EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Finance has five core lines of business: Directorate, Policy, Planning and Financial Management, Internal Audit Services, Comptrollership, and Centrally Administered Funds.
For 2016-17, the Department of Finance has been allocated $94.3 million for operations and maintenance expenditures.
This is an increase of $2.8 million, or 3.1 percent, to the $91.5 million allocated in 2015-16.
GN insurance premiums, $425,000;
Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission premiums, $660,000;
Nunavut Electrical Subsidy Program, $212,000;
Government of Nunavut employee medical travel, $950,000;
Centralized leave and attendance, $345,000;
NCC lease increase, $25,000;
Continuous service bonus, $107,000; and
Other operations and maintenance, $75,000.
$33.5 million for compensation and benefits;
$6.5 million for other operations and maintenance costs in the department; and
$54.3 million for centrally administered funds, including:
$25.3 million for government-wide employee benefits, such as dental premiums, workers’ compensation premiums, and employee medical travel;
$10.7 million for energy subsidies and contributions;
$5.9 million for Government of Nunavut’s insurance premiums; and
$3.1 million for the Nunavut Child Benefit.
I am pleased to deliver opening comments on behalf of the Standing Committee on Oversight of Government Operations and Public Accounts on its review of the proposed 2016-17 Main Estimates and 2016-19 Business Plan of the Department of Finance.
The standing committee notes that the department’s proposed 2016-17 operations and maintenance budget of $94.3 million has increased by approximately 3.3 percent since the introduction of the department’s 2015-16 main estimates.
The number of positions in the department is 271. This is an increase of four positions from the 2015-16 main estimates.
A government-wide issue for which the Financial Management Board has responsibility is the size of the public service.
The total number of positions in the government continues to increase. The government’s proposed 2016-17 main estimates indicate that there are approximately 4,578 positions in the government’s departments and major Crown agencies and territorial corporations.
This represents an increase of approximately 120 positions, or 4.9 percent, over the number of positions accounted for in the government’s 2015-16 main estimates.
However, the government’s December 2015 quarterly employment report indicates that there were 1,313 vacant positions across the government as of December 31, 2015, which represented a vacancy rate of approximately 28 percent.
It is important that the Financial Management Board be mindful of the need to control growth in the number of government positions at a time when departments and Crown agencies face significant challenges in filling their existing vacancies and roughly one-third of the government’s jobs stand empty.
It is also important for the government to be mindful of the Minister of Finance’s own comments to the Committee of the Whole of March 19, 2014, when he publicly informed Members of the Legislative Assembly that the government would, from a budgeting perspective, be “…in a very difficult situation if [it were] 100 percent staffed.”
For the 2016-17 fiscal year, this amounts to over a half a billion dollars.
The Sivumut Abluqta mandate statement, which was tabled in the Legislative Assembly by the Premier on March 20, 2014, indicates that one of the primary goals of the government is to “Review government programs to determine what is working well, what needs improvement, and what we should stop doing in order to focus our resources on enabling Nunavut’s success.”
In 2015, the government awarded a contract for its operational audit initiative. The department’s draft 2016-19 business plan indicates that it is “working with the Department of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs on this operational audit.
Phase 1 of the audit was completed in November 2015, and Phase 2 will begin once Phase 1 results have been analysed.”
The government’s 2017-18 main estimates and business plans will be introduced in February or March of 2017 and the next general election will, under our new fixed election date legislation, take place in October of 2017.
The ability of the government to incorporate findings and recommendations from the operational audit initiative into its 2017-18 budget is unclear, as is the extent to which the operational audit is actually considering which government programs, if any, should be discontinued or scaled back.
The 2015-16 ministerial letters of expectation to the government’s five major Crown agencies and territorial corporations were not tabled in the Legislative Assembly until October 30, 2015, almost seven months into the fiscal year.
The standing committee looks forward to the 2016-17 letters of expectation being tabled in the House in a more timely manner.
On November 5, 2015, the Minister of Finance tabled the government’s 2014-15 annual report on grants and contributions made by all departments during that fiscal year. Between the 2004-05 and 2014-15 fiscal years, the government’s grants and contributions expenditures amounted to approximately $3.25 billion.
