EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
With regard to the member’s question as to whether we replied to the letters, my deputy minister, Kathy, will respond to it because I don’t receive the correspondence; they go directly to the deputy minister. I’ll ask her to respond.
At this present time, I can’t recall any details, so I will have to review my correspondence files to determine whether or not we have responded to those letters.
I will provide an update later on to the member as to whether or not a response was provided.
My next question was based around the ongoing life cycle repairs budget that’s received.
I know we just finished the Department of CGS and approved $600,000 for the RECAPP program.
I was just wondering: in terms of the money that you’re allocating to go around for the different schools and assess buildings and facilities and life cycles, how does the minister’s department work with CGS in terms of data sharing?
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Elliott. Minister Aariak.
Maintenance and other work that need to be done are entered into a computer databank.
This is updated regularly so that the DEAs will have the relevant information about the school’s maintenance history, including the year that it was constructed, the age of the facility, and what type of work is required.
All of those kinds of details are entered in the computer databank. Once they have been entered and once they are noted on the work order, the departmental officials correspond with the Department of Community Government and Services staff to determine when maintenance work should be made.
Is the program you had mentioned where they input the data into the same program that CGS uses? Is it the RECAPP program or is it a separate program?
It is not exactly the same program, but apparently they are able to communicate with one another.
If I were to say it in English, they are compatible.
Under minor projects in terms of the new Anti-poverty Strategy with the expanded breakfast program, I’m wondering maybe if you’ve had a chance to find out how that program is going and whether there are other extra costs being incurred by the school to provide that service.
My understanding is that it’s a program administered through Health and Social Services, but the breakfast program is done within the school itself.
I’m not sure whether there were microwaves purchased or different items like that, but if the minister could expand on that.
If I understood the member’s question, those responsible for the breakfast programs are administered by an independent body. Sometimes the DEAs will task one of their members.
The teachers are not involved; it is done outside.
Did I understand your question correctly?
Did you get the answer you were looking for?
Mr. Elliott: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Again, I guess I can only talk to the three communities I represent and the way they run the breakfast program. They are run within the school and you’re right, the DEA does provide assistance with it but people are hired from the outside.
They do use facilities within the school that belong in and are assets of the school, so again, stoves, pots and pans, and different things like that.
I was wondering how that’s affecting… . Again, to me, it’s such a good program and it’s nice to see different government departments working together on being able to feed the children across Nunavut.
Mr. Elliott. I’m getting confused and we are now talking about capital estimates. Perhaps you’re talking about what kind of equipment they have in the schools.
I would like to remind the members that we’re dealing with the capital estimates and minor projects.
Hon. Eva Aariak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. At this time, we have not heard any request for increases.
Mr. Elliott: I do, Mr. Chairman. Thank you. My questions now are based around specifically the bus in Arctic Bay.
I believe it wasn’t this sealift but the previous sealift. A rather large and long bus showed up on the shore and then it disappeared. I thought I remembered asking questions and I seem to remember it being sent to Pond Inlet.
Before sealift actually came in this year, the bus showed up and I saw it driving around town with the driver. At this point right now when I checked in Arctic Bay, I was told there was no bus service.
I don’t know whether that’s because of training that you were mentioning before, but maybe if you could just give me an update on what’s happening with the Arctic Bay bus.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Elliot. Minister Aariak.
Hon. Eva Aariak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I’ll have my deputy minister, Kathy Okpik, answer that question.
Ms. Okpik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes, the bus was indeed sent to Pond Inlet. In some cases, we are informed that either the bus is too big or that the bus is too small.
In this case, rather than ordering a new bus, since Pond Inlet had requested a larger bus, and instead of reversing the order when Arctic Bay notified us that their bus was too big, we traded the buses and that allowed the department to save funds.
That’s the process we followed to accommodate the communities.
To date, I haven’t been informed of any reasons as to why there is no bus running in Arctic Bay, but it may be due to the lack of qualified drivers. I will have to check into the matter.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Ms. Okpik. Mr. Elliott.
