EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
I am not sure what it’s going to be like next year, but I would like to inform the member that this will be reviewed. And of course people who work in my department are listening to it.
I’m not saying to give them a month in advance, but to give them at least more than three or four days in advance would be a lot better to notify the customers of the gasoline hikes.
Perhaps if I can ask another question: the gasoline that was delivered to the communities - when was that paid for by the government? When was the gasoline that was delivered paid for by the government of Nunavut?
I would like to inform the member that we’re was not really sure exactly what’s going to happen next year, but we will be prepared to at least give the customers an advance notice which is more that three or four days.
All the gasoline that was purchased for the whole of Nunavut was $190 million and it was already paid for and together it was 169 million litres that were delivered to the communities, or to Nunavut.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Madam Minister.
Just go ahead and use your language, we have interpreters.
The reason for the price that went up for the gasoline was because of the world prices and at that time that was the reasoning behind it.
At that time the government did not pay the world prices. Have we gotten a higher price since then?
Madame Minister, Madame Brown.
Yes, that is the reason for the high cost for the gasoline is the price that was jacked up in the world. And we can’t do really anything about it as Nunavut residents because we have to follow the world prices.
Another reason is because of what’s happing in Mexico and places where they’re having war.
We’re just following the price of world prices as well and it was very good our Nunavut government to be able to get that bulk gasoline and the price was jacked up to ten cents per litre.
I bet it would’ve been a lot higher perhaps even 20 cents per litre, for example in northern Quebec and northern Manitoba the price of gasoline was about $1.69 a liter, 40 cents more than Nunavut.
Here in Nunavut we had the lowest price of gasoline because of the government’s subsidy that we experience here in Nunavut.
I appreciate what the government has done in subsidizing the price of gasoline.
Even though that happened the hunters have a difficult time paying the higher prices. Perhaps if the government can lower the price of gasoline, would the communities, in turn, get lower pricing?
Yes, I wish we could do everything to help the people out there, especially in regard to the price of gasoline.
In Nunavut we have a different system whereby what we do is we order gasoline while there are ships in the summertime and in the fall, and we have to buy bulk. For that reason, we cannot lower the price of gasoline per litre, but it’ll stay the same at what we had proposed.
Next year when we get some more shipment of fuel, I’m not sure exactly how much it is going to be, but I will tell the member that we cannot lower the price of gasoline.
Question 368 – 2(3): Gasoline Fuel Rebate (Arvaluk)
I would like to ask the Premier…there are three ministers that could probably respond to my question. It’s in regard to Mr. Kattuk’s question, but not quite the same.
The reason is the price of fuel; the price goes up in a month, according to world prices. The cost goes up every year.
The commercial establishments, whenever the price of gasoline goes up, they up the price too, as well. The hunters and the homeowners cannot get more money. They are having hardship.
I would like to ask the Premier if the government is going to try to ask the federal government to help out those people, to help out those people to get more money, the people that are experiencing the high price of fuel.
The price of fuel affects everyone in Nunavut, especially this coming year.
We tried to do as much as possible to try and assist those people out there, because we pay, as a government, 80 percent for the price of fuel.
We cannot do anything about it, but what we’re trying to do is to try to be prepared for next year
I will say that after we have bought the bulk fuel, we will be able to subsidize the people out there.
Last year we could not do that because we were a little bit too late and the cost of fuel was very expensive.
If we didn’t buy it, we wouldn’t have had it today. That is the reason why we had no choice but to pay the price that we did.
As members of this House, we discussed and approved the budget. I would also like to say that we want to be able to help the hunters and homeowners out there. If they can save their receipts, they can apply for a tax rebate with the government.
We’re trying as much as we can to help the people out there, but that’s as much as we can do at this time.
Your first supplementary, Mr. Arvaluk.
Mr. Arvaluk (interpretation): I would like to thank the Premier for his answer.
Do I understand him to say that during 2006-07, if the price of fuel was to go down, when we purchase it, will we be able to buy it right away, and just load it onto the ship as soon as one becomes available?
Yes, we’re planning it that way. We don’t know exactly when the price of fuel will go down, so as soon as the price goes down, we have someone working for us. We’d like to be able to buy it when the price is lower because we know now that the price goes up in the summer time.
We have to be able to watch to see if the price goes down so we’ll be able to purchase it instead of buying it in the summer time, because the summer is the time when the price goes up.
Question 369 – 2(3): Contribution Agreement Provided to Keewatin Business Development Corporation (Tootoo)
My question is again for the Minister responsible for Economic Development and Transportation.
I’ll just start off by saying for the members’ benefit that I know that he does have a contribution agreement between the Government of Nunavut and the Keewatin Business Development Corporation for providing those programs for the government.
My question this time to the minister: is he aware of how much money is provided through that contribution agreement from the department to Keewatin Business Development Corporation?
