EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
That's what the 300 thousand dollars was used for.
Maybe those are policies that were established last year.
Did they put out a report or did you give the information to the Members of the Legislative Assembly.
Some of the communities have not returned their report and that's why we have not tabled any of the information from the Status of Women Council.
Are they going to be submitting their reports before March 31, 2001 or how does it work.
Do you have a fiscal year to submit your report.
Does that mean we're going to be seeing the information or the report before March 31, 2001.
We are hoping to get the information by the end of April.
A little bit about the 50 thousand dollars, women's initiative grants.
Is that for all of Nunavut.
Mr. Nutarak (interpretation): Was that a yes from the minister.
Was that a yes, Mr. Minister.
Chairperson (interpretation): Please don't just nod, nobody will understand your reply.
We have to hear something audible to know your response.
So, if there's 50 thousand dollars in there, how much does each Nunavut community get.
I think the smallest amount is 1 thousand dollars.
This 1 thousand dollars would be used all year round by one community or how does it work on an annual basis.
Well each community is different.
You stated that the 1 thousand dollars is the smallest that is applied to some communities.
Does that mean that 1 thousand dollars is stretched for the whole year, or is it for two weeks or one month.
That was my question Mr. Chairman.
The communities access this money through proposals and it depends on what kind of proposals they give us.
Anything else Mr. Nutarak.
Mr. Nutarak (interpretation): Could he give us an example of how this money could be used.
I will get my Deputy Minister to elaborate further.
Well, there's different proposals, for example in Kugluktuk this winter, in December, the women's shelter was asked to be open for a little while.
It was going to be open only for a while during the month of December, so you could make proposals and use the money for such programs.
Mr. Nutarak please put up your hand a little bit faster.
Thank you, Mr. Nutarak.
Well it's quite obvious when you're the chair and you know what's happening, you know who wants to say anything, because when I don't want to say anything I make this sign.
This question that I have been trying to ask so many times has finally been responded to.
I have one question on 8-7.
On the Nunavut Women's Association, 175 thousand, I just want to ask about that.
This 175 thousand will be used for something else.
Last year 2000, in a year we used 175 but in the year 2001, it's no longer there.
Has it been ceased, the Nunavut Women's Association, are they no longer in existence.
The money in the amount of 175 thousand dollars will be used for elders and youth in 2001-2002.
So it's been transferred.
So this body is no longer in existence, I just wanted to know.
In some of the communities they have the Nunavut Women's Association in some of the communities.
I would like clarification to contributions for Status of Women and Family Violence.
To provide core funding to the Status of Women Council of Nunavut in order to assist the council to offset operating expenses.
What is that amount of 250 going to be used for because I'm not really sure exactly what the purpose of this section of contributions is for.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Alakannuark. Mr. Kattuk.
Just a little while ago this question was asked and the amount of 250 thousand dollars will be used to provide funding to the Status of Women Council for Nunavut and it's for the use of the women.
We're still on page 8-7.
If there are no more comments, we can move to 8-8.
Mr. Tootoo: Mr. Chairman, on 8-7, there are a number of bodies the department provides core funding for.
I'm just wondering if the department has any reporting requirements for these organizations and if they do, if he could let us know what they are for each of the organizations that they provide funding for.
Perhaps, if they're not under grants and contributions.
I didn't hear his answer Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Kattuk, can you explain your response please.
After the end of April, we will be, at the end of the year, we get a report and audited statements from the various organizations.
Is that the only reporting requirements that the department requires of them, for the 390 thousand dollars that they provide audited statements or are there any other conditions that go along with the funding.
Hon. Peter Kattuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'll get my Deputy Minister to clarify and explain.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Kattuk. Ms. Levi.
When they're grants there's just usually a little report that they can give us, that they can provide to us but if they’re contributions they have to provide a report and they also have to do audited statements to us as to how they utilized the money.
When they do a report then they have to provide us with a copy of their report and they also have to follow an agreement, if we have an agreement with them.
So I guess they're saying there is a contribution agreement that's signed between the department and the bodies.
Are there any other specifics, conditions or is it just, you know, we'll wait until the end of the year and we'll look at your reports and determine if they're doing, you know, what they are supposed to be doing.
Are there any other mechanisms in place to monitor and evaluate those contributions.
I will get my Deputy Minister to respond to that question.
When it's a contribution, there's usually an agreement to provide them with a bigger chunk of money.
What we do is we divvy up the money and then we give them some money and then they can ask again for some more funding.
If they finish whatever project they wanted to do, then they have to submit a report when they want to ask for some more funding.
Mr. Chairman, the bodies that the department funds under contributions.
I'm just wondering, do they have to be a registered society or can they be like any group or is there a requirement for them to be a society in good standing.
Under item 8-7, the Council for the Disabled is a society.
