EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
On page 13, under Priorities (2016-17), a question was asked earlier about the elder programs run by the government. They were talking that they want elders to be handled by one department, perhaps to have a (interpretation ends) minister responsible for seniors. (interpretation) If that happens, will the other departments start to release their responsibility for elders, such as the Premier, and have that one department deal with elders?
Mr. Chairman, we know that the seniors programs are going to be staying within the departments that they’re designated to. As seniors’ advocate, I’ll be coordinating to ensure that any requests from seniors are taken into account.
As you know, Mr. Chairman, there has been a lot of difficulty in seniors accessing their own programs, as they’re in seven different departments.
With this advocacy position, I’ll be able to coordinate and assist the seniors that are having difficulty in accessing these programs.
As I have indicated before, it’s more or less a coordination of ensuring that seniors that are requesting assistance do get it.
My final question will be just a request for clarification on the priorities for 2016-17 on page 13. Maybe if I read what it states in English.
It states, (interpretation ends) “Conclusion of guidelines for the use of the EIA gift bank.” (interpretation) Perhaps we can get an explanation of what that means.
Mr. Akeeagok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) This bullet is to finalize our guidelines for the EIA gift bank.
The EIA gift bank is equivalent to our protocol.
When we do have visiting dignitaries from foreign and abroad, we do have funds so that we can provide gifts to our visiting dignitaries.
We are finalizing that guideline for that program. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
How much money has been set aside for the gift bank?
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Mr. Premier.
I believe it was in the other note. I would like to bring in a witness to the table here, please.
Sergeant-at-Arms, please escort the official from the table and bring in the other official.
I assume Mr. Hickey has been brought here to answer the question.
Can I give him the question, (interpretation ends) Premier?
Hon. Peter Taptuna: Thank you.
Mr. Hickey: In the next fiscal year, we dedicated $300,000 to protocol. That includes the gift bank, but it also includes any functions that we might have for visiting dignitaries.
Is that money depleted every year?
That will be my final question.
Premier Taptuna
I’ll have Mr. Hickey respond to that.
In past years, it hasn’t been depleted.
This year, however, we dedicated $300,000 for tracking purposes, but in the past, no, we haven’t used all of that money in respect to the gift bank.
We have absorbed it. We just absorbed the surplus that we had into the whole intergovernmental budget.
Following my list of names, Mr. Tom Sammurtok.
Mr. Tom Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) Before I go to my question, I would just like to mention that not only do we have GLOs and MLOs; we also have CLOs.
These are people who represent the Kivalliq Inuit Association in our Kivalliq communities.
That’s just so you know. Thank you.
Your department and NTI have been working on a new protocol since the 2014-15 fiscal year.
What specific issues have prevented a new protocol from being finalized and signed?
Can the committee member point us to the page number?
Mr. Sammurtok, can you indicate what page you are on?
Mr. Tom Sammurtok: I’m sorry, Mr. Chairman.
I had it earlier and then I switched pages here, so if you can just give me a moment.
If I may explain how I came to this question, your 2014-17 business plan indicated that one of its priorities for the 2014-15 fiscal year was to “Renew the protocol with Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated and continue to work on matters of mutual interest to Nunavummiut.”
Your department’s 2015-18 business plan indicated that “A protocol and work plan has been drafted for review by both parties.”
Hence, that is what I based the question on that I asked.
I believe the question is clearer now, Premier Taptuna.
I believe it’s on page 11. I was told that it’s on page 11 of your business plan. (interpretation ends) Premier Taptuna.
Mr. Akeeagok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) The protocol and the work plans have been drafted.
We continue to work under that protocol when issues arise.
We are continuing with that.
One of the things that we are doing, which is still overarching and is as a result of the settlement, there were agreements to make some changes to certain articles, Article 38 being one of them.
Any kind of changes in there would have an effect on the protocol.
We’re incorporating that.
Also, the three parties had agreed, which are the federal government, Nunavut Tunngavik, and the Government of Nunavut, to see if both governments can develop an implementation policy that would assist in this framework.
That is a number of works that we are working towards in lieu of having a signed protocol yet. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I believe everyone heard that if you have your cellphone here, please put it on mute or shut it off completely.
Who was asking questions again?
Thank you for the response. You may have already answered this.
However, for the record, on what specific issues do the GN and NTI currently have disagreements?
Can the committee member clarify that question?
Mr. Sammurtok, please clarify your question.
Mr. Tom Sammurtok: I think my question was pretty clear, but I’ll repeat it again.
On what specific issues do the GN and NTI currently have disagreements on finalizing and signing this protocol?
