EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
The department’s proposed 2010-13 business plan indicates that two of its goals for the 2010-11 fiscal year are to “Promote training and development across all financial groups in the GN including the administrative, technical and professional levels” and to “establish and implement a professional training regime to enhance the financial expertise of the territory at all levels.”
The standing committee looks forward to holding hearings on the Auditor General’s 2010 report, which will address the issue of human resources capacity in the government.
Mr. Chairman, an issue with government-wide implications is the growth of the public service since the creation of Nunavut in 1999.
The total number of PYs in the government has increased to approximately 3,890 in the 2010-11 fiscal year.
This is an increase of around 850 positions, or 25 percent, in just five years.
The minister’s recent Budget Address noted that there are approximately 900 vacant positions across the government.
Departments continue to add new positions to their organizational structures even though it is clear that they continue to face challenges in filling their existing jobs.
Mr. Chairman, we must recognize that the bureaucracy cannot grow forever. This is an issue that the minister, in his capacity as the Chairman of the Financial Management Board, needs to review.
It is also important to note that almost one-third of the government’s total spending is on compensation and benefits for its own workforce.
Every dollar that is added to pay new government employees is a dollar less that is available for such things as financial assistance for students to attend university or new capital infrastructure in our communities.
The standing committee supports efforts to strengthen the working relationship between the Department of Finance and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police with respect to information-sharing initiatives that are intended to combat the illegal sale of alcohol by bootleggers.
The standing committee recognizes that on December 8 of last year, the minister announced that a task force to review the Liquor Act will be established.
The standing committee looks forward to ongoing updates on the status of the task force’s work.
The standing committee notes that the issue of allocating revenues that are received by the government from fines imposed under the Liquor Act to alcohol education and treatment programs remains worthy of consideration.
This praiseworthy idea was raised by the minister himself during the previous Legislative Assembly.
On November 25, 2009, the Minister of Finance tabled the government-wide annual reports on grants and contributions made by all departments during the 2007-08 and 2008-09 fiscal years.
The standing committee applauds the minister for tabling these important reports and looks forward to future years’ reports being tabled in a timely manner.
Between the 2004-05 and 2008-09 fiscal years, the government spent over $1.2 billion in grants and contributions.
The standing committee recommends that the minister, in his capacity as the Chairperson of the Financial Management Board, consider the establishment of a government-wide framework for measuring and evaluating the results of the government’s grants and contributions expenditures.
According to the Government of Nunavut’s Energy Strategy, Ikummatiit, which was tabled in the Legislative Assembly on October 30, 2007, this fund is to be managed by the Department of Finance. However, the department’s 2010-13 business plan does not make any reference to the Affordable Energy Fund.
However, the Department of Finance’s 2010-13 business plan does not make any reference to the GN’s new P3 Policy.
The standing committee recommends that next year’s departmental business plan clarify the government’s plans with respect to its P3 Policy.
In the same month, the Legislative Assembly approved $4.0 million to establish the Nunavut Outfitter Liability Protection Fund, which has been established as a revolving fund to provide assistance to outfitters who are subject to third party liability [claims.] $1.0 million of the funding was provided from the GN and $3.0 million came from the Government of Canada’s Community Development Trust.
On June 15, 2009, the minister tabled the first annual report under this legislation.
The standing committee encourages the departments of Finance and Economic Development and Transportation to work closely together in evaluating the success of this program.
The government estimates that it will raise approximately $17 million in 2010-11 from the payroll tax.
The government estimates that it will raise approximately $11.9 million in 2010-11 from tobacco taxes. Nunavut’s tobacco taxes are among the highest in the country.
The GN’s Fuel Tax Rebate Program was originally announced in the 2006 budget. It provides incentives for mineral exploration and development, and provides for a fuel tax rebate for commercial harvesters and outfitters.
On June 15, 2009, the minister tabled the most recent annual report on the administration of the program.
The standing committee looks forward to next annual report being tabled in a timely manner.
Mr. Chairman, the department’s proposed business plan indicates that one of its priorities for 2011-12 is to “Improve forecasting and budgeting.
