EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
I guess one of the reasons I am asking that, I believe as another member mentioned earlier, this department is a central hiring department for all of the government departments, and I just wanted to make sure that they have the capabilities or the capacity that is required for the volume of hiring that is anticipated over the next few months.
Mr. Minister. Boss Ng.
I can't say for sure, I mean obviously there is a priority right now because we are one of the departments that provides the human resource support for the other departments.
So Cabinet has recognized it as a priority in trying to get this as one of the departments to try and get staffed up first and we are trying to do that.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you boss Ng. I also want you to know when I say Minister I am trying to speak English.
I think Irqittuq, you wanted to ask another question.
The Minister at the witness table, I have some more questions to ask of him.
A number of jobs in the offices which are centralized, whether they be in Igloolik or in another community. I asked this question before, but I would like further clarification about it, about the qualifications of the people who are hired locally.
Will they need to have the same qualifications as the ones hired in Iqaluit, or has there been some consideration given to experience or equivalencies?
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Irqittuq, your question is in order.
Mr. Chairman, it was raised earlier and our goal is to staff as many positions as possibly based on competency on being able to do the job, not so much on the technical qualifications of those individuals.
That is where the department is moving, the whole government of Nunavut, so your evaluation is based more on being able to do the job more than your technical background.
I think you have another question Mr. Irqittuq.
The jobs which will be advertised and, so no matter where the jobs are, will you be looking at the residents first before hiring outside of the community?
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Irqittuq.
Minister Ng did you want to respond to that?
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Yes Mr. Chairperson.
Yes most definitely, if the positions can be filled locally that would be the first priority.
Are there any other comments or questions under Human Resources, while the Minister is at the witness table?
Mr. McLean, go ahead. I apologize, Mr. O'Brien.
Mr. Chairman, my question is in relationship to pay equity.
I am just wondering if the Minister can give us an update as to where this issue stands, in relation to implementing a gender neutral job evaluation system for the new Nunavut Government?
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you Mr. O'Brien.
Minister Ng you may respond please.
Mr. Chairman, the collective agreement that was reached by the GNWT with their employees, which transferred over to the Nunavut Government and the Nunavut based employees, was a gender neutral classification, it took that into account.
So all the positions that were transferred to Nunavut after division came over with the new job evaluation method and the new Hay Plan as well.
In addition to that, the newly created positions for headquarters whether it is in Iqaluit, we are all being evaluated using that plan as well.
So it is all gender neutral.
Chairperson (interpretation): Mr. O'Brien further comments.
Is it fair to say that there are no difficulties at this point in time with the pay equity as it relates to the concerns that we hear from the Western Arctic, given the fact that we have people here that are effected by the pay equity issue.
Are things kosher, are we anticipating any problems with this system that we have inherited?
It is our understanding that at this point in time there are not problems with the new job evaluation system.
I believe there is some mechanism for an appeal system for those individuals who feel that they were not properly categorized within certain pay ranges.
But, generally, broadly across the board, most of the problems are gone, we feel.
Chairperson (interpretation): Mr. O'Brien would you like to ask another question.
My final question is in reference to the Affirmative Action policy.
If you could give the members a brief update as to where this issue stands with your department.
Chairperson (interpretation): Minister Ng, either you or one of your officials could respond.
Ms. Aglukkaaq: Thank you Mr. Chairperson.
The Affirmative Action Policy was transferred over to the Government of Nunavut.
There were minor revisions to it and we have incorporated the Article 23, Inuit Beneficiary Preference, as priority one under the policy.
So any recruitment plans that we have in place, individuals are required to identify whether they are beneficiaries of the claim or not, to be considered into any positions.
Mr. O'Brien: Thank you very much Mr. Chairperson.
Any other questions or comments to the department of Human Resources?
My question relates to an issue that was mentioned earlier.
I was wondering if the Minister could advise as to how many positions that the government has staffed through the open competition process, and how many have been staffed via the direct appointment process.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Tootoo.
Mr. Ng, or one of your Officials can reply.
Mr. Chairman, I don’t know the total numbers that had been staffed, I can tell you that there’s only been two direct appointment made by this Cabinet.
Chairperson (interpretation): Mr. Tootoo would you like to make another comment.
