EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
However, the government has a responsibility to ensure that the care for our elders is delivered in a safe, clean, and comfortable manner.
Can the minister clarify whether her department undertakes any facility inspections to ensure that the conditions and service delivery meet the necessary standards?
Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank my colleague for that question.
Our employees from the Department of Family Services did go to the centre and the meal plans were of concern. We agreed under a memorandum of understanding to improve them under the current agreement.
It is my understanding that the financial affairs of the Martha Taliruq Centre are in some disarray.
Staff are not getting paid on time and the Canada Revenue Agency is becoming involved.
I am sure the minister appreciates that if the situation gets worse, the centre may no longer be able to operate and her department will have to ensure that alternative care is provided for the centre’s current residents.
Will the minister commit to providing adequate support and assistance to the Martha Taliruq Centre to get its financial affairs in order?
Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My colleague from Baker Lake has a concern about the operations, as do I and I understand fully. My officials are listening to the proceeding as we speak and I ask that they look at this issue.
We provide funding to the board and they receive funding if they are in good standing.
Member for Uqqummiut, Mr. Keyootak
Question 515 – 4(2): Airline Services and Rules (Keyootak)
I would like to direct my first question to the Minister of Transportation.
Just recently, I had difficulties in getting to Iqaluit due to bad weather and flight scheduling.
Can the Minister of Transportation confirm whether or not Canadian North and First Air, the airlines that come into our communities, have different policies? Canadian North and First Air’s policies or rules seem to be different in regard to travelling to the communities. That’s my first question.
Perhaps the Minister of Transportation can provide a response to me in regard to First Air and Canadian North. Are their rules the same?
With regard to the member’s question about transportation and airlines, the airlines are private companies and I’m not sure if he’s talking about standardized rules. Is it for the airline’s landing to the community or is he talking about scheduling the airline? Perhaps the member can elaborate further on his question.
Please elaborate further on your question, Mr. Keyootak.
My question is, when they’re trying to land into our communities, I was wondering if the rules are the same because the First Air and Canadian North seem to differ from each other.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) The Hon. Minister of Economic and Development and Transportation, Ms. Ell.
Hon. Monica Ell (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the member.
First Air goes through Pangnirtung and First Air has one type of airplane and Canadian North has a different type of airplane, so their landing methods are different.
However, the regulations that are followed for flight plans and how they land at the airport are the same as the (interpretation ends) Canadian Aviation (interpretation) Regulations.
It is inconvenient not only for the people who are trying to leave but also Canadian North carries freight, especially for the Co-Op and the other retail outlet.
Usually what happens is that the freight is sent back from its origin and usually by the time they bring the freight back to our community, it’s spoiled.
The minister indicated that they use the Canadian Aviation Regulations.
We can see the airplane going over our community, but they can’t land.
It’s creating quite a problem in our community, not just for passengers but also for freight. Just this past week, it couldn’t land into our community twice, even though the weather was clear.
It creates a problem when you’re trying to leave and it also creates a problem with cargo being brought back to its origin and coming back spoiled.
Why is it that they can’t land into our communities?
I thank the member. He wasn’t able to come down here for quite a while.
Usually safety is a priority. It is the airlines that make their own rules. Safety is a priority for the crew and passengers.
From what I know, First Air flies through Pangnirtung. We could suggest they have meetings with the hamlet councils regarding their scheduled flights.
Our department has been working constantly, especially on the Pangnirtung Airport.
Next week, I will be going up to Pangnirtung to have a meeting with the hamlet council and I look forward to hearing the concerns that they will be putting on the table.
The minister indicated that First Air is going to be having meetings with the hamlet council.
Is it possible for Canadian North to also have meetings with the hamlet council? They do carry freight and goods destined to go to the retail outlets.
Is it possible for Canadian North to also have meetings with the hamlet council?
When I have a meeting with the hamlet council, I will ask if the hamlet officials want to write to Canadian North and invite them to have a meeting.
Question 516 – 4(2): Changes to the Department of Community and Government Services’ Organizational Structure (Mapsalak)
Mr. Speaker, during our recent winter sitting, the Legislative Assembly approved the department’s 2015-16 operations and maintenance budget.
At that time, it was clear that the department’s organizational structure would change significantly from the 2014-15 fiscal year.
The minister at that time indicated that no significant position changes or transfers would have taken place as a result of the department’s new organizational structure.
Can the minister indicate how many positions in his department have been or will be removed or added as of April 1, 2015?
This spring, the cabinet agreed to the organizational structure that was reorganized within our department.
I can’t say at this time what kinds of changes there will be or if positions will be removed, but we are looking at the organizational structure of our department and we will also be realigning some of our programs so that we can better utilize our finances.