But the rest of them are just registered or non-profit.
If someone has a concern, I guess, or is the department aware of any concerns related to any of the organizations that are provided funding.
I wonder if Mr. Tootoo can ask his question again.
Maybe a better way to put it, is there a mechanism in place that if, if someone has concerns regarding any of the organizations, bodies that the department funds, is there a mechanism in place for someone within the department to be able to field any concerns.
Under item 8-7 under the various Associations.
They all have a Chairperson and it is the Chairperson that can be told of any concerns.
The Chairperson is approached.
Mr. Chairman, in the event that someone may have a concern about any of the Associations that the department funds.
Does the department have a mechanism for that individual or group of individuals to be able to approach and say we've got a concern about this organization.
That is what I am looking at.
Not someone like a Chairperson coming from that body or board.
If someone had a concern with that body or board that the department funds, is there a mechanism in place for the department to field concerns like that.
Under page 8-7, the contract for the Disabled is a Society but the rest of the Associations when it comes to them, somebody can approach them and say that they have problems with them.
Or the public can approach our department or myself saying these certain associations are not doing what they are supposed to be doing.
I was looking at if there was someone within the department that someone who had a concern could approach if they had a concern.
I was wondering as far as the minister is aware without having the audited statements and I don't know if they do any periodic checks or not.
Is he aware of any problems with any of the organizations that they are funding.
To date we still don't know.
Mr. Chairman my question is on page 8-7.
It is the breakdown of it.
On there is an increase in the contracts services.
I am wondering that is a 20 thousand dollar increase.
Is that for a specific contract that the department is going to be looking at.
Do you think the minister could share with us what that is.
This 74 thousand dollars, yes just because our contracts have gone up, that's why there's an increase on that item.
Yes your names rhyme, so Mr. Tootoo.
Mr. Chairman, you learn something new every day.
I didn't realize you were a poet.
Mr. Chairman, does the department know what those contract services are going to be.
Like what specifically they're going to be.
I will have my Deputy Minister reply as to what services we will be contracting out.
Ms Levi (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
For the Status of Women Council, when they were first initiated, we have researchers.
Federal/Provincial/Territorial usually have boards.
They both do research nationally.
It's to provide support for that.
So that's what part of this funding will be used for.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you, Ms. Levi. Mr. Tootoo.
Mr. Chairman, I will assume that would be part of ongoing work that the department did right from the beginning but if you look from last year to this year, it looks like an additional 20 thousand dollars.
I know it's not a huge amount but is that going towards a specific contract.
I'm just trying to find out what it is that's all.
There's an increase there yes.
Although the increase is not huge, it's mainly due to what I stated earlier on.
I just looked at you.
Chairperson (interpretation): I thought you raised your hand quite a while back.
I think you forgot that you raised your hand.
Is that okay with you now.
We'll go back to page 8-8.
Language and Communications Bureau.
Total operations and maintenance, 1 million 726 thousand dollars.
I think that's when I raised my hand at that time.
I have a question in regards to some of the issues I just raised.
I was wondering if your department has considered or have planned to teach Inuktitut language at the adult education facilities in the communities.
We're on page 8-8, when you go onto 8-9 you can get further information.
In spite of that, I will allow the minister to respond to you.
In regards to the member’s general comments, they were very well taken.
They were very interesting.
If we can do so, if it's going to be supported, I would do so.
But our department is not really responsible for those, but the Department of Education is more responsible for that.
So that would be my response.
Ms. Williams. All right then. 8-8, 8-9.
Do you have any questions on that page or do you agree.
If there are no further questions. Mr. Havioyak.
If we are on 8-9.
In regards to 622 thousand dollars, for instance.
Can he make it clear while I'm here, what kind of programs and services, what kind of activities, last year there was 272 dollars utilized, what kind of programs and services did they perform last year in terms of language promotion and protection through this program.
Yes, we received some applications.
Yes, they are geared towards the working group, so that's how I can respond, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Havioyak (interpretation): You mentioned the working group.
What kind of work do they do. What do they do.
The working group were dealing with the application forms that we receive from the communities geared towards the community base. So the working group mainly deals with the application forms.
I do understand you receive applications.
I was just asking, give me an example of the types of applications that you are getting.
By using some examples I see a better picture.
Just the type of applications.
What kind of projects are they using it for.
That is all I was asking for.
Just hold on, your microphone is off.
See if we can hear you now.
Hon. Peter Kattuk: Yes.
Earlier this afternoon I had a Minister's Statement using two communities.
Those are the proposals that we received from communities like Inuit counselling materials.
Inuktitut language support and computer purchase proposals.
(interpretation) All kinds of proposals using Inuit culture.
Promoting culture, language.
As long as we promote those kinds of things.
Culture, language and preservation.
The working group usually deals with those.
I guess then you are talking about traditional language promotion and protection.
