EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
That is why, with respect to licenses, under part one of general matters, the only role of the responsibility of the proposed regulation given the minister is what type of form should be used for such a licence.
That is the only role the minister has, is what type of form shall the licence be contained in, whether it is a booklet or that stuff.
So, I do have a concern with that.
I think that all the references to the superintendent within the proposed regulations should be changed to the minister, so that there is a process leading up to the minister’s final decision.
Having said that, the proposed regulations also, under part two, give the harvesting rights to the treaty or aboriginal rights.
Could the minister explain to us which groups have the aboriginal or treaty rights that the minister proposes to give licences to for harvesting in Nunavut?
Hon. Olayuk Akesuk (interpretation): We are currently working on the draft, and as I stated earlier, this is not a final draft.
We are currently working on the issue that the member is raising.
At this time I don't know who will be recognized as having aboriginal or treaty rights and who will be given licences; that depends on previous agreements and the results of consultations.
The department will be discussing these topics in detail during the consultation process.
Based on the consultations, we're going to be making changes to what is in the present form and we will address those issues that have been identified as concerns by the stakeholders.
We're currently working on it. Thank you.
Mr. Curley: I’m not 100 percent sure we need to travel all over the place to say that certain groups should have treaty rights or this right or that right.
We had to negotiate our rights with the federal government and it is clear.
We had to fight for our rights.
I don’t believe that Inuit have provincial rights or status or the ability to hunt in Manitoba, as they please, unless this is clearly defined.
I’m not sure whether we have that in Manitoba or Saskatchewan, so why is the minister proposing, under part 2, that the regulations, under section 19, give the authority to the superintendent to consider issuing licences to the following groups.
I agree that there are some Inuit from Northern Quebec that should have hunting rights in this part of the world.
Section 19, subsection 3, this says aboriginal people in Northwest Territories.
Do we have the reciprocal rights there as well as a member of a Manitoba or Saskatchewan band or any other aboriginal person with treaty rights?
Why are we opening our borders for any other possible challenges to try and get legal rights to hunt in Nunavut when we don’t have the reciprocal rights throughout Canada?
We will review this matter with the Northwest Territories and Manitoba.
In the Land Claims Agreement under Article 40, we recognize the rights of other Aboriginal groups in Nunavut.
It is clearly identified there.
We will look into your concern.
We will take your comments into consideration and address the questions that were brought forward by the member.
I'm sure there are going to be a lot of questions that need to be addressed during the initial stages, but if the other members have concerns, as I stated earlier, they are invited to discuss them with their HTOs and during the consultation process.
I think this draft is a good starting point.
We will have to refine this draft.
It is meant to be the beginning point of our discussions, and the discussions will be the beginning point of making amendments to the contents.
The reason I brought up this issue is because during the negotiation process, we had to have a separate agreement on the provincial boundaries.
But, even before the negotiations were completed between Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories and hunting rights in the Kivalliq resolved, rights were already allocated. (interpretation ends) I think that should be taken under separate agreement, joint, provincial, Nunavut agreements, and maybe even federal.
(interpretation) Can you insist upon a separate agreement on this section when they get to it because there is this reciprocal situation that we have to take into consideration with government of the Northwest Territories and the provinces. I don’t agree with giving them hunting rights when we don’t get any in their provinces.
I thank the member for the question. In regards to the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement, Article 40, we will review it again because, of course, we recognize aboriginal rights from other provinces.
We could review this section with the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board and NTI.
We will work diligently on this issue.
Of course, we will recognize the rights of aboriginals in the other provinces.
We will look into the matter.
Question 386 – 2(2): Polar Bear Population in the Hudson Bay Area
We’ve been hearing in the media that there was a concern about the polar bear population in the Hudson Bay area.
Does this concern the whole Hudson Bay area?
The study you've heard about only affects the western Hudson Bay area.
The Canadian Wildlife Service just did a study in the western section of Hudson Bay.