We provide $275,000 to the Keewatin Business Development Corporation and they can borrow up to $1 million for small business loans.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Minister Akesuk. Your first supplementary, Mr. Tootoo.
Mr. Tootoo: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. $275,000, so $1.2 million is authorized for them to administer on behalf of the government.
I guess my next question to the minister is: what mechanisms within that contribution agreement do they have in place to ensure that those dollars are being spent appropriately?
What we have on our procedures in our Community Initiatives Program is we use that mechanism for the development corporation in Keewatin.
The KBDC can use up to $1 million, but we have to scrutinize to make sure that they spend the money wisely.
The minister indicated that they scrutinize it that they spend it wisely. I guess what I was trying to get at in my last question; what exactly do they have in place to do that, how do they do that. What do they scrutinize?
What do they look at?
Is it a requirement for the KBDC to provide the government with an annual report? Do they provide copies of motions and minutes of meetings and regarding loans that they are administering? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I can check to make sure that the money was spent wisely and I can ask them for more information if I wanted more information, but if I feel that they will spend the money wisely, then we agree to that and I can also can get more information as to exactly how they spend their money.
Again, I know that I believe under their contribution agreement they are required to provide an audited statement for the department to review on an annual basis, on finance on how they spend those dollars.
If you look at it, the whole purpose of providing that funding to them was for business development and small business loans, I wonder is that what that money is being spent on.
So I guess my question to the minister is; what they get from them to see if they are spending it wisely if he could also ask them to provide copies of their minutes and motions where they have approved or any actions that the board has taken on behalf of the government. Will he be able to provide that information as well?
Hon. Olayuk Akesuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I am willing to do that. I will ask them if they want to release that information, but I will work diligently to make sure that we get that information as to what they have spent the money on in Keewatin for those small businesses or businesses in Keewatin.
Question 370– 2(3): Location for Deep Sea Ports (Peterson)
Mr. Speaker, last summer there was an announcement that the Government of Nunavut had recommended seven deep sea port sites to the federal government. The minister referred to those port sites in the House on November 23 just last week.
My question for the minister: can the minister tell the House which sites he recommended and how they selected them?
Minister for Economic Development, Minister Akesuk.
The deep sea port for ships we have been working on that and we have been working with the federal government as to which community would get the deep sea port. We looked at the advantages and where it would be best suited and the Nunavut Government wants to support this idea. If this deep sea port is built, then we will not be able to assist for the whole of Nunavut.
I know those communities that have been mentioned are very ideal, but at this time the federal government has not identified which community it will be.
I guess I am going to have to read in the media to find out which of the seven port sites they recommended, if the minister won’t provide that information.
Can the minister tell the House did the federal government provide the Government of Nunavut with criteria for a port site? If so, could he table those criteria in the House this week?
Minister for Economic Development and Transportation, Minister Akesuk.
Yes, it would be ideal but they have not provided us with a list. We have communicated with them as to the advantages and disadvantages to the individual communities. I am willing to do that but they are not written.
I’m sure he is aware as to which ones those might be.
At one time I think I read it in the media last summer, but the media sometimes get the information wrong, so I thought the minister would take this opportunity to make it official which seven communities the Government of Nunavut recommended to the federal government.
My question for the minister: did Economic Development and Transportation complete feasibility, economic, strategic, or environmental analysis of each proposed port site before he recommended them to the federal government?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Minister, Mr. Peterson.
We are trying to work on this very closely, as to what kind of impact those different communities will have and what they have; and the wildlife surrounding those communities. Those are the things that we are trying to look at.
After the feasibility studies have been completed, then we will take a look at those, and how it would affect the land, or the surrounding area before the construction of the deep sea port.
I am aware that it costs millions of dollars to do all that kind of work.
We spent close to six million, maybe seven million in the Kitikmeot on the Bathurst Port work on all the studies, and we need another three million to complete the studies.
So when I heard that they recommended seven port sites, I did the math and my question for the minister is: would the minister table any documents, any letters, any reports, anything in the House this week that the Government of Nunavut sent to the federal government to support the seven port sites that the Government of Nunavut recommended to the federal government?
Yes, I will look because it is very important to the Nunavut. I will make sure that it is provided.
I believe in 1999 or 2000 we had been working with the Kitikmeot in regard to the Bathurst Road and Port.
And any other supporting documents or letters that we have, that came about from that project and yes, if there’s any correspondence or letters I would definitely make them available to the House.
To recognize the clock, Question Period is now over.
Petition 005 – 2(3): Public Housing Rent Scale (Arreak)
I am pleased to present a petition today from the residents of Clyde River asking the Government of Nunavut to review the public housing rent scale and there are 159, now there are 160 signatures now, in this petition.
I haven’t seen that before.
Point well taken. (interpretation) Item 10. (interpretation ends) Petitions. (interpretation) Item 11.
