EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
It was important that the standards were high, the GN received good value, the agreement would meet the Auditor General’s guidelines for an operating lease, and that the interests of the community were best served.
We believe that all of this has been achieved in this agreement.
Mr. Speaker, I would also like to thank Mr. O’Brien, MLA for Arviat, who has supported the project from the start, and Mr. Glenn Sargant of the Department of Finance and Administration for all the work they have done.
Finally, a note of thanks and acknowledgement to my Cabinet colleagues who took a bold step in approving the first P3 project in the North!
Mr. Speaker (interpretation) : Thank you Minister Ng. Ministers’ statement Mr. Picco.
Ministers' Statements 13 - 1 (2): New Health Centre in Arviat
Hon. Hon. Ed Picco (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Speaker, (English) I want to take this opportunity to reinforce the earlier comments made by Minister Ng. This agreement officially launches the work on a new Health Centre in Arviat, which should be ready early in the year 20000.
This is an important project and has been one of my department’s highest priorities.
It is the first of four health facilities on the government’s list of possible P3 projects and I look forward to seeing progress made on those projects in the near future.
Oqaqti, many people have worked very hard to get the Arviat project to this point today and I would like to thank them for their commitment to this project.
In particular, my thanks go to the ADC representatives here with us today, my colleagues Mr. O’Brien who has worked tirelessly on this file for the last two and one half years, and Minister Ng, and a special thanks to the Departmental staff for their efforts.
Qujannamiik, Oqaqti.
Ministers  Statements.
Orders of the Day, Members Statements, Item 3, Members Statements.
Members' Statement 39 - 1 (2): CBC and Consensus Government
Listening to the C.B.C. this morning, I understand that the media have started to refer to Members on this side of the House as Nunavut’s Opposition.
A pretty snap decision considering that this is only our sixth day in this session.
It took God a full week to create the world.
I guess the media needs less time to define this Assembly.
Mr. Speaker, I don’t believe that any of the regular Members would apologize for asking tough but crucial questions to the Cabinet, however for me at least, I don’t see myself as belonging to a southern style opposition to the Government.
>>Applause: Hear Hear
The term Opposition suggests discord for the sake of appearing different, attacking to score cheap political points.
Mr. Speaker, the regular members of the Assembly have made very clear their desire to work with the Government to make Nunavut a better place for all.
To be consulted, and to have input on the issues facing us all.
It’s simply not correct to suggest that we have something to gain by acting as knee jerk opposition to anything the Government says or does.
What we are working to accomplish, is to ensure through our questions through the work of the Standing Committees of the Assembly, that the Government’s actions are scrutinized in the way in which all democratic governments are, however it must be remembered that when questions go unanswered or responded to with a vaguest of words that perhaps some frustration shows and the media are indeed correct to describe us as feisty.
That’s not opposition Mr. Speaker, that’s accountability.
Speaker (interpretation): Members’ Statements?
Members’ Statements.
Members' Statement 40 - 1 (2): Need for School Buses in Iqaluit
Mr. Speaker, I rise to make a statement on the issue of school busing here in Iqaluit.
As the members are aware the population of Iqaluit is increasing as more and more public servants are moving to Iqaluit.
They move to Iqaluit with their families.
Mr. Speaker, next year the new middle school will open at the top of the hill, but the two elementary schools will still be bursting at the seams with new students.
While the numbers of classrooms is increasing, we have to consider the other services for which there will also be an increased demand, such as school bussing.
Mr. Speaker I want to make the point that these are examples of forced growth.
The money allocated for services such as school bussing has to keep up with the demand due to more students.
To give members a sense of the problem, one bus for the middle school can hold forty four students per trip.
Currently, I believe there are one hundred and seventy seven or one hundred and seventy five students enrolled at the middle school, of which one hundred and sixty of them will require bussing.
So, with one bus to service those students, that bus would have to make four trips in the morning, eight trips during lunch hour, and four trips in the afternoon just to handle the middle school.
Mr. Speaker, next year there is funding for two busses which is the current level right now, two busses and one handicapped bus for the three schools.
