EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Yes, the member is correct in that all new schools include daycare centres, or if there will be an addition to the school; the daycare centres are included in these plans, due to the importance of the centres.
We have to understand that there is no separate funding for capital projects specifically for new daycare centres as we have no capital funds for construction of the centres, however, they are usually appended to new schools or added when a school needs an extension if there is no local daycare centre.
In Coral Harbour, during 2007, renovations were undertaken at their school which was a result of forecasted increases in the number of students that would eventually result in a new school, and that has been identified.
Currently, the school has 286 students with room for 335 students as it stands now.
This is being carefully monitored and will continue to be monitored especially with respect to the amount of space required for the school, and further, in conjunction with CG&S, the Department of Education will be undertaking a review and initiating plans in the spring of 2014 for a new school.
I also thank the minister for updating me of the situation as it pertains to Coral Harbour, which is good news.
However, I was referring more to Chesterfield Inlet when I asked that question.
The standalone daycare centre in Chesterfield Inlet is quite old, and we haven’t heard whether or not they qualify for a new school, nor are there any plans in the upcoming five year capital plan, but I heard the minister say that if there’s going to be improvement or addition to a school, is it possible that the daycare centre can be added to the school?
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. I’m sorry, committee members, we don’t have quorum. I will ring the bell.
We can begin our committee meeting. Mr. Ningeongan, I’m sorry for interrupting. If you can continue with your questioning, Mr. Ningeongan.
Mr. Ningeongan (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I was asking questions about Chesterfield Inlet because we already have a daycare centre in Coral Harbour and Coral Harbour has started their own daycare, but I’m asking questions about Chesterfield Inlet.
They have an old daycare centre because it was an old occupied house a quite some time ago.
The question that I had because I heard the minister say that when they do a renovation or extension of the school, the question that I had was can you add a daycare into the existing school in Chesterfield Inlet?
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Ningeongan. I’m sorry, Minister Aariak, if you can respond to that. Minister Aariak.
Hon. Eva Aariak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I’m sorry too, Mr. Chairman, I thought he was talking about Coral Harbour, not Chesterfield Inlet.
Like I said, when they build a new school or if they make an addition to the school, the money is already in there for planning for daycare centres because we don’t have any money for stand along daycare centres, but if we’re building a new school or making an addition, what they do is they get a daycare centre built in that school.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Minister Aariak. Mr. Ningeongan.
Mr. Ningeongan (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I thank the minister for that response.
I would like to ask the minister again. I didn’t see in the five year capital plan when the Chesterfield will get a new school. Maybe if I get that response first, then I will have more questions later.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Ningeongan. Minister Aariak.
Yes, Chesterfield Inlet can still occupy that school because it’s only at 64 percent capacity, but we are watching to see.
There are a number of schools that we are watching to see.
There is no new school to be built in Chesterfield Inlet in the five-year capital plan.
I think it was in Igloolik that there’s going to be $250,000 to assist with the daycare centre.
Looking at the Chesterfield Inlet old daycare centre, I wonder if they can be considered to get a daycare centre added to the school.
As for the daycare centre in Chesterfield Inlet, the daycare centre in Igloolik was funded by the federal government.
I hope I was understandable.
I have questions regarding both schools in my community and I’ll start with the older school, the Nuiyak School. In 2012-13, the department’s small capital funds for ongoing life cycle repairs of education buildings include a number of projects at the Nuiyak School in Sanikiluaq.
However, serious repairs have still not been completed.
For example, the windows and doors were supposed to have been replaced and I understand that the materials have been in the community for some time.
According to my sources at the school, they are unable to lock the front doors properly and they have to use chains to secure the building.
Can the minister explain why, if contracts are in place to undertake repairs at Nuiyak School, they cannot do the repairs needed?
Hon. Eva Aariak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. …(no interpretation)…
Mr. Horn: There’s no translation going through; it’s coming through in Inuktitut.
Chairman (Mr. Ningeongan) (interpretation): As I just got here, I didn’t quite understand. Minister Aariak, can you repeat that, please.