A review of the existing Main Estimates and Capital Estimates process will focus on ensuring funding approved for Capital captures the associated O&M costs.
Consideration will also be given to consolidation of the Main Estimates and Capital Estimates.”
The standing committee urges the minister to clarify whether he intends to introduce the government’s annual main estimates and capital estimates at the same time during the annual budget cycle.
As a number of Members of the House will recall, the practice of introducing the annual capital estimates in the fall of each calendar year was undertaken in order to address concerns related to such matters as sealift deadlines.
Mr. Chairman, that concludes my opening comments on the 2010-11 Main Estimates and Business Plan of the Department of Finance. (interpretation) Thank you.
I would now like to ask the Sergeant-at-Arms to escort the witnesses.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Ningeongan. There is a motion on the floor. Mr. Shewchuk is the seconder.
Going to Item 22. Third Reading of Bills.
Item 23. Orders of the Day. (interpretation ends) Mr. Clerk.
A reminder to all members, there is a meeting of the Full Caucus tomorrow morning at ten o’clock in the Nanuq Room.
Orders of the Day for March 17:
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. This House stands adjourned until Wednesday, March 17, at 1:30 p.m.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Pages 1601 – 1666
Opening Prayer 1601
Ministers’ Statements 1601
Members’ Statements 1604
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 1608
Reports of Standing and Special Committees 1623
Tabling of Documents 1631
Notices of Motions 1632
First Reading of Bills 1633
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 1634
Report of the Committee of the Whole 1665
Orders of the Day 1666
Wednesday, March 17, 2010 1601
123 – 3(2): Nunavut Broadband Development Corporation (Taptuna) 1601
124 – 3(2): Centennial Scholarship Recipients (Tapardjuk) 1602
125 – 3(2): National Social Work Month (Curley) 1602
126 – 3(2): Environmental Award of Merit from the Consulting Engineer of Alberta (Tootoo) 1603
185 – 3(2): Improving Communications Services in Nunavut (Rumbolt) 1604
186 – 3(2): Paying Tribute to Jamesie Mike (Komoartok) 1605
187 – 3(2): Pangaggujjiniq 2010 Pond Inlet to Clyde River (Arvaluk) 1606
188 – 3(2): Letters from Rankin Inlet Youth (Curley) 1606
189 – 3(2): More Letters from Rankin Inlet Youth (Kusugak) 1607
297 – 3(2): Safety Issue with Telehandlers (Schell) 1608
298 – 3(2): Purchase of More Telehandlers (Okalik) 1610
299 – 3(2): Doing Business with the Government of Nunavut (Aupaluktuq) 1612
300 – 3(2): Decentralized Positions in Pangnirtung (Komoartok) 1614
301 – 3(2): Length of Booms on New Telehandlers (Schell) 1615
302 – 3(2): Confidence of Advice from Staff (Okalik) 1617
303 – 3(2): Mould and Asbestos Awareness (Okalik) 1620
304 – 3(2): Air Quality at the Cape Dorset Health Centre (Schell) 1621
003 – 3(2): Report on the Review of the 2009 Reports of the Auditor General of Canada to the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut on the Financial Management Practices of the Department of Health and Social Services and the Follow-up on the 2005 Report to the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut on the Financial Management Practices of the Government of Nunavut (Arvaluk) 1623
136 – 3(2): Canadian Cooperatives Association’s News Release Titled “United Nations General Assembly Proclaimed 2012 the International Year of the Cooperatives (Ningark) 1631
137 – 3(2): Nunavut Impact Review Board’s Public Notice for the Public Participation in the Environmental Review of the Kiggavik Uranium Mine Project (Aupaluktuq) 1632
138 – 3(2): Transportation of Dangerous Goods Annual Report 2008-2009 (Taptuna) 1632
017 – 3(2): Comprehensive Performance Audit of the Qulliq Energy Corporation – Notice (Okalik) 1632
Bill 15 – Legal Treatment of Apologies Act – First Reading 1633
Bill 16 – An Act to Amend the Judicature Act – First Reading 1633
Bill 17 – Justice Statutes Amendment Act – First Reading 1633
Bill 20 – An Act to Amend Certain Acts Related to the Education Act – First Reading 1633
Bill 25 – Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2010 – First Reading 1634
Bill 26 – Securities Transfer Act – First Reading 1634
Bill 27 – An Act to Amend the Workers’ Compensation Act – First Reading 1634
Bill 22 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2010-2011 – Finance – Consideration in Committee 1635
Bill 22 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2010-2011 – Economic Development and Transportation – Consideration in Committee 1651
I would like to ask Mr. Shewchuk to say the opening prayer.