Mr. Elliott: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I guess the final question of interest that I had was in terms of information technology and sort of tying it in with fibre optics and high speed Internet within the schools, if we could get an update.
I know that over the last couple years, with work through CGS and through the Department of Education, that has been an ongoing priority. I’m wondering if that will actually come to fruition this year.
This is part of the detailed operation of the school, so I’ll have my deputy minister respond.
WAN-LAN-MAN…
…is the name of the information technology. CGS is responsible for that and they are now working on that for the health centres and schools.
We have separated decentralized and non-decentralized communities so that the non-decentralized communities can have fibre cable to connect computers, which is quite faster.
We provide support to the communities so that the information technology can be inside the schools.
In non-decentralized communities, we estimate as to how much it would cost.
The Department of CGS has more information in their computers. I’ll be able to provide a report to you as to which schools have already been worked on for fibre optics.
I’ll be able to get back to the member on that.
I have almost lost my voice for having been silent for so long, so I thank my colleague beside me.
I haven’t seen this in the capital estimates for the Department of Education.
I would first like to ask if the budget has been established for both within the schools and the perimeters of the schools.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Hezakiah.
I think I got the question.
On minor capital, for example, it talks about gymnasiums outside of the school.
Maybe the member can clarify whether or not he’s talking about capital estimates.
Could you clarify your question, please?
I just wanted to get clarification in regard to capital estimates and also minor capital that I noticed here on the proposed budget for the schools.
I want to talk about the playgrounds outside the schools and if there is any funding for improvements to the land around the schools.
I’m sure everyone has been to my home community. Although the two schools are close together, one of the schools has a playground. There is no capacity for that playground for both of the schools’ students.
I’m not sure whether the DEA needed to request for a playground. I’m sure it’s the only case in Nunavut.
There is a lot of loose gravel and huge boulders around the school.
The school grounds are not even levelled and I have noticed that it has been like that for a long time.
So that’s the reason why I asked whether that is included in the capital estimates because I want the Pangnirtung students to have a proper and safe playground.
We are very proud of the schools within our communities and we want them to be deserving of admiration.
Yes, making requests will be possible.
Either the DEA or the school can make a request through the minor capital program to obtain funds.
With respect to landscaping, we would need to have the department conduct a review on it.
I want to ask about the small capital program. I had requested the chair of the DEA to provide background as the current bus in our community is considered too large.
I wonder if the deputy minister can clarify this situation to trade vehicles in the future.
Using the dialect of our Chairman, the answer is of course.
Do you have any more questions? Mr. Ningeongan.
As I stated, I’ll ask the DEA to make a request to the Department of Education to get this initiated.
I have names on my list but they are not present in the House.
We will go back to page E-3. $17,810,000.
Chairman (interpretation): We will go back to page E-2. (interpretation ends) Department Summary.
Detail of Expenditures. (interpretation) Total Capital Expenditures.
Education. $17,810,000.
Chairman (interpretation): Does the committee agree that the Department of Education is completed?
You now have the floor for any closing remarks, minister.
First of all, I would like to thank my two officials for appearing before the Committee of the Whole.
The Director of Corporate Services, Mr. Murray Horn, I finally introduced him properly.
I would also like to thank my deputy minister, Kathy Okpik.
I also thank the hard-working staff at the schools, as well as the DEAs and parents.
Thank you for asking good questions.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Minister Aariak. I thank your officials, Ms. Okpik and Mr. Horn, for replying directly.
We hope to see all the communities of Nunavut get a bus.
I do have to thank you for being able to immediately replace the bus that burned down last winter. My grandchildren are now riding on the bus to school.
I’m sorry questions are closed, Mr. Enook.
Let me ask the officials to leave the witness table.
Thank you. The review of the Department of Education is now complete. We will move on to the Nunavut Housing Corporation.
Mr. Enook, if you have any comments.
Mr. Enook (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) I would like to report progress.
