EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Mr. Chairman, should members of the committee have any questions related to the minor capital budget, I would be pleased to answer them.
Minister Arreak, introduce your officials, please.
Hon. James Arreak (interpretation): Thank you. Mr. Chairman.
To my right is Deputy Minister Simon Awa and to my left is Director of Corporate Services Niki Nweze.
Ms. Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) The Standing Committee on Social Wellness has reviewed the proposed capital estimates of the Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth for the 2012-13 fiscal year and I am pleased to provide you with the committee’s comments.
Committee members note that the department’s proposed capital budget for 2012-13 is $60,000 for minor projects, such as office renovations and the purchase of small equipment.
The standing committee has continuously supported the need for a Nunavut heritage centre which would allow for the repatriation of cultural and historical artefacts which are currently been stored under contract outside of the territory.
Committee members note that in the two prior fiscal years, funding of $7 million had twice been approved for the Nunavut Heritage Centre project only to be repeatedly transferred or removed from the department’s budget.
This project no longer appears in the department’s five-year capital plan.
Substantiation sheets previously provided to the committee by the department indicated that the Nunavut Heritage Centre will “play a key role in supporting Nunavut’s arts and culture sector.”
Members continue to support the idea of combining the Nunavut Heritage Centre with a performing arts centre and encourage the minister to consider options that will allow for economies of scale and permit the project to continue.
Mr. Chairman, the Piqqusilirivvik Cultural School represented a significant capital investment by the department along with federal funding.
The facility opened earlier this year and will soon begin to take in students.
Members look forward to being kept informed of the project’s progress.
Mr. Chairman, that concludes my opening comments on the proposed 2012-13 Capital Estimates of the Department of CLEY.
I am confident that individual members will have questions and comments as we proceed.
Before we start, we all remember Rule 77(1) and Rule 77(2).
At this time, I would like to ask for general comments.
Minister of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth, I really don’t want to call you my Annuraaqatik anymore.
I’m kidding. I would like to welcome you and your officials for making an appearance to the Committee of the Whole and to discuss the $60,000 for your department.
With that very small amount, I was thinking that maybe the government is trying to get rid of your department.
One thing I’m concerned about and one thing that I do understand is that this government is limited by the amount of money it can spend. There was $7 million identified for the Nunavut Heritage Centre and I was also looking at some monies being set aside for the heritage centre under a P3 arrangement. Through that, you can access some funds from the federal government.
The best way would be to take the P3 route. We were looking forward to accessing some federal funds.
The $7 million was taken away from the Department of CLEY because, of course, we just couldn’t set it aside and not use it for other purposes.
Mr. Chairman, the reason why I wanted to make a statement was because we have to go ahead with the plans that we had made previously. This heritage centre was going to be built in Iqaluit and also to be utilized by the arts sector.
We would be promoting the Inuit culture and language, which are slowly eroding away, and we also have to send out our artefacts to other museums due to lack of space. There is also the issue of repatriating Inuit artefacts back to Nunavut.
That is what I wanted to talk about.
I am disappointed that those millions of dollars were used for other purposes.
I would like to re-emphasize that it’s very important to build that facility.
I know that it doesn’t have anything to do with what’s under discussion, but our Chairman had brought it up and I wanted to add further support to his comments, Mr. Chairman.
Minister Arreak, would you like to respond to that?
I would like to thank my colleague. I don’t think I want to call him my Annuraaqatik anymore either.
To respond to the $7 million that he mentioned, we agreed in 2010 during Full Caucus that these monies be used for other purposes.
At that time in 2011, the Financial Management Board reviewed the matter and agreed to take it out of that line item and put it to other purposes.
The heritage centre is something that we had hoped to see. We were looking at building it as a P3 project.
We do have problems in that area. The building of the new Legislative Assembly that was proposed years earlier is in the same situation.
The architectural drawings were going to go up to $10 million and we were looking at $112 million in total.