As members will recall, the Commissioner’s Opening Address that was delivered at the beginning of the Second Session of the current Legislative Assembly announced that one of the government’s priorities would be to “ensure funds provided to organizations, communities, and individuals adhere to better accountability practices that achieve the outcomes this government expects from its investment.”
This, in turn, should assist the government and all Members of the Legislative Assembly in evaluating the extent to which grants and contributions expenditures are actually achieving their objectives and providing value for money.
Although the annual reports identify the programs under which funding was provided, the actual purpose of the funding is often not clearly explained, much less the actual results and outcomes of the spending.
The department’s proposed 2016-19 business plan indicates that one of its priorities for the 2016-17 fiscal year is to “Complete phase 2 of the audit of departmental grants and contributions.”
It is important that the government’s work in this area clearly distinguish between ensuring that grants and contributions payments are being made in compliance with existing authorities, and evaluating the extent to which grants and contributions expenditures are actually achieving their stated objectives and providing value for money.
The new provisions provide that “A maximum of $500,000 per fiscal year, as defined in the Financial Administration Act, may be paid out of the Liquor Revolving Fund for expenses related to education campaigns promoting the socially responsible use of liquor under section 59.1 of the Act.”
It is important that annual reports of the Nunavut Liquor Commission continue to account in detail for expenditures and activities in this area.
In June of 2015, new Iqaluit Beer and Wine Store Regulations were published in Part II of the Nunavut Gazette.
However, the government’s current timetable for commencing retail sales of beer and wine is unclear.
Mr. Chairman, amendments were passed to the territorial Payroll Tax Act in 2006 to increase the GN’s payroll tax rate to 2 percent. The government raised $25.24 million in payroll tax revenues during the 2014-15 fiscal year.
However, it is not clear what percentage of payroll tax revenues is raised from the government’s own employees and what percentage is raised from workers in other levels of government and the private sector. The standing committee continues to recommend that the minister begin the practice of tabling an annual report in the Legislative Assembly on the administration of the Payroll Tax Act to account for such issues.
For example, the 2014-15 Public Service Annual Report was not tabled in the Legislative Assembly until February 24, 2016, 11 months after the end of the fiscal year.
The standing committee also continues to emphasize the importance of expanding the range of information contained in future editions of the Public Service Annual Report, including department-by-department breakdowns of direct appointments approved by the cabinet, absenteeism rates, and information concerning the employment of disabled persons in the public service.
Approximately 2,360 students, 75 percent of whom were beneficiaries, have participated in this program since 2001.
The standing committee was pleased to note that the department’s 2015-18 business plan indicated that one of its priorities for the 2015-16 fiscal year was to “Expand employment opportunities for students in non-decentralized communities.”
Mr. Chairman, that concludes my opening comments on the proposed 2016-17 Main Estimates and 2016-19 Business Plan of the Department of Finance.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Ms. Angnakak. (interpretation ends) Well read.
(interpretation) Before I open the floor to questions, I would like to remind you that the contents of the minister’s opening comments are covered under the different branches of the department.
If you have detailed questions, please ask them under the appropriate page.
I move a motion to report progress to the Speaker.
Just a reminder that there’s a meeting of the Standing Committee on Legislation at nine o’clock in the Nanuq Boardroom.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) This House stands adjourned until Thursday, March 10, at 1:30 p.m.