I had thought that the eastern Hudson Bay was a part of it, but since he identified it, is there going to be a study done on the eastern Hudson Bay?
Are the hunters going to be a part of this study that is going to be done?
The Government of Nunavut and the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board are going to be working together if there is going to be a study done.
Of course, we’re going to include the harvesters and stakeholders affected in Nunavut.
We will include all stakeholders if there is going to be a study in that area, not only for polar bears but also for other species managed by our government.
Your second supplementary, Mr. Kattuk.
Hunters regularly discuss wildlife with one another.
With respect to consultations on Hudson Bay, there doesn’t seem to be too much concern over environmental impact on polar bears in my community.
If a study will be carried out, it would seem incumbent upon the minister to consult with the hunters and stakeholders in Sanikiluaq and elsewhere.
We will include the hunters as much as possible on projects like that.
Your last supplementary, Mr. Kattuk.
I raised this question this past winter on the upcoming study on polar bears, if it can be conducted before 2008.
Because it will probably have an effect on the quota that we are going to have.
So, I would like to hear what the status is.
At this time we are not sure if it can be done before 2008, or if we will meet the target date, because we only have about $500,000 a year to do all of our population studies.
The only way we could do a polar bear study in eastern Hudson Bay before 2008 would be to find more funding.
We are targeting that date with people who will be working on it and also financially.
We are still aiming for 2008.
Question 387 – 2(2): New Members for Board of Directors for Qulliq Energy Corporation
My question is for the Minister Responsible for the Qulliq Energy Corporation.
In light of the talks about a possible rate rider this year I was doing some research and it came to my attention that the Qulliq Energy Corporation’s board of directors was to expire on Saturday, April 30, which is tomorrow.
I am wondering if the minister can update us on whether new members will be appointed.
Speaker (interpretation): The Minister Responsible for the Qulliq Energy Corporation.
What we have done, and, I, as the minister, have done over the last couple of days is brought forward the renewal of the current members on the board of the Power Corporation to this fall, September of this fall.
At the same time, in the next couple of days, members will see ads in the newspapers, as well as letters to the MLAs, requesting names to be submitted, for nominations to be made, to look at opportunities for new people to be put on the board.
At the same time there are a couple of vacancies, and I’m looking at the opportunity of maybe making the board a bit smaller.
So, it depends on the names that come forward.
All the current members have requested to continue.
That is where it stands right now.
Can the minister tell us how many of the current board members are former politicians or senior Government of Nunavut employees.
That is a loaded question because it depends on what you define as a politician.
For example, Mr. Dennis Lyall is on the board, he is a former mayor of Taloyoak.
I would consider that a politician.
Mayor Elisapee Shuitiapik in on the board; she is actually the mayor of Iqaluit, so I would call that a politician.
Mr. Glenn McLean is on the board, who is a former MLA. I would suggest that he is a politician.
It depends on the breadth and depth of what is requested as “politician”.
I’d like to thank the minister for that response.
He didn’t tell me how many were former Government of Nunavut employees.
Can the minister tell us why he has left it so late to make appointments or re-appointments to the Qulliq Energy Corporation, in light of the fact that we keep hearing about possible rate riders early in this fiscal year?
No, Mr. Tootoo is right, it is Friday and it’s a good day for humour.
No, the minister didn’t know.
No, we didn’t leave it late.
The board, as the members know, has gone through a process with the recent GRA that was recorded and reported back to this House during the last session, a few weeks ago, that just ended.
We felt that at that time that it would be best to allow the board to be in place.
There are some opportunities for the board to be reviewing some of the current financial data and so on.
I wanted to give an opportunity to Nunavummiut, through the members and everything, an opportunity to be able to look at some opportunities for nominations to come forward.
So, members will be able to do that in the next few weeks.
Then we will able look at the size of the board to see if we want to make it a little bit smaller for some economies of scale.
The current board members include: Elisapee Shiutiapik, who is the mayor, as we said; Mr. Jimmy Kilabuk, a former mayor; Mr. Simon Merkosak, a businessman and former mayor; Mr. Dennis Lyall is a businessperson and a former mayor.
