EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Mr. Arvaluk: Then why are we budgeting 1.173 million dollars as a write down by itself rather than including it in the cost of goods sold.
The second question Mr. Chairman is that will this 1.173 show in the audit.
Mr. Roy Green: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
The 1 million dollars that we are referring to, those are out of the numbers but at this point in time they are only estimated numbers.
What those numbers are based on right now is the current, the resupply costs that we bought for fuel last year.
If we buy the fuel this year at the same price that we got it last year then we would have to reimburse those contractors 1.173 million.
If the price of fuel goes down that means we would have the subsidy go down.
If the price of fuel goes up that number is changed.
It is only an estimate and it is all given that the cost of fuel probably makes up 60% of their budget, those numbers are subject to change depending on the price of fuel on the world markets when we buy in June, July of this summer.
Are you done Mr. Arvaluk.
Mr. Nutarak (interpretation): I was going to ask a question regarding write-downs but I have that, I got the response so I will leave it.
My question has to do with if the contractor's working in a community and they're delivering fuel and if there was a mishap or a bankruptcy, what would be done in that case.
I think perhaps Mr. Alakannuark is confused.
We didn't say that the contracts are given for two years but we stated that the contracts to build tanks is probably two years and the fuel delivery contracts are for about ten years.
Our staff is able to go into the communities and work with them and train them when a contact is delivered.
I didn't get the response I was asking for.
When a contractor is holding a contract for ten years, before the ten years is up and something happens and a contractor is unable to deliver, I realized that there's assistance or the staff is available to assist the contractors but what would be done in that case.
I haven't heard of such a case but if something like that happened, I think we'd work with the Department of Sustainable Development.
We deal with each contractor and are able to assist them.
Our staff are able to go into communities to assist contactors and I can't project what will happen so that is my response.
I don't have anyone else on my list.
We are on 6-12, information items.
These are just information items.
Turn to page 6-13.
Public works and services, information item.
Public stores, revolving fund.
On page 6-14.
Public works and services, work done on behalf of others, information item.
Turn to 6-15.
Public works and services, distribution of budget.
These are the information items.
Go back to 6-5, public works and services, program summary, details of expenditures.
On 6-5, total operations and maintenance, 86 million 327 thousand dollars.
Total expenditures, 92 million 572 thousand.
We have completed this department.
I'd like to thank the minister and her staff for appearing in front of the committee.
Madame Minister, final remarks.
I really appreciate the questions and concerns raised.
I'd like to thank Mr. Mrazek, Mr. Galbraith, and Mr. Green, Susan Makpah and I'm glad the members are able to work with them and thank you for dealing with my department.
We will now take a fifteen-minute break.
>>Committee recessed 3.46 p.m. and resumed at 4.18 p.m.
We have completed the Public Works and Services Department and we will be moving on to a new department.
Before we go on to dealing with the department, I would like to ask the minister if he has opening remarks.
Hon. Olayuk Akesuk (interpretation): I do have opening remarks Mr. Chairman.
Can I begin.
On November 6, 2000 I had the very great honour of being appointed Minister of Sustainable Development.
So I am pleased to make my first appearance before Committee of the Whole and present the Department of Sustainable Development’s budget for 2001/2002.
Mr. Chairman, the Department of Sustainable Development’s budget for 2001/2002 is 33 million 835 thousand representing 5% of total GN expenditures.
(interpretation ends) In the Bathurst Mandate, we agreed that an Economic Strategy for Nunavut was needed and I am pleased to report that we have made significant progress on this in the last year.
Later this month the Conference Board of Canada will release Nunavut’s first Economic Outlook which is a project that we have worked on with NTI and DIAND.
The Economic Outlook will address the question that we frequently hear, particularly from those watching the development of our new Territory – “is there an economic base in Nunavut and what are the prospects for economic growth and diversification?”
We know already that economic growth and diversification in Nunavut will require an investment in infrastructure to catch up with the rest of Canada, so to advance this dialogue, we will be releasing a document next month called “The Road to Canada – Opportunities for Public Investment in the New Nunavut Economy”.
Mr. Chairman, I believe that both these documents -the Economic Outlook and the Road to Canada - are needed to advance discussions with Ottawa on an Economic Development Agreement.
In the meantime, the Department of Sustainable Development will undertake our own economic initiatives this year.
Mr. Chairman in his budget address, the Minister of Finance stated, and I quote: “ultimately…our future social and economic success will depend on the initiatives we design in Nunavut”.
The Department of Sustainable Development’s budget for 2001/2002 includes a number of “made in Nunavut” economic initiatives.
In the Department’s business plan for 2001/2002 we noted that one of the critical factors that must be addressed in our economic initiatives, is our young population.