There are no disagreements.
I’m assuming then that it will now be finalized and signed.
If I can have Deputy Minister Akeeagok respond to that question.
Mr. Akeeagok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) As I mentioned two questions ago, the protocol is still in the works. There are other factors we are incorporating that are sort of overarching this.
There is no disagreement on the protocol itself. It’s the work that’s around it that we’re working very closely with NTI on to finalize this.
I hope that’s clear, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation) Thank you.
My first question is on page 11 of the business plan. It lists the actions that our government will be taking as well as what others will be doing.
The new federal government was recently elected and their position is to focus more on aboriginal issues.
How will we take advantage of this? I don’t see any real plans in place, although the agreements with the federal government are said to be important and properly coordinated. The federal government still hasn’t fully complied with some of these agreements.
What kind of lobbying will be done with the federal government within this plan?
There are many avenues that we are looking at and they are listed on page 10.
Mr. Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) I believe that’s the point.
It’s not in there. The federal government that was elected last fall promised that they would honour agreements with aboriginal people.
We have outstanding issues still with the federal government in terms of gun issues and other matters that relate to the land claims agreement.
How will our government push those matters that were promised by the current government if it’s not on there?
As per our House rules, Article 2(n), I’m not responding to that question.
Mr. Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) That’s rather unfortunate.
(interpretation) Also on reviewing those, the federal government says that it’s very important to deal with mental health. I have said that I will always push the issue of mental health.
Although our government has said that mental health is important, I don’t see any mention if their offices will be used in their plans.
How are you going to lobby the federal government in this regard?
We have many levels of departments in our government. With the Department of Health, through consultations, we will be looking at these.
Unfortunately, that’s one of the things we have to do.
Mr. Okalik, do you still have questions?
Mr. Okalik (interpretation): With the importance attached to the plans that are being drawn up on page 11, I would like the issue of mental health included because of its importance to us.
I would like our Department of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs to include this and start making plans on mental health. We have to lobby hard for it.
We work with the federal government on all different levels.
With the help of the Department of Health, we will certainly be looking at that.
Mr. Chairman, we do have lots of external organizations that we work with when it comes to that.
Mr. Chairman, with the federal government, we will certainly be looking at these things with the new Minister of Health.
(interpretation ends) Go ahead.
With the issue of mental health, the federal government has stated that they wanted to work out a Canada-wide plan. It would be good to participate in that plan, especially since we all have been impacted by mental health issues.
If you can add that to your priority list for the federal government, we would be better heard outside our territory.
That is why I would prefer that this be included in this plan as it is of extreme importance to us. We will continue to lobby for this in the current year as well as in the future. It would add credibility to our position if our own government made that action.
Although I did not hear a question, (interpretation ends) Premier Taptuna.
With our Government of Nunavut departments, we will certainly be looking at these issues. We do have working groups that are already set up out there.
I am one of the committee members who sit on the Council of the Federation on Aging.
We do have the priorities that are set out in the circumpolar council. There many levels of other outside entities that we work with to try to find the best possible solution and the best possible way of helping our people who are in need.
Mr. Okalik, any more questions?
Yes, I will not release this issue anytime soon and I will continue to push for this, especially since the newly elected federal government is trying to renew its relationships with aboriginal peoples. While the opportunity is there, we have to lobby for these initiatives by utilizing our relations with them and in conjunction. That way, if we could insert the issues that benefit Nunavummiut within this plan, then obviously it would help expedite the process so that we can work with our federal counterparts to realize our needs.
If this can be included, then I would be happy with that or some time down the road, if it does not happen now.
I did not hear a question, but I’ll allow you to comment, Premier Taptuna.
We do have a new federal minister.
I have a good working relationship with the Prime Minister.
There are many issues we deal with, such as aboriginal issues, Inuit issues, and medical issues, including mental health, from all levels.
That’s one of the things we continue to push to get assistance on. Through the Department of Health, we will certainly be doing that at the top levels.
Prior to moving on to the next person on my list, let me remind the members that I can only fulfill my role as the Chairman if I grasp the intentions related to your questions.
When you get responses to your questions, but you have further questions, please indicate it by show of hands so that I will be aware and properly conduct my duties as the Chairman.
Let us move on.
I want to ask a brief question on page 11 of your business plan, the top paragraph referring to aboriginal and circumpolar affairs.
It lists the budget, but seemingly with a drastic decrease of approximately $600,000.
I would like to ask this question to our Premier related to Inuit specifically as it is written.
Is it due to losing employees or is it because it is no longer considered a workable or relevant issue?
