EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Mr. Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I would like to ask my next question to the minister of the housing corporation.
It was over a decade ago that I was a part of the government that created the subsidy for homeowners that are employed by the Government of Nunavut. We set it at $400 a month, which works out to about $4,800.
It has come to light that those in government staff housing get the equivalent of $20,000 a year in subsidies, who are employed with the Government of Nunavut.
Can the minister explain if he is willing to study the increase of support for homeowners that have made a commitment to our territory, who are employed by our government, to increase the amount of subsidy for homeowners that are employed by the Government of Nunavut?
I thank the member for that question. He just snuck it under the wire before time was up today in question period.
Mr. Speaker, the Nunavut Housing Corporation isn’t ultimately responsible for establishing or paying out the $400 a month subsidy to homeowners that are government employees through the Department of Finance.
However, I do want to highlight to the member that through our ongoing discussions for the blueprint for action under the housing strategy, earlier this month at the beginning of May, there was the first engagement session and coincidentally, the second engagement session is ongoing as of yesterday.
It is ongoing today.
There are four goals that are being discussed in those deliberations with interdepartmental representation and other stakeholders.
Of those four goals, there are nine topics and one of those topics is meeting the housing needs of GN employees.
I would anticipate and it has been a discussion that I’ve had with my officials that how we evaluate, how we interpret, and how we implement staff subsidies for homeowners and for Nunavummiut is something that we need to take a look at.
As the member mentioned, it has been some time and economies to scale have changed a little bit since that time.
It is something that is being deliberated amongst my staff and their colleagues interdepartmentally and other stakeholders.
Mr. Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) The cost of owning a home has gone up considerably throughout this territory.
Taxes, fuel, and electrical rates have gone up considerably since the first time the subsidy was introduced.
Can the minister make a commitment to review this and to increase the rates for homeowners?
As a homeowner and as the Minister of the Nunavut Housing Corporation who is responsible for paying a lot of the fuel and utility expenses associated with a number of housing units across the territory, I know how much of an impact utility expenses are.
I can commit that this will be a topic of discussion at the blueprint for action.
I, however, cannot commit today to increasing that number.
We’re waiting to have the blueprint for action and there will be discussions, I’m sure, with my colleagues at the cabinet level to discuss this, if that is an action that comes out of the blueprint document.
Tabled Document 136 – 4(3): Government of Nunavut Presentation to Canada Transportation Act Review Panel Iqaluit, NU June 23, 2015 (Ell-Kanayuk)
I am pleased to table the Government of Nunavut’s presentation to the Canada Transportation Act Review Panel in Iqaluit, Nunavut, June 23, 2015.
Tabled Document 137 – 4(3): Reaching and Teaching All Students – A Model to Guide the Practice of Inclusive Education in Nunavut, Final Report of the External Review of Inclusive Education (Quassa)
Today, (interpretation ends) I am pleased to table the final information of the external review of inclusive education titled “Reaching and Teaching All Students – A Model to Guide the Practice of Inclusive Education in Nunavut” dated February 2015. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Item 15. Notices of Motions First Reading of Bills.
Bill 18 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 1, 2016-2017 – First Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Arviat South, that Bill 18, Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, No. 1, 2016-2017, be read for the first time.
Bill 17 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 2, 2016-2017 – First Reading
Hon. Keith Peterson: Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Arviat South, that Bill 17, Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 2, 2016-2017, be read for the first time.
Bill 17 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 2, 2016-2017 – Second Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Arviat South, that Bill 17, Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 2, 2016-2017, be read for the second time.
Mr. Speaker, this bill makes supplementary appropriations to defray the capital expenditures of the Government of Nunavut for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2017.
The motion is carried and Bill 17 is referred to the Committee of the Whole.
Bill 18 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 1, 2016-2017 – Second Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Arviat South, that Bill 18, Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, No. 1, 2016-2017, be read for the second time.
Mr. Speaker, this bill makes supplementary appropriations to defray the operations and maintenance expenses of the Government of Nunavut for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2017.
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters. Bill 17 and Bill 18, Tabled Documents 73 – 4(2), 116 – 4(2), 140 – 4(2), 149 – 4(2), and 70 – 4(3) with Mr. Enook in the Chair.
>>House recessed at 15:30 and Committee resumed at 16:00
As we proceed, Nunavummiut, welcome to your Legislative Assembly.
Members, in Committee of the Whole, we have the following items to deal with: Tabled Documents 73 – 4(2), 116 – 4(2), 140 – 4(2), 149 – 4(2), and 70 – 4(3) and Bills 17 and 18.
Mr. Chairman, we wish to commence with the discussion on Tabled Document 149 – 4(2). Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Are we in agreement that we first deal with Tabled Document 149 – 4(2)?
