EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
The committee was gratified to hear from the government’s opening statement that it agrees with the importance of providing budget to actual comparisons and intends to introduce these changes as capacities increases.
This type of information is critical to a sound estimates process that allows legislators and the public to compare the government’s passed results with its future budget plans.
The committee would wish to congratulate such public entities such as the offices of the Languages Commissioner for already providing this level of detail in its most recent annual report to the Legislative Assembly.
Standing committee recommendation number 13; that the government move forward in this area.
The public accounts and main estimates in this area should provide detail at the standard object level with respect to last year or prior years actual expenditures, transparency in contracting, grants and contributions.
The committee would note that improvements have been made since 1999 with respect with the government making public, information on the identity of recipients of grants and contributions and contracts and the value of awards made.
The committee was pleased to learn during its hearing that the government is making an effort to prepare a comprehensive schedule of grants and contributions for inclusion in the 2001/2002 public accounts.
The recommendation number 14; that the government table on an annual basis, a comprehensive list of RFP and tender awards made during the previous fiscal year.
This list should include information on the identity of the proposers and the contract recipients in addition to the value of the award.
Investment guidelines for the Nunavut Development Corporation.
The standing committee understands that a new set of investment guidelines for the Nunavut Development Corporation have been approved.
The committee recommends in recommendation number 15; that the government table a complete set of the investment guidelines for the Nunavut Development Corporation.
Statutory tabling requirements.
Over the passed year, the committee has noted improvement with respect to the government complying with its statutory tabling requirements for annual reports, financial statements and other documents.
However, as of May 31st, there still remains a number of important outstanding requirements and the committee strongly urges the government to fulfill these.
The reviews of the revolving funds and the utility price subsidies.
The committee understands that the government’s reviews in these areas have to at some extent over lap with such development of the establishment of the Qulliq Energy Corporation.
None the less, the committee would wish to see the government fulfill its October 2002 commitment to presenting recommendations resulting from its reviews to the Legislative Assembly.
Mr. Speaker, in less than a year, a new Legislative Assembly and government will be in office.
Over the passed four years, much has been accomplished in the way of establishing a functioning government and the committee is pleased to have contributed to the development of a transparent accountable system.
Much work remains to be done and the committee looks forward to closely monitoring the government’s progress in their final year of its mandate.
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to rule 91 (3), I move that the report of the standing committee be adopted by the assembly as read.
Do members agree that the report of the standing committee be adopted by the house pursuant to rule 91 (3) .
So adopted.
Reports of Committees on the Review of Bills. Item 13. Tabling of Documents.
Tabled Document 114 – 1(6): Kivalliq Chamber of Commerce
Mr. Speaker, I’d like to table document, Kivalliq Chamber of Commerce Resolution 13, whereas the current funding for the Baker Lake print makers operation has been terminated over the last couple of years and they’re totally closed down now and a historic part of Nunavut is now not being reproduced.
Be it resolved that the Government of Nunavut provide financial support to the Baker Lake print makers to continue their artistic traditions.
Tabled Document 115 – 1(6): 12 Resolutions
I’d like to table the other 12 resolutions from the Kivalliq Chamber of Commerce meeting.
Tabled Document 116 – 1(6): The Time is Right
Hon. Olayuk Akesuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I would like to table the following document.
The Time is Right, a vision and strategy for tourism development in Nunavut.
Tabled Document 117 – 1(6): Utility Rates Review Council Report to the Minister
Tabled Document 118 – 1(6): Executive Summary – Annual Report of the Nunavut Power Corporation 2001-2002
Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure today to table two documents.
The first document is the report of the utility rate review council on two questions posed to me as Minister Responsible for Energy.
And the second document Mr. Speaker, is the tabling of the annual report of the Nunavut Power Corporation.
Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to be able to present these reports to you today.
Nunavut Power Corporation points out that several difficulties were incurred in the determination of assets, liabilities and equity balances related to the separation from the Northwest Territories Power Corporation.
