EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
At the end of the day, Minister Picco, at the end of the day the Power Corporation is in a deficit, I think we are all agreeing that for it to be, have a healthy surplus at this point, it is probably not even realistic; setting up the utilities is no minor issue.
Can you assure this House that there will be no staff layoffs so that staff can rest assured if there is any kind of uncertainty in the Power Corporation or the Qullik Energy Corporation, that there are not going to be any staff layoffs in the future?
Mr. Chairman, I want to say a couple things.
The Power Corporation employees and the ranking Members on the ground keeping our electricity on every day have done yeoman service for the people of Nunavut.
And we have no, Mr. Chairman, we have no contemplation at this time or in the foreseeable future, any layoffs and indeed we were looking at, depending on how the Corporation grows, expansion.
As we are seeing right now in the office in Baker Lake a result of what occurred was a rate review, for example, we’ve put an extra four, three accountant positions for example in Baker Lake so we’ve actually been hiring more staff for the power corporation.
On the bonus issue asked earlier by Mr. McLean, I want to make sure that there is no doubt left in anyone’s mind that, you know, there was nothing near the amounts given by Mr. McLean.
I don’t have the actual amount here.
In total payout in bonus which is done again by corporate groups the world over.
But it was certainly less than 40 thousand dollars.
No individual received a 40 thousand dollar bonus; I can guarantee you that, Mr. McLean.
I’ve got no problems with deputy Ministers or assistant deputy Ministers or senior employees in corporations in government getting bonuses.
But when you hear those numbers being touted around in the track record of the some employees and my question was about the board of directors making decisions on staff bonuses because as we know senior staff, deputy Ministers, could be gone at the flick of a pen and so they’re under a tremendous amount of stress and accountability and I will wait till a later time to find out about the bonuses.
Earlier you mentioned the capital free and you built a beautiful, beautiful warehouse in Baker Lake I think in the tune of 2 and one half to 3 million dollars.
I was up looking at it last week and lots of lights on, and beautiful facility, state of the art.
I think it’s supposed to be a power plant when it’s finished.
Does the Minister have any kind of time line when that facility is going to be completed in Baker Lake?
Mr. Chairman, the Baker Lake power plant is one that has grown within me.
It was valuably featured in the URCC report and there was some concern from URCC that we had over built.
However, based on the population growth in the community of Baker Lake and based on possible mining activities and so on, the facility itself should be there for several years to come for the community.
There is a delay this year in completing the installation of some of the generators.
However, we have a contingency plan in place to make sure that the power stays on in Baker Lake and it is my understanding we will be able to commission the plant in 2005 so, we’re not that far off the actual scheduling.
Schedule has been laid 2004 and now it’ll be 2005.
So, you can guarantee the fine people of Baker Lake that with the two year delay on this power plant that the existing power in the community will be maintained to it’s level now that we have and that there be no power failures that would seriously effect the community?
Mr. Chairman, there are a lot of issues when you’re dealing with electrical power.
I can’t guarantee any and all foreseeable effects that would cause the power to go off but I can say, in this case, specific to the delay of the completion of the new power plant in Baker Lake, we have put in place a contingency plan, indeed an emergency plan, to ensure that the power stays on in Baker Lake.
Now, I have been assured by Mr. Hawker and some of the other people within the department, within the corporation, within the power corporation that indeed the contingency plan, the emergency plan that is put in place by the corporation should suffice and again adding Mr. Hawker on the ground in Baker Lake, living there, to ensure that that power plant stays up and running.
I’m pretty confident that we’ll be able to let you know that the residents of Baker Lake will not have too long to go with interruptions in their power.
Mr. McLean: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. That’s very assuring what the Minister has told me and I would sleep a lot better at night knowing full well, that if the power goes out at two o’clock in the morning, I can call my friend Hazen and tell him that the power is out, and we’re freezing and that it’s going to be on shortly.
I’m really glad that Minister accommodated me that way, and I know Hazen; he’s a hard working man and you know the back bone of the power corporation at this point and I know his phone number at home, I have it written down and I’m sure to highlight it and make sure that it’s there when our power goes out Hazen.
Mr. Chairman, I would like to report progress.
Chairman (interpretation): There’s a motion on the floor to report progress and the motion is not debatable.