Tabled Document 149 – 4(2): 2013-2014 Minister’s Annual Report on Poverty Reduction – Consideration in Committee
Before we proceed, I would first like to ask if you have officials that you would like to bring to the table.
Chairman (interpretation): Members, do you agree to bring in the minister’s officials?
Chairman (interpretation): I think you almost got a nay.
Hon. George Kuksuk (interpretation): Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. I say “good afternoon” to our fellow Nunavummiut.
With me today to my right (interpretation ends) is Irene Tanuyak, Assistant Deputy Minister with Family Services, and to my left, Lindsay Turner, Director of Poverty Reduction.
Also, Mr. Chairman, we have standing by in the gallery from the department Rian van Bruggen, Director of Policy and Planning, also Sol Modesto-Vardy. She’s the director for corporate services. (interpretation) Those are our witnesses, Mr. Chairman.
Welcome to the House, Ms. Tanuyak and Ms. Turner.
If you need to have witnesses appear at the table, you will have an opportunity to introduce them.
I believe we can now proceed with the review and I would also like to proceed.
Minister Kuksuk, if you have any opening comments, I now give you the opportunity to make them.
The 2013-14 Minister’s Annual Report on Poverty Reduction is the first report developed to meet the requirements of the Collaboration for Poverty Reduction Act. It was tabled in May of 2015 in the Legislative Assembly.
It was originally scheduled to be reviewed by the Committee of the Whole in the fall of 2015. However, this appearance has been postponed twice. As Minister responsible for Poverty Reduction, I would like to thank you for the opportunity to speak to this report today.
The social challenges related to poverty are complex and interconnected. Housing, mental health, addictions, food security, education, cultural identity, connections to the land, training, income, local economic development, and strong community organizations are all factors that interact in determining community wellness.
In April of 2010, the Nunavut Anti-Poverty Secretariat was created under the Department of Economic Development and Transportation. In April of 2013, the Department of Family Services and the Poverty Reduction Division were created, taking on the responsibility for this work.
The mandate of the division is to guide the implementation of a poverty reduction action plan (the Makimaniq Plan), to lead the coordination of poverty reduction efforts, and to support program and policy reform.
We need to work together for our programs and services to have a meaningful and lasting impact in reducing poverty.
In October of 2012, the Government of Nunavut partnered with Nunavut Tunngavik to establish and support the Nunavut Roundtable for Poverty Reduction.
The roundtable is unique in that it brings together MLAs, elders, youth, hamlets, the Government of Nunavut, Nunavut Tunngavik, regional Inuit associations, community organizations, businesses, and community members.
The roundtable provides a forum for all 25 Nunavut communities to work together to recommend ideas and actions for resolving social challenges related to poverty reduction.
The Makimaniq Plan presents these ideas and actions and is based on a joint commitment by roundtable members to contribute to the work to be done.
The 2013-14 Annual Report on Poverty Reduction describes 65 different programs, policies, and initiatives across the Government of Nunavut, amounting to a budget of $254 million.
Poverty reduction is an interdepartmental responsibility.
I would like to acknowledge the efforts of each department in working to improve the lives of Nunavummiut and to strengthen our communities.
During my appearance, I may direct some questions to other ministers as appropriate.
There is more we can do. This 2013-14 report outlines the combined efforts of Government of Nunavut departments.
However, we continue to face many social challenges.
For us to see significant change in the levels of poverty in Nunavut, we need to consider how the design and delivery of our programs and services can have a greater impact on poverty reduction, and we need to focus our limited funds on programs and services that enable Nunavummiut to live healthy and productive lives.
Mr. Chairman, I look forward to continuing this work with you and to combining our capacities to help each other in addressing gaps and in strengthening our communities.
As the mover of the motion, do you have opening comments, Ms. Angnakak?
Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am pleased to be able to speak to the motion that I moved almost exactly one year ago.
At that time, Jeannie Ugyuk was the minister. If Jeannie is watching today, I would like to welcome her to our proceedings.
The subject of poverty and its reduction was a key issue raised in many of our election campaigns, including mine.
It is an issue that has frequently been raised in this House and it is an issue that is often discussed around kitchen tables across Nunavut.
Any discussion of poverty will bring many varied issues to mind.
Perhaps we all have our own ideas on what we mean when we talk about poverty.
For me personally, I think that being poor means that you are standing on the outside looking in, that your standard of living is lower than that of others around you, and that your basic needs are not being met.
These needs may include such things as adequate housing, enough food to eat, a decent education, and good health.
Poverty is having addictions rampant in your family with little or no support to address it.
