EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Currently, fuel prices are lower and if we can purchase the fuel earlier on at those lower prices, we can then purchase the rest of the bulk fuel for all of Nunavut. However, it will only be after we purchase the entire amount that we will then know what the actual prices will be.
This summer, around June, it ought to be much clearer as to what the prices are and we would be better able to provide concrete figures for the members’ information.
Sorry that I was chuckling, but it was due to this reason.
They had no idea of the amounts that they would have to pay for the entire bulk fuel purchase once the fuel ships offloaded the fuel into the communities, but yet, they increased the fuel prices even before the ships had offloaded their liquid cargo.
They guesstimated the actual costs and some smartass bureaucrat probably didn’t want to shock Inuit with the doubling or tripling of the costs, so they implemented an incremental cost in June so that the shock would not be so great. But it was based on incomplete figures since they had no idea of the actual costs involved.
Why can’t this government undertake the opposite side of that fiasco?
The government knows that the fuel will be about $40 per barrel or perhaps even $50 per barrel because that was what the experts felt the market prices would be in June and this was the statement made by the Minister of Finance in January.
Why can’t this government guesstimate its costs in June and lower the costs of fuel then to approximately half of what we are currently paying or half of $40 per barrel?
Has this government done any research or have an alternative plan so that this can be resolved prior to the boating season?
With respect to the issue of the bulk fuel purchase for this upcoming summer, we are making preparations as we speak for the purchase of fuel before the cost per barrel increases, so we are making plans already.
What I wanted to mention is it’s quite obvious that the price per barrel will not approach the costs we were stuck with last year.
However, this summer, we can guesstimate the approximate costs and make a decision pertaining to the proposed cost cuts the member is asking for.
However, I cannot state unequivocally that the price per barrel shall be such and such, but perhaps if this question was raised again in June, we can provide a firmer response as we will have a better idea of the actual costs after purchasing the fuel. They are currently still working on the purchasing of our bulk fuel for this summer.
It’s like this: let us return to the scenario we faced last summer. Just to look at the situation then, the Minister of Energy at the time, Mr. Picco, which most of you probably remember, started calling members in April.
At least he called me in Pond Inlet and explained the situation and what the government was considering as its options so as to limit the shock of the price increases scheduled for the fall.
The minister was calling the members to ask if they could agree to this price increase so that the price increase would not be so drastic in October. (interpretation ends) It makes sense, perfectly makes sense.
Mr. Speaker, a week ago, OPEC started cutting back their production.
It already showed in the stock market that it has gone up a bit. Can the minister at least learn from last year and try to figure out approximately how much it’s going to be when it’s finally delivered and reduce the present prices in June rather than wait until October before the boating season starts?
That’s all I’m asking the minister. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Hon. Lorne Kusugak: If the prices of fuel are low enough when all of the fuel is purchased at that time, then hopefully we will be able to have lower prices than the current fuel prices.
I will assure the member that it benefits all of Nunavut if we can get fuel to be reduced and we will have a very good picture by June to see if we are able to do what the member is suggesting, which is maybe lowering the price of fuel.
Question 023 – 3(1): Money Back to Homeowners in Kugaaruk for Heating Fuel (Ningark)
With respect to my colleagues’ line of questioning, I would like to pose this question which seems related. This winter, in the Akulliq region, it was extremely cold and was even colder than the previous year.
In Akulliq, in both Repulse Bay and Kugaaruk, there are a fair number of private homeowners. Perhaps, when the review of the fuel prices is completed, these private homeowners in the communities who have been paying this added cost for their heating fuel could be given a partial reimbursement.
This is a question to the Minister of Finance.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Minister of Finance, Hon. Keith Peterson.
That question was asked in January by Mr. Okalik. We and the Department of Finance are reviewing that possibility, so I would like to assure the Member for Akulliq that we are, like him, concerned about the increased cost of fuel on homeowners.
Your first supplementary, Mr. Ningark.
When can the Hon. Minister of Finance provide this information to me?
I can’t provide it today but it is part of the main estimates process which will begin after the capital estimates process is over.
We will be reviewing that and see if it should be considered in the main estimates which we will discuss in the House in May or June.
