EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
The reason why I brought it up was and if I can use an example, Mr. Chairman, if we’re walking through Pond Inlet, there are a lot of buildings that have never been occupied that apparently are set aside for GN employees.
Every year, there seems to be a lot of empty units.
Meanwhile, in Pond Inlet, we lack housing units.
That’s why I tried to raise that question. Why were they built?
Again, departments identify the number of units they require and the Nunavut Housing Corporation then constructs these housing units on request.
Again, when we’re walking around in Pond Inlet, some of these units have never been occupied and that’s why I raised the question.
From our perspective, maybe we’re just building these units that will never be occupied.
Perhaps they initially had people identified to fill these units.
Some of these questions are entirely outside our mandate.
When we talk about the number of units in Pond Inlet, there are units set aside for specific departments. I believe there are units for 68 employees who are working for the GN. Some of these other units are in use, but I can only talk about the facts.
I cannot speak about hypothetical situations.
There are currently five empty units that we are trying to transfer.
Of course, with incoming and outgoing employees, units continuously become empty and then they’re occupied. Perhaps that leads to an illusion that they are chronically empty.
The Department of Human Resources deals with a lot of these issues. With respect to these GN housing units, perhaps my colleague from the Department of Human Resources could provide a response.
Our priority is not to keep these units empty. That is primarily under the mandate of the human resources department. That’s all I can say.
I would like to remind you that we will stick to general comments.
If you’re out of line, you have another opportunity to ask those questions outside the review of the Nunavut Housing Corporation. We’re on general comments.
Mr. Enook, are you finished?
We will move on to the page-by-page review of the Nunavut Housing Corporation.
Page J-3. (interpretation ends) Nunavut Housing Corporation. Branch Summary. Total Capital Expenditures. $16,004,000. (interpretation) Mr. Aupaluktuq, I believe you have a question.
A previous question I posed to the NHC minister and his officials in the department’s opening comments is that reflection in the line by line.
So I am pleased to ask again for the benefit of the viewers, myself, and for the record: what is the department’s definition or description of modernization and improvement?
Yes, we will provide more, not just a definition. This is an important program. Nunavutmiut in our constituencies have needed that service, and I’ll have Mr. Barriault explain exactly what the nature of the program is and the amount allocated for that program.
All of the managing agents of the Nunavut Housing Corporation, collectively known as local housing organizations, which consists mostly of housing associations and housing authorities, are responsible for undertaking routine maintenance of all our public housing stock and, in many cases as well, of owned GN staff housing.
Some of the work that’s required to be done on a house are somewhat costly and routine maintenance and would tax their budget and their ability to perform routine maintenance and repairs on our houses.
The modernization and improvement program is there to provide that assistance. So the funding is for larger items, for example, sewage tank replacements or insulation upgrades, drywall, renovations in houses, so things that are of a costlier nature and that we try to approach from a more strategic viewpoint as well.
So if a furnace gives out in the middle of the heating season, we replace it through a work order. However, if we know that we have ten furnaces that are getting near the end of their life, we may want to replace them before we have an emergency and that’s where the modernization and improvement program comes in.
So it’s planned improvements for the housing stock.
Now that we’ve got the definition of modernization and improvement out of the way, I would like to ask a couple questions on the substantiation sheets regarding modernizations and improvements.
In the substantiation sheets under background information, it states that the corporation is responsible for over 5,100 units in the public housing portfolio.
It goes on to say that in the winter of 2009-2010, condition ratings for all public housing units were completed and that in the spring of 2010, the Nunavut Housing Corporation received a detailed report.
Based on the report, what percentage of the Nunavut Housing Corporation’s public housing stock is aged to the point that they need major renovations or need replacement?
I’ll have Mr. Barriault respond to that question.
I don’t have the numbers to the exact percentage of the units.
However, the overall result of the condition ratings on the units we had at that time showed $44 million worth of repairs requiring to be performed on our public housing stock, but that’s everything from urgent repairs to routine repairs to modernizations.
So those are categorized and we can break that report down in any variety of ways.