I am sure you received applications from the DEAs for example.
Maybe the schools.
Are you going to do joint projects with the Department of Education in this area too.
Hon. Peter Kattuk: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
We did that last year but at this time we might be done by April 23rd.
I'm sorry if I am mispronouncing your names.
It is not on purpose.
Operations and maintenance, 1 million 726 thousand.
We are on this page.
Mr. Nutarak (interpretation): Yes, I will agree to it, but I will have a question on page 8-9.
This 80 thousand dollar grant.
Is that also for translations.
This may not seem like very much, and although there was no report submitted we can still allocate this amount to communities.
Back to operations and maintenance, 1 million 726 thousand dollars.
Mr. Havioyak: There's no quorum.
I just wanted to bring that to your attention.
That is something I would like to be informed on.
This is the first time I've been informed.
What do you propose now Mr. Havioyak.
Mr. Havioyak, would you like to continue or should we take a break.
What should we do here.
We were elected to represent our constituents.
We have a quorum now and we have to proceed so we can accomplish our task.
Back to the matter at hand, Culture, Language, Elders & Youth, branch summary.
For the communications department, 1 million 726 thousand dollars total expenditures.
Total expenditures, 1 million 726 thousand dollars.
To page 8-10, again on the other page, 8-11 and 8-12, 8-13, 8-14, if you have any questions pertaining to those pages, these are Culture, Language, Elders & Youth, branch summaries.
Total expenditures, 2 million 550 thousand dollars.
Mr. Nutarak (interpretation): On page 8-11, there's 260 thousand dollars.
This is funding that was mentioned earlier pertaining to computers and programs and stuff like that.
That is just a clarification or an information item.
Any other comments regarding the pages I referred to.
So you're saying when you see the application, what you mentioned confused me on 8-9 and you do the same thing on 8-11, so just for clarification I guess. That's what it is.
But you said you were using that as an example earlier when I said I wanted some examples on that 622 thousand dollars.
Maybe on your statement you talked about the purchase of the computers and so on.
Are you are doing the same thing on this 260 thousand dollar figure.
I'm a little confused here.
This funding, this amount is more for radio societies in the communities.
I'm sure that we will agree to this amount of 260 thousand.
The availability of this funding was advertised.
Is this what was advertised on the radio.
Chairperson (interpretation): I'm sorry there was someone ahead of you, but I'll get the minister to respond to you.
Hon. Peter Kattuk (interpretation): Yes, that's what the advertisement was for.
Mr. Nutarak (interpretation):These advertisements that I'm talking about for 260 thousand, will the communities get equal portions or will some, are some of the communities not going to get funding.
There's no community omitted.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you. Mr. Tootoo, I overlooked you.
Mr. McLean, I'm sorry I forgot to write your name down.
I just got a couple of brief questions on your programs, just generally.
Cultural and heritage activities 50 thousand, cultural and communications programs 260 thousand, on 8-11, on 8-12 cultural and heritage activities, 148 thousand and over in 8-13 cultural and communication programs, 456 thousand.
You have a designated amount of money in each one of these little programs.
Now, we know when a community applies, like under cultural and heritage activities, they'll probably send something in for 60 thousand.
Is there a standard application form for these programs, like if somebody knows that there's 60 thousand available for all of Nunavut, one community applies and you get 10 other communities not applying.
And under cultural and communications programs 260 thousand.
I haven't seen any of the application forms but is there a limit, a maximum or minimum that you apply for on all these programs and how come you don't just lump them together.
The limit would be around 13 thousand dollars and I think up to 150 thousand depending on what kind of activities they applied for.
Mr. McLean: What I'm getting to here is that I see full scale newspaper ads in all the newspapers saying that we will help you to apply to Culture, Language, Elders & Youth for contributions.
I think when people apply and you probably as a minister have seen that most applications come in they're pretty large and that one application could take the whole budget for the year.
I think when people are applying for these grants and contributions, they should know if there is a limit, a minimum and a maximum.
Does your department have that when people apply for these, saying that okay if you want to apply for a culture and communications program, the maximum limit is 10 thousand dollars.
Because I had people asking how much is available in this program Glenn, and I said well the budget is 260 thousand and they say well, uh, can we apply for all of that and I go no that's for all of Nunavut.
So when they apply, are they told what the maximum and minimum, what they can apply for.
I think when I say maximum, well, to explain it further to the member, I think maximum would be around 15 thousand dollars but each community, I mean when they apply, they can apply for the maximum amount, but most of communities are not too, not, you know, it's not, it could be around 10 thousand dollars at the most.
What I've seen from last year’s applications, how you say maximum amount is 15 thousand dollars, but each community has applied for a different amount.
So somebody, say, under culture and heritage activities, 50 thousand dollars.
