EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Maybe in the future this will be an idea that can be taken seriously to block fund on a regional basis and the mayors can have more say in how they’re funded or they can have more flexibility with the capital.
Right now, I can block fund a city and if anyone of the hamlets get city status, I would welcome that block fund agreement with anybody who wants to do.
My question is short.
Community empowerment is a very good idea, as long as the money is increased as well.
If you give a community empowerment, and not give them funding to go along with it, it doesn’t work.
What is empowerment talking about in your opening remarks?
Anybody can get empowerment once they reach a certain level.
Some communities were given social work and economic development officers to give the hamlets more flexibility in what they want to do and have those staff within the municipality.
The hamlet employee, if they can’t do their financial statements properly, then what we do, is we can give them training in order for them to be able to do their financial statements.
For example, in Kimmirut, they had to train those people to raise their licence ability in order to drive certain vehicles.
So, that’s what we’re doing is training the SAOs in the communities to be able to do more work within their community or their municipality.
If you take the training, then you are able to do more stuff.
I believe what the Minister is saying by the Housing Corporation’s, if there isn’t going to be enough funding given to the communities for the Hamlets to take over housing, or the Housing Authority, and if the money does not come with it, it would not work out properly because they end up running out of funding while trying to operate those other activities then the community ends up in deficit.
If they are going to take over housing, the money has to also come along with that so they can operate their municipality properly.
So they can operate properly, I believe that the money has to come along with that Grant that is transferred to the community.
If they give them extra programs and not let the money come along with it, then it does not work out for the municipality.
I wonder if she could clarify that?
We now have some funding set aside to train the Hamlet employees.
Like I said before the volunteer firefighters are getting funding now to be trained.
What I am saying is that we have some funding set aside for training of municipal employees.
I stated before in this House that the money that is going to be used for training is now available, and it is in the budget to train the employees of the Hamlets.
That is very encouraging news.
The communities should also be given the authority to use their own training fund, because a lot of communities have run into deficit problems partly due to a lack of training.
When housing and Hamlets were trying to be combined there were nothing but problems that arose from it.
I wonder if they know of this.
Can he clarify which groups have animosity towards each other?
Regarding the Hall Beach Housing Association and the Hamlet when they were merged, a lot of the deficit resulted because community members not be able to sit on these Councils if they had arrears, and that has created a lot of animosity, because the Housing Association and the Hamlets have separate Councils; when they tried to merge those Counsels there were problems that arose.
Are you aware of that?
Yes, I am aware of it.
Some communities did not have too many problems.
For instance in Baker Lake, Housing and the Hamlet really worked well together.
There are differences in the communities.
Mr. Chairman, I have heard of some cases in Hall Beach regarding the Housing Association and the Hamlets problems.
Mr. Chairman, some communities who took on these powers are open to give back those powers if they are too many problems.
As well, Mr. Chairman, these elected Hamlet Councils are unable to sit on the Council if they have arrears to the Housing Association.
We’re aware of the problems and we will fix those through the elections regulations as to how we can better deal with it.
The bigger communities who have a better idea of how to run it’s own affairs probably do not have as many problems but in the smaller communities who want to take on more authority will need training if they are going to take on those responsibilities.
Have they been looked into?
We are aware of that and we do hear of cases from the members or the Hamlet councils.
I'm feeling a little better as I get those responses.
I’ll be in a better situation at the end of this once I have a better idea of how things are run.
In Clyde River we know we were in a deficit situation for a long time.
Even the newspapers were reporting the deficit situation in Clyde River and the lack of experience in that community.
Is that still a problem?
The communities in Nunavut, they’re quite a few communities that were in a deficit situation.
Clyde River was not the only case.
We have put in place a review committee that will look over Hamlet finances to ensure they are in order and we have staff that regularly monitors the financial statements and to ensure a management plan is in place to pay off the deficit.
Those are the things we have done and we will continue to do that.
Those Hamlets that are in a deficit situation, when they look for financial management employees, they’re deficit situation and then they have to use funds to hire staff for the Hamlets and that puts them deeper into debt because of the high cost of living.
I'm wondering if it’s still like that.
When we have our staff go into the communities we don’t charge the Hamlet for the services in helping them with their finances.
In the budget we have in there, we don’t charge the Hamlets for the assistance in their financial matters.
I will make sure that what she is saying is true.
Looking at this business plan, 2003/2004 budget, earlier on I thought it wasn’t here.
I will be asking some questions how will you be able to the games on July 9th in Kugluktuk.
I know that they will be asking for funding from the government to assist them in getting these games to be possible on July 9th.
Are you prepared to fund the games this summer that will be held?
Are you going to be agreeing if the request is made for funding?
I will do my best to help the Kugluktuk games.
Mr. Maley has been recreation coordinator here and that is how he has worked himself up.
