EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
I don’t want to be the only one left out, so my questions are also for the Minister of Community and Government Services.
As the minister is aware, there is a serious lack of waste management throughout Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, I have previously raised this issue in the House on a number of occasions.
On October 22, 2014, the Minister of Community and Government Services at the time stated that the department was “developing standard operating procedures to assist municipal staff and also stakeholders to educate and provide public awareness for other organizations to be able to take part in the proper segregation, hazardous waste management, and other opportunities with respect to waste management.”
Can the minister indicate if these operating procedures have been completed and distributed to communities and, if not, when will this be done?
Yes, this is true. I agree with you that we will have to work on it, especially for waste management and for metals and other waste products.
Right now, I can state the fact that we will be dealing with this along with the hamlets in the communities. We will be working closely with them as well.
Speaking about waste management in Nunavut, it’s urgent that we do something about it, but I will take this as notice and I will get back to you on the question.
On February 28, 2014, your department issued a request for information for “Potential Planning for Solid Waste Management Methods for Nunavut.”
In that RFI, your department indicated that “while a government-run recycling program within Nunavut is cost-prohibitive to the GN, especially given the small return on the investment, there may be an opportunity here where the private sector, coupled with the GN, could provide some form of recycling.”
Can the minister indicate if his department has pursued any specific initiatives with private businesses or corporations to undertake recycling projects in Nunavut?
As I stated, I will be getting back to you and also speaking with my staff members concerning waste management within Nunavut, especially for metal. You are able to burn some of the garbage or waste, but you can’t do this with metal.
We have to look at this again, especially through maybe water management. A compliance working group is working on this issue.
The hamlet organizations within the communities are involved, but as I stated, I will be looking at this again and coming back to you at a later date.
I thank the member for his response.
My last question, seeing that he’s a minister with a new portfolio, perhaps he can look into my next question as well.
In that RFI, your department also indicates that “regulations surrounding solid waste management are rarely enforced and if they are, there are no punitive measures taken for non-compliance.”
Can the minister indicate what specific actions his department is taking to ensure that communities are taking all possible measures to ensure that their landfill sites are compliant with current regulations?
That’s the situation. We can only operate them with the funds that have been made available to CGS.
That’s the only way these things can operate.
Once we know how much money we will be able to get, we will be able to put out some new initiatives on the matter in regard to his question.
Right now, I cannot outline how much money it will take to work on these solid waste issues.
Once I am fully aware of it, I’ll be able to explain it to the House.
Member for Rankin Inlet, Mr. Alexander Sammurtok.
Question 510 – 4(2): Status of Heritage Centre (Sammurtok)
My question today is for the Minister of Culture and Heritage.
As the minister will recall, the Legislative Assembly approved $500,000 in capital funding in November 2014 for a project that would allow the department to repatriate heritage assets currently being placed outside the territory.
Can the minister indicate what specific steps his department will be taking to select heritage buildings in Nunavut that will receive heritage assets and artefacts?
Minister of Culture and Heritage, Mr. Kuksuk.  Hon. George Kuksuk (interpretation): Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, we are working on this continuously and we know that the heritage items don’t have proper spaces in Nunavut and are being cared for in the NWT right now.
We are working on this and we are in talks with them.
Three months ago, I went and met with them and we’re planning to try and bring the Nunavut artefacts that are cared for over there back to our territory.
However, right now, we don’t have proper storage space or displays for them.
They will be taken care of in the NWT or Ottawa or Winnipeg for the interim, but we are working on repatriating them.
On November 4, 2014, the Minister of Culture and Heritage indicated that the department had received submissions to house these artefacts from the Kivalliq Inuit Association, Cape Dorset, and Kugluktuk.
Has the department received any other submissions to date?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) The Hon. Minister of Culture and Heritage, Mr. Kuksuk.
We have had talks and our department has been approached by the private sector as well.
Right now, we are not in serious talks with any one group, but we are reviewing the matter to see how our artefacts can be brought back to Nunavut. If we bring them back, where will we keep them? We can’t just find a spot for them.
We would have to find proper places for them.
We’re working on the details.
Right now, no decision has been made as to who we will be talking to seriously, but we have been approached by a number of groups about the matter.
Can the minister provide a timeline for when his department will begin actually repatriating artefacts and bringing them back to Nunavut?
As I stated earlier, we are working on the matter and we will be reviewing different options as to how we will present them. There are different non-governmental organizations that have approached us in the interest of working together to repatriate the artefacts.
Discussions have started but they’re in such an initial stage that I can’t really outline as to when we will be able to repatriate some of the artefacts.
However, I do expect that in the coming years, we will start to see artefacts that belong to Nunavut being brought back, but I can’t say when this will occur.
