EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Perhaps if I clarify again here the program management office is responsible for the coordinated management of all capital projects within Community Government Services is delegated to it and the funding is required to provide funding continuing improvement of the project management methodology and training opportunities to all project officers.
It’s exactly what I outlined here in more detail earlier.
Mr. Curley: My next question is: can the minister confirm that the Program Management Office that is referred to the supplementary appropriation is exactly the same thing as the Project Management Office in the department’s main estimates and business plan?
To the best of my knowledge, it is one and the same.
Mr. Curley: The next question: how many employees currently work in this office?
Just bear with us. In a moment, I will get that information.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It’s our understanding that there are two employees.
Mr. Curley: My next question is: where is this office physically located?
Thank Mr. Curley for the question.
It’s my understanding its located here in Iqaluit.
I have another question. Will the proposed new funding of $600,000 be used to hire additional new employees?
Mr. Curley: Thank you. Can the minister, once he has the information, make the information available to the committee?
When we have that information, we can make it available to the committee.
My last question is… .
If I do get the answer, it will be last one.
Can the minister indicate if the department has any plans to use any of this funding to relocate employees currently working in any of the department’s regional offices?
Again I thank Mr. Curley for the question.
Mr. Chairman, the answer is no.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Minister Peterson. Thank you.
We’re on Capital Planning and Technical Services. $965,000.
At the bottom. (interpretation ends) Total Department. $1,675,000. (interpretation) Do you agree?
On page 15. Economic Development and Transportation. Operations and Maintenance.
Not Previously Authorized. Corporate Management. Total Corporate Management. $464,000. (interpretation) Do you agree?
At the bottom. (interpretation ends) Total Department. $464,000.
On page 16. (interpretation ends) Nunavut Housing Corporation. Operations and Maintenance. Not Previously Authorized.
Nunavut Housing Corporation. Total Nunavut Housing Corporation. $691,000.
The question I have is in the supplementary appropriation, the $350,000 for the homelessness strategy.
The reason why I’m asking this question is because I haven’t seen this.
Does this fund improve the homelessness in the community, or is it just for the maintenance of these homeless shelters in regard to the homeless people?
My understanding, it’s a strategy, an action plan that will help to address homelessness.
Mr. Oshutapik, are you done?
If you can answer it and if you cannot respond, then I want some other department to respond because there are two parts in English.
It seems like Nunavut Comprehensive Housing and Homelessness Strategy… Mr. Chairman, the question I’m asking is does this include, I think it was last year that we were told by the minister of Housing Corporation that they were reviewing all of the housing issues.
Is that the cost of part of that review?
Mr. Chairman, I don’t have that information in front of me.
We would like to know the details of these funds that are being requested.
The reason why I’m asking is up to today, when regular MLAs are asking about housing issues, the only response we get is that it’s under review and that it will be completed. That’s the only thing we hear as a response.
Sometimes it’s kind of scary to ask questions about housing.
The reason why I am asking this question is if the expenditures are part of the review of last year.
Mr. Chairman, the Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation has indicated that he would take these questions.
Mr. Chairman, the strategic framework is completed on the strategy and at this time, we’re working on an action plan to complete the action plan so we can be it forth to Cabinet.
Do I understand, as it is stated in English, I’ll say it in English. (interpretation ends) So, do I understand, in that, this funding of $350,000 including funding for the Nunavut Comprehensive Housing Strategy is completely different from what the minister just indicated?
(interpretation) This is totally different from the review that we were talking about.
They’re separate but they’re not completely different.
The homeless strategy is, we work with the Minister of Human Resources. She is the Minister responsible for Homelessness.
Once it’s complete, the action plan, this strategy will be brought forward to make available for the public and to the funders.
We do have to have a plan in place to be able to prove to the federal government that, yes, we have a plan and when we want assistance in taking care of the homelessness and the critical housing shortages in Nunavut.
I thought I understood but now I’m getting confused.
Let’s see whether I understood clearly or not.
The $350,000 will be used for comprehensive housing and homelessness strategy.
It states, if I read it in Inuktitut, the comprehensive housing and homelessness strategy, action plan, I think I understand that, it will be part of the homelessness action plan, as part of the funding.