M. Tootoo: Thank you Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Chairman I wonder if the Minister would advise us of the circumstances that allowed the Department to hire or fill those positions without using the open competition process and advertising those positions to all the people of Nunavut.
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Yes, because those two individuals completed their management training program with Arctic College and had a specific interest actually in the Department of Finance, that’s why I know those two individuals.
If I may add, those two positions are targeted for decentralization to one of the communities, when they complete their training as will.
Chairperson: (interpretation): Mr. Tootoo, you may go ahead and ask your question.
Another issue that was raised earlier in regards to the last question about affirmative action.
How does the Department rate their, someone that is a long term resident, that may not be a beneficiary of Nunavut, but was born here and lived here all their lives?
Will those individuals still receive preferential treatment under the affirmative action program?
Mr. Chairman, on the affirmative action policy, they would be designated priority through category.
Chairperson: (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Ng. Questions or comments, Mr. Puqiqnak.
Mr. Puqiqnak (interpretation): I was listening to Mr. Tootoo, through translation, but it’s okay.
In regards to Human Resources, when we discuss this matter, I just remembered, that we’ve been thinking about the article 23.
Lena Pederson's' Boarding Home for Kitikmeot, I would like to discuss that matter, because in 1989 around that year, the Boarding Home was established for Kitikmeot and it was utilized by the patients going down and the staff members were Inuit people.
After the Nunavut Government had been established we have to utilize and do our business according to article 23.
In the past, Lena Pederson was our MLA quite a ways back and she’s been working very hard to get the Boarding Home for the patients in Yellowknife and she was working very hard to get that established, so that the patients will be going to Yellowknife for treatment can be, so that they can feel welcome.
We’ve heard much that after the Nunavut Government was established we now have to do things according to the article 24 and we should be prioritising or we should be contracting people from within Nunavut.
It seems quite embarrassing, although we had worked very hard, but it’s quite embarrassing, because we are not utilizing the Article 23.
We have to do something according to Article 23 and 24 because we have to abide by those Articles.
Chairperson: (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Puqiqnak.
Right now I want the Members to be aware that I am now using Clyde River dialect.
Mr. Ng, you may respond now.
In regards to your question, seems like your question should be directed to the Minister of Health and Social Services.
Mr. Ng, you could respond to it if you’d like.
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Minister, I’ll let them.
When his budget comes up it's probably more appropriate.
Chairperson: (interpretation): Mr. Puqiqnak, I think he answered your questions, do you have any further comments?
Mr. Puqiqnak (interpretation): Thank your Mr. Chairman. In regards to Human Resources, I thought we were dealing with Human Resources.
As Nunavut residents should have employment opportunities and we should also be contracting Nunavut residents.
I feel that Nunavut should be contracting that Boarding Home from within Nunavut, but in regards to the Minister of Health, I know the Minister for that Department, but I was trying to talk more in line of employment.
I wanted to ask you a question, because we would like to do things according to Article 23.
Department of Human Resources Minister Ng, would you like to respond.
Mr. Chairman, the member makes a good point, but the Department of Human Resources is responsible for hiring for the Government Departments and providing training opportunities for the residents of Nunavut and particularly employees as well.
I think that members' questions are better probably raised when Public Works, Telecommunications comes up in respect of contracting provisions of Article 24.
When the Department of Health and Social Services Boards comes up in respect to that same provision with the contracts that were let by the Board.
Chairperson: (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Ng. The clock is ticking and we’ve got a few issues to cover, Mr. Akesuk.
Mr. Akesuk: Thank you Mr. Chairman, back to Housing and staff.
Can you advise us if there is a Staff Housing Policy or provide us with the details.
Mr. Chairman, we are currently using the GNWT Allocation Policy and I’ll be glad to provide that until such a time as we develop our own and refine what we have.
Chairperson: (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Ng. Mr. Akesuk
So you guys are using the GNWT Housing Policy?
Mr. Chairman, Yes we are using the GNWT Allocation Policy.
Chairperson: (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Ng. Mr. Tootoo your questions.
In regards to Staff Housing Policy and the allocations of staff housing units under the previous Government, that was a responsibility for the Financial Management Board that contracted to the NWT Housing Corporation.
Just wondering if the Minister can explain to us, who has the lead role in it now and the whole process of who’s responsible for what part and if it’s actual functions are still continuing on the same as it has in the past.
