EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
I was really hoping that maybe this money is going towards that, but if he could explain where that’s going.
No, that money is not going to any planning and designs for a new facility. $400,000 would be used as follows:
At the Kugluktuk Healing Centre, installation of a sprinkler system, inspection, repairs, and replacement of windows and roofing plus a boiler system;
At the Uttaqivik Centre here in Iqaluit, kitchen renovations and emergency generator;
At the Baffin Correctional Centre, two new vehicles and it’s based on a seven-year replacement cycle;
At BCC again, snow machine replacement to pay for the replacement of two of them actually, two snow machines, and computers based on a five-year replacement cycle; and
Computers to keep up with the IT requirements throughout the government and that’s based on a four-year replacement cycle.
I guess one of the things I want to take away from your presentation today or your appearance before us today is just to ensure that the inmates in the Baffin Correctional Centre are actually safe.
My understanding from the money that was struck before and discussions we had, there were oral questions in the House as well, there was the idea that internally, your staff did an assessment of the facility and suggestions were made.
I think that if I dug hard enough in my office, I would find the report that was created with what needed to be done to repair and fix the facility.
With that said, I was under the impression that our inmates were safe and everything was fine with the building.
With the comments that you made the other day, it just got me a little worried in the sense that are the inmates safe, and then with the oral questions that were asked by Ms. Ell, it just sort of got me thinking.
Again, I think that as MLAs, we take the responsibility of all the people we represent. Whether they’re incarcerated in a facility or not, whether they are down south for medical travel, or whether they’re in a facility somewhere other than BCC, we want to make sure that they’re safe.
So I guess I would like to spend a little bit of time with the questions I’m allowed to ask right now just to cheese out and find out whether the inmates are actually safe.
So if the minister could give us an update as to what’s happening.
With the questions I asked here, it was $400,000 going to things like snowmobiles and vehicle replacement, so obviously there are some repairs being done, which you mentioned, to BCC, but I just want to be able to leave here today knowing that those inmates are safe in there.
I thank Mr. Elliott for his concerns about the inmates.
As I mentioned in my comments or answers the other day, there’s no guarantee. Our officials, correctional officers, and other officials out at the Baffin Correctional Centre who live and work in close confines endeavour to do their best to ensure the safety of people coming into our care out there.
I answered in question period the other day that it was originally designed to be a minimum-security facility for 42 people.
It was expanded to accommodate 66, but regularly it’s anywhere between 80 and 100 individuals, and it’s in overcrowded conditions on a regular basis.
When you get people in a crowded environment like that, there will be incidents, as we had the other night with three individuals who set a fire. That posed some danger to the rest of the facility and the people in there, including our officials.
The Fire Marshal’s Office regularly inspects the facility, I believe, based on an annual basis to check the sprinkler system to make sure it’s working and check for other areas that may contravene the fire regulations. Our staff is very diligent in correcting any inefficiencies there.
They know the [condition of the] building is such that we can’t afford any mistakes or human error.
When there’s a fire threat or any other threat, the facility has evacuation plans in place to ensure everybody gets out safely.
Would I like it to be a different situation? Yes, I would like a facility that when individuals come in, there’s room for them to take courses and get proper recreation. I would like more space for corrections officers and our programming staff to be able to work in a safe environment, but we’re dealt the cards we have.
We’re doing our best to use that facility and ease the strain.
As I said, we’re hopeful that when the Rankin Inlet facility comes on stream that that will help us substantially.
When we opened the women’s facility in June 2010, it helped us immensely to take some strain and pressure off the overcrowding in the Baffin Correctional Centre.
So we’re doing the best we can.
I can’t guarantee 100 percent that there won’t be any incidents, that people won’t get hurt, but our officials are working their hardest to ensure that the people are safe when they come into our care.
I realize that guarantees can’t be given on the reaction of inmates to different situations and living conditions.
Does there need to be another feasibility study done to assess the facility?
After the $300,000 was deleted from the capital plan in December of 2009, a few months later, I was in the hot seat by an MLA who is no longer here for authorizing an assessment report of the facility for $25,000.
