EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Community and Government Services have many, many hardworking individuals now. They know pretty well exactly what’s going on. We don’t have a whole of newcomers now involved in those things.
So I want to acknowledge that we have Mr. Shawn Maley, who’s sitting over there from my constituency. He’s probably a senior now in many of the levels in the government, including Nunavut Association of Municipalities, and so on.
So people like those people, they know what they’re doing.
One of the things that I want to comment on is, as a standing committee chairman of this group, including other departments, we see a lot of interdepartmental transfer of funds for projects here and there.
You know they can go as high as hundreds of thousands of dollars from communities here, you don’t think spend it we are sending up that far.
I really believe that this Assembly should put some control into how far you can move that extra $200,000 that is not spent in this community or any members’ constituency. Maybe we should put a restraining order that that money be spent in that community.
I believe the hamlets would be very happy if we were to start putting some controls in.
I don’t think it would be a negative thing; I think it would be a positive thing.
For instance, if there’s a certain amount of capital funds that are not being spent by the Member for High Arctic, will you agree to send it down to my constituency for unfinished projects?
I doubt you would give permission.
I believe so, too, the mayors would be quite happy.
So I believe that’s something that we need to think about.
I know it probably happens in many of the governments in Canada, or any other government. You know, that capital funds that are not going to be spent for this project should be spent on other projects, or roll it over into municipal council.
So that’s going to be my question to you as we get to the departmental considerations.
I’m saying that because we see those municipalities everywhere; they’re just scraping for funds everywhere trying to make do. We can holler and shout here and there but we’re not getting any message.
Your officials normally just pass a note down to the chairman of the standing committees and propose that your monies are not spent so we’re now recommending they move, and it’s contained.
With the minister’s signature she has already given approval on it without any consultations to Members of this House who have approved the total funding for that project.
Now, if they don’t spend it, the minister just has to sign off on it. So I’m hoping that we will put some controls on these kinds of things, and if you have any advice on how you can restrain yourself, I would be very interested in hearing from you when we get to the details.
We will now proceed to the page-by-page review of the departmental estimates starting with page J-5.
Total Operations and Maintenance. $7,647,000.
Mr. Curley: Mr. Chairman, I would like to ask the minister and deputy minister whether or not the kind of advice that is normally offered by Members of the Legislative Assembly during the consideration of your department, for instance, O&M, as well as capital estimates.
Are they, more or less, put on the shelf, and say, “Look after you again by that time next year?” Is that the general rule?
Thank you, my colleague from Rankin Inlet North.
They are very important to us, to our department, and we listen to the regular MLAs.
We try and keep in line with what your recommendations are.
Mr. Curley: I also would like to ask the deputy minister whether or not the kind of advice that I offered to the government, whether it makes sense, because more or less, the deputy minister is probably the one that recommends, along with his regional officials, whether or not funds are not spent for project A, B, C, or D, how is that decision made when those certain funds are evident?
Who gets to recommend that they be moved to Mr. Arvaluk’s constituency, for instance, from my hometown?
To answer the member’s first question, the advice that we receive from the regular members during the standing committee and the Committee of the Whole is very important.
I’ve had a number of portfolios, and the information that I’ve taken from the members in all three portfolios have been extremely helpful for me to manage the department; to get to know and understand the departments a lot better.
There are times it may be difficult, or we may not be able to take into consideration because of our government policies. At that time we hope to meet with members and explain to them why we can’t take the recommendations under consideration.
We like to have an ongoing working relationship with all the regular members, as we do with the communities, and the elected officials within the communities.
The second question, which was regarding the capital money and allocating the capital money, the re-assurance that I can give to the member is that it is a cash flow situation.
If there becomes a difficulty in a project that we need additional funding; we may move some money from one project to another, but it’s not gone forever. That money will be replaced later on, when that other budget needs it.
So it’s not a movement from one community to another or one constituency to another; it’s a cash flow aspect to help us manage the projects, given the timelines of the construction projects.
Thank you, minister and deputy minister, the both of you.
I believe you understand pretty well how desperate sometimes the communities are when they lack certain amount of...their lists of projects is so, probably, incredible. In terms of not all that internal pride that some of them are not be used but they have a list of projects that are waiting for funding.
What would it take minister, or your deputy, to not transfer that money to some other region, for instance?
Could you not try and ensure that the funds that were approved within that region should remain?
If that were to be put into place what would it take to make that happen?
Would it be legislation, or would it be an order in council, or a cabinet decision, or would it be acceptable for just a deputy minister or the minister’s signature to do so?
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Curley. Madame Minister.
Sometimes it’s not, it’s always hard to make those kinds of decisions because sometimes the projects are moved from one to the other because a project award is legal.