>>House adjourned at 19:44
Thursday, March 10, 2016
Pages 1354 – 1416
Opening Prayer 1354
Point of Privilege 1354
Speaker’s Ruling 1354
Ministers’ Statements 1354
Members’ Statements 1358
Returns to Oral Questions 1358
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 1360
Oral Questions 1360
Tabling of Documents 1374
Notices of Motions for First Reading of Bills 1374
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 1375
Report of the Committee of the Whole 1415
Orders of the Day 1416
Thursday, March 10, 2016 1354
084 – 4(3): Airlines Public Appearance in Committee of the Whole (Taptuna) 1355
085 – 4(3): International Women’s Day (Ell-Kanayuk) 1355
086 – 4(3): Enforcement Officer Conference (Mike) 1356
087 – 4(3): Team Nunavut participating in the 2016 Arctic Winter Games (Savikataaq) 1356
088 – 4(3): Vandalism and Theft in Nunavut Schools (Quassa) 1357
190 – 4(3): Baker Lake Participants at Arctic Winter Games (Mikkungwak) 1358
Return to Oral Question 216 – 4(3): New Hunter Education Program (Mike) 1359
Return to Oral Question 247 – 4(3): Caribou Habitat and Restricted Development (Taptuna) 1359
252 – 4(3): Housing Issues in Gjoa Haven (Akoak) 1360
253 – 4(3): Protection Measures for Caribou in Nunavut (Sammurtok, T) 1362
254 – 4(3): Housing Construction (Rumbolt) 1364
255 – 4(3): Recording Traditional Law (Qirngnuq) 1366
256 – 4(3): Repatriating Nunavut Elders (Angnakak) 1368
257 – 4(3): RFP for Banking Services (Joanasie) 1368
258 – 4(3): Country Food Distribution Program (Okalik) 1370
259 – 4(3): Departmental Vacancies (Enook) 1372
092 – 4(3): Nunavut Food Security Coalition Annual Report 2014-2015 (Mike) 1374
093 – 4(3): Department of Education Annual Report 2012-2013 (Quassa) 1374
094 – 4(3): Department of Family Services’ Update to the Standing Committee on Social Wellness on the Auditor General of Canada (OAG) 2014 Follow-up Review on Child and Family Services (Mike) 1374
002 – 4(3): Motion to Continue to Complete Opening Comments of the Department of Economic Development and Transportation (Mikkungwak) 1409
Bill 14 – Public Health Act – Notice 1374
Bill 13 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2016-2017 – Finance – Consideration in Committee 1375
Bill 13 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2016-2017 – Economic Development and Transportation – Consideration in Committee 1409
Speaker (interpretation): Good day, my fellow Nunavummiut.
Members, ministers, (interpretation ends) Premier, (interpretation) and visitors, welcome to the House.
(interpretation ends) Premier of Nunavut, Mr. Taptuna.
I would like to make a point of privilege.
Speaker: Please proceed, Mr. Premier.
Mr. Speaker, under our rules, section 20, I would like to make a point of privilege.
Mr. Speaker, in a published online CBC News story this morning, Member Mr. Okalik was quoted as saying, and I quote, “It’s unfortunate that a backroom deal that we don’t know anything about took place to just open up caribou calving grounds for development.”
As well, in an online news story by Nunatsiaq News today, Mr. Okalik is quoted as saying that he was not part of that, and I quote, “…backroom deal that we don’t know anything about.”
Mr. Speaker, let me make this perfectly clear: there was no backroom deal.
The cabinet, after discussions and usual processes, made a decision.
The member’s accusations about the cabinet’s decisions are uncalled for and false.
I would respectfully ask the member to retract and correct his statement at the earliest opportunity.
Speaker: I wish to advise members that the Premier provided the required notice under Rule 20(2).
The Premier’s point of privilege was raised under Rule 20(1).
No debate on the point of privilege shall be allowed.
We will now move to the orders of the day.
[Ministers’] Statements.
Minister’s Statement 084 – 4(3): Airlines Public Appearance in Committee of the Whole (Taptuna)
I had committed that after the presentation and questions of the airlines in the Committee of the Whole, I would issue a written response to the airlines and make that letter public.
Mr. Speaker, the session was well received across Nunavut. I believe that it did allow Nunavummiut to get a better understanding of the codeshare agreement and also many of the other issues in the airline industry in Nunavut and across the north.
The numerous concerns and complaints about the quality of service, the late delivery of cargo, and the move toward less competition in the marketplace were all raised and addressed in the Committee of the Whole discussions.
Mr. Speaker, as I said in my opening comments during the Committee of the Whole presentation, airline travel in Nunavut is not a luxury; it is a necessity.