Those in favor of the motion.
I just would like to remind the Ministers and the Departments and the officials, in the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut we follow parliamentary procedures and we are required to wear formal attire, just a reminder to the Ministers and to the officials that they should be dressed appropriately when they appear before the House.
This is according to the parliamentary procedures in Canada and others.
I will now ask for the Mr. Speaker to come in.
Any final remarks from the Minister?
Mr. Chairman, I think this afternoon the continuation of the debate that we had in Baker Lake was the well taken; I believe you were able to dispel some of the rumors and innuendoes.
Indeed we are working hard, in the Ministers office, and with our senior Members of Power Corporation itself to stem some of the things that we’ve seen.
I think we are having positive results from Mr. Flaherty and Mr. Hawker and the other Members of the team on board.
I thank the Members for their questions.
I would like to ask my colleagues whether we are concluded with Ministers Statement 164-1(6), Tabled Document 117-1(6) and 118-1(6).
Are we done with those?
Thank you for coming Mr. Minister and your officials, I will ask the Speaker to come in.
Mr. Chairman. Mr. Puqiqnak.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Your committee has been considering Ministers’ Statement 164-1(6), and Tabled Document 117-1(6), and Tabled Document 118-1(6).
We would like to report that Minister’s Statement 164 – 1(6) and Tabled Document 117 – 1(6) and 118 – 1(6) have been concluded.
And I move to have our report concurred with.
There is a Motion on the floor.
Do we have a seconder for the Motion? Mr. Netser will second the Motion.
Order for the Day for Wednesday, October 22nd.
This House stands adjourned until Wednesday, October, 22nd, 2003, at 1:30 pm.
>>House adjourned at 17:33  Nunavut Canada
DAY 59
Wednesday October 22, 2003
Pages 3917 – 3978
Opening Prayer 3917
Ministers’ Statements 3917
Members’ Statements 3922
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 3930
Oral Questions 3932
Written Questions 3949
Tabling of Documents 3951
Notices of Motions for First Reading of Bills 3951
First Reading of Bills 3952
Second Reading of Bills 3953
Consideration of Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 3953
Report of Committee of the Whole 3977
Orders of the Day 3977
Wednesday October 22, 2003 3917
184 – 1(6): Fiscal Update (Ng) 3917
608 – 1(6): 100th Anniversary and Celebrations Roald Amundsen at Gjoa Haven (Puqiqnak) 3922
609 – 1(6): Compliment Minister for Health and Social Services (McLean) 3924
610 – 1(6): Tragic Incidents in Hall Beach (Irqittuq) 3924
611 – 1(6): Annual Medical Visits to Community (Nutarak) 3925
612 – 1(6): Awarding of Contracts (Tootoo) 3925
613 – 1(6): Awarding of Contracts for the Construction of Houses (Anawak) 3926
614 – 1(6): Government Projects (Alakannuark) 3927
615 – 1(6): Appreciate the Projects and Construction in Rankin Inlet (Thompson) 3927
616 – 1(6): Upcoming Plebiscite in Kugluktuk (Havioyak) 3928
617 – 1(6): New Rent Scales (Williams) 3929
618 – 1(6): Proud of First Inuk NHL Hockey Player – Jordin Tootoo (Okalik) 3930
595 – 1(6): Mental Health Worker for Kugluktuk (Havioyak) 3932
596 – 1(6): Status of Annual Medical Checkups in the Communities (Nutarak) 3933
597 – 1(6): Awarding of Contracts for Construction of Houses (Anawak) 3935
598 – 1(6): Update on Situation of Fuel in Hall Beach (Irqittuq) 3936
599 – 1(6): Plans to Renovate Old Public Houses (Williams) 3937
600 – 1(6): Meet and Discuss with Coral Harbour Residents on Fuel Spill (Netser) 3938
601 – 1(6): New Fuel Tanks for Kugaaruk (Alakannuark) 3939
602 – 1(6): Reason Joint Venture Contract Was Awarded the Project (Tootoo) 3939
603 – 1(6): Signed Contract for Health Facility (McLean) 3942
604 – 1(6): Income Support Qualifications (Nutarak) 3944
605 – 1(6): Reasons Contract Went Through Executive Council (Tootoo) 3945
606 – 1(6): Contract for Supply Ships and Erect Housing (Anawak) 3947
020 – 1(6): Request for Proposals (Anawak) 3949
129 – 1(6): Interim Financial Report (Un-audited) March 31, 2003 (Ng) 3951
130 – 1(6): Supplementary Retiring Allowances Act – Election by Netser (Speaker) 3951