With respect to the artefacts that are housed at the museum in Yellowknife, they are there because we don’t have a facility to store them and the agreement with Yellowknife is ending on March 31, 2012.
I’m not exactly sure what is going to be happening when that agreement expires, but we have written to their deputy minister.
They just got a new minister and we haven’t had a response to date as to what is going to happen after that agreement expires.
As you just stated, the agreement with the museum in Yellowknife expires on March 31, 2012.
Do you have any plans or options available?
We haven’t found a place for them at this time. As I said earlier, we don’t have any place for artefacts in Nunavut because we can’t just store them outdoors. They require climate-controlled storage.
Because of that, the only option open to us is to have them shipped south should they no longer have space in Yellowknife.
Ms. Ell (interpretation): I wonder if the minister has heard or believe that space may no longer be available for the artefacts in Yellowknife.
Hon. James Arreak (interpretation): Yes, I have written correspondence urging them to continue to be stored there. At this point, the situation is uncertain and I don’t wish to make any speculation, so I can’t answer the question.
If we can turn to page D-4, minor equipment, $60,000, what is that allocated for?
As I mentioned in my opening comments, it would be used to purchase new office equipment and furniture or the completion of minor renovations to existing office space as needs are identified. The minor capital budget would be used for such purposes.
Ms. Ell (interpretation): Does that include equipment and furniture for the new Piqqusilirivvik Cultural School?
No, it’s not for the Piqqusilirivvik Cultural School. The O&M for Piqqusilirivvik is funded through another line item.
Ms. Ell (interpretation): My last question is in regard to the Piqqusilirivvik Cultural School and its operation was late according to his comments.
Is it now fully operational?
Yes, it is now fully operational. It did open late, but it’s operating properly now. Thank you.
We are on page D-3. (interpretation ends) Culture, Language, Elders and Youth.
Branch Summary. Directorate. Total Capital Expenditures. $60,000. (interpretation) Do you agree?
Go back to page D-2. (interpretation ends) Department Summary.
Culture, Language, Elders and Youth. Total Capital Expenditures. $60,000. (interpretation) Do you agree?
Do we agree that the Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth has been concluded?
If you have any closing comments, Minister Arreak.
I know that the amount is small but we will put it to good use.
Thank you very much for approving it.
The Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth is not being phased out, as was mentioned, and isn’t even under consideration. As you have seen under D-1, we still have the same amounts for operations and maintenance. There has been no mention or any thought about phasing out our department.
Thank you very much for your support and I would like to thank the officials who are here with me.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Minister Arreak and your officials. Thank you.
Sergeant-at-Arms, escort the witnesses out, please.
We can now proceed.
We will deal with the (interpretation ends) Office of the Legislative Assembly.
Now I would like to ask the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly to make his opening remarks.
Bill 15 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2012-2013 – Legislative Assembly – Consideration in Committee
It is a pleasure for me to appear before you and members today to present the proposed 2012-13 Capital Estimates of the Office of the Legislative Assembly.
As members will note, the 2012-13 Capital Estimates of the Office of the Legislative Assembly amount to less than 1 percent of the Government of Nunavut’s total planned capital spending for the coming fiscal year.
Our priority areas for the coming fiscal year include ongoing investments in equipment and furniture for the Assembly and members’ offices in addition to enhancements and upgrades to the Legislative Assembly’s audiovisual, Hansard and information technology systems.
As members will recall, the House approved a capital carryover in June of this year for the Legislative Assembly. As a result of our collective caucus decision not to proceed at this time with planning for a new Legislative Assembly building, these funds have been re-profiled for improvements to our existing facility.
This has provided us with the initial resources that may be required for planning for renovations to the Chamber and other areas of the Assembly building and infrastructure that could be necessitated by the Legislative Assembly’s decisions regarding the 2011 report of the Nunavut Electoral Boundaries Commission.
Mr. Chairman, that concludes my opening remarks. I would be pleased to answer any questions that members may have.
Speaker: They would be very happy if I said no, but yes, I do, Mr. Chairman.