The question that I’m trying to ask is, this fund, is this part of …because I feel like, it’s not only for homelessness, it’s also for housing, so, is that the fund that’s part of the previous review that was done according to Minister Taptuna, that was completed.
Is this separate from that, or is there another study that is being done on lack of housing?
I hope that this made it clearer.
Mr. Chairman, there are two parts of the strategy.
As I indicated, the strategic framework is completed and at this time, the action plan, phase 2 is being developed.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Minister Taptuna. (interpretation ends) As per Rule 6(1), I now recognize the clock and will report progress to the Speaker.
I would like to thank the minister and your staff. We know we have not finished Bill 42. (interpretation) Sergeant-at-Arms, please escort the witnesses out.
Your committee has been considering Bill 42 and would like to report progress.
I would like to ask for unanimous consent to go back to Item 5 in the Orders of the Day.
Hon. Daniel Shewchuk: Thank you, Mr. Shewchuk or…
…Mr. Speaker. It is Friday, I guess.
Mr. Speaker, I am very happy to recognize Thomas Suluk, a long-time resident of Arviat, who joined us in the Gallery late in the day.
It’s like déjà vu there. Welcome to the Gallery, Mr. Suluk. It’s good to see you again.
Motion 36 – 3(3)
Motion 37 – 3(3)
This House stands adjourned until Monday, November 5, at 1:30 p.m. Everybody have a good weekend.
Monday, November 5, 2012
Pages 3307 – 3368
Opening Prayer 3307
Speaker’s Ruling 3307
Ministers’ Statements 3309
Members’ Statements 3311
Returns to Oral Questions* 3317
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 3325
Oral Questions 3326
Written Questions 3341
Responses to Petitions* 3343
Tabling of Documents 3343
Notices of Motions for First Reading of Bills 3346
Motions 3346
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 3354
Report of the Committee of the Whole 3365
Third Reading of Bills 3365
Assent to Bills 3366
Orders of the Day 3367
Monday, November 5, 2012 3307
219 – 3(3): Nunavut Business Credit Corporation Audits for 2011 and 2012 (Taptuna) 3309
220 – 3(3): WSCC Most Innovative Award to Qulliq Energy Corporation (Kusugak) 3309
221 – 3(3): Addressing Homelessness in Nunavut (Ell) 3310
222 – 3(3): Co-operatives in Nunavut (Taptuna) 3311
359 – 3(3): Stretching the Dollar (Ningark) 3311
360 – 3(3): Improving Services for Children (Ugyuk) 3312
361 – 3(3): Tribute to the Canadian Rangers (Oshutapik) 3313
362 – 3(3): Support for Decentralization (Enook) 3313
363 – 3(3): Involving Our Communities (Tapardjuk) 3314
364 – 3(3): Get Well Soon, Betty Ann Eaton (Aariak) 3315
365 – 3(3): Insurance Rates in Nunavut (Curley) 3316
366 – 3(3): Appreciation to Iqaluit Elders’ Centre (Peterson) 3317
Return to Oral Question 437 – 3(3): Lack of Daycare Spaces in Nunavut (Aariak) 3317
Return to Oral Question 440 – 3(3): Status of Implementation of Nunavut’s Education Act (Aariak) 3323
Return to Oral Question 452 – 3(3): Operations of the Qulliq Energy Corporation (Kusugak) 3324
474 – 3(3): Government of Nunavut’s Legislative Agenda (Elliott) 3326
475 – 3(3): Social Worker for Coral Harbour (Ningeongan) 3326
476 – 3(3): Emergency Preparedness Plan for Kugaaruk (Ningark) 3328
477 – 3(3): School Community Counsellor Training (Rumbolt) 3329
478 – 3(3): Baker Lake Hospice Society (Aupaluktuq) 3331
479 – 3(3): Improving Services for Children (Ugyuk) 3333
480 – 3(3): Funding to Improve Pangnirtung Arena (Oshutapik) 3336
481 – 3(3): Activities of the Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission (Curley) 3338
482 – 3(3): Status of Decentralization Action Plan (Enook) 3339
020 – 3(3): Government of Nunavut’s Staff Housing and Public Housing Units Equipped with Hurricane Strapping (Enook) 3341
021 – 3(3): Status of Decentralization (Enook) 3342
022 – 3(3): Allocation of Conservation Officers (Enook) 3342
Response to Petition 003 – 3(3): Petition for Resignation (Clerk) 3343
284 – 3(3): Bill 42, Donation of Food Act (Elliott) 3343