Bill 40 – An Act to Amend the Northwest Territories Business Credit Corporation Act – Notice 3951
Bill 42 – An Act to Amend the Labour Standards Act – Notice 3951
Bill 41 – An Act to Amend the Nursing Act – Notice 3951
Bill 43 – An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act – Notice 3952
Bill 44 – Supplementary Appropriation Operations and Maintenance Act No. 1 2003-2004 – Notice 3952
Bill 45 – Supplementary Appropriation Capital Act No. 4 2003-2004 – Notice 3952
Bill 47 – Supplementary Appropriation Operations and Maintenance Act No. 3 2003-2004 – Notice 3952
Bill 48 – Supplementary Appropriation Operations and Maintenance Act No. 4 2003-2004 – Notice 3952
Bill 46 – Appropriation (Capital) Act 2004-2005 – First Reading 3952
Bill 46 – Appropriation (Capital) Act 2004-2005 – Second Reading 3953
Mr. Ovide Alakannuark, Mr. Jack Anawak, Mr. Donald Havioyak, Mr. Enoki Irqittuq, Honourable Peter Kattuk, Hon. Peter Kilabuk, Mr. Glenn McLean, Mr. Patterk Netser, Honourable Kelvin Ng, Mr. Jobie Nutarak, Honourable Kevin O’Brien, Honourable Paul Okalik, Honourable Ed Picco, Mr. Uriash Puqiqnak, Hon. Manitok Thompson, Mr. Hunter Tootoo, Ms. Rebekah Williams.
Speaker: I would like to call on Mr. Havioyak to say the prayer this morning.
Before we proceed with the Orders of the Day I wish to read the following communication from the Commissioner of Nunavut, dated October 21, 2003.
I wish to advise that I recommend to the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut the passage of the following Bills during the sixth session of the first Legislative Assembly. Bill 44.
Supplementary Appropriation (O and M) Act No. 1, 2003/2004, Bill 45. Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act No. 2, 2003/2004, Bill 46. Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2004/2005, Bill 47.
Supplementary Appropriation (O and M) Act No. 3, 2002/2003. And finally, Bill 48. Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act No. 4, 2002/2003.
Moving onto Item 2.
Minister’s Statement 184 – 1(6): Fiscal Update
Mr. Speaker, as Members are aware, this is the last time I will rise in this Legislative Assembly to update Members and all Nunavummiut on the fiscal situation of the Government of Nunavut, and to introduce the Capital Estimates for the coming fiscal year.
Mr. Speaker, throughout this first mandate of the Government of Nunavut, we have stressed the need to maintain a sound financial position.
We have been able to do this while at the same time focusing our expenditure efforts on priority areas that best meet the needs of Nunavummiut and the long-term goals of the government as expressed in the Bathurst Mandate.
In order to do this, difficult choices had to be made that recognized the unique situation of Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, Nunavut is unique amongst the other provincial and territorial jurisdictions in Canada.
Our territory relies heavily on transfers from the federal government, more so than any other Canadian jurisdiction.
This poses special constraints on us in planning our expenditures.
The major federal transfer we receive can be significantly affected by changes in spending in the provinces or at the local government level in other jurisdictions.
Movements in our population estimates and those for Canada as a whole also have significant impacts on the funds flowing to us through the Formula Financing Agreement.
These changes can result in either sudden unexpected pieces of good fortune or in sudden reductions in Nunavut’s revenue flows.
Both effect our planning cycle and require that special attention be paid to maintaining a healthy fiscal position.
Mr. Speaker we are currently re-negotiating our Formula Financing Agreement with the federal government.
Senior Finance officials have presented a business case to the federal government that emphasized the need for continued strong financial support from the federal government so that we have adequate resources to deliver public services and to make progress on solving some of our social and economic development needs.
Minister Manley, the federal Finance Minister, will meet my finance colleagues from the other two territories and me before Christmas to discuss the Formula renewal.