For the record, to my right is Mr. John Quirke, the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly, and to my left is Mr. Mike Rafter, the Director of Corporate Services for the Legislative Assembly.
For the record, I need to remind all members, including ministers, you are allowed and able to ask questions while the Speaker is at the witness table.
Are there any general comments to the Speaker’s opening remarks?
Ms. Ell (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Being a new member, please don’t hesitate to correct me.
In his opening comments, he talked about planning for the future.
If we vote on the 2011 Report of the Nunavut Electoral Boundaries Commission, what happens afterward if it’s not approved? It’s not clear what would happen before we vote on that.
It did sound a little clear during the second reading and it looked like it was going to be approved, but if it was not approved and under the terms of the agreement, would this be removed?
No, it wouldn’t.
Ms. Ell (interpretation): Thank you for the clarification.
We haven’t decided on the 2011 report and we will be approving it here.
I couldn’t quite comprehend that. I’ll speak in English.
(interpretation ends) In the budget, A-3, which we will be getting to, there is an anticipation of a decision regarding the 2011 report of the Nunavut Electoral Boundaries Commission.
Right now, we’re being asked to vote on the budget as if we’re going to vote in favour of the Electoral Boundaries Commission.
Is the budget already in there anticipating a “yes” vote?
Thank you for clarifying that, Ms Ell.
The funding that I talked about in my opening comments was funding that the Legislative Assembly had put aside over the years to go towards a new facility. However, in the last year, the Full Caucus has made a decision not to proceed with a new facility.
What we anticipate doing then is instead of asking for more money, if we need it for renovations, as I said, depending on the outcome of the Assembly’s decision on the Electoral Boundaries Commission, that funding we had put aside, and I think it was about $2.6 million that has been put in a reserve over the years, would give us a head start to be able to utilize that funding if we needed to do any renovations to the building.
Hopefully that clarifies it. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman: Qujannamiik, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation) Any more?
We are on page A-3 and the details are on page A-4.
If I can ask questions on A-3 and A-4, these deal with enhancements and upgrades to the information technology system for our proceedings.
A few years back, we discussed if it would be possible to watch the proceedings via satellite. Most people only have Bell ExpressVu, so they are unable to watch our proceedings.
The proceedings of the Legislative Assembly are broadcast only on cable through local co-ops.
Are we going to be using these monies so that each household in Nunavut with Bell ExpressVu can also watch and, if not, when would that be possible?
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Kusugak. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker.
It is my understanding that no, these upgrades wouldn’t allow us to go to Bell ExpressVu or satellite TV.
With your indulgence, Mr. Chairman, I would ask Mr. Clerk, Mr. Quirke, if he wants to add some more to that.
Some of the money will be used to purchase equipment for constituency offices to allow for watching of the broadcast through the cable system.
However, through Telesat Canada, we have not been successful on a must-carry basis with CRTC.
In fact, I met with the vice-chair of CRTC in Yellowknife recently again to press our case for the must-carry basis that we were seeking for.
Quite frankly, with the recent outage that we all experienced in Nunavut, we think we made our case stronger on how important satellite service is to us and to get messages across to the people of Nunavut.
Must-carry basis is needed by us and we hope that will help our situation, but it has been an ongoing discussion with CRTC in terms of presentations that we made a year ago with the Hon. James Arreak.
Essentially we’re still pursuing it and we’re still working on it. It’s just a matter of, hopefully, over time, we will be successful, but it is an ongoing battle.
Thank you for that, Mr. Quirke.
I just want say that I encourage you to keep up that good fight and I look forward to a positive outcome on this in the coming months.
Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Kusugak. (interpretation) Are there any questions?
I just want to get some clarification. This is a supplement to part of Ms. Ell’s earlier question.
If those who vote no happen to outnumber those who vote yes, I think that is possible and that is why I’m speaking on the 2011 Report of the Nunavut Electoral Boundaries Commission.