In the past year we introduced a new program on a pilot basis called the Nunavut Job Corps designed to help our young people gain a foothold in the economic life of their communities.
The Department has continued this program for next year, setting aside 175 thousand dollars for the co-ordination of projects, largely in our non-decentralized communities.
We know that some “made in Nunavut” economic initiatives must involve direct investment in job creation, such as our investments through the Nunavut Development Corporation.
This year the NDC was successful in obtaining EU certification for its meat processing facility in Rankin Inlet.
In 2001/2002, 350 thousand dollars has been added to the NDC budget to expand their meat processing capability in the Kivalliq and Kitikmeot, and to provide for new investments in non-decentralized communities.
We know too, that “made in Nunavut economic initiatives”, must involve our economic partners.
Mr. Chairman, this year my department provided the Nunavut Arts and Crafts Association with core funding of 100 thousand dollars.
This funding allowed them to leverage another 250 thousand dollars for arts and crafts projects from other programs that, we as government, cannot access.
In 2001/2002, the Nunavut Arts and Crafts Association budget will be increased to 150 thousand dollars, so that they can expand their capacity to deliver programs in more communities.
In my two appearances before the Standing Committee I have been urged to examine the needs of our tourism industry and in particular the role Nunavut Tourism plays in the development of this growing area of our economy.
Earlier in this session I announced that the department and Nunavut Tourism is in the process of completing a tourism strategy.
In 2001/2002 Nunavut Tourism’s budget has been increased by 179 thousand dollars so that they can expand their special event marketing, and promotional efforts for Nunavut.
Mr. Chairman, in his budget speech the Minister of Finance noted that our potential for natural resource development was impressive, although still largely untapped.
In 2001/2002 the Department of Sustainable Development’s investment in uncovering our mineral wealth will continue through our partnership with the Canada/Nunavut Geoscience Centre, for which we have set aside 450 thousand dollars, and through the Nunavut Prospectors Program, for which we have set aside 150 thousand dollars.
Both of these are “made in Nunavut” programs.
Our “made in Nunavut” economic initiatives must also have an eye on the rapidly changing developments in what is termed “the new information economy”.
Earlier in this session, I spoke about my department’s work on the Nunavut Broadband Taskforce.
The department will continue its work in 2001/2002 working with the Government of Canada on bringing affordable high-speed internet service to Nunavut.
In the Bathurst Mandate, we agreed to introduce simpler program delivery to Nunavut.
Early in the new year I will be introducing changes to how we deliver our loan programs that will strengthen the role of the Nunavut Business Credit Corporation in the delivery of lending services to our business community in Nunavut.
We will also begin a comprehensive review of our business development programs.
The role of the Department of Sustainable Development in building healthy communities is to support communities in providing their citizens with choices for participating in our economy.
Communities must lead this process.
To support these efforts, the Department of Sustainable Development provides funding to Hamlets to hire Community Economic Development Officers, we call them CEDOs.
In 2001/2002 the department will be providing Nunavut Hamlets with 1 million 963 thousand dollars for hiring and supporting CEDOs.
Planning for, and realizing economic opportunities in our communities requires an investment.
In 2001/2002 the Department will continue to support community economic development initiatives by investing 2 million 715 thousand dollars in the Community Initiatives Program.
Within this program, I will set aside 200 thousand dollars for an Economic Initiatives Fund for the communities impacted by the recent reduction of polar bear quotas in the M’Clintock Channel.
Which brings me to the department’s responsibilities to our wildlife and our environment.
Members will note that the department has been successful in obtaining funds from the Government of Canada’s Climate Change Action Fund, so that we can make a contribution to the national effort to reduce climate change impacts.
Mr. Chairman, as members know, the Department of Sustainable Development along with our partners Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, and the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board will begin community consultations this month on our new Wildlife Act.
Two hundred thousand dollars has been incorporated into the 2001/2002 budget to ensure these consultations are thorough and comprehensive.
(interpretation) The department’s contributions in support of harvesters such as HTOs, RWOs, the Fur Price Program and the Community Harvester Assistance Program has remained unchanged in 2001/2002, and there is a reason for this. Earlier this week I advised members that the department is finalizing a comprehensive review of our programs in support of harvesters, which has be done by talking directly with harvesters, and our programs partners, NTI.
I expect to be introducing changes to our harvester programs in 2001/2002.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Chairman, as members are aware, during my recent Kitikmeot tour, I committed to increasing the department’s emphasis on the collection of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit in the context of our wildlife research program.
In 2001/2002 I have set aside 50 thousand dollars for an IQ study in M’Clintock Channel in collaboration with NTI, and 30 thousand dollars for work in Grise Fiord and Resolute Bay on Peary Caribou.