Question 511 – 4(2): Summer Literacy Camps (Joanasie)
Two days ago on Tuesday, May 26, in the Minister’s Statement, he stated that there will be literacy camps in the summertime.
I would like clarification from him. He stated that there are literacy camps happening for Inuktitut and English.
He also informed us that there will be Inuktitut literacy courses. When we were having our winter session in March, you were looking into the standardization of the Inuktitut writing system.
Which system is being used in the summer literacy camps?
Is it syllabics or the Roman orthography?
First of all, let me state that we are proud of the Cape Dorset group that is able to proceed with this. They are aged from 5 to 12 years and they will have a summer literacy camp.
It’s true what you said that the Inuktitut literacy program is being used.
However, to date, our schools use both writing systems and these two systems will be used in the summer literacy programs, the syllabics and Roman orthography.
I would like clarification as well. When you spoke about the summer educational programs, you were talking about what was called “summer’s learning loss.”
Has the Department of Education, with the high school students… ?
As you explained, the younger kids from 5 to 12 years old do the literacy programs.
Do they have any plans to do the same thing for the high school students’ summer literacy courses?
No, the programs are run by Frontier College and Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami also supports the program.
Frontier College is the one that sets up the program.
The summer literacy program is set up for younger children. I’m sure Frontier College is running this program very well and I’ll be able to ask them your question because we work closely with them and that is a good idea.
I thank the minister for helping to make this a reality and also (interpretation ends) Frontier College and TD Canada Bank Group, (interpretation) along with the Cape Dorset District Education Authority.
This program ran very well last year. Like he stated, there were over 40 boys and girls that took part.
Because it ran so well, will we have more students taking part this coming summer or will we have the same 40 students?
Yes, what you’re saying is true. There were 40 kids last year that took part in Cape Dorset’s literacy summer program.
Right now, I can’t give you any numbers. Once we know how many we’re expecting, we will be able to provide the numbers.
It’s quite obvious that we see and the parents also tell us after they have taken part in the literacy program, their kids are more proficient in literacy.
It helps a great deal and we would like it to proceed well and to expand to other communities. We want to expand it to other communities to see if it can run as successfully.
However, as for the numbers, I still don’t know how many students will take part.
I know that it’s quite obvious, because it ran well last year, we will have many students take part again this summer, but I can’t give you any numbers right now.
Question 512 – 4(2): Departmental Responses to the Nunavut Association of Municipalities’ 2014 Resolutions (Angnakak)
I get to ask three questions today.
Mr. Speaker, this question is for the Minister of Economic Development and Transportation once again.
As the minister will be aware, one of the resolutions that were adopted at the Nunavut Association of Municipalities’ most recent annual general meeting called on the Government of Nunavut to introduce amendments to the territorial Motor Vehicles Act to address the issue of “distracted driving.”
I want to take this opportunity to publicly pay tribute to Iqaluit Mayor Mary Wilman for having introduced this resolution and her colleague, Jerry Natanine, from Clyde River for having seconded the resolution.
Can the minister confirm when she will be introducing these amendments in the Legislative Assembly?
As we had stated in regard to the amendments to the legislation, it should be some time in the winter and I’m not sure exactly when it will be.
We will look forward to hearing more about that.
As the Minister of Economic Development and Transportation will also be aware, another resolution that was introduced by Mayor Wilman at the most recent annual general meeting of the Nunavut Association of Municipalities concerned the issue of collecting fines for traffic violations.
Can the minister describe how the government is working with NAM to address its concerns?
In regard to this issue, the Nunavut Association of Municipalities usually deals with this. I looked at the tabled document and asked my officials to look into how it has an impact on us.
I can tell her that we’re working on the Motor Vehicles Act this year. I know that the Motor Vehicles Act is outdated and we will start working on the amendments.
I’ll have to bring it to the cabinet level and we will move forward from there.
Another one of the resolutions that were adopted by the Nunavut Association of Municipalities at its most recent annual general meeting addressed an issue related to economic development, which is also under her portfolio.
This resolution called on the government to work with municipalities to enable them to collect a hotel room tax in order to, and I quote, “support infrastructure development, recreation and transportation, [including] ports and breakwaters.”
Does the Minister of Economic Development support this proposal, yes or no?
We saw the resolutions that came out of the Nunavut Association of Municipalities. I have forwarded that to my department and the department will be looking into those resolutions.
Question 513 – 4(2): Vacancy in Nanisivik (Savikataaq)
My questions are for the Minister of Economic Development too.
Yesterday, the tabled document, Towards a Representative Public Service, was tabled yesterday and the statistics are to December 31, 2014. I was looking through it and there’s a lot of interesting information in a document like this.
I would like to ask the minister if she still plans to fill the one position in Nanisivik since, I believe, that place has been shut down for many years and there is a vacancy there.
The Nanisivik operation still requires us to maintain a road there and we’re looking into that.