Mr. Speaker, this will be the first time a federal Finance Minister has held a special meeting with territorial finance Ministers to specifically discuss our Formula Financing Agreements.
Mr. Speaker, during this mandate progress has been made in having the federal government recognize that per capita funding allocations for important health, infrastructure and other programs does not work for small jurisdictions such as Nunavut.
The recent Health Accord that Premier Okalik with his territorial colleagues resolved with the Prime Minister was specific recognition that the old methods are not adequate for the North.
As well, the recently announced municipal infrastructure and housing funding is another important example that persistent and well informed arguments may be changing the view that the North can not be funded like other jurisdictions.
Mr. Speaker, I believe that we have been able to effectively meet the fiscal challenges that came with establishing the first Government of Nunavut.
We have invested the resources available to us over our first 5 years wisely and have maintained a healthy fiscal situation for future governments.
The government has sought to ensure that a healthy fiscal situation would be in place for a new government.
In the budget speech earlier this year, it was projected that the government would have a deficit, for 2003-2004, of almost $12 million.
However, since I tabled the budget in March, a mix of circumstances meant we will not be able to maintain our planned target.
Unexpected spending pressures in both program delivery costs and capital had to be dealt with in this fiscal year.
The single largest area of spending pressure is with the delivery of health care.
Mr. Speaker, the increasing cost of delivering health care is a concern to governments across Canada.
I have just returned from a Finance Ministers’ meeting where this particular matter was raised by a number of my provincial and territorial colleagues.
There is a need for us to ensure that we deliver adequate health care but at a reasonable cost.
In the coming months this matter will be addressed at a joint federal/provincial/territorial Finance and Health Ministers’ meeting.
Mr. Speaker, to ensure that health care to Nunavummiut is maintained, we will be proposing to increase the budget for the Department of Health and Social Services for 2003-04 by $26.3 million.
A Supplementary Appropriation will be introduced in this Session for your consideration.
In addition to the pressures on the operating budget, capital expenditures are approximately $10.7 million higher than approved in the 2003-04 Capital Estimates.
This increase is due to the replacement of the Joamie School, the fires at Clyde River and Repulse Bay, and the decision to build rather than lease the Residential Care Facility at Chesterfield Inlet.
Mr. Speaker, in total we anticipate that additional expenditures for 2003-04 will be approximately $36 million higher than budgeted.
Mr. Speaker as indicated at the beginning of this statement this government places a high priority on maintaining a sound fiscal position.
Our heavy reliance on federal transfers means we must live within our means.
The new spending pressures have a potential to destabilize the governments sound management as we approach the close of this first mandate.
Fortunately, Mr. Speaker the recently announced population adjustments associated with the 2001 Census mean that we expect to receive an additional $30 million under our Formula Financing Agreement.
Also, in order to ensure that we leave a healthy fiscal situation for a new government we are proposing a net reduction in the operating budgets of departments, other than Health and Social Services, of $11.2 million.
These reductions will be realized through efficiencies in government operations, and not through changes in programs that directly affect Nunavummiut.
Adjustments to individual departmental allocations will be introduced in this session for your consideration through Supplementary Appropriations to address the proposed changes to departmental expenditures.
The increase in expenditures will be partially offset through these lower expenditures and the higher revenues that we expect to receive as a result of the new population estimates.
We now project that the deficit for 2003-04 will be approximately $50 million.
However, since our revenues exceeded expenditures during the first three years of this mandate, the Government remains in a sound financial position and we expect to close this mandate with a cash surplus in place for the new government.
2004-05 Capital estimates
Mr. Speaker, as indicated earlier, I am also introducing the Capital Appropriation Act for 2004-05.
For fiscal 2004-05 our government is planning to allocate just over $108 million for capital expenditures on projects that will benefit communities throughout Nunavut.
This is less than the $143 million included in the Capital Estimates for 2003-04.
However, it is still significantly above our target of $75 million for capital expenditures that the Government would like to maintain because of the funding required for major projects that are underway.
The Department of Health and Social Services will have the single largest capital budget for the coming fiscal year at $28.6 million.
Our objective is to improve the capacity to provide health care to Nunavummiut close to home, and reduce our dependence on facilities in the south.
