EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
My reason for asking this question is have they ever considered if companies outside of Nunavut, outside of Canada, will be done anyways, have you ever considered other countries that have experience, in south America or other places, to do it cheaper for you if you’re not going to be hiring somebody from Nunavut to do these things.
A number of those communities which total 9.5 million dollars, we have a number of projects related to the Petroleum Products Division operations.
Some of them could be just increasing the berms and the location for future tanks.
Some of them can be increasing capacity, building the new tanks.
Some of them are basically inspection and the engineering work involved and the spill response equipment and a few other things.
A number of the contracts are currently in the finishing design stages, ready for tender and it will be tendered and we don’t have the outcome of the successful bidder, so I cannot really make any comment on who will get the contract or not.
In the case of the actual tank building technique, I would like to make sure that everyone understands that pressure welding and completely steel welding from that point, which requires extremely qualified people.
We know that those types of professions, who are qualified, are very difficult to find in Nunavut.
So, we basically have no other choice than to probably involve the outside companies.
Mr. Arvaluk (interpretation): I understand that.
Does it have to be a very expensive Canadian firm to do the building or welding of those tanks?
I guess that’s my basic question.
What I’m getting at here is that we purchase these and build these tanks at a very, very high cost.
They’re just sheet metal of steel and they are necessary, but because they are storage tanks, like warehouses, can we try to build them, in labour terms, as cheaply as possible.
What material, maybe order it from somewhere that is the cheapest place, even if it’s south America or China or something like that, somewhere that it can be built cheaper than what we are doing right now.
Yes, we are open to suggestions and on this contract; we have to follow government policies for contracting.
When there are contracts out for tender, we have to follow the policies that are set within the government guidelines.
Some other countries may be interested, but we will keep that in mind.
Countries outside of Canada, for the upgrading of tank farms, we have never had any bidders from outside of the country, only Canadian companies have bid on a contract.
These materials for building these tank farms, or if we can find cheaper ways, we can look into that.
The transport from South America would probably be just as expensive as buying Canadian products.
It might not make a difference if we buy from outside the country.
So, we will take Mr. Arvaluk’s suggestion if we think that it could work better for these tank farms and for the government.
Mr. Arvaluk: We do not know that until we invite the potential proponents for the designing engineering, etc., Mr. Mrazek has told us that some have been tendered for design engineering for those tanks.
Here is the problem, we have been building houses and tanks and Schools, and etc., etc., I do not know for the last thirty-four years.
There tanks are basically light.
Why do we do a million dollars or a five hundred thousand dollar engineering design if it is not in their tanks?
Why do not we use the same drawings that we had last year, or a few years ago, except for the piping system, or the connecting system?
This little government here is being eaten up by design engineering everywhere when we already built identical stuff previously.
It is kind of hard to respond to his comments, but whatever is being built in the communities has to be designed for safety purposes, code purposes, and the builders need a good design to follow when they are going to build those tank farms.
We do use some previous materials, we can attempt to do that, but his comment was that there was previous projects that were similar.
I asked the same question, why do not we use the same design.
I do not have a particular response to his comments, but I will take his comments into consideration.
In the Minister’s opening comments, in the last page, the bullet, he stated, the first one in in-depth review of the Nunavummi Namminiqaqtii Ikajuuti Policy was conducted and in conjunction with Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, is he talking about the Article 24 Contract Policy?
The NNI Policy is to benefit businesses and this was in collaboration with NTI and that is what we are trying to say.
Mr. Nutarak (interpretation): There was a stop put on the policy from our Government and any company could bit on, for instance, the school building in Pond Inlet for the addition to the Olayuk School and it was open to anybody to bid.
Do they use a lot of funds when they keep the contract open to outside businesses?
I will let my Deputy Minister respond to that, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Mrazek: Mr. Chairman, I do not have the full understanding of the question, so, I would like to ask the MLA to rephrase the question.
Mr. Chairman, Mr. Iqaqrialu commented earlier about a lot of money being used for contracts and they always seem to go over budget from what they tendered.
I am talking about the Olayuk School addition that was recently completed.
