EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Chairman, hon. Members of the Committee of the Whole, I am pleased to be here today to present and discuss the proposed 2014-15 Capital Estimates for the Department of Family Services.
(interpretation ends) As the Minister of Family Services, I am looking forward to advance the mandate of the department to provide a range of programs and services that support self-reliance to those who are most vulnerable.
We are establishing an important milestone today as this is the first capital submission for the new Department of Family Services.
On April 1, 2013, when the Department of Family Services was created, it was created with no small capital budget.
This has had an impact on the department’s ability to adequately address small capital requirements.
Accordingly, the 2014-15 capital plan requests ongoing small capital in the amount of $600,000 to address minor capital, renovations, and planned purchases for furniture, equipment, and vehicles.
As the department evolves and builds capacity, I am confident that future planning will result in additional capital to effectively address our mandate.
Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to be here today to discuss the Department of Family Services capital plan for 2014-15.
Chairman: Thank you, Minister Ugyuk.
Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): Yes, I would.
Chairman: Do you agree to let the witnesses go to the witness table?
Minister Ugyuk, for the record, please introduce your officials.
On my side, Deputy Minister Sandy Teiman.
On my left, Director of Corporate Services Mr. Kolot.
Are there any opening comments from the Regular Members’ Caucus?
Please proceed, Mr. Sammurtok.
I am pleased to provide opening comments on behalf of the Regular Members’ Caucus as the Committee of the Whole begins its consideration of the proposed 2014-15 Capital Estimates of the Department of Family Services.
Members note that the department’s proposed capital budget for 2014-15 is $600,000.
Members recognize that although Family Services is a newly established department, it incorporates a number of divisions and resources from other, pre-existing departments.
The department’s various programs and services continue to be delivered from existing infrastructure.
Members further recognize that the Department of Family Services still needs to work towards completing a full evaluation and assessment of its capital assets such as vehicles, offices and equipment.
Mr. Chairman, when the Regular Member’s Caucus first reviewed the Department of Family Services’ draft capital estimates for 2014-15, very little detail was provided for the proposed expenditures totalling $600,000.
Members appreciated receiving a more complete breakdown of the department’s proposed projects and the details of their estimated costs following the meeting with the minister.
Members expressed the view that prior to approving the expenditure of public money, it is important to know what it will be spent on.
Mr. Chairman, members have noted that with the establishment of the Department of Family Services, health care workers and social workers are no longer working under the same department, although in some situations they continue to work out of the same office buildings and share access to GN vehicles.
Members encourage the minister to work with her counterpart in the Department of Health to ensure that agreements are in place with respect to the use of office space, equipment and vehicles so that the effective delivery of all related services at the community level is not disrupted.
Mr. Chairman, that concludes my opening comments on the proposed 2014-15 Capital Estimates of the Department of Family Services.
Individual members may have questions and comments as we proceed.
I don’t have any members on my list for general comments.
We will now proceed to the page-by-page review starting with D-3.
I just need clarification. In regards to the $600,000 that you propose for 2014-15, in the substantiation sheets that are given to us, it states that $56,500, I’m just wondering what that money is going to be used for.
Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Joanasie.
Minister Ugyuk.
Thanks to the Cape Dorset MLA for asking the question. Mr. Kolot will answer the question.
Chairman: Mr. Kolot.
Mr. Kolot (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) I would like to thank the hon. member for his question.
The Department of Family Services has prepared estimates for $600,000.
The needs that were submitted from the various regions came up to $656,000. Unfortunately, we have had to develop a base figure. So we are going with the $600,000 and as we proceed with dealing with the capital requests, if there are any shortages we will apply that to other areas but we will try to live within the $600,000.
There may be an opportunity for some savings in some of the items that we have identified.
Maybe if I say it in English. (interpretation ends) One of the areas that falls under the responsibilities of Family Services is income support, which was previously managed under the Department of Education.
In recent years, a computerized case management system was developed and introduced in Nunavut communities to manage social assistance payments and other programs under this division.