Chairperson: (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Tootoo.
Mr. Ng or Aglukkaq.
Ms. Aglukkaq: Qujannamiik, Itsivautaa.
It differs between Regions.
In Kitikmeot there’s a committee that allocates the units for government units and that’s with Human Resources, Financial Management Board, Public Works.
In the Keewatin it’s a combination and there’s also been contracts to maintain the units outside of Government.
In the Baffin, I believe with Housing Corporation that arrangement to maintain the government inventory of units was contracted to the Housing Authority.
The allocations were conducted by senior government staff from Public Works, FMBS at that time and I believe, Health Board and Education, so the co-ordination of allocations continues to be conducted by public servants with the maintenance of units conducted by associations.
Chairperson: (interpretation): Thank you Ms. Aglukkaaq.
Mr. Tootoo do you have any other questions?
I am aware of that process and how it works and I was just more or less wondering now, is that still in place or is there a different method of allocating and who’s responsible now.
Mr. Ng or Ms. Aglukkaaq
Mr. Chairman, I believe that I indicated that the allocations policy, all those procedures carried over after April 1st and we haven’t changed to date, but it is subject to review right now.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Ng. Mr. Tootoo you may continue again.
Maybe I could ask if the Minister could look into how the process is being done right now, because I’ve been aware of that allocation committee that previously was responsible for allocating units in the Baffin, that’s no longer responsible for that they’ve been told, it’s out of their hands now and there is someone else responsible for the allocation of units that are out there.
Mr. Ng or Ms. Aglukkak
Mr. Chairman, it’s my understanding that the current allocation committees are still in place, there’s been some changes as a result of personnel changes in that, then turn over and that’s one of the reasons, but anyway that process is still the same right now.
Chairperson: (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Ng. Mr. Tootoo.
I can acknowledge the Ministers’ Comments in answering the question, but again, could the Minister indicate whether all the units that are available for staff housing in Iqaluit, including the new units that were obtained through the OIC and the Noble house units, and up the hill if those units too are also allocated under the same process.
Mr. Chairman, there’s two different processes.
The two different processes from what I am understand, are a regional allocation committee and a headquarters allocation committee.
That’s where some of the differences might be coming into play.
Thank you Mr. Minister, I think it does explain this as you said earlier that the same process was being followed.
There was only one committee, that was allocating units prior to April 1st and now it appears as you mentioned, you have two separate committees allocating units.
I don’t think your looking at any other response now Mr. Ng.
Mr. Chairman, well before April 1st my understanding is the OIC had an allocation committee and GNWT had a regional allocation committee.
So after April 1st, that’s where you end up with the two Committees.
I mean those are the kind of things that we're trying to streamline in the development of a new Government of Nunavut Policy in relation to staff housing.
Chairperson: (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Ng. Is that end of your time Mr. Tootoo?
Thank you Mr. Tootoo, any further comments or questions?
Go back to line by line, these have to be passed, 4 – 4 under Human Resource Chart and this is the Directorate.
For the 1999/2000 operations and maintenance budget.
I believe you're looking at the page 4 – 4 operations and maintenance. The Total operations and maintenance budget.
Again I read this as $ 687.00, I believe this is $ 687 thousand dollars are there any comments to the amounts.
All the Members have agreed, Thank you.
Capital items, total capital, nothing, so the total expenditures for the Directorate is $ 687, for those in agreement.
Hon. James Arvaluk : I just want to ask Mr. Chairman, the Minister made a short comment as he was doing his introductory statements, that the Human Resources, he stated that there were no capital purchases in the total human resources portfolio.
Should we even mention capital when there's no purchases or no budget for Capital items.
Chairperson (interpretation): Are you following the same book?
I’ve been told that although there is no amount in these slots, we still have to refer to them because again that’s part of the Government protocol.
The total expenditures for the directorate is 687 thousand dollars, you agree?
4 - 5, Policy and Planning operations and maintenance budget in total is $ 116 thousand dollars, not much, agreed.
For total capital, the total expenditures and there is no total capital, so therefore the total expenditures for Policy and Planning is $ 116 thousand are you agreed, good.
As I’m learning, I’m progressing more smoothly here. 4 - 6, Staffing Policy for Operations and Maintenance, total operation and maintenance is 6 million 253 thousand dollars are you agreed? Capital items in total there is nothing, therefore the total expenditures is 6 million 253 thousand.