The Education Minister and Minister Kattuk and the Premier and I went to go do the Official Opening, but there were some problems with the building and the Department had to come up with more funds and because of that, I am asking when the contract policy, the NNI was not implemented at that point and the tender was open to any business.
So, Olayuk School was not open for two months.
Why was the contract open to other businesses and what effect did it have?
This specific school contracts and project has been experiencing a delay by the contractor.
It is without basically involvement.
I would like to just ask that when that project goes for tender, it is a public tender and anybody can respond to the tender regardless if it is a small contract, big contract, outside contract, inside contractor.
The only difference is if the company is NNI and NTI approves, they have obviously, the advantage comparing to some contractors who are not approved for NNI or NTI.
So, I would like to just clarify that from that point.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Mrazek .
Are you done? Mr. Havioyak.
I would just like to make a short comment. (interpretation ends) I’m sure you do some monitoring on the contracts with how many employees they need to meet the required number of employees, the percentage.
I’m just wondering how that is done.
Do you have someone in the community that keeps an eye on the contractor to say, yes, he is hiring locals, but is he meeting the required percentage.
I’m just curious to know how that works.
I guess you know what I mean.
Do you have someone there saying, yes, he’s hiring, no he’s not.
He’s under the percentage of what he agreed to on the contract.
Can you just fill me in on that process on how it works?
Hon. Peter Kattuk (interpretation): I will ask Mr. Mrazek to answer that question.
The policing of the NNI Policy is relatively simple.
When the contract is awarded, the contractor will specify that it will achieve a certain percentage.
Let’s say, for example, 10 percent, in some cases it is much more.
That means that he will guarantee that 10 percent of his employees will be local or Inuit employed on the job.
We’re not on the job every time and every day, but with any progress statement, which contractors submit for payment, he has to prove on the special form, which is like a payroll form almost, the name of the employee and the amount of money and the amount of hours the employee worked.
That can be very easily checked out if he’s meeting the 10 percent or 15, or 20, whatever he said.
If he achieved more than what he stated in the tender, we will be able to and in some cases, did give him an extra bonus for his incentive for exceeding the percentage.
In cases he cannot exceed, he cannot stay within which he stated in the tender, we can give him a penalty as well.
I hope that this was a clear explanation.
Mr. Havioyak: Have there been any incidents where you have to go up to the contractor and say you are not meeting the required number that is signed in the contract.
Have you had that experience before and how is it dealt with when that happens.
I’m sure you have a low level of maybe nothing, but I’m just curious if this is working.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Havioyak. Mr. Mrazek.
In some cases, the contractor had difficulties to get the numbers.
He stated in the tender, but I think we have to judge that on an individual basis, and also, consider the amount of people who are employable or who want to work.
You may have a situation where you have too much job in one community and a limited amount of labour pool, but in many cases or the majority of cases, the percentage has been maintained according to the tendered documents.
Chairperson (interpretation): There is a Motion on the Floor to report progress.
We will ask for a vote.
A show of hands please?
Are those people opposed?
We are not meeting a quorum.
Those in favour to the Motion?
The Motion is not debatable.
We will proceed with the meeting.
When there is a Motion to report progress it is not debatable, and now the Motion was defeated.
Myself, as the Chairman, that is how I understood it, that it is not debatable.
I hope that you understand the rules?
Mr. Arvaluk (interpretation): From what I understand that the Motion is not debatable.
It is up to me whether I am in favour, or opposed to the Motion.
Chairperson (interpretation): Now I know.
We will just continue then.
I forget what my question was.
In his Opening Comments that they have increased the number of Inuit.
How many are actually working in the Department?
Who would like to replace me as Chairperson? Who would like to be a Chairman to replace me at this point? Minister Kattuk, I will get you to respond.
Hon. Peter Kattuk (interpretation): Regarding his question, I do not think that this is the time to ask that question.
I think that it is more appropriate to ask it when I am not at the witness table.
I do not want to be Chairperson today.
Anything else, Mr. Alakannuark?
I did not get a response to my question as to how many Inuit are employed in the Department, but because there is no response I would like that information as to how many Inuit are actually working in the department?
Chairperson (interpretation): Probably at another time.
I did respond to you and told you that I would rather respond to it during the Session, during Question Period, during Oral Question.
