EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
The Auditor General has already determined that there basically isn’t like money went somewhere else, but we just want to make sure that the right decisions were made and if the right decisions weren’t made as to what was done, we want to correct that. Basically that’s what the federal government is looking for in order to give us some more money for more public housing.
For my final question, just out of curiosity, what timeline are we looking at in terms of when will the audit be completed and when will we be informed as to what the results are?
We already met with the board of directors and with Deloitte & Touche that are going to be doing it. Basically, we’re going to have the terms of reference completed by the end of March.
Hopefully by August, we will have it completed and be able to let you know in the fall sitting.
Question 235 – 3(3): Emergency Exits in Public Housing Units (Ell)
Recently on the news, we have heard of fires occurring. The first one was just prior to Christmas and just this past week, an entire block burned down in Iqaluit. We have heard of other cases in Nunavut where fires occurred.
My question to the minister is whether or not his department is conducting a review or if they share our concerns about the design of buildings in Nunavut. Some of the units currently in use have very old designs without adequate fire exits.
I wonder if this issue is being reviewed or even if it is under consideration, as we value our residents’ lives.
Although we have been fortunate to date without a major tragedy, we still have to think of our future and prepare for eventualities.
Hon. Fred Schell: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank you for that question.
We are definitely looking at all the different designs and the older buildings that are out there.
We know for a fact that the 30-something unit apartment building that burned here, it burned in quite a hurry there. Obviously there are some situations and some concerns about the construction of these units.
In most cases, unfortunately, the reason for these fires is carelessness, but at the same time, we’ve got to protect the tenants that are in there and we are looking at it.
Ms. Ell: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question, then, is when you’re looking at the safety of the people in the current units, I am led to understand that some units may not have an exit other than the one entranceway and some windows possibly are the only other opportunity for a possible exit should their main entrance not be available to exit in the potential that there might have been a fire.
Can the minister assure us that they will be looking into these situations? Are they looking at alternative ways and means to possibly prevent a tenant not being able to escape from a fire in the future?
Yes, in the past here, we already have renovated some of the older buildings where there were windows that weren’t big enough for anybody to crawl out. So those have been replaced.
Unfortunately, there are limited funds that we have for M&I projects, but that’s no excuse for not being able to do it.
We are definitely looking at it and I know, under a certain square footage, a second door is not required, but maybe it’s something we should be looking at in the future.
This may be my last question.
Are fire extinguishers installed in every public unit under the care of the corporation?
Additionally, another issue that requires further review down the road is related to either public units or private homes and whether they are aware that they are required to have fire extinguishers in their homes.
Within the context of fire prevention, it should be obvious that you have to inform tenants to always be prepared for a fire. This includes fire safety booklets.
So as part of your information requirements in the future, will you look at that? It may have been already dealt with in the past, but if not, can you ensure that you have a plan to publish fire preparation techniques for tenants?
All public housing units are supposed to have fire extinguishers in them and they’re supposed to be inspected every year.
As far as informing the tenants, I’m sure that when they sign up, they’re informed that they should have fire extinguishers in there.
As far as private homeownership, it’s usually the fire department that goes around once a year and makes sure that people are aware that they should have fire extinguishers.
Question 236 – 3(3): Medical Travel Bookings (Enook)
Mr. Speaker, it has come to my attention that when some residents are flown out of their home community for medical appointments in another community, the return date is being booked ahead of time.
As my colleague stated, some patients have problems with their return dates.
Mr. Speaker, in some cases, the patient is scheduled to return home before they have even had their appointment. This does not seem to be a very efficient way to organize medical travel.
Even before the patient was seen by a doctor, they have a return ticket already booked.
This is a problem for the patients.
Can the minister clearly explain the rationale for booking return flights for medical travel clients without ensuring that they will be able to make their appointments before being asked to return home?
I have no explanation for why that would occur. Common sense tells me that you would book the appointment first and then you would book the travel. You would want to see the doctor and then return after the appointment.
I know, in the way it has been explained to me, when you see the doctor or specialist, whether you’re sent to Yellowknife or Iqaluit or somewhere in the south, you are booked to return as soon after the appointment as possible.
So if you have the name of an individual or people who have experienced that, please pass them on to me and I’ll have my officials check into it.
Indeed, I have no desire to state any names. Additionally, in the future, I will have a chance to provide a more in-depth statement, either by asking related questions during the standing committee or working with your officials when they are available.
However, I would like to direct another question to the minister. If the pre-booking is already causing issues, especially by scheduling a return date, what can your department undertake to ensure this problem is resolved or, alternatively, to ensure that travel arrangements are scheduled in line with their appointments as soon as possible?