I know the Minister of Education shares the concern that the budget must reflect forced growth issues and perhaps his Department more than others is impacted by the increasing numbers.
In this case the number of students.
But communities such as Iqaluit and other decentralized communities that will be facing the same problem cannot be expected to absorb the impact of forced growth.
The Government of Nunavut must consider it in their locations of funding communities.
Speaker (interpretation): Mr. O’Brien.
Members' Statement 41 - 1 (2): Arviat Health Centre Agreement
Mr. Speaker it gives me a great deal of pleasure today to acknowledge successful completion and signing of the agreement that will see the construction of the Health Centre the residents of Arviat at a cost of approximately 10 million dollars.
Mr. Speaker this is agreement is one of the first of its kind in Nunavut and comes partly due to the dedication of the Arviat Development Corporation, its' Board of Directors and its' President Mr. Guy Alikut.
I would like to recognize also Minister Picco and Minister Ng for their strong support in concluding this arrangement.
My home community has been waiting for this health centre for approximately ten years, as the old nursing station is about fifty years old, and serving a rapidly growing community of approximately 1,800 people with 18 babies being born each year.
Mr. Speaker with the limited capital dollars we have available it was necessary to enter into a private partnership agreement with the Nunavut Government and the Arviat Development Corporation to ensure that this much needed health centre will be finally constructed.
Mr. Speaker I would also like to acknowledge the work of Cleo Prellwitz and Glen Sargant for their competent negotiations on this very important project which will benefit all of the people of Arviat.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you Mr. O’Brien.
Members' Statement 42 - 1 (2): Overcrowded School in Hall Beach
Mr. Speaker, in my constituency the residents have not been acknowledged under, although we are recognized but the population estimates are not correct.
The population in my community is over 600 but in census, they say that the population is a little over 500.
The census was done by the GNWT.
Mr. Speaker, our school is going, this year it is going to be too small and the community is growing in population so there is going to be overcrowding of the school so I am going to be asking a question to the Education Minister on behalf of the community and my constituency so we could have safe school.
Going back to the Orders of the Day.
Item 4.
Item 5.
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery.
Mr. Speaker, continuing with this little tradition that we have now I will introduce three Iqaluit residents. Kerry McClusky from News North, our intrepid reporter friend.
Sandra Inutiq who is a Coordinator Trainee on Senior Assignment with the Government of Nunavut and a family friend, and Page Kingdon a sister of our other page here today, Clauda Kingdon, daughter of well known entrepreneur Eliza Kingdon and also my former Campaign Manager.
Welcome to the Gallery.
Mr. Speaker I would like to recognize a number of people, acknowledge rather, a number of people in the Gallery.
Firstly Joe Manik who is a very good friend of mine, constituent and a strong supporter of the Arviat health centre and a life time member of the Arviat Development Corporation, one of its founders.
Also, next to Guy Alikut, another friend of mine, a constituent, who is the President of the Arviat Development Corporation and who has been a leading and driving force behind the P3 project regarding the Arviat health centre.
And the lady sitting next to Mr. Alikut, Cleo Prellwitz who is, I guess the Executive Director for the Corporation and she is involved in putting together the package and the financing and the negotiations for arranging the final agreement regarding the health centre.
>>Applause:
I would like to welcome all the visitors in the Gallery which O’Brien had mentioned and so I would like to welcome you to the Assembly.
Mr. Akesuk (interpretation) : I would like to recognize the person who used to work in the Hamlet Council when we were dealing with Community Empowerment and transfer of responsibilities to the communities for he had assisted us in those, Mr. Chuck Gilhuly.
I would like to recognize my child Johnathan.
He has been here with me and he is helping me and supported me throughout my stay here in Iqaluit so I am very appreciative of that fact.
I would like to welcome you to the Assembly.
Minister Thompson.
Hon. Manitok Thompson (interpretation): My Executive Assistant Phil Bourdeau.