He accused me of defying the will of the House, which I didn’t. It’s just a routine thing.
I did ask my officials to look internally at what options are available.
In fact, when the new RCMP detachment came online last year… .
But earlier this year in March, the officials, with CGS and with the RCMP, toured the old RCMP detachment to see if that might be a facility that we could take on and upgrade and use for some of our maximum-security inmates.
It turned out that just wasn’t going to work for environmental and cost reasons and for other reasons.
They then heard, and I know my deputy spoke about this in the media, about sprung structures. There’s a facility in Maple Ridge, BC that CGS and Justice officials toured earlier this year to see how that might work in terms of corrections.
We’re taking a very close look at that. I believe they’re internally studying the opportunity. They have gathered information.
As I said, they have toured the facility. They’re looking at how a structure like that could be acquired and constructed here in Iqaluit nearby the Baffin Correctional Centre.
It’s too early to say with any certainty where that really is, but we’re looking at those kinds of opportunities.
I think I’ll go back to my original question, which I think was: is the facility safe?
As I indicated in my earlier comment, the facility is regularly inspected by the Fire Marshal’s Office to ensure that it is up to code in that area.
If there are any repairs and maintenance needed to the facility, not major renovations, the Baffin Correctional Centre officials, through Community and Government Services and work orders, can get the repairs done.
We believe it is safe given the type of building it is and the close monitoring that our officials and others pay to it. Again, as I indicated, it’s an old facility. It’s not modern by any standards.
When you’re going to compare the Baffin Correctional Centre to... . I have been in it, I think, twice now in two and a half years. I invite any MLA or any minister here.
If anyone wants to take a tour, we can arrange it. I know Mr. Elliott has taken that opportunity and saw first hand.
If I was to compare the Baffin Correctional Centre to the modern facility that’s opening in Rankin Inlet, Rankin Inlet is by far superior to this facility.
As I said earlier, we just don’t have the resources or the capacity in the government to build a replacement facility.
I think the Chairman referred to my comments the other day, $100 million to $150 million for a new facility.
The ballpark figures that corrections folks in Canada use is about $1 million per inmate to design a facility to standards.
Ms. Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) In your opening comments, the construction of the facility is nearing completion for the Rankin Inlet facility.
Unfortunately the delays in connecting power and water have resulted in the completion date being pushed back to December 2011.
Weren’t those power and water in the planning or designing?
Why are they a problem?
I thank Ms. Ugyuk for the question.
It’s a good question. It was all in the planning.
Of course, it’s in the planning. I believe it was power transformers. The agency that does hookup of buildings and connect them to the community power grid didn’t have the transformers.
They had to wait until they were delivered, I believe, in late September.
The water hookup is a scheduling issue with the community, so it pushed it back.
Unfortunately those things happen when you’re constructing buildings. CGS has assured us, as I said, that construction will be complete by the end of this calendar year.
Again to the same subject, (interpretation ends) your department’s current substantiation sheet for the Rankin Inlet Correctional Centre project indicates that the current exchange of service agreement with the GNWT was signed in 2008 and ends in 2011.
However, a significant increase in the per diem rate has been advanced by the NWT.
Earlier this week, CBC North quoted your deputy minister as saying that the NWT and Ontario have indicated it is unlikely they will be able to continue taking a large number of our inmates.
As of today, what is the status of the shared service agreement with the GNWT?
As of today, the agreement is still in place and I believe we’re renewing it.
Ms. Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) Earlier this week, CBC North news reported that your department is considering a temporary jail for Iqaluit and housing more inmates at the outpost camps.
Are you considering constructing a new facility in Iqaluit or using an existing building, and can you indicate the estimated cost for a temporary jail?
As I indicated earlier, we did look at the old RCMP detachment and it was proven to have some environmental issues and it would be too costly to renovate.
Justice officials and CGS officials looked at the sprung structure facility in Maple Ridge, BC as a possible option and they continue to look at that, gathering information and research.
Costing out, it’s too early to even suggest a number that it might take to acquire a facility like that.
