Minister Savikataaq, we will be working with you on Bill 28.
I would first like to ask if you want to have officials join you at the witness table.
Bill 28 – An Act to Amend Certain Acts Respecting Codes and Standards – Consideration in Committee
Minister Savikataaq would like to have officials with him at the witness table. Members, do you agree?
Minister Savikataaq, for the record, please introduce your officials.
To my right I have Ms. Lori Kimball, the DM, and to my left is Mr. Eiryn Devereaux, the ADM. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Ms. Kimball and Mr. Devereaux, welcome to the House.
Minister Savikataaq, if you have any opening comments on Bill 28, I give you the opportunity to make them.
These proposed amendments to the Technical Standards and Safety Act (TSSA) and the Building Code Act (BCA) are meant to ensure that these two “companion” pieces of legislation are consistent in how they deal with safety issues related to the design, construction, and operation of buildings, facilities, and equipment.
The major changes to these two pieces of legislation that are under these amendments include:
Expand the role of the Building Advisory Committee to include TSSA matters. This means that designers, builders, and others who seek permits and approvals under both pieces of legislation will now have the same opportunity to seek redress related to regulatory officials’ decisions and to inform potential independent advice to the minister under the TSSA than they will under the BCA once both are proclaimed.
Provide a distinction between regulatory functions of “inspection” and “investigation.”
Amend municipal legislation to remove the authority to pass by-laws adopting and modifying the Building Codes of Canada.
Amend the administrative penalties provision to make them an absolute liability standard (TSSA).
I want to thank you, Mr. Chairman, and colleagues for this opportunity to review the proposed changes in this bill.
Mr. Tom Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) As Chair of the Standing Committee on Legislation, I wish to make some opening comments as the Committee of the Whole begins its consideration of Bill 28, An Act to Amend Certain Acts Respecting Codes and Standards.
As members will recall, Bill 28 received second reading on October 25, 2016 and was referred to the Standing Committee on Legislation for consideration.
The standing committee supports the intent of Bill 28, An Act to Amend Certain Acts Respecting Codes and Standards.
During the minister’s recent appearance before the standing committee on the occasion of its clause-by-clause consideration of Bill 28, a total of fives motion were moved to amend the bill. For the benefit of Nunavummiut who are following our proceedings today, I would like to take this opportunity to highlight the major amendments to Bill 28.
Clause 7 of Bill 28 has been amended to ensure that a building official’s power to collect and disclose information during the course of their inspections or investigations of a building is only used to the extent that is necessary for the purposes of fulfilling their duties under the Building Code Act, or otherwise authorized by a warrant.
Similarly a new clause has been added to Bill 28 to ensure that an inspector’s power to collect and disclose information during the course of their inspections or investigations of equipment is only used to the extent that is necessary for the purposes of fulfilling their duties under the Technical Standards and Safety Act, or otherwise authorized by a warrant.
Mr. Chairman, the standing committee had raised the issue of the collection and disclosure of information under the current legislation.
The standing committee encourages the government to ensure that the collection and disclosure of information under the Building Code Act and the Technical Standards and Safety Act is undertaken strictly for the purposes of implementing the legislation.
The standing committee recommends the passage of Bill 28 to all members.
If there are none, please refer to Bill 28 in your legislation binder.
If you want to comment, please raise your hand and indicate clearly.
Let’s begin the clause-by-clause review of the bill.
I have the English copy, so I’ll read it in English. (interpretation ends) Bill 28.
Reprint. An Act to Amend Certain Acts Respecting Codes and Standards. (interpretation) Clause 1.
Members, do you agree to Bill 28 as a whole?
Pursuant to Rule 62(2), do members agree that Bill 28 can immediately be placed on the orders of the day for third reading?
Minister Savikataaq, if you have any closing remarks, I now give you the opportunity to make them.
I would like to thank all of my staff here and everyone else who worked hard on this legislation to get it done and get it done to the satisfaction of the members to pass it.
I would like to thank the members for reading it thoroughly because it is pretty dry reading.
I thank you for making Nunavut a safer place to live and work now.
We will proceed to Bill 30.
Minister Savikataaq, we will be reviewing the bill with you.
I would like to ask you if you would like to have the same officials with you at the witness table or if you would like to bring in other officials.