In addition, Nunavut Power Corporation, not unexpectedly, had to go through a learning process associated with the initial year end audit.
Mr. Speaker, in spite of the delays encountered, the corporation’s financial statements meet all of the requirements of the Office of the Auditor General for Canada and were prepared in accordance with Canada’s generally accepted accounting principles.
Mr. Picco, can we have that document.
Will you send it to the clerk’s table please.
Tabled Document 119 – 1(6): Public Accounts – March 31, 2002
Tabled Document 120 – 1(6): Schedule of Inter-branch Transfers Over $250 Thousand
I wish to table the public accounts from March 31st 2002, both the non-consolidated and the consolidated financial statements of the Government of Nunavut and I would also like to table the transfers of over $250 thousand dollars.
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Ng. Item 13. Tabling of documents.
Are there any further tabling of documents.
Moving onto Item 14. Notices of motions.
Motion 023 – (6): - Extension - Reviews of Bills 20, 33 and 35 - Notice
Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Tuesday, June 3, 2003, I will move the following motion;
I move seconded by the Honourable Member for Uqqummiut, that not withstanding rule 68 (1), the reports of Standing Committee Ajauqtiit, Government Operations and Services and Community Empowerment and Sustainable Development on the review of Bill 20, an Act to amend the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act and Related Statutes and Bill 33, Tobacco Control Act, and Bill 35, the Wildlife Act be extended until such time as the committee have concluded their review.
Motion 024 – (6): Extended Adjournment - Notice
Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on June 5, 2003, I will move the following motion;
I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Cambridge Bay, that notwithstanding Rule 4, that when the house concludes its sitting in Baker Lake, it shall be adjourned until Tuesday, October 21, 2003 in Iqaluit.
Speaker: Thank you. Item 14. Notices of Motions.
Notices of Motions. Mr. Havioyak.
Motion 025 – (6): Appointment to Standing Committee - Notice
I give notice that on Thursday, June 5th, I will move the following motion;
I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Iqaluit Centre, that Jack Anawak, Member for Rankin Inlet North be appointed to the Standing Committee on Health and Education and Community Empowerment and Sustainable Development;
That Peter Kilabuk, Member for Pangnirtung, be appointed to the Special Committee on the Review of the Official Language Act, to replace Jack Anawak;
And further, that Peter Kattuk, Member for Hudson Bay, be appointed as an alternate to the Special Committee on the Review of the Official Languages Act.
Are there any further Notices of Motions.
Item 15. Notices of motions for First Reading of Bills.
I seek consent of the assembly to waive the two day notice requirement to allow for first reading of Bill 36, an Act to Amend the Workers’ Compensation Act for today.
The Minister is seeking to waive rule 62 (1), so that the Bill can have first reading today.
Please proceed. Minister Ng.
Bill 36 – An Act to Amend the Worker’s Compensation Act – First Reading
Hon. Kelvin Ng: I move, seconded by the Honourable for Baffin South, that Bill 36, an Act to Amend the Workers’ Compensation Act be read for the first time.
The motion is carried and Bill 36 has had first reading.
Item 17. First Reading of Bills. Minister Ng.
I seek consent of the assembly to waive the two notice requirement to allow for first reading of Bill 37, an Act to Amend the Liquor Act, for today.
Speaker: The Minister is seeking consent to waive Rule 62 (1) so that Bill 37 can have first reading today.
Bill 37 – An Act to Amend the Liquor Act – First Reading
I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Hudson Bay that Bill 37, an Act to  Amend the Liquor Act be read for the first time.
The motion is carried and Bill 37 has had first reading.
I move seconded by the Honourable Member for Hudson Bay, that Bill 38, Supplementary Appropriation Act Number 1, 2003/2004, be read for the first time.
Speaker: Mr. Ng. You require consent.
Hon. Kelvin Ng: My omission Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, I seek consent of the assembly to waive the two day notice requirement to allow for the first reading of Bill 38, the Supplementary Appropriation Act for today.