Poverty is being unable to address the mental health needs of family members and being unable to deal with the outcome of intergenerational anger and the depression that follows when conflicts occur.
Poverty affects all of us in society in one way or another, perhaps not directly for some, but in how we behave in life and in how we treat others.
Our personal understanding of how other people in society are coping may have a direct impact on what you think about poverty and what role we might take to help reduce it, if any.
Today, we will be discussing ways in which the Government of Nunavut has addressed this complex issue as we review the minister’s 2013-14 Annual Report on Poverty Reduction.
Mr. Chairman, there are some very dedicated and passionate people who are committed to reducing poverty levels in Nunavut and who have worked very hard, both within and outside of government, to address the issues with whatever means they have.
The minister’s 2013-14 Annual Report on Poverty Reduction provides us with some very good points for discussion.
My hope is that these discussions will continue to take place and that, collectively, we can be supportive of initiatives that have proven to be successful as well as considering new initiatives in going forward to address and reduce poverty in Nunavut.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Ms. Angnakak. We are going to be focusing on the minister’s 2013-14 Annual Report on Poverty Reduction.
I think we can move directly to questions.
At this time, I would like to recognize Mr. Okalik.
(interpretation ends) My first question and request will not increase the cost of your department or the government for that matter.
As you know, I have had the benefit of getting a good post-secondary education. I struggled, but it was all worth it.
The practice at the time was, when you go to university, you are first approved for FANS, and then you wait for your payment to arrive, but it takes 11 [days] to two weeks for your first payment to arrive. At the same time, you’re incurring costs.
You have to eat. You have to buy books. When you don’t have money, you fall behind.
That is something that your department can easily change, to pay on time when needed for the students.
These students are trying to improve their standing in our communities so that they can work in our government or outside, and we should be doing our part to support them and pay them with the support that they need when they need it.
Can the minister commit his department to pay the students early so that they can cover their costs when they’re first going to university or college?
That’s my main question at this time. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
We have debated this issue for many days and months in the past year regarding students who are funded through the (interpretation ends) FANS (interpretation) program, how to improve the timing of the payments to our students, and the kind of support our students require, including a review of the barriers or problematic issues that cause these delays.
There were many issues that caused these problems, but I can state today that our department has continued to work on this matter. We can now state that the delays and late payment concerns have been resolved and we expect in the short term that payments to expectant students will be sent so that they can purchase course materials such as books.
Our expectations are that this process will be much faster than in the past years.
Mr. Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Minister. That is quite an interesting piece of news and I wish to see this implemented in the next fiscal year, as we are already in a new fiscal year.
As we are aware, once the students complete their studies, they will be able to acquire good jobs, and I would like to see them provided assistance.
Now, another matter I want to ask about is related to income support recipients. This group would seem perfect to get further assistance, as some people are unable to work in offices while some people are extremely good hunters who can go hunting to supplement their fellow residents’ diets.
If we could provide more assistance to people in this area, it can benefit from a comprehensive review in the future.
We all know that in Nunavik, the hunters will offload their catch into the communal storage facilities, as their hunts are funded as part of their programs.
Perhaps if we utilized this type of assistance program, it would provide tangible benefits to our communities, as well as to our income support recipients.
Instead of just sitting around collecting benefits, actual benefits to the community could be realized by hunting, which in turn would assist them to become more self-sufficient.
I wonder if the minister can review this matter more comprehensively.
The subject the member is referring to is something I completely understand.
Mr. Chairman, in the communities, the income support recipients are assisted through our department’s Income Support Program.
We call it niqaituutit in our dialect, just so we all know what we are discussing.
With respect to the comments from the member, we have reviewed that issue as to how the communities can provide assistance that is not just income support for food, as some recipients want to do work for their benefits.
We have started to work with the local HTO boards, with a departmental committee to review these issues and to make recommendations.
They may have already completed this even as I speak about this development related to the member’s question on how we can encourage income support recipients to partake in hunting activities to provide food for the community and their relatives.
That is where we are looking at options under income support as to how we can provide traditional country food to be included in poverty reduction. We’re now starting to work and deal with these issues by working with the HTOs on how we can move forward with this.
Following my list of names, I have Ms. Angnakak. Before you start, if you have any questions, please raise your hand ahead of time so that we can write down your name.
I guess I want to ask the minister when he expects to table the 2014-15 Annual Report on Poverty Reduction.
We expect that the report will be completed and tabled in the House by 2017.
Can I ask the minister why the annual report would be so late, 2017, if it’s a 2014-15 fiscal year report?
