EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
I recall the past two delays, two years ago, were due to the Arctic College year end not matching up with our year end. Last year, the delay was due to translations of the documents.
Can the minister give us an indication, today, of what he thinks is the major problem will be that causes a delay in producing the 2004-05 Public Accounts?
Due to the accounting staff that are working on them, and they have to be translated again. Those are the same reasons that were stated earlier.
I thank the minister for that answer. The Auditor General indicated, and told us many times in our Standing Committee, and told us in her report that the Public Accounts are very important.
Even the federal government tables theirs on time, and when a government doesn’t table its Public Accounts on time, it doesn’t help build our credibility and reputation around the country.
Mr. Speaker, we have been making these recommendations for several years to improve the Public Accounts process.
There is really no improvement. I would like to know if the minister can tell us today who is in charge; and who has been in charge of implementing the proposed initiatives that he outlined in his Minister’s Statement today?
The deputy minister is the person that I will be working closely with to resolve those delays that we have. I will be working with the deputy minister.
Mr. Peterson: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the minister for his response.
The top initiative that the minister stated is underway is the recruitment of qualified staff that are required to fill vacancies.
Can the minister tell us today how many vacancies that we have today in the Department of Finance?
I’m not exactly sure of how many vacant positions there are, but I could find out and let the member know.
Question 127 – 2(3): Federal Funding for Childcare Programs (Barnabas)
Mr. Speaker, just recently, after the new government was elected, we now have the Progressive Conservatives as the new government. (interpretation ends) With the change of the government in Ottawa, how will this affect our childcare plans?
First of all, let me say that change in the government in Ottawa was not well welcomed by some people and welcomed by others.
Communication with Ottawa seems to have picked up in the last week. I know that the Premier has had a conversation with Mr. Prentice, who is the DIAND Minister.
Mr. Speaker, in regard to the Daycare Program, Mr. Dryden, as the members know, before Christmas, this House passed a motion supporting the Premier in Kelowna for negotiations on the daycare funding arrangement.
It would seem that the new Conservative Government is moving very quickly to tear up that agreement that was signed off with the ten provinces. The three territories were not signatories to that agreement.
Mr. Speaker, we would move forward in accessing money that was put in place in a trust fund that we could draw down on. That’s the direction that we would move in as a government.
What is the minister going to be doing about the agreements when the PC Government is tearing up that agreement?
I think, from the Nunavut perspective, we try very hard, and the other two territories and I had a conference call last week with Minister Dent and the minister from the Yukon on the three territories’ position on the daycare programming dollars that were available.
The federal government that is coming in, the new government, they have the right to decide what program and services to run as a new government. In our case, when we look at the funding dollars that were available, we still, under Mr. Dryden’s leadership, wanted to have the per capita funding, which was based on population, and then a base on top of that.
Mr. Harper’s proposal of $1,200 annually for families is a nice step, where you actually put money in the pockets of parents, but when you look at the amount of money that will come to Nunavut based on our cost of living and so on, it isn’t very much.
I think it is safe to say that we would prefer the other arrangement based solely on the amount of money that would be transferred.
Mr. Barnabas (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and also to the minister.
It seems very likely that the PCs are going to be deleting some of the programs that were available before. It looks like the daycare funds will be a part of that. Are there going to be other funds coming in from the federal government?
Speaker (interpretation): Mr. Picco.  Hon. Ed. Picco: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Some of the new Cabinet Ministers that have been elected into the new government, Mr. Baird, Mr. Tony Clement, who I know very well, some of the other members that I have worked with as a territorial and as a provincial politician at that level, are in the federal cabinet.
Last week, I wrote to several of the different ministers, including the Minister of Defence, on some of the local issues here in our community.
Mr. Speaker, we have open communications with the new government. They are in place. We will try to work with them as a government.
As I said earlier, the Premier has been in contact with the senior levels of the federal government, including a recent phone call with Mr. Prentice.
Mr. Speaker, we’re in the process, myself, as minister, to invite Mr. Prentice and some of the other ministers, including Ms. Findlay, who is in charge of the daycare file, to Nunavut.