I will be keeping the same staff here.
Bill 30 – An Act to Amend the Fire Prevention Act – Consideration in Committee
If you have any opening comments on Bill 30, Minister Savikataaq, I now give you the floor.
These amendments to the Fire Protection Act are meant to address current inconsistencies with the Fire Prevention Act compatibility with the new Building Code Act.
The major changes to the legislation under these amendments include:
Change the name from the Fire Prevention Act to the Fire Safety Act,
Expand the current Fire Prevention Act to cover both fire prevention and fire protection,
Require municipalities to make and maintain a fire protection plan that would be consistent across the territory relative to standards of fire protection,
Make consequential amendments to the Fire Prevention Act that recognize statutory provisions in the Building Code Act, and
Expand the role of the Building Advisory Committee to include Fire Safety Act matters.
I want to thank you, Mr. Chairman, and colleagues for this opportunity to outline the proposed change in this bill before the House.
Mr. Tom Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) As Chair of the Standing Committee on Legislation, I am pleased to make opening comments as the Committee of the Whole begins its consideration of Bill 30, An Act to Amend the Fire Prevention Act.
As members will recall, Bill 30 received second reading on November 8, 2016 and was referred to the Standing Committee on Legislation for consideration.
The standing committee supports the intent of Bill 30, An Act to Amend the Fire Prevention Act.
During the minister’s recent appearance before the standing committee on the occasion of its clause-by-clause consideration of Bill 30, An Act to Amend the Fire Prevention Act, a total of two motions were moved to amend the bill.
One of the amendments provides for a public right of access to copies of municipal fire protection plans on a similar basis to that which presently exists under the Emergency Measures Act regarding public access to copies of municipal emergency management programs.
The other amendment clarifies a reference in Bill 30 to a provision of the Building Code Act.
Bill 30, An Act to Amend the Fire Prevention Act, establishes a number of new responsibilities on the part of municipalities and the Office of the Fire Marshal.
The standing committee looks forward to future annual reports of the fire marshal accounting in detail for progress made in fulfilling these responsibilities, including the development of municipal fire protection plans.
The standing committee also notes that subsection 23(3)(d) of the Building Code Act provides for a representative of the Office of the Fire Marshal to sit on the Nunavut Building Advisory Committee.
The standing committee looks forward to the tabling of the first annual report on the activities of this entity.
The approach to the development of municipal fire protection plans that is provided for in Bill 30, An Act to Amend the Fire Prevention Act, is similar to that which is provided for in section 6 of the Emergency Measures Act with respect to the development of municipal emergency management programs
However, although the Emergency Measures Act received assent on November 8, 2007, sections 5 to 9 of the statute still have not yet been brought into force, almost a decade after the statute was passed by the Second Legislative Assembly.
From its dialogue with the minister, the standing committee has been advised that the government hopes to complete this process within 18 months.
The standing committee also has been advised that the government intends to bring those provisions of Bill 30 that, and I quote, “pertain to municipal fire protection plans” into force “no later than June of 2018.”
Consequently municipalities would have six months in which to make and submit their fire protection plans by January of 2019.
The standing committee appreciates the department’s commitment to working closely with the Nunavut Association of Municipalities and the Nunavut Association of Municipal Administrators regarding municipal compliance in this area.
Section 1.1 of the current Fire Prevention Act provides that the legislation binds the Government of Nunavut.
However, the extent to which the Office of the Fire Marshal has the jurisdiction to conduct inspections and issue decisions and orders in relation to buildings and other physical structures under the control of the federal government within the territory of Nunavut is unclear.
The standing committee recognizes the jurisdictional complexities in this area.
The standing committee recommends the passage of Bill 30, as amended and reprinted, to all members. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
If there are none, please refer to Bill 30 in your legislation binder.
We will begin the clause-by-clause review of the bill.
I have the English copy, so I’ll be reading it in English.
Please indicate if you have any questions or comments. (interpretation ends) Bill 30.
An Act to Amend the Fire Prevention Act. (interpretation) Clause 1.
I just have one question under this about municipalities to maintain the fire protection plan.
I’m wondering if the minister can tell us how aware are the municipalities about this amendment and how prepared are they, and perhaps if he can give us some more information on where communities stand today when it comes to a fire protection plan, if they have any at all.
