EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
I also would like to thank the member for asking that question.
This budget has not changed for many years, but we are provided a budget by the federal government through an agreement. At this time, that is how it is.
It’s true when you said that the budget has not been changed for a long time.
That’s all I can reply with.
Mr. Mikkungwak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) The Department of Environment’s annual budget for providing core operating funding to each of Nunavut’s three regional wildlife organizations has also remained unchanged for a number of years, as has the department’s annual budget for its Community Harvesters Assistance Program.
Can the minister indicate if these amounts will be reviewed prior to the introduction of next year’s main estimates?
Actually, that is the way it is set up currently. I can’t say whether any changes will occur.
However, these matters can be reviewed, and it’s obvious that after a review, there would have to be deliberations on what is needed.
Mr. Mikkungwak (interpretation): Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) The Department of Environment’s current business plan indicates that one of its priorities has been to “finalize a grizzly bear management plan for Nunavut.”
Can the minister indicate if his department has been providing funding for HTOs, including Baker Lake’s HTO, to participate in this process?
Hon. Johnny Mike (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I will take that as notice.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) The minister has taken this as notice.
Question 058 – 4(1): Nunavut Fur Harvesters Program (Savikataaq)
My question is also to the Minister of Environment.
Today is Fur Day.
As the minister stated earlier, this is a good fur program and he is correct. He has a good fur program.
One of the furs that are bought through Environment’s fur program is foxes. In my community, lots of foxes are bought through his fur program.
As the minister is aware, there is a second payment on foxes that are sold at the fur auction of $13 per fox to the trapper.
These amounts have not changed since the NWT days. It has been $13 since before Nunavut and the price of gas, the price of snowmobiles, the price of traps, the price of everything has gone up.
The purpose of this second payment of $13 is to help the trapper buy that stuff.
It’s not issued to the trapper when the fur is bought.
It’s a second payment at a later date.
Would the minister look into raising this amount to a modest amount, to maybe $25 or something like that?
It has been $13 since NWT and $13 back then bought a lot more than $13 does today.
Yes, I know. The Northwest Territories in Inuktitut is called “Nunatsiaq,” meaning a wonderful land, and it must have been majestic because we keep recalling those days. NWT is called Nunatsiaq still.
Indeed, the status of the member’s question about that is truthful because the funds seem to be carved in stone and they have remained static for many years.
What I can say about that right now is that this matter that he asked about can be reviewed, including the prices which haven’t changed.
I can say that we can look at reviewing that.
As well, in saying that, if changes are made, then I will provide further information at that time.
Your second supplementary, Mr. Savikataaq.
I thank the minister for a positive answer and I am looking forward to the results of his investigation or looking into raising the price of the second payment for foxes.
Speaker (interpretation): I am sorry.
That was your first supplementary question, Mr. Savikataaq.
Thank you. (interpretation ends) The Hon. Minister of Environment, no more questions. (interpretation) Thank you.
Item 8. (interpretation ends) Returns to Written Questions. (interpretation) Item 9. (interpretation ends) Replies to Opening Address. (interpretation) Item 10. (interpretation ends) Petitions. (interpretation) Member for Gjoa Haven, Mr. Akoak.
Petition 001 – 4(1): Public Housing Shortage in Gjoa Haven (Akoak)
Petition 002 – 4(1): Eye Team Visits into Hamlet of Gjoa Haven (Akoak)
I have the honour today of presenting two petitions on behalf of my constituents in Gjoa Haven.
The first petition, which was signed by 264 residents, concerns the public housing shortage in Gjoa Haven.
The second petition, which was signed by 114 residents, concerns eye team visits to Gjoa Haven.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Item 11.
The Hon. Minister of Justice, Mr Okalik.
Tabled Document 016 – 4(1): 2012-2013 Annual Report – Nunavut Human Rights Tribunal (Okalik)
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) As per my commitment of yesterday, I am pleased to table the 2012-13 Annual Report of the Nunavut Human Rights Tribunal. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Hon. Minister, Mr. Kuksuk.