285 – 3(3): Environmental Rights Act Annual Report for the Period: January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011 (Arreak) 3343
286 – 3(3): Financial Assistance for Nunavut Students (FANS) Progress Report (Aariak) 3344
287 – 3(3): Correspondence from the Auditor General of Canada on the Audit of the Nunavut Business Credit Corporation (NBCC) (Taptuna) 3344
288 – 3(3): Memorandum of Understanding with NWT on Legislation and Regulation of the Northern Employee Benefit Services Pension Plan (Kusugak) 3344
289 – 3(3): Grants and Contributions Report for 2011-2012 (Peterson) 3344
290 – 3(3): Nunavut Liquor Commission’s Annual Report for 2009-2010 (Peterson) 3344
291 – 3(3): Territorial Corporations’ Responses to 2012-2013 Letters of Expectation (Peterson) 3344
292 – 3(3): Community Justice Committee and Family Abuse Intervention Act Year-end Report for 2009-2010 (Shewchuk) 3345
293 – 3(3): FPT Ministerial Report on the Meeting of the Energy and Mines Ministers in Charlottetown, PEI, September 10 to 11, 2012 (Taptuna) 3345
294 – 3(3): Canadian Council of Tourism Ministers Meeting from May 10 to 11, 2012 in Saint John, New Brunswick (Taptuna) 3345
295 – 3(3): Interim Report of Members’ Absences from Sitting of the House and Meetings of Committees and Caucuses to the Members of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut for the Period April to June 2012 (Speaker) 3345
296 – 3(3): Interim Report of Members’ Absences from Sitting of the House and Meetings of Committees and Caucuses for the Period July to September 2012 (Speaker) 3345
297 – 3(3): Report to the MSB of Contracts for the Legislative Assembly for the Period: April 2011 to March 2012 (Speaker) 3345
298 – 3(3): 2011-2012 Annual Report for Members’ Indemnities, Allowances and Expenses (Speaker) 3345
036 – 3(3): Acceptance of the Report of the Integrity Commissioner to the Legislative Assembly Regarding Mr. Fred Schell, MLA (Aariak) 3346
Bill 46 – Donation of Food Act – Notice 3346
Bill 42 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 2, 2012-2013 – Consideration in Committee 3354
Bill 43 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 3, 2012-2013 – Consideration in Committee 3357
Bill 45 – An Act Respecting Constituency Names and Superannuation of Certain Independent Officers of the Legislative Assembly – Consideration in Committee 3362
Bill 42 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 2, 2012-2013 – Third Reading 3365
Bill 43 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 3, 2012-2013 – Third Reading 3366
Bill 45 – An act Respecting Constituency Names and Superannuation of Certain Independent Officers of the Legislative Assembly – Third Reading 3366
Bill 41 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2013-2014 – Assent 3366
Bill 42 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 2, 2012-2013 – Assent 3366
Bill 43 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 3, 2012-2013 – Assent 3366
Bill 45 – An Act Respecting Constituency Names and Superannuation of Certain Independent Officers of the Legislative Assembly – Assent 3366
Before we proceed today, I would like to ask Ms. Ugyuk if she could lead us off in a prayer, please.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Ms. Ugyuk. (interpretation ends) Before we proceed with our orders of the day, I would like to inform you that I am now prepared to deliver my ruling on the point of order raised by the Member for Rankin Inlet North at the Legislative Assembly’s sitting of November 2, 2012.
The point of order was raised in relation to the Minister of Education’s delivery of the government’s formal response to Petition 3 – 3(3), which had been presented by the Member for Rankin Inlet North at the Legislative Assembly’s sitting of October 23, 2012.
Rule 43(10) of the Rules of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut provides that, and I quote, “The Speaker or Minister responsible shall provide a response to a petition within 60 calendar days of its presentation.”
