EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
There are major cost implications, infrastructure implications into the millions and hundreds of millions of dollars.
So given all those facts and the basis of the report itself, I would be prepared to meet with the member or the members after the presentation of Manitoba Hydro and after discussion with my cabinet colleagues and indeed with this House on which direction to go on the pre-feasibility study.
Mr. Speaker, prior to Christmas a number of the members, ministers and the Premier in Winnipeg attended a presentation regarding a road linkage and power grid.
There was a fair bit of detail given and the information provided to the members.
Can the minister tell me what has changed if anything from that presentation to what he's expecting in this new presentation that is coming up this week.
If there have been any significant changes from what we heard at that point and what he expects to hear this week.
Mr Speaker, I sense there doesn’t seem to be as much support for this project as there should be, and that’s just the sense I'm getting, and this is why I bring this issue forward.
Mr. Speaker, it's very difficult for me to commit this government to spending hundreds of millions of dollars on a pre-feasibility study, of a report that is not even of this government.
It is being done by another government.
There has to be a comprehensive analysis.
There needs to be a cost/benefit analysis on the dollars involved.
My understanding, Mr. Speaker, is that the pre-feasibility study will lead to, of course, a feasibility study, which may take three to five .
(Hon. Ed Picco continues)...rivers between here and Churchill Manitoba.
So the report is broad in its implications.
As the Minister responsible for the Nunavut Power Corporation, I have not had an opportunity to sit down with my colleagues in Manitoba Hydro to discuss the issue.
I will have that opportunity over the next couple of days.
I will commit to coming back to this House after consultation with the Department of the Executive, with Intergovernmental Affairs, who we will be working with in partnership to see where we go as our next step.
But I cannot commit to this House the spending of hundreds of millions of dollars until a comprehensive analysis, Mr. Speaker, a cost/benefit analysis is done on the report.
Again this is a pre-feasibility study.
Question 169 - 1(3): Permanent Solution to Gjoa Haven Water Problem
Mr. Tootoo: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question’s for the Minister responsible for Community Government & Transportation.
The member from Gjoa Haven has been talking about an issue with their water reservoir problems that they’re having with the blood worms.
Mr. Speaker, in an editorial in the paper on Monday, the Mayor indicated that it has been a priority for the community for the last 20 years.
Although I know that we can’t take responsibility for something that did or didn’t happen in the previous Government, Mr. Speaker, I’d like to ask the minister if the department is a looking at a permanent solution to this problem as opposed to just fixing a few minor things.
Are you looking at a solutions to fix this problem once and for all.
Thank you. Mr. Speaker
Speaker: Before I recognise the Minister responsible for Transportation, Mr. Tootoo you were referring to an article in the newspaper, can you rephrase your question.
Mr. Tootoo: Thank you Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I’d like to ask the Minister of Community Government & Transportation if there are currently any plans in his department to permanently remedy the problems that they’re having in Gjoa Haven with the water or not.
I’d like to remind the members that articles in the papers are not supposed to be questioned in this House unless they are tabled.
So when you are questioning please don’t use articles from the newspapers.
Minister responsible for Community Government & Transportation, Mr. Anawak.
Hon. Jack Anawak (interpretation): Mr. Speaker, on issues of priority, in terms of these kind of problems if it is indeed an emergency we deal with it as an emergency, Mr Speaker.
I think we all like to provide quality service for all our communities in Nunavut in terms of their water reservoirs.
So it’s being looked at as an emergency issue Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Tootoo: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As the minister was asking if there is a permanent solution being looked at in this case, I know that a lot of times when we look at dealing with something that’s an emergency there is a quick Band-Aid solution or something done quickly just to get the emergency over with.
I understand there’s things going on to that effect and I was asking if there is a permanent long term solution that will be looked at by his department right now.
Hon. Jack Anawak (interpretation): Yes Mr. Speaker, yes I made some commitments that were looking at some solutions for the Gjoa Haven situation and we want to look at long term plans of how that will be beneficial for the community.
Speaker: Oral Questions. Mr. McLean
Question 170 - 1(3): Diavik Mine Overlap Agreement
Mr. McLean: Thank you Mr. Speaker. We’re all aware of the recent signing of the agreement on the Diavik mine in the Western Territory and quite a few of us are aware of the overlapping agreements on our new boundary, Mr. Speaker.
I’m pretty dismayed that the Nunavut government wasn’t invited to sign on the environmental side of this agreement and quoting media reports, I know I’m not supposed to quote media reports, but they said the western territory didn’t want Nunavut in on this agreement and they didn’t want them involved in it.
But, Mr. Speaker, it’s an issue of great importance because it impacts the water sheds of Nunavut, especially the Coppermine River and long term impacts of a mine in that area could really cause harm.
Could the minister responsible update me on where Nunavut stands in this agreement to date.