I don’t know about any changes or removals at this time.
He will probably provide a similar response, but I want to ask him another question.
Does the minister know how many positions in his department have been or will be transferred to different communities, such as Rankin Inlet?
I can say at this time that I haven’t seen any changes and should there be any changes, removals, or transfers, it will first of all have to be discussed at the cabinet level. I’m not sure what’s going to be happening. I don’t know if there are going to be any changes, additions, or transfers.
There have been no transfers to date.
Usually it affects the communities because they’re the link to the hamlet councils. We usually turn to Community and Government Services at the hamlet level.
If there are going to be any changes, I would like the minister to notify the hamlet councils, especially in the Kivalliq region.
Hon. Johnny Mike (interpretation): Yes, I will be able to do that if there is going to be any changes, additions, or transfers. We work closely with the hamlet councils and it’s a necessity so that we can provide proper services and programs, be they financial or other concerns.
We are looking at realigning our department and this was initiated by the previous minister.
I’ll make sure that the hamlet councils are notified should there be any changes.
Question 517 – 4(2): Update on Arviat’s Water Pump Station (Savikataaq)
My questions are also for the Minister of Community and Government Services.
Mr. Speaker, the current water treatment system in my community of Arviat is operating only on one slow pumping station.
On October, 24, 2014, the minister of the day stated that his department has made plans to add a new pump station in the community and that this project would be undertaken during the summer of 2015, this coming summer.
Can the minister confirm that his department will be installing a new water pump station in Arviat this summer?
I will look into this issue and come back to you with a proper response. I can’t answer at this point as to exactly what’s going to be happening.
I’m not saying this question is taken as notice, but I will notify the member once I have the information.
I thank the minister that he will get back to me. In the same token, the minister of the day also stated that they were looking at other communities’ reservoirs and other systems so that they can come up with one that will be best suited for Arviat.
Will the minister also commit to looking into that and see what kind of system will be installed in Arviat this coming summer?
Question 518 – 4(2): Green Energy Sources for Nunavut (Hickes)
I’m going to go on like a broken record with alternative energy solutions for Nunavut.
I have some questions today to the Minister of Finance.
A couple of days ago, I had asked the minister, wearing his other hat as the Minister responsible for the Qulliq Energy Corporation, some questions regarding larger scale renewable energy projects. In one of his responses, he stated that proposals have to be submitted through the federal government for large-scale infrastructure for green energy.
What I would like to focus on today is smaller scale green energy.
Like I stated in the last sitting, there has been some money saved by the Government of Nunavut on the fuel resupply.
When I look back at Nunavut’s history, in the first year of Nunavut’s separation 16 years ago, two small-scale renewable projects were launched. One by the Nunavut Power Corporation, now Qulliq Energy, installed five wind turbines in various locations across Nunavut. To date, none of those turbines are in operation, to the best of my research.
Technology has changed substantially in the last 16 years, in addition to solar energy, whose costs have been reduced approximately 80 percent for solar panel infrastructure.
I’m just going to ask the Minister of Finance if the Government of Nunavut is looking at reinitiating some of these pilot programs using some of the savings that were incurred from the fuel resupply.
Mr. Speaker, Cambridge Bay has been on the forefront of alternative energy. We had four wind turbines many years ago. Due to supply issues and mechanical issues, they are no longer in operation.
We had a single wind turbine that is no longer in operation, again, for numerous reasons.
With respect to his question, at this time, I haven’t discussed this with anyone.
We have so many competing demands. Mr. Speaker, I just heard one of the members wants a seniors’ home in Rankin Inlet. There are many competing demands.
If there are any savings, we will be looking at how to apply those savings that gives us the best value for money in our communities.
I do understand the position that the Government of Nunavut is in with competing infrastructure demands.
At the same time, we have an opportunity right now that hasn’t occurred for a long time with lower fuel costs.
In addition to that, there are a number of programs available federally for green energy infrastructure. I’m sure the minister has had numerous conversations. Just even the recent federal/provincial/territorial meeting that the Minister of Environment attended speaks to green energy solutions and that the Government of Nunavut in general is in agreement with a lot of the strategies.
What I’m getting at is that the technology has changed dramatically in the last 16 years since some of these pilot projects were put forward. I think now is an opportune time to move forward. Just recently, in Northern Quebec, one of the mining companies installed a wind turbine that is designed to withstand arctic conditions, producing 3 megawatts of power, which is in excess of the demand of some of our smaller communities.