Mr. Chairman, three non-decentralized communities in Nunavut are currently not served adequately by our wildlife service, so in 2001/2002 the department has budgeted for the hiring of a wildlife officer in Sanikiluaq and part-time wildlife officers in Whale Cove and Chesterfield Inlet.
Before I conclude I want to speak briefly about the department’s capital budget for 2001/2002, which is 2 million 800 thousand dollars or 8% of the department’s budget.
The department has a capital plan for three purposes: the first purpose is to support the ongoing requirements of the Nunavut Wildlife Service, in replacing equipment used in monitoring, enforcement and training.
The second purpose of our capital plan is to invest in the development of Nunavut’s tourism industry.
Mr. Chairman, a successful tourism industry is built up through small investments in such things as information signs, the development of attractions such as Thule sites, parks, exhibits in our airports, and in visitor centres.
The third purpose of our capital plan is to support our traditional economy through the display of arts and crafts in public buildings throughout Nunavut and we have budgeted 50 thousand dollars for this purpose.
When the public enters our public buildings they should be greeted with a showcase of our artists that brings recognition to the important contribution they make to our economy.
Mr. Chairman, this is a summary of the Department of Sustainable Development’s budget for 2001/2002.
I would be very pleased to answer any questions at this time.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you, Minister Akesuk.
It is nice to hear your comments for the development of Nunavut.
I would ask the Chairman of the committee to give his opening remarks.
The Standing Committee on Community Empowerment and Sustainable Development has carefully reviewed the budget estimates and business plan of the Department of Sustainable Development for the upcoming fiscal year.
As Chairman of the Standing Committee, I am pleased to be able to provide the committee's opening comments as we begin the review of the department's 2001-2002 budget.
I would like to begin by thanking the minister for providing a prompt written response to the comments and concerns raised by the Standing Committee when we met to review the department's mid-year progress report for the 2000-2001 fiscal year and their preliminary business plan for the 2001-2002 fiscal year.
The Committee would like to suggest that other ministers follow the example of this department.
The committee was also pleased to see the minister table, for the first time, the 2001-2002 business plans for Nunavut Tourism, the Nunavut Business Credit Corporation and the Nunavut Development Corporation.
This gives all members the opportunity to review the business plans prior to approving the transfers to these organizations, as laid out in the department's 2001-2002 main estimates.
This is also another step toward the general transparency of this government.
In its review of the department's budget estimates for 2001-2002, the committee stressed the need for increased support for Nunavut's artists. Many Nunavummiut are struggling to make a living through their art and they are not getting the assistance they need.
The committee was pleased to see the department respond to this concern by increasing the funding for the Nunavut Arts and Crafts Association.
The committee would recommend that the department work closely with the association to ensure that the artists in the communities be involved in deciding how the funds are to be spent.
The committee noted that funds have been allocated in the 2001-2002 fiscal year for the Nunavut Art Bank.
The committee would like to stress the need for a clearly defined set of selection criteria that can be fairly and consistently applied when purchasing art from throughout Nunavut.
The committee also looks forward to seeing the department participate in other initiatives to assist Nunavut's artists, such as quarrying soapstone.
The committee is also looking forward to seeing the detailed plans for the community consultations that will take place for the new Wildlife Act.
The committee noted that, in a previous minister's statement, a commitment was made to begin consultations in January of this year.
The committee hopes that this will be a thorough consultation process with all stakeholders involved at an early stage and that some of the problems encountered with the review of the Education Act will be avoided.
The committee noted that efforts are being made in response to the need for a Climate Change Strategy in Nunavut.
The committee was also pleased to see that the department is incorporating IQ into its development of a Climate Change Strategy through its meetings with Nunavut's elders.
The committee hopes that these consultations will be substantive and not simply symbolic.
Nunavut will suffer, in future years, from tremendous impacts as a result of climate change and there is a pressing need for Nunavummiut to prepare adaptation plans.
The committee is looking forward to seeing the Climate Change Strategy initiated.
In its meetings with the minister, the committee noted the lack of economic development opportunities in non-decentralized communities.
The committee went on to stress the need for a focus on non-decentralized communities to assist them in increasing their self-reliance as set out in the Bathurst Mandate.
I might add this was written before your statement so I see that you did commit to helping the non-decentralized communities.
The committee was pleased to see that the department has responded to this issue by setting aside funding through the Nunavut Development Corporation and the Nunavut Business Credit Corporation to focus on non-decentralized communities.
The committee looks forward to receiving a detailed report on the economic development projects initiated in non-decentralized communities.
The committee is pleased to see the department undertaking a number of reviews of its programs and services.
We would hope that these reviews would be substantive and not only measure merely activity but also results and outcomes.