I would be better prepared to respond to it because I do not have it in front of me.
Okay, he said he will be better prepared to respond to it during Oral Question Period.
My other question is, in the communities that I represent in Repulse Bay and Kugaaruk There are no jet fuel tanks in those communities.
Let me know if I am out of order, but are there plans in place to purchase tank farms for jet fuel in those communities?
For Repulse Bay and Kugaaruk, there will be tanks built in those communities and it is in the budget for those communities and it is in the budget, for your information.
So, with that, what year would you start the construction of these tanks?
In the budget, it would be in the year 2003-2004.
Ms. Williams: Line by line.
Chairperson (interpretation): Page 6-5, Public Works and Services.
Total Operations and Maintenance. $8 million, 816 thousand.
Chairperson (interpretation): Page 6-6.
Total Operations and Maintenance. $5 million, 308 thousand.
Chairperson (interpretation): Public Works and Services.
Operations. Total Operations and Maintenance. $31 million, 630 thousand.
Under Contract Services, $18 million, 149 thousand, could you tell me what that is?
Is that leases?
I will have our finance person respond to your question, so you have the accurate information.
It is partially for the leases of office space, commercial leases as well as the operation contracts as and when, for maintenance of extinguisher repairs and inspections and other building related duties.
Under the operations, including the Nunavummi Nangminiqaqtuni Ikajuuti policy, do you now have a review process under that.
I would like the member to rephrase her question.
I’ll ask it, do you have an appeal process for the NNI policy and also, if you have a review on this initiative, can you table the document.
To date, we do not have an appeal procedure for the NNI Policy.
Mr. Arvaluk (interpretation): I apologise, Mr. Chairman, I’m looking at the wrong page.
Chairperson (interpretation): Total Operations and Maintenance, 31 million 630 thousand dollars.
Public Works and Services, Branch Summary, Informatics Services, total Operations and Maintenance, 50 million 185 thousand dollars.
That is where I was at.
Contract services, you have compensation and benefits.
That’s wages for your real employees, 4.4 million dollars.
You also have contract services for 2.078 million dollars.
And you have other expenses for 4.6 million dollars.
Can you explain to me what those two are, contract services and other expenses above and beyond your salaried employees.
I’ll have Mr. Galbraith respond to your question.
Contract services represent telecommunications contracts such as Articom, a contract where we use Northwest Tel and some broadband width.
The other expenses encompasses all computer purchases and services of the 4.6 million dollars.
What’s the difference between purchased services for 3.2 million dollars and the other expenses that you said are also for purchased services.
Hon. Peter Kattuk (interpretation): I’ll have Mr. Galbraith respond to your question.
Purchase services do not include the computer components as in other expenses, but telecommunications equipment and upgrades of 3.2 million dollars.
Mr. McLean: I think that he answered my question there on the $4.6 million.
That was the software development.
That accounts for software and so that is all that I had to ask.
Total Operation and Maintenance. $31 million, 630 thousand.
Total Operations and Maintenance. $50 million, 185 thousand.
The Public Works and Services Branch Summary.
Details information item. 6-14.
We will then go back to 6-4.
Total Operations and Maintenance, $60 million, 939 thousand.
Chairperson (interpretation): Do you agree that the Department of Public Works and Services is concluded?
Chairperson (interpretation): Closing Remarks, Mr. Minister.
Hon. Peter Kattuk (interpretation): Thank you. I would like to thank my officials for being able to be here.
Thank you very much for making an appearance.
We will go into Opening Remarks, and then we will take it from there.
I am sorry, Mr. Chairman, they are just on their way down right now, so if you want to report progress.
It is a shame, I know.
Chairperson (interpretation): There is a Motion on the Floor.
Reports of the Committee of the Whole. Mr. Chairman.
Item 20: Reports of the Committee of the Whole
Mr. Speaker, your Committee has been considering Bill 30 and the Main Estimates and would like to report progress.
Also, Mr. Speaker, I moved that the Report of the Committee of the Whole be concurred with.
Speaker: There is a Motion on the Floor. Is there a seconder for the motion?
A reminder for Members for Government Operations Standing Committee meeting at 9:00 in the Tuktu Board Room.
