EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
The remaining $8 million will be used to strengthen the accountability framework and to facilitate the timely preparation of Nunavut’s Public Accounts.”
The department’s 2009-2010 business plan indicates that “the five-year funding arrangement for Strengthening Financial Management and Network Capacity was signed and funding began to flow in October 2008.”
The standing committee anticipates scrutinizing the government’s progress in this area during its upcoming hearings on the Auditor General’s most recent reports to the Legislative Assembly.
Mr. Chairman, the recently tabled Report of the Auditor General noted that “the underlying cause of the Government’s lack of progress on our previous recommendations is its limited human resource capacity. Simply put, there are not enough qualified financial staff to properly carry out basic financial functions.”
The Department of Finance’s 2009-2010 business plan indicates that one of its goals is to “work with the Department of Human Resources to develop a comprehensive Human Resources Strategy...” The standing committee strongly supports initiatives to enhance education and training opportunities for Inuit to pursue careers in financial management and the accounting profession.
Building capacity in this area will strengthen the government and territory as a whole.
Mr. Chairman, an issue with government-wide implications is the growth in the size of the public service since the creation of Nunavut in 1999.
According to the Government of Nunavut’s main estimates and departmental business plans for the 2004-05 fiscal year, the total number of positions across the government was approximately 3,040 PYs, not including the Qulliq Energy Corporation’s positions.
The number of PYs has increased to approximately 3,800 in the 2009-2010 fiscal year.
This is an increase of 760 positions, or 25 percent, in just five years.
However, this growth is taking place even though the government’s overall vacancy rate remains between 20 and 25 percent.
Although the GN’s most recently tabled employment statistics revealed that approximately 900 positions across the government were vacant as of December 31, 2008, departments continue to add new positions to their organizational structures even though it is clear that they continue to face challenges in filling their existing jobs.
Mr. Chairman, we must recognize that the bureaucracy cannot grow forever.
This is an issue that the Financial Management Board needs to review.
Mr. Chairman, the Department of Finance is responsible for managing the government’s banking services contract.
During the minister’s appearance before the standing committee, the issue of Inuit language services provided to the general public by banks operating in Nunavut was raised.
In light of the recent passage of the Inuit Language Protection Act, the department was encouraged to use its contract renewal process as an opportunity to obtain commitments from potential banking services providers to enhance their Inuit language services to the public.
Mr. Chairman, during the minister’s appearance before the standing committee, members raised a number of concerns regarding the issue of liquor management, which falls under the administrative jurisdiction of the Department of Finance.
Responsibility for support to the Liquor Licensing Board was transferred to the Department of Justice in the 2007-08 fiscal year.
The Department of Finance’s business plan indicates that one of its priorities is to “complete planning for a comprehensive review of the [Liquor Act], including a consultation plan.”
Members recognize that the issue of access to alcohol is complex and contentious, and that different perspectives exist with respect to the extent to which access to alcohol should be permitted in different communities.
Members are also aware of the concern that in those communities where alcohol possession and consumption is permitted, excessive barriers to the legal importation and purchase of alcohol can increase the potential for illegal sales to occur.
Members also noted the problematic situation facing residents in Rankin Inlet and Iqaluit.
Although the government maintains a liquor distribution facility in each community, individual residents are not permitted to order products from the one that is located in the same community in which they live.
This situation warrants review.
The standing committee supports efforts to strengthen the working relationship between the Department of Finance and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police with respect to information-sharing initiatives that are intended to combat the illegal sale of alcohol and put bootleggers behind bars.
Members would be supportive of further amendments to the Liquor Act to toughen fines and other penalties for bootleggers, especially for offences involving the illegal sale of liquor for profit to minors.
In communities where voters have chosen through plebiscite to establish alcohol education committees, the standing committee supports efforts on the part of the department to provide training and support for these bodies, while recognizing the need to review whether their core mandate should be focused on controlling access to alcohol or providing counselling services that might be more appropriately delivered by other entities.
Members also raised the issue of allocating revenues that are received by the government from fines imposed under the Liquor Act to alcohol education and treatment programs.
Mr. Chairman, on June 4, 2008, the Government of Nunavut’s annual reports on grants and contributions made by all departments during the 2005-06 and 2006-07 fiscal years were tabled in the Legislative Assembly.