Item 13. (interpretation ends) Tabling of Documents.
Tabled Document 171 – 2(3): Correspondence to the Premier (Kattuk)
I want to, I mean I wish to table today, a letter that I have written to the Premier on the issue of Ed Horne, it says it is my sincere hope that the Premier’s reply to me and to my community will address the questions that we have on the government’s handling of this tragic matter.
Speaker (interpretation): Please bring the tabled document. Thank you. Tabling of Documents.
Mr. Arvaluk, Member for Tununiq.
Tabled Document 172 – 2(3): Pond Inlet Breakwater Feasibility Study (Arvaluk)
In my member’s statement on Thursday, I discussed a very real need that my community of Pond Inlet has for harbour development.
The Hamlet of Pond Inlet has not sat idly by simply asking for assistance, they have taken the initiative to complete a breakwater feasibility study.
I would like to table that Pond Inlet Breakwater Feasibility Study today, and I would like to ask to have the minister review the documents and be prepared to answer questions in respect to the project when he is up there as a witness before the Committee of the Whole.
Please bring the tabled documents.
Member Picco.
Tabled Document 173 – 2(3): Qalattuq – 10-Year Educator Training Strategy 2006-2016 (Picco)
It gives me very great pleasure today to table, as I said earlier in my statement, the Nunavut Teacher Education Program Action Plan, Qalattuq for 10 years, the 10-Year Educator Training Strategy 2006-2016.
Please bring the document.
Tabled Document 174 – 2(3): 2005-06 Report by Nunavut’s Medical Care Act (Aglukkaq)
I wish to table the Annual Report for 2005-06 required by Nunavut’s Medical Care Act.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Please bring the document.
Thank you. Tabling of Documents.
Tabled Document 175 – 2(3): Audited Financial Statements of the Supplementary Retiring Allowances Fund for the Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 2006 (Speaker)
Members (interpretation ends) pursuant to Section 20(b) of the Supplementary Retiring Allowances Act, I wish to table today the Audited Financial Statements for the Supplementary Retiring Allowances Fund, for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2006.
Tabled Document 176 – 2(3): Audited Financial Statements of the Retiring Allowances Fund for the Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 2006 (Speaker)
Further, honourable members, pursuant to Section 21(1)(b) and (c) of the Legislative Assembly Retiring Allowances Act, I wish to table today the Audited Financial Statements of the Retiring Allowances Fund, for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2006.
Tabled Document 177 – 2(3): Pension Administration Report for the Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 2006 (Speaker)
Further honourable members, pursuant to Section 21(1)(d) of the Legislative Assembly Retiring Allowances Act, and Section 20(b) of the Supplementary Retiring Allowances Act, I wish to table today the Pension Administration Report for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2006.
Thank you. (interpretation) Tabling of Documents.
Going to the Orders of the Day. Item 14.
Item 19. (interpretation ends) Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters.
Bills 23, 24, 25, and 26 with Mr. Evyagotailak in the Chair.
Before we proceed with the Committee of the Whole we will take a 20-minute break.
>>House recessed at 15:04 and Committee resumed at 15:29
Chairman (Mr. Evyagotailak): Good afternoon, good evening still afternoon.
In the Committee of the Whole we have the following items to deal with: Bill 23, Bill 24, Bill 25 and 26.
Mr. Arreak: Mr. Chairman, we wish to continue with the review of Bill 26 and commence the review of the Capital Estimates for the Department of Environment. If time permits, we will proceed with the Department of Community and Government Services.
Are we in an agreement to deal with the Capital Estimates for the Department of Environment?
Chairman: Thank you. I would like to ask Minister Netser for the Department of Environment to make his Opening Remarks. Mr. Netser.
Bill 26 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2007-08 – Review in Committee – Environment
Hon. Patterk Netser (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I am pleased to be here today in front of the Committee of the Whole to present my Department’s Capital Plan for the 2007-08 fiscal year.
Mr. Chairman, the Department of Environment’s proposed capital budge for 2007-08 is $2,025,000.
My department has 21 capital projects for 2007-08 that focus on two key areas:
Parks and Special Places
Nunavut Parks have a crucial role to play in the protection and promotion of some of Nunavut’s outstanding natural and cultural heritage, and in supporting positive recreation and tourism experiences. Our parks are developed for the benefits of Nunavummiut, and for both national and international visitors.
In November of 2000, the Standing Committee on Community Empowerment and Sustainable Development accepted a report, which summarized the status of facilities in our Territorial Parks. The report identified several facility deficiencies that needed to be addressed in the interests of public safety, visitor satisfaction and in ensuring these special places are appropriately maintained and safe for Nunavummiut and the general public.