That is what I would like to understand, so I am asking about that reference.
Mr. Chairman, there is a decrease of $630,000 in service contracts and a $11,000 decrease in materials supplies and purchased services.
It seems that with the decrease, social issues are included in here. It seems almost astonishing that there will be a decrease when it comes to such issues.
What is going to be happening? Are there going to be any changes made here?
There are many social issues.
To our best estimates, that decrease is on service contracts that do operational audits on grants and contributions. Mr. Chairman, although there are many social issues, we do have working plans that decrease in some divisions or increase in other divisions. That’s why these plans are put forward, to ensure efficiency is still there when we carry out our work.
We will proceed. We are on Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs.
Total Operations and Maintenance, to be Voted. $5,338,000.
Turn to page B-9.
In the business plan on page 9 under (interpretation ends) Priorities (2015-16), (interpretation) I will first ask my question there.
(interpretation ends) The Government of Nunavut’s Decentralization Action Plan was tabled in the Legislative Assembly on June 5, 2012.
Your department’s draft 2016-19 business plan indicates that it “reviewed the Action Plan that was initially developed by the (former) Department of Human Resources.
A revised draft was developed to update timeframes and clarify lead departments for action items.
Departments are currently being consulted to finalize the revisions.”
When will an updated action plan be ready for tabling in the Legislative Assembly?
I would like your permission to bring in a witness.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Has that witness been at the witness table before during the discussions?
Okay. (interpretation) Sergeant-at-Arms, if you would escort the witness in and escort the other witness out.
Do I understand that Ms. Lloyd will be responding to that question?
If you agree with me, Ms. Lloyd can immediately proceed with the response.
Revisions have been completed to the action plan and we are awaiting final feedback from departments before tabling of this revised Decentralization Action Plan.
It is anticipated that this will be completed shortly and be ready to be tabled in the House in the coming session.
Being one of the decentralized communities, I look forward to that information.
I guess my follow-up question to that would be: have the appropriate hamlet organizations of the decentralized communities been involved in the consultations of the action plan?
Again I’ll have Ms. Lloyd respond to that.
The review of the previous action plan had been an internal government review of the items, more specifically pertaining to the expected outcomes from specific government departments. Our review had been in correlation with those respective departments identified in the first version of the action plan.
We have not gone out to hamlets for consultation pertaining to the documents.
The Government of Nunavut has a total of approximately 459 decentralized positions.
We don’t have that information in front of us, but we will get that confirmed and we will certainly provide it to the committee.
The Government of Nunavut’s Decentralization Action Plan states that “The current model can be strengthened by shifting focus on the number of positions and communities they go to and maintaining a commitment to allocating and maintaining over 60% of the public service outside of Iqaluit.”
Which decentralized positions is the government considering transferring?
There is already 60 percent maintained outside of Iqaluit and that’s the level we want to keep it at around, 60 percent.
As the Premier is very familiar, I have brought this up in the House.
Being one of the decentralized communities, one of the top executives who currently is not in Baker Lake and that position was identified in Baker Lake.
Is there an action plan to maybe do an equivalent trade-off of the position and authority in respect to the decentralized model?
With your permission, I would like Ms. Lloyd to respond to that.
When it comes to the possibility of moving or taking a decentralized position and moving it into a centralized location, there is a requirement to ensure that a similar position, similar level, or an opportunity is then made available in that community that has been affected.
This responsibility is up to whatever department or corporation that is proposing to move positions.
They have to ensure that there are mitigation efforts put in place to allow for job opportunities to remain within that affected community.
When I look at decentralized positions in communities, would the information on vacant positions be provided to the members as to how many are in competition right now?
We will work with HR to get that information out to the committee member.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) We look forward to that information.
Perhaps to start off with page B-9, I think a similar question was asked related to this subject. Here I refer to the Inuit employment plans. I know these plans are reviewed by our government through the Department of Finance, which has that mandate.
In the December 31, 2015 report, it states that in total, there are 4,655 positions within the public service and Inuit public servants comprise 1,673.
The other 1,669 positions are stated as being filled by non-beneficiaries.
It also states that there are 1,313 vacant government positions. If we were to achieve the 85 percent Inuit workforce within the public service, it means that only 698 non-beneficiaries could be employed by the government.
Nonetheless, if we want to achieve the 85 percent representative workforce, the government would have to immediately hire 2,283 Inuit employees and not lose a single current Inuit employee.
How do you envision meeting this challenge to try to reach that 85 percent level?
Hon. Peter Taptuna: Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I thank the committee for asking that question.