Hon. Eva Aariak (interpretation): Of course, Mr. Chairman.
The maintenance, like things that have to be worked on, like the windows and the doors, the Department of Education worked with Community and Government Services.
I will ask Murray to answer the question.
Mr. Horn: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
We worked very closely with the Department of CGS.
Currently, the windows caused a great deal of discussion between our two departments.
This project was slated, as the member probably realizes or remembers, a couple of years ago.
For a variety of reasons, notwithstanding contractual arrangements being able to be made and timing kept to, the windows did not get repaired.
We are currently getting that solved this fall. That is on the working orders right now with CGS and our colleagues in Pond Inlet to get that done.
Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Horn.
Is there a contract in place right now to do the repairs in Sanikiluaq or are they still working on a contract.
I will get Mr. Horn to respond to that.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. Mr. Horn.
At the moment there is no contract, the sculpt of work is still being laid out and I think the folks in Pond Inlet are working very hard with our own department along with contractors both near and far from Sanikiluaq to get both the doors and the other significant amount of work done this fall.
Considering there’s still no contract in place and the materials have been in the community at least a year if not two years, why is it taking so long to get a contract in place to get the work done?
Whenever a school maintenance work order arises, the Department of Education informs the department of CG&S about the maintenance work required at various schools. The department then moves ahead with the required work, and here I mean the Department of CG&S.
Minister Kusugak did you want to respond to Mr. Rumbolt’s question?
There was funding allocated in 2011-12 to fix the windows.
The person contracted for this work was unable to perform this work due to other commitments (interpretation ends) So the funds that were allocated for that year were unused and expired, so there was no funding for that provided to CGS from education. That was part of the delay in the whole process.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman I hope that clears the question.
In part of my preamble I talk about the inability to lock the doors and secure the building properly and it’s my understanding that the doors that were ordered are not the proper size for the doors that are needed.
Can the minister confirm weather the right material has been ordered for the building?
I am kind of confused what question you directed to which minister.
I will direct it to the minister of education if she wants to redirect it it’s totally up to her.
The Department of Education isn’t always aware of the exact materials ordered by CG&S, as they order these materials.
Minister Kusugak, I’m sorry.
With respect to the doors the member is alluding to, I have no idea what they are. However, I will look into this matter and find out about the status by working with the Department of Education to find out what the situation is with respect to his question.
I’m not trying to cause confusion, but because both departments are involved with schools and school repairs, it’s kind of difficult to know where to direct a question.
I want to move on now to the new school in the community, Paatsaali School.
The school was completed in 2010-11 and in 2011-12, we voted to approve $50,000 in warranty payments.
I have noted that computerized water pump systems at the school are not effective and they have to be reset on a daily basis. Sometimes simple mechanics are better than technology.
In addition, there are a number of windows that have been broken prior to the school being opened.
Can the minister explain whether warranty costs for new schools call for ongoing problems and what actions the department takes when the problems are not fixed within the warranty period?
I would like to apologize, Mr. Rumbolt, as my assistants just informed me that when the minister at the witness table requests another minister to provide a response, that she is able to do so.
Due to that reason, Minister Aariak, would you like to respond to the question?
I also thank my colleague, as my fellow minister is present.
We collaborate with CG&S, and in particular related to capital project planning.
The new school in Sanikiluaq, is still under (interpretation ends) warranty. (interpretation) I would like to ask Mr. Horn to provide more details about the school and what the current status is.
The warranty process is the time when we try to fix all of these deficiencies, if you will. When things go awry, yes, we hear about it through our school principals and, working with CGS, make them aware of the problem and, between the two of us, try to get the problem resolved as quickly as we can.
Are there difficulties sometimes with the contractor? Yes and when those difficulties become almost insurmountable or very difficult, sadly, we have to take court action and that’s when things really get drawn out for repairs.
This may be one of those instances where some of the mechanical things that have not fully functioned according to the way they’re supposed to, simplicity being the key, that is when we have the problem with the technology.