Chairman (interpretation): There is a motion to report progress and it is not debatable.
All those in favour, (interpretation) please raise your hand.
I am sorry, (interpretation ends) the motion is defeated.
(interpretation) Minister Curley, if you have any opening comments for the Nunavut Housing Corporation, you have that opportunity now.
Bill 15 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2012-2013 – Nunavut Housing Corporation – Consideration in Committee
I will make my opening remarks brief and I’ll be speaking in Inuktitut.
The Nunavut Housing Corporation’s capital plan for 2012-13 consists of $16,004,000 from the Government of Nunavut and additional funding of $4,290,000 from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), for a total capital budget of $20,294,000.
The 2012-13 capital estimates highlights are:
The Nunavut Housing Corporation’s funding for the modernization and improvement (M&I) public housing renovations, the Fire Damage Repair and Replacement Fund, the Mobile Equipment Fund, the Heating Oil Tank Replacement Program, and the Seniors and Disabled Persons Preventative Maintenance Program remain at approximately the same level as last year.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Chairman, under the Government of Nunavut’s Staff Housing Program, the corporation continues to construct new units and renovate older staff housing units in communities with the greatest needs.
I am pleased to report that the Nunavut Housing Trust has already completed delivery of the 726 units scheduled, with 638 units being occupied. In addition, Mr. Chairman, the 285 units funded by the CMHC Affordable Housing Initiative under Canada’s Economic Action Plan are scheduled to be completed by the end of the current fiscal year.
The current Nunavut Housing Corporation administration has worked hard to resolve problems inherited by its predecessors and the results are evident in the successful completion of hundreds of new public housing units.
Although these changes should have occurred years ago, the new administration has ensured that financial controls are in place and taking steps such that a new Nunavut Housing board of directors will soon be installed.
Construction through the Nunavut Housing Trust and Canada’s Economic Action Plan has improved our ability to fulfill our mandate, but there is still a significant need for additional housing units.
The recent Nunavut Housing Needs Survey showed that 3,580 more units are immediately required throughout Nunavut.
Furthermore, we estimate that an additional 90 units will be required each year to keep pace with population growth based on current Nunavut Bureau of Statistics projections and the proportion of the population dependent on public housing.
Mr. Chairman, based on the average cost of $350,000 per unit and last year’s total Government of Nunavut capital estimates of just over $122 million, it would take 14 years at today’s prices for the Government of Nunavut to eliminate the current housing shortfall and meet the need being created by population growth if 100 percent of capital spending was directed toward construction of new public housing units.
Furthermore, net annual funding received from the CMHC under the social housing agreement is scheduled to continuously decline from its current level of $23.9 million until its elimination in 2037, which will further constrain the Nunavut Housing Corporation’s ability to operate, maintain, and modernize the existing housing stock.
Finally, with the current annual cost to operate and maintain a public housing unit being close to $23,000, the completion of the 1,011 units under the Nunavut Housing Trust and Canada’s Economic Action Plan will have resulted in $23 million of increased annual operating costs.
The increased annual operating cost in today’s dollars of meeting the current additional housing need of 3,580 units would be $82 million plus an additional $2 million each year for the 90 units added to keep pace with population growth.
Therefore, we must continue to seek alternatives as well as additional funding to address this critical housing issue.
Recently, the Nunavut Housing executive has been working collaboratively with the Quality of Life Steering Committee to create a GN comprehensive long-term housing strategy.
The goal of this strategy is to develop achievable mechanisms to address the entire continuum of housing needs by increasing public housing, strengthening the rental market, and providing support for private homeownership.
To date, the Housing Working Group has completed a gap analysis.
One of the critical gaps identified is the need to develop affordable housing options through the fostering of private sector rental and homeownership solutions.
I look forward to a meaningful discussion and we will be pleased to hear your comments and to respond to any questions you may have.
My apologies. I went ahead of myself.