The Committee looks forward to the public release of these reports, such as:
The report on the Review of Grants and Contributions;
The Nunavut Economic Outlook report;
The Road to Canada: opportunities for Public Investments in the New Nunavut Economy report; and
The departmental review of programs relating to the support of businesses and community development that will be conducted in the upcoming year.
I anticipate that individual members will raise their own comments and concerns on the department's 2001-2002 budget estimates.
I may also add that I like what you have done with the M’Clintock Channel polar bear issue. You have dedicated money to that also.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you Mr. McLean for your opening remarks.
We will have the minister and his officials go to the witness table.
The Minister of Sustainable Development, Mr. Akesuk.
Hon. Olayuk Akesuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I would like to introduce my officials.
On my left is Katherine Trumper and on my right is our Finance Director Jim Martin and we also have other officials sitting in the gallery.
My Assistant Deputy Minister, Peter Ittinuar.
I have not really recognized other people before while sitting in the committee chair.
I would like to recognize Katherine.
When I was younger, I met her and I didn't think that she would be working in the Nunavut region and I'm glad to see that she is now working with the Nunavut Government and I'm sure she's very knowledgeable of the needs of the people of Nunavut.
I wanted to congratulate her for appearing in front of us also.
Now we are discussing with the minister, who is the youngest minister of the Nunavut cabinet and he has learned a great deal in such a short time.
I would wish that we would deal with his department as soon as possible.
I will ask the members if they can begin with the details of expenditures.
I will give the members ten minutes for their general comments at this time.
General comments are now open for the members before we go to the capital estimates.
I would like to thank the minister and committee chairman.
I'm going to be talking about several things but I’ll skip the ones that Mr. McLean already mentioned.
I will not be talking about Mr. McLean's comments but I have comments on the minister's opening remarks especially about 43 million 835 thousand dollars.
As well, I would be talking about the economic strategy that was done during the Bathurst Mandate and we find the implementation of it too slow.
Also, there's also some stuff that we would like initiated as well that have not had a budget put aside for them during 2001-2002.
We expect that these economic initiatives will begin as soon as possible for the future of Nunavut.
Especially in regards to the economic strategies for the communities and for the non-decentralized communities.
So, especially if the Keewatin fish and meat plant could get some assistance and the harvesters program in Coral Harbour.
If the department can set aside some money for, say for instance for Coral Harbour harvesters’ program or to get a meat plant established in Coral Harbour.
In the minister’s opening remarks on page three, he stated that made in Nunavut economic initiatives is what they want to do. In regards to Nunavut Arts and Crafts Association and the others such as Nunavut Tourism, and that's the question that I had this morning that he told me that there would be another 179 thousand dollars allotted for 2001-2002.
I will be asking the minister questions on that and the other one that we have been expecting and is expected by the carvers in Nunavut are the soapstone quarries and we expect that this will be developed as soon as possible.
They set aside only 450 thousand dollars for that for the carvers to be able to purchase soapstone and there's a lot of Nunavummiut that are taking carving and jewellery programs and we should have this started as soon as possible.
In the summer time, people go out on the land and it would help if we can get this program running as soon as possible.
Again, I will be asking the minister about the Nunavut Broadband Task Force as to what state it is at right now and when it will be implemented.
The reason why is, Mr. Chairman, is that the people that have computers, they're not using television as much as they did before but they are using internet services more in Nunavut.
Especially the children, because they learn a lot more on the computer with the internet service rather than watching TV.
I am in support of this task force and I wondered if those dishes could be in place rather than the others that we're using right now.
I think we have a had a lot of problems with television being in our communities because it has robbed us of our language in a sense and robbed us from going out on the land like we usually do as Inuit people.
Instead, we have been watching more television than ever before when we should be out.
In the middle of page 4, the community economic development officers, I know that the minister and myself have been economic development officers in the past and now I'm happy to see that the hamlets have taken over the community economic development officers.
Perhaps I could let the government know that if they give money out to the hamlets for the use of economic development officers and when they know the community CEDOs, they are aggressive in helping the people in the community and for the government to have enough money set aside for the program.
Another item that I had wanted to mention on page 5 in the middle, the Fur Pricing Program and Community Harvesters Assistance Program. The minister stated that they will be working with Nunavut Tunngavik and I am happy to see that the price program is a very good program because there's a lot of people that have trapped white fox, about 3 thousand this year, in Coral Harbour up to about 50 dollars each.
Those people who have been getting assistance from social assistance and income support program when they start getting fox furs, it's very good to see the people trying their best to sustain themselves.
In a month, one person gets about 200 hundred white foxes in Coral Harbour and this income support is very good for the people to be self reliant and not try to get money from the government.
So, for that reason that money, I think was about 29 million for the social assistance payments would probably decline when people start to try and make money on their own whether it be through hunting or through trapping foxes.
And as well, my last comment.