EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
I cannot really confirm whether or not that’s related to what Mr. Paul Okalik indicated and I cannot tell the member which communities have been impacted the most or the least throughout Nunavut with H1N1.
Question 187 – 3(2): Training Opportunities for Employees of Local Housing Organizations (Aupaluktuq)
My questions are directed to the Hon. Minister for the Nunavut Housing Corporation, Mr. Hunter Tootoo.
First of all, I am pleased to announce that the Baker Lake housing board elections will be held soon and I encourage all Baker Lakemiut to go and vote.
I was invited to attend a Baker Lake housing employees meeting this fall.
It was stated by some of the staff that they were overlooked, or perhaps the necessary steps were not taken to offer training that is required to advance in the workplace or even be able to provide the best administrative and professional services to Baker Lake residents.
Yet, in the Nunavut Housing Corporation Committee of the Whole, it was stated and documented that Baker Lake staff didn’t want training or were not interested in training.
Can the Minister of the Nunavut Housing Corporation enforce training opportunities for all local housing organization staff by means of announcing notices for training opportunities?
I think he points out a very big issue and a big challenge that the corporation and our community partners, the LHOs, face in being able to obtain training for them.
Mr. Speaker, it is my understanding that the staff who work for the LHO in the communities work for, as he had indicated, the board of directors. It’s underneath the board of directors and the management to identify and bring forward any requests for training.
I know that when our program officers are in the communities, as was stated in the Committee of the Whole, they do provide training in certain areas and specific programs and things like that. They work with tenant relations officers and stuff like that.
That does go on. That’s in-house training within the corporation. I would ask the member if he could convey to his constituents that if that’s the type of training that they were looking at, that is something the corporation provides and it just needs to be conveyed through the LHO staff to our district office.
In this case, for the Kivalliq, our district office is in Arviat.
If it is any type of professional development training that an individual employee may be looking at is offered outside of something that is handled through our community program officers, then I imagine that would be something that would be identified by the employee, brought forward to their supervisor. If that supervisor isn’t the manager, then it would be brought forward to the manager as a request to the board of directors to identify possible training opportunities for them that way that may be outside our in-house training.
Maybe I could ask the member what type of training.
Was it in-house training or outside professional development training? If it was outside of something that is offered by the corporation, let me know.
I’ll be glad to provide some information once I get an update from other staff who wanted me to ask these questions on behalf of the Baker Lake Local Housing Organization.
I just wanted to ask: can the Minister of the Nunavut Housing Corporation put to task or direct the board of directors to share information or provide opportunities specifically for performance evaluation of all local housing organization managers with feedback from all LHO staff?
I know, with our management agreement that the corporation with the LHOs, there are some things that we can tell them to do and some things that we can’t tell them to do.
So I will look in to see if that is specifically something that comes from or is included within the mandate of the corporation to be asking performances or if it’s something that would come from the local elected board of directors to do.
Mr. Speaker, I think it’s no secret, as my former colleague from that riding used to say, that the Auditor General’s report on the housing corporation did identify that the corporation needs to improve its support to our community partners and that’s something that we are going to be looking at doing and finding better ways to support our community partners in delivering programs for us.
Question 188 – 3(2): Update on New Power Plant for Cape Dorset (Schell)
I don’t have a question for the housing minister but I do have one for the Minister of Qulliq Energy.
With Christmas coming, all of the street lights up there, and all of the Christmas trees and everything, it’s putting quite a strain on the old power plant that we have in Cape Dorset.
A couple of years ago, the Nunavut government announced that they were going to build a new power plant in Cape Dorset.
My question is: what’s happening with the progress on that?
It’s my understanding over the last little while that there have been some legal issues in regard to the land ownership for the site. The hamlet and the Qulliq Energy Corporation have come to an agreement.
They’re just working with a third party to resolve those issues before anything could be done.
What is roughly the timeframe for it to be started?
I would say it would depend on the outcomes of the legal issues that they are facing with the private interest on the land. I think that once the legal issues around the ownership and the land transfer are sorted out, then we would be able to look at moving forward. Until that’s done, we’re kind of stuck there.
Once the legal issues have been settled, what is the timeframe that Qulliq Energy is planning on starting the project?
I know that, as the member pointed out, it’s been something that’s been going on for a while now and it’s been snagged up on the legal land issues.
It’s probably not the only project in Nunavut that has had challenges getting through those types of issues.
Mr. Speaker, it’s my understanding that once that issue is brought forward, it would be up to the board of directors of the corporation to include any capital projects into the capital plan and bring that forward.