Tabled Document 017 – 4(1): 2014-2015 Planned Construction, Land Acquisition and Development Report (Kuksuk)
Hon. George Kuksuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I am pleased to table the 2014-15 Planned Construction, Land Acquisition and Development Report.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Tabling of Documents. (interpretation) Thank you. (interpretation ends) Item 14.
Notices of Motions. (interpretation) Thank you. (interpretation ends) Item 15.
I apologize. (interpretation ends) Mr. Sammurtok raised his hand.
Speaker: The minister seeks unanimous consent to return to Item 5.
Proceed, Mr. Sammurtok.
I have the distinct honour and privilege to recognize two young athletes who will be representing Nunavut during the Arctic Winter Games in Fairbanks, Alaska, Nick Kolola and Jasmine Oolayou.
Again I invite the House to the foyer during the break.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) 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 15:33
Good afternoon to our fellow Nunavummiut and our audience on the radio and television. Welcome, everyone.
I would like to call the committee meeting to order. In Committee of the Whole, we have the following item to deal with: Bill 2.
We wish to continue with the review of the capital main estimates for the Department Community and Government Services, followed by the Nunavut Housing Corporation.
Does the committee agree that we deal with the capital main estimates for the Department of Community and Government Services and, if time permits, the Nunavut Housing Corporation?
Thank you, Sergeant-at-Arms. (interpretation ends) Hon. Minister Sammurtok, (interpretation) for the record, please introduce your witnesses.
On my right is Deputy Minister of CGS Roy Green and on my left is the Director of Financial Services, Bu Lam.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Minister Sammurtok. (interpretation ends) Mr. Green and Mr. Lam, once again, welcome to the House. (interpretation) When we adjourned yesterday, we were on page J-3 in English and G-3 in Inuktitut.
I had a list of names of MLAs who wanted to ask questions. I will just continue with that list. Mr. Rumbolt.
I have no further questions at this time.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) My apologies. (interpretation) Questions.
Let me go to my list.
On page 3, Community and Government Services.
Total Capital Expenditures. $20,588,000.
Now on page J-5.
I would like to ask the minister in regards to petroleum.
When petroleum is brought into Nunavut, they try to make it so that it is enough for the whole year.
The price gets increased and when the price is going to be increased, the Committee of the Whole or the Members Caucus, we don’t seem to hear beforehand about that.
It that the way it works? Even before it goes to the MLAs, are we able to increase the price of petroleum products?
That’s what I would like to understand.
Chairman (interpretation): My apologies, Mr. Mapsalak.
Thank you. (interpretation ends) Hon. Minister.
In regards to that question about fuel price increases. It is handled by the Financial Management Board.
They do the review and see how the revenue is going and then they adjust the price accordingly.
Mr. Mapsalak, do you have a supplementary?
My apologies as well. I understood it the other way around.
The budget for the Petroleum Products Division, this budget is for petroleum and fuel products only?
The fuel tank expansion program.
Some communities’ fuel tanks are too few or too small, then that money is used to expand them.
For a long time now, I’m sure your department has heard that the people of Repulse Bay have requested for them for airplane fuel.
Nothing has ever been built. It would decrease a lot of prices if we could do that.
Has your department looked into this at all? Have you ever heard about the request from the past at all?
If it’s okay with you, I would like to get my deputy minister to respond to that, Mr. Roy Green.
There is nothing in the capital plan at this time for an expansion or an upgrade to the tank farm in Repulse Bay.
Each year the Petroleum Products Division does an analysis of their tank farms across the territory and does a capacity analysis to determine whether there is a required increase in the capacity of tank farms. Once those are identified, they’re brought forward in the capital plan for consideration.
With the fuel delivery contracts, I noticed that there is a lot of tank farm infrastructure that is provided through the capital estimates.
Are any of the contractors on the fuel delivery side of things provided with any infrastructure dollars, as far as for vehicle replacement and that type of material?