Are all communities currently equipped with the necessary computer devices and Internet access to be able to operate, deliver and monitor the system? And if not, is there a plan in place to inventory current devices and update or replace old devices and how much will that cost?
Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Funds for the case management system are taken out of operations and maintenance. We are purchasing service for some communities in order to deploy the system further.
In order to roll out the system, we need to have a clean pile conversion before we start issuing so that we capture any outstanding overpayments that clients have to date.
This process is time consuming.
We also have to work closely with IT technicians at CGS to determine their availability to assist us.
Recently, the weather did not cooperate with us as we were trying to roll out in Rankin Inlet with the case management system.
When we are done with Rankin Inlet, we will be heading to Arviat, Baker Lake and then Cambridge Bay with the case management system.
With the cost, the cost of the system… . With the cost of the system, I will get my deputy minister to answer Mr. Joanasie’s question.
The cost of the system has been spread out over approximately seven years at the cost of about $1.2 million, so it wasn’t one big purchase.
As far as the yearly maintenance fees go and for any enhancements, we have an O&M budget of $300,000 a year.
One of the areas that fall under the responsibility of the Department of Family Services is the providing of residential care to medically fragile children and to medically fragile adults.
The Department of Health also provides services at group homes and elder facilities in Nunavut.
Can you describe how you will work with your counterpart in the Department of Health to ensure that infrastructure and equipment needs and other such items as ramps, special washrooms, wheelchairs, lifts or mechanical beds at these facilities are provided for?
We will work very closely with our colleagues at the Department of Health going forward to do the assessments that are needed.
The Department of Family Services handles level 1 and 2 care, so most of our clients probably wouldn’t need wheelchairs and ramps. We are committed to work closely with the Department of Health, and have been doing so since we started work.
Earlier today in the House I spoke about my concern about the closing of the children’s group home, Ilagiittut.
I wonder in your capital planning why you did not identify a need to have an adolescent group home so that you wouldn’t have to close down the children’s group home.
We had a discussion about this earlier during Oral Questions.
The new institution was not built for children and I think it’s better if they are fostered out.
We are going to be using that building for adolescent girls.
It is not going to be closed, but it is going to be used for another purpose.
I think it is better for the children if they are fostered in a regular home.
Since you are transitioning that children’s group home to an adolescent group home, are there going to be any additional renovation costs associated to that transition?
At this time we are not sure whether or not renovations will have to be undertaken.
We will work with CGS to do a facility assessment and then once we have that in hand we will go forward.
I don’t think, at this time, that we will be looking at renovations.
I understand that they are going to purchase a number of functional vehicle fleets.
Can the department indicate how many vehicles they are going to be purchasing in total?
We have not completed the number of vehicles that have been requested but we are looking at around 22 vehicles under the family services department.
There are seven vehicles that are slated to go to the communities.
Will the purchases be done in bulk before prior to the sealift season?
We are going to be working with Community and Government Services how to proceed with the procurement of the vehicles.
Hon. Minister, welcome to you and your officials.
I would like to make a supplementary question about the vehicles.
We are the ones who approve the estimates and you indicated that you are still reviewing the requests for vehicles.
There is going to be another change coming because you said you were still working on it.
So we are trying to approve something that is not finalized yet.
The list of vehicles coming over to the department has not been finalized. In reviewing the list we have been provided, we estimated approximately 22 vehicles should be assets of the Department of Family Services; 15 in the Qikiqtani, 3 in the Kivalliq, 4 in the Kitikmeot.
Vehicles should be an asset of the Department of Family Services.
For ordering vehicles, we will work with CGS to order seven new vehicles.
I don’t know how I am phrasing my questions because nobody seems to be able to understand me.
My question was, or what I asked was that you have not finalized the requests yet.
Does that mean you are going to keep making changes after we have approved these monies?
From what I understand, the Department of Family Services and the Department of Health jointly use the vehicles; we don’t know who these vehicles are owned by, whether it’s the Department of Family Services or Health.
I do know that we are going to be requesting seven new vehicles that will be going to be going to the communities. We are going to be doing that with the help of Community and Government Services.
Is that more understandable?
