EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
We continue to brainstorm as to how best to meet our challenges in this area as a government. It’s obvious that the member asked this question as he faced that issue previously.
We have made some improvements to this training program.
Yes, this is to try and make recommendations.
Are we continuing the previous program?
I asked whether we have a new program because this training has been utilized in the past for quite a while.
It has been used by GN employees as well. We still haven’t seen any results and that’s why I have offered to assist this government in searching for better ways to combat suicide.
The reason why I asked if we were just returning to something that has already been tried is because I would like to see improvements and a more effective program that can assist us with real results, especially since this is a real concern for Nunavummiut.
I don’t believe there was a question, but if you would like to respond, Madam Premier.
Yes, the member is completely forthright in his assessment that this is a very serious matter that we are trying to combat and we will have to continue to brainstorm on this issue.
We will also do a careful review of this recent training program as to its effectiveness and this course that was utilized requires a review in the future to see whether it has had an impact. We will continue to monitor the progress of this matter.
Once this process has been completed, and I am just commenting here, I will want to see a report on the veracity of the program and its effectiveness, as well as recommendations to improve this course prior to it being adopted by our government.
So I urge the government to make improvements because the prior program needed to be revised.
Although we applied this training and tried to implement it, it didn’t seem to make a marked difference. That’s why I want this program thoroughly reviewed, to recommend improvements, so that it can be better utilized by all Nunavummiut.
If there are no more, I believe this is the first time that we have ever concluded Question Period before the time was up.
Written... I’m sorry, there was one more question.
Written Question 001 – 3(1): Health and Safety Standards for Government of Nunavut Buildings in Nunavut (Okalik)
I am very pleased to have the opportunity to ask the first Written Question as my colleague and I were competing for it.
(interpretation ends) I have a Written Question for my hon. colleague for the Ministry of Community and Government Services concerning the environmental status of Government of Nunavut offices in Iqaluit.
The term used is the ‘sick building syndrome.’
The question is lengthy, so I would ask that it be read into the record.
With respect to Government of Nunavut offices in Iqaluit, broken down by office location (including, but not limited to, the Trigram, Brown, Federal, Aeroplex, Governor and Sivummut buildings, Building 224, Building 1079 and the Nunavut Justice Centre) how often are these buildings scheduled for air quality, contamination and ventilation testing?
Since April 1, 1999, for all Government of Nunavut offices in Iqaluit, broken down by office (including, but not limited to, the Trigram, Brown, Federal, Aeroplex, Governor and Sivummut buildings, Building 224, Building 1079 and the Nunavut Justice Centre) how many air quality, contamination and ventilation tests have been undertaken and how many of those tests have not passed quality control standards?
Since April 1, 1999, for all Government of Nunavut offices in Iqaluit, broken down by office (including, but not limited to, the Trigram, Brown, Federal, Aeroplex, Governor and Sivummut buildings, Building 224, Building 1079 and the Nunavut Justice Centre) how many complaints related to building environmental conditions such as air quality, contamination or ventilation, have been reported by employees?
Since April 1, 1999, for all Government of Nunavut offices in Iqaluit, broken down by office (including, but not limited to, the Trigram, Brown, Federal, Aeroplex, Governor and Sivummut buildings, Building 224, Building 1079 and the Nunavut Justice Centre) how often have environmental health officers been requested to inspect office environmental conditions?
Since April 1, 1999, for all Government of Nunavut offices in Iqaluit, broken down by office location (including, but not limited to, the Trigram, Brown, Federal, Aeroplex, Governor and Sivummut buildings, Building 224, Building 1079 and the Nunavut Justice Centre) how many employee sick days have been reported due to building environmental conditions or Sick Building Syndrome?
Since April 1, 1999, for all Government of Nunavut offices in Iqaluit, broken down by office (including, but not limited to, the Trigram, Brown, Federal, Aeroplex, Governor and Sivummut buildings, Building 224, Building 1079 and the Nunavut Justice Centre) what steps have been taken to address reported concerns about building environmental conditions?
To date, how many lawsuits relating to Sick Building Syndrome have been filed by current or former Government of Nunavut employees who worked in Government of Nunavut offices in Iqaluit, broken down by office location (including, but not limited to, the Trigram, Brown, Federal, Aeroplex, Governor and Sivummut buildings, Building 224, Building 1079 and the Nunavut Justice Centre)?
Can we have those questions brought forward to the table, please.
(interpretation ends) Written Questions.
Written Question 002 – 3(1): Contracting, Procurement and Hiring Activities of the Nunavut Housing Corporation (Schell)
I guess Paul beat me out on the first one; I was trying to get the first question in. I didn’t have an Oral Question for Mr. Hunter Tootoo, but unfortunately I have a written one here.