Mr. Tootoo: Thank you Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize a person in the Gallery that has been a long term Iqaluit resident and former C.B.C. reporter and a neighbour of mine, I would like to recognize Jonah Kelly.
I would like to also recognize two of our very dedicated hard working research staff for the Legislative Assembly who are sitting in the Gallery, Pat File and Alex Baldwin.
Recognition of Visitors.
Hon. Jack Anawak (interpretation): Unfortunately I was beaten to the punch in recognition, but I would like to recognize a person, Ms. Cleo Prellwitz.
Unfortunately I was beaten to the punch in recognizing the visitor.
Ms. Thompson also beat me to the punch for a person I wanted to recognize. Ms. Thompson recognized him.
I would like you to stand up again so you can be further recognized.
For those of you who have not been recognized and are visiting in the Gallery I recognize all of you, I acknowledge you on behalf of my members.
Back to Orders of the Day.
Item 6: Oral Questions.
Question 50 - 1 (2): Funding for Hamlet of Clyde River
I am sorry I left the mike on, I apologize for that.
Yesterday I posed a question in respect to Community Government, the Minister of Community Government.
And I spoke to him earlier today in respect to the Clyde River Hamlet and the process that they are undertaking, however when I called my home community, I checked to see if there was work being conducted with the Hamlet and whether the Ministers Officials have worked with them.
Unfortunately nobody had spoken to them or asked them.
It is an emergency measure and is putting them in a hard spot and if they are not speaking to the Minister, I believe that they have to work together immediately with the Hamlet of Clyde River.
I believe this is an emergency issue and again I impress upon the Minister that he direct his officials to work with the Hamlet of Clyde River.
Thank you Mr. Minister.
In respect to the first, we really want to be of assistance to the Hamlet of Clyde River, but when we were speaking with them we had to come to an agreement in respect to the deficit and what methods of repayment they would have back to the Nunavut Government. We would have to have an agreement with the Hamlet and at this time we have not reached an agreement yet on this matter. In respect to the Community Government Department and the Hamlet, in Clyde River, once we come to an agreement on the deficit and in respect to the matter then we will be able to proceed.
Although they are undertaking that process, the residents of my community have not been touched and although the Minister stated that they are working together, they said they are not working together and that way it is causing a problem, and I am wondering where this statement that they are working with the Hamlet has come from when nobody is working with them, and I think it is very important that they press ahead at this moment.
This is again Oral Questions. Number 6. Oral Questions.
Please ensure that you are asking questions. Perhaps Mr. Iqaqrialu you could rephrase your question and I will allow you to ask another question.
Mr. Iqaqrialu (interpretation): I am not sure how to rephrase it to ask a question.
The Hamlet of Clyde River, I am asking whether the Minister can proceed directly to have his officials work with the Hamlet of Clyde River.
Mr. Speaker (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Iqaqrialu.
Minister Anawak
Hon. Jack Anawak (interpretation): Mr. Speaker we are already working with them, but again, the agreement is holding us back because we have to have an agreement with the Hamlet and we have to have discussions with them. As I stated yesterday, I stated that it had not been dealt with prior to April when we were still under the G.N.W.T. and it should have been dealt with by that Government.
We are at this time waiting for an agreement with the Hamlet as to how they will expend the funds and how they will repay the moneys.
Of course we want to ensure that there is a proper process taken care of in respect to the funding.
The S.A.O. of the Hamlet has been speaking with my officials in respect to this matter Our officials are working with them at the present time with the Hamlet Council and the only holdback right now is the agreement on the repayment and once that is completed it will be finalized.
Oral Questions.
Question 51 - 1 (2): Boarding Home Contract
Mr. O’Brien: Mr. Speaker, My question is directed to the Minister Responsible for Health and Social Services and it involves the recent rewarding of a contract regarding the Ublivik Centre.
This contract, or this award, has caused quite a bit of controversy in the last month or so, and for the benefit of the Members, I would ask the Minister if he could provide us with the information on the process that was used to award this contract and it’s present status.