In addition to the $22.9 million included in the budget for three major health projects that are ongoing, funding of $4.1 million is included for replacement of the health center in Igloolik, and $1.1 million is provided to complete the Residential Care Facility in Chesterfield Inlet.
Mr. Speaker, Consistent with the goals of the Bathurst Mandate to improve access to education and provide affordable housing for all Nunavummiut, 39 percent of the capital budget is for education projects and housing.
Funding is provided for a new high school in Arviat, for school additions in Whale Cove and Iqaluit, and as noted previously, for replacement of the Joamie School in Iqaluit.
In addition the budget provides for a new territorial library in Baker Lake, student housing for the Nunavut Arctic College in Cambridge Bay, and a new Community Learning Centre in Cape Dorset.
The Capital Estimates include $10.1 million for public housing.
This will be matched by the federal government through the Strategic Infrastructure Fund.
The combined funding available from the GN budget and the Strategic Infrastructure Fund will enable the construction of an additional 80 public housing units in 2004-05.
Mr. Speaker, all communities of Nunavut will benefit from additional public housing.
The Strategic Infrastructure Fund announced by the Federal Government on October 5, 2003 in Rankin Inlet also identified funding for larger scale water and wastewater projects.
This is a priority need in communities, and the matching funding required by the Government of Nunavut is included in the 2004-05 Capital Estimates and the Five-Year Capital Plan.
The total budget for Community Government and Transportation capital expenditures in 2004-05 is $19.2 million.
This includes $16.6 million for community projects, of which approximately one half is for community sewage and water projects.
There is $ 2.6 million for transportation projects.
The CGT budget includes approximately 115 projects with expenditures in almost all communities in 2004-05.
In addition to the capital contribution of $4 million for projects in Iqaluit, other major expenditures include sewage treatment upgrades in Cape Dorset, replacing the water supply line in Cambridge Bay, water treatment in Gjoa Haven, sewage and water works in Rankin Inlet, Coral Harbour, and Resolute Bay, and a sewage lagoon study in Kugluktuk.
Communities will also benefit from new funding for local access roads, and upgrading of airport facilities.
Mr. Speaker, also of direct benefit to communities is the $569 thousand budgeted for the Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth.
This money is for contributions to community heritage, youth and elders centres across Nunavut.
The Department of Public Works and Services will have a capital budget of $7.7 million.
This includes over $5 million for rehabilitation and construction of bulk fuel storage facilities across Nunavut.
Major projects to receive funding include the tank farms in Arctic Bay, Hall Beach, Resolute Bay, Kugaaruk, and Repulse Bay.
For 2004-05, the Department of Sustainable Development will manage a capital budget of almost $2 million for various tourism, parks and wildlife projects around Nunavut.
An allocation of $575 thousand is included for a new wildlife garage in Whale Cove.
The Department of Justice will receive $7.2 million for capital projects in the coming year.
This includes $6.5 million for a new Justice Centre that will be located in Iqaluit.
Completion is planned for 2005/06.
Mr. Speaker, for the past four years we have concentrated on developing the capacity needed by a new government to deliver services to Nunavummiut effectively.
A major part of that effort has been directed towards developing our capital infrastructure.
We can be proud of what we have accomplished.
Nunavummiut throughout the territory have benefited from new schools, additional public housing, new health facilities, and improvements to municipal infrastructure.
We have done this by stretching the resources available through federal transfers to the limit.
With growing demands for limited program funds, we will not be able to meet our infrastructure requirements alone.
The recent announcement by the federal government to increase infrastructure funding for Nunavut is a welcome move in the right direction.
Mr. Speaker, the efforts of the Premier and my Cabinet Colleagues, working together with their counterparts in the federal government, has resulted in an improved understanding of the special needs of Nunavut.
It is now increasingly recognized that federal allocations to Nunavut for special initiatives should be based on need and not simple per capita calculations.
Mr. Speaker, let me conclude by emphasizing that our capital infrastructure remains woefully inadequate.
The challenge remains for the Government of Nunavut and the federal government to work together to provide Nunavummiut with the public infrastructure that most other Canadians take for granted.
Member’s Statement 608 – 1(6): 100th Anniversary and Celebrations Roald Amundsen at Gjoa Haven
I am going to be making a lengthy Member’s Statement.