EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
The special committee noted throughout the course of its review that the role of the DEA coalition was little understood.
The role of the DEA coalition with respect to the delivery of education across Nunavut needs to be redefined.
The special committee recommends that the legislation be amended to redefine the role and responsibilities of the DEA coalition and to ensure that it has a clear mandate and that the lines of accountability between the ministry and the district education authorities are clearly expressed.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to conclude with the following comments.
The future of Nunavut relies in large part on the successful administration and implementation of its education system.
To achieve the objectives of the Education Act will require the collaborative efforts of all Nunavummiut and a shared understanding of the roles and responsibilities of all partners in the education process.
Therefore, the special committee recommends that the Department of Education work closely with other agencies, such as the departments of Health and Family Services, the Nunavut Housing Corporation, Nunavut’s child and youth advocate, and others, to address key social factors that are affecting the successful delivery of education across Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, the special committee also recommends that the lines of accountability and reporting structures between the minister, departmental headquarters, regional school operations, district education authorities, the Commission scolaire francophone du Nunavut, school staff, as well as principals and teachers, parents, and students be clearly articulated and well publicized.
Mr. Speaker, the special committee greatly appreciates the time, interest, and effort made by the many contributors and participants throughout the review process.
The intent of this report is to provide a strategic direction to the government for improving the administration and implementation of the legislation.
The special committee strongly encourages the Department of Education to continue with initiatives that will standardize and strengthen the delivery of education across Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, a number of this report’s recommendations suggest amendments to the Education Act. Members of the special committee look forward to participating in the review of amending legislation brought forward by the Government of Nunavut as soon as possible and during their term of office.
Therefore, the special committee recommends that proposed amendments to the Education Act, especially with respect to sections on language of instruction, inclusive education, and the roles and responsibilities of district education authorities and related regulations be introduced within the term of the Fourth Legislative Assembly of Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time, I will be tabling copies of the submissions which were discussed during the special committee’s hearings this past May.
With that, Mr. Speaker, I move that the report of the special committee be received by the House and entered into the record as read.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) The member has moved that the report of the special committee be received by the House and entered into the record as read.
Item 13. (interpretation) Tabling of Documents. (interpretation ends) Hon. Minister of Finance, Mr. Peterson.
Tabled Document 047 – 4(3): Public Accounts 2014-2015 (Peterson)
Tabled Document 048 – 4(3): Grants and Contributions 2014-2015 Annual Report (Peterson)
Tabled Document 049 – 4(3): Interim Financial Report (Unaudited) March 31, 2015 (Peterson)
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to table today for the fifth consecutive year an unqualified opinion and for the second year in a row, prior to December 31, the Government of Nunavut’s Public Accounts Annual Report for 2014-15.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to table the Grants and Contributions Annual Report for 2014-15.
Finally, I am pleased to table the Interim Financial Report (unaudited) for March 31, 2015.
Tabling of Documents. Hon. Premier of Nunavut, Mr. Taptuna.
Tabled Document 050 – 4(3): 2015 Council of the Federation Summer Meeting July 15, 2015 (Taptuna)
Tabled Document 051 – 4(3): National Aboriginal Organizations (NAO) and Premiers’ Meeting July 15, 2015 (Taptuna)
Tabled Document 052 – 4(3): Northern Premiers’ Forum, Kugluktuk, Nunavut, June 15 to 16, 2015 (Taptuna)
Tabled Document 053 – 4(3): Quebec Climate Change Summit, April 4, 2015 (Taptuna)
I wish to table four documents titled Council of the Federations Summer Meeting Report held in St. Johns, Newfoundland July 15 to 17, 2015; the National Aboriginal Organizations and Premiers’ Meeting Held in Happy Valley Goose Bay, Newfoundland July 15, 2015; Northern Premiers’ Forum held in my hometown of Kugluktuk June 15 to 16, 2015.
Mr. Speaker, I am also pleased to table the Report on the Quebec Climate Change Summit, April 4, 2015.
Tabled Document 054 – 4(3): Nunavut Arctic College Annual Report 2014-2015 (Quassa)
I am pleased to table the Nunavut Arctic College 2014-15 Annual Report. I would like to inform the House that the translations will follow once completed.