My question for the minister is: is Cape Dorset the priority of the corporation for the next power plant to be built in Nunavut?
As the member knows and everybody knows, power generation and power plants are critical in every community in Nunavut and those priorities change.
If something happens, we can’t say that that one will be the next one.
If something else comes up that’s an emergency, if you look at the incident that happened in Rankin Inlet in the past, those kinds of things could leapfrog any projects in there.
As I said, Mr. Speaker, it’s up to the board of directors to include projects and approve the capital budget for the corporation and bring it forward.
Speaker: Thank you, Minister. Thank you, Mr. Schell.
Question 189 – 3(2): Coordination of Apprenticeship Training Under the Nunavut Housing Trust (Elliott)
My question is directed to the Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation.
Mr. Speaker, as you know, I have been trying to get some answers relating to the status of training for those apprentices who are working under the Nunavut Housing Trust. I asked the Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation, who referred me to the Minister of Education. I asked the Minister of Education, who in turn deferred to the adult educators.
The Minister of Nunavut Arctic College took my questions as notice. Today, I received the written reply by the Minister of Education.
My reason for bringing this up is because it shows the confusion that our apprentices must go through to become qualified.
My question is what mechanism is in place between the departments to ensure that efforts are being coordinated and that those apprentices who are learning their trade through the Nunavut Housing Trust, which is managed by the Nunavut Housing Corporation under the apprenticeship program, which is managed and funded by the Department of Education with programs delivered by Nunavut Arctic College, will be able to reach their goal before the Nunavut Housing Trust program is completed.
Mr. Speaker, the housing trust program is a program that finishes this year.
This is the last year of the trust, so any of the apprentices who are working and started their apprenticeship program under that trust are being carried forward into this new stimulus package of money that we received from CMHC over the next two years.
In a lot of cases, because of our construction season, it takes a minimum of four to seven years for individuals to finish their apprenticeship program.
There has been excellent cooperation and collaboration with, as the member pointed out, the Nunavut Housing Corporation, providing the opportunity for these individuals to get their training through the Department of Education, to be able to sponsor and have these people through the apprenticeship program, and also a great effort by Nunavut Arctic College in being able to put on additional pre-trades training courses for these individuals to be able to move into the program.
As long as those individuals are working, they get the hours that they need to progress to the next level of their apprenticeship program.
After each year, I would assume that the hours that they need for each year, that they’re required to take a theory program, which the requirements are outlined under the Department of Education, but the program is offered through the college.
Once that happens, then they go on, they go back to work.
It’s not something that I can say that they’re going to be done by the end of the trust, that’s going to be done this year, but there is coordinated effort on behalf of the corporation, the college, and the Department of Education to ensure that these individuals get the attention, the hours, and the training that they need to move forward on their apprenticeships.
Mr. Elliott: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you for that answer.
I just wanted to clarify. Is it your department that is ultimately responsible for making sure that they receive their training?
As I said, it’s not a department; it’s a corporation. Through the housing trust and through this new $100 million of the stimulus package that we received for housing, the Nunavut Housing Corporation is providing the opportunity for those individuals to get the hours that they need in whatever particular trade that they’re working in.
So we provide them with the opportunity to get the hours they need to do the practical work for all of that.
It would be up to either the Department of Education or the college to provide the actual theory component of their training. It’s basically a two-pronged approach. As we provide the opportunity for them to get the work, the formal training is the responsibility of another department.
Speaker: Thank you, Minister. Thank you, Mr. Elliott.
Question 190 – 3(2): Vaccine Availability for H1N1 (Rumbolt)
In the minister’s response to the question from Mr. Elliott concerning H1N1, he said he is encouraged that all Nunavut residents who have not taken the H1N1 ought to do so.
It has been brought to my attention that it’s not as simple as walking into the health centre to get the H1N1 vaccination.
In fact, when you go to the health centre, your name goes on a list of people wanting the H1N1 shot. When a list of 10 names is accumulated, they are then able to get the vaccination.
Can the minister confirm that this is the common practice throughout Nunavut?
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Rumbolt. Minister of Health and Social Services, Hon. Tagak Curley.
I thank the member for the question, a very important question.
I cannot confirm whether that is the practice. We are encouraging every individual and the public out there who require an H1N1 shot, who have not taken the shot to do so.
I will instruct my officials that we shouldn’t be collecting names.
This is not a lineup required to get a flu shot, it is important. The vaccines are available in each health centre and I will advise my department that they be treated as a priority.