Good afternoon, Premier, Ministers, Members of the Legislative Assembly, and all Nunavummiut.
Minister’s Statement 123 – 3(2): Nunavut Broadband Development Corporation (Taptuna)
I rise to recognize in this House the accomplishments of the Nunavut Broadband Development Corporation and of its two founding staff members, David E. Smith and Lorraine Thomas.
As members are aware, on May 26, 2005, the Qiniq network was officially launched, which brought broadband Internet connections to every community in Nunavut.
The launch was the result of more than three years of hard work by many different people, but I would like to take this time to point out specifically two individuals who were instrumental in getting Nunavut Broadband Development to where it is today, Dave Smith and Lorraine Thomas.
In 2003, Dave and Lorraine created the five-year business plan for Internet services in Nunavut that won the financial support of the federal government’s “Infrastructures Phase 1” program.
Their plan focused on private sector delivery with strong local involvement. Today, every Nunavut community has a trained community service provider.
There are 21 community service provider companies in Nunavut, 18 of which are Inuit owned.
In 2008, Dave Smith and Lorraine Thomas worked tirelessly to ensure that a second business plan for broadband in Nunavut was prepared and funded.
As members are aware, last year Infrastructure Canada and the Nunavut Broadband Development Corporation signed a five-year contribution agreement which will result in an investment by the federal government and industry of up to $43 million to support our community broadband networks.
Mr. Speaker, on March 18, 2010, the Nunavut Broadband Development Corporation formally launched its new and improved broadband services for Nunavut.
At the same time, the corporation acknowledged the contribution made by David E. Smith and Lorraine Thomas, both of whom have stepped down from their positions as president and managing director respectively.
Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Government of Nunavut, I want to express my gratitude and admiration to Dave and Lorraine for the contribution they have made to Nunavut.
Their work leaves a legacy in Nunavut that will support development in our communities for generations to come. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Minister’s Statement 124 – 3(2): Centennial Scholarship Recipients (Tapardjuk)
I rise today to congratulate 18 Nunavummiut who have been awarded the Alberta Centennial Scholarship for high academic achievement in trades training.
These individuals received marks of 80 percent or higher in their programs during the 2008-09 training year.
Our scholarship recipients come from Iqaluit, Pond Inlet, Arviat, Baker Lake, Whale Cove, Coral Harbour, Cambridge Bay, and Sanikiluaq.
I am excited to report that 25 out of our 26 communities have at least one registered apprentice and that trades training experiences good representation from all across the territory.
Mr. Speaker, unfortunately, this is the last year of the Alberta Centennial Scholarship program and will not be available to apprentices again.
However, I am so pleased that such a high number of Nunavut’s apprentices were successful during this last year and were able to take advantage of this initiative.
The profound importance of skilled trades and producing capable apprentices and journeypersons is crucial to Tamapta’s commitment to improve education and training outcomes and to support community-based, sustainable economies.
Please join me in congratulating the efforts of our apprentices and in wishing them continued success and achievement.
Minister’s Statement 125 – 3(2): National Social Work Month (Curley)
This month is National Social Work Month.
It is a time to acknowledge the importance of social workers in Nunavut and recognize the significant difference that they make in the lives of so many Nunavutmiut.
Mr. Speaker, as set out in Tamapta, two of the government’s areas of focus are children and families and those at risk.
Our social workers are engaged with the most at-risk people in Nunavut.
Our social workers have the compassion and decision-making skills to help improve the well-being of those in need.