Regarding the $600,000 and in your opening comments you indicated that, as the Hon. Minister indicated here, that with your new department there will be a need to purchase capital items and you will have to setup capital estimates for your department.
When are we going to be seeing those types of requests for those capital items?
My deputy indicated that we deal with level 1 and 2, and it’s very expensive to operate those facilities.
Ms. Teiman: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The department doesn’t expect to be coming forward with any new capital requests in the next little while.
We follow the capital planning process that has been outlined by CGS in every step of the way, but it’s very important for us to do the facility assessments with CGS to get a handle on exactly what is transferring to the department. Some of those asset liability lists still have not been finalized.
I’ve got several other questions here. One of the areas that falls under the responsibilities of the Department of Family Services is the Income Support Program, which was previously managed under the Department of Education.
Are all communities currently equipped with the necessary computers, devices, and Internet access to be able to operate, deliver, and monitor this system?
I believe Mr. Joanasie already asked that question.
Okay, seeing that it was already asked, now my other question here is: the Department of Family Services is providing residential care to medically fragile children and medically dependent adults, which services group homes and elders’ facilities in Nunavut.
Can you describe how you work with your counterpart in the Department of Health to ensure that infrastructure and equipment needs for such items as ramps, special washrooms, wheelchair lifts, or mechanical beds at these facilities are provided?
Ms. Angnakak already asked that question.
Mr. Mikkungwak.  >>Laughter
I understand those questions were already asked, but I guess my question here would be: can the department look into these matters for the community of Baker Lake?
I’ll refer that question to my deputy minister.
Yes, Baker Lake will definitely be a community that we will focus on with the Department of Health when we’re looking at the assessments that we do in the future.
Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Mikkungwak.
Seeing that it’s a new program, will that information also be provided to the staff of Family Services, not only to the one other department?
Chairman: Thank you. Minister Ugyuk.
From my understanding, we will work properly with the Department of Health in regard to the matter on hand.
Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you. (interpretation) To make perfect sense, health department officials fully understand how things have been working up to now and since the two departments have been separated, I want to make sure that the Department of Family Services is sure of what their responsibilities are now and what the Department of Health’s responsibilities will be.
Have you fully settled as to division of responsibilities?
We can only proceed well if we have good communication and good understanding, but I will have my deputy minister respond to that.
It’s very important that the two departments work together because of the separation of services.
The Department of Family Services has to dig back and ask for some of the historical documentation and the background information on several of the facilities and various programs that have been delivered over the years under the auspices of the department of health and social services.
We still have some work to do. With the finalization of the list of assets and liabilities, those things should come clearer within the next few months, working with the Department of CGS and the Department of Finance.
Thank you for the response that I received.
I understand that both departments fully understand at the territorial and maybe at the regional level, but basically my question was: do all personnel within each community within the territory fully understand their roles and responsibilities to provide these services in the respective communities?
Communications really has nothing to do with the capital estimates, so I cannot respond to that.
I remind the members to stick to capital. Questions?
When we’re discussing capital, it was regarding vehicles and fleets. That’s what I’m referring to.
Some departments within the respective communities, for example, in Baker Lake, they may be debating as to who has what vehicle.
Will the communication regarding the respective vehicles to each community be identified to all the personnel?
Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you.
We have divided the two departments and the staff have been directed to share the vehicles properly.
If they have to share one vehicle, they can also do it, share it properly. In the headquarters in Cambridge Bay and Rankin Inlet, they have been asked to keep sharing their vehicles for the time being.
You may overrule me on this, but in some communities where they’re sharing a vehicle, which department has the final authority, the Department of Health or the Department of Family Services?
Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) If issues present themselves regarding sharing of vehicles, we work it out at the senior level between departments.
No more questions?
We will now proceed to the page-by-page review of the capital estimates starting with B-3.
Family Services. Branch Summary. Corporate Management.
Total Capital Expenditures. $600,000.
Chairman: Back to page B-2.
Family Services. Detail of Expenditures. Total Capital Expenditures. $600,000.
Chairman: Are you agreed the Department of Family Services is concluded?