I have a Written Question for the Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation concerning the contracting, procurement and hiring activities of the Nunavut Housing Corporation.
This also is a very lengthy one, so I would ask that it be entered into the record as read.
Expressing the information in the same format as that which is contained in the annual Procurement Activity Reports and Contract Activity Reports that are prepared and published by the Department of Community and Government Services, what were the contracting and procurement activities of the Nunavut Housing Corporation for the following fiscal years:
2006-2007;
2007-2008; and
2008-2009 to date?
What were the names, position titles and salary ranges of the positions of individuals hired by the Nunavut Housing Corporation between April 1, 2006 and March 1, 2009, in the following categories of employment:
Indeterminate employees;
Term employees; and
Casual employees?
What were the names, position titles and remuneration ranges of individuals engaged by the Nunavut Housing Corporation as contractors and/or consultants between April 1, 2006 and March 1, 2009?
What travel and housing benefits are provided to individuals engaged by the Nunavut Housing Corporation as contractors and/or consultants?
Which contractors and/or consultants engaged by the Nunavut Housing Corporation between April 1, 2006 and March 1, 2009 were previously employed by the Nunavut Housing Corporation on an indeterminate, term or casual basis?
What conflict of interest policies are followed by the Nunavut Housing Corporation with respect to its hiring, contracting and procurement activities?
Item 11. (interpretation ends) Reports of Standing and Special Committees.
Tabled Document 019 – 3(1): Reply to Opening Address (Okalik)
With respect to my reply to opening address yesterday, I wish to table the written copy and I apologize for not providing it to our interpreters in advance.
I am tabling this document so that it could be used to make corrections to Hansard.
Tabled Document 020 – 3(1): Environmental Rights Act Annual Report from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2008 (Shewchuk)
I am pleased to table the following document: Environmental Rights Act Annual Report from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2008.
Bill 1 and Bill 2 with Mr. Ningeongan in the Chair.
>>House recessed at 15:05 and Committee resumed at 15:42
Chairman (Mr. Ningeongan) (interpretation): Thank you.
I call the committee meeting to order.
In Committee of the Whole, we have the following items to deal with: Bill 1 and Bill 2.
Welcome to your new Chair.
We would like to begin our review of Bill 2 and once that’s concluded, we would like to deal with Bill 1 and the capital estimates of the Department of Community and Government Services.
Do members agree that we first deal with Bill 2?
Bill 02 – Interim Appropriation Act, April 1 – July 31, 2009 – Consideration in Committee
Chairman (interpretation): The Minister of Finance, Mr. Peterson, has opening remarks to make.
Before we proceed, maybe Mr. Peterson can make his opening remarks.
Bill 2 is an interim appropriation bill in the amount of $369,290,000 to provide funding for the period from April 1 to July 31, 2009.
This bill will allow the government to continue to fund its operations until the main estimates are tabled in the June sitting.
To determine the requisite amount of funding for the first four months of 2009-2010, one third of the departmental approved targets for the 2008-09 main estimates plus the two supplementary appropriation bills that were passed by Members of the Second Legislative Assembly were used.
In addition, there was an allowance for departments that have more cash flow requirements early in the fiscal year, such as the Legislative Assembly and the Departments of Justice and Community and Government Services.
Mr. Chairman, this is not the first time that an interim appropriation bill has appeared in front of members.
At the end of the First Assembly, Bill 50, Interim Appropriation Act, April 1 to June 30, 2004, was passed by Members of the First Assembly so that Members of the Second Assembly could have time to carefully consider its first budget.
I’ll be pleased to take questions.
Hon. Keith Peterson: Yes, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman (interpretation): Do members agree to bring in the witness?
Chairman (interpretation): Minister, you can go to the witness table. Sergeant-at-Arms, please escort the witness in.
To my right is Deputy Minister Peter Ma, Deputy Minister of the Department of Finance.
I would first like to ask if members have any general comments.
It’s too bad that we have to approve the interim supplementary appropriation from April 1 to July 31 before we see the details.
We don’t want to do that again after this; we want to see well prepared and more detailed documents perhaps at our spring sitting.
But we also know that as regular MLAs, we have to approve the interim supplementary appropriation because operations have to go on and that can’t happen if there’s no Act in place.
We understand that, but after this, we want to see a well prepared document before the next estimates.
I will be raising questions on the contents of the bill, so I will leave it at that for now.
As there are no more general comments, we will proceed with Bill 2 and it’s in your white legislation binders.
Was that clear?
Bill 2, Interim Appropriation Act, April 1 – July 31, 2009.
We will go to the Schedule on page 3.
As I stated earlier, it’s not in detail, it only lists how much is allocated to the departments.
