EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
I need clarification on the preparation for negotiations with the federal government in regard to a devolution agreement with the Nunavut government in 2012-13. The Department of Economic Development and Transportation was going to be involved.
Can you clarify who is responsible for that?
Is it the Premier’s Office?
This is where I’m confused. If you can clarify that for me, it will make me happy.
Please clarify it for him and make him happy, Minister Taptuna.
Mr. Chairman, devolution negotiations are the responsibility of the Premier’s Office.
Mr. Tapardjuk (interpretation): Now I’m more confused.
In your business plan, it indicates that there will be devolution negotiations.
Perhaps there is a mistake and it should go through the Premier’s Office.
How are you going to be involved in the formal negotiations?
At the appropriate time, I will be asking questions regarding devolution negotiations.
I just wanted to get further clarification on that.
The devolution negotiations are conducted through the Premier’s Office. Of course, every department will be assisting in that. For development partnership agreements, there are three departments that do that and it is led by the Department of Economic Development and Transportation with the assistance of Community and Government Services and Finance.
I would like to ask a question regarding oil exploration.
We know that Greenland is pretty active now exploring around the Davis Straight area.
Can the minister update us on whether there has been any interest in oil exploration in the Canadian side or if they have been asked about this?
No, there haven’t been any applications put forth for any kind of exploratory work for oil or gas in Nunavut.
I understand oil exploration is at a standstill.
In the Northwest Territories, oil exploration is continuing and we expect Shell Oil to begin exploring for oil on the mainland in the NWT.
There is nothing for Nunavut, is there? Have you heard of any interest in oil exploration, Mr. Chairman?
Hon. Peter Taptuna: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I thank the committee member for that question.
I understand that in the NWT, there is a lot of activity happening. There are applications being put forward to the aboriginal affairs and northern development office to get permits to do work up in the NWT, but so far in Nunavut, there have been none.
Maybe we can expect to see oil exploration, whether it’s by Shell Oil, perhaps by what’s called hydraulic fracturing deep underground.
In the Northwest Territories, discussions have started on the need to amend environmental legislation.
It would be better to start planning ahead of time to amend our legislation. Are we just going to wait for the federal government to devolve the responsibility for oil exploration to Nunavut?
There’s a National Energy Board that reviews all the environmental issues that are related to oil and gas drilling throughout Canada, including all the territories. It’s more or less like the Nunavut Impact Review Board. We do have that within our jurisdiction of Nunavut.
The National Energy Board has the responsibility of reviewing all the environmental, people, safety, every type of issue that involves oil and gas drilling throughout Canada.
They’re the ones who have the final say and the permitting through Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada.
I have another question regarding the projects that will be going ahead.
There has been some disagreement with the approval process by the mining industry. Can the minister indicate to us if that was approved by the mining companies or has he heard that changes need to be made?
NIRB is not the only one involved in the approval process; there is the water board.
In the NWT, their approval process is continually changed, and they’re in negotiation over oil development regulations.
Do we know if the mining sector has problems or is it better managed here in Nunavut than in the NWT?
Our regulatory process here in Nunavut is quite a bit better than most jurisdictions in Canada.
It’s straightforward and clear under the land claims, with IPGs involved, the Nunavut Impact Review Board, the Nunavut Water Board, and of course, the planning commission, and the communities are involved throughout the process.
I’ve got to say that in our jurisdiction of Nunavut, our environmental review regulations that NIRB goes through are second to none in my opinion.
It is part of his response, but in Greenland, they’re working aggressively in oil exploration in parts of Davis Strait.
If they should find some oil during that exploration, I’m sure that development would approach closer to Nunavut.
Can the minister indicate if there is going to be oil exploration in Nunavut’s offshore in the future?
When oil companies are involved in exploratory drilling for oil and gas, mainly oil, in all the preliminary work, there’s got to be seismic testing and seismic information out there that they can use.
Mr. Chairman, it’s almost like looking for a deposit out on land.
You do have to have information, good and reliable data on where to look for oil and gas. You just don’t go out there and start drilling holes.
For the most part, that’s why geological surveys happen on the land for mineral deposits. The Geological Survey of Canada maps out and surveys the land out there, maps it, and that’s when the prospectors and the mining exploration companies come in.
The survey identifies the haystack and the companies look for that needle in the haystack.
It’s the same thing for oil and gas. They do have to have seismic data to work with. At this time, there is some old seismic data that’s available out there, but with new technology, I’m sure there are companies that are willing to go out there and do this type of work for sale to the oil companies.
Mr. Curley (interpretation): Very briefly in English, (interpretation ends) I certainly encourage the minister to do all he can to allow mineral exploration [companies] to actively find some minerals in Nunavut.