Hon. George Kuksuk (interpretation): Mr. Chairman, I will explain it in English so that it’s clear. (interpretation ends) Work is underway to complete these reports. We were asked to present the 2013-14 to COW.
We wanted to present this report first before determining the first informative and useful approach to the next reports. We anticipate being able to present these reports at the latest during the winter of 2017. (interpretation) In order to be well prepared for the next annual report, we will complete the 2014-15 report first.
I guess I want to go on record for being concerned about the lateness because you approved money, and for us to have a better sense of how things are going and having to work with the report that is already two years late is a little concerning to me.
In the beginning in your executive summary, you talk about the tradition of sharing, sharing food and helping each other.
When you take that into account, how does the department feel?
It seems to me, in the past, people assisted each other more than perhaps what they do today.
If this is the feeling of the department, how do you think that has impacted the poverty rates that we are seeing today?
Hon. George Kuksuk (interpretation): Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. That’s a very good question.
Mr. Chairman, as to whether it improved the livelihood of the people who are living below the poverty lines, I’ll have Lindsay Turner respond to that question because she’s the director if it’s okay with you, Mr. Chairman.
Ms. Turner.
Ms. Turner: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
The extent of poverty in Nunavut is quite considerable and so this places a lot of pressures on families to meet their basic needs in addition to sharing. The Government of Nunavut does provide a lot of resources to support community-based solutions to food security, food organizations, or food events within communities.
This is one way in which communities join together to share food.
Just going on, I am interested in your round-table gathering.
Maybe you could go over, just so everybody can understand better, what processes did you use?
When you use roundtables, what does that really mean, who was involved, and the mandate?
For round-table meetings in Nunavut, we have representatives from the government, NGOs, such as regional Inuit organizations, and NTI is involved in poverty reduction in Nunavut.
We had representatives from the communities who provide a lot of contribution, especially Nunavut businesses.
They provide support and were involved in the roundtable.
We had different representatives in the roundtable on poverty reduction.
As many of my colleagues and I will recall, there was a consultation tour concerning this issue last year. They did a consultation tour of the communities to see how they can start dealing with poverty reduction.
There was a consultation meeting through the Department of Economic Development and Transportation and the Department of Family Services. NTI also has representatives in the roundtable.
Briefly, those are the members of the roundtable, if I’m coming across clear.
Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation) With respect to the members of the roundtable that you just mentioned, how many times have they met so far?
Before you respond, just to remind Minister Kuksuk that this annual report was not tabled for a long time.
It was tabled last year and many Nunavummiut don’t really understand what their roles and responsibilities are for poverty reduction.
Don’t worry about providing lengthy responses so that the people of Nunavut can be well informed and have better knowledge on that.
You can respond now, Minister Kuksuk.
Mr. Chairman, I remember it very clearly last fall during the round-table meeting.
After the community tours, the round-table meeting in Cambridge Bay is the last one that I can recall attending.
As to how times they have held round-table meetings, Mr. Chairman, if it’s okay with you, I would like to invite one of the staff, Lindsay Turner, Director of Poverty Reduction, to come to the witness table to explain further.
Chairman (interpretation): I don’t quite understand.
You’re inviting Lindsay Turner to the witness table, but she is already there.
Hon. George Kuksuk (interpretation): I’m sorry. It’s my mistake. I’m getting confused with the names.
I would like the official to my left to respond. My apologies.
Chairman (interpretation): My turn.
Wait for light to switch on before you speak.
Ms. Turner, your turn.
There have been four round-table gatherings to date within Nunavut. The round-table gatherings are based on requests to hamlets and regional Inuit associations to nominate representatives to participate.
In those gatherings, regional Inuit associations are asked to nominate a regional representative, an elder representative, and a youth representative.
The gatherings are based on breakout sessions where the members are given specific questions where they are asked to come up with ideas and possible actions for resolving a particular issue related to poverty reduction.
Ms. Angnakak (interpretation): Thank you. Can you tell us how much it cost to hold those meetings?
The total cost of the meeting was around $200,000.
Who paid that $200,000?
The Department of Family Services paid the expenses.
It’s not only the meeting; it’s airfare and accommodations.
That was included in the total cost.
Do you feel that you got value out of those meetings for the $200,000?
I guess I’m wanting to know a little bit more about the outcomes of those meetings and how they have impacted the work that you’re currently doing now.
During the round-table meetings, we heard from many different people and we have been able to work with the communities, businesses, and different government departments, not just our department. We’re not the only department that attends those meetings. There are delegates from NTI and regional Inuit associations.
As to the question on whether there’s a benefit toward that, yes, I can state that there is a potentially positive benefit.
At those meetings is a consensus on further action that should be taken cooperatively in the future on poverty reduction.