The municipalities have been informed twice through NAM meetings.
The fire prevention plan will be a template that is offered to the municipalities where they, in certain areas, fill in the blanks for the stuff that they have and then fine-tune it to their own municipality.
We will be helping them out with that.
We will go back. Bill 30.
I will continue where I left off.
With respect to the assistant fire marshal that would be in the community, it says, “Review of orders by Assistant Fire Marshal or local assistant.”
Who would be the local assistant? There are many communities. Can you explain this?
I don’t quite understand the question. If he can rephrase it for me, please.
Mr. Mikkungwak, can you rephrase the question?
I’m referring to the local assistant.
Who would that be, seeing that we have 25 communities within the territory?
Can he identify who that local assistant would be and duties and powers, and how long they would attain those powers?
Minister Savikataaq, do you understand?
This section would be rarely used, there being quite extraordinary circumstances. It’s where the fire marshal can ask for assistance from someone while they’re doing an investigation or other matters just in the short term, if there is no one there and it was just pertaining to whatever issue he is dealing with at the moment in that community.
Who would this local assistant that you have identified in the document be?
What position or who would that be? A by-law officer or a maintenance man from CGS?
Can he identify who that local assistant would be in the respective communities?
This person will be whoever the fire marshal identifies as a qualified person to help.
It could be the by-law.
It could be the fire chief.
It could be one of the fire departments.
It would be anyone who the fire marshal deemed would fill the need to be his local assistant.
I’ll continue from where I left off on Bill 30.
Chairman (interpretation): Members, do you agree to Bill 30 as a whole?
Pursuant to Rule 62(2), do you agree that Bill 30 can immediately be placed on the orders of the day for third reading?
Minister Savikataaq, if you have any closing remarks, I give you the opportunity to make them.
I would like to thank all of my staff again for working on this legislation and all the members again for reading all the details.
Now we can, like I said, have a better, safer living and working environment again in Nunavut.
We will proceed to Bill 38 with the Department of Economic Development and Transportation.
If you can get Bill 38 ready.
Minister Ell-Kanayuk, welcome.
Let me first ask if you want officials to join you at the witness table.
Bill 38 – Nunavummi Nangminiqaqtunik Ikajuuti Implementation Act – Consideration in Committee
Hon. Monica Ell-Kanayuk (interpretation): Yes, Mr. Chairman. Thank you.
Minister Ell-Kanayuk would like to have her officials join her at the witness table.
To my right is the (interpretation ends) executive director of the NNI Secretariat (interpretation) and to my left is (interpretation ends) Legal Counsel Thomas Ahlfors. (interpretation) Thank you.
Mr. Ahlfors, welcome.
Minister Ell-Kanayuk, who is the (interpretation ends) executive director (interpretation) of NNI?
You didn’t say his name.
I’m sorry for not saying his name. He’s Ron Dewar.
Mr. Dewar, welcome to the House.
We will now be reviewing Bill 38.
Minister Ell-Kanayuk, if you have any opening comments, I now give you the floor.
On February 21, 2017 Bill 38, the Nunavummi Nangminiqaqtunik Ikajuuti Implementation Act, received first reading, and I was pleased to review this bill with the Standing Committee on Legislation on March 9, 2017.
(interpretation ends) This bill provides the necessary support for the new NNI Policy by providing legal authority to specific provisions, a regulation-making power to make the NNI Policy binding, as well as clarity on certain matters where there may be a conflict with other GN legislation.
This bill also recognizes and empowers the bodies created by the policy, namely, the tribunal and the review committee.
As my colleagues are aware, there have been concerns raised regarding the binding nature of NNI Tribunal recommendations under the new NNI Policy.
This legislation provides the NNI Tribunal with more authority, which will further ensure compliance by government contracting authorities.
This bill is necessary because we have determined that there are provisions in the NNI Policy that should be supported through legislation and not simply through policy or even through changes to regulations under the Financial Administration Act.
In fulfilling our obligations under the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement, the new NNI Policy was developed collaboratively with Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated.
This collaborative process allows the parties to address overarching concerns about the NNI Policy and its intended benefits.
We have also consulted with Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated throughout this legislative project to ensure that our intent was fully understood.