Speaker : Thank you Mr. McLean.
Minister Kilabuk.
Hon. Peter Kilabuk: We have been very active on this file just the last little while.
To give the member and the House an indication of where we are with the file, the Inuit organizations and our department have been very vocal and active in asking to be included in the final agreement.
However, the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development has the final say as to if we can be included in this agreement.
So we have looked at the other options to ensure that the concerns of the Nunavut communities and the Inuit Organizations can be closely monitored for the environmental impact which may be caused.
So right now we are looking at a new development of a trans-boundary agreement which will address the concerns of the people of Nunavut and also the organizations and the governments.
That’s really reassuring to hear.
Could the minister enlighten me as to when we're going to see this trans-boundary agreement and will the minister assure me that all the Nunavummiut stakeholders and risks and environment concerns are taken care of in this trans-border agreement to the best of his ability.
Yes the time frames that we’re working with right now in developing this trans-boundary agreement in the eyes of our officials is a little short for us to consult properly with the Inuit organizations and the people involved.
So we are right now as we speak working hard to extend the deadline that has been brought forward to us so we can properly consult with the organizations and give our officials adequate time to ensure that the concerns or matters that we are facing can be properly addressed.
I would like to remind the members that we’ll be giving those members who haven’t asked questions a first chance.
Question 171 - 1(3): Five Year Plans
Mr. Kattuk (interpretation): Thank you Mr Speaker. My question is directed to the Premier.
It’s in regards to the Government of the Northwest Territories and the five year plan that used to be created.
I’m assuming that the Nunavut Government will be looking at setting five year plans.
When the Nunavut government was created did you keep using the five year plan that was put together by the Government of the Northwest Territories or not.
Speaker: Minister of Finance.
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Thank you Mr Speaker.
As you know with the budget consultation process that took place in November/December of '99 we wanted to get input throughout Nunavut on priorities and goals and not just on programs but on the capital side of things as well.
We made a commitment to the House and to municipalities who had raised the issues as well that we would be developing a five year capital plan.
As the work continues on that with the departments we expect within a couple of months to have that.
The first priority of course was trying to deal with the needs for the upcoming 2000-2001 budget that will be presented next month in respect to the capital, and following that to formalise a five year capital planning document for all members.
Mr Kattuk (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Speaker.
So do I understand then that the five year plans that were created by the Government of the Northwest Territories will no longer be used by this government
Mr Speaker, I wouldn’t say that it wouldn’t be used, a lot of planning work has taken place in the Government of the Northwest Territories capital planning initiatives.
As you know, that information has been retained by the Government of Nunavut.
So the new Government of Nunavut five year capital plan would be a reflection of some of those priorities.
Also of course there may be others as a result of the consultation process that took place, so some of it obviously, a large majority of it I would think, would flow through to our Government of Nunavut five year capital plan.
Then I would like to ask the minister in regards to the Hamlet Councils, are you going to be asking them what they would like to see and put into the five year capital plan.
Because of course the Hamlet Councils identified their priorities with the previous government.
Are you going to be asking the Hamlet Councils then what they would like to see in the five year capital plan.
Mr. Speaker, I would suggest to all members that during the budget consultation processes, all municipalities whether it is directly through their Mayors, Deputy Mayors, Hamlet Councillors and the community as a whole, identified what their municipal priorities were.
So that will be taken into consideration.
Also, as part of the ongoing development of the five year capital plan, once the original draft five year capital plan is completed it will be distributed to members and to municipalities for further consultation as we move forward in trying to firm up the planning for 2001 and following years, Mr. Speaker.
Before I recognize a member I would like to recognize the school children from grades 7 and 8 from this school.
Carlee Smith is the teacher, welcome to the Gallery.
Speaker (interpretation): Back to the Orders of the Day.
Question 172 - 1(3): Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Plans
My question is for the Minister of Culture, Language, Elders & Youth.
When we were touring the communities one thing that kept coming up at just about every community, was Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit.
We were told by the people out there that Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit is fading.
For example, igloo building, hunting techniques, sewing and so on.
I would like to ask you how far along is the planning for the preservation of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit.
Hon. Donald Havioyak (interpretation): I thank the member for his important question.
Mr. Speaker our planning for our future training of the northern people in regards to Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit is progressing as we speak.
The people that are going to be involved in this Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit process, are our own employees, NTI, NSDC and others.
Our plan for the future is that right now we are working on this program and I will be tabling details on this soon in the House.
You stated that you will be working with NTI, but I see this as an emergency, as a priority as there are fewer and fewer elders who have this knowledge.
I would like to see something implemented before our elders are gone.
So I would like to ask you Mr. Minister, how you are going to work with Nunavut Tunngavik, are you going to be hiring people in the communities, are they going to be recording oral history and so on, or are you going to be doing it by illustrations so that the people today will know about Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit.
I heard three questions.