Hon. Tom Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you for asking that question.
I can respond to it. I may not answer it directly, so I’d like to get Deputy Minister Roy Green to respond to that.
Chairman (interpretation): Mr. Green.
The fuel vehicles that are used in the communities are all financed through the Petroleum Products Revolving Fund, instead of in the GN capital.
So they create a capital account within the revolving fund to purchase those fuel trucks as needed in the communities.
So if those materials are being purchased out of the revolving fund, what kind of oversight is there on making sure that only the needed infrastructure is purchased under that?
In order for that to be answered properly, I will defer that question to my deputy minister.
The Petroleum Products Revolving Fund is audited each year by a chartered accounting firm that provides the oversight of all the expenditures that are processed through the revolving fund.
At the same time, the OAG does also review the financial statements produced by the Petroleum Products Division.
Mr. Hickes: Thank you very much.
With most budgetary items, they’re approved in the legislature, which gives us an opportunity to publicly address any concerns or to have some oversight on spending.
With it being done through the petroleum revolving fund, it takes that away from us, but any purchases through that fund directly impact us with the fuel prices.
So I guess I’m a little bit at a loss to even know where to go with this next little step.
I just find a little bewildering that there are outside sources that are impacting the cost of our fuel for our residents of Nunavut.
I’m not sure if there’s a question in there, Mr. Chairman, but if I could get a response from the minister.
I thank my colleague for bringing that up.
I would like my deputy minister to provide a response.
The cost to purchase the fuel trucks are recovered through the retail price of fuel that is built into the cost arrangement.
The previous arrangement under the revolving fund was that the fuel trucks were bought by the contractors themselves and they were funded through a commission through the revolving fund, but that was changed back, I think, around 2001-02 rather than have the trucks purchased through the commission and at the end of the contract, the fuel contractors owned the vehicles.
It was determined that it would be more appropriate that the GN own the vehicles. If and when there was a changeover at the expiration of the term of the contract, then the vehicles would be available for the new fuel distribution operators that took over the contract.
Mr. Hickes: Thank you once again, Mr. Chairman.
With this changeover, like a strategy on the supply of vehicles to our fuel delivery contractors, would it be safe for me assume, I know I should never assume anything, there was some tracking involved into analyzing whether that has increased or decreased the contract expenses and would again have a direct impact on the fuel pricing that we charge our residents?
Hon. Tom Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) My deputy minister can answer that.
We have done analyses and we certainly had the OAG to take a look at this decision when we switched from paying through a commission to a fuel distribution contract versus purchasing the fuel through the revolving fund and amortizing it over the usefulness of its life.
Based on the analysis that was done at time, it was cost-neutral.
In your budget amounts, you show three communities getting a fair amount of money in the budget; Cambridge Bay, $5.2 million; Coral Harbour, $2.9 million; and Sanikiluaq, $2.8 million.
I know that construction in Cambridge Bay has already started.
Do you anticipate construction in Coral Harbour and Sanikiluaq to begin this summer or are you anticipating delays?
This construction project for Coral Harbour has just recently started, and the construction schedule begins in 2014 so that is when it will be starting. Further, with respect to Sanikiluaq, that (interpretation ends) tender (interpretation) will be let in the spring, actually in this month. The tender will be let at that time.
Chairman: Thank you, Minister Sammurtok.
With the tender being out, will construction actually start this year, or will it depend on whether the tenders come in within budget.
Hon. Tom Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you. To have that answered properly, I will defer that question to Bu Lam.
All awarding of contracts are subject to budget being in place. In the event of a significant budget overrun, there is consideration and discussion with the Financial Management Board to seek approval to grant those contracts.
That is a condition with every construction project that we undertake.
In the event of Sanikiluaq, we anticipate that the construction budget that’s been set aside for that project is sufficient for us to proceed, but, again, we will have to wait for the tender results from the public tendering process to make that determination.