I know that a lot of the promotional stuff and resources may be limited.
In terms of the oil and gas, would the minister be able to indicate to the House here that oil and gas development will not actually happen for a long while?
Do we have a bit of radar whether or not there would be any increase in activity or should we say to Nunavutmiut, “That isn’t going to happen for a while”?
Mr. Chairman, we all know that in Newfoundland, they drill for oil and gas offshore, mainly for oil.
We do know for a fact that the Newfoundland government collects royalties, which could amount to over $4 billion a year.
That’s why they have the funds to build alternative energy at their rivers for clean energy hydro plants. They’re doing a project now that’s over $6 billion that’s to make a better quality of life for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.
In Greenland, of course, they’re drilling for oil and gas. That’s exactly what they want to do. They want to be more autonomous.
They want to take control of their own destiny.
They want to get rid of poverty. They want more economic activity. That’s one of the roads, oil and gas, collecting oil and gas royalties.
At this time, we know that there is one producing well which produces oil and that’s produced for 10 years. It produced about three million barrels of oil, which Resolute Bay and the oil companies used back then straight into their generators and into their equipment.
The well still contains about four million barrels, I believe, approximately.
It’s a small amount, but we know for a fact that there are vast reservoirs of oil out there.
In fact, there have been experienced geological surveys from both Canada and the United States that indicate that there is probably 20 billion barrels of oil within our territory.
To get to a point where there is drilling and production, it’s still a long ways away. Having spent 13 years drilling for oil and gas in the Beaufort Sea, I do have a little bit of experience. I would estimate a guess of 15 years before we see any kind of production coming out of Nunavut.
Mr. Curley (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) I think that’s important to understand. Also, I always say, when there is preparation needed, whether you’re a hunter or not, it’s never too early to prepare.
I think it’s the same with the offshore development of oil exploration.
I think, in my view, this government should have a clear strategy that offshore [development] will not occur until safety measures are actually in place for potential oil disasters or whatnot because our environment is just too critical.
I would encourage the minister to have a clear set of planning processes done.
Fifteen years is not a long time because the world is really quite… . You talk about 20 million barrels.
It may be a renowned product in Nunavut; that would be one day of consumption for the United States.
Would the minister be prepared to deal with the protection measures needed before any attempt to encourage offshore development in Nunavut’s offshore boundaries?
We have no jurisdiction over oil and gas drilling and exploration in Nunavut.
That’s governed by the National Energy Board and of course, a governmental department in Ottawa which we used to call INAC.
Of course, when it goes through the regulatory hearing with the impact statements, every affected community, including this government, will be involved in looking at all the possible things that we could intervene. Of course, environmental protection, human safety protection, and wildlife protection is key.
Just like in our mining strategy, if it’s beneficial, if it doesn’t hurt the environment and our people, we will support it in some certain way.
At the end of the day, we do not have the jurisdiction over Crown land, but once devolution is negotiated, there is a possibility where we will have that authority to disperse licensing and permits for this type of activity.
Mr. Chairman, I understand that very well.
The federal government has jurisdiction. What I’m trying to get at is it’s not too early for us to have a policy for a position that we oppose in Nunavut as a government, offshore exploration or development planned by any oil companies, until contingency plans for oil spills and all that are actually in place, including the federal government and the Nunavut government.
Would you be agreeable to establish our position at least, that we will not encourage offshore oil exploration until contingency plans are properly developed by the federal government?
The committee member asked that question earlier about the Arctic drilling review, which was conducted by the National Energy Board. We are aware of that document. I believe, Mr. Chairman, it was you who brought the issue up.
We are aware of that document and we are pleased with the review. It included your community of Pond Inlet, Clyde River, and a couple of other communities within the Baffin. We are pleased with the intention of consulting these smaller communities.
We’re quite pleased with that.
Of course, Mr. Chairman, some of these things that are beyond this government’s control are licensing and permitting for these types of activities. For sure, in any kind of review of regulations and intentions of some of these companies that do want to come up for oil and gas exploration, we will have a say in how things are worked out.
The National Energy Board has been doing this for over 50 years and they are well aware of our arctic conditions up here.
We’re on page K-5.
Ms. Ell: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation) I have a question on this page.
Your department established the new Tourism and Cultural Industries Division in 2010 to provide information to businesses, provide support to community organizations, non-governmental organizations, and industry associations, and manage the implementation of the Government of Nunavut’s arts and crafts and tourism development strategies.
How has this reorganization in 2010 helped the arts and crafts and tourism industries in Nunavut?
We have found that creating this division within the department is helpful. We have staff working directly with the Nunavut Arts and Crafts Association, Nunavut Tourism, and other NGOs that are interested in arts and crafts development and tourism development.
They are playing a lead role.