Are we trying to approve the Legislative Assembly’s capital budget before making that vote?
I believe Ms. Ell was trying to ask that question.
Are we jumping ahead?
I have a feeling that the majority of members will not be supporting the report.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Ningeongan. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker.
I just want to make it really clear there is no money in this capital budget that we’re looking at right now that has to do with renovations for the building as a result of the decision to be made on the Electoral Boundaries Commission.
As I indicated earlier, there was a reserve that was being built up over the years.
This Assembly approved that capital carryover to keep it within the Legislative Assembly’s domain.
Depending on the outcome of the decision on the Electoral Boundaries Commission, we would utilize some of that funding for dealing with whatever we need to as a result of that decision, but that’s money that has already been approved as a carryover and some of it is going to other renovations in the building as well.
I just want to make it clear that there’s no money in this capital budget for the renovations, for a decision that hasn’t been made yet.
I just wanted to get some clarification on it.
The reserve that is built up would be drawn on in the case I am defeated.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Ningeongan. (interpretation ends) Questions?
We are on A-3.
Assembly Operations. Total Capital Expenditures. $810,000. (interpretation) Do you agree?
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) A-5. Office of the Legislative Assembly.
Independent Officers of the Legislative Assembly. (interpretation) Are there any questions?
I just need further clarification on that page. It says Iqaluit in there.
Can the Speaker explain that further?
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Ms. Ell. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker.
I stand to be corrected if I’m incorrect, but it’s my understanding that it’s based here in Iqaluit as far as operated out of the Office of the Legislative Assembly at the Clerk’s Office.
It doesn’t state here that it’s for computers, printers, faxes, and things like that that would go to Elections Nunavut for them to send out where they needed to send them in preparation for the next election.
Total Capital Expenditures. $65,000. (interpretation) Do you agree?
Go back to page A-2. (interpretation ends) Departmental Summary.
Total Capital Expenditures. $875,000. (interpretation) Do you agree?
Does the committee agree that we have concluded with the Office of the Legislative Assembly?
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I would like to thank the members for approving the capital budget of the Legislative Assembly. As I said, it’s a very modest budget.
Having said that, Mr. Chairman, I also want to commend the staff of the Office of the Legislative Assembly for ensuring that the facility is meeting our needs and being able to broadcast and get our proceedings out to the people of Nunavut.
I just wanted to commend them and I thank all the staff of the Legislative Assembly for ensuring that we have an adequate facility to sit in.
Bill 15 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2012-2013 – Consideration in Committee  Chairman: Qujannamiik, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation) Sergeant-at-Arms, please escort the witnesses out.
Go to Appendix V in your binders. (interpretation ends) Summary of Capital Expenditures by Department. (interpretation) Are you under Appendix V yet?
(interpretation ends) Total Capital, as amended by the deletion of $500,000. Total Amended Capital is $94,499,000. Are you agreed?
Members, go to Bill 15 in your white binders.
(interpretation ends) Before we proceed with the clause-by-clause consideration of Bill 15, I wish to advise members that copies of motions to amend the bill are in your blue motion folders.
The motions are required to give effect to the deletions that have been made to the 2012-13 capital estimates.
There are two motions in total. The motions will be moved and considered when we reach clause 3 of the bill.
We will now proceed with the clause-by-clause consideration of Bill 15.
I recognize the Minister of Finance, Minister Peterson.
Committee Motion 003 – 3(3): Motion to Amend Schedule of Bill 15 (Peterson)
I move that the Schedule to the bill be amended by:
(a) striking out “$31,270,000” in item 8, Community and Government Services and replacing it with “$30,770,000”;
(b) striking out “$94,999,000” after “Total Capital” and replacing it with “$94,499,000”; and
(c) striking out “$94,999,000” after “Total Capital Appropriation” and replacing it with “$94,499,000.”
I again recognize Minister Peterson, (interpretation ends) Minister of Finance.