The 2006-07 annual report indicated that the GN awarded approximately $242.9 million in grants and contributions during the fiscal year.
A total of 106 grants and 388 contributions were made during the 2006-07 fiscal year.
The GN’s annual reports on grants and contributions for the 2007-08 and 2008-09 fiscal years have not yet been tabled in the Legislative Assembly.
The standing committee looks forward to these important annual reports being tabled in a timely manner.
The standing committee also recommends that the minister, in his capacity as the Chairperson of the Government of Nunavut’s Financial Management Board, consider the establishment of a government-wide framework for measuring and evaluating the results of the government’s grants and contributions expenditures.
This initiative has the potential to complement the government’s ongoing “Report Card” project.
During the fall 2007 sitting of the Legislative Assembly, a formal motion was unanimously passed by the House concerning the federal Northern Residents Deduction.
The motion called upon the Government of Canada to increase the residency portion of the Northern Residents Deduction “and ensure that the residency portion be adjusted thereafter on an annual basis to an inflation index that is reflective of the cost of living in Canada’s Arctic.”
The 2008 federal budget announced a 10 percent increase in the residency component of the deduction.
The standing committee encourages the minister to lobby his federal counterpart to introduce further enhancements to the Northern Residents Deduction.
On November 1, 2007, the provisions in the Qulliq Energy Corporation Act providing for the creation of an Affordable Energy Fund came into force.
Its purpose is to “subsidize the cost of energy or otherwise make energy more affordable.”
According to the Government of Nunavut’s Energy Strategy, which was tabled in the Legislative Assembly on October 30, 2007, this fund is to be managed by the Department of Finance.
However, the department’s 2009-2010 business plan does not make any reference to the Affordable Energy Fund.
The standing committee looks forward to the government clarifying its plans in this area.
On September 17, 2008, the Government of Nunavut’s new Public-Private Partnership Policy was tabled in the Legislative Assembly.
The policy states that the GN “believes that a cooperative approach to building infrastructure through public-private partnerships can be an appropriate, efficient and effective use of Nunavut’s resources to deliver services.”
However, the Department of Finance’s 2009-2010 business plan does not make any reference to the GN’s new P3 Policy.
During the minister’s appearance before the standing committee, members were advised that the government continues to consider the potential of using P3 approaches in its capital planning process.
In June of 2008, the Legislative Assembly passed the Nunavut Outfitter Liability Protection Fund Act.
In the same month, the Legislative Assembly approved $4.0 million to establish the Nunavut Outfitter Liability Protection Fund, which has been established as a revolving fund to provide assistance to outfitters who are subject to third party liability claims. $1.0 million of the funding was provided from the GN and $3.0 million came from the Government of Canada’s Community Development Trust.
The Act came into force on October 1, 2008.
However, the department’s 2009-2010 business plan does not make any reference to the fund.
During the minister’s appearance before the standing committee, members were advised that the Department of Finance will be working with the Department of Economic Development and Transportation to undertake promotion activities in relation to the fund.
Amendments were passed to the territorial Payroll Tax Act in 2006 to increase the GN’s payroll tax rate to 2 percent.
The tax generated $8,233,000 in revenue in 2006-07 and $14,667,000 in 2007-08.
The government estimates that it will raise $14.35 million in 2009-2010 from the payroll tax.
It is not clear what percentage of payroll tax revenues is raised from the government’s own employees and what percentage is raised from workers in other levels of government and the private sector.
The standing committee recommends that the minister begin the practice of tabling an annual report on the administration of the Payroll Tax Act to account for such issues.
The Department of Finance is responsible for administering the territorial Tobacco Tax Act.
The tax generated $9,547,000 in revenue in 2006-07 and $11,662,000 in revenue in 2007-08.
The government estimates that it will raise $11.82 million in 2009-2010 from tobacco taxes.
Nunavut’s tobacco taxes are among the highest in the country.
However, it is unclear if increases in tobacco taxes have actually had an impact on reducing smoking rates in Nunavut.
This is an issue that would benefit from evaluation by the Department of Finance and the Department of Health and Social Services.