As we move forward on our contribution agreements, we are doing something we call measurable results, where we’re negotiating with our NGO partners. In our contribution agreements, we’re asking for specific things they’re going to do.
We’re just in the process this month of having funding and strategic planning meetings with both Nunavut Arts and Crafts and Nunavut Tourism to specifically come up with what they plan to do and how we can work with them over the next couple of years.
So we do, at this point, as you know, have an arts and crafts strategy. We’re well into the process of developing a tourism strategy and this group is leading the work on the tourism strategy.
Thank you for that, deputy minister.
In 2010, your department issued a request for proposals for consultants to develop a tourism sector development strategy, stakeholder and community consultations.
The RFP closed on January 19 of last year.
What company was awarded this contract and what was the value of the contract?
I’m sorry; you caught me off guard with that one. I don’t know the value of the contract and the name of the company escapes me, but it was a company based in Whitehorse and the work was completed last year.
I’ve had those days too.
Your department’s 2012-15 business plan provides an update on one of its previous priorities.
It indicates that “A draft Tourism Strategy was developed with an advisory group of Nunavut Tourism, CanNor, Nunavut Parks and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated. Consultations on the draft strategy with industry and stakeholders are on-going.”
When will the comprehensive tourism strategy be completed and will you be tabling it any time soon in the Legislative Assembly?
That work is ongoing. We’re making good progress.
My guess will be that we will table that document no later than the winter session of this upcoming fiscal year.
Chairman: Thank you, Deputy Minister.
Ms. Ell: Thank you, Itsivautaaq. (interpretation) The minister mentioned tourism and its review earlier.
He stated that in the spring, they heard from quite a few people on what they want to see happen.
Although this has to do with the strategy, they have launched a three-year community tourism and cultural industries program.
He also stated the need for tourism and culture-related infrastructure.
Can the minister elaborate further on what was discussed in that area?
I’m just trying to recall what I said in my ministerial statement.
I just can’t, but I’ll have my deputy minister elaborate more on that.
Chairman: Thank you, Minister Taptuna. Can you read his mind, please?
In terms of infrastructure around tourism and arts and crafts, the first thing that I will comment on is the Nunavut Arts and Crafts Association, within the arts and crafts strategy, is looking at community workshops.
They have identified this as something they want to do. They are currently refining their plan on that and are trying to determine costs and how this could be paid for.
That would be the intent and I suspect it will be very well received.
On the other side, within the tourism development, we do believe there will be a need for community infrastructure to enhance our ability to deliver good tourism products.
The process that is underway there is we are updating the community economic development plans in cooperation and led by the communities.
Where they identify infrastructure that would be of value to tourism, then the next step is us working with them and trying to determine how to pay for and how to create that infrastructure.
That one is a little less developed and we see it as very much being community driven. We want to know what the community wants and then we will do what we can with other funding partners, such as CanNor, to try and make it happen.
Chairman: Qujannamiik, Deputy Minister Long. (interpretation) We are on page K-5.
Total Operations and Maintenance. $21,952,000.
Turn to page K-6.
Last year, I was privileged to accept an invitation by the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba with Premier Selinger and Deputy Premier Robinson, as well as George Hickes, Speaker of the Manitoba legislature.
The invitation was to recognize the Manitoba and Inuit relations, and to recognize how Inuit and Manitoba work together as well as access services that were provided by the federal government and then INAC, now Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada, as well as other agencies.
It’s a fact that some issues were positive and some weren’t in terms of past relations. However, the ongoing interaction continues as evidenced by talks of the Nunavut-Manitoba road.
My question, Mr. Chairman, is in the department’s 2010-13 business plan, it’s indicated that one of its priorities was to “Complete the next phase of studies for the Nunavut-Manitoba Road” and that “The Business Case study is complete in final draft form, and is being reviewed by the governments of Nunavut and Manitoba.”
Last year during your appearance before the standing committee, the department indicated that the business case study was completed. When will you table a copy of the study in the Legislative Assembly?
We work with our partners in Manitoba and at this time, they are unwilling to release the study, but we are in the process of trying to deal with that so we can actually release it to the public.
Under K-6, the discussion is Transportation and the 2012-15 business plan, on page 189, Transportation Policy and Planning, indicated that “The division is directly responsible for several federally-funded programs including overseeing the Canadian Coast Guard Remote Re-supply Sites Memorandum of Understanding.”
It’s indicated by constituents that Coast Guard presence would aid search and rescue operations, sovereignty presence, and environmental monitoring with the fact that enhanced mining exploration will be ongoing in the region and Nunavut will be benefiting from the economic development. I just wanted to ask: how many Coast Guard or Coast Guard auxiliaries are posted within Nunavut?