Regarding the games, he really has a way of making it work and finding funds.
With Mike Rafters help, I will commit them to finding funds to assist those people in Kugluktuk for their games.
Mr. Havioyak (interpretation): Thank you, Madam Minister.
I appreciate hearing this good news from you.
It is not only for the community of Kugluktuk, but for a lot of people, for Inuit who will be attending these games.
It will be part of the circumpolar games and will be held in Kugluktuk.
I appreciate the good news that you have given me and possibly later on, we want to have everything well organized, but I think I understand that you will be having your officials work further on it so that funding will be available and when the funding will be available.
It is nice to hear that it would be available, that once everything is finalized, before we leave, I would like to hear how much it is will be given.
Earlier on, I had another question that I wanted to ask the Minister.
David had mentioned part of it, Mr. Iqaqrialu had mentioned earlier, part of it, but the Hamlets that are in deficit, sometimes the Hamlets that are running in deficit, sometimes they have a hard time running their communities.
I know that they will be operating in deficit, but sometimes when they are in deficit, they have a hard time operating their Hamlets.
As you know, the arena in Kugluktuk, the hockey arena in Kugluktuk was completed recently.
I think the Hamlet kind of ran into a deficit to complete that hockey arena.
I know that the Community Government and Transportation had held, in the system, that building, that hockey arena.
I know that the Community Government and Transportation had assisted in funding this important project, but I would like to know if your Department will help assist the community in reducing its deficit due to that problem.
How can you assist the community in reducing that deficit?
Whether how you can, maybe this year or the year after, will the Hamlet be able to reduce its deficit between those years?
If that cannot be solved, how can we get the Hamlet to get out of its deficit?
Hon. Manitok Thompson: They built an arena that was a lot bigger than what we would have planned as a Government.
They did have a surplus in 2002, but right away, that was gobbled up and they fell into a big deficit after they built an arena that was quite big.
We will have a recovery plan with the Hamlet of Kugluktuk and we will work with them.
Right now, we are monitoring them very closely and my staff is working to make sure that they can live within their means.
We will do a recovery plan that we do with every other community that is in deficit.
I am glad to hear that you have a recovery plan for the community, so that the community of Kugluktuk can reduce its deficit some time in the near future, so that the Hamlet can operate properly once they are out of deficit.
I have a small item that I would like to bring up.
It does not appear in search and rescue.
I know that the Federal Government provides search and rescue funds for emergency funding from the Federal Government.
I think that if the Federal Government can provide more funding for search and rescue, even though a small amount, it would really help the communities with search and rescue operations, because a lot of these search and rescues organizations raise their funding through Bingos, and other fund raising activities.
Once the search and rescue operations are on, the money dries up pretty fast.
In this capital plan, search and rescue operations have materials to operate with.
However, I have a concern with small funding.
Even if it is a small amount of funding that we can get from Community Government and Transportation for search and rescue operations in Kugluktuk, it would help the community a lot.
The search and rescue groups in the communities, funding has to be changed and I am aware of that.
We are setting up new policies to ensure that we increase the funding.
We are aware that they need more funding.
We might increase the funding them by $2 thousand, 500 for each community, for the search and rescue groups.
We are formulating a new policy to make it better fit the needs of these communities.
It will be a better situation once that policy is in place.
I am glad to hear that you are working on this funding for search and rescue.
When will this funding and policy be in place?
Perhaps I can sign it tomorrow because we can formulate that policy really quickly.
Either tomorrow of Friday I will be ready to sign that policy to ensure it gets implemented soon.
My question is regarding Community Empowerment.
I am glad that they are being given the opportunity to run its own affairs.
That is the whole intent of Nunavut to ensure that the communities and these Hamlets have these extra responsibilities.
Regarding the Hamlets with deficit situations, some of them have a better way of managing their finances.
Kugaaruk is in a deficit situation at this point and those communities that are given further authorities should be met with the same resources to ensure they don’t run into these deficit situations.
Their policies in place, for instance for the water delivery, there is a policy, then there are no further funds to administer that water delivery program.
Regarding snow removal, this item almost always goes over budget because we get so much snow and that is part of the reason why we get into deficit situations.
We can’t move funds from the water delivery funds to the snow removal program.
Things are very restricted that way and so that is a big reason why Hamlets run into a deficit situation and that should be considered in part of the community empowerment program to ensure, for instance, they can take some monies from the administration program and have that authority to move funds within Hamlet.
The funding for Hamlets, they have an opportunity to move funds around in their budget, I’d like to say Mr. Chairman that we have reviewed the finances of the Hamlets and this review will be released soon and we are looking at some of the difficulties that the Hamlets are running into regarding finances.
There are different reasons why Hamlets have run into financial difficulties and once that review is done, I think it’s just about done, we’ll have a better idea what solutions we can put in place to help the Hamlets once we have all this together, we will release them.