The reporting was provided to us on a database, so we’re looking at every component of every one of the houses that we did the condition ratings on. So we do have the ability to generate reports on any aspect of our housing stock that we wish to look at.
I’m just looking at a briefing note to see what, if any, further breakdown we have with us presently.
Actually we don’t have that breakdown with us right now as to what the percentage is that require major repairs.
We do know that, short of the major construction initiatives that we have done through the Nunavut Housing Trust and the economic action plan, most of the houses that we had prior to that were built in the 1960s, 1970s, and then into the 80s, when the major public housing program from the federal government ceased.
So we do have a very large proportion of our housing stock that is aging and requiring some renovation.
Some of it is going to have major cost implications. There is no doubt about that.
So we recognize it’s a looming problem and it is part of what we spoke about earlier.
We are working with our federal, provincial, and territorial partners to look at means of ensuring the viability of our housing stock. This is the situation that most jurisdictions are currently facing.
In the M&I program, it shows a dollar value of $6.34 million and as the minister’s official has stated, a great number of these units are in great need of repairs. If you do the math, $6 million over 5,000 units doesn’t add up to a lot of dollars per unit.
I know that the minister’s official stated some of the things that they’re trying to do to secure funds. Can he elaborate more on what his department is doing to ensure that adequate funding is available to maintain these aging units throughout Nunavut?
I think we have to look at some of the information that we have taken.
I think we have to take into consideration also that at least until 2037, we do have CMHC helping out with some of the maintenance programs, and so on. So I’ll have Mr. Barriault respond further to that question.
In addition to the funding that we’re requesting from the Government of Nunavut, we are also allocating $4.3 million annually from the funding we get from Canada Mortgage and Housing each year.
So that actually increases the M&I budget to more than $10 million.
This M&I program has been ongoing for as far back as I can recall from my own experiences with the NWT Housing Corporation and the Nunavut Housing Corporation. So it’s an ongoing program that’s been in place for more than 25 years.
So the Nunavut Housing Corporation has been trying to keep ahead, somewhat, of the maintenance as it goes along, but there is wear and tear, especially on older homes.
In terms of ensuring viability and getting additional costs down, it is a major concern, there is no doubt. Part of what we have to look at is capacity in communities to either do the work in-house or to have availability of local contractors to do this work. So we’re trying to ensure that the work is performed in a sustainable manner.
At the same time, we do have the concern that there is declining funding from Canada Mortgage and Housing.
As homes age, there will be continued need for renovation and upgrades.
So the declining funds to ensure the viability of our stock are part of our overall dilemma that all jurisdictions in Canada are facing.
So we don’t have the magic answer to that, but we are lobbying our partners, who are looking at other means, as Minister Curley mentioned earlier, of partnering with the private industry in terms of creation of new public housing stock, whether it’s owned or leased or owned by others, to do this in a sustainable manner.
Mr. Tapardjuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I welcome the officials who are before us.
I want to raise this question for clarification while we’re dealing with capital estimates. The housing associations have a need for warehousing and office space to administer their housing activities.
Do these projects go through the housing corporation for funding, such as for warehousing or office space?
There are also a lot of old buildings that get reactivated.
If you could elaborate on that, I will be able to raise it during question period at a later date.
Yes, if there’s an urgent need to get a new office…. . I know we’re in shortage of warehouse space. If there’s a dire need, it has to go through the capital estimates process with the housing corporation and committees such as this one.
If a community qualifies, we can incorporate them into the capital estimates.
Mr. Tapardjuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I now have a better understanding. Perhaps I’ll be asking that question during question period, so I’ll wait until then.
My questions are specifically on J-5 and it’s based around the homeownership programs. There is an allocation to the Kitikmeot, the Kivalliq, the Qikiqtaaluk, and also Nunavut under various.
In this year’s capital estimates, we’re being asked to approve varying amounts, depending on regions and whatnot, but when you look to the capital plan for 2013-17, there’s a considerable increase in the amount.
On page 3, also, of his opening comments, the minister was talking about developing affordable housing options and the idea of fostering private sector rental and homeownership solutions.