Mr. Chairman, we have been talking about this for a long time. We want to get to 85 percent capacity of Inuit beneficiary employment within the government.
Mr. Chairman, we are hoping to improve rather rapidly once we have this Inuit training corporation up and running and actually training Inuit at all different levels.
It’s 2016 and that target was there since 1999. It seems like we are stalled at 50 percent.
With more educated graduates coming out of our schools, we will certainly hope that the target of 85 percent will be realistic.
Mr. Chairman, I can’t realistically assume that I am going to make up a timeframe.
We have been at this for 16 years and we’re still at 50 percent.
Maybe I ought to change direction and ask a question within the same page related to the Inuit employment plans.
Currently, the rate of Inuit employees sits around 50 percent and it seems to be stuck at that rate. That percentile has not moved much, without any large decreases or increases, as this rate seems to be where it stands currently.
Further, within your existing plans for 2017, it states that by March 31, your expectations are that it will reach 51 percent, which is barely a 1 percent increase.
Maybe I could ask this question with respect to positions currently vacant. Are there any plans to have Inuit trained to eventually assume the positions held by non-beneficiaries? At least I believe that some work has been done to that end in the past, particularly with the upper-level management positions.
How many positions are planned for this type of training?
I believe some employees are aware that their position will be assumed by an Inuk upon completion of their training on a forecasted date, let’s say in 2018, as that has been the practice in the past.
How many positions are scheduled for replacement, perhaps, in the next five years? Does the government have these types of training plans in place?
Mr. Chairman, we are always trying to improve our numbers in beneficiary employment within the government. We can’t necessarily control where beneficiaries want to work.
Some try it out at the government level and then they move onto other organizations or industry.
It’s one of the things that, again, with training and better graduation rates, we want to see an increase in beneficiary numbers within this government.
It’s going to take a lot of hard effort. It’s going to take a lot of training. We certainly want to see more graduates coming out of our high schools.
Mr. Chairman, I’m quite optimistic, even though we have a small labour force within Nunavut. It’s a real challenge.
Mr. Chairman, I’m always optimistic that we will get to that number eventually.
Again, when we talk about how to increase beneficiary employment within the Government of Nunavut, there is a lot of transition happening and there are qualified Inuit who are out there that, at times, just don’t get a position within government.
We make plans, we have training programs, we have internships that create opportunities for beneficiary employees to move up into senior manager positions, director levels, and we certainly want to increase those levels at the senior level positions.
Mr. Chairman, at the end of the day, we do have to ensure that we get the right people. We don’t just hire anybody because of their beneficiary status.
We want to ensure that when they get employment, they succeed within their position and have opportunities to move up the ladder to higher positions.
Again, we really hope to increase that by getting more graduates interested in a career in government.
I think I can respond to my own question. It’s at 50 percent now and according to the plan, it will be at 51 percent next year.
With 4,655 positions, 1 percent is 46 positions. In 2016-17, there will be 46 positions filled by beneficiaries.
If my math is correct, 1 percent would be that. If you look at it, that is a small percentage.
There are 10 departments and numerous corporations. It seems that it should be higher and there seems to be room there for consideration.
I know there are people out there in the public who would like to earn a salary, which they don’t right now.
I think there’s room for something else to be done or perhaps job sharing. Some positions can be spit into two. There seems to be room for improvement to increase the percentage of Inuit employment within the government.
Can you try to improve this before the term of this Assembly?
I thank the committee member for that question. We’re always trying to improve.
We have put Inuit training and employment plans into every department.
We have tried other things. We have tried to increase our direct appointment levels. We have tried other things.
We have tried internal competition.
We hope to increase these numbers, certainly.
One of the goals of this government is to get those numbers up.
The member is absolutely correct that we seem to be stalled at 50 percent. We have been stalled at that number for 16 years. It’s quite a challenge and I have always said that.
We have more graduates coming out of the schools, we have training programs that can be taken advantage of, we have Arctic College, and we have signed MOUs with other jurisdictions for training at higher paraprofessional and professional levels. Certainly, we hope to see that increase from 50 percent to at least 51 percent, maybe, as the member indicated. We certainly want to see higher numbers than that.
Mr. Chairman, with our delicate situation when it comes to funding of staff housing and other various things, it’s quite obvious that we have put a lot of effort into that. The previous governments put a lot of effort into it and it seems that we are still at 50 percent.
I am quite optimistic with the settlement with Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated that we will have better opportunities in increasing our beneficiary employment levels, not just with the government but in every organization out there that can have beneficiaries as employees.
There are Inuit organizations, industry, and so forth.