Orders of the day for Thursday, March 27, 2003,
In accordance to authority provided to me by Motion 002-1(6), this House stands adjourned until Thursday, March 27th, at 10:00 a.m.
>>House adjourned at 20:32 p.m.  Nunavut Canada
Thursday March 27, 2003
Pages 3344 – 3479
Opening Prayer 3344
Ministers’ Statements 3344
Members’ Statements 3346
Returns to Oral Questions 3352
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 3352
Oral Questions 3354
Revert to Item 5: Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 3372
Petitions 3373
Reports of Committees on the Review of Bills 3373
Notices of Motions for First Reading of Bills 3374
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 3374
Report of Committee of the Whole 3478
Third Reading of Bills 3478
Orders of the Day 3478
Thursday March 27, 2003 3344
152 – 1(6): Long Term Service Award Ceremonies (Kilabuk) 3344
153 – 1(6): Youth Identity Development Strategy (Akesuk) 3345
154 – 1(6): Language Awards (Akesuk) 3345
504 – 1(6): Employment for Smaller Communities (Iqaqrialu) 3346
505 – 1(6): Inuit Oral Legends (Puqiqnak) 3346
506 – 1(6): Teaching in Inuinnaqtun Language (Havioyak) 3347
507 – 1(6): April 15 Dog Team Race (Williams) 3348
508 – 1(6): Toonik Tyme Festivities (Tootoo) 3348
509 – 1(6): Acknowledge the Sanikiluaq Youth on Shooting Competition (Kattuk) 3349
510 – 1(6): Artificial Ice for Arenas (Irqittuq) 3349
511 – 1(6): NHL Hockey Games (McLean) 3350
512 – 1(6): Acknowledging Long Term Awards (Picco) 3350
513 – 1(6): Pollution in Wildlife (Alakanaurak) 3351
Return to Oral Question 478 – 1(6): Polar Bear Survey Project (Akesuk) 3352
509 – 1(6): Five Cent Rider Increase on April 1st (Tootoo) 3354
510 – 1(6): Inuit Stories and Legends (Puqiqnak) 3356
511 – 1(6): Tax Credits for Corporations (McLean) 3358
512 – 1(6): Assistance for Traditional Knowledge Study on Polar Bears (Iqaqrialu) 3359
513 – 1(6): Escort Policy for Patients Under the Age of 18 (Havioyak) 3361
514 – 1(6): Long Term Service Awards (Nutarak) 3363
515 – 1(6): Studies or Plans to Keep the Environment Clean (Alakannuark) 3364
516 – 1(6): Power Bill Payment Solutions (Irqittuq) 3366
517 – 1(6): Income Tax Volunteers to Visit Communities (Williams) 3369
518 – 1(6): Language Barriers Filling GN Positions (McLean) 3371
008 – 1(6): Telephone Call Display Service (Puqiqnak) 3373
Reports of Standing Committees on the Review of Bills
013 – 1(6): Bill 28 – An Act to Amend the Young Offenders Act (Nunavut) and Other Acts in Consequence (Iqaqrialu) 3373
Bill 35 – Wildlife Act - Notice 3374
Bill 30 – Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act 2003/2004 – Third Reading 3478
Bill 31 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 3 2002-2003 – Third Reading 3478
Bill 32 – Supplementary Appropriation (O and M) Act, No 2. 2002-2003 – Third Reading 3478
Honourable Olayuk Akesuk, Mr. Ovide Alakannuark, Mr. James Arvaluk, Mr. Donald Havioyak, Mr. David Iqaqrialu, Mr. Irqittuq, Honourable Peter Kattuk, Honourable Peter Kilabuk, Mr. Glenn McLean, Honourable Kelvin Ng, Mr. Jobie Nutarak, Honourable Kevin O’Brien, Honourable Paul Okalik, Honourable Ed Picco, Mr. Uriash Puqiqnak, Honourable Manitok Thompson, Mr. Hunter Tootoo, Ms. Rebekah Williams.
Speaker (Mr. O’Brien): I would like to call on to Mr. Puqiqnak to say the opening prayer.
Speaker: Good Morning, Premier, Members.
Minister’s Statement 152 – 1(6): Long Term Service Award Ceremonies
Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize the continued effort and contribution of our employees who have served long periods of interrupted employment within Public Service.