As far as broken windows and that kind of thing, my colleagues at CGS have advised us that they are trying to work on that as we speak. In fact, we’re meeting tomorrow to put an action plan together to address Sanikiluaq as one of our issues.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Horn.
One final question: when does the warranty expire for the new school in Sanikiluaq?
My ministerial colleague will respond to that question.
Hon. Lorne Kusugak: Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for allowing me to answer this question.
Maybe I’ll answer, I think, all the issues surrounding your questions on this matter.
Mr. Chairman, if there is no response in resolving warranty issues, our department, with our client departments’ support, we do take the contractors to litigation and, I believe, as such happened in this case.
In terms of the deficiencies that are still there, the asset management of the Baffin team is dealing with it currently through the O&M. The windows and doors, along with the rubber gaskets, were ordered on that facility. They arrived on sealift just about a week ago or a week and a half ago, and currently, we’re working to sort them out and figure out how they’re going to be installed.
That should take care of the cracking and squeaking of doors and windows.
In terms of the issue on the computer-based system, that is supposed to be more of an asset. They’ve had problems with that in terms of the connection to the computer. The phone connection was not working.
Hopefully, over the next few days, that will be fixed.
I understand that a new phone line has been installed on the system, so that should alleviate the issue and our department is now working to solve those issues.
In fact, if I can carry on, Mr. Chairman, hopefully that work will be completed on Tuesday.
All things being equal, it should be resolved by Tuesday of next week. We will be sending in a crew from CGS, which will include a couple of electricians and a contractor into the community to solve those problems.
Mr. Chairman, I think those are the main issues that my colleague was enquiring about. I hope that answers his questions. Thank you for allowing me to answer, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman (Mr. Enook)(interpretation): Thank you, Minister Kusugak. Thank you, Mr. Ningeongan, for taking my place.
Moving on. Mr. Ningark.
Mr. Ningark (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Although it’s Halloween, I don’t want you to worry about it.
Mr. Chairman, I already mentioned the Repulse Bay school planning under E-3. It’s under capital planning.
I hope you haven’t forgotten this because it was supposed to be a high school, so I would like to get the status of that project.
Hon. Eva Aariak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I thank my colleague for asking this question.
The school that is being used Tusarvik School in Repulse Bay addition has to be planned, but at this time, there are 320 students going to school and there’s room for 263 students.
There was a plan for the addition and it was discussed, but when the government was cutting the budget, 2012-13 capital plans were removed.
At this time, the Department of Education will want to have a plan for the design phase for 2013-14 for the addition of the current school so that they won’t be overcrowded in the school.
Community and Government Services was involved with helping the Department of Education. They purchased portable classrooms that will be used while the addition is being planned.
The two portable classrooms arrived in the summer. They were planned to be used for 10 days and they were used for more than 10 days.
Mr. Ningark (interpretation): Thank you, Madam Minister.
On October 16, the two portable classrooms that you mentioned were already constructed or built when I was there, and I had a dinner there with the students.
Sometimes I don’t hear all the activities. Did you say the school addition was being planned for 2013-14 for Repulse Bay?
Did you say that, Madam Minister?
Yes, that’s what I said, (interpretation ends) the design phase of this project in 2013-14 fiscal year. (interpretation) Mr. Chairman, my witnesses will be going to Repulse Bay on November 14 to have a discussion on this issue with the school staff.
I have no more questions all of a sudden.
The Baker Lake District Education Authority recently wrote a letter to your officials expressing concern over current critical lack of classroom space.
While the DEA will be pleased with the long-term progress towards a new school, they’re currently requesting a short-term solution of portable classrooms.
Has this request been given any consideration and, if so, what has been decided?
The school in Baker Lake is at 85 percent capacity.
Right now, there are 325 students and there is room for 382 students. Also, at the Rachael Arngnammaktiq School, kindergarten to grade 5 is at 72 percent capacity and they have 227 students and there is room for 313.
It is being recognized that they’re going to need more rooms, so they’re going to do some planning for the middle school.
I have one question a capital item on page E-4. I would like to tell the minister, because of course she can read, to pronounce the names correctly because a lot of them are grandchildren, including the clerk, and that’s in regard to the school in Baker Lake, and you have to say the names correctly.