I’m just wondering: is the Nunavut Housing Corporation planning on changing or revising the homeownership programs that they offer or expanding the programs to help with this?
Hon. Tagak Curley (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) In the comments that I made, alternative housing methods have to be considered where they are effective.
They have to be cost effective, no doubt about it. It’s easy to partner with the private sector, but we will not do that unless it’s a cost-effective way of finding affordable housing. It is a mandate that we have.
Most of all, I think, eventually, we will need more federal support because Nunavut is a jurisdiction where there are no alternative means to reducing shipping costs. We are at the mercy of one method of shipping supplies and materials to Nunavutmiut, so we do require federal support.
I think that they need to understand that the report submitted by Statistics Canada is an important one and it’s also their obligation to respond to Nunavutmiut. I hope that we receive support from all of you that we call on the federal government to put in extra support, even if we complete the remaining contributions for the federal program.
But in terms of the detailed options, homeownership is a very popular program. If there’s any way we can improve that and increase that, we will continue and be committed to doing that. We support this method.
That’s one way of reducing the dependence on social housing. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Again, on J-5, I want to correct myself. I made a mistake in terms of the way I did the adding. There’s not actually an increase; it’s a compiling of different years.
So I hope I didn’t scare anyone.
The final question I had was based around the idea of the comments in the opening comments about fostering private sector rental. I’m wondering: how would the Nunavut Housing Corporation do that in different ways?
If that could be expanded upon.
Hon. Tagak Curley: I think one of the messages that I alluded to throughout my statement is that with the corporate restructuring and particularly the governance structure that will soon be in place, there will be a tremendous discussion as to how best to provide options for providing housing and staff housing, as well as other methods of housing.
I’m trying to seek support from all of you.
For instance, I could lay out a number of options. Should the Nunavut Housing Corporation continue to build staff housing, for instance, throughout Nunavut?
Would that method be best utilized by the private sector? We don’t know yet. We’re going to need to review all of these options.
The housing corporation board will be challenged to find cost-effective, again, let’s use the word, cost-effective means of providing so that if there’s room to transfer public GN funds to social housing, maybe we can transfer that amount. There’s always a problem with the long-term leases as well. So that’s why I use the word, in a nutshell, cost-effective means.
Let’s, for instance, look at co-op housing. Iqaluit is known for having good co-op housing units here in town. Should that kind of concept be looked at?
So when I talk about housing options, it’s anything under the sun.
If the federal government is going to continue to limit in providing housing for the next number of years, we’re simply going to have to look at alternative means.
These are the kind of discussion ideas that I’m trying to signal to the public. We’re going to need help from every sector of the Nunavut economy to improve public housing.
Also, on J-5, just a question about the seniors and disabled preventative maintenance program; there’s $116,000 allocated to that. I am curious to find out: is that fund used? Is the full $116,000 used annually?
The reasoning or the thinking is: should that be increased or is that a number that’s adequate?
I’ll have Mr. Barriault respond to that detail.
The $116,000 annual figure is based on the actual demand that we have been experiencing over the years, so there has been a relatively high demand for this program. We have generally not had a problem in terms of not spending the money.
The program, just to give an overview to members, is based on providing assistance to seniors and disabled persons in Nunavut to undertake annual maintenance of their homes. So the intent is to assist them in being able to remain in their homes.
This is a grant which we do assist our clients in finding contractors to perform this work, but this funding is provided based on our historic usage.
As a corporation, within our overall homeownership budgets, we do have flexibility to reallocate some funds rather than turn down applicants, and then in the future funding years, we can increase our request if the demand is there.
Using my discretion as the Chair, I would like to recognize the clock. The long hand is ticking so loudly that I can’t really hear members speak.
So therefore, I would like to rise to report progress.
We haven’t concluded this item yet. We will continue with this item on Monday as I still have names on my list.
I will now rise to report progress. Thank you.
Report of the Committee of the Whole. Mr. Ningeongan.
Mr. Ningeongan: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Your committee has been considering Bill 15 and the capital estimates, and would like to report progress.
A reminder that there’s a meeting of the Regular Caucus at half past one in the Nanuq Room and a meeting of the Full Caucus on Monday morning at ten o’clock.