Question 024 – 3(1): Purchasing Fuel during Low World Costs of Oil (Schell)
I’m going to attack the same two people on the fuel thing here.
I guess my question is: I know that there are a lot of companies down the road that do hedging and stuff on fuel, has the Nunavut government looked at hedging and why haven’t they done it?
My understanding is that some companies have bought fuel stored in ships off the ocean there and the cost is approximately 75 cents a barrel to store it. So my question is: why did they not buy it when it was at $37 a barrel? Are they going to wait until it hits $60 or $70?
Minister of Finance, Hon. Keith Peterson.
I thank the hon. member for that question.
I was one of the MLAs on the regular members’ side that was after the hedging policy for years.
It’s a very complicated financial instrument, it’s not to be used with haste, and it requires almost hourly monitoring of the fuel prices.
We’re aware that the price of a barrel of oil is low and it could go higher.
It’s one of the tools that we have available to us.
As my colleague indicated, we have other options at our disposal as well.
Mr. Schell: I guess my question is: what are the other options?
Speaker: Minister Peterson.
I thank Mr. Schell for that question.
The other option that we are considering is the early purchase of fuel, where we don’t necessarily have to go into hedging, the fuel is relatively inexpensive and not relative to what we were paying last year when the government thought the price of going up to $200 a barrel.
I remember sitting in that meeting, and Mr. Arvaluk mentioned it, where we were presented with charts and graphs, you know, the fuel was going like this and straight up, and the government had to make a decision.
We recognize that the fuel prices are lower, so the Minister of Community and Government Services has worked with his officials on an early purchase option.
Your second supplementary, Mr. Schell.
I guess my question is: why was it not bought then at $37 if it could have been bought earlier?
I thank the member for his persistence.
I don’t know exactly when we bought it. Some of it might have been bought at $37 and some of it might have been bought at $40, we don’t know.
You would have to ask my new colleague, the Minister of Community and Government Services. They’re in charge of purchasing fuel.
Your final supplementary, Mr. Schell.
I guess I’ll ask Mr. Kusugak that question then. Has the fuel been purchased already or are you about to purchase it? If it has been purchased, what price did you purchase some of the fuel at?
Hon. Lorne Kusugak: Thank you.
I guess the record high was $140 US a barrel down to about $48 US a barrel.
To date, the Petroleum Products Division has exercised an early purchase of fuel of 16.6 million litres of ultra-low sulphur diesel, ULSD, which is currently being stored in a facility owned by Woodwards for delivery when the 2009 resupply commences.
By exercising an early purchase of this oil to date, we have saved approximately $5.9 million.
The first purchase of 16 million litres was purchased at 0.6075 cents per litre.
I’m having trouble reading it because I busted my reading glasses this afternoon.
The second purchase of the ULSD purchase of approximately 20 million litres is being planned for some time in the next week or two. The gasoline purchase of approximately 16.5 million litres will be loaded in Montreal some time during this month. The price will be based on the three-day average as per our current supply agreement with Woodwards.
And that takes care of most of the eastern Arctic part of Nunavut’s shipping, and the Kivalliq and Baffin area.
Again, we still have a lot of fuel to purchase but this will help come June, when we can tally all the numbers.
I hope that is of help to you.
Please note that Question Period is now over.
Going back to the Orders of the Day. (interpretation ends) Item 7.
Tabled Document 011 – 3(1): Article from the National Post (Okalik)
Tabled Document 012 – 3(1): Nunavut Elections Predictions (Okalik)
I wish to table a couple of documents in the House.
The first one is a copy of a recent article from the National Post by Barbara Cray titled Nunavut Minister is Stripped by Big Sister of his Cabinet Post for Telling the Truth. I encourage all members to read this document.
And the other one is from a deputy minister’s computer records, authored during government work hours. It contains predictions on the Nunavut elections.
Please note that two ministers are not on the list because they were not predicted to be elected.
Those are what I am tabling in the House.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Tabling of Documents.
Tabled Document 013 – 3(1): Nanisivik Naval Facility Project (Elliott)
I wish to table a copy of a presentation that was given by officials from the Department of National Defence concerning the proposed Nanisivik Naval Facility Project. This presentation was made at a special meeting of the Hamlet Council of Arctic Bay on October 27, 2008. I encourage all members to review the correspondence with care.