I understand her response that once this review is done, they will have solutions to look at improving operations within hamlets.
Will they be given more powers after this review is done?
The finances of the Hamlet have been reviewed and looking at better solutions that the Hamlets can use the questions regarding those reviews will be covered in that review.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman,
Regarding her opening comments, the Minister of Community Government & Transportation stated that there would be more support for air services and they heard that they will be given funds for two years or are they not getting funds at all this year.
Every year they give funding and what they said was that after Sept 11, they will not be increasing the funding on an annual basis; they will cease those funds for two years.
What percentage increase is it annually?
I’ll get Mr. Rafter to respond.
Chairperson (interpretation): Mr. Rafter.
The funding for the NAV Canada, C.A.R.S. program is based on a number of observations made in the community and it really depends on the number of operating hours that a C.A.R.S. station has to go up.
There isn’t a percentage increase that is allocated but it is based on observations.
The C.A.R.S. in Pond Inlet is contracted to the co-op and the airport maintenance is contracted out to the hamlet.
The C.A.R.S. program funding, I heard, will not be increased.
Does that mean, then, their compensation and benefits won’t increase then I guess.
Chairperson (interpretation): Which one of you.
Yes that is so.
My colleagues question, Mr. Alakannuark’s question, just further to his question regarding the hamlets.
Once their given funds for the specific purposes, they are restricted as to what else they can be moved to.
If that fund isn’t used up, they have to give it back to the government.
Will that be changed this year?
We don’t take funds back as a Government of Nunavut, but when there are funds left over, we try and figure out ways where the hamlets can use it up.
For instance, sewage, water delivery, if the hamlet has money left over, as a surplus, we bring those funds together and make it a surplus for that hamlet.
Some communities have a surplus some years but they can’t carry it forward to the next year.
Will that be changed?
The financial review will also cover that, but as I said that review is not yet and we have not seen the details yet, but I will release that information once they are done.
Mr. Iqaqrialu (interpretation): We don’t have a quorum right now.
We should take a quick break Mr. Chairman, if it’s okay with you.
Chairperson (interpretation): We’ll take a ten minute break.
>>Committee recessed at 17:34 p.m. and resumed at 17:53 p.m.
Total Operations and Maintenance. $7 million, 520 thousand.
Chairperson (interpretation): 7-7 to 7-12, is Community Government.
Total Operations and Maintenance is $48 million, 758 thousand.
Mr. Nutarak (interpretation): Under Community Government we mentioned $800 thousand dollars for the Municipal Insurance Premiums.
I would like further information on Insurance Premiums.
Is it identified under another line item?
Or what is happening here?
Hon. Manitok Thompson (interpretation): This $800thousand dollars was a one time fund to be used for insurance purposes.
At this time we are currently negotiating the insurance premiums and the number is just not slotted in there.
Mr. Nutarak (interpretation): So what kind of effect will it have if you decide on a number?
We haven’t set aside any money for insurance premiums for 2003/2004.
If you complete you negotiations, are you going to be putting a number in there, or is there going to be no help to the communities.
This money doesn’t come from the Federal Government.
It comes from Government of Nunavut.
The cabinet agreed on $800 thousand dollars and since it’s currently under negotiations, the cabinet will have to meet and decide on how it’s going to be funded.
Mr. Nutarak (interpretation): Did the Finance Minister not agree to put funds aside for the municipal insurance premium.
The Finance Minister is not the only one who makes those types of decisions. It’s the cabinet who decides.
After the September 11, disaster, the insurance premiums were increased and the Nunavut Association of Municipalities and the insurance companies are currently negotiating and once we have a number, I will then give the information the cabinet members and we’ll decide on a figure just like usual business.
Mr. Nutarak (interpretation): On 7-7, we have the budget and then 7-8 is information, 7-9 and 7-10.
Are they all there?
This is under Community Government and all the grants and contributions are all here under these pages.
Mr. Nutarak (interpretation): 7-10.
We wanted to make a change to the Sport Nunavut Grant in Inuktitut but there has been no change.
When are you going to be making that change?
The finance department gets the translation done.
Possibly they didn’t note it and there are no changes to the Inuktitut titling.
Which one did you want to see a change in the Inuktitut title?
Is it the municipal training grant, the sport Nunavut or Recreation Leisure?
It’s the $200 thousand dollar figure, municipal training grant in English and in Inuktitut, it’s pinguaqtulirijiit Nunavummit, which means Nunavut recreation.
Chairperson (interpretation): I would like you department to note that.
Hon. Manitok Thompson (interpretation): Maybe they are just that the Hamlets are just doing recreational activities.
I apologize, the Finance Department, I am sure are listening to the proceedings in the House.
