EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Can the minister clarify what procedures rental officers should follow when evicting tenants and specifically describe how these procedures are applied to income support clients?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Minister of the Housing Corporation, Hon. Minister Mr. Kuksuk.
The member’s question is spelled out in the (interpretation ends) Residential Tenancies Act of Nunavut and it is written as section 41(4). (interpretation) This section speaks to the rental scale or what the member termed as the “rental officer,” who is dealing with eviction notices to tenants who can’t pay their rent.
Whenever a rental officer is going to speak to a tenant, they have to abide by a policy managed in conjunction with the LHO and outlining the roles of each party. We have to work with the LHO to resolve unpaid rental arrears and the LHO has to undertake their work first before it moves to the next level. They need to work out a payment plan with the tenant in arrears.
On the third level, there are three stages that they follow. If they cannot get any payment, that’s when they finally reach eviction.
There is nothing more heartbreaking than hearing about a family who is facing eviction when the cold, dark months of winter are upon us.
Can the minister clearly explain how decisions with respect to evictions are made and carried out during the winter period?
I agree with the member. That’s the last resort. We do not want to see any eviction, especially in Nunavut.
In particular, the local housing organizations or the entities don’t like to evict people in the wintertime. We do not want to see people being evicted in the cold, dark winter months.
We still consider how we can deal with them. We look for ways how the tenant can stay in the unit. We work with the tenants, the local housing entity, and our corporation.
I’m sure the other communities and entities look at ways of how to solve the problem so that evicting a person is the last resort.  However, I stated before and I agree with the member that eviction is the last resort we use.
Question 282 – 4(2): Regulations under Nunavut’s Wildlife Act (Savikataaq)
I would like to direct my questions today to the Minister of Environment.
As the minister is aware, the Wildlife Act came into force on July 9, 2005. However, regulations which govern the Act have not been established.
An Act needs regulations in order for an Act to be fully functional.
During the Committee of the Whole’s consideration of the Department of Environment’s 2014-15 main estimates, the committee noted that the surcharges on licences issued under the Wildlife Act would be brought into effect in July of this year in association with new regulations.
However, the department has not registered any regulations under the Wildlife Act to date.
Can the minister provide a detailed timeframe by which his department will bring the Wildlife Act regulations into force?
We were expecting to see the regulations on July 1, 2014. We were expecting to see the implementation.
As the Minister for Environment, I have requested that the date be deferred.
I believe that it was in the best interest that this date be deferred to a later date.
Can the minister inform the House as to why it has been almost 10 years since the Wildlife Act was passed and still no regulations with this Act? He stated that he deferred it. Can the minister tell the House why?
Hon. Johnny Mike (interpretation): Yes, that’s the date that we set. However, we just could not complete it at that time.
My staff was behind in their other responsibilities of caribou and polar bear work, which is considered important matters as well.
We really had to work on the two animals that I mentioned. If we don’t work on them, then they too would be delayed.
We really have to pick and choose which items to do first. Those are the main reasons they were deferred. Whenever we are working on such important matters, we try to complete the priority items that we can work on currently.
I understand the minister’s statement saying that he has priorities and that’s his prerogative, to have priorities.
Is his department short staffed? Are there capacity issues? This has been going on for almost 10 years.
Is there not enough staff to work on the passage of regulations?
Can the minister confirm if it’s because he is short staffed?
On the topic at hand, we want the Wildlife Regulations to be a priority and we would like it to go forward.
For now, I expect it to be completed in the New Year on January 1 and to have the Wildlife Regulations implemented.
As I stated, our staff have a lot of responsibilities. The caribou and polar bear work should be settled down soon.
I can say that the preparations of the regulations are happening and we will be able to give them to cabinet soon. We have to hear from NWMB and by 2015, we should have the regulations.
Question 283 – 4(2): Surplus Disposal Policy (Rumbolt)
Mr. Speaker, the Department of CGS is responsible for the government’s Surplus Disposal Policy. Part B of this policy applies to non-fixed assets, including mobile equipment.
Under this policy, surplus equipment that is no longer being used by the government due to age or condition is supposed to be disposed of by way of a public tender.
In my constituency, I am aware of situations where government owned vehicles that are no longer being used due to age or condition have been sitting idle for a significant period of time and have clearly not gone through the formal disposal and public tender process.
Can the minister clarify what the timeline is supposed to be for non-fixed assets that are no longer being used by the government to be declared surplus and offered for sale by way of public tender?
Unless my department receives a request from a department to dispose of non-fixed assets, there is very little that my department can do unless we have that request for disposal from the department that is responsible for that asset. (interpretation) Thank you.
Part B of the government’s Surplus Disposal Policy expired on September 30, 2014, just a month ago.