Tabled Document 055 – 4(3): 20th Ministerial Conference on the Canadian Francophonie “Raise High and Bright the Flame of the Canadian Francophonie” June 17 to 18, 2015 (Kuksuk)
Tabled Document 056 – 4(3): FPT Ministers Responsible for Culture and Heritage July 14, 2015 (Kuksuk)
Tabled Document 057 – 4(3): Third Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Katimajiit Summary Report 2009-2012 (Kuksuk)
Tabled Document 058 – 4(3): Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Katimajiit Summary Report 2013-2015 (Kuksuk)
Tabled Document 059 – 4(3): Inuugatta: Summary of Presentations and Recommendations, A Conference Held in Iqaluit, Nunavut, February 24 to 26, 2015 (Kuksuk)
Hon. George Kuksuk: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to table the following five documents:
20th Ministerial Conference on the Canadian Francophonie Report held in Toronto June 17 to 18, 2015;
FPT Ministers Responsible for Culture and Heritage Report July [14, 2015];
Third Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Katimajiit Summary Report 2009-2012;
Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Katimajiit Summary Report 2013-2015; and
Inuugatta: Summary of Presentations and Recommendations, A Conference Held in Iqaluit, Nunavut, February 24 to 26, 2015.
Tabled Document 060 – 4(3): Copies of Submissions to the Special Committee to Review the Education Act (Hickes)
Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I mentioned earlier in my report, the Special Committee to Review the Education Act was very pleased to welcome Ms. Margaret Joyce, Mr. John Wilson, Mr. Robby Qammaniq, Mr. Adam Fisher, and representatives from the Department of Education, Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, the Nunavut Teachers Association, and the Coalition of Nunavut DEAs who appeared as witnesses during the special committee’s formal hearings held on May 13 and 14 of this year.
I am tabling copies of the submissions that they presented and which were discussed during the hearings.
Hon. Member for Pangnirtung, Mr. Mike.
Tabled Document 061 – 4(3): Photograph of Monument at Pangnirtung Harbour (Mike)
Hon. Johnny Mike (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I said in my Member’s Statement today, I would like to table the photograph of the monument for the Pangnirtung harbour.
Thank you, members. I have a number of documents to table today.
Tabled Document 062 – 4(3): 2014-2015 Annual Report of the Chief Electoral Officer of Nunavut (Speaker)
Tabled Document 063 – 4(3): 2014-2015 Annual Report on Members’ Indemnities, Allowances, Expenses, and Benefits (Speaker)
Tabled Document 064 – 4(3): Report of Members’ Absences from Sittings of the House and Meetings of Committees and Caucuses for the Period April 1, 2015 to June 30, 2015 (Speaker)
Tabled Document 065 – 4(3): 2014-2015 Audit Report and Financial Statements for the Retiring Allowances Fund (Speaker)
Tabled Document 066 – 4(3): 2014-2015 Audit Report and Financial Statements for the Supplementary Retiring Allowances Fund (Speaker)
Tabled Document 067 – 4(3): Speaker’s List of Outstanding Statutory Tabling Requirements (Speaker)
The first item is the 2014-15 Annual Report of the Chief Electoral Officer of Nunavut.
The second item is the 2014-15 Annual Report on Members’ Indemnities, Allowances, Expenses, and Benefits.
The third item is the Report of Members’ Absences from Sittings of the House and Meetings of Committees and Caucuses for the Period April 1, 2015 to June 30, 2015.
The fourth item is the 2014-15 Audited Report and Financial Statements for the Retiring Allowances Fund.
The fifth item is the 2014-15 Audit Report and Financial Statements for the Supplementary Retiring Allowances Fund.
The sixth and final item is a list of outstanding statutory tabling requirements. (interpretation) Thank you.
(interpretation ends) Tabling of Documents. Minister for the Nunavut Housing Corporation, Mr. Kuksuk.
Tabled Document 068 – 4(3): Nunavut Housing Corporation’s 2014-2015 Annual Report (Kuksuk)
Hon. George Kuksuk: Thanks again, Mr. Speaker.