Are you agreed, you guys agreed before you even ask for the agreement.
4 - 7, Assistant Deputy Minister, operations and maintenance, total operation and maintenance 3 million, 780 thousand.
Are you agreed, Mr. Tootoo did you make a comment to this item?
Mr. Tootoo: Looking under this as an Assistant Deputy Minister, for further training programs for the government, earlier the Minister mentioned the EMBA program that was done jointly with the NUHRDS.
I was wondering if this is something that is going to be continued in the future, or is that something outside the Departments' budget.
Mr. Ng do you wish to respond to this?
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Mr. Chairman, that’s something that’s outside the budget.
Chairperson (interpretation): I was speaking to myself for a second there, thank you for reminding me.
The Capital items there’s a zero balance, so therefore the total expenditure is 3 million, 780 thousand dollars.
Are you agreed.
Now turn to page 4 – 8 this is primarily information item, distribution budget, are you agreed?
Now to return to 4 – 3 the details of expenditures, operations and maintenance total operations and maintenance is 10 million, 836 thousand dollars.
Capital Items, total capital items is zero balance, therefore total expenditures is 10 million, 836 thousand dollars.
You may applaud.
We need to complete this, have you agreed that we have completed the Human Resources Budget?
I would just like to thank the Minister and officials for having their presentation.
I would like to thank Mr. Ng, and his Assistant Deputy Minister, because they took the time.
Now to go back to orders of the day and my question to you now because we still have to deal with the Justice.
How do you wish to proceed in respect to the meeting item.
O’Brien there he is.
I move to report progress for today.
Chairperson (interpretation): I forget you Mr. O’Brien.
I’m sorry you cannot make a motion, you can only agreed to this at the Committee, you either have to agree or state, are you agreed.
Thank you this has been concluded, I’m sorry those who are against, none against.
At this time in respect to the Justice meeting item, I didn’t quite understand, excuse me for a second.
Now the Speaker will return to his seat or do you wish to make a comment?
Hon. Jack Anawak (interpretation): Yes I just want to do a little training, you guys state criminal justice but we actually mean justice it is just phonetic disagreement.
Item 21: Report of Committee of the Whole
Speaker (interpretation) : To return to the Orders of the Day, Item 21.
I am sorry I cannot hear.
Mr. Iqaqrialu (interpretation) : Mr. Speaker I would like to report progress.
Mr. Speaker your committee, has been considering Bill One, Committee reports one, two, three and four. I move that the report of the Committee of the Whole be concurred with.
Speaker (interpretation) : Thank you Mr. Iqaqrialu.
Is there a seconder for the motion.
Seconded by the Hon. Member Mr. Picco. Motion is in order.
Item 22, Third reading of Bills.
Item 23, Orders of the Day.
Mr. Quirke: Wednesday 9.00 in the morning, regular caucus here in the Parish Hall.
Orders for the Day, Wednesday May 19, 1999
Recognition of Visitors to the Gallery
Returns to Written Questions
Reports of Standing Committees and Special Committees
Notices of Motions, First Reading of Bills
Consideration in Committee of the Whole on Bills and Other Matters:
Bill 1 - Appropriation Act 1999/2000.
Standing Committee Reports 1-1(2), 2-1(2), 3-1(2) 4-1(2)
Report of Committee of the Whole
Speaker (interpretation) : I have a few comments before we close this session and I would like to take this time to thank the six pages who we had today for the five days.
These pages are students at the Inuksuk High School here in Iqaluit and I believe this is their last day as pages for us.
I will try to pronounce their names and if I pronounce their names wrong please forgive me.
Kooyoo Amagoalik, KY MacKay, Jimmy Soucie, Stephany Rose, Andrew Morrison, Elaine Lloyd.
Please show them applause.