The programs themselves; the homeless money, for example, is a big issue for us. We want to make sure that the homeless money is forthcoming under the SCPI Fund, and that’s another program that, right now, is still up in the air.
So the member is correct in that some of the programs may be cut by the federal government, but again, we have no control over that. What we need to do is bring forward the advocacy on behalf of Nunavummiut to the programs that are of interest to us.
Return to Written Questions 001 – 2(3), 002 – 2(3), 004 – 2(3), 005 – 2(3), 006 – 2(3), 007 – 2(3), 008 – 2(3), and 009 – 2(3) (Clerk)
I wish to table a response to Written Questions 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9, that the members asked at the November 2005 sitting.
Further Mr. Speaker; these responses will be part of the Hansard as an appendix.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Returns to Written Questions.
Tabled Document 068 – 2(3): Statutory Requirements for Tabling of Reports and Other Documents in the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut February 2006 (Speaker)
Today I wish to the table the Statutory Requirements for Tabling of Documents in the Legislative Assembly. This list is regularly updated by the Legislative Assembly and tracks the status of legally required tabling requirements for government annual reports, financial statements, and other documents.
The current version of this document indicates what documents have been tabled as of February 21, 2006.
Tabled Document 069 – 2(3): 2003-04 Public Accounts of Nunavut (Simailak)
Tabled Document 070 – 2(3): 2004-05 Interim Financial Report (Simailak)
I wish to table the following documents: 2003-04 Public Accounts of Nunavut and the 2004-05 Interim Financial Report.
Tabled Document 071 – 2(3): Response to Petition 01 – 2(3): GN Staff Housing Policy (Clerk)
I wish to table a response to Petition 001 – 2(3) on GN Staff Housing filed by the Nunavut Housing Corporation.
Tabled Document 072 – 2(3): 2005 Report of the Auditor General of Canada to the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut (Speaker)
I wish to table, today, the 2005 Report of the Auditor General of Canada to the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut.
A reminder; tomorrow morning a meeting of the regular caucus in the Tuktu Boardroom.
Orders of the Day for February 22:
Speaker (interpretation): The meeting is adjourned for today and will reconvene February 22, 2006 at 1:30 in the afternoon.
>>House adjourned at 15:42
Minister of Economic Development and Transportation; Minister of Environment; Minister Responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation; Minister Responsible for the Workers' Compensation Board
Regular Members’ Caucus
Chair, Full Caucus; Regular Members’ Caucus
Striking Committee; Management and Services Board; Regular Members’ Caucus
Peter Kilabuk
Co-Chair, Full Caucus;  Regular Members’ Caucus
Striking Committee;  Management and Services Board; Regular Members’ Caucus;
Striking Committee;  Management and Services Board; Regular Members’ Caucus
Government House Leader; Minister of Education; Minister of Energy; Minister Responsible for Multiculturalism, Homelessness and Immigration
Deputy Speaker; Regular Members’ Caucus  Nunavut Canada
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Pages 840 – 884
Opening Prayer 840
Budget Address 840
Members’ Statements 851
Returns to Oral Questions 858
Oral Questions 862
Notices of Motions for First Reading of Bills 882
First Reading of Bills 882
Second Reading of Bills 883
Orders of the Day 883
Wednesday, February 22, 2006 840
108 – 2(3): Sixth Annual Kitikmeot Trade Show (Peterson) 851
109 – 2(3): Fishing Industry in Pangnirtung (Kilabuk) 852
110 – 2(3): Two Snakes Kept in School in Coral Harbour (Netser) 853
111 – 2(3): Opening of Tahiuktit Society in Kugluktuk (Evyagotailak) 854
112 – 2(3): APTN Refusal to Televise Proceedings in the House (Tootoo) 855
113 – 2(3): Complaints about APTN (Tapardjuk) 856
114 – 2(3): Thank Mother for Kamiks (Simailak) 856
115 – 2(3): Congratulate Mr. Harper (Arreak) 856
116 – 2(3): Senior Support Programs (Curley) 857
