EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
With respect to her question on the (interpretation ends) NNI Tribunal (interpretation) that will hear complaints, it will be set up to hear cases where businesses have issues or complaints. If a business feels that the policy wasn’t followed in that they were not awarded the contract, then they can submit their complaints about the selection process.
There will be five members of this NNI Tribunal who will listen to these cases. Two representatives will be appointed by this government and, with five spots, some appointments will be made by NTI.
The tribunal members will require knowledge in such areas as awarding contracts or (interpretation ends) procurement law, (interpretation) as it is called, and to be aware of the procedures of that organization.
They will be required to be knowledgeable about the private sector and the priority will be members who have this knowledge as well as employees working within Nunavut.
I’m not too sure if my question was answered or not, why the business community was not recognized.
Perhaps I’ll try again tomorrow on that one.
Can the minister explain why the new NNI Tribunal will not be required to produce an annual report so that elected MLAs, those of us, and the Nunavut public can be made aware of its activities?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Minister Ell-Kanayuk.
Once it is up and running, the activities will be announced on radio to the general public. We expect the public announcements to commence afterwards.
With respect to announcements here in the Legislative Assembly, it follows the schedule for bringing forward draft legislation.
I will look into this matter carefully to see what requirements the legislation has. I will ensure I inform my colleague about the issues that are required to be presented annually.
Based on the information I have, we will be tabling the information in the House as the need arises.
I think that raising these questions provides the minister, perhaps, with an opportunity to look at some of these concerns I’m bringing forward.
She’s got almost a year to implement some of these concerns.
Section 9.24 of the new NNI Policy provides that the government may choose not to implement recommendations made by the NNI Tribunal on the grounds of, and I quote, “sound procurement management and public policy.”
Can the minister clearly explain why this provision of the policy is required?
Perhaps I didn’t understand the exact question.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, to reiterate, the NNI Tribunal shall be established to hear and decide on complaints regarding the application of the NNI Policy in the award of any contracts covered by the NNI Policy.
The tribunal will consist of five members. The Government of Nunavut shall appoint two of the five members from the list of nominees provided by Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated.
The members shall have a background, training, and/or actual experience in procurement law, procurement practices, government contracting, or administrative law.
Preference will be given to individuals with working knowledge or experience in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, I would also like to mention that the policy will come into effect on April 1, 2017.
This is to give the government an opportunity to explain to the business community how to make better use of the new NNI Policy and also to give an opportunity to procurement employees on how to work with the new NNI Policy.
Question 298 – 4(3): Emergency Management Programs (Akoak)
As the minister is aware, the Emergency Measures Act was passed in 2007 by the Second Legislative Assembly. It says, “In force November 8, 2007, except s.5-9.” However, sections 5 to 9 of this legislation have still not been put into force.
Once in force, these sections will require the territorial and municipal governments to prepare emergency management programs and make these programs available to the public.
Can the minister indicate when the government intends to bring sections 5 to 9 of the Emergency Measures Act into force?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Minister of Community and Government Services, Minister Savikataaq.
I don’t have that Act in front of me and I’m not familiar with every clause in the Act.
I guess I’ll have to do some bedtime reading. I’m not sure when and why they’re not in force right now.
I’m sure there’s a practically good reason for it because, as government, we like to get stuff done as soon as practically possible. I’ll have to get back to the member on that and exactly what sections he’s talking about.
On March 15, 2016, the minister tabled his department’s Nunavut Emergency Management Annual Report for the 2014-15 fiscal year.
In this report, the department indicates that “a business case will be developed to increase staff and to meet the recommendations for an enhanced Emergency Management Program for Nunavut.”
Can the minister indicate when this territorial Emergency Management Program will be completed and made available to the public?
The plan that he’s talking about is being worked on.
We did request for additional positions and they were approved, but it takes a while to hire staff due to many complications. It could be staff housing issues. It could be that we can’t get the right candidate.
Once these staff are filled, these staff can start doing their jobs to start with the plan.
Currently, we’re in the process of trying to fill these new positions that the Assembly did approve back in the winter sitting in March.
Once these positions are filled, they will be able to do their work to start providing the services to the people of Nunavut.
In its 2014-15 Nunavut Emergency Management Annual Report, the department indicates that all communities currently have completed or will be completing a municipal emergency response plan.
Can the minister describe what is included in these municipal emergency response plans and will he commit to making these plans available to the public?
All communities are working on or have completed their emergency measures plan. The member is right about that.
These emergency measures plans more or less dictate who does what, what resources and equipment are available.