Mr. Speaker, Long Term Service Award Ceremonies recognizing employees with 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 continuous years of service are being held this year in various communities in Nunavut.
Across Nunavut, about 490 employees will be receiving a service award this year.
Long Term Service Awards ceremonies were held recently in Pelly Bay, Taloyoak, Gjoa Haven and Kugluktuk.
Similar ceremonies will be held in Cambridge Bay later this month and communities in Kivalliq and Qikiqtaaluk later this year.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this time to especially acknowledge the contributions of Maggie Gordon of the Department of Education, who has served the Government of 35 years of service.
I would also like to recognize an individual who is present here today, Mr. John Quirke, Clerk of the Legislative of Assembly who has 30 years of service.
Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to invite all members of the Legislative of Assembly to the Long Term Service Ceremony for employees in Iqaluit.
It will be held this evening at the Cadet Hall at 6:00 p.m.
Mr. Speaker, please join me in acknowledging the dedication of our employees, our most valued asset.
Minister’s Statement 153 – 1(6): Youth Identity Development Strategy
Good morning colleagues, Premier and my constituents.
Mr. Speaker, we know the largest portion of our population in Nunavut is under 30 years of age.
As Minister of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth I would like to update my colleagues on the work my department is doing for youth.
Over the next few months, my department will be holding workshops with youth from all Nunavut communities to create a Youth Identity Development Strategy.
Mr. Speaker, we know that both identity and self esteem are critical to youth making healthy choices for their future.
We also recognize that youth know best what their challenges are.
Our strategy will come directly from youth, from their successes, problems, ideas and dreams.
(interpretation ends) One of the central topics for discussion at the community workshops will be to explore ways we can strengthen the bond between youth and the land, culture, and language, through elders.
Creating a bridge between youth and elders will strengthen youth’s connection to Inuit traditions and build a sense of pride in their identity as Nunavummiut.
(interpretation) As a department, the Youth Identity Development Strategy will help us to focus our programs, grants and contributions towards priorities identified by youth for youth.
Minister’s Statement 154 – 1(6): Language Awards
Hon. Olayuk Akesuk (interpretation): Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to announce the first annual Inuktitut/Inuinnaqtun Language Awards.
It is important to recognize people in communities who contribute to the richness of our Inuit language.
My department is dedicated to protecting and promoting our language, but we cannot do it alone.
The real effort comes from the community level, people in every community speaking and writing their language.
The department would like to recognize these individuals and their contributions.
This year, Culture, Language, Elders and Youth is working in partnership with the organizing committee of Inuktitut Uqauttin Language Week to recognize outstanding achievement in four categories. Elder, youth, Adult and Language Project.
(interpretation ends) Nomination forms are available through the Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth or by calling 1-866-934-2035.
This new initiative will be an annual event.
Member’s Statement 504 – 1(6): Employment for Smaller Communities
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about the smaller communities in Nunavut that do not have employment opportunities and I would like the Government to be able to recognize those smaller communities and assist them in any way that they can because there are no economic opportunities available to them.
There are a lot of people out there in the smaller communities who are unemployment and have no place to work and I would like the Government to make sure that they are not forgotten and to make sure that the are operating money for the Hamlets are kept up to par and increased so that more employment opportunities can be available for those that have no jobs.
Member’s Statement 505 – 1(6): Inuit Oral Legends
I am very glad to be back and I say hello to my family.
Mr. Speaker, for those of us who still have Inuit traditional knowledge it is a privilege.
All this knowledge is being collected these days and that is good to see.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to make a Members’ Statement in regards to the Inuit Oral Legends.
When I was a young child, my mother used to tell me stories and those oral legends were very interesting to hear and we truly believed that they were guides for healthier living.
For that reason, stories like the legend of Kiviuq and all other oral legends, Mr. Speaker, I will be asking a question at the appropriate time in regards to this.
Member’s Statement 506 – 1(6): Teaching in Inuinnaqtun Language
I am glad that our Member is back here again, it is nice to see him back in the House.
Yesterday, David Iqaqrialu had mentioned this; I wanted to thank the Member for what he discussed yesterday.