Hon. Keith Peterson: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank Mr. Enook for the question.
The way I understand it, the health centres would normally book the appointments for the individual to attend and then that information would be communicated to the medical travel coordinators and they would set up the travel.
Another issue causing problems within the context of pre-booked flights with a set return date is that the patients have to see a specialist as part of their medical travel.
They attend to their original appointment, and then after three or four days, they are rebooked for another appointment.
The problem then becomes that their return date is already set and the appointment conflicts with the return date.
Some people assume that since the return date is already set, they have to leave on that date, although the doctor has rebooked them for another appointment.
It has already happened on several occasions where people left, even with another appointment booked.
Can the minister inform me whether or not this issue will be reviewed immediately?
Can you agree that this needs to be reviewed?
Again, it’s a common-sense thing.
If the patient is in the city, whether it’s Ottawa or Edmonton, and a doctor wants to see you a couple of days later, it only makes sense to stay for that appointment so you don’t have to travel all the way home and then back. I know special appointments are very difficult to arrange. Sometimes you have to wait two to six months.
So I would like to thank Mr. Enook for the comment and question. I’m sure my officials are listening and we will take that into account. It’s a way to save money and also a way to save stress on patients and travellers.
Question 237 – 3(3): GN Procurement Policy (Curley)
I have a question to follow up to the Minister of Finance’s statement.
He indicated to the members in the House that for public procurement, Inuit firms and entrepreneurs should have a reasonable prospect at winning a contract.
No doubt about it, I fully support that. He also indicated that the policies that follow up the obligations of the government must be written in plain language.
How much more plain language do we need the agreement between federal, territorial, and Inuit? It’s written in plain language. Can the minister explain to me what language he’s talking about?
I think the minister should be talking about compliance rather than rewriting the policy, as there has been a review of the NNI Policy going on for a number of years.
Hon. Keith Peterson: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank Mr. Curley for the question.
As Mr. Curley will recall, when he was a member of cabinet, we did talk about how we could make the procurement policies clearer so it will avoid some of the misunderstandings that occur during the public procurement process.
With all the publicity over RFPs, appeals, and other such matters, we thought… . NTI as well, I was at their AGM in Cambridge Bay, I believe, in November and it was brought up for discussion as well and it has been in the media.
So we just thought that we had to talk about it and try to make it even simpler.
I have heard from businesspeople across Nunavut myself in my personal travels about this.
Mr. Speaker, the minister stated, and I quote again, that “This government will review the NNI Policy in consultation with NTI. We will ensure the policy complies with Article 24.”
I want to assure the minister at least that Article 24 is mandatory. It’s an obligation signed by this government.
It’s not optional for the civil servants to either ignore it or omit any provision of the NNI Policy when applying contracts and in evaluation of contracts.
So what more is the minister asking us to believe, that the policy itself is the problem when, in fact, it’s a leadership problem? I believe that the government should insist that Article 24 be implemented.
Isn’t this a problem, Mr. Speaker?
I thank Mr. Curley for the question.
Mr. Speaker, Mr. Curley knows that I’m familiar with the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement and quite familiar with Article 24. We do know that that’s law, but we also know that the NNI Policy was initially set up in the First Assembly that worked with the Government of Nunavut and NTI, and it has been reviewed over the years.
I think the last review that was approved by cabinet was in April 2006.
There’s a committee that meets on a regular basis between NTI and the Government of Nunavut.
I believe it is the NNI Secretariat that is continuously looking for ways to improve it to make the NNI Policy itself understandable so that when people are picking up tender packages or bid packages, they understand the process.
Mr. Curley: Yes, Mr. Speaker, so there’s no further confusion on NNI and issues related to Article 24, I stated in my question earlier to another one of your colleagues, the Minister of CGS, that there appears to have been inconsistencies in applying a number of policies and procedures in procurement management.
Mr. Speaker, I want to assure the minister that applying the NNI Policy and complying with Article 24 is not just a standard procurement issue; it’s an aboriginal title related to that article and it’s sanctioned by section 35 of the Constitution Act.
So any procurement practices or civil law cases, in my opinion, are irrelevant to that. The only assurance that Nunavutmiut need from the Minister of Finance is that GN will comply with Article 24.
Will you make the commitment now that this government will honour and actually implement Article 24 in all of its practices and that it is not optional for either deputy ministers or managers of the procurement policies?
Will he assure us that he will comply with the provision and not wait until plain language is developed?
Mr. Speaker, I’m not an expert, I’m not a lawyer, I’m none of those things, I’m not a procurement expert, but I do know that there are people out in Nunavut, many people, many businesses, who are having difficulties understanding the NNI Policy. They have asked this government to review it and we have seen, through the public and media and all that, there have been problems.