With these in mind, we have structured our 2007-08 capital plan to include the completion of two new campgrounds in Resolute Bay and in Pond Inlet, and the installation of new interpretive signs and new park furnishings for Rankin Inlet, Cambridge Bay, Coral Harbour, and Gjoa Haven.
It is also our intent to complete new facilities at Kekerten Historic Park in Pangnirtung and to continue park planning in non-decentralized communities such as Kugaaruk, Coral Harbour and Clyde River.
A substantial portion of the 2007-08 capital budget is within the Wildlife Management Division. The focus is on maintaining present offices, wildlife mobile equipment, and we plan to start and complete the wildlife office construction in Cambridge Bay.
In closing, Mr. Chairman, with the allocated capital resources available to us, the Department of Environment Capital Plan is focused in areas that clearly support the needs and priority of the government as well as the needs of communities throughout Nunavut.
The department will continue to efficiently make use of the allocated capital resources.
Chairman: Thank you, Minister Netser.
Hon. Patterk Netser: Yes, I do.
Chairman: For the record, please introduce your...I’m sorry.
Does the committee agree to bring the witness?
Chairman: Thank you. Sergeant-at-Arms, could you please escort the witnesses in?
To my right is Simon Awa, the Deputy Minister, and also to my left is, David Monteith, the Director of Parks and Special Places.
Does the chairman for the standing committee have any comments?
The Standing Committee Ajauqtiit has reviewed the proposed capital estimates of the Department of Environment for the 2007-08 fiscal year, and I’m pleased to provide you with the committee’s comments.
The committee notes that the department’s proposed 2007-08 budget of $2,025,000 is approximately 9.2 percent lower than its 2006-07 budget.
Of this, $775,000 is budgeted for a new wildlife office for Cambridge Bay.
Mr. Chairman, the department has made a number of internal budget transfers between projects over the past several months. These have impacted such projects as the Hall Beach Wildlife Office and the Sylvia Grinnel Park in Iqaluit.
Some members have been concerned that these transfers may have caused other projects to be delayed in their communities. Members urge the department to plan as carefully as possible when developing future projects.
In all, several hundred thousand dollars in transfers affecting at least ten projects were made in the second quarter of the current 2006-07 fiscal year.
It is also important that municipalities receive clear information from the department when the timeline or scope of projects changes during the middle of the year so that they have a clear understanding of when the projects will be completed.
Mr. Chairman, the standing committee supports the improvement of territorial park facilities and visitor centres. However, members remain concerned that our territorial tourism potential remains underdeveloped, and has expressed concern in the past that while the Department of Environment has responsibility for parks, the Department of Economic Development and Transportation has responsibilities for tourism and visitor centres.
The committee was therefore pleased to hear that the two departments work closely together and that a departmental staff member sits on the Board of Nunavut Tourism and the Tourism Task Force, which includes Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated and the Inuit Heritage Trust.
It is important that Environment, EDT and Nunavut Tourism work together to measure the success of investments in the area of parks and tourism, including their impact on employment opportunities in our communities.
The standing committee notes the department is continuing to make progress in relation to park development and Inuit Impact Benefit Agreements.
The committee looks forward to the successful designation in 2007 of the Coppermine River near Kugluktuk as a Canadian Heritage River.
The committee understands that the final step remaining to complete this process is the development of a management plan.
The committee also notes the commitment made in the department’s 2006-07 business plan to work towards the establishment of a territorial parks and heritage river co-management system, and looks forward to regular updates from the minister.
The standing committee also recognizes the importance of monitoring the progress of such federal initiatives as the Igaliqtuuq National Wildlife Area near Clyde River and the Thelon Wildlife Sanctuary, and encourages the department to continue working with impacted communities.
Mr. Chairman, the committee has been concerned for some time with respect to the significant number of vacancies in the department’s Igloolik office.
According to the GN’s June 2006 Inuit Employment Plan report, six out of 16 departmental positions were vacant in the community.
In June of 2005, the department had 20 PYs allocated to the office.
The committee was pleased to be informed by the Minister that these positions are now being filled.
Members look forward to reviewing the next IEP Report.
The standing committee notes that the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board continues to hold special hearings in Iqaluit with respect to the new draft regulations under the Wildlife Act.
The committee is aware that there are some issues that remain outstanding, including the total allowable harvest of polar bears and muskox.
The committee expects to be kept fully informed by the minister on the status of these issues.
The standing committee recommends that the government table information in this House concerning the final costs of its major capital projects, including information on the Inuit labour content of each project, as well as any bonuses or penalties that have been assessed under the NNI Policy.
Chairman (interpretation): Before we proceed I would like to remind members of the following: according to Rule 77(1), you have ten minutes to speak, and according to Rule 77(2), subject to the discretion of the chair, a member may speak more than once to the matter under discussion but not until every member wishing to speak has spoken.
I suggest to members that wherever possible you ask your detailed questions during the page by page review of the departmental estimates.