I have seen the brochures for the sprung structure and where they’re used, the people who are using them say that it cuts the cost in half over normal construction and they’re relieving the pressure on their corrections system. So we’re taking a very close look at that, Mr. Chairman.
Ms. Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) Have you had discussions with your federal counterpart concerning the impact of new federal legislation on Nunavut’s correctional system and, if so, what is the federal position on providing increased resources to Nunavut in this area?
I personally haven’t had any conversations with my federal counterpart, but I know our officials, through the federal, provincial, and territorial deputies meetings, have communicated with senior officials in Ottawa.
I know the federal minister attended a Canadian Bar Association AGM, Minister Nicholson or Toews, I believe, in Halifax.
One of the other or both, but they got quite an earful from all the folks who attended about the impact of Bill C-10, the omnibus crime bill, and the impact it would have on all of our other jurisdictions.
So they’re well aware in Ottawa that this is going to put some real pressure and strain on all provinces and territories.
At some point, I probably will have a conversation with my federal counterparts, including our Member of Parliament.
I would like to ask the minister a final question. (interpretation ends) The women’s correctional centre opened on June 11, 2010.
How many women are currently serving prison sentences in the facility and how many are currently serving prison sentences outside of the territory?
The facility is designed for ten and the deputy advises me that it is full right now.
In terms of ladies who are serving time outside the territory, we don’t have those details with us.
I guess I rushed a little too much, but I wanted to raise a question on another page.
So when we reach that page, I’ll ask that question.
Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Tapardjuk. (interpretation) I allowed Ms. Ugyuk to ask questions on corrections. As the Chair, I will allow you to ask that question.
Mr. Tapardjuk (interpretation): Yes, I thought we were on page C-4 and my question was on page C-5 and C-6. So prior to us approving this, I don’t mind waiting until we reach page C-6.
I don’t think this is much of a question, but I just want to get this clarified. What is that particular term “sprung structure”?
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Ms. Ell. (interpretation ends) Minister Peterson, what is a sprung structure?
I anticipated that someone was going to ask me that question, so I brought a picture.
You see some of them at the airport, so it’s one of those types of facilities.
Ms. Ell (interpretation): Thank you.
Now I can envision it.
Let’s move to C-3. I have no more names on my list.
C-3. (interpretation ends) Justice. Branch Summary. Directorate.
Total Capital Expenditures. $400,000. (interpretation) Do you agree?
Chairman (interpretation): Go to the second page. (interpretation ends) Justice.
As I was reading this particular page in your opening comments, you spoke about the opening of the correctional centre in Rankin Inlet in December. At least that’s the expectation that we have.
I would like to ask the minister: if it were opened, would the Baffin Correctional Centre inmates in Iqaluit be moved there or would some of the inmates in Kugluktuk move there?
How many inmates would go to that centre?
Will this alleviate the overcrowding situation in Iqaluit when this correctional centre is opened in Rankin Inlet, Mr. Chairman?
Actually we’re saying the building construction will be complete by December 2011, and then the Corrections Division has to test the facility, put it through all those checks, check its systems, develop the training, and then hire the staff.
So we’re saying the first half of 2012, we’re hoping.
Yes, it will depend on the security rating and the custody rating of individuals, and what facility they can go to.
The facility here has a mix of minimum-, medium-, and maximum-security prisoners.
The facility in Rankin Inlet is, I think, minimum to medium.
It’s early right now, but it is the hope that, depending on the review of the security ratings and the numbers at the time, we will be able to relieve the pressure on BCC and move the inmates around to take the pressure off.
We want to be notified of any developments. I really don’t like the fact that we’re already trying to prepare for a bill which hasn’t been passed yet by Parliament.
Of course, if that bill was to become law, we would then see an increase in the inmate population, but I want defer that question at this time.
However, this question I want to raise is with respect to the correctional centre in Rankin Inlet. I believe it talks about 45 PYs.
Is it true that you will have a certain number of non-Rankin Inlet residents whom you would have to hire as specialists? I know that you will hire some Rankin Inlet residents to work there.