Speaker: The Minister is seeking consent to waive rule 62 (1), so that Bill 38 can have first reading today.
Please proceed. Mr. Minister.
Bill 38 – Supplementary Appropriation Act (Capital) No.1, 2003/2004 – First Reading
Hon. Kelvin Ng: So, once again, Mr. Speaker, I move seconded by the Honourable Member for Hudson Bay, that Bill 38, Supplementary Appropriation Act No. 1, 2003/2004, be read for the first time.
The motion is carried and Bill 38 has had first reading.
I seek consent to waive rule 62 (1) so that Bill 39 can be read for the first time today.
The Minister is seeking consent to waive rule 62 (1), so that Bill 39 can be read for the first time today.
Bill 39 – An Act to Amend the Supplementary Retiring Allowances Act – First Reading
I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Pangnirtung, that Bill 39, an Act to Amend the Supplementary Retiring Allowances Act be read for the first time.
The motion is carried and Bill 39 has had first reading.
I request consent of this assembly to waive the one day notice requirement to allow for Second Reading of Bills 36, an Act to Amend the Workers’ Compensation Act, for today.
Speaker: The Minister is seeking consent to waive rule 62 (1), so the Bill can have second reading.
Are there any nays. There are no nays, please proceed.
Bill 36 - An Act to Amend the Workers’ Compensation Act – Second Reading
Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Baffin South, that Bill 36, an Act to Amend the Workers’  Compensation Act be read for the second time.
Mr. Speaker, the purpose of the Act to Amend the Workers’ Compensation Act is to move to implement changes that the Legislative Review Panel recommended to both Ministers responsible of the WCB in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
Among the key objectives of the bill are to establish an governance counsel of directors of the board, provide that items, such as the yearly maximum insurable remuneration will be set out in regulations and to clarify the board’s power to acquire, hold and dispose of real property in Nunavut.
The motion is carried and the bill has had second reading and according to the bill, stands referred to a committee.
I seek consent of this assembly to waive the one day notice requirement to allow for second reading of Bill 37, an Act to Amend the Liquor Act.
The Minister is seeking consent to waive rule 62 (1) so the bill can have second reading today.
Bill 37 – An Act to Amend the Liquor Act – Second Reading
I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Ranking South/Whale Cove, that Bill 37, an Act to Amend the Liquor Act, be read for the second time.
Mr. Speaker, the purpose of the act to amend the Nunavut Liquor Act is to make changes in the number of ways to improve Nunavut’s liquor system, including empowering communities to make special prohibition orders, stiffening penalties for offences under the act and supporting the objectives of the Tobacco Control Act, which is currently being considered by the assembly.
To the principal of the Bill.
The motion is carried and the bill has had second reading and accordingly the Bill stands referred to a committee.
Bill 38 – Supplementary Appropriation Act (Capital) No. 1, 2003/2004 – Second Reading
I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Hudson Bay that Bill 38, Supplementary Appropriation Act (Capital) No. 1, 2003/2004 be read for the second time.
Mr. Speaker, the purpose of the supplementary appropriation number 1 2003/2004 is to seek legislative approval to carry over $29 million 386 thousand dollars in capital projects from the 2002/2003 fiscal year to this current fiscal year.
This approval will allow the projects that were in progress to continue this year.
The motion is carried and the bill has had second reading and accordingly the bill stands referred to a committee.
I seek consent to waive rule 62 (1), so that Bill 39 can be read for the second time today.
The Minister is seeking consent to waive rule 62 (1) so that the bill can have second reading today.
Please proceed, Minister.
Bill 39 – An Act to Amend the Supplementary Retiring Allowances Act – Second Reading
Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Pangnirtung that Bill 39, an Act to Amend the Supplementary Retiring Allowances Act be read for the second time.
Mr. Speaker, this bill amends the Supplementary Allowances Act to provide a member of the Legislative Assembly the option of receiving pension payments for one of three fixed terms.
The Bill would also allow a member to defer the start of the payments to a date of his or her choice.