I think it’s an opportune time right now to show the Government of Canada and the rest of the world that we are serious about green energy solutions and not just in Iqaluit with a large-scale hydro project but with smaller scale programs and infrastructure across the territory to assist our smaller communities’ energy needs and reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.
I know that the minister doesn’t like commitments, but I would like to get a commitment that he will discuss this matter with his cabinet colleagues on trying to identify funds to initiate some pilot programs just to show that the technology has advanced to the stage where Nunavut can move forward.
Mr. Speaker, I don’t want Mr. Hickes or any members or any members of the public to get the wrong idea that the Government of Nunavut is not interested in energy savings or alternative energy or green energy, whatever you want to call it. There is an Energy Secretariat within the Government of Nunavut that looks at various things and ways to deliver energy savings in Nunavut, alternative energies.
Within the Qulliq Energy Corporation, and I’ll put my other hat on for a moment, we have an alternative energy subcommittee that looks at what’s out there.
My colleagues are here.
They’re well aware of the issues with power and energy in Nunavut. As the Minister of Finance, again I have said for many days here, I have to balance the challenging needs of infrastructure in all departments and all communities. We have limited resources.
I have called upon the Government of Canada to invest in our territory. I put a proposal together to upgrade our aging diesel power plants.
That’s what we’re 100 percent reliant on, fossil fuels. That’s the reality. The alternative energy, the hydro dam, as I have said before, could be in the range of $250 million and $500 million.
We have already invested close to $10 million in studies just to look at the hydro dam in this area. It’s very expensive when we consider and look at these alternative energy options.
I’m not going to make a commitment. Mr. Hickes knows I don’t make commitments, but I’ll take your suggestion as notice.
I wasn’t sure if the minister had taken the whole question as notice, so I appreciate just a final supplementary question.
Numerous discussions related to housing and growth in some of our smaller communities has been very hampered due to the maximum power capacity of generation infrastructure available in some of our communities, very specifically to one of Mr. Joanasie’s communities of Cape Dorset.
Right now, if we take a look at smaller scale alternative energy solutions of green energy in some of our smaller communities, it would be able to mitigate, maybe, some of the measures of the infrastructure deficit that is in some of our communities that is hampering growth so that as our communities continue to grow, we can meet the demand in maybe a cheaper way than actually doing a full renovation of a power plant or building a new power plant in the immediate need.
I would just like to ask the minister to take that into consideration in his discussions with his colleagues and federal counterparts.
Hon. Keith Peterson: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank Mr. Hickes again.
Yes, we will take that into consideration. I would just like to comment that in Cambridge Bay, in my home community, we have the Canadian High Arctic Research Station (CHARS), which should be opening in 2017.
Some of the work they will be doing will be looking at alternative energy and how it can benefit our communities. We are quite excited by that. That’s something our government and CHARS facility can look forward to working on in a collaborative manner, how we can use alternative energy in our communities.
Question 519 – 4(2): Status of the Revised NNI Policy (Angnakak)
Good morning to everybody.
Mr. Speaker, my question today is for the Minister of Economic Development and Transportation.
On December 4, 2014, the government announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding with NTI concerning the process for amending the NNI Policy. This announcement indicated that the goal of the process was to have a revised NNI Policy “by the spring” of this year.
Mr. Speaker, the spring sitting ends next Tuesday.
Can the minister provide a detailed update today on the status of bringing forward a new NNI Policy?
We did say “spring”; we didn’t say “spring sitting.” (interpretation) It’s still spring and it will be spring for a while yet.
As to this issue, it is a bit slower. (interpretation ends) I’m usually optimistic (interpretation) and the work is proceeding, but it is slow and we want to finish it as soon as possible this year.
Some issues have to be agreed upon, but the work is proceeding.
Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the member for her response.
Since I have been elected, there has been numerous times where I have recommended that the NNI Policy should include an independent appeals process that is broader and more effective than the current panel. Can the minister confirm that the new NNI Policy will address this issue?
Hon. Monica Ell: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation) Yes, the NNI Policy appeal board is not set, but it is part of the discussions. The set-up and layout is currently under negotiation. The government appoints a member, as do NTI and the Nunavut Chamber of Commerce, so there are three members.
This set-up is currently being looked at. Whether it will be a more legal style board or whether they have to be lawyers is under discussion.
The Nunavut Chambers of Commerce are also involved in these discussions and we do look if there are training needs or if they have to be lawyers. Right now, we are in the stages of negotiating on that right now.
An ongoing and unresolved issue has been the extent to which the NNI Policy should or should not apply to the procurement and contracting activities of the Qulliq Energy Corporation.
Mr. Speaker, I’m not really interested in hearing the department’s views.