The only senior person from government that I see on the list of board members is Mr. Ross Mrazek, who, most members know, is the former deputy minister of public works and services, so he has expertise in the area of POL and oil.
We’re quite pleased to have Mr. Mrazek’s expertise on the board.
The minister indicated that MLAs will be contacted for a chance to make recommendations.
I’m wondering if the minister can commit to allowing one of our standing committees to review all the nominations for the re-appointments and new appointments and review the qualifications of the officials recommended for the Qulliq Energy Corporation’s board of directors.
Again, the appointment process through the government, public agencies, and boards and Crown corporations is a transparent process.
Indeed, that type of public accountability is made right here through this Assembly.
I have committed to the members just now, in response to their questions, that we will do a call letter to all MLAs and to the mayors and there will be ads in the papers soliciting names for the power corporation board.
At that time we will receive the names.
Then, based on the members that are in place and the number of positions on the board, I would be very pleased to come back to the members and go through some of those opportunities.
Hopefully when the members are appointed, they are appointed on their expertise, the logistical, the administrative, and financial opportunities within their background, to be able to bring that forward.
At this time, I’d like consent to go back to Item 5.
Speaker (interpretation): The member is asking to go back to Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery.
Please proceed, Mr. Arreak.
Mr. Arreak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker and my colleagues.
At this time, I’d like to recognize people in the gallery.
The furthest one, Ragilee Sangoya from Clyde River.
She also volunteers a lot so, Minister Tapardjuk should recognize her.
Beside her is Nancy Sangoya, her daughter and Peter Iqalukjuaq, you probably heard him singing.
He can sing better than Mr. Picco.
I rise today to recognize Peter Iqalukjuaq.
He is involved with the filming industry and is involved in gospel music also.
Behind me is a former resident of Kimmirut, but has been here for quite some time and also helped in the community, Kootoo Shaw.
Miss Brown.
When we first came here, I didn’t know too many people in Iqaluit.
Jane George, I’d like to recognize her because she was the first one to come and approach me.
This is Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery.
Tabled Document 130 – 2(2): Photographs of Cape Christian Abandoned Buildings
I wish to table a document, pictures that were taken in Kinguaqjuit, remnants of old houses, and the location of them, known in English as Cape Christian.
Speaker (interpretation): Item 13.
Tabled Document 131 – 2(2): Ministerial Travel for Fiscal Year 2004-05
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I wish to table the following document, Ministerial Travel for Fiscal Year 2004-05.
Speaker (interpretation): Please pass the documents that are being tabled to the clerk, please.
Tabled Document 132 – 2(2): 2005 Annual Report of the Utility Rate Review Council of Nunavut
I wish to table the following document, 2005 Annual Report of the Utility Rate Review Council of Nunavut.
Bill 15 – An Act to Amend the Wildlife Act – First Reading
I move, seconded by the Honorable Member for Amittuq, that Bill 15, an Act to Amend the Wildlife Act be read for the first time.
The motion is carried and Bill 15 has had first reading.
Bill 19 – Legislative Assemblies Statutes Amendments Act – First Reading
I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Cambridge Bay that Bill 19, Legislative Assembly Statutes Amendments Act be read for the first time.
The motion is carried and Bill 19, Legislative Assembly Statutes Amendments Act has had first reading.
Bill 16 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 1, 2005-06 – First Reading
I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for South Baffin that Bill 16, Supplementary Appropriations Capital Act, No.1, 2005/06 be read for the first time.
Speaker (interpretation): The motion is in order. All those in favor of the motion. All those opposed.
Abstentions. The motion is carried and Bill 16 has had first reading.
Bill 17 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operation & Maintenance) Act, No. 1, 2005-2006 – First Reading
I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for South Baffin that Bill 17, Supplementary Appropriations Operations and Maintenance Act No.1, 2005/06 be read for the first time.