The codeshare arrangement that has been put in place by the three major airlines was the catalyst that initiated the Committee of the Whole appearance of the airlines.
Mr. Speaker, I would expect that Members of this House will also be following up with the airlines on specific areas of concern that they may have with the airlines.
Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time, I will be tabling my letter of response to the airlines, as I had committed.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Members’ Statements. (interpretation) I’m sorry. (interpretation ends) Ministers’ Statements.
The Hon. Minister of the Status of Women, Ms. Ell-Kanayuk.
Minister’s Statement 085 – 4(3): International Women’s Day (Ell-Kanayuk)
Tuesday, March 8, marked International Women’s Day.
This annual event is an opportunity to honour the achievements of women not only in Nunavut but around the world.
As a proud mother and Member of the Legislative Assembly, I know we must collectively strive to support gender equality in our families, our communities, and our workplaces.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, in observance of that day, the Qulliit Nunavut Status of Women Council has organized a photo exhibit celebrating Nunavut’s Women in Community Action.
This diverse exhibit recognizes women and girls who are involved in local initiatives with lasting social, cultural, and political impact.
The photos are now on display at the Nunatta Sunakkutaangit Museum in Iqaluit and introduce strong role models to our current and future generations.
Mr. Speaker, every day, women and girls come together and lead the growth and development of our communities.
I invite my colleagues and fellow Nunavummiut to visit the exhibit this month and experience the inspiring images firsthand.
This month, Qulliit will also announce the recipients of the Wise Women and Outstanding Young Woman Awards.
These awards capture the advocacy work, support, and education given to improve the status of women in Nunavut. The long and compelling list of nominees proves the deep talent and compassion within our territory.
As Minister responsible for the Status of Women, I would like to thank Qulliit for championing this important work and providing a platform to empower women and girls. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Minister’s Statement 086 – 4(3): Enforcement Officer Conference (Mike)
Good afternoon, people of Pangnirtung and Nunavut. (interpretation ends) Enforcement Officer Conference.
(interpretation) Mr. Speaker, today, I would like to offer my congratulations to the 30 Department of Environment enforcement officers who recently completed an intensive two-week training conference here in Iqaluit from February 1 to February 12.
This annual conference is an opportunity for our officers to re their training and learn some new skills.
The conference also provides a forum in which to discuss issues, trends, and most importantly, successes.
The training courses that were delivered this year included:
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I would also like to highlight another success of this conference: for the second year running, all of the training was developed and delivered by our own officers.
Five officers received training in the south during 2015, which provided them with the necessary skills to act as trainers for their fellow officers in Nunavut.
(interpretation) I am very proud of the department’s officers for their hard work during the conference and over the past year, and I am pleased to have this opportunity to share their achievements with the House.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Ministers’ Statements. Hon. Minister of Community and Government Services, Mr. Savikataaq.
Minister’s Statement 087 – 4(3): Team Nunavut participating in the 2016 Arctic Winter Games (Savikataaq)
I have recently returned from the opening ceremonies in Nuuk, Greenland, where Team Nunavut is competing in the 2016 Arctic Winter Games (AWGs). It was quite the opening show. I don’t know if it was shown on TV here, but it was good.
The opening ceremonies were very exciting and it is clear to me that the Team Nunavut participants are proud to represent us in Greenland.
I would like to acknowledge flag bearer, Shelby Angalik, from Arviat. She led our participants during the opening ceremonies.
Shelby will compete in wrestling in the 52 kg and under category. She one two silver ulus in Fairbanks, Alaska and she is already accomplished in wrestling at the Arctic Winter Games level. We hope she will bring home a gold ulu this year.
I would also like to take this opportunity to reflect on the partnership between Greenland and Nunavut in sharing the hosting duties for Arctic Winter Games 2016 events.
We are proud to host the hockey tournaments in our territory and we are thankful for the opportunity to assist Greenland in the spirit of cooperation and community development.
I am looking forward to attending the hockey tournament in Iqaluit today where I will join the volunteers, parents, and mission staff in cheering on the Team Nunavut bantam male and junior female athletes and coaches. After the Games, I will take part in presenting the ulus to the winning teams after the gold medal [games].