I’m more interested in learning what the elected minister’s views are on this issue.
I don’t know why she’s always asking for a personal view of these issues, Mr. Speaker. I don’t give a personal opinion on issues like this.
Question 520 – 4(2): Activities of the Office of the Chief Coroner (Joanasie)
Mr. Joanasie: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good morning, colleagues and the people of Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Minister of Justice, whose department is responsible for the administration of the Coroners Act. I’m going to be as clear and precise as I can be with my questions today.
Section 21 of the Coroners Act provides that one of the purposes of holding an inquest is to, and I quote, “inform the public of the circumstances of [a] death where it will serve some public purpose.”
Two days ago, I tabled a printout of over 1,200 signatures of people who expressed concern regarding the death of baby Makibi in Cape Dorset.
Under section 24 of the Coroners Act, the Minister of Justice has the authority to, and I quote, “direct any coroner or request a judge to hold an inquest…notwithstanding that a coroner has certified that an inquest is unnecessary.”
Can the minister provide a clear explanation today as to whether or not he will exercise his authority under the legislation to direct that a coroner’s inquest be held into this incident?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I have been working with the coroner’s office. The coroner is an arm’s-length body from our government and I respect that discretion.
The coroner has determined that in this situation, the cause of death was determined and that the issue is still going through a review to make sure that what occurred is not repeated.
That review is occurring now and we’re expecting a report hopefully this fall. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Joanasie: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Office of the Chief Coroner has previously announced that formal inquests will be held into a number of suicides that have taken place in our territory in recent years.
Can the minister provide an update today to this House on when these inquests will be held?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker (interpretation ends) The coroner has advised that she will be holding in an inquest in September of this year. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Joanasie: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is clear to me that there has been a lot of public confusion about the role of the coroner’s office and the purpose of holding coroner’s inquests.
In light of the many questions that have been raised concerning the holding of coroner’s inquests into different matters, can the minister indicate if he will consider bringing forward amendments to the Coroners Act to clarify this area?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) From what I understand, the coroner has been struggling to try and find families that will be agreeable to hold an inquest on suicides and that took a little longer.
So far, as I understand it, she will be holding an inquest into three suicides this September. That issue hopefully will be dealt with and will assist us in determining the causes and trying to find solutions to the real issue of suicide in our territory. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 521 – 4(2): Air Service Issues in the High Arctic (Shooyook)
Mr. Speaker, those of us who live in the High Arctic are served by one airline and it’s not working and it’s very inconvenient and causes a lot of hardship.
Last year, I asked the then Minister of Transportation what direction you have given to get better airline service in the High Arctic.
Can my colleague repeat the question, please?
I thought the question was directed to somebody else at first.
Mr. Shooyook, can you repeat your question, please.
I’m directing my question to the Minister of Transportation.
Mr. Speaker, those of us who live in the High Arctic are served by one airline and it causes a lot of problems and hardships.
Last year, I posed some questions to the then Minister of Transportation as to how it can be improved.
What direction have you made to improve air service in the High Arctic?
For the High Arctic, the airlines came to talk to us about their air services.
They stated that it’s expensive and difficult to operate an airline in the High Arctic.
Right now, we don’t operate the airlines; they operate as independent businesses.
For the High Arctic, we’re expecting and they said that they may start a route where they go from Iqaluit directly to Resolute Bay.
Mr. Shooyook (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the minister.
I’ll ask her another question.
Mr. Speaker, travel in the High Arctic is not working.
If we’re trying to go to Igloolik or Pond Inlet, we have to go through Iqaluit. That’s the hardship. The hardship is that whenever someone loses a family member and they want to go see their family members to grieve, they have to fly through Iqaluit.
People who aren’t working and who need to go see their families, the communities are the ones who raise the money together for them to pay for the airline tickets.
As residents of the High Arctic, we agree that it’s very expensive.
It is incredibly expensive to travel in the High Arctic and we need to be able to travel.
We need to have a direct flight from the High Arctic to other communities, especially when people lose loved ones.
We keep hearing that the High Arctic is the most expensive place to operate and live in.
Because it is the most expensive place, can you talk to the airlines again in an effort to improve air service in the High Arctic?
The government enters into agreements with the airlines now and again. Very recently, all the MLAs were able to meet with the airlines.
We are not the airline operators, but it became obvious that they have been trying to come up with more direct flights to the communities without doing the milk runs. Whenever we are able to have discussions with the airlines, we do so. Since we are not the operators, we cannot direct them as they are independent airlines.
Mr. Shooyook (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the minister for giving me some positive news.
Mr. Speaker, I know ministers have the power to fix things and they are able to talk to other people to improve things.