A very good example of that is when they had the Pangnirtung fire in their power plant.
They had an emergency plan in place. People knew who was in charge of what, they knew what equipment was available, and because of that, the process in terms of getting stuff done worked very well and very smoothly.
These emergency measures plans are made with the help of CGS by the communities because the communities know what resources they have.
In the emergency measures plan are what equipment and resources are available in the community. It doesn’t mean what equipment and resources are available from the government; it’s what’s available in the communities.
Communities are the best to tell us what resources and materials are available.
These emergency measures plans are made by the community for the community so that the community and the government can work together when there is an emergency in a community. Whether the emergency is a power plant burning down, a school burning down, severe weather shutting the town down, or a shortage of water, it all spells out what the process is and who will do what.
Each community’s plan would be publicly available at each hamlet office because it is their plan together with the government.
Question 299 – 4(3): Status of Coroner’s Inquest (Joanasie)
Mr. Speaker, the report of the independent external review concerning the Makibi tragedy in Cape Dorset was submitted to the government last year.
One of the recommendations in the report was that a formal coroner’s inquest be held in Cape Dorset.
For the record, can the minister confirm when the inquest will begin?
Mr. Speaker, I don’t have a date I can provide to Mr. Joanasie on when that will begin.
Earlier this month, a resident of Cape Dorset died while in police custody.
Under subsection 21(2) of the Coroners Act, an inquest is required to be held.
For the record, can the minister confirm when this inquest will begin?
We’re very sorry for the people of Cape Dorset with what happened. It was very tragic. I got a bit of a description there.
Mr. Speaker, the coroner went to Cape Dorset to investigate. As the MLA said, it’s mandatory. The Ottawa police department also called Cape Dorset to investigate the circumstance as well.
As of today, we don’t have reports or dates on the conclusion or completion of the inquiry and I’m not in a position to provide a date when the inquest will be held.
There have been a number of inquests held in Nunavut communities in recent years concerning deaths in police custody.
There have been a number of inquests held in Nunavut communities in recent years concerning deaths in police custody. Under subsection 55(2) of the Coroners Act, a coroner’s jury may, and I quote, “make any recommendation that it considers to be of assistance in preventing similar deaths.”
Mr. Speaker, it is important that these recommendations be acted on. Can the minister describe the process by which the formal recommendations from these inquests are communicated and implemented by such parties as the RCMP and the Department of Justice?
It’s a very timely question.
Just shortly before the incident in Cape Dorset, the Hall Beach inquest was completed. There were 13 recommendations and they were submitted to the RCMP and the Department of Justice.
I believe the recommendations were accepted and the police and the Department of Justice are working very closely together with other entities to implement those recommendations.
I believe it’s being communicated to the families and to communities.
Question 300 – 4(3): Medical Travel Issues with Airlines’ Codeshare Agreement (Okalik)
I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Health in regard to the airline issue.
Recently this month, I happened to be in Ottawa and one of my family members was down on medical travel.
He stated that he would leave the next day, so I wanted to fly with him and I asked him which airline he was going to travel on.
He stated First Air, the leg with four numbers to identify the flight.
He said that he would be leaving in the afternoon and we eventually ended up at the airport in the afternoon, as I wanted to travel with my relative in Ottawa.
When he arrived at First Air, he was informed that his flight had left that morning and that a First Air flight only has three identifying numbers that denotes that the flight is not part of the codeshare agreement.
He had been informed that his flight had the four numbers and it would leave in the afternoon.
It was regrettable that he was unable to travel up when his relatives were anticipating his return in his community.
He was not the only passenger in that situation. There were several elders in the group who informed us that their medication had left on the plane with their luggage, but the passengers were now stuck in Ottawa.
This was quite disturbing to see, as I had only anticipated travelling with my relative, but several patients were affected.
I wonder how many patients have been negatively affected by the codeshare.
Minister of Health, Minister Ell-Kanayuk.
I haven’t heard some issues regarding how many patients did not get on the plane, but I do know that after the codeshare was established, and my colleague must know that as he was part of the cabinet, if there is a problem with a patient, there is a place they can call and make a complaint to the (interpretation ends) Patient Relations Office. (interpretation) If a patient felt they were not being treated well or didn’t receive proper medical treatment, they can call the patient relations number.
Nonetheless, what I can say about this (interpretation ends) codeshare (interpretation) is that it hasn’t affected that as part of our contract that governs our medical patient transportation and this hasn’t changed.
Since the names are not known and I don’t have the names handy, it would be better to provide that complaint to the Patient Relations Office.