Will the staff members who are required to move to Rankin Inlet to undertake their positions have staff housing available while this is in progress, Mr. Chairman?
Yes, in conjunction with the construction of the correctional facility, the housing corporation has also built a 33-unit multi-complex, so I believe that should be ready soon.
I don’t want to put a date on it; I was told it would be ready by this month.
Certainly the positions for the staff at the Rankin Inlet facility, there are 45 positions, a combination of correctional officers, program staff, administration and medical people.
They can come from, I think, just about anywhere in Nunavut. It’s a Government of Nunavut job.
So if there are people from here or the Kitikmeot or the Kivalliq applying for jobs and if they screen in for interviews and go through that process, we’re hoping that more people from Nunavut get the jobs than people from the south.
Obviously anyone who does get a job will receive training in a number of correctional areas by our staff and other people.
So it’s going to be a tremendous economic boom there for Rankin Inlet employment-wise and 45 new jobs for Nunavut.
From that perspective, it’s good.
I have no more names on my list. (interpretation ends) Justice.
Total Capital Expenditures. $500,000. (interpretation) Do you agree?
Chairman (interpretation): Go back to page C-2. (interpretation ends) Department Summary.
Total Capital Expenditures. $900,000. (interpretation) Do you agree?
Is the committee agreed that we have concluded with the Department of Justice?
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Mr. Peterson, do you have closing remarks?
I would like to thank you for chairing an excellent session here.
I thank the Committee of the Whole for good questions and sharing their concerns for the officials and our people coming into our care at our corrections facilities in Nunavut.
I appreciate the questions not only during this session but during the standing committee and in previous years.
It’s important that we pay attention and recognize that we do have to look after people who get into trouble with the law, and then we do our best to help them get back into the communities so they can reunite with their families.
It’s important that we work our hardest in that area.
Personally I don’t believe in just locking people up and not helping them. A strong correction system will help our territory, I believe.
I would like to thank our corrections officials who have to go to work daily 24/7 to work with the people who come into our care.
I would like to say a special thanks to them and the RCMP for the other night to ensure that the Baffin Correctional Centre situation was handled promptly, with no injuries, and very organized and safe. There was a lot of work.
I would like to thank my officials who worked hard to put this all together for our appearance today.
I will certainly keep the standing committee updated as members have asked how we’re progressing on this project.
Also, we took note of the Chairperson’s opening comments in terms of submitting information reports on corrections.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Peterson and your officials.
Given the fact that we have moved along very well this afternoon/early evening, at this time, I would like to make a motion to report progress.
Mr. Enook: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Your committee has been considering Bill 15 and the capital estimates, and would like to report progress.
There a motion on the floor.
A reminder that there’s a meeting of the Standing Committee on Legislation tomorrow morning at nine o’clock.
This House stands adjourned until Thursday, October 27, at 1:30 p.m.