I am pleased to provide opening comments on behalf of the Standing Committee on Community and Economic Development as the Committee of the Whole begins its consideration of the proposed 2012-13 Capital Estimates of the Nunavut Housing Corporation.
Members note that the corporation is proposing to spend $16,004,000 for the 2012-13 fiscal year.
The corporation’s capital budget was $23,894,000 for the 2011-12 fiscal year and its budget was $27,269,000 for the 2010-11 fiscal year.
The committee presented its report and recommendations in June of 2009.
On October 29, 2010, the minister announced in the Legislative Assembly that the Nunavut Housing Needs Survey was completed.
The minister indicated that this survey would be used to make more convincing arguments and to strengthen the corporation’s lobbying efforts for additional housing resources from the federal government.
During the minister’s recent appearance before the standing committee, he indicated that correspondence was recently sent to the federal government explaining Nunavut’s priorities, which listed housing as the top priority.
The standing committee looks forward to receiving ongoing updates on the government’s efforts to secure additional housing resources.
Members note that the corporation is proposing to spend $4,616,000 during the 2012-13 fiscal year for its various homeownership programs. The corporation’s capital budget for homeownership programs was $4,616,000 for the 2011-12 fiscal year and its budget was $4,116,000 for the 2010-11 fiscal year.
The corporation is proposing $500,000 in funding towards this program in its 2012-13 capital estimates.
Members support this program to assist homeowners with the cost of purchasing new fuel tanks and encourage the minister to include a breakdown of the corporation’s spending on this initiative in its next annual report to the Legislative Assembly.
Mr. Chairman, the Nunavut Housing Corporation’s proposed capital estimates for 2012-13 includes $2.75 million in funding for new staff housing units for the communities of Cambridge Bay, Coral Harbour, and Taloyoak.
On July 4 of this year, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation announced that federal, provincial, and territorial ministers responsible for housing had agreed on a new affordable housing framework for 2011-14.
The new Affordable Housing Framework is “a $1.4 billion combined investment towards reducing the number of Canadians in housing need.”
It also indicated that “each province and territory is working towards a bilateral agreement to respond to the program needs in each jurisdiction; in these arrangements, federal funding will be matched by provincial, territorial and other contributions, and governments will report to their citizens on outcomes.”
During the minister’s recent appearance before the standing committee, members were advised that this program is a 50-50 cost sharing program and that the Nunavut government cannot match the federal funding with its limited funding resources.
However, the minister indicated that the corporation is working on a bilateral agreement with the federal government.
Members look forward to receiving updates on this significant issue.
Mr. Chairman, the Nunavut Housing Corporation’s proposed capital estimates for 2012-13 includes $6,342,000 for its modernization and improvement retrofit funding.
On September 15 of last year, the cabinet issued a news release following its Iqaluit retreat.
This announcement included a list of what the government described as its most significant accomplishments of the past two years.
One of the accomplishments included in the list was the completion of the “Condition rating of all public housing units.”
Members encourage the minister to table this information in the Legislative Assembly at the earliest opportunity as it will undoubtedly be of use in determining where the Nunavut Housing Corporation needs to allocate its modernization and improvement resources.
Mr. Chairman, that concludes my opening comments on the 2012-13 Capital Estimates of the Nunavut Housing Corporation.
Given the time and so forth, I like to make a motion to report progress.
I will now rise to report progress to the Speaker. I thank you for your patience while we deliberated.
Report of the Committee of the Whole. Mr. Tapardjuk.
Mr. Tapardjuk (interpretation): Mr. Speaker, your committee has been considering Bill 15 and one committee motion was carried.
Moving on in our Orders of the Day, Item 21.
This House stands adjourned until Friday, October 21, at 9:00 a.m.