Mr. Speaker, our children are the future of Nunavut and working with families to ensure that our children grow up in healthy home environments is a big responsibility.
However, social workers can’t do it alone – it will take strong families, communities, and individuals working hand in hand with our social workers and other partners to ensure a healthy place for our children to thrive.
Mr. Speaker, social work can sometimes be a dangerous job and at times, our staff put their own safety at risk.
Despite these dangers, they are devoted to providing a voice for our most vulnerable and marginalized people.
Daily, our social workers are responding not only to individuals but to the larger social issues, such as poverty, domestic violence, homelessness, and health care through basic human rights.
Social work positions are often challenging to fill and once hired, challenging to retain.
We currently have 46 social worker positions in Nunavut, 44 of which are filled and 12 of these are Inuit. Through programming at Nunavut Arctic College, this number continues to grow.
Mr. Speaker, I ask the members to take this opportunity to publicly acknowledge and applaud the achievements of our social workers. Their frontline contribution to the lives and social well-being of Nunavutmiut is admirable and commendable.
Minister’s Statement 126 – 3(2): Environmental Award of Merit from the Consulting Engineer of Alberta (Tootoo)
Hon. members, I rise today to inform the House about the showcase award presented by the Consulting Engineers of Alberta to Qulliq Energy Corporation and EBA Engineering Consultants for environmental remediation work conducted in Baker Lake.
Mr. Speaker, QEC’s environmental department, in partnership with EBA Engineering Consultants and with the involvement of the Hamlet of Baker Lake, has been executing soil and groundwater remediation over the past few years on lands affected by numerous inherited fuel spills.
The groundwater remediation process, through the use of a device called a Waterloo Emitter, was able to protect the hamlet’s drinking water supply from multiple historic hydrocarbon spills.
The soil remediation, completed through field trials of a process called chemical oxidization, was able to successfully remove hydrocarbons from the test soil over a period of time.
Mr. Speaker, this innovative remediation process in Baker Lake was able to identify for the first time two new technologies that can be effectively used in the remediation of hydrocarbons within the Arctic.
The project has also been entered into competition for a similar award at a national level with the Association of Consulting Engineers Canada. This award is to be announced in the near future.
The presentation of the showcase awards was held on February 5 in Calgary and an accompanying article will be published in the spring 2010 edition of the “Alberta Innovators,” which is the magazine for the Consulting Engineers of Alberta.
Mr. Speaker, this is another example of how Qulliq Energy is working to improve their environmental footprint in Nunavut while also showcasing our innovations and achievements across the nation.
Member’s Statement 185 – 3(2): Improving Communications Services in Nunavut (Rumbolt)
I rise today to encourage this government to provide more support for alternative communications services within our communities.
Mr. Speaker, search and rescue efforts require a significant level of funding and resources. Last year alone, 12 search and rescues involving aircraft were conducted throughout Nunavut.
The cost of just one of these searches is enormous and it is ultimately paid for by all of us, the taxpayers of Canada.
Mr. Speaker, we have heard from the Minister of CGS that the cost for search and rescues for his department alone has reached approximately $225,000 and this does not include the thousands of volunteer person hours that have accumulated as Nunavut residents do their part to help.
Mr. Speaker, I applaud the government’s investment in SPOT devices. However, I believe that more could be done to address this issue.
Mr. Speaker, Internet services are now available in all of Nunavut’s communities. I believe that the technology is available for cell phone services to be delivered in all of our communities as well.
Mr. Speaker, providing this additional means of long-distance communication could go a long way towards reducing the need for search and rescues.
By supporting and investing in local communications, our government could play a proactive role in reducing search and rescue costs.
Mr. Speaker, I am aware that some communities are looking into funding partnerships to get cell phone services up and running.
This kind of initiative would have a lot more success if our government would actively provide assistance and support for development in this area.
I encourage this government to look into this issue and to give real consideration to providing support to communities that wish to have a local cell phone service established.
At the very least, it could reduce the cost of search and rescue efforts but at the very most, it would enable everybody to travel more safely and prevent the need for search and rescues in the first place.