When this issue was last raised in the Legislative Assembly in October of 2012, the government’s responses to one of my former colleague’s questions indicated that the policy would be reviewed prior to its expiry this year.
Can the minister indicate when a new version of this policy will be finalized?
The policy is being completed and as soon as it is complete, we will be able to present it to you.
Part B of the government’s surplus policy states that one of the principles on which it is based is the principle that, and I quote, “local governments and Nunavummiut be given an opportunity to make purchases that they might not be able to afford under normal circumstances.”
However, the policy establishes an order of preference for disposal of surplus asserts in which GN departments rank above local governments, non-profit organizations, and the general public.
Will the minister commit to reviewing this aspect of the policy?
The entire contents of the policy will be under review.
Question 284 – 4(2): Minimum Wage in Nunavut (Hickes)
My first question today will be for the Minister of Justice.
Mr. Speaker, as the minister will recall, I asked him questions in this House in March, May, and June of this year regarding the minimum wage in our territory. Nunavut’s minimum wage is currently $11 per hour, which is the same as Ontario’s minimum wage.
Mr. Speaker, under section 12.1 of the Labour Standards Act, the minister is required to “review the minimum rate of wages annually” and to “report the results of the review to the Legislative Assembly.”
The 2012 report under this provision of the Act was tabled on June 4, 2014. When will the minister be tabling the 2013 annual report?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) A draft report was submitted to me just last month and I found it to be insufficient.
I sent it back for more work, so I’m awaiting those results. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I look forward to that redo.
As I noted in the preamble to my question, Nunavut’s minimum wage is $11 per hour, which is the same as Ontario.
When I pointed this out on June 5, 2014, the minister agreed with me that the cost of living in Nunavut is substantially higher than in Ontario.
The minister also indicated that work with other departments, including Family Services, was needed before a final review of the minimum wage could be done.
For the benefit of the listening public, can the minister update us today on the status of this work?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) From what I understand, the department is currently looking at a proper consultation plan to make sure that all affected parties have an opportunity to express their concerns before we come up with a final decision on this matter. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
There has been extensive discussion over the past year in this House regarding the urgent need to fight poverty.
Back in March, I pointed out that the minimum wage in Nunavut has not gone up since January of 2011, nearly four years ago.
Mr. Speaker, in Sivumut Abluqta, it talks of a vision of seeing a strong and prosperous territory with Nunavummiut who have a positive outlook on life.
Does the minister agree that now is the time to raise Nunavut’s minimum wage?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) Although I understand the circumstances facing our territory, I also have to respect those that are trying to create opportunities for our territory that may need to face challenges about running a business.
I have to respect those as well as trying to make sure that the employees are provided with proper compensation for their services.
All parties have to be consulted properly to make sure that we come up with a proper balance. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 285 – 4(2): Addressing Homelessness (Enook)
I would like to direct my question to the Minister responsible for Homelessness.
Mr. Speaker, the minister may recall that back in June, I asked some questions about the definition of homelessness.
We are now settling into another winter and living in tents or shacks becomes less and less possible, especially for those with young children.
I understand that individuals in these circumstances are considered “unsheltered” under the broader definition of homelessness.
Can the minister describe what steps are being taken right now to identify individuals currently living in tents, shacks, huts, or sheds and ensure that they have a warm and safe shelter to live in, especially during the winter months?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Minister responsible for Homelessness, Hon. Minister Ms. Ugyuk.
Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the Member for Tununiq for requesting information on that.
The study is still underway.
The Department of Family Services is looking into shelters or places where homeless people are presently staying.
Other communities don’t have homeless shelters. If they want to set up a homeless shelter, then we can work on that through an agreement.
The work and the request have to come from the communities.
The study is currently underway. I hope I answered his question.
Firstly, I wish to thank the minister for her response letter of July 25 of this past spring or summer.
I would like to thank the minister for her letter of July 25, 2014 this past summer. As the minister will recall, during our spring sitting, a number of questions were raised about the results of a recent study on homelessness in Nunavut.
I believe you partially answered the question. The minister has indicated that those results would be validated and the completed study would be tabled in this fall sitting.
Will the minister be tabling the homelessness study before the end of the week?
I thank my colleague for requesting clarification on this issue. (interpretation ends) Due to limited resources and time available for completion of the project, in-person surveys could not be conducted in each community.
However, the other 22 Nunavut communities were contacted by phone to collect information on the extent of absolute homelessness outside the three regional centres.
The research project has been completed and is currently under review.
I believe we all are aware of and I personally realize that many homeless people live in our communities and that there are many factors leading to homelessness and different types of homelessness.
I appreciate and recognize that our government is working hard to develop a homelessness action plan for the territory.
I would like to ask the minister: can she provide an update on that plan and whether or not it will be completed by the end of this fiscal year?