I am pleased to table the Nunavut Housing Corporation’s 2014-15 annual report. Translations will follow once completed.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) We shall move on to Item 14. Notices of Motions.
Mr. Hickes: No, no. Sorry. My apologies, Mr. Speaker.
Motion 007 – 4(3): Extended Adjournment (Mikkungwak)
WHEREAS Rule 3 of the Rules of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut addresses sittings and adjournments of the House;
AND WHEREAS the Legislative Assembly is presently holding its fall 2015 sitting;
AND WHEREAS members have agreed that the winter 2016 sitting shall convene on February 24, 2016;
AND WHEREAS members have also agreed that the Nunavut Leadership Forum shall convene for the purpose of conducting the mid-term leadership review of the Executive Council following the conclusion of the fall 2015 sitting;
AND WHEREAS the deliberations of the Nunavut Leadership Forum could necessitate the subsequent recall of the House;
AND WHEREAS Rule 3(3) provides for the procedure by which the Speaker may recall the House when it stands adjourned or prorogued;
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the Hon. Member for Aggu, that when the House concludes its fall 2015 sitting, it shall be adjourned until February 24, 2016;
AND FURTHER I MOVE that this motion be deemed to satisfy the requirements of Rule 3 in respect to the extended adjournment of the House, notwithstanding any recall that may occur prior to the end of the present calendar year;
AND FURTHER I MOVE that the provisions of Motion 4 – 4(3), Extended Sitting Hours and Days, be deemed to apply to sittings of the House that take place pursuant to any recall that may occur prior to the end of the present calendar year.
An Hon. Member: Well done.
Hon. Member for Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu, Ms. Angnakak.
Motion 008 – 4(3): Referral of Tabled Documents 73 – 4(2), 116 – 4(2), and 140 – 4(2) to the Committee of the Whole (Angnakak)
WHEREAS the Government of Nunavut’s new Human Resource Strategy was tabled in the House on November 4, 2014;
AND WHEREAS the Government of Nunavut’s Public Service Code of Values and Ethics was tabled in the House on March 11, 2015;
AND WHEREAS the Government of Nunavut’s 2013-14 Public Service Annual Report was tabled in the House on March 17, 2015;
AND WHEREAS the management and organization of the public service is an issue of concern to Members of the Legislative Assembly;
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the Hon. Member for Tununiq, that Tabled Documents 73 – 4(2), 116 – 4(2), and 140 – 4(2) be referred to the Committee of the Whole for concurrent consideration.
I am pleased to take this opportunity to speak to the motion before us today.
Mr. Speaker, as I noted in my motion, the government’s new Human Resource Strategy was tabled in the House on November 4, 2014, just one day over a year ago, almost exactly a year ago.
Mr. Speaker, as I have noted on a number of occasions, this important document sets out a number of important goals and priorities for the government.
These include, and I quote:
“Continu[ing] to improve the fair and transparent practices used for staffing and career advancement in the public service”;
“Ensur[ing] that all government departments and public agencies work actively towards enhanced Inuit employment”; and
“Continu[ing] to invest in the education and development of all current and potential public servants, with an emphasis on increasing Inuit employment in professional and leadership roles in government.”
Mr. Speaker, as you are aware, a number of my colleagues have been joining me in raising concerns and asking questions during this Assembly regarding the management of the public service.
Mr. Speaker, passage of the motion that is before the House today will allow us to have the opportunity to consider in detail and in the public forum of the Committee of the Whole the government’s new Human Resource Strategy, as well as its most current annual report on the public service and the Code of Values and Ethics.
This work will allow all Members of the Legislative Assembly and the listening public to gain a better understanding of the extent to which the government is achieving the goals and objectives contained in its Human Resource Strategy.
Mr. Speaker, as you are aware, a number of concerns and questions have also been raised in the Legislative Assembly regarding the government’s current structural approach to the management and organizational design of the public service.
I again call on the minister responsible for the public service to table the report and recommendations which ultimately led to the dissolution of the Department of Human Resources and the transfer of its functions and personnel to the Department of Finance and the Department of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to close by thanking my colleague from Tununiq for having seconded this motion, and I encourage all members to vote for its passage.