The bill also requires the speaker to table annually the names of members who are participating in this pension plan.
I seek consent to waive rule 67(2, so that Bill 39 can be immediately ordered into the Committee of the Whole.
The Minister is requesting unanimous consent to waive rule 67 (2) so that Bill 39 can proceed directly into Committee of the Whole.
Bill 39 is referred to Committee of the Whole.
Item 19. Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters, Minister’s Statement 126 - 1 (6), 164 - 1 (6), Bill 34, Bill 38, and Bill 39 with Mr. Iqaqrialu in the chair.
Before we proceed into Committee of the Whole, we’ll just take a five minute break so that we can restructure the chamber here.
>>House recessed at 5:04 p.m. and resumed at 5:20 p.m.
Chairperson (Mr. Iqaqrialu)(interpretation): Of course, feel welcome.
While we are having a week in Baker Lake, there’s going to be a Committee of the Whole with myself as Chairperson.
Ms. Williams (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman, as the Committee of the Whole we’d like to start now with Minister’s Statement 126 - 1(6) and after that we’d like to deal with Bill 34.
There are going to be several items that we’re going to be dealing with Bill 34, Minister’s Statement 126 - 1(6), Minister’s Statement and 154 - 1(6) and Bill 38, Bill 39, those are our tasks.
We do have Minister’s Statement 126 - 1(6).
Does the Minister have any comments? .
I don’t have anything to say in regards to this issue.
Are you going to have your support staff? Your staff and you can go to the witness table.
Thank you for sitting down, Minister Thompson.
Can you introduce your official please.
My official is Tom Cortelli, who is with Human Resources, one of the analysts.
Mr. Havioyak, do you have any comments.
The first item I would like to bring up is regarding the job descriptions.
I will be speaking in English so that everyone has an opportunity to understand.
(interpretation ends) I am pleased to have an opportunity to speak today in the Committee of the Whole about this Minister’s Statement.
As the members know, this is an issue that I have raised before in the Legislative Assembly, most recently in October of 2002.
Mr. Chairman, I have consistently spoken out on the need for the government to ensure that they live up to the land claims obligations.
One of those obligations is to develop a public service that is representative of the people it serves.
In my community of Kugluktuk, people want to work.
They want to work at a meaningful job that contribute to their community.
They want a chance to develop their own skills, through the life long learning.
Mr. Chairman, I have seen many job advertisements posted for provisions in the community.
To be honest, I have often wondered how exactly the government decides what skills and qualifications are needed in order to apply for some jobs.
Mr. Chairman, I believe that the government is on the right path when it says that they want to review its job descriptions to ensure that the focus is placed on the actual skills and abilities that are needed to perform effectively.
Mr. Chairman, I don’t think that anyone can argue with the idea that they should only hire competent, qualified, dedicated people for the positions in our government’s work force.
The question is, how we determine what skills are required for jobs and how do we fairly evaluate the skills of people applying for them.
Mr. Chairman, in some cases, the answer is obvious.
Everyone would agree for example, that a surgeon, employed at the hospital needs a professional medical designation.
That’s common sense.
In other cases, I believe that we need to make sure that we don’t put up unreasonable barriers.
An administrative support position, for example, what skills do you need for this type of position.
I would suggest you need a strong administrative skills, strong life skills, good organizational skills and sound interpersonal skills.
For a lot of positions, I would also suggest that an ability to communicate with clients in Inuktitut and Innuinaqtut is also a key skill.
I know that many people in my community have these skills.
Perhaps they don’t always have a specific degree or diploma but they can do the job.
Our system of hiring needs to test these skills but we need to make sure that people have a fair opportunity to apply for positions and demonstrate that they can do the job.
Mr. Chairman, they should get the chance to get in the door and prove themselves.
Mr. Chairman, we should not down play the value and importance of a formal education and training.
As I have said in my member’s statement, we need to build a quality education system for our youth.
Our youth know that formal education and training will always benefit them in building a career.
Mr. Chairman, this is the area where one size does not fit all.