I would note that the rule does not prescribe any specific form for a response to a petition beyond the implied and self-evident requirement that it respond to the substance of the petition in some way.
Having now had the opportunity to review a copy of the minister’s response to Petition 3 – 3(3), I note that it does provide a response to the subject matter contained in Petition 3 – 3(3).
I would emphasize that it is not the role of the Chair to determine whether or not the response is satisfactory.
Members who are dissatisfied with the government’s response to a petition are at liberty to ask questions to the responsible minister or make statements in the House concerning the substance of the response.
I would also note that Rule 43(4) provides that no debate shall be allowed on the presentation of a petition.
Accordingly, the document shall be entered into the records of the Legislative Assembly in fulfillment of the minister’s obligations under Rule 43.
The official date of the response shall be noted as November 2, 2012. A copy of my ruling will be attached to the response.
In raising his point of order, the Member for Rankin Inlet North did not explicitly indicate which rule he believed to have been broken.
In reviewing the relevant excerpt from Hansard, I note that the member’s intervention focused on the appropriateness and necessity of the general observations contained in the response which concerned provisions in the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act and the Rules of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut with respect to the function of petitions and members’ obligations in relation to the presentation of petitions.
In preparing my ruling, I reviewed a number of past government responses to petitions, some of which also addressed matters concerning current and former employees of the government.
I note that the length of government responses to petitions has varied considerably.
In some cases, the government has provided extensive detail in support of its position. In other cases, the responses have been very brief.
In this case, nothing in the government’s response to Petition 3 – 3(3) directly contravened our rules or requires further action on the part of the Chair, such as ordering the item to be withdrawn.
That being said, I would note that it is already incumbent on all Members of the Legislative Assembly to be familiar with relevant provisions of our rules and legislation.
The language in the minister’s response to Petition 3 – 3(3) concerning the function of petitions and members’ obligations in relation to the presentation of petitions was unnecessary.
Accordingly, I would strongly urge the government to ensure that future responses to petitions focus on the subject matter in question.
I would also note that this matter could have been avoided altogether if all parties involved had sought and had followed my office’s advice concerning petitions and responses to petitions at an earlier point in the process.  I would also note that the response to this petition was not provided to my office immediately prior to the sitting day.
This did not allow for any opportunity to provide further advice with respect to its form.
I would also note with concern that the response to the petition contained critical commentary regarding its form and other matters, including speculative remarks concerning the petitioners.
I would remind the House that individual members, ministers and their officials do not have the authority to unilaterally determine whether or not a given item is in compliance with our rules, procedures, practices, or precedents.
I would close by reminding the House that the Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and Privileges exists to consider matters arising under our rules.
In the event that the standing committee chooses to review the existing provisions concerning petitions, I am confident that the House will review its report and recommendations with interest.
Having delivered my ruling, this matter is concluded.
I thank members for their attention.
Minister’s Statement 219 – 3(3): Nunavut Business Credit Corporation Audits for 2011 and 2012 (Taptuna)
Mr. Speaker, in June 2011, I informed my colleagues that the Nunavut Business Credit Corporation had received an audit opinion from the Auditor General of Canada for the 2009-2010 fiscal year.
Apart from missing the statutory reporting deadline, that audit was positive and was evidence of dramatic improvements in the corporation’s management and governance.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce that improvements at the corporation have continued. The Auditor General has recently completed his audit of the Nunavut Business Credit Corporation’s financial statements for the 2011 and 2012 fiscal years, and for the first time has issued an unqualified opinion of the corporation’s books.
The Nunavut Business Credit Corporation has made considerable improvements in their financial reporting and meeting their reporting deadlines.
As a result, the corporation is now in a position to aggressively pursue its mandate of stimulating the development of Nunavut’s economy through small business lending.
I applaud the management and board of directors of the Nunavut Business Credit Corporation for achieving such remarkable progress.
Minister’s Statement 220 – 3(3): WSCC Most Innovative Award to Qulliq Energy Corporation (Kusugak)
Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good day to the residents of Whale Cove and Rankin Inlet. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, in August of this year, the Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission (WSCC) of Nunavut and the Northwest Territories announced the presentation of the North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week, Employer Challenge.