Just one more question: are local health centres actively contacting Nunavut residents to get the vaccination or is it just they come in and ask for the vaccination?
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Rumbolt. Minister Curley.
Hon. Tagak Curley: Mr. Speaker, the vaccination came that went out obviously ended about a couple weeks ago, though, but it is where the uptake was low in some parts of Nunavut that they can possibly go in and do a more massive vaccination program.
Where there is a manageable level of individuals who are not taking a flu shot, they are encouraged to go into the community, to go into the local health facility and take their shots. We have the information packages. They are continuing to encourage people to take the flu shots, not only themselves but their families as well.
Question 191 – 3(2): Concerns about Contamination at Arctic Bay’s New Airport (Elliott)
Mr. Elliott: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister of Economic Development and Transportation.
As the minister is aware, I tabled an aerial photograph of the new Arctic Bay Airport as well as in a correspondence with him regarding my community’s concerns in relation to the Arctic Bay Airport development project.
One major concern is the proximity to the lake that supplies the community’s drinking water and fears that chemicals used for de-icing aircraft at the airport can enter the water supply.
In a letter to me dated January 22, 2009, the minister indicated that runoff from the airport, including de-icing chemicals, were flagged as a potential concern in the initial development of the airport site. The engineering design firm determined that any runoff entering the watershed would go downstream of the water lake.
Can the minister indicate what his department has done to ensure that no runoff from de-icing chemicals enters the water of the lake supply?
Minister responsible for Economic Development and Transportation, Hon. Peter Taptuna.
In my correspondence to the member, I believe we made it very clear that there was no possible chance of any contamination in the drinking water from the de-icing chemicals that are used aircrafts.
If there is any evidence of it, I would like to see that if the member has that. If there is any evidence, I would like to see that.
No, I just wanted to make sure that everything was in order once the airport is finally open next year to help with my community’s concerns about the water lake being so close to the airport.
Can the minister indicate if there are any terms and conditions the Nunavut Impact Review Board issued in relation to the environmental screening of this project?
As Minister responsible for Economic Development and Transportation, there are some cases where I don’t get into all of those finer details of environmental impact statements and whatnot. The overall summary is what I look at. For the finer scientific details, I am not aware of, but I can assure the member that I will try and get all of these scientific details that he is asking for.
I thank him for that commitment.
In the letter, it mentioned that there were some potential concerns and I’m assuming that all of those concerns were taken care of in the review.
If the minister is willing to give me more information, that would be great.
I just want to have something in the written record that everything is safe and my community will be able to have safe drinking water from now until the end of time.
I didn’t hear a question. I believe that was just a statement.
If you would like to respond, Mr. Taptuna, you may do so.
I thank the member for his comment.
During the initiation of the construction phase, everything is looked at, the environmental consequences.
I can assure the member that if there is any danger of affecting the community drinking water, I’m pretty positive that no development goes forward. They have to be proven through technical and scientific evidence that there will be no damage to the environment, especially the drinking water of the community.
Having been to Arctic Bay a couple of months ago, I have to say that the drinking water quality there is excellent.
I have no more names on list.
Question 192 – 3(2): Performance of Government Ford Escape Hybrid SUV (Okalik)
The minister tabled a report on vehicle inspection.
With this report, it seems like there is going to be a decrease in the costs that are paid by the government. I believe he’s talking hybrid. How is it going to lower the costs to the government and what other studies are required?
Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): With the little hybrid, there are different ways where we can save costs. For example, we know that it could last a long time if it’s not used for long distances.
Due to the fact that the Nunavut government uses different brands of vehicles for their work, we’re looking at which vehicles would save the government money.
It indicates that this hybrid will use less fuel. It’s just a little over $5,000 to buy this vehicle and I’m sure that you would save a lot on O&M costs if the fuel price went up.
We’re trying to show the world that we’re conserving energy and lessening our emissions.
I believe this government should look at energy saving vehicles and other avenues. How are we going to do that?
Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): I know exactly where you’re coming from. With the new brands of vehicles coming out and because they’re more environmentally friendly, it would be a cost-saving measure. We would like to see more utilization of those types of vehicles.
We have to look at what would happen or what type of damage it would create if the batteries started eroding or if there are parts, whether or not it’s going to be more expensive. Yes, I agree with the member. However, we have to look at the other factors, whether they’re going to be cost-saving measures or environmentally friendly.
The report states that there will be a further review by the government. What other types of review are you looking at?
How many more years would that review take?
It doesn’t make any indication of life. What types of studies are required?
Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): I cannot tell him the end date if he’s looking to get a set date. If my colleague is looking at the timelines we’re looking at, I will look into it.