The motion is carried and Bill 17 has had first reading.
Bill 16 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 1, 2005-06 – Second Reading
I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for South Baffin that Bill 16, Supplementary Appropriations Capital Act No.1, 2005/06 be read for the first time.
Mr. Speaker, this Bill makes supplementary appropriations for the Government of Nunavut to defray the capital expenses of the Government of Nunavut for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2006.
Bill 16 has had its second reading and now referred to the Committee of the Whole.
Bill 17 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operation & Maintenance) Act, No. 1, 2005-2006 – Second Reading
I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for South Baffin, that Bill 17, Supplementary Appropriation Operations & Maintenance Act, No. 1, 2005-2006, be read for the second time.
Mr. Speaker, this Bill makes supplementary appropriations for the Government of Nunavut to defray the operations and maintenance expenses of the Government of Nunavut for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2006.
Speaker (interpretation): The motion is in order. To the Principle of the Bill.
Question has been called. All those in favour of the motion.
Bill 17 has had its second reading and is now referred to the Committee of the Whole.
Second Reading of Bill Item 19.
Consideration in the Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters: Tabled Document 100-2(2); Tabled Document 101-2(2);Tabled Document 102-2(2); Bill 16; Bill 17, with Mr. Evygotailak on the chair.
We will break for lunch and we shall return at 1 o’clock.
>>Session recessed at 11:57 and resumed at 13:07
Chairperson (interpretation): I would like to call the committee meeting to order. In the Committee of the Whole, we have the following items to deal with: Tabled documents 100-(2), 100-2(2) and 102-(2), and Bills 16 and 17.
We wish to continue with the review of tabled documents 100-2(2), entitled “Government of Nunavut Leased Properties Report”.
Once we have concluded with the leases, we will review concurrently tabled documents 101-(2) and 102-(2).
We ask that senior representatives from the Departments of Community and Government Services, Economic Development and Transportation, Justice and Health be ready to appear before the committee.
Are we in agreement that we deal with 100-(2).
Leased properties.
Mr. Curley (interpretation): What did you say?
Chairperson: Mr. Curley, I asked, are we in agreement that we deal with 100-2(2), “Leased Properties”.
Thank you. Minister Kilabuk, with your staff.
For the record please, introduce your witnesses.
I have with me today to my immediate right, Mr. Chris Clark, and to my immediate left, Mr. Tom Rich, Deputy Minister.
Chairperson: Welcome to both of you.
Does the committee have any questions on “Leased Properties”?
I’d like to welcome the minister and his officials again to this sitting.
I just wanted to follow-up on questions I had yesterday, I ran out of time.
It was concerning the ten buildings that are leased from the Nunavut Construction Company.
There was a small fine print on page 2.
I think I asked the last question on when the lease expires and I believe Mr. Rich said that it expires on 2019.
I would like to ask the minister, will the Government of Nunavut own the facilities at that point?
I think I said yesterday that, no, the Government of Nunavut will not own those at the end of the lease.
Those are ten fairly major buildings across Nunavut.
I don’t know how many Government employees work out of the buildings, but I know its 14 years from now.
Does the Government of Nunavut have plans in place by 2019 to either lease new commercial space, with 10 buildings or will you be planning to buy the buildings?
The ten units in question are of a different nature all together because these were special leases done by the federal government.
But, I will get Mr. Rich to elaborate more on the leases in question.
These facilities, of course, are key office buildings for the Government of Nunavut in many communities, particularly many decentralized communities.
We have not actually, because of the length of time yet, left on the lease, started an expense process to look at the leases.
As the minister said, they were special leases put in place in particular to assist in supporting Inuit organization in the birth of Nunavut.
Over a period of time, as we assess the need for office space and the opportunities will certainly look at what the options are in those facilities.
Chairperson: Thank you, Mr. Rich.
Thank the minister and Mr. Rich for that answer.
Is one of the buildings the Legislative Assembly?
Mr. Rich: Mr. Chairman, yes it is.