Minister Picco.  Hon. Ed Picco: Thank you Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker I know that there are concerns with the public on this contract and that is why I requested a review by our Department of Health and Social Services as well as a review by the Department of Public Works and Justice.
For clarity Mr. Speaker if you would bear with me I would like to give a background on the reason for the R.F.P. and a chronological sequence of events on the R.F.P. to help answer the question, to hopefully put more light on this contract award.
The Keewatin Health and Social Services Board has historically contracted with Eastgate Inuit Enterprises to provide boarding home facilities and patient transportation in Winnipeg.
In December of 1998, the Keewatin Health and Social Services Board requested a Request for Proposals, in other words an R.F.P., for patient boarding facilities and transportation services in Winnipeg.
They did this rather than negotiating a contract with the current service provider for the following reasons.
The formal contract between the Health Board and the deliverer of the Boarding Home Services expired in 1995.
Now since 1995, Mr. Speaker, the provision of services has been by a verbal arrangement, a verbal arrangement only to operate under the same terms and conditions as outlined in the expired contract. Both parties had concerns with the terms and conditions of said verbal arrangements.
As well as in 1996/1997 and again in 1998, the Board had directed the Chief Executive Officer of the Keewatin Health and Social Services Board to issue an R.F.P.. Following up on this, Mr. Speaker, an R.F.P. was issued closing at 3:00 p.m. Central Standard Time March, 18, 1999.
A committee reviewed the proposals in Rankin Inlet on April 14, 1999 and selected T.C. Enterprises.
Now, Mr. Speaker, the Board’s evaluation team was charged with determining which of the proposals provided the best value.
The team had to weigh many factors including the cost to the taxpayers, the quality of service to be provided, and the implementation of Article 24.
T.C. Enterprises satisfied the Board evaluation team that it could provide the quality of services of our patients and families at a price the government can afford.
Mr. Speaker, following up on the second part of the question by Mr. O’Brien the contract will take effect on July 1, 1999.
Speaker (interpretation): Mr. O’Brien
Mr. Speaker can the Minister confirm whether or not the cost, the actual cost was the sole deciding factor in this contract?
Speaker (interpretation): Mr. Picco
Mr. Speaker I think it is fair to say that the cost of the proposal, the successful proponent was the mitigating factor in awarding this contract.
Mr. Speaker, that partly answered my question.
I will try to make it a little more clear.
The successful winner, I guess, of the contract, who was awarded the contract, did they have the lowest cost.
Sorry this was the second supplementary, you have two more supplementaries.
One more, sorry.
Mr. Picco, Minister of Health and Social Services.
Hon. Ed Picco: It wasn’t public.
Final Supplementary, Mr. O’Brien
Mr. Speaker, I used up my last two supplementaries and didn’t get an answer, therefore, there’s only one supplementary left, so I’ll try again.
The successful bidder, did they have the lowest cost, the bottom line was it dollars.
Mr. Picco Minister of Health and Social Services.
Mr. Speaker, no, indeed there was other circumstances involving the awarding of the contract, as I tried to explain, the cost was a mitigating factor, but was not the only factor involved in the awarding of the contract.
There are several other aspects, as I explained earlier in my question, there was the benefit to the community, Article 24 and so on.
The cost was not one of the mitigating factors solely there were other factors involved in the review process done by the Keewatin Regional Health and Social Services Board and the people that reviewed the award made in Rankin.
Mr. Speaker: Qujannamiik Mr. Picco. (interpretation): Oral Questions Mr. Puqiqnak.
Question 53 - 1 (2): Items Deferred in Capital Plan
Mr. Puqiqnak: (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, my question is posed to the Minister of Community Government and Housing and Transportation.
The Hamlet of Gjoa Haven have been trying to get Capital Items for this fiscal year and they are expecting some of their Capital purchases to be in the year 1999 – 2000.
The Capital Items, which were listed in the report, I guess just to give you an example, the garage was written down along with the Community Hall and they were supposed to be in the Capital Plan, but they are not in the Budget Address for 1999 – 2000 fiscal year and in this Capital Purchase for Gjoa Haven.