Looking at the report, there are similar types of very cold stats that they’re looking at when they’re doing the study on this hybrid.
It would help to have a timeline so we will know exactly how much we’re saving on gas consumption.
I thank the member for asking those questions.
There are usually different causes.
For example, its ability to run in cold weather conditions, the gas consumption in different types of weather, and so on.
I’m sure that we can look at all of the concerns you raised regarding this review, but it takes a while to see what happens. We will give you the response as soon as we get it.
Question 193 – 3(2): No Home Care/Community Health/Social Services in High Arctic (Elliott)
I have a copy of the Blues from Friday, June 12, and I’ll ask the same question again.
It is to the Minister of Health and Social Services. The questioning is almost like déjà vu. I would like to ask the Minister of Health and Social Services, the Hon. Tagak Curley.
In Grise Fiord and Resolute Bay, we do not have any home care workers.
The situation for both these communities is compounded because there is no community health representative and there are also no social workers.
My question at the time was, “What are the guidelines for communities to be able to receive home care workers in their community?”
The minister replied with a bit of a preamble and more or less said, “We are currently reviewing the community that you mentioned. We will keep you informed and give you updates as they come up.”
In the past six months, have you hired a home care worker in either of these communities?
Minister responsible for Health and Social Services, Hon. Tagak Curley.
Mr. Speaker, I have not had the benefit of reading the June 12 Hansard. I will undertake to review that comment so that I can give him a proper response. It may not be early, but I do want to provide accurate information.
So I will review that Hansard to get a proper understanding of the question.
Certainly our commitment is to ensure that we do have community health workers and home care workers.
I’m not in a position right now, not having reviewed my statement lately, to respond, but I will undertake to do that. I will either do it through a letter or if not, I can probably have a response by tomorrow.
I don’t know whether the minister is taking it as notice. Just to clarify, is the minister committing to responding tomorrow and, if not, I will receive a letter from him?
I can do both, providing that the departmental officials can provide an answer for me in response specifically to the June 12 question.
We have to review the statements and I have committed to do that, provided I get a bit of research done on that issue and our departmental plan.
If the answer is not coming through the House, I will certainly follow it up by letter.
I was just wondering: if the information doesn’t come in tomorrow and it does come in a letter, could the minister commit to a timeframe or should I just hold on to this question for the next six months and bring it up when we’re meeting in the spring?
I appreciate the question. I don’t think it’s complicated. He can also phone me tomorrow and probably have a better idea as to exactly where we stand.
Question 194 – 3(2): Business Plan Cycle (Okalik)
I would like to direct my question to the Minister responsible for the Qulliq Energy Corporation.
It was obvious that they were going through hardships, but I can’t recall how they plan for business plans that have to be tabled in the House. We have not seen any business plans for the corporation. So when will they be tabled?
I would like an answer on that.
Hon. Hunter Tootoo: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I believe I just tabled the annual report last week for the 2008-09 fiscal year. Documents do take some time to put together.
I am not sure when the board of directors… . They just finished approving and getting the 2008-09 one out. As soon as they do the 2009-2010 one, which that year is not quite done yet, they will be doing that.
We have to see the business plans on an annual basis. I cannot recall when it was tabled in the House.
I would like to see those business plans so we can do a proper review in the future.
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Okalik. Minister Tootoo.
I know the member is very well aware that the Qulliq Energy Corporation is a Crown corporation. It doesn’t operate under the same parameters as the government departments.
I would have to check if that is something that their board of directors annually approves a business plan, whether they just go through as part of their budgeting process.
The member is also quite aware that they develop their own budget and it’s something that is approved by the board of directors, and then just passed on to me as the minister responsible.
They do have a business plan which I’m sure they have some sort of hurdle. I’ll check with the board of directors to see if they would be willing to allow that to be put forward to the members.
I know that they’re a Crown corporation.
Even with that, they have to come up with business plans. Minister Tootoo is also the Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation that gives us their business plans. I would like to see the annual report in the near future.
As I indicated that the report that’s approved, I just finished tabling an annual report.
I will review his comments, I have taken as just a comment, is a request I put forward to the board of directors, and I’ll let him know as soon as I find out from them.
Thank you, Mr. Okalik. (interpretation) Going back to the orders of the day. (interpretation ends) Item 7.
Reports of Committees on the Review of Bills. Mr. Okalik.
Committee Report on Bills 004 – 3(2): Bill 12, Northern Employee Benefits Services Pension Plan Protection Act (Okalik)