Motion 009 – 4(3): Promoting Green Energy in Nunavut (Hickes)
WHEREAS Ikummatiit: An Energy Strategy for Nunavut was tabled in the Legislative Assembly on October 30, 2007;
AND WHEREAS the Government of Nunavut’s current business plan states that this strategy “focuses on reducing reliance on fossil fuels, finding alternative energy sources, and promoting the efficient use of energy in the territory”;
AND WHEREAS the Government of Nunavut’s Energy Secretariat is “responsible for the development, coordination and delivery of Nunavut’s energy strategy to address our dependence on imported fuels”;
AND WHEREAS Canada is a world leader in the production and use of renewable energy sources;
AND WHEREAS the Energy Secretariat has noted that “Nunavut relies exclusively on imported fossil fuels for its energy needs”;
AND WHEREAS electricity rates in Nunavut are some of the highest rates in North America;
AND WHEREAS increased use of renewable energy sources has the potential to help address price stability issues;
AND WHEREAS work has been underway for a number of years with respect to such initiatives as hydroelectric development near Iqaluit and connecting the Kivalliq to Manitoba’s power grid;
AND WHEREAS the Government of Nunavut and the Government of Canada have invested significant time and resources into numerous studies that have identified the potential for renewable sources of green energy in Nunavut;
AND WHEREAS progress to date on reducing Nunavut’s reliance on fossil fuels has been slow;
AND WHEREAS one of the stated commitments of the newly elected Government of Canada is to “…protect our communities from the challenges of climate change and grow our economy by making significant new investments in green infrastructure”;
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the Hon. Member for Arviat South, that this House formally expresses its strong support for significantly increased efforts to promote and develop renewable sources of green energy in Nunavut;
AND FURTHER I MOVE that the Government of Nunavut renew and intensify its advocacy, lobbying and partnership efforts to secure increased federal investments to promote and develop renewable sources of green energy in Nunavut;
AND FURTHER I MOVE that a comprehensive report on the activities and expenditures of the Government of Nunavut’s Energy Secretariat be tabled in the Legislative Assembly on the first sitting day of the spring 2016 sitting.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) The motion is in order. To the motion. Mr. Hickes.
It’s no secret that I have been raising the issue of exploring the use of alternative green energy here in Nunavut for some time.
Nunavut’s energy system is completely dependent on imported fossil fuels to meet the territory’s energy needs, costing the GN and its related parties close to $300 million in 2012-13, according to the GN Energy Secretariat’s 2014 report.
Both electricity generation and space heating needs are met exclusively with fossil fuels.
I do realize that spending on alternative green energy technologies must compete with other important areas, such as housing, health, and education. However, financial commitments are needed to demonstrate, test, and implement renewable technologies in Nunavut.
Previous experiences with renewable technologies may not have worked as well as hoped, but technology has been evolving in many areas, such as wind, solar, tidal, and even hybrids like hydrogen-diesel projects.
Because of this, it is important to recognize that energy costs and solutions are shared by many aspects of government departments and public corporations, ED&T by creating barriers to economic development activities, the Energy Secretariat, Community and Government Services, Finance, Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs, the Nunavut Housing Corporation, and QEC, just to name the obvious ones.
There needs to be a coordinated effort by all involved to explore and implement options for moving forward in the energy sector and acknowledge their responsibility to such projects.
Mr. Speaker, the only case study for Nunavut cited in the Carleton University Report on the State of Alternative Energy in the Arctic was a project in Iqaluit aimed at increasing energy conservation in government buildings.
The Iqaluit pilot project, which began in 2007, involved energy efficiency retrofits to 37 GN owned facilities, combined with solar hot water and solar air installations.
According to the report, this project saves the GN about $1.7 million a year in energy costs, yet after numerous questions in this House regarding alternative energy in Nunavut, not once was this project ever mentioned.
Maybe I wasn’t asking the right questions to the right minister.
Despite establishing the goal in Ikummatiit, the Government of Nunavut’s energy strategy, to reduce fossil fuel use, little progress has been made in achieving this goal.
What this means is, for the foreseeable future, Nunavut will likely continue to consume almost 50 million litres of diesel a year, requiring consumers to pay some of the highest power rates in North America.