I know our elders are getting fewer.
We are trying to make it move faster and work together faster, but also right now we are trying to do it right.
I hear what you are saying but we need to find out for the future, what kind of future we will be having and work together with NTI and NSDC.
When we get all the information together I will let you know.
The language and stories before they are all gone, we want all that information from the elders.
I recognize that but right now we don’t really know the future.
I want to answer your question, and I would like to be meeting them right now, but I don’t really know the answer but if I find out I will let you know.
Question 173 - 1(3): Clyde River Power Rates
I would like to direct this question to the Minister of the Power Corporation.
In my community of Clyde River, they built a power plant but with it came greatly increased power costs.
This is kind of scary today when there's very high unemployment at the community level.
So I would like to ask you Mr. Minister, on the proposed bills, how that would effect the rates.
Minister responsible for the Nunavut Power Corporation.
Thank you very much for the question.
I tried to explain in the House over the past several months when this question has come up what is happening with the community based rates.
In Clyde River, as in all of our communities we have what is called the community based rates.
When new infrastructure is being built in those communities the power rate in those communities has to increase for the equalization costs of the new infrastructure.
In Clyde River's case the NWT Power Corporations' best estimate is an increase of anywhere from between 35 – 40% but that won't be for another year, if it actually happens, because by that time, Mr. Speaker, we'll have our own Nunavut Power Corporation and us as a government will have a look at how we can negate the type of increase that Clyde River is expected to handle.
As I have said before in this House, Mr. Speaker, we realize that a 35 – 40% increase in Clyde River would be very difficult for anyone, any customer and indeed, the largest customer in Clyde River being the government, the Nunavut Government, to handle.
We are trying to work within the time frame and the parameters of that, to negate that type of increase.
It's going to have a very big effect at the community level.
It doesn't matter whether it is 35% or 40% it's going to have a huge effect at the community level, there is high unemployment at the community level and any hike is going to effect the people out there.
Even if it is only 35% it doesn't matter.
The Nunavut Government are trying to set up a system that would suit Nunavut.
We are the ones that want to make things a little bit easier for the people of Nunavut.
If it effects Nunavut then everyone is going to be effected.
This is just the first rates hike we are going to see in the coming years and with that in mind I would like to know if you are going to introduce a bill so that there is a ceiling set on the increases that are going to be put on for power.
Mr. Speaker, that is an excellent question and it goes back to the harmonisation of the rate balances that we have in Nunavut, and we realize there is some concern there.
In the Ikuma Report which will be tabled later this afternoon, and indeed next week we will have an opportunity to debate some of those issues, it talks about the rate harmonisation that the member has brought up.
We realize as a government and it is pointed out in the Ikuma Report, that the rate balancing at the present time may be unfair in certain instances.
The cost per kilowatt hour for power in Nunavut goes from about 41 cents to a high of a little over 61 cents in Nunavut.
The subsidy program is still in place.
So what I can say to the member is that we realize, and that was a good question, we realize that there is a problem with the rates but before any rate increases were brought forward in Clyde River the Hamlet would have an opportunity to be an intervenor in a Public Utilities Board hearing as I tried to explain before in this House.
They would be paid for that and indeed at that time the Government of Nunavut would also be an intervenor.
Again this question is for the Minister of the Power Corporation.
Have you looked for any funding that could be used to subsidize the power rates.
Mr. Speaker, since the advent of power in Nunavut and indeed since the NWT Power Corporation was set up we do have in place the Territorial Power Subsidy Program.
Everyone of us here that pays our power bill receives a subsidy.
So that subsidy is in place.
One of the concerns that we have Mr. Speaker, looking at the power corporation and indeed the split east and west, is to see if that power subsidy that is in place right now was viable and sustainable.
That's one of the things that comes out in the Ikuma Report.
So that power subsidy is in place, we are subsidized.
If there are actually any new monies to be put forward into that it could be considered a budget item and I am not in a position to talk about that Mr. Speaker, because that will be debated next month in this House.
Question 174 - 1(3): Budget Consultation Results
Mr. Speaker, earlier the Minister of Finance indicated that during the community consultations, pre-budget consultations, and community tours that happened this last summer, they received briefings from all of the municipalities on their tour, from the Hamlets on their capital plans.
I am just wondering if, I am just trying to make sure I understood, did he indeed say that they received input from every Municipal Hamlet or Council in regards to their five year capital plan.
Mr. Speaker, it is my understanding and as I said we did hit every community in Nunavut, the 25 incorporated communities.
I can't say that every single Mayor or every single municipality put forward a presentation.
I know in the case of Iqaluit, that the Town Council met separately with their MLAs and I don’t have the outcomes of those discussions.
But certainly there was input throughout Nunavut and from all municipalities.
Mr. Speaker, I just want to ask if it has been past practice for Municipalities to submit five year capital plans to the Department for their consideration in the development of the capital budget.
