EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
I, too, share in the joy that the upcoming graduates will feel as the students at the Maani Ulujuk School celebrate their graduation this spring.
Nonetheless, this ceremony will celebrate their accomplishment, where families will share in the pride stemming from their hard work. This ceremony will occur on August 25.
(interpretation ends) I would like to take this opportunity to invite the Minister of Education to attend the ceremony in Rankin Inlet. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Returns to Oral Questions. (interpretation ends) The Hon. Minister of Community and Government Services, Hon. Joe Savikataaq.
Return to Oral Question 776 – 4(3): Funding for Community Arena Upgrades (Savikataaq)
A return to an oral question asked by Mr. Qirngnuq, asked of Hon. Joe Savikataaq, No. 776 – 4(3), date asked Tuesday, June 6, 2017, and the subject was funding for community arena upgrades.
During our recent winter sitting, my colleague, the Member for Aivilik, asked a number of questions concerning this funding.
First question:
Can the minister update the House today on the status of the assessment?
First answer:
There are 10 community arenas without concrete floors that require assessments.
Three arenas have been identified and assessments of these will be completed by the fall of 2017. The three arenas identified are Gjoa Haven, Chesterfield Inlet, and Arctic Bay.
“Can the minister indicate if his department has conducted site visits to determine this information?”
Facility assessments were completed by CG&S staff for each of the 10 arenas to assess the condition of the arenas that require upgrades. These assessments were completed from condition reports on file (asset planner).
On-site investigation and geotechnical assessments for the three identified communities will take place this summer of 2017.
Third one:
Will the minister commit to formally announcing a list of recipient arenas that will be upgraded through the funding once the final decisions have been made?
Gjoa Haven, Arctic Bay, and Chesterfield Inlet will have the design in 2017 and construction tendered and completed between 2018 and 2020.
The seven remaining arenas that currently do not have concrete pads with thermosiphons are Baker Lake, Cape Dorset, Clyde River, Hall Beach, Kimmirut, Kugaaruk, and Naujaat and they will undergo design, tender, and construction between 2019 and 2024.
Once again I would just like to welcome one of my constituents, Micheline Kilabuk Côte, to the House.
These people are not here in the House, but they are behind the windows. I want to recognize the Inuinnaqtun interpreters who help us to understand what is going on in our language and to our community.
There is also someone there who is very articulate in the Netsilik dialect.
I would like to recognize Gwen Angulalik, Joe Otokiak, and Attima Hadlari.
To those who were not mentioned, welcome to the gallery.
I have no more names for Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery.
Question 790 – 4(3): Need for Inuktitut Daycare in Baker Lake (Mikkungwak)
Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation) I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Education.
Mr. Speaker, the community of Baker Lake is growing. The need for daycare spaces is growing.
The Department of Education’s policy has always been to include space for a daycare in any new school it builds.
However, the new school project for Baker Lake was removed from the government’s capital plan.
Can the minister clarify what assistance his department can provide to the community of Baker Lake in its efforts to establish a new daycare?
I also thank the member for asking about that matter, as our children require adequate daycare space wherever they are in Nunavut.
I want to explain to my colleague that I just sent a letter to Richard Aksawnee, the vice-chair of the local DEA in Baker Lake, tackling that issue.
I also informed him that our department can provide support and are open to doing that.
However, I also identified other matters since we know that Baker Lake only has one daycare.
After reviewing the circumstances as they stood in the community, we were made aware that 20 spaces are for preschoolers ranging from ages 2 to 6.
With that information, we also noted a waiting list and we can only inform them that space is available for all the children on the waiting list when the daycare opens in August.
Additional space will also be available.
This is what I was briefed on, so I wanted further information on this file.
Further, as we know, in order to determine if a daycare will have adequate space or not depends on finding out further details. As per my earlier comments, the DEA was sent a letter responding to their request and we are entirely open to working with them.
Mr. Mikkungwak (interpretation): Mr. Speaker, I recognize that delivering Inuktitut language early childhood education is partly the responsibility of the district education authorities.
However, that responsibility falls under the current Education Act, which is also the minister’s responsibility.
Can the minister clarify what steps are being taken to ensure that Inuit language early childhood education programs are being delivered in Nunavut’s communities?
I also thank my colleague for requesting further details on this issue.
I am quite ecstatic to announce, if our colleagues remember, last year we recently set up a resource centre specifically for the Early Childhood Education Program within a portable tablet written entirely in Inuktitut, programmed for learning to speak in the language. The iPads have had this program installed and all daycares have been sent one to work on learning to speak Inuktitut specific to daycares that can be used everywhere.
This was our latest venture where we created that program.