As I stated, the research project has been completed and is currently under review.
The research project will then be used to further inform and develop the Homelessness Action Plan. (interpretation) Those are the types of expectations we can envision for combating the effects of homelessness and for people who are stuck in inadequate housing.
Question 286 – 4(2): Baker Lake Housing Association (Mikkungwak)
(interpretation ends) Under the Nunavut Housing Corporation Act, there are two types of local housing organizations: “housing associations,” which are formed under the Societies Act, and “housing authorities,” which are incorporated under the Nunavut Housing Corporation’s own legislation. The members of housing authorities are appointed by the minister.
The Baker Lake Housing Association has expressed concerns that the Nunavut Housing Corporation may be considering changing its status from a housing association to a housing authority. Can the minister confirm whether or not NHC is considering this change?
Based on my understanding of this issue, I have yet to be briefed on that matter and the information hasn’t been provided about the subject of his question.
I recently received correspondence from the Baker Lake Housing Association.
Can the minister assure me today that no decision regarding this issue will be taken without the full agreement of the Baker Lake Housing Association’s board of directors?
Regarding the statement by my colleague, I cannot provide the answer at this moment.
I was able to attend the most recent annual general meeting of the Baker Lake association at the community hall and I was pleased to note that it has made significant progress in collecting rental arrears.
Can the minister indicate what assistance NHC has been providing to the Baker Lake Housing Association in this area?
I don’t know if I fully understand his question.
We have worked with the local housing associations in the communities in the past and we will continue to support them when they need it.
That is the response I can provide him, Mr. Speaker. Thank you very much.
Question 287 – 4(2): Nunavut Arctic College’s Centre for Excellence (Angnakak)
Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Nunavut Arctic College.
Mr. Speaker, in its most recent business plan, it states that Nunavut Arctic College will be creating a Centre of Excellence for Language and Culture.
Can the minister describe what will be the mandate of this centre and provide some specific examples of the type of work that will be done there?
Hon. Paul Quassa (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank my colleague for her question.
That is how we coin it, to use the best venue for languages and cultural practices to ensure that the best language and teaching are available in Nunavut Arctic College.
At this time, we all know that some courses are already offered, but we want to gather the information on Inuit culture and language.
The purpose of this centre is to have Nunavut Arctic College identified as the institution providing the best linguistic and cultural courses and of having the best resources.
Arctic College will be identified as an institution for providing good language and good life.
This is what is needed in our northern communities.
Nunavut Arctic College will be providing courses on Inuit culture and knowledge, as well as interpreter courses at the Centre of Excellence for Language and Culture. The college will be providing a centre of excellence in teaching language and culture, which is also provided by other jurisdictions.
This is the type of information that we are in the process of collecting.
Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you to the minister for his detailed response. It’s good to hear.
Mr. Speaker, given the unique linguistic and cultural characteristics of Nunavut, I understand that it is an important area to focus on.
Can the minister provide an update on the timeline by which he expects to establish and open up this centre of excellence?
Minister responsible for Nunavut Arctic College, Mr. Quassa.
Hon. Paul Quassa (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the member for her interest about this issue, which I am sure many Nunavummiut share in her expectations about the centre.
At this time, we are finalizing the plans and our expectations are that some time in the upcoming year, the centre will start being used. Also, I want to state that Nunavut Arctic College will house this new centre of excellence in order to lessen the financial impacts. Since we have the resources and funding to start the centre, the centre will be able to start shortly after the resources are identified and allocated.
Once the work is completed, it will open.
My expectations are that it will open either this fiscal year or the next.
Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you to the minister for his answer.
Mr. Speaker, can the minister clarify how the centre of excellence will function and what kinds of working relationships it will have with other entities in Nunavut which also have mandates that focus on language and culture?
As I indicated, we would be working very closely with entities such as the, (interpretation) I forgot the name in Inuktitut, Inuit Language Authority as well as the Department of Culture and Heritage.
These are the types of bodies we will be working with, as there are different bodies we have to work with.
You are true in stating that there are different departments that have a role in this field, but if they can send all the information to be gathered in our department, it would alleviate the confusion, primarily due to the reason that our future students will still be quite numerous studying languages as we want the language properly spoken, especially since they will be teaching subjects with language.
There are many others we have to work with, some of whom are already up and running, including the Nunavut Languages Commissioner.
These are examples of departments and positions we will be cooperating with in this area.
We will be going to Item 7. (interpretation ends) Item 7. Written Questions.
Tabled Document 053 – 4(2): Towards a Representative Public Service, Statistics as of December 31, 2013 (Peterson)
Tabled Document 054 – 4(2): Towards a Representative Public Service, Statistics as of June 30, 2014 (Peterson)
Tabled Document 055 – 4(2): Towards a Representative Public Service, Statistics as of March 31, 2014 (Peterson)
Hon. Keith Peterson: Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to table the following documents:
Towards a Representative Public Service, Statistics as of December 31, 2013;
Towards a Representative Public Service, Statistics as of March 31, 2014; and
Towards a Representative Public Service, Statistics as of June 30, 2014.