Again, in Arviat, Levi Angmak is clearly written in here, so those are very important.
I’m looking at Gjoa Haven, although it’s not in my constituency, and it is $25 million in total that has been used in prior year budgets, and $15 million is planned for 2014 and on. Next year, they’re looking at $9 million.
Isn’t it better to build a totally new school altogether? All this money is going to be used for school renovations and it is way over $20 million.
Why don’t you just build a new school altogether if you’re going to be using that much money? I just wanted to hear about this.
Hon. Eva Aariak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. With school renovations, and prior to their getting renovated, the current school has to be reviewed completely by professionals.
During that time, they decide whether it should be a renovation or if they’re going to be building a new school, looking at the foundation and structure and so on of this building.
If the foundation and structure is sound, then they’re slated to have additions done. It’s only after this review do they decide whether it’s going to be a renovation or if they’re going to build a new school. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Madam Minister. Mr. Curley.
Mr. Curley (interpretation): Yes, we understand that, but this is just for renovations and it’s not planning.
Planning is very expensive, and then next year, they’re looking at expending $15,730,000.
So that’s why I suggested building a new school altogether because it’s just going to be using up a lot of money if it’s an old structure.
It’s just in the planning stages and is costing millions of dollars.
I’m sure it will look now when it’s renovated, but I just wanted further information on it. Thank you.
Hon. Eva Aariak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I will defer this to my Deputy Minister, Kathy Okpik. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Ms. Okpik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Regarding the budget, we were looking at the renovations of the elementary schools.
Currently, we are looking at renovating both schools so that they could be renovated at the same time. Because of the cost, we decided that the elementary school will have to be placed as a priority and once it’s completed, we started working on the high school.
There’s going to be an addition and renovation of the high school after the elementary school is done. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Ms. Okpik, for that clarification.
We are on page E-3 and it includes E-4.
Let’s go back to page E-2. Education.
Department Summary. Detail of Expenditures. Total Capital Expenditures. $16,910,000.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. Does the committee that we have concluded with the Department of Education?
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. Minister Aariak, if you have any closing remarks, I give you the floor. Madam Minister.
Education is very important and we have to have proper schools.
Thank you very much for your questions. I would also like to thank Ms. Okpik and Mr. Horn for being here.
I would especially like to thank Minister Kusugak, who was able to respond to some of the questions. I thank you very much.
We work very closely together as CGS and Department of Education, especially for building of infrastructures and facilities. The Department of Education cannot set up those structures by themselves; we have to include the Department of Community and Government Services.
We had quite a bit to do today.
I would like move to report progress at this time.
Mr. Enook: Mr. Speaker, your committee has been considering Bill 41 and the capital estimates and would like to report progress.
There’s a motion on the floor. Do I have a seconder?
A reminder that there’s a meeting of the Full Caucus at ten o’clock tomorrow morning in the Nanuq Boardroom.
Before I adjourn, I just want to wish everyone a safe Halloween. As it is Halloween today, I am very happy that nobody called me “Mr. Spooker.”
This House stands adjourned Thursday, November 1, at 1:30 p.m.