If you get ten communities applying for that and they take it up, you know, five communities take it and then there are five communities with outstanding applications and there happens to be 150 thousand in cultural and communication programs.
Does your department move that money around.
The grants and contributions cannot be shuffled around.
So we cannot really shuffle any funds around, like we cannot move any funds around.
Mr. McLean: That's too bad because Sustainable Development does it all the time.
You should maybe get his secret.
But on that I think that's too bad and think there's too many little pots of money and I think it should all be put together.
That's just my thing because you got it spread out, that little bit of grant and contribution money spread out.
You should just get your policy people to rewrite a policy that you have a couple of million dollars there and this is the maximum contribution and this is the minimum contribution rather than have it spread out in different ways.
Because I think that confuses people that are applying it probably confuses the people that are spending it.
So my last question to the minister is the Nunavut Youth Abroad Program was a good program and I think it was funded by his department and I've seen some very good letters coming from people that travelled around the world.
Is your department going to fund that program at all this year.
That’s my final question.
We were expecting a report.
They're supposed to submit a report by April 23 but we haven't received that report of their activity.
We are on page 8-11.
There are no more.
Page 8-12.
On 8-12, there's Youth Summer Projects.
There was 30 thousand dollars last year to promote youth summer employment.
I'm just wondering if the department's going to be doing that under some other program within the department this year.
These projects have been moved over to human resources.
Mr. Tootoo: Mr. Chairman, on the other ones it's all grant and contributions.
Were all of the funds that they had allocated, 105, 100 thousand dollars and 155 thousand dollars, were those all used up.
Mr. Tootoo can't hear the interpreter.
Would you respond again please.
They have all been used.
If there are no further questions, 8-13. 8-13.
If there are no questions, 8-14. 8-14.
If there are no questions, 8-15.
Then we'll go back to 8-10.
Total operations and maintenance, 2 million 625 thousand dollars.
Total expenditures, 3 million, 625 thousand dollars.
So we'll go back to 8-5, Culture, Language, Elders & Youth.
Total operations and maintenance, 6 million 365 thousand dollars.
Total expenditures, 7 million 365 thousand dollars.
I'm sure when we're clapping, the interpreters ears must just about bust.
Thank you, very much at this time Mr. Kattuk and thank you to your officials.
You'll probably not be saying anything else but if you would like to say your closing comments.
I would like to thank my officials for being here with me when we were going through the estimates because they have been very helpful.
We will be considering your questions and some of the comments that we have heard which we will take into consideration.
Thank you and we'll see you.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you, Minister Kattuk and your officials for appearing before the Assembly.
We'll move on once you go back to your seats.
Going on to the Department of Finance, Mr. Ng. Bill 1.
Appropriation Act 2001-2002.
We’ll start on page 3-6.
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Yes. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Good afternoon. Good evening I guess now.
I am pleased…
Chairperson (interpretation): Mr. Havioyak did you have a question.
Mr. Havioyak (interpretation): I'm sorry where are we now.
We are moving on to the Department of Finance and Administration and Mr. Ng is going to be doing his opening remarks.
If there are no additional comments then I'll get Minister Ng to do his opening remarks.
Hon. Kelvin Ng: I am pleased to appear today before the Committee of the Whole to discuss the operations of the Department of Finance and Administration.
I will begin with a brief overview of the department's budget.
For the 2001-2002, the department has been allocated 38.9 million dollars.
This full amount to be directed to operations and maintenance expenditures.
The major components of the department's budget are:
12.3 million dollars for compensation and benefits;
4.75 million dollars for the power support program;
9.4 million dollars for the lease costs for the Nunavut Construction Corporation commercial properties;
1.6 million dollars for equal pay litigation costs;
1.5 million for insurance purposes;
4.3 million for government-wide employee programs such as dental, WCB, medical travel; and
4.9 million for other operations and maintenance costs.
Over the past year, the department conducted an extensive review of its organizational structure that resulted in the re-alignment of functions with the goal being to improve the efficiency of operations.
The department has three branches:
Fiscal Management
Informatics Planning and System Development
Comptrollership and Regional Financial Services
The department currently has a complement of 143 positions representing 55% of its total capacity.
Of the number of filled positions, 89 are located in headquarters, 17 in the Qikiqtaaluk Region, 16 in the Kivalliq Region and 14 in the Kitikmeot Region.
Included are 7 positions funded under the liquor commission revolving fund.
The department's focus for the 2001-2002 year will be to continue to provide central agency services in areas that include support for the financial management board, managing the government's overall fiscal position, overseeing our financial framework and accounting processes and the ongoing development of information technology policies and systems development.
Mr. Chairman, over the coming year, the department will make it a priority to review Nunavut's fiscal circumstances jointly with the federal Department of Finance.
At the same time the department will be actively involved with a major, government wide program and expenditure review exercise.