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Well, Mr. Speaker, the five year capital plan is a Government of Nunavut document and in the past it has been a Government of the NWT document.
It has never been developed by municipalities.
But what has happened is that municipalities have been asked for input into their priorities, based on the government's planning document for capital and that's what we would continue to look at.
And of course, the elected MLAs as well provide input into that same document and try to formalize some of the needs and then make recommendations to put forward to address those needs.
Mr. Speaker, I realize that the five year capital plan is a government document but in the past the Hamlets and municipalities as far as I am aware were given an opportunity to submit what their priorities were for the five year plan for consideration of the department.
Mr. Speaker, I guess what I was looking for, was that opportunity given to all the municipalities for this budget and the capital plan that is being developed right now.
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Mr. Speaker, I think I indicated earlier that there is no formal Government of Nunavut five year planning document as it stands right now.
We are working now to complete that within the next couple of months.
Once we get through the budget process for the 2000/2001 year, after that is completed then the MLAs, communities, will have an opportunity to make input into the draft five year capital planning document that will be prepared.
Speaker: Thank you Mr. Ng. Final supplementary, Mr. Tootoo.
Mr. Speaker, is the Minister stating then that the municipalities will have their input after this fiscal year and have they then not been given the opportunity to submit their priorities, I know they weren't last year, and it sounds like they haven't this year.
Mr. Speaker, they have had various opportunities to provide input.
The primary contacts for all the municipalities are the Community Government & Transportation officials that are set up and established throughout the regions to provide that liaison with the Municipal Councils.
The second opportunity of course is through their MLAs and finally through the budget consultation process that took place this past fall, as far as for the current year budget.
As far as for the future planning as I had indicated, the budget consultation process again would take into consideration the needs of the communities and there would be ongoing input solicited from members, from MLAs, and from the municipalities for the ongoing needs and trying to firm up future years' budgets.
Mr. McLean: Mr. Speaker, I am seeking unanimous consent to recognize some visitors in the Gallery.
Speaker: Mr. McLean is seeking unanimous consent to go back to item 5, Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery.
There are no nays, Mr. McLean you have unanimous consent.
Item 5: Revert to Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Mr. McLean: Ma'na Uqaqti and my fellow colleagues.
I would like to recognize four young gentlemen that are about to go off to the Arctic Winter Games in Whitehorse to represent Nunavut in volleyball.
They are all from my home town of Qamanittuaq and I am proud to recognize these young gentlemen because I am an old timer and have watched them grow up and get where they are today.
So I would like to recognize, and I wish they would stand up, Edwin Putumiraqtuq from Baker Lake, Devin Killulark, Trevor Attungala and Jeffrey Hart who are representing Nunavut and making us all proud.
Speaker (interpretation): Welcome to the House.
Going back to the Orders of the Day, Written Questions. Written Questions.
Written Question 3 - 1(3): Gjoa Haven Water Contamination
I have a written question to the Minister of Health & Social Services about the blood worms that are found in the water tanks in my other constituency.
We would like to know what blood worms are, the size of these blood worms, and we would also like to know where they live and what they eat.
Mr. Speaker, I would also like to know what the growth of this population is, how fast a rate they reproduce and what can kill these blood worms.
Return to WQ 1 – 1(3) RFP's, Tenders, Contract Procedures
Clerk (Mr. Quirke): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I wish to file a response to written question WQ 1 – 1 (3) asked by Mr. Hunter Tootoo to the Minister of Public Works & Housing.
Petition 08 - 1(3): New Co-op Building
I would like to table a petition from the community of Qikiqtarjuaq and it is directed to the Department of Sustainable Development.
It is about the local Co-op.
The people are requesting a new building to be built this summer.
Item 12, Reports of Standing and Special Committees on the Review of Bills.
Tabled Document 19 - 1(3): Inuit Employment Plans
I serve notice that I am tabling the Inuit Employment Plans and will be making a motion to move this document in to Committee of the Whole next Tuesday.
Tabled Document 20 - 1(3): Ikuma Report
Hon. Ed Picco: I would like to take this opportunity to table the comprehensive Ikuma report on the delivery of power options in Nunavut.
Tabled Document 21 - 1(3): Gas Increase Hits Hunters
Mr. Speaker, I wish to table a document that is an article from Monday, February 14th, News North, entitled "Gas Increase Hits Hunters".
Tabling of Documents, Mr. O'Brien.
Tabled Document 22 - 1(3): February 11 Nunatsiaq News Article
Mr. Speaker, I would like to table a document that was featured in the Nunatsiaq News, dated February 11, entitled, "Mr. Ng Will Cover 20 Million Dollars in Health Board Deficits."
Tabled Document 23 - 1(3): Responses to Petition 6 - 1(3) and Petition 7 - 1(3)