If we look at Item 6, (interpretation ends) Culture, Language, Elders and Youth, Environment, Community and Government Services, and the Housing Corporation, (interpretation) those departments are given contributions. Are they already included in there?
For example, Environment and CLEY have programs that are heavily relied upon in the outpost camps and by those who wish to take people out on the land to help pay for fuel, naphtha, or what have you.
They also contribute to hamlets and the local housing associations through the Housing Corporation.
Are those already included in there and will they be able to access them?
Mr. Chairman, all departments were contacted and consulted with their requirements for the cash flow for the first four months of the fiscal year so that on April 1, they can continue their operations and normally all programs and services that they would normally deliver would continue.
The first four-month figures are based on the main estimates for 2008-09 plus the two supplementary appropriation bills. So everything will continue as normal and this will allow the government to continue its operations and deliver programs and services to communities.
Schedule. (interpretation ends) Interim Amounts Appropriated for the Period April 1 – July 31, 2009.
Total Operations and Maintenance. $369,290,000.
Chairman: Total Interim Appropriation. $369,290,000.
Chairman (interpretation): We will go to clause 3 on page 2.
Clause 3 on page 2.
Chairman (interpretation): Do members agree to Bill 2 as a whole?
Chairman (interpretation): Do members also agree that pursuant to Rule 62(2) that Bill 2 can immediately be placed on the Orders of the Day for third reading?
Chairman (interpretation): I apologize, I am exhibiting the nervousness of a first timer, but it’ not intentional and I wanted the members to know this.
With respect to Bill 2, I would like to thank the Minister of Finance as well as his deputy minister for making their presentation and for being available to answer questions.
I believe we will be going to our last item on the agenda.
Minister, if you have any closing remarks, please feel free to proceed.
Don’t feel nervous, this is my first time as well in the hot seat, so it’s a learning process for both of us from our days with the Nunavut Association of Municipalities.
I would like to thank the members for taking your time this afternoon to allow us to appear before you as witnesses.
I assure the members that all government departments and Crown agencies are hard at work on their main estimates so that we will have that information in May.
We look forward to appearing before you for detailed questioning in May and June.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you for being available.
We will move on to the next item.
At this time, I would like to thank the officials for being here to deal with the bill. As we are finished dealing with that particular bill, we would like to thank you for your comments.
I would now like to ask the Minister of Community and Government Services, Minister Kusugak, if he has any opening remarks. I welcome you.
Bill 01 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2009-2010 – Community and Government Services – Consideration in Committee
Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I will commence with my opening remarks for this presentation and go to the witness table shortly afterwards. Is that the procedure?
Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for the opportunity to appear before you today to provide an update on the 2009-2014 Five-Year Capital Plan and in particular, the 2009-2010 capital allocation for the Department of Community and Government Services.
The Department of Community and Government Services has many roles in the delivery of capital projects for the government.
Our staff provide a wide range of services to all departments to assist them in developing their capital plans. These range from initial project identification and development to final technical reviews and actual project management.
(interpretation ends) In addition to assisting government departments, CGS is also responsible for assessing and securing funding for the immediate and long-term capital needs for all Nunavut communities.
Our efforts depend on strong partnerships between the government and each of our individual communities.
We recognize the trust and community expectations we face and it is our responsibility to deliver essential capital infrastructure in a fair and equitable way.
(interpretation) During the community consultations last winter and the department’s participation in the regional mayors meetings, concerns were raised regarding the replacement of the aging mobile equipment fleet and depleting granular stocks.
Another concern raised was with respect to depleted granular quarries and borrow pits.
Several communities are experiencing shortages of granular materials in Nunavut and it seems most of the communities were outside of Coral Harbour.
In response to these concerns, my staff is undertaking an extensive review of the current mobile fleet and all granular stocks to look at quicker replacement options for machines such as front-end loaders, graders, dump trucks, and all granular stocks within Nunavut.
My department will be presenting options to address these issues in the new fiscal year.
As Minister of Community and Government Services, I am looking forward to introducing some new approaches to how the government deals with communities because different communities have different needs.
As a government, we tend to give them the same things when they actually have different needs.
(interpretation ends) For instance, I have challenged staff to review the way we apply standards and criteria to capital projects.
Currently, the system calls for a similar infrastructure to be built in all communities. These standards no longer reflect the needs of our territory.
Communities are now asking us to consider an equitable approach to funding community infrastructure.
With this in mind, we are updating our standards and criteria to better reflect the priorities of our communities.
We have included 10 projects in the department’s five-year capital plan that are 50/50 cost shared with Infrastructure Canada through the Municipal Infrastructure Fund (MRIF).