Not knowing this on a personal level for medical travel, I can’t really speak to the transportation challenges they face.
Yes, as most of us are aware, the airline contract is nearing completion and it would be beneficial to see if this contract is efficiently implemented.
Can the minister commit to finding out the numbers of patients left behind because of the (interpretation ends) codeshare?
(interpretation) It would be good to conduct further research and append it to the next contract that the government doesn’t want (interpretation ends) codeshare (interpretation) airline services via the (interpretation ends) medical travel contract. (interpretation) I’m sure that could improve things in the future.
Can the minister commit to finding out how many patients are left behind due to the codeshare? It is very expensive for our O&M.
Hon. Monica Ell-Kanayuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank my colleague for his good question.
The contract is near completion. Yes, we can look into this thoroughly, not just for medical travel. We have been looking for ways for patients being treated closer to home rather than sending patients out of their community.
We are now looking at reviewing this part and we can also include it in our review.
Question 301 – 4(3): Community Justice Committee Appointments and Revocations (Joanasie)
Mr. Joanasie (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I have a different set of questions for the Minister of Justice.
As the minister is aware, his department allocated more than $1.7 million in the 2014-15 fiscal year to municipal governments across the territory to operate community justice committees.
I note that under its Grants and Contributions Policy, the department requires “A completed application or proposal” for funding related to community justice initiatives.
Mr. Speaker, our community justice committees play a valuable role in Nunavut, and it is very important that these committees maintain a full membership to ensure that they have the capacity to serve their communities.
Can the minister indicate if community justice committees are required to provide information concerning the appointment and revocation of members when submitting their proposals for funding to the department?
I thank Mr. Joanasie for his question about the details of applications.
I’m not familiar with the application process and what’s required, but I’m sure the department officials who review the applications will have all those details.
Mr. Speaker, I do know that at certain levels, there are authorities for cabinet to approve revocations and appointments, and at other levels, it’s at the departmental level.
It is my understanding that the government, pursuant to the Young Offenders Act, may formally appoint members to these community justice committees to deal with cases involving Inuit youth.
However, it is unclear if all members of community justice committees must be appointed under this statute.
Can the minister tell us today: is every member of a community justice committee also appointed as a member of a youth justice committee under the Young Offenders Act, yes or no?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Minister Peterson.
I’m not going to say yes or no. I’m going to tell Mr. Joanasie that I will get that information and report back to him.
The level of details he’s asking in the application process is information I don’t have in my briefing binders.
I might not get a response on my final question, but I’ll ask it anyway.
Mr. Speaker, it is also my understanding that hamlet councils may sign agreements with the federal Crown counsel and the RCMP to provide community justice committees with the authority to deal with diverted criminal cases related to adult offences.
Can the minister clarify the extent to which his department is involved in the development of such agreements?
I thank Mr. Joanasie.
I don’t know why I’m thanking him.
The level of detail he’s asking about in his questions is simply information I don’t have in my briefing binders. If I had all that information, I would probably have binders this pile high here and I would be digging through them. I just don’t have the level of detail.
I will tell Mr. Joanasie that I will get that information and perhaps I’ll make a statement in the House on this in the future.
Question 302 – 4(3): President of the Qulliq Energy Corporation (Okalik)
I would like to direct my question to the Minister responsible for the Energy Corporation.
As of now, the corporation appears to be without a president and we haven’t heard if one was appointed to this position on the (interpretation ends) Qulliq Energy Corporation, (interpretation) as well as the board members of Qulliq, who have to request the minister to appoint a president from amongst its membership.
I wonder if the board of directors has submitted their list of names for potential presidential appointment to the minister or if they have recommended a person for the Qulliq Energy Corporation.
Minister responsible for the Energy Corporation, Minister Hickes.
Hon. George Hickes (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) Mr. Okalik, thank you very much for that question.
It has been a long and arduous task to fill the president’s position at the Qulliq Energy Corporation.
I know the work that has been ongoing from the board and the acting president, Mr. Flaherty, has been exemplary.
The corporation has been under very good leadership.
I will state that there are some final negotiations to have that position filled. We’re looking forward to an announcement some time in the very near future.
To directly respond to your question, I was informed that the board did make a recommendation.
Unfortunately, that recommendation wasn’t meeting all the criteria that are needed to fill the role on a permanent basis.
I applaud the board’s activities and I applaud the person they recommended. Unfortunately, at this time, I wasn’t able to follow through with that recommendation.
They haven’t had a president for a very long time now. I know that whenever any organization doesn’t have a president, it’s almost impossible to keep it running properly.