We need to make sure that we hire people who can do the important jobs that we assign to them.
We need to make sure that our residents get a fair chance, Mr. Chairman, to prove that they can do the job.
(interpretation) I will be asking questions on this at the appropriate time.
What they have in Human Resources, and how they test their skills, there has been some changes, but we know when the Government of the Northwest Territories were advertising positions, with, I don’t think just posting job opportunities should only be that.
There should an overriding objective of selecting the most qualified applicants for employment within the government.
How do we determine who is most qualified?
Are they the ones with the certification?
We already know and sometimes when you get your university diploma, sometimes everything seem easy when you’ve never held a job before.
Then there are some people who have never entered university before who have been employed for many years and they get their skills.
And the Minister knows for a fact, there have been people who have become mechanics that have gone to Chilliwack, although they were unilingual.
With the other courses that were given to those people, and they were taught very well with their skills in order to be able to become mechanics.
This is what I’m actually trying to say.
Some Inuit do want to work for the government and the government is reluctant to hire them because they are afraid of these people because they are so powerful and this has happened with Government of the Northwest Territories.
For example, former leaders from Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated and ITC are unemployed because they negotiated the land claims.
What has happened.
Are they not skilled anymore or what.
For myself, for instance, I’m from Coral Harbour.
I have applied for jobs in Coral Harbour as an adult educator.
There’s was an advertisement in Kivalliq News that there was a job opportunity in Repulse Bay for an adult educator.
I applied for it.
I tried for that job with that position.
If you’re not certified, you would receive 75 percent and be on job training.
Because I was one of the most qualified people, I was told, due to the fact that I have not been certified, I can not do the job.
But 75 percent, I will be taught on the job training.
I was told, because I would be getting 75, that I cannot work.
Because I was told that I’m already aware of what my position was.
It was impossible for me to really, because I didn’t have the certification and they told me that I was more qualified than anybody else.
I know there are a lot of people in the same situation.
Because when they know that person, it seems like they are reluctant to hire that person because they are afraid of him or her.
I think this is breaking Federal law.
When you actually looked at the person, maybe they’re going to reject that person.
This is going to have to change, because it’s already breaking Federal laws.
Because sometimes they go through under the table, we especially people in Nunavut, we are not open because we don’t see them sometimes.
Although they’re not open to everybody, I think, they might open up to the Minister or to the leaders because I don’t think that person will just wait.
Because I used to be a Minister once upon a time, and as a Minister, and when ever I gave the, there would be a Minister, there’s no Assistant Deputy Minister, that we’re going to be equal when we’re going to have a managerial meeting and we’re going to try to decide how we can make improvements.
But since some of the management people weren’t happy with this idea and within Nunavut, if we’re going to be hiring people in Nunavut, how’s this job going to be advertised with this qualification.
What I’m trying to say, Mr. Chairman, if you do need a university degree, and in the job description, if you have done certain work and if you believe yourself that you are able to help other people, like Mr. Anawak, mentioned this afternoon, let’s look for who are willing to work.
We’re at general comments at this point.
We’ll get into questions after general comments.
I will now call on Mr. Anawak.
While we were discussing this issue during the 1990s, 1980s and 1970s, while we were striving for Nunavut, we were building expectations for Inuit and that they would take on the jobs, although they do not know the qallunaat way and although they do not have that piece of paper to justify what they can do.
So, there were high expectations, according to the experience of the person that they would take on these jobs.
This started when we started working towards the creation of Nunavut, because we thought Nunavut would be our own as we heard earlier from other members such as Mr. Iqaqrialu.
Although we are now in control, however, we still don’t seem to grasp the idea that we do have control because we are not giving these jobs to people who are able and giving these jobs that are not able instead.
For instance, whether they’re Inuit or not, and there are people who are against Inuit working up here, or they just don’t respect Inuit as they should be.
They don’t respect the fact that they are on Inuit land, they’re just working because of the job, the pay cheque.
That was not the vision for those people that worked towards Nunavut.