As well, (interpretation ends) early childhood workers (interpretation) are the ones who would receive the training, as we can make them available and we have provided training in the past through Arctic College. Further, it is emphasized that Inuktitut must be the foundational language and we are trying to ensure that it is delivered as Inuktitut is the mother tongue and requires promotion.
What I can state here is that our department has tried to underscore the fact that we are open to aiding the daycares through various programs, especially related to these primary Inuktitut speaking lessons. These are available and all daycares should have their tablet being shipped to them, as all daycares that are open were sent a version.
Mr. Mikkungwak (interpretation): Mr. Speaker, the community of Baker Lake needs support and assistance in setting up an Inuktitut language daycare.
Will the minister commit to providing the necessary supports and assistance so that desperately needed daycare spaces can be provided in the community of Baker Lake?
Related to Baker Lake, as per my prior remarks, I have written a letter on that issue to the DEA wherein I also provided advice for determining the exact number of people on the daycare waiting list, as I am not fully aware of the exact situation in Baker Lake.
Perhaps what I did ask for was the exact number of the daycare spaces and people on the waiting list to determine how many children who require daycare services would not have room.
As well, if we are going to open a new daycare or a daycare anywhere in Nunavut, the current daycare, even as a single operation, may be impacted.
These are the types of details I had asked for from the DEA board after I wrote to the vice-chair.
The Inuktitut language has to be used in our communities within Nunavut due to the fact that these daycares are instrumental and we support them. When they ask for assistance for Inuktitut programming or other resources, the DEA can request it.
We now have staff dedicated entirely to this category and this position was created two years ago. We have provided further resources through this position and we use this position as our liaison.
Further, DEAs can work with their regional worker to deal with issues specific to their community on the Early Childhood Education Program.
Yes, we fully support the use of the Inuktitut language, which is very important to us.
Question 791 – 4(3): Contracting Processes (Enook)
Mr. Enook (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) My questions are for the Minister of Community and Government Services.
The Department of Community and Government Services issues notices of award following tender and RFP processes.
As the minister is aware, the government’s new NNI Policy came into effect on April 1, 2017.
Can the minister confirm if all notices of award that have been issued by the Department of Community and Government Services since April 1, 2017 have provided clear information to unsuccessful bidders and proponents regarding their right to submit a challenge to the new NNI Tribunal?
Let me just elaborate a little bit on the member’s question on the old NNI and the new NNI Policy.
Any contract that was dealt with before March 31, even if it’s for after April 1, 2017, would have been old NNI, if it was dealt with and awarded before March 31, [2017] because the new NNI is effective April 1, 2017.
Any contracts that are dealt with the evaluation process after April 1 would be the new NNI.
As for the appeal process, I would think that all of these companies know that they can appeal because even in the old NNI Policy, they were capable of appealing.
It’s just a different system now, but under the old NNI and the new NNI they both have the right to appeal the decisions.
Mr. Enook (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) In cases where an unsuccessful bidder or proponent has submitted a challenge to the NNI Tribunal regarding a contract award, does the Department of Community and Government Services suspend the final contract award until the tribunal has rendered its decision in the matter?
The NNI Secretariat deals with NNI matters, but to the member’s point, each case is different and it would be judged on its merit.
The procurement department would get a legal opinion from Justice and then that would determine whether they go ahead or not.
In some cases, if it’s a big contract and it means delaying that project for a year, there are pretty huge consequences for that.
Each contract would be judged on its own merit and the cause, and that would be after an opinion from Justice.
Mr. Enook (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) Section 9.1 of the new NNI Policy provides that the NNI Tribunal shall, and I quote, “be established to hear and decide on complaints regarding the application of the NNI [Policy] in the award of any contracts covered by the NNI [Policy]…The Tribunal shall not review any aspect of a procurement process other than the application of the NNI [Policy].”
My question for the minister is: in cases where an unsuccessful bidder or proponent has broader concerns about a contract award that go beyond the application of the NNI Policy, what appeal rights do they have?
If someone doesn’t like the process, they can appeal it to the procurement department and if they’re still unsatisfied, then these proponents have legal options that they can exercise.
Everyone who disagrees with anything, whether it is procurement or someone’s comments, all have legal choices they can make. In the end, if there are people who are not satisfied with the outcome, if they so choose, they can go through the legal route.
Question 792 – 4(3): Supporting Volunteerism in the Public Service (Akoak)
Mr. Speaker, in my member’s statement today I spoke about the importance of encouraging volunteerism in Nunavut.
As I noted, I think that the government has a role to play.
Article 21.02 of the government’s current collective agreement with the Nunavut Employees Union provides that, and I quote, “An employee…may be granted leave with or without pay for a period of up to a maximum of fifteen (15) days per fiscal year to do public service work which is in the interest of the Employer or Nunavut.”