I would like to understand and I would like my Constituents to understand why?
Why? , these Capital Purchase Plan are not in the plans for this future, because they are expecting these plans.
The Minister for Community Government, Mr. Anawak.
I’m sorry, when we go to the Committee of the Whole in respect to Community Government, Transportation and Housing, I can bring more clarity at that time. Perhaps I can defer this question to the Committee of the Whole, when I’m sitting in front of the Members.
Perhaps I can answer that with greater detail later, Mr. Speaker.
In respect to the Capital Plans, we have had in our hands for while now, I’m expecting an answer at this point in time and to use the example the Community Hall was built in 1973 and now I’m going bald and it’s still standing.
Before I had children in Gjoa Haven, there were only about 300 hundred people, now Gjoa Haven has population of over 1000 and my hair is going away and I even got grandchildren and that’s the way it is.
At this point in time Gjoa Haven has a population of over 1 thousand and we have stated to have the Community Hall expanded, especially when we try to use the Community Hall, but it’s now way too small, it cannot fit half the people and it causes concerns for Public Health and it’s also very small and if any emergency occurred, for example if fire broke out in the Community Hall, people would have to run over each other.
Some way this is a safety issue now therefore I would like to have this Community Hall as a priority for the Hamlet of Gjoa Haven.
Speaker: (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Puqiqnak.
I want to clarify, perhaps if we can shorten your examples because there are some members who want to ask questions, if you want to use your examples please make them short and concise and put your question to the Minister.
Mr. Anawak Minister of Community Government Housing and Transportation.
Hon. Jack Anawak: (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Speaker.
I understand this completely and I was there in Gjoa Haven this winter and for 8 or 9 years now, I have travelled through Gjoa Haven and it has been the same Community Hall.
I apologize for not answering his question directly, but as we will be bringing this matter forward to Committee of the Whole, I will be able to discuss the matter at that time.
Mr. Minister I would prefer to get an answer and he did answer that he would answer that question at a later time but, I still would like to pose a question in respect to Gjoa Haven.
I would like to hear an example of a priority Capital Plan item, and I would also like my fellow residents in Gjoa Haven to hear that I would like to find out the date for the construction of the Community Hall.
Mr. Anawak, Minister of Community Government Housing and Transportation.
We do want to listen to community priorities in respect to Capital Plans and what kind of construction we will have in the communities.
When we are dealing with those issues, we know that funding will not be adequate for everything, but we will be looking at the priorities and we will make those priorities where the community has stated that they have a definite priority and perhaps, maybe when we meet in Gjoa Haven, I can meet with the Hamlet of Gjoa Haven.
Mr. Kattuk, Oral Questions.
Question 54 - 1 (2): Federal Funding for Housing
Mr. Kattuk: (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Speaker.
I would like to ask a question in respect to Housing, to the Minister of Housing Mr. Anawak.
I just want to give a brief history.
I remember that the Government, when they first came to the Inuit Homeland, we were told to move to a community and we were told that we will build houses, so that you can live in one community instead of being scattered and again I was one of those who was told to move to a community and the Government moved me from my camp, although I had been where I wanted to be.
For that reason the Minister of Housing should look at Nunavut, because Nunavut has long winters and he should speak with the Federal Government and whether he has discussions with them and what options they have looked at, because they have to understand from us or at least the Federal Government does, that Nunavut has to be given special status, because our Nunavut has very long winters and the South maybe the winter lasts for 1 or 2 months possibly 3.
At the time when the Government was having cut backs the Federal Government cut off Housing and I think it has to be recognized that Nunavut requires housing and whether or not the Minister has spoken to his Federal Colleagues, because when we were first elected and part of our Election Campaigns.
I’m wondering whether, if he has given this consideration as he was speaking with the Federal Minister.
Speaker: (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Kattuk.
Mr. Anawak
I would like to thank the Member from Sanikiluaq. I met a little more than a week ago with the Minister of Housing, of CMHC, and in the previous year, while I was Interim Commissioner I met with the same Minister.