Friday, October 21, 2011
Pages 1207 – 1247
Opening Prayer 1207
Ministers’ Statements 1207
Members’ Statements 1209
Oral Questions 1211
First Reading of Bills 1227
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 1228
Report of the Committee of the Whole 1246
Orders of the Day 1246
Friday, October 21, 2011 1207
075 – 3(3): Release of Two New Environmental Guidelines (Shewchuk) 1207
076 – 3(3): The Poverty Summit (Taptuna) 1207
077 – 3(3): Nunavut’s Poverty Reduction Action Plan (Aariak) 1208
123 – 3(3): Congratulations to Recent Graduates (Aupaluktuq) 1209
124 – 3(3): Arctic Bay’s 3045 Royal Army Cadets (Elliott) 1210
125 – 3(3): Problems with Dust Control in Pond Inlet (Enook) 1211
172 – 3(3): Government of Nunavut’s Fiscal Position (Ell) 1211
173 – 3(3): Government Restructuring (Ugyuk) 1213
174 – 3(3): Status of the Government of Nunavut’s Functional Review of Decentralization (Rumbolt) 1214
175 – 3(3): Dust Control in Communities (Oshutapik) 1216
176 – 3(3): Graduating Students and Academic Qualifications (Ningeongan) 1217
177 – 3(3): Lengthy Wait Times for Medical Results (Enook) 1220
178 – 3(3): Two New Environmental Guidelines (Tapardjuk) 1221
179 – 3(3): Active Cases of TB in Nunavut (Elliott) 1223
180 – 3(3): Fiscal Position of CLEY (Ell) 1224
181 – 3(3): Update on Funding Community Freezer Initiative (Elliott) 1225
Bill 16 – Annual Reporting Validation (Liquor Licensing Board) Act – First Reading 1227
Bill 17 – Write-off of Debts Act, 2011-2012 – First Reading 1227
Bill 18 – An Act to Amend Several Acts for Constitutional Validity (Spousal Benefits and Obligations) – First Reading 1227
Bill 19 – Family Support Orders Enforcement Act – First Reading 1227
Bill 20 – An Act to Amend the Judicature Act (Court Rules) – First Reading 1228
Bill 21 – Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2011, No. 3 – First Reading 1228
Bill 23 – An Act to Amend the Public Colleges Act – First Reading 1228
Bill 15 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2012-2013 – Nunavut Housing Corporation – Consideration in Committee 1229
Before we get started, I would like to ask Mr. Curley if he could lead us off with a prayer, please.
We will move on to Item 2.
Minister’s Statement 075 – 3(3): Release of Two New Environmental Guidelines (Shewchuk)
I would like to say “good morning” to all the residents of Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to provide the members with an update on two recently released environmental guidelines my department has produced.
The first is the mercury-containing products and waste mercury guidelines and the second one is the waste lead and lead paint guidelines.
The environmental guidelines provide the public and industry with a simplified, plain language explanation on how to remain or come into compliance with the GN’s Environmental Protection Act.
Our environmental guidelines have thus far been very well received because they provide clear and consistent information.
These guidelines are made accessible to the public and industry on our website.
Overall, my department has developed 17 environmental guidelines and more environmental guidelines are planned for the future.
Mr. Speaker, my department continues to strive towards making our environmental legislation understandable to the public because we believe that public awareness and understanding is the key to protecting and preserving Nunavut’s natural environment for future generations.
Minister’s Statement 076 – 3(3): The Poverty Summit (Taptuna)
Good morning, colleagues and Nunavummiut.
Mr. Speaker, I want to provide members with a brief update on the progress toward the creation of Nunavut’s Poverty Reduction Action Plan.
As I reported to the House at our last sitting during May and June this year, we completed four regional round tables on poverty reduction.
These round tables were co-chaired by a member of cabinet – myself in the South Qikiqtani and Kivalliq regions, by Minister Peterson in the Kitikmeot, and by Minister Arreak in the North Qikiqtani region – and also by Jack Anawak, Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated Vice-President and Chair of the Nunavut Social Development Council.
More than 135 people from across Nunavut attended these regional round tables.
Many were among the hundreds of Nunavummiut last winter that participated in community dialogue sessions or listened and offered their views on television and radio call-in shows.