Mr. Speaker, participation in firefighting and search and rescue training and missions is covered by this provision.
Can the minister confirm that all employees of the Government of Nunavut are made aware of this provision when they join the public service?
I can’t confirm that they are all made aware, but I’m sure when they do start with the government, they receive a package and if they’re Inuit employees, I believe they’re given a collective agreement.
Certainly I’ll talk to my officials in the Department of Finance and see if this is exactly how everybody is made aware.
If we have to, we could always put out a notification on Help Desk to advise people of that provision.
Last week the Government of Nunavut issued a public service announcement about this year’s community cleanups across Nunavut.
This is another good initiative, and I plan to be putting on rubber gloves and grabbing a garbage bag when Gjoa Haven’s cleanup day takes place.
Will employees of the Government of Nunavut be encouraged and permitted to take part in their community cleanup events?
I don’t know what goes on in every community, but in many communities they always have a cleanup day.
I believe most government employees are encouraged to participate, but there may be time constraints on participation.
Each year the government recognizes long-serving employees.
I think that it would be good to allow employees to submit nominations to recognize colleagues or mentors who have demonstrated exceptional leadership skills in the workplace, including leadership in the area of volunteerism.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Hon. Minister of Finance, Hon. Keith Peterson.
I thank Mr. Akoak for the suggestion.
Mr. Speaker, we have many employees in the Government of Nunavut across the territory. I know many of them personally and I have come into contact with them. I often speak to many of them in my travels.
They are all doing tremendous work for the government but also in their communities. We do, I believe, have the employee of the month award or recognition, but that’s certainly something we can also take into consideration.
I’ll talk to my colleagues about that suggestion.
Thank you, Mr. Akoak. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 793 – 4(3): Community Transportation Initiatives Program Policy (Mapsalak)
I want to revisit the issue of the department’s Community Transportation Initiatives Program.
In reviewing the Community Transportation Initiatives Program Policy, I note that the policy provides that the maximum contribution for community access roads, marine infrastructure, and small craft harbour contributions is $300,000.
Can the minister confirm that this cap is still in place today?
Minister of Economic Development and Transportation, Ms. Monica Ell-Kanayuk
At this time, yes, the cap is still at $300,000.
As I stated before, the applicants can negotiate with the department if the cost of the project is over the limit and we can consider their request to see if the project can be set for two years.
Earlier this year the Legislative Assembly approved an increase in the program’s budget to $4.0 million.
Can the minister clarify why this was only a one-time increase?
Speaker: The Hon. Minister of Economic Development and Transportation, Hon. Monica Ell-Kanayuk.
Hon. Monica Ell-Kanayuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank the member for his question. It was a recommendation made and fully supported by the Members of the Legislative Assembly.
It was a one-time increase in order to catch up. Although the three years have passed, we have been going over the budget with the applicants. Even though there was only a one-time increase, it has gone over the budget too because of many applicants.
We will have to consider this some time in the future.
Can the minister confirm how many applications her department has received to date from municipalities under this program for the current 2017-18 fiscal year?
In the 2016-17 fiscal year there were a lot of applications from the communities. There were approximately 21 communities that applied and they just closed the date, but I can only tell you that there were many applications for the funding.
Question 794 – 4(3): Sanikiluaq’s Water Supply (Rumbolt)
Mr. Speaker, during the summer of 2016 Sanikiluaq experienced increased sodium levels in its drinking water.
As the minister will recall, I asked him a number of questions regarding Sanikiluaq’s water supply during the fall sitting last year.
In his response the minister indicated that his department was, at that time, conducting an analysis of the situation.
Can the minister tell us what the results of that analysis were and can he clarify what factors led to the high levels of sodium in Sanikiluaq’s drinking water last summer?
The analysis was done and yes, the sodium is high, but we can’t figure out why the sodium is high.
To date we have not figured that out. We just know that it is and we have put in the ROs and looking at other options.
All I can tell the member is that no, we do not know why the sodium levels increased in their water supply.
Given the number of issues with Sanikiluaq’s water last summer, residents in the community are concerned about the ongoing viability of Sanikiluaq’s current water source.
Can the minister tell me what options his department is currently considering as an alternative water source for Sanikiluaq?
We are looking at another water source. The member would be more familiar with this lake as I have not been to Sanikiluaq. The lake is called Windy Lake.
It’s approximately nine or ten kilometres away from town. We’re going to do studies for the chemical analysis of the water, the biometrics of the water, and the recharge rate of the water. That is one of the lakes that we are looking at for an alternative water source.
I am aware of the lake that he’s talking about. It’s also known as Windy Lake and it’s my understanding that there may be issues with the water coming from that lake as well.