My question to the minister is in reference to Baker Lake, it’s also to receive a bulk fuel storage capacity increase. My question here is: will that be sufficient?
To answer that properly, I’d like Bu Lam to respond to that.
Chairman (interpretation): Mr. Lam.
In Baker Lake construction has begun on the tank farm project already.
We are anticipating that this year will be the second year of construction, and likely, the final year of construction.
The funding there is simply for warranty and closeout for that project in the following fiscal year.
With the construction still being in place, and when it is completed, will they start making use of it right off the bat before or after the shipping season? Or will that have to go through inspection?
I’ll get Roy Green to respond to that.
Once the tank farm is completed, and all the code inspections have been certified and proved, typically, we’ll bring those tank farms into production immediately.
They can start taking fuel, so typically, if we’re in year two of this construction, and if it’s completed by the end of this re-supply, then we will make provisions to bring additional fuel into Baker Lake to store in that particular tank that they’re building in the community right now.
Are there definite dates that the department could provide to my community and to me as to when they will be using this bulk fuel storage, considering the community with the influx does run out of gasoline from time to time in the spring?
Hon. Tom Sammurtok (interpretation): Yes, I can give you a date once I have the information and we will inform you.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, (interpretation ends) Hon. Minister.
Mr. Mikkungwak (interpretation): I would like to thank the minister for his response.
I had asked the question, whether it has to be inspected prior to its use.
We know, that in Nunavut getting sealift and getting fuel delivered into the communities only have a window of one or two months.
Are we going to have enough time to have it inspected and be put to use?
I will refer this question to Mr. Lam.
The project in Baker Lake and we understand the member is concerned about re-supply timing.
We have done an analysis to make sure that there are sufficient quantities in Baker Lake to complete with the project as its intended timeline.
However, in the situation where fuel supplies may be required, there are other options, such as fly in. We try to avoid that by timing the time in which the re-supply ship comes in to refill the capacity in the tank farm and we will be working very closely with the community too, as well as within PPD to make sure that the timing of the ship this year doesn’t produce any unnecessary burden on the communities.
Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. My other question in reference to that is, when you have a number of these bulk fuel tanks within the community, does the department also take into consideration of a fuel spill back up plan?
For example, an additional empty tank for safety reasons to meet the codes?
I will refer this question to Mr. Green.
In the event that there is a fuel spill within the tank farm, there is a line berm within the facilities to make sure… that prevents any fuel spill from leaking out into the environment. We also have what is called slot tanks within the community that we can transfer any contaminated fuel into those tanks to reduce the risk of this seeping into the environment.
We are on Community and Government Services.
Branch Summary. Petroleum Products Revolving Fund.
Mr. Mikkungwak, are you done with your questions?
Total Capital Expenditures. $12,100,000.
We will go back to J-2.
Department Summary. Community and Government Services. Mission.
Detail of expenditures. Total Capital Expenditures. $32,688,000.
Do members agree that we have concluded the Department of Community and Government Services?
Hon. Minister, at the conclusion of your department, if you have any closing comments, you now have the opportunity.
Hon. Tom Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman and my colleagues.
I would like to thank you for your questions and I look forward to your questions.
As we proceed, I would like to ask the Sergeant-at-Arms to escort the witnesses out.
We will proceed with the Nunavut Housing Corporation.
Allow me 5 minutes to get prepared for the next department. During that time, the Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation can go to the witness table.
>>Committee recessed at 16:02 and resumed at 16:04
Bill 02 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2014-2015 – Nunavut Housing Corporation – Consideration in Committee
Chairman (interpretation): At this time, we had already agreed that we will deal with the Nunavut Housing Corporation.
I would like to welcome Minister Kuksuk for going up to the witness table.
If you are ready, Minister Kuksuk, you can proceed with your opening comments.
Hon. George Kuksuk (interpretation): Thank you and good afternoon to the people of Nunavut. Good afternoon, my colleagues.
I will be reading my opening comments in English.