Tabled Document 056 – 4(2): Correspondence from the Ministers of Family Services and Justice (Enook)
I wish to table today a copy of correspondence that I have received from the ministers of Family Services and Justice concerning the issue of social assistance.
This letter was received in response to my correspondence of June 4, 2014, which members will recall I tabled in the House at its sitting of June 5, 2014.
Tabled Document 057 – 4(2): Speaker’s List of Outstanding Statutory Tabling Requirements (Speaker)
Tabled Document 058 – 4(2): 2013-2014 Annual Report of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Nunavut (Speaker)
Tabled Document 059 – 4(2): 2014 Annual Report of the Integrity Commissioner of Nunavut (Speaker)
Tabled Document 060 – 4(2): Quarterly Report on Members’ Absences for the Period April 1, 2014 to June 30, 2014 (Speaker)
Tabled Document 061 – 4(2): Quarterly Report on Members’ Absences for the Period July 1, 2014 to September 30, 2014 (Speaker)
Tabled Document 062 – 4(2): 2013-2014 Annual Report on Indemnities, Allowances, Expenses and Benefits Paid to Members of the Third Legislative Assembly (Speaker)
Tabled Document 063 – 4(2): 2013-2014 Annual Report on Indemnities, Allowances, Expenses and Benefits Paid to Members of the Fourth Legislative Assembly (Speaker)
Tabled Document 064 – 4(2): 2013-2014 Annual Contracting Report of the Office of the Legislative Assembly (Speaker)
Tabled Document 065 – 4(2): 2013-2014 Audit Report under the Legislative Assembly Retiring Allowances Act (Speaker)
Tabled Document 066 – 4(2): 2013-2014 Audit Report under the Supplementary Retiring Allowances Act (Speaker)
(interpretation) Thank you. (interpretation ends) I have 10 documents to table today.
The first document is a list of outstanding statutory tabling requirements.
The next document is the 2013-14 Annual Report of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Nunavut.
The next document is the 2014 Annual Report of the Integrity Commissioner of Nunavut.
The next document is the Quarterly Report on Members’ Absences for the Period April 1, 2014 to June 30, 2014.
The next document is the Quarterly Report on Members’ Absences for the Period July 1, 2014 to September 30, 2014.
The next document is the 2013-14 Annual Report on Indemnities, Allowances, Expenses and Benefits Paid to Members of the Third Legislative Assembly.
The next document is the 2013-14 Annual Report on Indemnities, Allowances, Expenses and Benefits Paid to Members of the Fourth Legislative Assembly.
The next document is the 2013-14 Annual Contracting Report of the Office of the Legislative Assembly.
The next document is the 2013-14 Audit Report under the Legislative Assembly Retiring Allowances Act.
The final document is the 2013-14 Audit Report under the Supplementary Retiring Allowances Act. (interpretation) Thank you, members.
Bill 11 – An Act to Amend the Corrections Act – Notice
I give notice that on November 5, 2014, that Bill 11, An Act to Amend the Corrections Act, be read for the first time.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Notices of Motions for First Reading of Bills. Hon. Minister Mr. Peterson.
Bill 12 – An Act to Amend the Tobacco Tax Act – Notice
Hon. Keith Peterson: Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Wednesday, November 5, 2014, that Bill 12, An Act to Amend the Tobacco Tax Act, be read for the first time.
Hon. Minister Ms. Ell.
Bill 13 – An Act to Amend the Vital Statistics Act – Notice
I give notice that on Wednesday, November 5, 2014, that Bill 13, An Act to Amend the Vital Statistics Act, be read for the first time.
Bills 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 with Mr. Enook in the Chair.
>>House recessed at 15:10 and Committee resumed at 15:33
Before we proceed, Nunavummiut and people who are watching the televised proceedings and listening to the radio broadcast, welcome to your committee.
In Committee of the Whole, we have the following items to deal with: Bills 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9.
Mr. Chairman, we wish to commence with the review of the capital appropriation of the Department of Family Services, followed by the Department of Environment.
Are we in agreement that we first deal with the capital estimates for the Department of Family Services?
Bill 08 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2015-2016 – Family Services – Consideration in Committee
As we proceed at this time, Minister Ugyuk, do you have witnesses that you would like to bring to the table?
Do members agree to bring in Ms. Ugyuk’s witnesses?
Ms. Ugyuk, for the record, please introduce your witnesses. Ms. Ugyuk.
Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) Deputy Minister Rebekah Williams on my right.