Chairman: Thank you, minister and officials. Do you have any closing comments?
Thank you to my fellow MLAs for asking questions on behalf of the people of Nunavut.
Sergeant-at-Arms, please assist the witnesses.
I would now like to ask the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Hon. Qulaut, to go to the witness table and proceed with his opening comments.
Opening comments, Mr. Speaker.
Bill 02 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2014-2015 – Legislative Assembly – Consideration in Committee
If it’s okay, I would like Mr. Quirke to sit next to me.
Chairman: Mr. Qulaut.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) It is a pleasure for me to appear before you and members today to present the proposed 2014-15 Capital Estimates of the Office of the Legislative Assembly.
As members will note, the 2014-15 capital budget for the Office of the Legislative Assembly is $305,000.
Our priority areas for the coming fiscal year include ongoing investments in equipment and furniture for the Assembly and members’ offices, in addition to enhancements and upgrades to the Legislative Assembly’s audiovisual, Hansard, and information technology [systems].
That concludes my opening comments, Mr. Chairman. I would be pleased to answer any questions that members may have. (interpretation) Thank you.
Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Speaker Qulaut.
Do you wish to have your staff at the witness table?
Speaker: Yes, I do.
Does the committee agree to let the Speaker’s officials go to the witness table?
For the record, Mr. Speaker, please introduce your officials.
Speaker: Qujannamiik, Mr. Chairman. To my right is Mr. John Quirke, Clerk of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, and to my left is Mr. Mike Rafter, Director of Corporate Services.
Welcome, Mr. Clerk and Mr. Rafter.
Do members have any general comments or questions, including ministers?
Turn to A-3.
Page A-3. Office of the Legislative Assembly.
Branch Summary. Assembly Operations. Total Capital Expenditures. $290,000.
Chairman: To page A-5.
Independent Officers of the Legislative Assembly. Total Capital Expenditures. $15,000.
Chairman: Go back to page A-2. Department Summary.
Office of the Legislative Assembly. Detail of Expenditures. Total Capital Expenditures. $305,000.
Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Speaker and your officials.
Closing comments?
Speaker: Thank you very much and Taima.
Chairman: I will now ask members to go Bill 2 in your legislation binder. Bill 2, Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2014-2015. Clause 1?
Chairman: Go to the Schedule on page 2. Schedule. Vote 2: Capital.
Total Capital Appropriations. $149,979,000.
Chairman: Do members agree to Bill 2 as a whole?
Chairman: Do members agree, pursuant to Rule 62(2), that Bill 2 can immediately be placed on the orders of the day for third reading?
Chairman: I would now like to report progress.
Member for Uqsuqtuuq, Mr. Akoak.
Your committee has been considering Bill 2 and would like to report that Bill 2 is immediately ready for third reading.
Bill 02 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2014-2015 – Third Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Netsilik, that Bill 2, Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2014-2015, be read for the third time.
The motion has passed and Bill 2 is ready for assent.
Mr. Speaker. (interpretation) I’m sorry.
(interpretation ends) I must be tired.
A reminder to all members that there’s a meeting of the Full Caucus tomorrow morning at ten o’clock in the Nanuq Boardroom.
Motion 11 – 4(1)
Speaker: This House stands adjourned until Wednesday, March 19, at 1:30 p.m.