At this time, I am not able to answer whether we would man a person there or not.
Just for clarification, this is a funded position then?
At this time, I cannot elaborate any further on that. I’ll be able to provide a response once I find out whether or not this position is funded.
Tabled Document 152 – 4(2): Photograph of Unassembled Swan Lake Bridge (Akoak)
I wish to table a photograph today of the unassembled Swan Lake Bridge. As the Minister of Economic Development and Transportation will be aware, this is an unresolved issue that I have been pursuing since my election to the Legislative Assembly.
I will have detailed questions for the minister on this issue at tomorrow’s sitting of the Legislative Assembly.
Tabling of Documents. (interpretation ends) The Hon. Minister of Environment, Mr. Mike.
Tabled Document 153 – 4(2): FPT Ministerial Report for Canadian Council of the Ministers of Environment (Mike)
Tabled Document 154 – 4(2): Seafood Expo North America (Mike)
I am pleased to table the FPT Ministerial Report for Canadian Council of the Ministers of Environment, September 11, 2014 in PEI, and the other one is the March 15 to 17, 2015 Seafood Expo North America Ministerial Report held in Boston. These are the two documents I would like to table in the House.
The Hon. Minister of the Qulliq Energy Corporation, Mr. Peterson.
Tabled Document 155 – 4(2): Qulliq Energy Corporation’s 2013-2014 Contracting, Procurement, and Leasing Activity Report (Peterson)
Hon. Keith Peterson: Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to table the Qulliq Energy Corporation’s 2013-14 Contracting, Procurement, and Leasing Activity Report.
Motion 024 – 4(2): Modification of the Terms of Reference of the Standing Committees of the Fourth Legislative Assembly – Notice (Shooyook)
I give notice that on Monday, June 1, 2015, I will move the following motion:
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the Hon. Member for Arviat North-Whale Cove, that the modified terms of reference for the standing committees of the Fourth Legislative Assembly, as attached to this motion, be adopted.
>>House recessed at 15:12 and Committee resumed at 15:42
Good afternoon, Nunavummiut, those listening to the radio broadcast and watching the televised proceedings.
Today, we have the following item to deal with: Bill 22.
Does the committee agree that we consider Bill 22 clause by clause?
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. Minister Peterson, thank you for being at the witness table.
Do you have officials that you would like to bring to the table?
Hon. Keith Peterson: Yes, Mr. Chairman, I have two witnesses to bring down.
Does the committee agree to bring in Minister Peterson’s officials?
Meanwhile, I would like to remind you that we are on page 7.
To my right is Chris D’Arcy, Deputy Minister, and to my left is Peter Tumilty, Assistant Deputy Minister.
Welcome to the House, Mr. D’Arcy and Mr. Tumilty.
As we proceed, the first one is Mr. Hickes.
I believe I just have one quick question here.
With the Makigiarvik overcrowding relief structure, I understand that it was kind of a rushed occupancy to deal with some of mould remediation and other renovations going on at BCC, and it’s got the $538,000 to fix remaining deficiencies in the facility.
As this facility is currently in use, if the Chairman will indulge me, I have kind of a two-part question here.
One, what are some of those deficiencies and how major are they, and would it be hindered in the completion of those deficiencies while the facility is in use?
Hon. Keith Peterson: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I thank Mr. Hickes for his question.
The Minister of Justice would like to respond to that question.
Minister Okalik, I give you the opportunity.
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) Not all of the facility is being used at this time.
Only part of the facility is being used so that the work that needs to be done will still be carried out. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Maybe if the minister can just indulge me a little bit, how major are these deficiencies and what type of timeframe would we be looking at in completing them?
Again I will defer to the Minister of Justice to respond.
Chairman (interpretation): If you would respond, please, Minister Okalik.
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) From what I understand, it’s not major; it’s just making sure everything will be in operation for the whole facility and it should be done hopefully by summer at this point.
They had to make sure that part of the facility was useable to make sure that it was safe for everyone and that’s taking place so that some work that had to be done at BCC could be carried out. They had to move in quickly and to make sure that some work that had to be done was done. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
On my list of names, Mr. Alex Sammurtok.
Mr. Sammurtok: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation) I have a question regarding the $200,000 (interpretation ends) for the Rankin Inlet Healing Facility. (interpretation) It will be used to buy a loader.
My question is: why will they not be using local contractors?
Hon. Keith Peterson: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I thank Mr. Sammurtok for the question.
I believe we answered that question yesterday.
It’s to take care of costs such as NNI bonus, small roof safety repair, insulate the crawl space and additional NNI bonuses on the small roof safety repair and insulate the crawl space.
We will go back to page 7.
Total Corrections. It’s not right in Inuktitut. $738,000.
Not Previously Authorized. $1,013,000.