As Mr. Curley will recall, again, from his time on cabinet, we have discussed how we can look at this.
I understand Article 24, but there are people out there who don’t quite understand how the NNI Policy works and how it’s applied.
Mr. Speaker, I think it’s quite important that the minister clearly indicate to the House that the review will not be a second set of exercises that delays implementing Article 24.
There are businesses out there that want this government to honour the provisions that they have signed and it is not expected by the contractors that it be made any more complicated than it appears to have been.
So will the minister indicate to the House exactly how long this rewrite of the policy in plain language will take?
Minister responsible for the Department of Finance, Minister Peterson.
Mr. Speaker, I don’t know how long it will take, but I assure the members that the NNI Policy is in place and that will continue to apply to the procurement process.
Question 238 – 3(3): High Arctic Transportation Strategy (Elliott)
In 2008, the minister’s department commissioned the High Arctic Transportation Strategy.
That strategy was to look into the high cost of travel of people and goods to the High Arctic.
There were a number of community consultations and the minister himself made a trip up to all three of my communities to work on coming up with data and hopefully a strategy on how to bring down some of the costs.
Most recently, the minister did a Minister’s Statement in the House on October 31 of last year.
I was wondering if the minister would be able to give the House an update as to what’s happening with that.
Minister responsible for the Department of Economic Development and Transportation, Minister Taptuna.
Hon. Peter Taptuna: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the Member of Quttiktuq for that excellent question.
Mr. Speaker, we have been tackling the high cost of transportation since day one.
It has proven very difficult. Based on the findings throughout the data collecting and meeting with the good folks of Resolute Bay, Grise Fiord, and Arctic Bay, the department has determined that the transportation challenges are huge.
We have come to the conclusion that we’ve got to target subsidies for transportation costs of these High Arctic communities.
I know, in the Minister’s Statement from October, he had mentioned that they were close to having the study completed and a decision would be made.
It has now been four months since that statement was made. I’m just wondering: has cabinet and the Government of Nunavut made a decision as to what the government will be doing to help the good people of Quttiktuq?
Hon. Peter Taptuna: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again I thank the member from Quttiktuq for that question.
Mr. Speaker, throughout the last four months, there has been an announcement coming from one of the airlines that they’re going to be flying up to one of the High Arctic communities and we’re pleased with the announcement.
There are possibly other things that we could feed off of that because that will surely bring down some of the transportation and freight costs with another airline flying into these communities.
Mr. Speaker, we continue to work with the mayors and hamlets to determine how best to tackle some of these issues that we face, which are very difficult to tackle with.
I assure the member that once we have solid visions going forward, we will certainly let the member know.
Next week, the Baffin mayors’ meeting will be happening. I’m wondering if the minister could commit to meeting with my mayors at that time to go over and explain what is happening in terms of the strategy and maybe explain to them face to face what the findings are and what’s holding up a decision.
Mr. Speaker, I look forward to meeting with the Baffin mayors. I do that annually.
It is a very important issue and I want to continue to work with them and dialogue with them on finding solutions to alleviate some of these high costs of transportation. We’ve got to work together to find ways to do that.
I certainly would commit to meeting with the Baffin mayors.
For my final question, if I could get a commitment from the minister in terms of a timeline as to when he thinks we might have a solution to this. Are we talking another four months or are we talking another two years?
As I indicated earlier in my response, it has been a very difficult issue to deal with. If I had a crystal ball, I would be naming some times. I’m hoping the sooner the better, of course, but as you know, Mr. Speaker, and the member very well knows, it is a difficult issue to tackle.
Although, in the past, we set some deadlines and timeframes to actually move forward on some of these issues that we have been looking at, it has been a very difficult file.
I cannot commit to any timelines at this time, but as soon as things are moving forward, I’ll certainly let the member know.
Question 239 – 3(3): Down-payment Assistance for Prospective Homeowners (Curley)
I want to ask this question related to younger Nunavutmiut, particularly employed people, including couples who are both gainfully employed, seeking housing, and have been selected for units that are ready.
I just learned recently about some individuals in our community, quite a few in fact, who are unable to qualify for mortgages.
The units in the private sector which are for sale are priced beyond their range.
In addition, land lease, transportation, and material costs are above their approved mortgages, so they are unable to obtain mortgages.
There are some houses that were in the construction phase, with the lots already purchased, but these people cannot complete the construction of their homes. Can the minister responsible for the housing corporation explain further as to whether any form of assistance may be available for people in this situation? I believe that there have to be other forms of subsidy for these people.