The standing committee is also aware that the potential health benefits of increasing tobacco taxes must be balanced with the risk of creating a black market for illegal tobacco products as a consequence of excessive tax increases.
The GN’s new Fuel Tax Rebate Program was announced in the 2006 budget.
It provides incentives for mineral exploration and development, and provides for a fuel tax rebate for commercial harvesters and outfitters.
On March 4, 2008, the Minister of Finance tabled in the Legislative Assembly the 2007 annual report on the Fuel Tax Rebate Program.
Members look forward to the tabling of the 2008 annual report.
Mr. Chairman, that concludes my opening comments on the 2009-2010 Main Estimates and Business Plan of the Department of Finance.
I suggest you drink water from your glass.
Mr. Ningeongan: Mr. Speaker, your committee has been considering Bill 1 and the main estimates, and would like to report progress.
Just a reminder for tomorrow morning, a meeting of the Regular Members’ Caucus at nine o’clock in the Nanuq Boardroom with the Minister of Finance.
Orders of the Day for June 10:
This House stands adjourned until Wednesday, June 10, at 1:30 p.m.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Pages 235 – 296
Members’ Statements 237
Oral Questions 239
Tabled Documents 257
First Reading of Bills 258
Second Reading of Bills 258
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 260
Report of the Committee of the Whole 295
Orders of the Day 295
Wednesday, June 10, 2009 235
018 – 3(2): Minister Absent from the House (Curley) 235
019 – 3(2): Retirement of Senator Willie Adams (Aariak) 235
020 – 3(2): Human Services Students Return from Trip to Norway (Shewchuk) 236
028 – 3(2): Condolences on the Passing of Elder and Master Carver Pauta Saila (Schell) 237
029 – 3(2): Baker Lake Hospice Society (Aupaluktuq) 237
030 – 3(2): Congratulations to Quttiktuq Graduates (Elliott) 238
031 – 3(2): Homeownership Difficulties in Constituency (Ningark) 239
043 – 3(2): Effects of the National Isotope Shortage on Nunavummiut (Aupaluktuq) 239
044 – 3(2): Costs of Telehandlers (Schell) 241
045 – 3(2): Contingency Funding (Elliott) 244
046 – 3(2): Income Support Levels (Ningark) 245
047 – 3(2): H1N1 Update (Komoartok) 245
048 – 3(2): Arctic Bay Health Centre Update (Elliott) 247
049 – 3(2): Cases of H1N1 and Protection of Nurses (Rumbolt) 250
050 – 3(2): Community Relations Regarding H1N1 Virus (Ningark) 251
051 – 3(2): Two Percent Nunavut Payroll Tax (Schell) 253
052 – 3(2): Pangnirtung Swimming Pool (Komoartok) 254
053 – 3(2): Funding Arrangement for Disabilities Society (Elliott) 255
023 – 3(2): 2008 Tobacco Control Act Annual Report (Curley) 257
024 – 3(2): Office of the Fire Marshal 2007 Annual Report (Kusugak) 258
Bill 02 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 1, 2009-2010 – First Reading 258
Bill 04 – An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act – First Reading 258
Bill 05 – Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2009 – First Reading 258
Bill 02 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 1, 2009-2010 – Second Reading 259
Bill 04 – An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act – Second Reading 259
Bill 05 – Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2009 – Second Reading 260
Bill 01 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2009-2010 – Finance – Consideration in Committee 260
Bill 01 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2009-2010 – Human Resources – Consideration in Committee 279
Bill 01 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2009-2010 – Justice – Consideration in Committee 291
Honourable Eva Aariak, Honourable James Arreak, Mr. Moses Aupaluktuq, Honourable Tagak Curley, Mr. Ron Elliott, Mr. Adamee Komoartok, Honourable Lorne Kusugak, Mr. John Ningark, Mr. Johnny Ningeongan, Honourable Keith Peterson, Mr. Allan Rumbolt, Mr. Fred Schell, Honourable Daniel Shewchuk, Honourable Hunter Tootoo.
Speaker (Hon. James Arreak)  (interpretation): Before we proceed, I would like to ask Mr. Ningark to say the opening prayer.
Good afternoon, Premier, Ministers, and Members of the Legislative Assembly. Have a wonderful afternoon, Nunavummiut and the people of Clyde River.