Orders of the Day:
This House stands adjourned until Monday, October 24, at 1:30 p.m.
>>House adjourned at 12:00
Monday, October 24, 2011
Pages 1248 – 1306
Opening Prayer 1248
Ministers’ Statements 1248
Members’ Statements 1252
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 1254
Oral Questions 1255
Tabling of Documents 1271
Notices of Motions for First Reading of Bills 1271
Second Reading of Bills 1271
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 1274
Chairman’s Ruling 1279
Report of the Committee of the Whole 1305
Orders of the Day 1305
Monday, October 24, 2011 1248
078 – 3(3): Nunavut Prospectors Program and Prospector Training (Taptuna) 1248
079 – 3(3): Commemorative Plaque for Louis Anakanerk (Kusugak) 1249
080 – 3(3): Council of the Federation Literacy Award (Aariak) 1249
081 – 3(3): Suicide Prevention (Curley) 1250
082 – 3(3): Polar Bears Range States Meeting, October 24-26 (Shewchuk) 1251
126 – 3(3): Congratulations on Weekend Soccer Tournament (Elliott) 1252
127 – 3(3): High School Graduates of Arviat (Shewchuk) 1253
128 – 3(3): Appreciation for the Kivalliq Inuit Centre in Winnipeg (Ningeongan) 1254
182 – 3(3): School Attendance Tracking System (Ugyuk) 1255
183 – 3(3): Public Housing Rent Scale Review (Aupaluktuq) 1257
184 – 3(3): Carving Stone Quarry Near Proposed Iron Mine (Enook) 1258
185 – 3(3): Prospector Training Program (Tapardjuk) 1259
186 – 3(3): Update on Baffin Correctional Centre Incident (Ell) 1261
187 – 3(3): Implications of New Federal Legislation on Crime (Elliott) 1264
188 – 3(3): Filling Social Worker Positions across Nunavut (Ningeongan) 1265
189 – 3(3): Lack of Students at the Piqqusilirivvik Cultural School (Ugyuk) 1266
190 – 3(3): Reducing the Costs of Medical Travel (Enook) 1268
104 – 3(3): NTI News Release: NTI Board and Staff to Participate in ASIST Training (Elliott) 1271
105 – 3(3): Northern FrontLine 2011: Canadian Rangers: Eyes and Ears of Operation Nunalivut 11 (Elliott) 1271
Bill 22 – An Act Respecting the Constituencies of Nunavut – Notice 1271
Bill 16 – Annual Reporting Validation (Liquor Licensing Board) Act – Second Reading 1271
Bill 17 – Write-off of Debts Act, 2011-2012 – Second Reading 1272
Bill 18 – An Act to Amend Several Acts for Constitutional Validity (Spousal Benefits and Obligations) – Second Reading 1272
Bill 19 – Family Support Orders Enforcement Act – Second Reading 1272
Bill 20 – An Act to Amend the Judicature Act (Court Rules) – Second Reading 1273
Bill 21 – Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2011, No. 3 – Second Reading 1273
Bill 23 – An Act to Amend Public Colleges Act – Second Reading 1273
Bill 15 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2012-2013 – Nunavut Housing Corporation – Consideration in Committee 1274
Bill 15 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2012-2013 – Economic Development and Transportation – Consideration in Committee 1280
Before we get started, I would like to ask Mr. Shewchuk if he could lead us off with a prayer, please.
Before we move on to Ministers’ Statements, I would just like to inform members to please be patient this afternoon. We have one page here right now. She is probably going to be handing out the statements for members, Ministers’ Statement and that, so please bear with her and have patience.
Minister’s Statement 078 – 3(3): Nunavut Prospectors Program and Prospector Training (Taptuna)
Mr. Speaker, thank you for this opportunity to inform my colleagues about the Nunavut Prospectors Program and prospector training.
The Nunavut Prospectors Program encourages Nunavummiut to apply their knowledge of the land through mineral exploration and to become independent prospectors and entrepreneurs.