I would like to know what options Sanikiluaq will have if the need for a new water source arises and there is no water source close enough to the community.
It is my understanding that a new method of water treatment is being employed in Arviat, for example.
Whatever the decision, I hope that a permanent solution to Sanikiluaq’s water woes can be implemented soon.
Can the minister tell us today: when will a decision regarding a permanent solution to the water issues in Sanikiluaq be made?
The water situation in Sanikiluaq is unique in terms of its sodium.
It’s not any organic matter in the water or any filtration problem. It’s because the sodium level is high, so it’s unique and will have to be dealt that way.
We are designing a water treatment system right now to be designed this year to go Sanikiluaq.
I can’t tell the member exactly what’s entailed in what the design will have, but people have to have safe drinking water.
We are going to look at solutions for Sanikiluaq. We want the people of Sanikiluaq to be able to drink the water that comes out of the tap without reverse osmosis.
All I can tell the member is we don’t have a definite plan of exactly what we will do, but we do have a plan that we will give them safe drinking water in the future.
Question 795 – 4(3): Support for Sports (Qirngnuq)
I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Community and Government Services. (interpretation) The minister made a previous announcement, which was pleasurable to hear, so I would like to pose several questions now.
(interpretation) Mr. Speaker, in my member’s statement I spoke of the need to support our youth to stay healthy. Our athletes need adequate funding to be able to train and to be able to attend competitions.
Can the minister provide an update on what specific kinds of funding are provided by his department to community groups to support youth participating in activities to stay in shape?
Community and Government Services, Mr. Joe Savikataaq.
Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Program.
…Mr. Speaker.
There are many programs that we do have in each community, but the major ones that people recognize the most and that get the most amount of funding are that happen when the time comes.
For instance, we fund the Arctic Winter Games. It’s a major expense that we have because it has a whole lot of athletes from Nunavut that participate.
We have the Inuit Summer Games. We fund those too. We fund any teams or participants that are going to the Canada Summer Games or the North American Indigenous Games.
Those are the major ones that we fund.
Each community does get funding through Sport Nunavut to fund certain programs and they can talk to the people from Sport Nunavut to ask.
If they’re not sure what funding is available, pick up the phone and ask.
It is important that our youth are able to keep physically active and train on a regular basis.
It is also important for them to participate in competitions. We as community members also like to see our youth competing and representing our territory.
Can the minister provide an update on what specific kinds of funding are provided by his department to support youth to travel to attend competitions in other regions or jurisdictions?
As I stated earlier, what we call the major games, we fund athletes to go there; the Arctic Winter Games.
We fund Inuit Summer Games and we usually send if there are any teams or athletes going to the Canada Summer Games or the North American Indigenous Games.
If there is an athlete that is going to not any one of what we consider the major games but any other event, then they can put in an application. There is a process in terms of they can fund a student to go somewhere.
We give partial funding for regional hockey tournaments and stuff like that. There is an application process for it. I’m not sure exactly what they fund, but if you’re not sure, put an application in and it will be deemed whether it fits the criteria to get the funding or not.
We want people of Nunavut to be in shape and fit because people are happier and healthier when they’re in shape.
He responded to part of my next question, but I will ask it anyway so that I can get clarification.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, in March of this year the Assembly provided over $3.5 million for the Sport and Recreation Administration Division under the Department of Community and Government Services.
Will the minister indicate how much of this funding will be provided at the community level to support our athletes in the near future?
I don’t have that level of detail with me, but I know that all the communities get funding. We also fund regional things like we fund volleyball association types, soccer types, and hockey. We fund many different things in communities.
I can’t tell him how much each community gets because some of these programs are applicant-case funding, which means there is a pot of money and people apply to get that pot of money for whatever sports that their community or region is interested in.
I can’t answer that question other than there is a pot of money.
If you’re not sure, just get in contact with Sport Nunavut and they will guide you through all the hoops to get funding if the funding criteria fit what you want to do.
Question 796 – 4(3): Nunavut Business Credit Corporation (Angnakak)
Both the Nunavut Business Credit Corporation’s board of directors and the standing committee of this Legislative Assembly which held televised hearings on the NBCC’s annual reports have supported the recommendation to amend section 37 of the Nunavut Business Credit Corporation’s enabling legislation to increase its maximum loan limit from $1.0 million to $2.0 million.
Mr. Speaker, a bill to accomplish this goal would be very short and simple, probably consisting of just a couple of clauses.
Will the minister be introducing such a bill during our Assembly’s upcoming final sitting in September and, if not, why not?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) The Hon. Minister responsible for the Nunavut Development Corporation, Hon. Monica Ell-Kanayuk.
I thank the member for that question. Mr. Speaker, this bill is not as easy as she mentioned.