To quote from this eight-year-old energy strategy, “This energy strategy will enable Nunavut to reduce its dependency on fossil fuels, a dependency that holds Nunavut hostage to volatile, world oil prices and makes us one of the largest per-person greenhouse gas producers in Canada.
To reduce this dependency we must harness different forms of energy, such as hydro-electricity, wind power and solar power, and eventually other exciting and new energy sources.
In addition to exploring and using new sources of energy, we must deal with the challenges we currently face by using our energy more prudently and by streamlining and strengthening the management of our energy system.”
Further quote, “This strategy will result in a stronger and more efficiently managed system and a reduction in our energy consumption.”
Mr. Speaker, the “strategy seeks to achieve the following objectives:
Improve the security of the energy system by reducing reliance on imported fossil fuels, diversifying energy supply to include clean, alternative energy and domestic energy sources.
Manage the cost of energy-based services such as transportation, heating, hot water, lighting, and cooking, by reducing the cost of providing energy and improving the efficiency of its use.
Reduce the impact on the environment by reducing energy-related emissions which contribute to pollution and climate change.
Provide business and employment opportunities as the Territory increases energy efficiency and uses renewable and domestic energy sources.”
Mr. Speaker, that report is eight years old now.
I’m going to acknowledge some of the senate report, Powering Canada’s Territories, which came out earlier this summer, where it has been acknowledged that “17 of the 25 existing diesel facilities operating in Nunavut are operating beyond their design parameters.
These aging facilities increase the risk of power outages posing a risk to public safety and resulting in costly repairs.”
Mr. Speaker, the deputy chair of that senate committee, Paul J. Massicotte, quoted, “While complex and multi-faceted, the territories’ energy circumstances must be addressed in a concerted way to make energy resources, systems and assets more reliable, accessible and affordable.”
Mr. Speaker, this committee also decried the lack of transparency on energy costs in Nunavut where few people understand the real cost of generating electrical power in the territory because of various subsidies that hide the real cost of power from consumers. It’s quoted as saying, “For those in social housing, there appears to be no meaningful pricing or financial incentive to encourage energy efficiency and conservation behaviour.
Expenses such as heat, water, sewage and maintenance are nearly entirely paid by NHC.” The average annual operating cost per unit is now about $26,000.
The senate committee also stated that the Government of Nunavut pays directly or indirectly almost 80 percent of all Nunavut’s energy costs, including subsidies to keep the cost of energy affordable.
According to the report, “Nunavut currently has no incentives or programs supporting renewable energy or energy efficiency technologies.
There has been a longstanding desire to establish a transmission link between Churchill, Manitoba and the mineral rich Kivalliq region of Nunavut.
This link would connect Nunavut to the North American electricity grid, providing access to lower-priced hydroelectric power from Manitoba and serving to reduce diesel consumption, diesel shipping and storage, GHGs emissions, as well as spur mining investment in the region.
…the Iqaluit Hydro Project, which has been considered for a number of years, has already been subject to several studies including baseline environmental and feasibility reports.”
This project is significant because “Iqaluit consumes roughly one third of all diesel burned in the territory.”
Mr. Speaker, the standing committee report also quotes, “The committee believes getting energy right in the territories is woven into every aspect of Canada’s vision for the North.
After over a year of examining territorial energy issues, it is clear that existing energy systems require change.
In many communities energy costs are high and rising. There is heavy reliance on imported diesel and much of the territories’ energy assets are at capacity, aging and underperforming, threatening the reliable supply of energy to northerners.
These factors strain public resources and limit economic growth and prosperity.”
A summary of the senate report recommendations:
“That the federal government develop a strategic plan to actively improve energy efficiency and conservation in the territories.
That the federal government significantly increase funding to the ecoENERGY for Aboriginal and Northern Communities Program with the objective of reducing the consumption of carbon-intensive fuels, increase energy efficiency and enhancing [community] economic viability.
That the federal government create a federal resource and knowledge hub to focus on territorial energy issues and conditions, in supporting energy supply and technology evaluations, economic and environmental modelling and energy resource planning and assessments.