Go, Nunavut, go!
Minister’s Statement 088 – 4(3): Vandalism and Theft in Nunavut Schools (Quassa)
Hon. Paul Quassa (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good day, my colleagues, people from my community, and Nunavummiut.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I would like to speak to my fellow members about a disturbing issue that negatively affects us all: vandalism and theft in our schools.
Since the school year began, 16 school break-ins in schools have been reported to regional school operations.
Mr. Speaker, the break-ins resulted in vandalism and theft of school property.
The cost to repair the damage to the schools was over $160,000.
Security camera footage shows that in some break-ins, elementary school-aged children were involved.
Mr. Speaker, in some break-ins, food was taken, which may mean that there are children in the community facing food insecurity.
Schools belong to everyone. Nunavummiut deserve to have schools that have all the equipment and supplies needed to serve the community.
Mr. Speaker, district education authorities and community groups work hard to raise funds and provide the support needed to make sure schools are safe and welcoming environments for everyone.
When school property is damaged, it may mean that money has to be taken away from other programs or services to repair the damage.
Mr. Speaker, school principals are working with district education authorities, community leaders, and the RCMP to involve the whole community in protecting our schools through awareness messages on the radio and neighbourhood watch programs.
My department is working with Community and Government Services to make sure that the monitoring devices in all our schools are operational.
Mr. Speaker, I do not like to be the bearer of bad news, but this is an important issue which affects all our schools and our students.
These kinds of incidents also suggest deeper issues which we all have to work together to address. With the support of engaged and motivated communities, we can work together to protect a valuable resource, which is our schools.
Members’ Statements. (interpretation ends) Hon. Member for Qamani’tuaq, Mr. Simeon Mikkungwak.
Member’s Statement 190 – 4(3): Baker Lake Participants at Arctic Winter Games (Mikkungwak)
When the minister made his announcement about the athletes attending the Arctic Winter Games in Nuuk, Greenland, it reminded me I was lax in not mentioning that Baker Lake’s young people are also representing us in the Arctic Winter Games.
They will be playing their first game today. To their parents and to them, it behooves us to send our support.
These athletes are: Grace Tookoome, who will participate in the Inuit games, and others include Jarrett Seeteenak, Dawn Himga, and Megan Hachey for basketball.
One of the individuals selected to take part in the Arctic Winter Games, unfortunately due to illness, was unable to participate. Nonetheless, I was led to understand that she wishes the best to her teammates and is supporting them, so I would like to recognize Taylor Sweetland.
In light of the Games today, “Go, Nunavut, go!”
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Members’ Statements. (interpretation) I have no more names on my list.
Moving on. (interpretation ends) Item 4.
Returns to Oral Questions. (interpretation) Minister of Environment, Mr. Mike.
Return to Oral Question 216 – 4(3): New Hunter Education Program (Mike)
This question was asked by Member Tom Sammurtok, MLA for Rankin Inlet North-Chesterfield Inlet, on March 3, 2016 concerning the new Hunter Education Program.
“In his Budget Address last week, the Minister of Finance announced that the Government of Nunavut is, and I quote, (interpretation ends) ‘developing a hunter education program to teach harvesting skills and firearm safety.’
(interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.”
The Harvester Education Program is going to be delivered in phases as course materials are developed and instructors are trained in their use.
Course materials are currently in development in collaboration with other Government of Nunavut departments and Nunavut stakeholders.
My department will begin to release some of these educational materials this year as they are finalized.
(interpretation ends) The full Harvester Education Program is proposed to be delivered by conservation officers in communities across Nunavut by 2018. (interpretation) Courses will take place over a weekend or during evenings so that they are easily available to the public.
The Department of Environment is also working with the Department of Education to develop an optional Careers and Technology Studies course which will be offered in high schools across Nunavut.
At this time, there is no proposed date for delivery of this phase of the program.
Returns to Oral Questions. (interpretation ends) Mr. Premier.
Return to Oral Question 247 – 4(3): Caribou Habitat and Restricted Development (Taptuna)