Speaker: Thank you. (interpretation) Tabling of Documents.
Tabled Document 014 – 3(1): Nunavut Lottery – Financial Statements March 31, 2008 (Tapardjuk)
I wish to table today the financial statements of the Nunavut portion of the Western Canada Lottery Corporation.
The tabling of this document is a statutory requirement under the Western Canada Lottery Act.
Tabling of Documents. (interpretation ends) I, too, have a couple of documents to table.
Tabled Document 015 – 3(1): Statutory Requirements for Tabling of Reports and Other Documents in the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut (Speaker)
Tabled Document 016 – 3(1): Report of the Chief Electoral Officer under Subsection 15(3) of the Nunavut Elections Act (Speaker)
I wish to table today the document Statutory Requirements for Tabling of Reports and Other Documents in the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut.
This list tracks the status of documents that are legally required to be tabled in the House.
And the other document… Thank you, Members.
I wish to table today the Report of the Chief Electoral Officer under subsection 15(3) of the Nunavut Elections Act.
Notices of Motions. (interpretation) Wait a moment.
Motion 016 – 3(1): Appointment of Deputy Speaker – Notice (Okalik)
I give notice that on Thursday, March 19, 2009, I will move the following motion:
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the Hon. Member for Quttiktuq, that Mr. Johnny Ningeongan be appointed Deputy Speaker and Chairperson of the Committee of the Whole.
Speaker (interpretation): Hold on, I’m sorry but Mr. Aupaluktuq was supposed to go first.
Motion 014 – 3(1): Standing Committee Appointments and Revocations – Notice (Aupaluktuq)
Mr. Aupaluktuq (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I give notice that on Thursday, March 19, 2009, I will move the following motion:
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the Hon. Member for Pangnirtung, that John Ningark be appointed a Member of the Standing Committee on Legislation, a Member of the Standing Committee on the Oversight of Government Operations and Public Accounts, a Member of the Standing Committee on Community and Economic Development, and an Alternate Member of the Standing Committee on Social Wellness;
AND FURTHER, I move that the appointment of Mr. Enuk Pauloosie as a Member of the Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and Privileges be revoked;
AND FURTHER, I move that Mr. Johnny Ningeongan be appointed a Member of the Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and Privileges.
Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time, I will seek unanimous consent to deal with my motion today. (interpretation) Thank you.
Motion 015 – 3(1): Referral of Reports to the Standing Committee on Oversight of Government Operations and Public Accounts – Notice (Arvaluk)
I also give notice that on Thursday, March 19, 2009, I will move the following motion:
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the Hon. Member for Quttiktuq, that these reports be referred to the Standing Committee on Oversight of Government Operations and Public Accounts for review.
Motion 013 – 3(1): Appointment of Deputy Chairperson of the Committee of the Whole – Notice (Okalik)
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the Hon. Member for Quttiktuq, that Mr. Enuk Pauloosie be appointed as Deputy Chairperson of the Committee of the Whole;
AND FURTHER, I move that the appointment of Mr. Johnny Ningeongan as a Deputy Chairperson of the Committee of the Whole be revoked.
We’re on Item 17... (interpretation ends) where are we?
Motions. (interpretation ends) Item 15.
Bill 01 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2009-2010 – Notice
I give notice that on Thursday, March 19, 2009, that Bill 1, Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2009-2010, be read for the first time.
Bill 02 – Interim Appropriation Act, April 1 – July 31, 2009 – Notice
I give notice that on Thursday, March 19, 2009, that Bill 2, Interim Appropriation Act, April 1 – July 31, 2009, be read for the first time.
Bill 03 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 3, 2008-2009 – Notice
I give notice that on Thursday, March 19, 2009, that Bill 3, Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 3, 2008-2009, be read for the first time.
Bill 04 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 3, 2008-2009 – Notice
I give notice that on Thursday, March 19, 2009, that Bill 4, Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, No. 3, 2008-2009, be read for the first time.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. The member is seeking unanimous consent to deal with his motion today.
Motion 016 – 3(1): Appointment of Deputy Speaker (Okalik)
Mr. Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, my colleagues.