Speculation within the market has driven the prices above the ability of people to purchase them. This is largely due to private contractors who are just holding onto their units and awaiting the highest purchase price, speculating that the mining sector will purchase the units when a mine is developed.
Can the minister provide some kind of assistance for these particular applicants?
We do have the homeownership program which is available and we also have the down-payment program.
I do understand the high costs, especially for sale of some of these private homes in bigger centres, where there’s activity happening, as in Baker Lake, Rankin Inlet, and Iqaluit.
Sometimes you’re going to pay half a million dollars for a 30-year old home, which an average person obviously can’t afford.
We are looking at all kinds of different programs in housing to encourage and get some of these young couples into homes, and we’re trying to develop some programs on that.
Mr. Curley (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don’t think I will have too many other questions, but I would like to know if the minister can take into consideration the need for a review of the market driving prices artificially high. Residents of Iqaluit are quite well aware of it and it seems to be happening in Rankin Inlet as well.
Can this be studied to verify the costs as being valid?
The private contractors who are artificially driving up prices are doing that based on speculation. It seems that some costs are unreasonable, but you have no choice but to accept the price when applying for a mortgage.
I would like to ask the minister if he can task a (interpretation ends) study of some kind (interpretation) on the real estate market in Nunavut to determine whether prices are real or not.
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Curley. Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation, Minister Schell.
I will commit to looking at that.
Speaker: Thank you very much, Minister Schell.
Members will note that the allotted time for Oral Questions has expired.
Written Questions. Mr. Enook.
Written Question 010 – 3(3): Vacant Staff Housing Units (Enook)
Mr. Enook (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a written question today for the Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation concerning the issue of staff housing. The questions are very detailed, so I ask that they be entered into the record as read.
Broken down by community and type of unit, how many Government of Nunavut staff housing units were vacant for a period of three or more consecutive months during the 2009-2010, 2010-11, and 2011-12 (to date) fiscal years?
Broken down by type of unit and category of expenditure, what is the average monthly cost of maintaining a vacant staff housing unit?
In circumstances where a staff housing unit has remained vacant for a period of 12 or more consecutive months, what is the Nunavut Housing Corporation’s policy concerning the temporary allocation of such units for other purposes, including but not limited to the provision of public housing?
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Enook. Do members agree that the written question be entered into the record as read?
Speaker: It has been agreed to and so it shall be.
Item 14: Reports of Standing and Special Committees on Bills and Other Matters
Committee Report 012 – 3(3): Bill 21, Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2011, No. 3 (Ningeongan)
I wish to report that Bill 21, Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2011, No. 3, has been reviewed by the Standing Committee on Legislation and that the bill, as amended, is ready for consideration in Committee of the Whole.
Tabling of Documents. Mr. Elliott.
Tabled Document 147 – 3(3): The Road We Travelled: Our Communities’ Voyage to the Future on the ICT Highway (Elliott)
I am pleased to table today a copy of The Road We Travelled: Our Communities’ Voyage to the Future on the ICT Highway.
This book highlights a number of success stories concerning community-based information and communication technology projects throughout Nunavut, including an initiative that was close to my heart, the Arctic Bay Traditional Name Placing Project. I encourage all members to read and enjoy this inspiring work.
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Elliott. Item 15. Tabling of Documents.
Tabled Document 148 – 3(3): Maclean’s Article: We’re Shooting Polar Bears!?!
(Curley)
Mr. Curley (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following copy of a Maclean’s magazine article, dated February 20, 2012, with a cover photo of a polar bear.
The article is entitled “We’re Shooting Polar Bears!?!” I urge my colleagues to peruse the document, especially the Minister of Environment. Thank you.
Tabled Document 149 – 3(3): Speaker’s List of Outstanding Statutory Tabling Requirements (Speaker)
Members, I wish to table today a list of outstanding statutory tabling requirements. This list is current to the end of the February 21, 2012 sitting of the House.
Bill 24 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2012-2013 – Notice
Bill 35 – An Act to Amend the Tobacco Tax Act – Notice
I have two notices.
Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Friday, February 24, 2012, that Bill 24, Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, 2012-2013, be read for the first time.
Mr. Speaker, I also give notice that on Friday, February 24, 2012, that Bill 35, An Act to Amend the Tobacco Tax Act, be read for the first time.
Hon. Keith Peterson: Mr. Speaker, I request consent of this Assembly to waive the two-day notice requirement to allow for the first reading of Bill 24, Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, 2012-2013.
The minister is seeking consent to waive the two-day waiting rule so that Bill 24 can be read today for the first time. Do members agree?
Speaker: Members agreed. Please proceed, Minister Peterson.
Bill 24 –Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2012-2013 – First Reading