117 – 2(3): Firearms Certificate Application Forms (Barnabas) 858
Return to Oral Question 121 – 2(3): Placement of International Nurses (Aglukkaq) 858
128 – 2(3): Public Government that Serves All of the Nunavut Territory (Kilabuk) 862
129 – 2(3): Senior Fuel Subsidy Program (Curley) 863
130 – 2(3): Management of Medical Travel (Barnabas) 865
131 – 2(3): Wait Time Benchmarks (Peterson) 867
132 – 2(3): Status of the Nursing Recruitment Program (Netser) 869
133 – 2(3): Baffin Regional Hospital Accreditation Report (Tootoo) 871
134 – 2(3): Medical Transportation Office in Pangnirtung (Arreak) 874
135 – 2(3): Community Hall in Sanikiluaq (Kattuk) 876
136 – 2(3): Firearms Certificate Application Forms (Barnabas) 878
137 – 2(3): Update on Chesterfield Inlet Safe Harbour (Netser) 879
138 – 2(3): Detail of Budget Address Kept Confidential (Tootoo) 880
008 – 2(3): Early Adjournment (Tootoo) 883
Bill 12 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2006-07 – Notice 882
Bill 12 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2006-07 – First Reading 883
Bill 12 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2006-07 – Second Reading 883
Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Honourable Olayuk Akesuk, Mr. David Alagalak, Mr. James Arreak, Mr. Levi Barnabas, Honourable Levinia Brown, Mr. Tagak Curley, Mr. Joe Allan Evyagotailak, Mr. Peter Kattuk, Mr. Peter Kilabuk, Mr. Steve Mapsalak, Mr. Patterk Netser, Honourable Jobie Nutarak, Honourable Paul Okalik, Mr. Keith Peterson, Honourable Edward Picco, Honourable David Simailak, Honourable Louis Tapardjuk, Mr. Hunter Tootoo.
Speaker (interpretation): Good afternoon, Premier, Ministers, and Members of the Legislative Assembly.
Minister of Finance, Mr. Simailak.
It’s my honour and privilege to rise today to present the 2006-07 Budget for the Government of Nunavut.
(interpretation ends) If there’s one word that I could use to describe this year’s budget, it is hope; hope that significant economic growth will bring jobs and opportunities to Nunavummiut; hope that with the right investments, we can create a better future for the people of Nunavut; and hope that we can achieve all of our visions for the future of our territory and for Nunavummiut.
Mr. Speaker, Budget 2006 is designed to turn those hopes into reality, to capitalize on the opportunities ahead and to set up all of the agenda for Nunavut’s future. Specifically, Budget 2006 promotes economic growth and positions Nunavut for investment, jobs, and opportunities. It invests in people, in helping communities, making sure Nunavummiut can participate fully in the potential that lies ahead for our territory.
It protects our culture and our precious environment.
It strengthens our commitment to sound financial management and responsible government. And it calls on the new federal government to take immediate action to address outstanding issues relating to territorial formula financing, devolution, and new arrangements for sharing revenues from Nunavut’s resources.
Mr. Speaker, like all northerners, I listened carefully to Prime Minister Harper’s comments on the eve of his election. He spoke directly about the potential in the North, that it is his commitment to help us achieve our dreams.
That’s a sign of hope for all of us in Nunavut and for people across Canada’s North.
Along with Premier Okalik, Members of this Legislative Assembly, and Nunavummiut in communities across our territory, I am pleased to add my congratulations to Prime Minister Harper and his new government.
And now I call on him and key members of his cabinet to begin immediately to follow through on his commitment to work with us and to help us achieve our dreams.
Under Premier Okalik’s leadership, we are determined to do our part to capitalize on the opportunities ahead. We are determined to meet the goals and priorities of Pinasuaqtavut, fulfill the hopes and dreams of Nunavummiut, and position our territory for success in the future. And we are determined to pursue our goal of building a strong and self-reliant territory.
Work on fulfilling those dreams, on fulfilling our hopes for the future, moves forward with the Budget 2006.