We have to use the controls and stuff that we have in place and I would like thank the member for his remarks because earlier on he made really good remarks. We all heard his remarks.
We do make every effort to honour those capital projects, and (interpretation) sometimes it becomes impossible when there are many proposals or requests from the communities.
After the advisory committee was established it seems like we were getting closer to the communities and I think you have heard that the funding that we received from the federal government, this $130 million will be used for five years.
We had also asked the communities, actually we had all asked all the 25 communities; please give me your 10 priorities.
So they were reviewed, although after they reviewed it, the funding was inadequate.
Then we had to have $400 million, and that federal funding was inadequate and the people, I believe, worked very hard, and I believe they did proper work because they come from and represent the communities.
The system had changed after the Advisory Committee was established and they suggested that this Advisory Committee meet with the regular members, and I believe that regular members should be involved because you are elected.
Personally, when I saw the list, along with my officials, we reviewed all the requests from the communities because it is the very first time when I looked at the priorities, they were all expensive and I had to approve all of them.
I believe that was the process as followed.
I don’t believe that there was another process that I could have followed.
Therefore, what I did I felt that Nunavummiut in the communities would be happy, because each community received something. The smallest was $200,000 in value.
Some communities received huge capital projects, for example, Qikiqtarjuaq, Gjoa Haven they don’t have a community hall and they will see one this coming winter.
Also, High Arctic, Resolute Bay received an arena because they don’t have an arena, so we tried to look at the communities very carefully and I agree with you that all the communities require proper facilities, and I agree with the Member from Pond Inlet that these important facilities are useful in the communities.
We are still on Page J-5, Mr. Arvaluk.
I understand exactly where you are coming from.
Possibly I think that we will have to come face to face with the federal government and we all know that they already gave money for farm aid and they already gave financial support to other entities.
There is the transportation infrastructure which is geared for Toronto and Montreal. They give them millions and millions of dollars.
We hear that we are being supported by the federal government.
If you look at the federal government budget, there isn’t going to be a little number but a little asterix to identify the amount that is going to Nunavut.
They’re going to be talking about billions and billions of dollars, and Nunavut is going to get an insignificant amount. We know that the federal government keeps saying that they have to listen to the majority. But, we have to look into the future.
There is the Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut, and the majority of the minerals, and the environment, and everything is in the territories.
We’re going to be also responsible for the Northwest Passage. We will be responsible for the arctic islands.
But, in any case, I’m not here to talk about those, but I would like the government to know that if they look beyond the numbers, they have clout.
Under J-5, under Directorate, the budget was set for 2006-07, and there is a zero in there. The revised estimates, there is $5,000 in there for grants and contributions.
I don’t know what happened in 2005-06, but the actual expenditures under that line item was $15,000, and then all of a sudden it’s zero again.
Under grants and contributions for 2007-08, it’s again a zero on page J-5.
For 2006-07, there is zero, and then $5 million, and right underneath Contract Services, in the Main Estimates, 2006-07, $98,000, 2006-07 revised estimates, $2,348,000.
And then, it’s the $98,000 for the 2007-08 main estimates.
Why are we not able to keep the numbers in the budget?
If you look at J-6, there is $5 million, and then $15 million.
Those were used for petroleum products. We can’t approve numbers right away because it has to go through you for the actual expenditure of $15 million.
This $5 million was used for petroleum products.
Again, referring to the comments that were made earlier, we cannot make any commitments. Maybe if I speak English.
(interpretation ends) We cannot commit to continuing to lobby the federal government for additional infrastructure funds to meet Nunavut’s needs, although we would like to have ongoing lobbying with them.
We meet with them at least two times a year.
The last time we met, it was very favourable because they said they would ... this was for all the national, that they would have an ongoing commitment, but that commitment could change very easily because sometimes the government can change. We’re working closely with them.
So I hope I answered some of the questions. I just wanted to clarify that $5 million was the number Mr. Arvaluk was saying.
I will recognize that you are on the floor, Mr. Arvaluk. (interpretation) Mr. Alagalak would like to propose a motion.
I would like to recognize the clock and since you’re all older than me, and I am sure that you’re more tired than I am.
I would like to go home and report progress.
I can still go for a number of hours, if that’s the wish of the committee.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Alagalak. (interpretation ends) There is a motion on the floor, and it is not debatable.
(interpretation) I apologize. Madame Minister, you can go back to your table.
Your committee has been considering Bill 1 and the main estimates and would like to report progress.
As well Mr. Speaker, I move that the Report of the Committee of the Whole be concurred with.
Is there a seconder? Ms. Aglukkaq.