(interpretation ends) The corporation’s capital plan for 2014-15 consists of $30,230,000 from the Government of Nunavut and additional funding of $4,290,000 from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), for a total capital budget of $34,520,000.
The 2014-15 capital estimates highlights are:
The Nunavut Housing Corporation’s funding for the Modernization and Improvement (M&I) public housing renovations, homeownership programs, the Mobile Equipment Fund, the Heating Oil Tank Replacement Program, and the Seniors and Disabled Persons Preventative Maintenance Program remain at approximately the same level as last year.
The Nunavut Housing Corporation’s funding for the Fire Damage and Replacement Fund will decrease by $611,000 to $2,789,000 in 2014-15. This funding includes $1 million for fire damage repairs and $1,789,000 for insurance deductibles and replacement units. Furthermore, NHC will receive increased funding of $10 million for the construction of greatly needed public housing units.
I am pleased to report that the Nunavut Housing Trust has completed delivery of all 726 units scheduled and all 285 units funded by the CMHC Affordable Housing Initiative under Canada’s Economic Action Plan.
The Nunavut Housing Needs Survey showed that 3,580 more units are immediately required. Furthermore, we estimate that an additional 90 units will be required each year to keep pace with population growth based on current Nunavut Bureau of Statistics projections and the proportion of the population currently dependent on public housing.
Based on an average cost of $400,000 per unit and the 2013-14 total Government of Nunavut capital estimates of just over $153 million, it would take 12 years at today’s prices for the Government of Nunavut to eliminate the current housing shortfall and meet the need being created by population growth if 100 percent of capital spending were directed toward construction of new public housing units and these units continued to be supplied as GN owned public housing in the same manner as in the past.
Furthermore, net annual funding received from CMHC under the Social Housing Agreement is scheduled to continuously decline from its current level of $15.3 million until its elimination in 2037, which will further impact the GN’s budget in order to fund NHC to operate, maintain, and modernize the existing housing stock.
Finally, with the current annual cost to operate and maintain a public housing unit being close to $23,000, the completion of the 1,011 units under the Nunavut Housing Trust and Canada’s Economic Action Plan will have resulted in over $23 million of increased annual operating costs.
The increased annual operating cost in today’s dollars of meeting the current additional housing need of 3,580 units would be $82.3 million plus an additional $2 million each year for the 90 units added to keep pace with population growth.
Therefore, we must continue to seek out alternatives as well as additional funding to address this critical housing issue.
Qujannamiik. Ma’nalluavik. Thank you.
Chairman: Qujannamiik, hon. minister. (interpretation) Do you have witnesses that you would like to bring to the table?
(interpretation ends) Hon. Minister.
Hon. George Kuksuk (interpretation): Yes.
Thank you, Sergeant-at-Arms. (interpretation ends) Hon. Minister, (interpretation) for the record, please introduce your witnesses. (interpretation ends) Hon. Kuksuk.
Yes, I will introduce my witnesses.
On my right is Lori Kimball, President of the Nunavut Housing Corporation, and on my left from Corporate Services is Chief Financial Officer Heather Moffatt.
Chairman: Qujannamiik, Hon. Minister. (interpretation ends) Ms. Kimball and Ms. Moffatt, welcome to the House. (interpretation) As we proceed, does a member of the Regular Members’ Caucus have any opening comments?
Mr. Mikkungwak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) I am pleased to provide opening comments on behalf of the Regular Members’ Caucus as the Committee of the Whole begins its consideration of the proposed 2014-15 Capital Estimates of the Nunavut Housing Corporation.
Members note that the corporation is proposing to spend $30,230,000 for the 2014-15 fiscal year.
The corporation’s capital budget was $28,841,000 for the 2013-14 fiscal year and its budget was $16,004,000 for the 2012-13 fiscal year.
Mr. Chairman, the Nunavut Housing Corporation administers a number of programs to assist homeowners and potential homeowners in Nunavut. Members note that the corporation is proposing a budget of $4,616,000 for its various homeownership programs.