WHEREAS the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act provides that the Legislative Assembly shall elect a Deputy Speaker;
AND WHEREAS the office of Deputy Speaker is presently vacant;
Those in favour of the motion, raise your hand, please.
Mr. Aupaluktuq (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I seek unanimous consent to deal with my motion today.
Motion 014 – 3(1): Standing Committee Appointments and Revocations (Aupaluktuq)
AND WHEREAS the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Akulliq has taken office;
AND WHEREAS the Legislative Assembly is prepared to make appointments and revocations;
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the Hon. Member for Pangnirtung, that Mr. John Ningark be appointed a Member of the Standing Committee on Legislation, a Member of the Standing Committee on Oversight of Government Operations and Public Accounts, a Member of the Standing Committee on Community and Economic Development, and an Alternate Member of the Standing Committee on Social Wellness;
Motion 015 – 3(1): Referral of Reports to the Standing Committee on Oversight of Government Operations and Public Accounts (Arvaluk)
WHEREAS the Third Legislative Assembly of Nunavut’s Standing Committee on Oversight of Government Operations and Public Accounts was established on January 26, 2009;
AND WHEREAS the terms of reference for the standing committee include the mandate to review the reports of the Auditor General of Canada and the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Nunavut;
AND WHEREAS the Report of the Auditor General of Canada on the Nunavut Housing Corporation was tabled in the House on May 22, 2008;
AND WHEREAS the 2006-07 and 2007-08 annual reports of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Nunavut were tabled in the House on October 26, 2007 and September 15, 2008, respectively;
AND WHEREAS these reports were not formally considered by standing committees of the Second Legislative Assembly;
AND WHEREAS these reports contain observations and recommendations that are deserving of consideration;
(interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker... I omitted to state the last part.
(interpretation ends) NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the Hon. Member for Quttiktuq, that these reports be referred to the Standing Committee on Oversight of Government Operations and Public Accounts for review.
(interpretation) That’s it.
I seek unanimous consent of my colleagues to deal with my motion today.
Motion 013 – 3(1): Appointment of Deputy Chairperson of the Committee of the Whole (Okalik)
WHEREAS section 43 of the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act provides that the Legislative Assembly shall elect two Deputy Chairpersons of the Committee of the Whole;
AND WHEREAS Mr. Johnny Ningeongan has been appointed to serve as Deputy Speaker and Chairperson of the Committee of the Whole;
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the Hon. Member for Quttiktuq, that Mr. Enuk Pauloosie be appointed a Deputy Chairperson of the Committee of the Whole;
Motion 017 – 3(1): Early Adjournment (Elliott)
Pursuant Rule 46, I move, seconded by the Member for South Baffin, that the House adjourn for the day.
All those in favour. (interpretation) I apologize.
The motion is in order. (interpretation ends) To the motion.
A reminder for all members that at approximately four o’clock, please report back to the Chambers for the group picture.
Orders of the Day for March 18:
This House stands adjourned until Wednesday, March 18, at 1:30 p.m.
>>House adjourned at 15:37
Premier; Minister of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs; Minister responsible for the Status of Women; Minister responsible for Immigration
Hon. Tagak Curley
Minister of Health and Social Services; Minister responsible for the Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission; Minister responsible for the Utility Rates Review Council
John Ningark
Minister of Finance, Chair, Financial Management Board; Minister of Justice
Minister of Environment; Minister of Human Resources; Minister responsible for the Nunavut Arctic College
Government House Leader; Minister of Education; Minister of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth; Minister of Languages; Minister of Aboriginal Affairs
Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation; Minister responsible for the Qulliq Energy Corporation; Minister responsible for Homelessness
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Pages 111 – 167
Opening Prayer 111
Ministers’ Statements 111
Members’ Statements 114
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 120