Pages 479 – 543
Opening Prayer 479
Ministers’ Statements 479
Members’ Statements 483
Returns to Oral Questions 488
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 490
Oral Questions 490
Tabling of Documents 514
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 514
Report of the Committee of the Whole 541
Third Reading of Bills 541
Assent to Bills 542
Orders of the Day 542
Wednesday, March 19, 2014 479
038 – 4(1): IGN.I.T.E Camp (Quassa) 479
039 – 4(1): Retraction of Territorial Power Rates (Okalik) 480
040 – 4(1): ABE Essential Skills Program Recognized in New Online Inventory (Quassa) 480
041 – 4(1): Novel and Non-invasive Techniques for Studying Wildlife in Nunavut (Mike) 481
042 – 4(1): Retirement of Brian Zawadski (Kuksuk) 482
096 – 4(1): Apex School Breakfast Program (Angnakak) 483
097 – 4(1): The Retirement of Phil Bordeau (Ell) 484
098 – 4(1): Against Family Violence (Joanasie) 484
099 – 4(1): Concerns Regarding Shortage of Nursing Staff (Akoak) 485
100 – 4(1): Harmonizing and Updating Eligibility Criteria for GN Programs (Mikkungwak) 485
101 – 4(1): New Travel Arrangements for Sanikiluaq (Rumbolt) 486
102 – 4(1): School Breakfast Programs (Ugyuk) 487
103 – 4(1): Waste Management (Savikataaq) 487
Return to Oral Question 051 – 4(1): Cape Dorset Housing Authority (Kuksuk) 488
Return to Oral Question 052 – 4(1): Natural Resources Conservation Trust Fund (Mike) 488
Return to Oral Question 054 – 4(1): Purpose of Acquiring Old Health Centre (Quassa) 489
Return to Oral Question 057 – 4(1): Department of Environment Expenditures (Mike) 489
111 – 4(1): Planning for Travel from Sanikiluaq (Rumbolt) 490
112 – 4(1): Waste Management in Arviat (Savikataaq) 492
113 – 4(1): Concerns Regarding Shortage of Nursing Staff (Akoak) 493
114 – 4(1): Harmonizing and Updating Eligibility Criteria for GN Programs (Mikkungwak) 494
115 – 4(1): Human Rights and Social Assistance (Enook) 495
116 – 4(1): Public Service Act (Hickes) 496
117 – 4(1): Foster Care Services in Nunavut (Angnakak) 498
118 – 4(1): High Arctic Transportation Strategy (Shooyook) 499
119 – 4(1): Update on Family Violence Prevention Strategy (Joanasie) 501
120 – 4(1): Helping Low-income Families Meet High Cost of Living (Sammurtok) 502
121 – 4(1): Natural Resources Conservation Trust Fund (Rumbolt) 502
122 – 4(1): Income Assistance Legislation (Enook) 503
123 – 4(1): Government of Nunavut Procurement Activities (Angnakak) 505
124 – 4(1): Sale of Ivory from Nunavut (Hickes) 507
125 – 4(1): Shared Directional Statement with the RCMP (Sammurtok) 508
126 – 4(1): Funding Request for Disabled Family Member (Shooyook) 509
127 – 4(1): Pond Inlet Airport (Enook) 509
128 – 4(1): Cape Dorset Housing Authority (Joanasie) 510
129 – 4(1): Support for People with Hearing Impairments (Hickes) 511
130 – 4(1): Sale of Ivory from Nunavut (Savikataaq) 512
131 – 4(1): Restructuring the Funding Formula with Iqaluit Housing Authority (Hickes) 513
031 – 4(1): Qulliq Energy Corporation 2012-2013 Annual Report (Okalik) 514
032 – 4(1): Nunavut Liquor Commission Annual Report, 2012-2013 (Peterson) 514
033 – 4(1): Office of the Chief Coroner 2011 Annual Report (Okalik) 514
034 – 4(1): Grants and Contributions 2012-2013 (Peterson) 514
Extension of Question Period (Enook) 506
001 – 4(1): Extended Sitting Hours (Rumbolt) 536
Bill 03 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 3, 2013-2014 – Consideration in Committee 515
Bill 04 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 4, 2013-2014 – Consideration in Committee 536
Bill 05 – Interim Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, April 1, 2014 to July 31, 2014 – Consideration in Committee 539
Bill 03 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 3, 2013-2014 – Third Reading 541
Bill 04 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 4, 2013-2014 – Third Reading 541
Bill 05 – Interim Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, April 1, 2014 to July 31, 2014 – Third Reading 541
Speaker (Hon. George Qulaut) (interpretation): I would like to ask Mr. Enook to say the opening prayer, please.
Good afternoon, Members, Ministers, Premier, and all Nunavummiut.
Minister’s Statement 038 – 4(1): IGN.I.T.E Camp (Quassa)
Good day to the people of Igloolik and Nunavut.