Mr. Speaker, Budget 2006 confirms our commitment to fiscal responsibility and to investing our resources in critical areas that will create the best long-term benefits for people across our territory.
For Budget 2006, we will:
spend $873 million on delivering essential programs and services for Nunavummiut, an increase of 3.4 percent over 2005-06;
we will invest $103.5 million in key capital projects; and
we expect to take in just over a billion dollars in total revenues, an increase of only 2.5 percent.
As a result, Budget 2006 forecasts an operating deficit of $7.6 million for 2006-07.
Mr. Speaker, Nunavut faces a number of significant challenges. Addressing those challenges, but at the same time maintaining our commitment to fiscal responsibility, is a difficult balance.
Tough choices have to be made.
As it stands today, close to 82 percent of our revenues come from the federal government through territorial formula financing.
As members of this Assembly understand only too well, in spite of the pressing and growing needs in Nunavut, the federal government imposed an arbitrary fixed limit of 3.5 percent growth in our funding.
As a result we simply cannot afford to spend more without running an even greater deficit and putting our financial and economic future at risk.
That is a risk we simply cannot afford to take.
Budget 2006 reflects the need to make wise choices - choices that will promote economic development, increase our investment in people, in healthy communities, and in essential infrastructure.
As well, it reflects an investment that will preserve our culture, and position our territory for the future.
Our commitment to fiscal responsibility also extends to the operation of our government. Nunavummiut expect our government to be efficient.
They expect us manage programs effectively, to be open and accountable, and to make the best use of our available resources.
As a government we are determined to meet those expectations.
This year we will follow through on a series of initiatives designed to modernize our management practices, strengthen the Financial Administration Act, and better define responsibilities and accountability for ministers and senior public servants.
We will also improve the governance and transparency of crown corporations, and ensure that the essential information about the work of our government and the Legislative Assembly is available on a timely basis.
Maintaining a strong commitment to fiscal responsibility is the first step for an independent and sustainable future, but in order to capitalize on the opportunities ahead, our government needs to do its part to create a competitive business environment and to encourage investment in our territory.
For too long, Nunavut’s economy has been driven primarily by government spending. We see the impact of that in this year’s budget.
Unless we take steps to reduce our dependence on government spending, we will forever be in the position where our future is in the hands of the federal government and not our own.
That is not the kind of future that we want for our territory, and for future generations of Nunavummiut.
Nunavut’s future lies in a more diversified economy, in developing long-term security and in creating a positive environment where business and industry see Nunavut as a good place to invest and do business.
For that reason, our government will launch several important initiatives this year.
First, our government will take critical steps to ensure a competitive tax environment and to promote economic development in Nunavut.
I am pleased to announce today that effective April 1, 2006 our government will establish a new Off Road Fuel Tax Rebate Program for the tourism, hunting and outfitting, fishing, and mining sectors.
The Off Road Fuel Tax Rebate will directly benefit our hunters and trappers. Small, seasonal fishermen and hunters will be able to see a direct impact to their bottom line.
This initiative is essential to ensure that companies active in the exploration and development business see Nunavut as a sound business choice.
We know that many parts of Canada are rich in both renewable and non-renewable natural resources.
Without a competitive tax environment and a rebate program like this, exploration and development companies can, and will, choose other places to invest.
We cannot and we will not let that happen.
We are determined to be competitive.
We are determined to capitalize on the opportunities for economic growth for key sectors in our economy; not only exploration and development, but tourism, hunting and outfitting, fishing and mining.
We’re determined to support economic growth that will benefit communities all across the territory.
Mr. Speaker, the Fuel Tax Rebate is positive news for key sectors of our economy, but the good news doesn’t extend just to business and industry.
Our government understands that high-energy costs affect not only business, and the potential for investment and growth in our economy. They also affect individual Nunavummiut.
One of the key ways of keeping our economy moving in the right direction and making sure we can attract and keep people in key jobs and professions is to leave more money in the pockets of Nunavummiut.
That is why I am pleased to announce today that the Nunavut Electricity Subsidy Program will be continued.