Can the minister clearly explain when the search for their president will end?
Again I thank the member for following up.
Since I took over this portfolio a little over six months ago, it has been on the very front burner of activities from my office working with the Premier’s Office to identify candidates that would be able to fill this position on a permanent basis.
Like I had mentioned in my earlier response, there are some final negotiations with the candidate that are ongoing.
I look forward to an announcement being made in the very near future.
Question 303 – 4(3): Landfill Sites and Hazardous Materials in Nunavut (Angnakak)
Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. Speakers.
I’m going to follow my colleague’s line of questioning a little bit over there.
On March 16, 2016, the minister tabled the 2014-15 annual report on Nunavut Emergency Management.
In this report, the department indicates that “It is our recommendation that every community have an emergency plan specific to landfill hazards and fires and that these plans be continually tested and evaluated.”
The department also indicates that all communities in Nunavut currently have a “Municipal Emergency Response Plan” either completed or pending, as the minister indicated earlier.
Can the minister indicate if these emergency response plans include specific provisions to guide municipalities in the event of a landfill fire?
Minister of Community and Government Services, Minister Savikataaq.
The emergency measures plans are there to deal with any emergencies in the broad scheme, how to do stuff, and like I told Mr. Akoak, what inventory and resources are there specific to landfill fires.
I’m sure that the hamlets and the city have learned a lot.
Last year, we had one here in Iqaluit that burned for quite a while, and we had one in Rankin Inlet that was burning out of control for not as long but for a while too.
I’m sure that the hamlets and the city have learned from those unfortunate incidents because we learn from experience and experience has probably taught us that we should be better at putting them out next time once they start.
As for specifics and exactly how to deal with it, I don’t have that information here, but I assume that the hamlets and the city that have had these fires are very knowledgeable and they would have shared that knowledge with other municipalities.
CGS staff would have also learned from those two incidents.
I don’t think there’s a specific thing on “If a dump goes on fire, then do A, B, C, and D,” but they have learned from past experience and they will have a better idea on what to do and maybe what not to do.
I would think that it is, perhaps, beneficial to ensure that all communities have some kind of way where they could refer to it if such a fire ever happened in their community.
Mr. Speaker, during the fall 2015 sitting, the Legislative Assembly approved $1.5 million in capital funding for the department to undertake planning and design work for the development of modified landfills in a number of communities.
However, this project is dependent on the provision of third party funding under the New Building Canada Fund, and the construction of these modified landfills may not take place for a number of years.
Can the minister indicate what specific steps his department is currently taking to reduce the presence of hazardous materials in landfill sites across Nunavut?
The CGS staff and municipal staff are doing things to mitigate the hazardous waste in all communities.
One of the projects that has been done and is ongoing is to deal with used batteries like car batteries that have acid and lead in them. Most municipalities have come up, in their metal dump or solid waste dump, with a place where you can drop them off.
It may be a sea can or it may be a plastic container, but they are put in leak-proof containers. There are several designs that can be used so that the hazardous waste like that can be stored safely until it is disposed of.
Another hazardous waste that we don’t have the problem solved yet, but it is being worked on and some hamlets have waste oil furnaces where businesses can burn used oil because we also know that oil comes up to the north and other than the power corporation sending it south, I think no one else sends used oil south.
That is another issue that we are dealing with because it is not only unsafe, but it’s against the law to just dump oil on the ground.
As for the comment about the burning and how to shut it off, most communities do controlled burns in their dumps.
Most communities burn it regularly on a small scale to get rid of their waste.
It’s when it becomes very big, with lots of material to burn, that it becomes really hazardous.
All communities that I know of, except for Iqaluit, do have some sort of small-scale burning of their municipal dumps.
During the Legislative Assembly’s consideration of the department’s 2016-17 capital estimates, the department provided information to indicate that it had undertaken a number studies and “gathered critical information to develop best practices in both the design of new solid waste facilities as well as developing best practices for the management and operation of waste sites.”
Will the minister commit to making his department’s studies and related reports concerning solid waste management in Nunavut available to the public?
I believe that the hamlets are all a part of this plan and process because the solid waste dumps are run, operated, and owned by the municipalities.
Each municipality would have to come up with this plan with the help of CG&S.
In the broad scheme of things, the plan right now is just to sort “burnables,” “unburnables,” and put the same type of garbage together and deal with it that way until we can come up with a better plan on how to deal with it.
One of the big issues right now that we’re having is old vehicles. We know that all the vehicles that come up to Nunavut, very few, if any, ever leave Nunavut.
They’re just getting more and more in the communities. We are dealing with that.