>> Assembly adjourned at 5.48 pm.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 19, 1999
Pages 168 - 226
Oral Questions. 28
Written Questions 28
Wednesday, May 19, 1999 28
12 - 1 (2): Arviat P3 Project (Ng) 28
13 - 1 (2): New Health Centre in Arviat (Picco) 28
39 - 1 (2): CBC and Consensus Government (McLean) 28
40 - 1 (2): Need for School Buses in Iqaluit (Tootoo) 28
41 - 1 (2): Arviat Health Centre Agreement (O'Brien) 28
42 - 1 (2): Overcrowded School in Hall Beach (Irqittuq) 28
50 - 1 (2): Funding for Hamlet of Clyde River (Iqaqrialu) 28
51 - 1 (2): Boarding Home Contract (O'Brien) 28
53 - 1 (2): Items Deferred in Capital Plan (Puqiqnak) 28
54 - 1 (2): Federal Funding for Housing (Kattuk) 28
55 - 1 (2): House of Commons Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development (Tootoo) 28
57 - 1 (2): High Cost of Living in Nunavut (Alakannuark) 28
58 - 1 (2): Request for Proposals - Ublivik Contract (McLean) 28
59 - 1 (2): Vacant Head Nurse Position in Igloolik (Irqittuq) 28
60 - 1 (2): Outpost Camps Eligibility for Income Support (Iqaqrialu) 28
61 - 1 (2): Capital Project Priorities, Town of Iqaluit (Tootoo) 28
62 - 1 (2): Sanikiluaq Interpreters for Assembly (Kattuk) 28
63 - 1 (2): Status of Positions with Education Boards (McLean) 28
64 - 1 (2): Vacant Decentralization Infrastructure (O'Brien) 28
65 - 1 (2): Disease Prevention, Incidence of Illness (Alakannuark) 28
WRITTEN QUESTIONS
1 - 1 (2): Nunavut Share of Accumulated GNWT Surplus (Iqaqrialu) 28
2 - 1 (2): Gloria Penners' Services (Kattuk) 28
3 - 1 (2): Kimmirut Community Arena (Akesuk) 28
4 - 1 (2): Ublivik Contract (McLean) 28
6 - 1 (2): Analysis of Audit Reports, Hamlet of Clyde River 28
7 - 1 (2): Baker Lake Hamlet Council Support for NTPC Contaminant Clean-Up 28
8 - 1 (2): Review of Baker Lake Social Groups for Amalgamation 28
7 – 1 (2): Communities Benefit from Information Superhighway (O'Brien) 28
8 – 1 (2): Adherence to Article 24 By Departments (O'Brien) 28
9 – 1 (2): Mid Year Progress Report (O'Brien) 28
Wednesday May 19, 1999  Nunavut Hansard
Iqaluit, Nunavut  Wednesday, May 19, 1999
Mr. Ovide Alakannuark, Mr. Olayuk Akesuk, Honourable James Arvaluk, Honourable Levi Barnabas, Honourable Donald Havioyak, Mr. David Iqaqrialu, Mr. Enoki Irqittuq, Mr. Peter Kattuk, Honourable Peter Kilabuk, Mr. Glenn McLean, Honourable Kelvin Ng, Mr. Jobie Nutarak, Mr. Kevin O’Brien, Mr. Uriash Puqiqnak, Honourable Manitok Thompson, Mr. Hunter Tootoo.
Speaker (Mr. Levi Barnabas): Mr. McLean would you lead us in the opening prayer please?
Today, before we will open the session this afternoon, I would like to welcome the new pages.
We will have them for five days.
I would like to welcome them first of all, then going back to our Orders of the Day, Ministers’ Statements.
Ministers' Statement 12 - 1 (2): Arviat P3 Project
Hon. Hon. Kelvin Ng. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to announce that the Government of Nunavut has signed a Public-Private Partnership agreement with the Arviat Development Corporation for the health facility in Arviat.
This is the first P3 project agreement in Nunavut and the Northwest Territories.
Public-Private partnerships are a financing alternative in which the government partners with a private sector business to provide some of the government’s infrastructure needs.
The private business invests in the project and then enters into an operating lease with the government.
In today’s dollars, this project is worth approximately ten (10) million dollars.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the ADC and their representatives who are in the gallery today for their co-operation and support in moving the process forward and ensuring that the agreement met the interests of the community: Mr. Guy Alikut, Ms. Cleo Prellwitz, and Mr. Joe Manik.
They deserve great credit in bringing this much needed health centre to Arviat.
It is expected that the design work for the health centre will be completed by the end of May with the construction schedule to begin early this fall.
This agreement is significant because it lays the foundation for future P3 projects in Nunavut.