This program offsets the cost of electricity for consumers and operators of small businesses. It is a visible sign of our commitment to ensure that affordable electricity is available to all Nunavummiut.
On top of that Mr. Speaker, Budget 2006 contains no increases in our current taxes.
Taken together these measures not only bring Nunavummiut in line with many other jurisdictions in Canada; they help solidify our position as one of the most progressive taxation regimes in the country.
The second step, Mr. Speaker, is to remove obstacles to business growth.
That is an important strategic priority in the Nunavut Economic Development Strategy, and also Pinasuaqtavut and key steps will be taken this year to follow through on that commitment.
Consistent with the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit principal of Qaniqtuurnut, our government will work with the business community, with Inuit organizations, and our stakeholders to continually seek new ways to thrive.
That includes identifying and removing barriers to business, removing unnecessary regulations, and enhancing business development programs.
Further Mr. Speaker, our government must take steps to capitalize on the enormous potential for mining in Nunavut.
Mining and exploration hold tremendous potential and are vitally important to Nunavut’s economic future, given it’s an all time high for mineral exploration.
Earlier this year we saw the opening of Nunavut’s first diamond mine, owned by the Tahera Corporation. Just a few short weeks ago the Jericho Diamond Mine began official production of Nunavut diamonds.
On top of that, I look forward to the day when other potential mining projects, like Hope Bay, Meadowbank, and High Lake can begin operation.
To support increased mining activity the Department of Economic Development and Transportation will complete the development of a Nunavut Mineral and Mining Strategy.
This new strategy will not only help build a strong and sustainable mining industry, but also ensure that our environment is protected.
Fourth, as part of the Northern Strategy, we are committed to opening up economic development opportunities in smaller, non-decentralized communities. This year, we will invest $5 million from the Northern Strategy Trust Fund to develop and expand our economy, particularly in smaller communities.
Our $4 million investment in the Strategic Investments Program will be maintained, allowing us to continue partnerships with federal funding programs, particularly the strategic investments in the Northern Economic Development Program.
In addition, $200, 000 will also be provided this year to the Nunavut Regional Chambers of Commerce to promote business opportunities throughout the territory.
Fifth, Mr. Speaker, we will continue to move ahead on important initiatives to strengthen key sectors of our economy. Our goal is to build a strong and sustainable economy, reflecting not only our natural strengths and traditions as a society; but also preserving our environment for future generations.
We share the increasing concerns about the impact of global warming on the arctic and will continue to take steps to address these issues in the longer term.
Led by Minister Akesuk, the Department of the Environment will continue to implement the Nunavut Fisheries Strategy, build a sustainable fishery, and take full advantage of the opportunities for a significant expansion of our offshore shrimp and turbot fisheries.
We will also promote tourism in Nunavut and launch a review of the Travel and Tourism Act.
The Department of Economic Development and Transportation will proceed with the implementation of the Nunavut Arts and Crafts Strategy designed to improve access to materials and markets, expand education and training, and develop a Nunavut brand.
Make no mistake, Mr. Speaker, this government will do its part to promote economic development and secure a stronger economic future for our territory.
But just as important, Budget 2006 invests in Nunavummiut to make sure future generations can benefit fully from the opportunities ahead.
That investment begins with our children. A good education is the greatest gift we can offer the young people of today.
Not only do our children carry with them their own hopes and dreams, but the very future of Nunavut is in their hands.
We owe it to our children to ensure that they have the education, the skills, and the abilities to prepare them for whatever their futures and the future of our territory might hold.
Mr. Speaker, I am proud to announce that this year’s budget marks our largest ever investment in educating our people.
Funding for the Department of Education will increase to over $204 million this year.
That money will allow us to enhance programs for our youngest children through early learning and childcare programs.
We will proceed with the new strategy for teacher education.
New graduation options will provide more flexibility for students, especially those looking to careers in the trades.
We will investigate the development of more programs offered through distance education.
We will launch a review of our student financial assistance legislation. And we will move ahead with recommendations in the Adult Learning Strategy, particularly community-based initiatives and the development of a comprehensive literacy framework to meet the needs of Nunavummiut.