The Legislative Assembly is one of the buildings.
You probably heard through the media and probably through the Minister that Legislative Assembly is already planning ahead for a new Legislative Assembly building in 2019 or 2020.
We’re anticipating now that we are going to need a larger building when that lease expires.
So, would you be working with the Legislative Assembly to help us with our needs and then what would happen to this building when the lease expires?
I would like to let the members know that if you have your cell phones, please shut them off.
If I remember the question, yes, the process in place will be that the Department of Community and Government Services will be involved in the capital planning process for such a facility when presented.
Mr. Peterson: I wanted to ask a question about one of the leases here that is striking me as being odd.
It’s on page 1, under the Nunavut Housing Corporation.
It’s a 20 year lease for $66 thousand per year.
Being that we represent the government, we’re leasing from our own agency, crown corporation.
It’s not a private sector organization, certainly.
Perhaps the minister or his officials could explain how we come to leasing a building from our own government agency.
How does that structure work.
The lease in question is for the commissioner’s house in Iqaluit.
How we got to there, I really couldn’t tell you.
I’ll ask Mr. Rich if he has any information on this.
Again, this goes back some time and the arrangements were made with the housing corporation to acquire the house as part of the program.
The funding has to come from some place to provide for that because it’s of no use to the Nunavut Housing Corporation obviously if it’s being used.
The funding is funding that is cost shared between the Government of Nunavut and the Government of Canada.
Could the minister or Mr. Rich give us some detail on the size and type of house that we’re leasing for $66 thousand a year.
I haven’t seen the commissioner’s house, but it’s perhaps the biggest house in Iqaluit.
I don’t know if we have the dimensions on the size of the building with us.
However, the unit in question is also where the commissioner has their office.
Added to this, the landlord pays for all the operations and maintenance costs of this unit.
Being a Member of the Legislative Assembly and traveling over here, I’ve noticed that the monthly rents on a three bedroom house are in the neighbourhood of $3 thousand and $35 hundred.
I knew it was expensive but when I saw this figure, I wasn’t sure $66 thousand was fair market value.
If it includes utilities and all those operating costs and it has an office in it, I hope that it represents fair value.
I’m wondering if the minister or his officials could confirm that that represents fair value.
I guess when you consider the fact that it is cost shared, it is fair value for the Government of Nunavut.
Chairman: Thank you, Minister. Mr. Peterson.
Further down on the page there are three leases in Ottawa.
One is for R..E. Windover.
It says refer to note five, which is month to month for a sick child from Clyde River and then there are two for Moreguard Investments Limited, three years and one year.
Could the minister or his officials clarify what those leases are for?
The three in question, the first one which is a fine house in Ottawa, the use of space is for Health and Social Services.
There is another one for the Delta Tower Suite in Ottawa and that is Government of Nunavut office in that building.
Then again, also in that same tower, is an additional Government of Nunavut office space.
Could the minister tell us how many units, it looks like over 100 thousand dollars a year leases for the officials in the Delta Tower.
How many officials or how many staff do we have housed down there in those offices?
I don’t have in front of me the numbers of staff, but my colleagues can help me with this one.
However, I’m going to correct myself.
The last Delta Tower Suites that I mentioned is closed, so we only have the first one, which is the Government of Nunavut offices at the Delta Towers Suite.
The one at 38 thousand is closed.
Thank the minister.
Someone is going to answer, how many staff we have down in Ottawa, in those offices?
I stand to be corrected, I believe that it is three or four in that office.
I wanted to ask about this other one here, Churchill Frontier school division.
It is a ten year lease for $64,776.
What does that represent?
I’m not sure if I understand my colleague’s question.
I’ll get Mr. Clark to add to my comments, but the one in Churchill is for the Health and Social Services medical boarding home Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Chairperson: Thank you, Minister. Mr. Peterson. Thank you, Mr. Peterson.
Mr. Curley: I was curious why there isn’t, I assume that Government of Nunavut has a lease also for office facilities in Ottawa.