Before we proceed, I wish to inform members that we currently have only one page in the House.
I ask that members not direct the page to go staff at the second and third floors.
Our page will remain at the Chambers while we have only one page.
Minister Tagak Curley.
Minister’s Statement 018 – 3(2): Minister Absent from the House (Curley)
I wish to advise members that the Hon. Peter Taptuna will be absent from the House from June 10 to June 18, 2009, on ministerial duty travel.
And, Mr. Speaker, the Hon. Minister of Environment will not be in the House just for a short time because of ministerial duty. He will be attending a graduation ceremony.
Minister’s Statement 019 – 3(2): Retirement of Senator Willie Adams (Aariak)
Today isn’t like any other day for Senator Willie Adams.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Hon. Willie Adams, who, after 32 years of service, is retiring on June 10, 2009, from the Senate of Canada in Ottawa.
Together with all Nunavummiut, I acknowledge his good work and thank him for representing the north and more recently, Nunavut in the Senate.
Senator Adams was appointed to the Senate, which the Inuktitut word for Senate is something we’re not satisfied with, by the former Prime Minister, the late Pierre Elliott Trudeau, as the first Inuk Senator in Canada.
He first served as Senator for the Northwest Territories from April 5, 1977, and since 1999, as Senator for Nunavut.
And now, after many years of public life and serving Inuit and Nunavummiut, he retires as the most senior Senator.
Mr. Speaker, Senator Adams was an electrician by trade.
As a businessperson, his entrepreneurial ventures have included serving as owner of Kudlik Electric Ltd., Kudlik Construction Ltd., Polar Bear Cave Investments, and Nanuq Inn at Rankin Inlet, as well as Umingmak Expediting Ltd. in Ottawa.
In addition to his role in the Senate of Canada, Senator Adams’ career in public service also included being elected as a member in the Northwest Territories from 1970 to 1974.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, it is a reflection of the Senator’s commitment to Nunavut and his continuing hard work that, less than two weeks before his retirement, he participated in the events around the LaFontaine-Baldwin lecture by Siila Watt-Cloutier here in Iqaluit on May 29 to 30, and then returned to Ottawa to second the federal government’s motion in the Senate for formal concurrence to our Official Languages Act on June 2.
(interpretation) I extend my personal appreciation and the best wishes of all Nunavummiut to Willie Adams on a retirement well deserved.
Mr. Speaker, I would ask all members to join me in a farewell tribute to Senator Willie Adams.
Minister Daniel Shewchuk.
Minister’s Statement 020 – 3(2): Human Services Students Return from Trip to Norway (Shewchuk)
Last month, Nunavut Arctic College students from the Human Services Program in Cambridge Bay participated on a trip to Norway to study and present indigenous counselling techniques.
This was a significant opportunity for our students made possible through the University of the Arctic’s North 2 North program.
Mr. Speaker, taking part in the North 2 North program adds a valuable international dimension to our Human Services Program.
I would like to congratulate Human Services students Lynda Uvilluk, Marlene Clart, Katherina Lucy Kublu, Sandra Demcheson, and Lena Dialla and their instructor, Kevin McGill.
They worked very hard and did a lot of fundraising for this trip.
As the only Inuit-specific social services college program in Canada, the participation of our students in this exchange trip further strengthens the bonds that exist between Nunavut Arctic College and the University of the Arctic. The human services students returned home with a draft proposal from Finnmark University College for a long-term collaboration agreement.
These opportunities allow Nunavut Arctic College to play its part in circumpolar knowledge development, not just for Nunavummiut but for the many indigenous peoples in the north and around the world, gaining valuable international perspectives on the world we live in.
Member’s Statement 028 – 3(2): Condolences on the Passing of Elder and Master Carver Pauta Saila (Schell)
I rise today to extend my condolences to the family of Pauta Saila, who recently passed away.
Pauta was the oldest male elder in Cape Dorset. He was a master carver and recognized as one of the elders of Inuit art.
In 1967, he represented Canada’s Inuit sculptors at the International Sculpture Symposium in Toronto.
Pauta’s work has been displayed in exhibitions all over the world and he is renowned as a creator of different interpretations of the ‘Dancing Bear.’ Pauta’s carvings continue to be displayed in various parks and cities of Canada.