>>House adjourned at 18:56
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Pages 1375 – 1428
Opening Prayer 1375
Ministers’ Statements 1375
Members’ Statements 1379
Returns to Oral Questions 1382
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 1382
Oral Questions 1383
Revert to Item 5: Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 1398
Tabling of Documents 1399
Second Reading of Bills 1399
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 1403
Committee Motions 1418
Report of the Committee of the Whole 1427
Third Reading of Bills 1427
Orders of the Day 1428
Thursday, October 27, 2011 1375
089 – 3(3): Community Tourism and Cultural Industries Program (Taptuna) 1375
090 – 3(3): Nunavut’s Surplus Sealskin Inventory Sold Entirely (Shewchuk) 1376
091 – 3(3): Disability Portfolio Advancement (Aariak) 1376
092 – 3(3): National Aboriginal Firefighters Games (Kusugak) 1377
093 – 3(3): Arviat Leadership Resiliency Program (Aariak) 1378
094 – 3(3): Improvements to Arts Branding (Taptuna) 1378
135 – 3(3): Recognition of Silas Tookalook (Rumbolt) 1379
136 – 3(3): Reflections on Three Years in Office (Elliott) 1379
137 – 3(3): Appreciation to Iqaluit Walrus Hunters (Ell) 1380
138 – 3(3): A Youth Centre for Kugluktuk (Taptuna) 1381
Return to Oral Question 163 – 3(3): Government of Nunavut’s Response as per Tabled Document 92 – 3(3) (Schell) 1382
198 – 3(3): Status of Nunavut’s Language Legislation (Tapardjuk) 1383
199 – 3(3): New Licence Plate for Nunavut (Rumbolt) 1386
200 – 3(3): Support for Mental Health Issues (Aupaluktuq) 1387
201 – 3(3): NHC Operations (Ell) 1389
202 – 3(3): Probation Services across Nunavut (Ugyuk) 1391
203 – 3(3): Adult Learning Policy Division (Elliott) 1393
204 – 3(3): Process of NNI Appeals (Enook) 1395
205 – 3(3): Language Requirements for Business under Languages Act (Tapardjuk) 1396
116 – 3(3): Provincial/Territorial Meeting of Ministers Responsible for Local Government Report July 12 to 14, 2011 (Kusugak) 1399
117 – 3(3): 2011-2012 Crown Agency Council’s Letters of Expectation (Peterson) 1399
118 – 3(3): Interim Financial Report (Unaudited) as of March 31, 2011 (Peterson) 1399
003 – 3(3): Motion to Amend Schedule of Bill 15 (Peterson) 1418
004 – 3(3): Motion to Amend Subsection 3(2) of Bill 15 (Peterson) 1418
Bill 22 – An Act Respecting the Constituencies of Nunavut – Second Reading 1399
Bill 15 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2012-2013 – Nunavut Arctic College – Consideration in Committee 1403
Bill 15 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2012-2013 – Culture, Language, Elders and Youth – Consideration in Committee 1409
Bill 15 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2012-2013 – Legislative Assembly – Consideration in Committee 1413
Bill 15 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2012-2013 – Consideration in Committee 1417
Bill 13 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 2, 2011-2012 – Consideration in Committee 1419
Bill 14 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 2, 2011-2012 – Consideration in Committee 1426
Bill 13 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 2, 2011-2012 – Third Reading 1427
Bill 15 –Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2012-2013 – Third Reading 1427
Minister’s Statement 089 – 3(3): Community Tourism and Cultural Industries Program (Taptuna)
Mr. Speaker, in Tamapta, we committed to increasing support for culture and the arts.
When we held consultations this spring as part of our work on the upcoming tourism strategy, we expected to hear about tourism potential and assets.
In every community and with overwhelming repetition, we heard the need for more capacity and more infrastructures for production, promotion, and distribution of our arts and crafts to tourists.
Today I am proud to advise you and the House of new funding for initiatives that link tourism and cultural industries.
The Community Tourism and Cultural Industries Program is a three-year commitment to boost community strengths in arts and crafts and improve their link to tourism.
Mr. Speaker, hundreds of artists, arts organizations and communities will use this funding to create more benefit from the tourists who come for business or pleasure. The program will repair and expand existing arts infrastructure.
It will invest in new infrastructure linking cultural industries and tourism, such as retail spaces with room for cultural demonstrations. It will help small businesses in either cultural industries or tourism improve their marketing and make more sales of arts and crafts to tourists. The program will help communities do the same for cruise ship visitors.
The Community Tourism and Cultural Industries Program will also help communities plan the way they want their community to work and look and foster community pride.
Nunavummiut should be proud of the contributions tourism and cultural industries make not only to our economy but to our quality of life, the preservation of our language and culture, and the global voice we are granted.
Minister’s Statement 090 – 3(3): Nunavut’s Surplus Sealskin Inventory Sold Entirely (Shewchuk)
I am pleased to announce that Nunavut’s sealskin inventory, which two years ago totalled over 11,000 skins, has been entirely sold.
Of approximately 6,000 skins available for sale in June 2011, one-third was purchased within Canada and the remainder was recently bought by a Chinese buyer.