>>House adjourned at 17:41
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Pages 3209 – 3259
Opening Prayer 3209
Ministers’ Statements 3209
Members’ Statements 3212
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 3217
Oral Questions 3218
Revert to Item 5: Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 3232
Tabling of Documents 3232
Notices of Motions 3234
Motions 3234
Second Reading of Bills 3235
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 3235
Report of the Committee of the Whole 3258
Third Reading of Bills 3258
Orders of the Day 3258
Thursday, November 1, 2012 3209
208 – 3(3): Minister Absent from the House (Kusugak) 3209
209 – 3(3): School Community Counsellor Training (Aariak) 3209
210 – 3(3): MADD Project Red Ribbon Day (Shewchuk) 3210
211 – 3(3): Fuel Prices to Remain the Same for Nunavummiut (Kusugak) 3211
212 – 3(3): Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Katimajiit (Arreak) 3211
343 – 3(3): Lack of Marine Infrastructure in Pond Inlet (Enook) 3212
344 – 3(3): Best Wishes to Sister-in-law and Happy Birthday to Son (Rumbolt) 3213
345 – 3(3): School Community Counsellor Training (Tapardjuk) 3213
346 – 3(3): Tribute to Canada’s Veterans (Aupaluktuq) 3214
347 – 3(3): Plans for Restructuring Family Services (Oshutapik) 3214
348 – 3(3): Community Action against Cancer (Elliott) 3215
349 – 3(3): Kugluktuk High School Graduates of 2012 (Taptuna) 3216
350 – 3(3): Video of Polar Bear Management in Arviat (Shewchuk) 3216
351 – 3(3): Funding for Shelter in Kugaaruk (Ningark) 3217
457 – 3(3): Funding for Social Services (Tapardjuk) 3218
458 – 3(3): Nunavut Human Rights Tribunal (Aupaluktuq) 3219
459 – 3(3): Funding for Safe Shelter in Kugaaruk (Ningark) 3221
460 – 3(3): Plans for Government Restructuring (Oshutapik) 3222
461 – 3(3): Report of the Integrity Commissioner (Curley) 3224
462 – 3(3): School Community Counsellor Training (Enook) 3225
463 – 3(3): Process for Dealing with Issues between Teachers and Students (Tapardjuk) 3226
464 – 3(3): Status of Changes to Mental Health Act (Elliott) 3227
465 – 3(3): Use of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit in GN’s Mandate and Services (Tapardjuk) 3229
271 – 3(3): Nunavut Emergency Management Annual Report 2011-2012 (Kusugak) 3232
272 – 3(3): Photograph of Arctic Bay Equipment Shelter (Elliott) 3233
273 – 3(3): HungerCount 2012: A Comprehensive Report on Hunger and Food Bank Use in Canada and Recommendations for Change (Elliott) 3233
274 – 3(3): 2011-2012 Annual Report of the Director of Child and Family Services (Peterson) 3233
275 – 3(3): 2011-2012 Annual Report of the Operation of the Medical Care Plan (Peterson) 3233
276 – 3(3): NIRB’s Correspondence Concerning Areva’s Information Request Response Timeline and Next Steps for the Kiggavik Project (Aupaluktuq) 3233
036 – 3(3): Acceptance of the Report of the Integrity Commissioner to the Legislative Assembly regarding Mr. Fred Schell, MLA – Notice (Aariak) 3234
037 – 3(3): Removal of the Member for South Baffin from the Executive Council of Nunavut – Notice (Taptuna) 3234
Bill 45 – An Act Respecting Constituency Names and Superannuation of Certain Independent Officers of the Legislative Assembly – Second Reading 3235
Bill 41 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2013-2014 – Environment – Consideration in Committee 3236
Bill 41 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2013-2014 – Culture and Heritage – Consideration in Committee 3248
Bill 41 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2013-2014 – Legislative Assembly – Consideration in Committee 3254
Bill 41 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2013-2014 – Third Reading 3258
Honourable Eva Aariak, Honourable James Arreak, Mr. Moses Aupaluktuq, Mr. Tagak Curley, Mr. Ron Elliott, Mr. Joe Enook, Honourable Lorne Kusugak, Mr. John Ningark, Mr. Johnny Ningeongan, Mr. Hezakiah Oshutapik, Honourable Keith Peterson, Mr. Allan Rumbolt, Honourable Fred Schell, Honourable Daniel Shewchuk, Mr. Louis Tapardjuk, Honourable Peter Taptuna, Honourable Hunter Tootoo.
Before we proceed today, I would like to ask Mr. Curley if he could lead us off in a prayer, please.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Curley. (interpretation ends) Good afternoon, everybody.
Minister’s Statement 208 – 3(3): Minister Absent from the House (Kusugak)
Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) Welcome to Movember.
Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise members that the Hon. Minister Monica Ell will be absent from the House November 1 and 2, 2012 to attend the third national aboriginal women’s summit in Winnipeg, Manitoba.