Committee Motion 004 – 3(3): Motion to Amend Subsection 3(2) of Bill 15 (Peterson)
I move that subsection 3(2) be amended by striking out “$94,999,000” and replacing it with “$94,499,000.”
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Minister Peterson. (interpretation ends) The motion is in order.
Clause 3, as amended.
Chairman: Do members agree to Bill 15 as amended?
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Pursuant to Rule 62(2), does the committee agree that Bill 15, as amended, can be immediately placed on the orders of the day for third reading?
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) We will now proceed to our next item of business, Bill 13.
Before we continue, in my capacity as the Chair, I am privileged to take a 15-minute break.
We shall be back at about 25 after.
>>Committee recessed at 17:09 and resumed at 17:25
Bill 13 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 2, 2011-2012 – Consideration in Committee
Chairman (interpretation): We can now resume.
At this time, we well deal with Bill 13, (interpretation ends) Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, No. 2, 2011-2012. (interpretation) I would like to ask the Minister of Finance to make his opening comments.
I am pleased to present Bill 13, Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, No 2, 2011-2012.
Bill 13 appropriates $10,905,000 in additional operations and maintenance monies for 2011-12.
The key line items consist of:
A transfer of $177,000 from the Department of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs to the Department of Health and Social Services to complete the Family Violence Prevention Strategy;
A transfer of $300,000 from the Department of Community and Government Services to the Department of Health and Social Services as a result of the termination of the social services sub-agreement with the Municipality of Cape Dorset;
An additional appropriation of $11,755,000 to the Department of Health and Social Services to fund anticipated cost pressures in the areas of materials and supplies, social programs, public health, and treatment; and
A transfer of $850,000 from O&M to capital on behalf of Nunavut Arctic College to purchase a heavy equipment operator training simulator.
Do you have witnesses to bring to the table, Mr. Minister?
Hon. Keith Peterson: Yes, Mr. Chairman, I have a witness.
Chairman: Thank you. Sergeant-at-Arms, please escort the witness in.
Minister Peterson, please introduce your witness.
My witness today is Mr. Chris D’Arcy, Deputy Minister for the Department of Finance.
Welcome. (interpretation) Would you like to be reminded of our rules, Rule 77(1) and Rule 77(2)? Do you remember them?
Questions? Ms. Ugyuk.
I have a question on page 4 regarding the $177,000 figure.
On Wednesday, October 19, I made a statement in the House to express my disappointment at the government’s slow progress on social issues, especially the affected families and the lack of protection and support for women, children, and elders who are suffering from violence and abuse.
My question to the minister is: (interpretation ends) what is the current status of the Family Violence Prevention Strategy?
Mr. Chairman, the purpose of this transfer is to facilitate the hiring of one full-time employee and a casual to help draft the strategy and conclude it hopefully by the end of December 2011.
Ms. Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you for clarifying that.
I do want to ask further and I’m sure the appropriate minister will make a response. (interpretation ends) How many family violence shelters are currently operating in Nunavut?
I thank Ms. Ugyuk for that question.
Mr. Chairman, I don’t have that information here.
If I understand correctly, can the Minister of Health provide a response?
Mr. Chairman, we’re dealing with a transfer of funds from one department to another to facilitate the writing of a family violence prevention strategy.
I don’t know if we came prepared for that level or depth of questioning on facilities in Nunavut.
I would just like clarification from the minister.
As a distinguished colleague, Hon. Ugyuk just asked a question and an answer came forth that this money is for one full-time employee and a casual to be completed by December 2011. That seems like it’s just two months away.
Being new, maybe he can enlighten me that this is something that has been ongoing.
I thank Ms. Ell for the question. Mr. Chairman, this work has been ongoing. This was just to hire two short-term positions to finish off the drafting and writing of the strategy.
Ms. Ell: Just further clarification: what was budgeted for this previously, and what happened that they need more funds for this?
Hon. Keith Peterson: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I thank Ms. Ell for the question.
Mr. Chairman, I don’t have that level of detail here.
We are page 4. Any questions?