Canada’s maximum contribution under this program is $19.5 million. We have also included four projects in the plans that are 50/50 cost shared with Canada under the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund (CSIF).
Canada’s maximum contribution under this program is $20 million. (interpretation) Both the MRIF and CSIF are set to expire on March 31, 2012.
(interpretation ends) The projects funded under these programs are all recommended by the Nunavut Community Infrastructure Advisory Committee which is comprised of three mayors and three GN employees.
The main role of this committee is to ensure our communities have a strong voice in determining their capital project priorities.
(interpretation) The members must note that all of the mayors in Nunavut appoint three mayors to the NAM executive.
They are contacted by their regional mayors to discuss issues to ensure that the regions have an equal voice.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Chairman, some significant water and waste projects are also currently underway. These include work on upgrades to the Kugluktuk water system, Qikiqtarjuaq’s municipal services, and to the Resolute Bay sewage and water works.
We are utilizing a combination of Government of Nunavut and federal dollars for these projects.
In the Petroleum Products Division, there are also a number of projects currently underway or planned within the next five years based on priority need.
New and evolving regulations for fuel storage facilities are placing added pressure on our limited resources to ensure code compliance and improve safety. As communities grow, the demand for petroleum products also increases, which then require larger storage facilities.
Mr. Chairman, we realize that we will be facing many challenges over the next five years due to aging infrastructure. We also recognize the added pressure on the GN capital plan due to the needs and expectations of Nunavummiut.
With funding from the federal infrastructure programs such as the Building Canada Fund and the extension of the Gas Tax Program, we are confident that we can continue to be effective in meeting the most urgent needs of our communities.
However, the needs expressed by communities sometimes exceed what we can accomplish within our budgets. We recognize this discrepancy, however, we must act to live within our means in order to be credible when attempting to access new funds.
(interpretation) Mr. Chairman, I hope these comments give a good overview of the demands upon my department for capital funding and the challenges associated with prioritizing projects.
Our awareness of the great need and the challenges communities face is what drives our capital planning process.
Our vision of the future is one of partnerships to best support communities and to try and address the needs of all Nunavummiut.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Minister Kusugak.
Do you have witnesses that you wish to bring to the witness table?
Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): Mr. Chairman, yes, I would like to have my officials with me at the witness table.
Chairman (interpretation): Do members agree to have the minister’s officials at the witness table?
Minister Kusugak, for the record, please introduce your witnesses.
To my left is David Akeeagok, my Deputy Minister, and to my right is Mr. Roy Green, Director of Community Infrastructure.
Do you have opening comments on behalf of the Regular Members’ Caucus, Mr. Arvaluk?
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 2009-2010 Capital Estimates of the Department of Community and Government Services.
Members note that the department is proposing to appropriate $36,194,000 for the 2009-2010 fiscal year.
Its capital budget was $16,576,000 in 2007-08 and $23,107,000 in 2008-09.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Chairman, the operations of this department have a significant impact on the success of the overall GN’s capital planning process.
In recent years, Members of the Legislative Assembly have expressed concerns with respect to the issues of project management and capital carryovers.
On September 9, 2007, a GN news release indicated that the department had been directed to “present solutions for the future management of large-scale projects and materials transportation that could benefit from economies of scale.”
Members are aware of the impact that such factors as inflation, higher prices for steel and fuel, the Alberta economic boom, and a lack of sub-trades availability have had on the construction costs of major capital projects in the territory.
Members are also aware that the recent economic downturn across North America may impact on the GN's capital planning process in relation to these factors.
(interpretation) Mr. Chairman, members note that a number of this department’s project substantiation sheets indicate that the budgets for a number of capital projects now include a “project development contingency” and a “market contingency.” (interpretation ends) Members encourage the Department of Community and Government Services to evaluate this approach and to work with other GN departments to examine the advisability of their also incorporating it in their capital budgeting.
While members are supportive of efforts to build capacity in the Department of Community and Government Services in order to strengthen the GN's capital planning process and address the need for more reliable and accurate cost estimates, it is essential that Members of this Assembly retain the right to consider, approve, or reject proposed capital projects at the initial stage of their development.
That’s important to this Assembly.
(interpretation) Mr. Chairman, in February of 2005, the government announced the creation of the Nunavut Community Infrastructure Advisory Committee, which includes representatives from the GN and the Nunavut Association of Municipalities.
The primary role of this body has been to “determine the long-range infrastructure plan for all community infrastructure requirements funded through the Department of Community and Government Services.”
While members recognize that the needs of communities greatly exceed available GN resources, a consultative and cooperative approach to capital planning and priority setting is critical.
Members support the department’s efforts to access federal infrastructure funding under such initiatives as the Building Canada Fund and encourage the minister to consult closely with MLAs and communities in determining priority projects.