Pauta was elected by his fellow Canadian artists to become a member of the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts. The academy recognized Pauta for his life’s work and contributions to visual arts in Canada.
Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in extending condolences to the Saila family, the community of Cape Dorset, the Inuit art community, and the Canadian art community.
Member’s Statement 029 – 3(2): Baker Lake Hospice Society (Aupaluktuq)
I send greetings to the elders residing at the Baker Lake Hospice Centre. I haven’t been able to visit our esteemed elders lately, but I want the elders at the centre to know that I haven’t forgotten them.
Especially at this time, I send my greetings to my paternal aunt, Ms. Tagoona.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the workers at that centre, who work tirelessly to serve our elders. We appreciate the hard work and dedication of the workers at the centre for caring for our elders. I would like to recognize their hard work publicly in the House as they are the sole caretakers of our elders.
It’s not very often that people note their appreciation to the employees of the hospice centre, so I wish to thank them very much.
Member’s Statement 030 – 3(2): Congratulations to Quttiktuq Graduates (Elliott)
I rise today to speak of the many successes in Quttiktuq.
Springtime is a wonderful time to celebrate for many reasons. The school year ending and people heading out on the land are two of those wonderful reasons.
The end of the school year allows us to celebrate the many successes that people have made over the past academic year.
Mr. Speaker, over the past couple of months, I have had the honour of attending a number of these ceremonies.
Mr. Speaker, I was very privileged recently to travel to Ottawa on Saturday, May 16, to attend the Nunavut Sivuniksavut graduation. I am a strong supporter of this program because I have seen its success firsthand.
This year, Sylvia Kalluk from Resolute Bay graduated from the NS program and I congratulate her on her achievement.
Mr. Speaker, on Friday, May 29, I had the privilege of attending the grade 12 graduation ceremony at the Umimmak School in Grise Fiord. Graduating a total of five high school students from a population of 141 residents is an amazing accomplishment.
I extend my congratulations to:
Arnarulunnguaq Audlaluk,
Vanessa Ipeelie,
Melanie Kuluguqtuq,
Manasie Noah, and
Pauloosie Nungaq.
Mr. Speaker, in April, I had the privilege of attending the graduation ceremony for the Office Administration Program offered through the Nunavut Arctic College Community Learning Centre in Arctic Bay. The students graduating were:
Ruth Manik,
Farrah Arnauyumayuq,
Doreen Irqaqqsaq,
Rhoda Akpaliapik, and
Reta Nungaq.
Also, Angus Hughes passed his pre-trades entrance exam at level 5, which is the highest level, and will now allow him to apprentice as an electrician through the Nunavut Housing Trust project.
Lastly, Mr. Speaker, this Monday, I was not in the House because I had the privilege of attending the Nunavut Arctic College Teacher Education Program graduation in Arctic Bay. I would like to congratulate Susan Akikulluk, Aapak Allurut, Connie Kilukishak, Ina Kigutikajuk, and Sarah Alooloo, who received their Bachelor of Education and will be teaching at Inuujaq School in September.
Sarah Alooloo received two special awards, both the Practicum Award and the Leadership Award.
These awards are presented to one student from all of the different NTEP graduations that occur this year across the territory.
Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating all of these individuals on their success. They make us all proud.
Member’s Statement 031 – 3(2): Homeownership Difficulties in Constituency (Ningark)
I rise today to talk about the challenges homeowners are facing today. With our current fiscal environment, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to keep up with the cost of maintaining one’s house. Many candidates received this message from the electorate during their election campaigns.
During one of my campaign stops in Repulse Bay, where I was meeting with the hamlet council, this concern was expressed to me after the meeting by an Inuk homeowner. The same issue surfaced in Kugaaruk as well.
The statement was that it’s very costly nowadays to keep up with all of the bills associated with homeownership, especially if there’s only one income stream, or if the father or mother doesn’t hold a job.
It was relayed to me that in the past, there was a $500 monthly assistance allowance perhaps through the Income Support Program.
I was notified that this allowance has currently dropped to $250 per month and this exacerbates problems, especially during the winter months.
I share those challenges since I’m also a homeowner in our community.