The WSCC, in partnership with the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering, invited organizations across Nunavut and the Northwest Territories to tell them what they did to promote the spirit of the week - injury and illness prevention in their workplaces, homes, and communities.
Judging criteria focused on four categories: Most Innovative, Best Representation of the Theme, Best New Entry, and Best Overall Entry.
Mr. Speaker, I am proud to announce that the Qulliq Energy Corporation won Most Innovative.
This award is a credit to the Health, Safety and Environment (HS&E) department of QEC and the hard work and planning put in by the Director of HS&E, Rick Hunt, and staff members Jenine Bodner, Gemma Braun, and Maurice Guimond.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledge the leadership of QEC in recognizing the importance of workplace health and safety and giving the staff the tools to make this a fun, educational experience for the participants.
Minister with the responsibility for Homelessness, Minister Ell.
Minister’s Statement 221 – 3(3): Addressing Homelessness in Nunavut (Ell)
Hon. Monica Ell (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to take this time to speak about the Government of Nunavut’s commitment to addressing homelessness in a way that is accountable, sustainable, and responsive to the needs of Nunavummiut.
Mr. Speaker, the homeless shelters play an integral part to the GN’s response to the issue of homelessness.
I am very grateful for the hard work and commitment of the staff and board of directors of the Sivummut House and Oqota Shelter. I admire their dedication and fully support their efforts.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, the Nunavut Housing Corporation’s budget for homelessness is $400,000.
These limited funds are essential to the operation of the shelters and are intended to support all homeless shelters and initiatives throughout the 25 communities in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, the Tunngasugvik Homeless Shelter Policy governs the types of expenses eligible for NHC funding, which are meant to help bridge the gap between other funding sources and the shelter’s basic operational needs.
The homeless shelters are expected to seek out additional financial resources to assist with capital, operational, and maintenance costs not covered by the GN.
Mr. Speaker, the GN remains committed to administering fair and equitable solutions to our shelters.
The GN is eager to work with the shelters to help identify ways in which their funds could be utilized to increase the efficiency of the shelter and enhance services to the clients.
However, Mr. Speaker, I believe you will agree that homelessness is too big of an issue for the government to address on its own.
It is clear that if we truly want to be effective in how we confront homelessness, we must create local solutions to adapt to local circumstances.
To this end, I have recently sent letters to local Iqaluit businesses requesting their support in reducing the shelters’ operating costs, as they provide a much needed service for a vulnerable sector of Nunavummiut.
I look forward to following up with them to find how we can work together to tackle this growing issue in our capital city.
Mr. Speaker, homelessness is not limited to Iqaluit and so I want to encourage any group or individual that wishes to help and get involved in the ongoing efforts to reduce homelessness in their community to seek information on available homelessness supports by contacting their regional NHC district office. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Minister’s Statement 222 – 3(3): Co-operatives in Nunavut (Taptuna)
I rise today to mark the International Year of Co-operatives and to speak about the important role co-operatives play in the economic development of Nunavut’s communities.
Mr. Speaker, there are 23 multi-purpose co-operatives located in the communities of Nunavut.
The Co-op system in Nunavut employs more than 700 people in our communities and the Co-operatives provide a number of important services, including retail stores, hotels, cable TV, and fuel distribution.
Co-ops in Nunavut are true community builders. According to the service federation, Arctic Co-operatives Ltd., over the last 10 years, community-based co-ops in Nunavut have invested more than $45 million in community assets.
Co-ops in the north are also leaders in the development of programs to help build local capacity, including a director leadership program, an employee development program, and a financial education program for co-op members.
I encourage Nunavummiut to become and remain actively involved in their local co-operatives. Following the principle of “One Member, One Vote,” Nunavummiut can ensure that co-ops put people before profit and reinvest in their communities.
Mr. Speaker, as the International Year of Co-operatives draws to a close, we can be very proud of the accomplishments of the locally owned co-operatives in Nunavut.
Member’s Statement 359 – 3(3): Stretching the Dollar (Ningark)
I rise today to speak about the importance of basic household budgeting.
Mr. Speaker, recent figures from Statistics Canada indicate that the average household in Nunavut spends approximately 17.5 percent of its income on food.
The national average is just over 10 percent.