Member’s Statement 186 – 3(2): Paying Tribute to Jamesie Mike (Komoartok)
Before I begin, I would like to say “good day” to my community and wish a very happy birthday to Jonah Kilabuk, Meeka Kilabuk, and Kim Dialla. I wish them the best today.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to one of my constituents in Pangnirtung, Jamesie Mike.
Jamesie is a respected elder in my community.
Since the 1970s, he has been volunteering his services as a radio messenger, monitoring high frequency and citizens’ band radios for residents who are out on the land.
Before operating out of his home, Jamesie Mike was an HTO member in charge of short wave radio communications since the 1970s, where he now monitors CB and HF radios.
When he started this work, Jamesie Mike noticed that when people out on the land try to communicate with people in the community, their calls would often go unanswered.
That is when he decided that he would answer all calls from people out on the land.
He has been volunteering ever since.
Today, he buys his own communication equipment, such as HF and CB radios.
He has set up a radio operating centre in his home so that he can relay information between people in the community and people out on the land.
Jamesie Mike has a lot of experience travelling out on the land and is very knowledgeable about the surrounding area, so he is able to pass on valuable knowledge to our younger generations.
My time has run out, so I would like to ask for unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
Mr. Komoartok is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement.
Mr. Komoartok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, my colleagues.
As I was saying, Jamesie Mike has great knowledge of the land around Pangnirtung. He provides directions through two-way radio when people ask for assistance.
He also has a little CB radio that he got as a gift from one of his grandchildren and he feels more in touch with the community since he has to stay at home now.
On behalf of the people of Pangnirtung, I would like to take this opportunity to show my appreciation for his volunteer efforts over the last 30 years.
I ask all members to join me in applauding the dedication and work of Jamesie Mike and wish him all the best in the future.
Member’s Statement 187 – 3(2): Pangaggujjiniq 2010 Pond Inlet to Clyde River (Arvaluk)
I am very pleased to take this opportunity to announce that on April 19, a dog team race is planned to start off in Pond Inlet and finish in Clyde River.
I am very pleased to say that the mushers are ready and that the people of Clyde River are also ready to receive them as they come in at the end of the race.
The main point I want to make is that while this event is a joyous occasion, it’s also where young Inuit can gain experience as trailblazers on snowmobiles who carry supplies and dog food and meet the dog teams at each of the checkpoints. Dog teams from Repulse Bay, Igloolik, Hall Beach, Pond Inlet, and Arctic Bay all participate in the race. On occasion, we have had mushers from as far away as Iqaluit.
This is not just a celebration of our culture but also a learning experience.
This race allows young Inuit to experience something different from their day-to-day lives and they are happier and better for it. This race reminds them of their Inuit culture.
It gives them the opportunity to maintain and care for the dogs, to help with the supplies, and to clean up after the teams have left their checkpoint.
I’ve had the good fortune to participate in these dog team races twice.
I have been very impressed by the cleanliness and care of the young people to pick up garbage, no matter how small, at each campsite. They made sure that everything was perfectly pristine before they left. As you follow the trail, you will not see one bit of garbage at the campsite.
I am very pleased about this event and I would like to extend an open invitation to the Members of the Legislative Assembly to participate in the dancing and feasting to celebrate its successful conclusion.
Member’s Statement 188 – 3(2): Letters from Rankin Inlet Youth (Curley)
I rise today to make a statement about a package of letters that I and Mr. Kusugak received recently. The letters were written by students of the high school in Rankin Inlet.
I would like to share some of excerpts in Inuktitut, three in particular. The young people out there are listening to what happens here and would like to be heard by the Members of the Legislative Assembly.
A 16-year-old said that a drop-in centre is needed in Rankin Inlet where the youth can watch TV, do their work on a computer, and also have space to talk to someone about their feelings.
If we had a drop-in centre here, it would keep young people out of trouble and away from drugs and alcohol.
A 17-year-old also said, Mr. Speaker, that we need a larger arena, a larger community hall, and a larger swimming pool so that more children can have the opportunity to swim.
They also need a drop-in centre with a pool table and computers.