Oral Questions 121
Point of Order 136
Replies to Opening Address 138
Tabling of Documents 140
First Reading of Bills 141
Second Reading of Bills 143
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 144
Report of the Committee of the Whole 166
Orders of the Day 166
Wednesday, March 18, 2009 111
012 – 3(1): Challenging the Proposed EU Seal Ban (Shewchuk) 111
013 – 3(1): Nutrition and Dental Health Months - Drop the Pop Challenge (Curley) 112
014 – 3(1): Terminology Development Workshop (Tapardjuk) 112
015 – 3(1): New Rock and Mineral Teaching Kits (Taptuna) 113
031 – 3(1): Congratulations to Nunavut Skaters (Okalik) 114
032 – 3(1): Problems with Medical Travel Office in Pangnirtung (Arvaluk) 114
033 – 3(1): Constituency Concerns Over Sovereignty (Elliott) 115
034 – 3(1): Hudson Bay Quest (Shewchuk) 116
035 – 3(1): Healthy Food for the Less Fortunate (Ningark) 116
036 – 3(1): Update on Constituency Office in Baker Lake (Aupaluktuq) 117
037 – 3(1): Addressing the High Cost of Living in Sanikiluaq (Rumbolt) 118
038 – 3(1): Nunavut’s Speed Skating Champions (Aariak) 118
039 – 3(1): Happy Birthday David Akoak (Tootoo) 119
040 – 3(1): Pangnirtung Fishery (Komoartok) 120
025 – 3(1): Problems with Medical Travel Office in Pangnirtung (Arvaluk) 121
026 – 3(1): Healthy, Affordable Food for the Less Fortunate (Ningark) 125
027 – 3(1): Misuse of GN Computers (Okalik) 126
028 – 3(1): Hiring of Medical Travel Coordinator 128
029 – 3(1): Dust Control in Communities (Ningeongan) 129
030 – 3(1): Public Housing Issues (Pauloosie) 130
031 – 3(1): Housing Trust Fund (Schell) 132
032 – 3(1): Status of Sanikiluaq Health Centre’s Power Generator (Rumbolt) 133
033 – 3(1): Protection of Lands, Wildlife and People from Development (Aupaluktuq) 134
034 – 3(1): Sealing Issue (Okalik) 135
Reply to Opening Address 001 – 3(1): Mr. Paul Okalik (Okalik) 138
017 – 3(1): EDT Staff Directory (Okalik) 141
018 – 3(1): 2009 Kivalliq Mayor’s Meeting Resolutions (Ningeongan) 141
Bill 01 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2009-2010 – First Reading 141
Bill 02 – Interim Appropriation Act, April 1 – July 31, 2009 – First Reading 142
Bill 03 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 3, 2008-2009 – First Reading 142
Bill 04 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 3, 2008-2009 – First Reading 142
Bill 01 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2009-2010 – Second Reading 143
Bill 02 – Interim Appropriation Act, April 1 – July 31, 2009 – Second Reading 143
Bill 03 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 3, 2008-2009 – Second Reading 143
Bill 04 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 3, 2008-2009 – Second Reading 143
Bill 03 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 3, 2008-2009 – Consideration in Committee 144
Bill 04 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 3, 2008-2009 – Consideration in Committee 153
Speaker (Hon. James Arreak)  (interpretation): Before we proceed, I would like to ask Mr. Ningeongan to say the opening prayer.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Ningeongan. Good afternoon, Premier, Ministers, and Members.
Have a wonderful afternoon, Nunavummiut.
Minister’s Statement 012 – 3(1): Challenging the Proposed EU Seal Ban (Shewchuk)
Recently, the European Parliament’s Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee voted to support a ban on the trade of seal products in the European Union.
Although the EU Parliament must still vote on this in April, the vote foreshadows challenging times for Nunavut.
While we support animal welfare legislation and the sustainable use of seals, we view these trade barriers as ill-informed and driven by animal rights groups who oppose the hunt in any form.
The current ban includes an exemption for Inuit communities but is severely restrictive as commercial use of sealskins is prohibited.
We remember the devastating effects of the European seal ban in the 1980s.
Despite the provision of exemptions for Inuit hunts, the entire sealskin market disappeared and our economy, especially in smaller communities, was slow to recover.
We are already experiencing the ban’s impact in the market.
Prior to 2008, ringed sealskins from Nunavut had an average auction price of $60 per pelt.
They are no longer selling at these levels and in fact, more than 10,000 sealskins remain unsold.
We do not want to repeat an earlier ban.
We have joined the Canadian delegation on recent trips to Europe and met with Members of the European Parliament.
We have written articles for a magazine directed to the European Parliament and placed ads to counter claims by anti-sealing groups.