I wish that they would note the changes and make changes.
That is it?
Questions, 7-5.
I would like information on the diesel fuel’s stabilization rider.
This is under grants and contributions to the Hamlets and it is to provide as a grant to Nunavut Municipalities.
Under Community Government grants consist of the five divisions of capital planning.
Is this your division that takes care of standards and criteria?
Hon. Manitok Thompson: Yes, it is.
Mr. McLean: On that question.
On that question, I am referring to standards and criteria, we did a lot of talking about it in the last few years and I am getting down to Sanikiluaq.
As Chairperson of the Standing Committee for the last three years, I have been trying to assist that community in getting their artificial ice installed because, again, I got another letter today to the Standing Committee, I have not shared it with my other Members yet, but I will give it to them, requesting assessments in putting artificial ice in, you know, a small community, a have not community that does not really have a lot of opportunities for the youth down there to participate in any type of meaningful recreation program and we build a big beautiful facility down there and they only have ice for 6 weeks.
And I think that is a tragedy and I think is sort of an anomaly where they are out there in the middle, well, in the end of Hudson’s Bay and they have an arena there and they cannot utilize it properly.
And this is where standards and criteria differ from Sanikiluaq to Rankin Inlet and Kugluktuk and Baker Lake and Coral Harbour.
Are there any plans to put changes to standards and criteria to assist this Municipality and get their artificial ice?
I am aware of the artificial ice in Sanikiluaq through the Member of the Legislative Assembly and I am aware of the letter that was sent to you as the Standing Committee Chairperson.
I have not met with my staff yet on that specific issue, but we are aware of that as a Department, that Sanikiluaq needs help and we actually gave them some money for planning I think it was when I was down there for an artificial ice.
Now, we just have to figure out how to get that artificial ice in Sanikiluaq and I have not met with my staff yet on that specific artificial ice, so, I do not have an answer for that right now.
I would like to thank you for your patience with me.
Like I say, when we got elected, we were elected to think of all of Nunavut, and not just our own communities.
As Chairman of the Standing Committee, I have to represent every community in Nunavut.
I take that job seriously.
Like I say, it is a small community out in Hudson’s Bay, and we know the social problems that we are having.
I am asking you, I know that it is a capital question, but I am asking you as the Minister responsible to change your standards of criteria to make sure that Sanikiluaq get artificial ice in the next go around, whether it is out of O and M.
It is just that community.
I know that you have started to, which I commend you for.
That is all that I have to say.
Chairperson (interpretation): Did you want to make a response, Ms. Thompson?
I think it was just a comment.
For myself, me too.
As a resident of Nunavut, I have to be receptive and listen to what the Nunavut communities are requesting, or asking assistance for.
Chairperson (interpretation): Do not just make comments.
If you have a question be specific.
There are no other questions.
On 7-7 to 7-11, under Community Government is that all of it.
Chairperson (interpretation): From 7-7, 7-8, 7-9, 7-10, and 7-11, 7-12 are all under Community Government.
I would like to ask a question regarding the Water Sewage Services funding.
Is that for all of Nunavut, or is it for one community?
All Water Sewage Services are distributed to the all communities.
Under Community Government, I have noticed in the last while that there has been very little done in regards to training Recreation Directors.
I am not sure if that falls under your department, but to date, I am not sure if we are still sending our Recreation Leaders and Directors to Inuvik.
I think that we have the expertise and the experience in this Territory now to deliver a program where we can get Recreation Directors up to the level of professionalism that they can deliver programs in the communities effectively.
I know that in my community right now we took an individual that was a good Hockey player, a good all around guy in the community, and we made him a Recreation Director, we sort of plunked him in there, and now he is having trouble doing the administration part of the job.
I am not saying that we have to send these guys out for two year courses in Inuvik, but I am saying is there any way that we can deliver some kind of small workshop in the region for say at a two week period every three or four months to get them up to filling out applications, planning calendars, just to get a little more degree of proficiency over like a two or three period so they know how to fill out the forms for Minor Hockey, Canada Games, getting ready to play in Referee clinics, or Coaches clinics, and stuff like that?
Is there any small micro plan that you have planned in your department to help Recreation Directors?
Hon. Manitok Thompson: Yes, we do to every thing that Mr. McLean is talking about.
Mr. Maley will make sure that the plan is in place and that those guys get trained and all kinds of things, on page 7-12 we have some money for them, so yes to everything.
I'm aware of the programs that used to be delivered in Inuvik and if we downsize that and start doing it at the community we can do that and we will do that, we will make it happen.
On the same issue that Mr. McLean was asking about in regards to swimming pools, in English, under the Inuktitut it has something to do with swimming pools, but it’s Inuit traditional games in the amount of $470 thousand had been reduced, is it because they had more training.
Is that why the money is not as much as before?