At this time, we’re not aware of any Coast Guard auxiliaries that may exist within Nunavut.
As members are aware and this House is aware, the enhanced presence of Canadian agencies as well as the request for enhanced services for search and rescue and aid operations for all Nunavummiut is quite sensitive.
As we all know, it’s federally funded and DFO in terms of Coast Guard in order to initiate it.
Does this department or the government foresee any plans in which they would request more presence of Coast Guard in Nunavut?
In cooperation with other departments within the government, yes, of course, we’re always hoping to see more involvement and more infrastructures being put up here for search and rescue related matters.
It’s not only in that. There’s going to be more activity happening within our territorial waters.
Any assistance from the federal government in putting up infrastructure and personnel here on the ground would assist us enormously.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Minister Taptuna. (interpretation ends) Mr. Aupaluktuq, are you done?
I guess I want to start first with, in terms of transportation, the Nanisivik “highway,” which seemed to flip back and forth between an access road to, I think the minister did a Minister’s Statement about it being a highway. I just wanted clarification.
Is that an access road or is it still considered a highway?
I would like to request that I bring in my Assistant Deputy Minister of Transportation to help me respond to his question.
Chairman (interpretation): Does the committee agree to bring in the witness?
(interpretation ends) Minister Taptuna, for the record, please indicate who your staff is. (interpretation) Thank you.
Methuselah Kunuk, Assistant Deputy Minister of the Transportation Division.
Welcome, Mr. Kunuk. (interpretation ends) Mr. Elliott, can I ask you to ask your question again for the benefit of Mr. Kunuk. (interpretation) Thank you.
Mr. Elliott: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. As long as the clock is not running, that would be great.
My question was based around the Nanisivik highway.
In the past, there has been some confusion when I had asked whether it was considered an access road or a highway.
I think, at one point, we were told it was an access road, but then it was changed by, I believe, the Minister’s Statement that the minister did announcing that it was a highway. So I just wanted clarification what its designation is.
I’ll have my Assistant Deputy Minister of Transportation respond to that.
Chairman: Mr. Kunuk.
With respect to his question regarding the status of whether it is termed a highway or an access road, at this point in time, I cannot really respond as to which status has been bestowed on it.
However, we are working with the Department of National Defence on this issue and to eventually determine the status of the road. We have been meeting with the representatives to complete it.
(interpretation ends) Can I say it in English? I’ll say it in English.
We are now working with the Department of [National] Defence. We have been meeting with them on that road. At this point, we are not really clear yet on how we’re going to do it, but it looks like DND wants to keep it open.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Kunuk. (interpretation ends) Mr. Elliott, you will be happy to note that there was no time deducted off of you.
That brings me to my next question of: until the determination is made as to who owns or doesn’t own it, will the Government of Nunavut continue to maintain the road?
Again, I ask because I know there’s an allocation, I think, of $500,000 for community road access funds. So I need to know where and who will be maintaining the road.
Right now, we are talking to DND.
It looks like they have some funds to keep it open at least for the summer months.
They do not have a direct mechanism right now to transfer the funds they’re talking about to us. They’re still trying to determine how it’s going to be funded in order to keep the road open for at least four months in the summer.
We have been in teleconferences with them and they wanted to meet with me personally later this month to talk about it.
They seem to have started working out what details they want to do as well as what mechanism they’re going to be using to fund it.
In terms of the Nanisivik Airport, my understanding is that the airport is considered closed. There’s still equipment up there, buildings, and runway lights, and whatnot, but a lot of materials have been taken down and are now being used with the Arctic Bay Airport.
I’m just wondering: in all respects, is that airport closed? So no charter should be landing on it; it’s not considered an actual runway.
I’ll let my assistant deputy minister respond to that.
Yes, you’re correct. The Nanisivik Airport is now closed. We’re not maintaining it.
I don’t think I can really say if a charter company wants to use it, but it’s closed.
In terms of ownership of the airport, is the airport owned by Transport Canada and it’s a federal area or is it owned by the Government of Nunavut through ED&T?
It’s still owned by the Government of Nunavut.
So in terms of remediation of the area and there’s a dumpsite and used equipment that’s there, will the Government of Nunavut be starting to clean that area up?
At this point, we still haven’t determined how soon we’re going to start cleaning it up.
We are trying to look at our initial turnover agreements with the federal government when they will turn over what’s in the airport and what kind of liability the federal government has.
At this point, I can’t really answer you yet how soon the clean-up is going to be starting.
Is there an actual process when an airport closes where they do a reclamation plan to show how it’s going to be decommissioned?
I think one of the other questions I wanted answered would be whether there was an environmental assessment in terms of contamination. There has been 30 years worth of planes landing there and refuelling, and whatnot.