An introductory prospecting course is delivered by the Department of Economic Development and Transportation to provide people with the basic skills to begin prospecting. This year, it was offered in six communities, Gjoa Haven, Rankin Inlet, Baker Lake, Cape Dorset, Arctic Bay, and Cambridge Bay, and a total of 48 people are expected to complete the course this year.
Mr. Speaker, next year, it is being planned for Kugluktuk, Resolute Bay, Grise Fiord, Pangnirtung, and Qikiqtarjuaq.
Since the inception of the program, which is now in its 13th year, approximately 750 people have completed the introductory prospecting course.
Many of the graduates of the introductory course have gone on to apply for funding under the Nunavut Prospectors Fund, which provides financial support for prospecting activities by independent Nunavut prospectors.
This year, 24 prospectors from 10 communities received support totalling $150,000.
The department’s resident geologists provide hands-on support to prospectors throughout Nunavut, administer the Nunavut Prospectors Fund, and deliver the introductory prospecting courses.
The department also coordinates property visits for community prospectors to provide advice on prospecting methods and help advance their skills.
Mr. Speaker, this year, property visits included the Meadowbank mine, the Doris North deposit, the former Nanisivik mine, as well as the former Rankin Inlet nickel mine.
The development of grassroots prospectors will lead to economic and societal rewards for Nunavummiut and we will continue to support the Nunavut Prospectors Program and prospector training initiatives.
>>Applause  Speaker: Thank you, Minister Taptuna.
Minister’s Statement 079 – 3(3): Commemorative Plaque for Louis Anakanerk (Kusugak)
I say “good day” to the residents of Rankin Inlet and Whale Cove, as well as the people watching our proceedings today.
Mr. Speaker, this past June the Member for Nattilik informed the Legislative Assembly about the passing of Louis Anakanerk, who was a QEC plant superintendent in Gjoa Haven for 19 years.
Mr. Anakanerk had just recently retired from his position due to failing health and was looking forward to his retirement party with friends, family, and co-workers when, unfortunately, he then passed away at home surrounded by his loved ones.
Mr. Speaker, earlier this summer, members of QEC’s operations department visited Gjoa Haven to unveil a plaque in memory of Mr. Anakanerk.
The memorial ceremony was attended by Mr. Anakanerk’s wife, siblings, children, co-workers, and by the MLA for Nattilik, our colleague, Jeannie Ugyuk. I am very pleased that I was able to be in attendance.
This memorial plaque will be placed in the Gjoa Haven power plant to commemorate a wonderful man, a dedicated employee, and a devoted public servant of the community of Gjoa Haven.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to send my thoughts and prayers to Mr. Anakanerk’s family and friends. I hope that their pride in Louis will help them overcome some of the grief felt within the community due to his passing. Furthermore, we will remember the man whenever the plaque is viewed at the office.
Minister’s Statement 080 – 3(3): Council of the Federation Literacy Award (Aariak)
I rise today to congratulate someone who has made a significant contribution to our society.
I am proud to announce that Louise Flaherty has been awarded the 2011 Council of the Federation Literacy Award for Nunavut.
The Council of the Federation Literacy Award was established in 2004 to honour the valuable contributions made by Canadians in all areas of literacy.
The 2011 Council of the Federation Literacy Award recognizes the work Louise Flaherty has done to promote Inuktitut and the support and encouragement she has given by sharing with others ways to strengthen their Inuktitut language skills.
Mr. Speaker, when Louise was young, her grandparents instilled in her a passion for Inuktitut and an understanding that speaking Inuktitut is a fundamental part of Inuit identity.
This passion for the promotion and preservation of Inuktitut literacy has stayed with Louise throughout her career as a teacher and now as a founder and owner of Inhabit Media, an independent publishing house dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Inuit knowledge and values and the Inuit language.
(interpretation ends) The work Louise has done promoting Inuktitut literacy will help Inuit develop strong literacy skills, preserve their unique culture and social values, and contribute to the prosperity of Nunavut and Canada.
Mr. Speaker, the Council of the Federation Literacy Award publicly recognizes leaders from across Canada in the field of literacy and rewards remarkable achievement.