Turn to page 8 in English and Inuktitut.
On page 8 near the bottom, it says, Sanikiluaq new school, $44,000 carryover, and in the substantiation sheets, it states that the building is substantially completed and was completed in May of 2011. The project is now in warranty stage.
Usually warrantees are only like one year on any particular thing. Why are we carrying forward $44,000, four years after the building is complete, for warranty?
Before we go to the minister, if you have any questions, please raise your hands before or while we proceed.
Hon. Keith Peterson: Sorry, Mr. Chairman, the translation didn’t come through for us.
Chairman: I wasn’t paying attention; I was doing my paperwork.
Will you repeat your question?
I think my question went through okay. It is just that your translation didn’t go through. I need you to repeat what you said.
Now what did I say?
I was just reminding my colleagues on this side of the House that if you have comments or questions, please raise your hands and let us know beforehand.
It’s a good thing summer is almost here.
Mr. Chairman, we understand that they’re still finalizing some work with the contractor on the deficiencies and their warranty, and they felt it was prudent to carry this funding forward.
As I stated earlier, it has been four years.
Can the minister update us today how many more years this warranty work will be carried forward before it’s complete and we can move on and close this project off?
Our understanding is that CGS is pursuing the resolution of all the remaining issues over the summer and it should be completed by the end of the summer.
I just want to go to Arviat’s new middle school. On your substantiation sheet there, I just have a question on finances again.
The planning is done and paid for, the design is done and paid for, the budget amount was $1,750,000, and the expenditure amount was $1,750,000. You are requesting a carryover of $191 million…sorry, $191,000.
I’m just wondering how you can request a carryover when all the money appears to be spent.
Mr. Savikataaq threw a shock in there. If they were carrying over $191 million, where did that money come from?
Mr. Chairman, that is not the actual expenditure. That is just part of the budget that we are carrying over.
On the line that says total expenditure, is that line incorrect then?
Just an explanation.
We have already identified that some of these references are incorrect. We will be working to improve or clarify the project phases.
It should more accurately reflect the total proposed expenditures.
I see quite a few other ones too that had no money spent in prior years and they’re asking to carry over money.
Is that the same reason too? Something is incorrect?
I think Mr. Savikataaq is referring to the $5 million. I think that’s the annual repair and maintenance cost to upkeep the schools, preventative maintenance funds, so it’s available annually.
It is various projects. I guess it’s from that money then because there’s no prior year spending and then they’re carrying over money. For example, the one on the next page of the substantiation sheet, minor projects, Nunavut various, there’s no prior year spending and the amount being request to carry over is $93,000.
There are many others and I can go on. Is it all from that same project you’re talking about?
Another one is for the school in Rankin Inlet. The total expenditure was $725,000 and that’s the only money written down on there and they’re requesting to carry over $207,000 on the substantiation sheet.
There are quite a few like that where there’s no prior year spending and they’re asking to carry over money.
I’m just a little confused.
I’m going to have Mr. D’Arcy answer that question.
As the minister said, this whole of section 2 needs a rework to it so that we can more easily understand what we’re talking about with respect to budgets.
Certainly, as the minister said, if there was a $5 million pool of funding and there are projects that come out of that, there won’t be any prior year expenditures because there was no budgeted number in the prior year for those small programs or if it’s a program that just came up in the current year.
What you’re looking at in total carryover is the number that’s in FreeBalance right now. That’s the important number.
The second to last row, if you like, for 2014-15, that number is the number that balances through our FreeBalance financial system and that’s the number that is being asked to be carried over.
Regardless of budgets or expenditures that may have happened in the past or even in 2014-15, the number that we see in that cell, the total carryover for 2015-16, is the number that we are asking the Assembly to approve to carryover to continue on these budgets.
I don’t know if I’m asking for too much detail then. It would be nice to know exactly where this money is coming from that we are being asked to carry over.
I know it’s all in the educational budget, but just exactly where it’s coming from would be nice to know because we are being asked to carry over a substantial amount of money. That’s just a comment.
Going back to the Arviat middle school, I just want to make sure that it’s still on schedule, other than being a year behind.
Our information is that the project is tender-ready, so it should be finished in 2018-19.
With respect to his earlier comment, where the money comes from; the capital carryover is more of a technical session to carry over money from previously approved capital plans, from last year, but there are many multiyear projects.
We’re required to come before you to get approval to carry over these funds. The funds are already previously approved, so they’re not just coming out of thin air. They’re attached to previously approved capital plans in this House, usually in October/November.
You caught me off guard. I was expecting a lot more questions.
I think the only question I do have is about the busing. Do all schools get buses?
I know there is a carryover of only $79,000 out of a million.
Do all the schools get buses? I thought everybody was on a private contract.
The Minister of Education will respond to that question.
Chairman: Mr. Quassa.