Orders for the Day for March 13:
We will start again at 1:30 in the afternoon on March 13.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Pages 222 – 289
Opening Prayer 222
Ministers’ Statements 222
Members’ Statements 224
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 231
Oral Questions 233
Tabling of Documents 251
Notices of Motions for First Reading of Bills 252
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 252
Report of the Committee of the Whole 288
Orders of the Day 288
Tuesday, March 13, 2007 222
017 – 2(4): Implementation of 10 Year Plan for Expansion of NTEP (Picco) 222
018 – 2(3): Travelling Ultrasound Program for Baffin Communities (Aglukkaq) 223
019 – 2(4): Save 10 Energy Reduction Campaign (Brown) 224
036 – 2(4): Kugluktuk Arena (Evyagotailak) 224
037 – 2(3): Importance of Consulting Communities on Wildlife Matters (Mapsalak) 225
038 – 2(3): Polar Bears (Kattuk) 226
039 – 2(4): Diamonds in the Ruff (Peterson) 227
040 – 2(4): Elders’ Traditional Knowledge (Alagalak) 228
041 – 2(3): Nunavut Human Rights Tribunal (Curley) 228
042 – 2(4): Recognition of Recipients of Long-Term Service Awards (Aglukkaq) 229
043 – 2(4): Remembrance of Vince Steen (Picco) 230
039 – 2(4): Enforcement of the Wildlife Act and Regulations (Curley) 233
040 – 2(4): Traditional Knowledge Workshop – Elders Honoraria (Alagalak) 235
041 – 2(4): Income Support Eligibility (Mapsalak) 236
042 – 2(4): Developments Concerning the Workers’ Compensation Board (Peterson) 239
043 – 2(4): Audit of NBCC Offices (Tootoo) 241
044 – 2(4): Kugluktuk Arena (Evyagotailak) 243
045 – 2(4): Training for Local Community Librarians (Arvaluk) 243
046 – 2(4): Polar Bears Listed as Endangered Species (Kattuk) 245
047 – 2(4): Docking Facilities and Community Freezers (Barnabas) 246
048 – 2(4): Cost of Energy for the Consumers (Curley) 248
027 – 2(4): GN Response to the 2005-06 Annual Report of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Nunavut (Okalik) 251
028 – 2(4): Letter to CLEY from Rebecca P. Idlout Library Board re: Initial Training and Ongoing Support for Local Community Librarians (Arvaluk) 251
029 – 2(4): Calendar - Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies, Healthy Families (FASD Initiative) (Aglukkaq) 251
030 – 2(4): Patient Charters for Sanikiluarmiut - Letters to Minister of Health and Social Services & Minister of Economic Development and Transportation from Kivalliq Air (Aglukkaq) 251
Bill 05 – An Act to Amend the Local Authorities Elections Act – Notice 252
Bill 08 – An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act – Notice 252
Bill 01 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2007-08 – Consideration in Committee – Community & Government Services 253
Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Honourable Olayuk Akesuk, Mr. David Alagalak, Mr. James Arreak, Mr. James Arvaluk, Mr. Levi Barnabas, Honourable Levinia Brown, Mr. Tagak Curley, Mr. Joe Allen Evyagotailak, Mr. Peter Kattuk, Mr. Steve Mapsalak, Honourable Patterk Netser, Honourable Paul Okalik, Mr. Keith Peterson, Honourable Edward Picco, Honourable David Simailak, Honourable Louis Tapardjuk, Mr. Hunter Tootoo.
I would like to ask Mr. Picco to lead us in prayer.
Good afternoon, Premier, Ministers, Members, and guests. (interpretation ends) Item 2.
Minister’s Statement 017 – 2(4): Implementation of 10 Year Plan for Expansion of NTEP (Picco)
I am very pleased to inform the House on the progress to date on the implementation of the recommendations concerning the Nunavut Teacher Education Program or NTEP, and the ten year Educator Training Strategy, Qalattuq, tabled in the legislature this past November.
Mr. Speaker, Nunavut Arctic College in cooperation with the Department of Education is preparing a plan for the expansion of NTEP.
The plan will include an aggressive marketing strategy to encourage more young Inuit to pursue a career in teaching; strengthening existing partnerships and exploring the possibility of new university partnership arrangements; building consistency in the program between what is being taught in NTEP and the school system; enhancing support programs for teachers that will support NTEP graduates as well as all teachers; identifying resources required to develop the language and culture specialist certificate that will certify language speakers to teach in Inuktitut; seeking funding to provide for expansion of the program to the Kivalliq and Kitikmeot Regions so the program can be offered in those regions on a permanent basis.
Mr. Speaker, the successful implementation of the Bilingual Education Strategy in our school system depends to a large extent on our ability to prepare more bilingual teachers.
The objective of this plan is to significantly increase the number of graduates from NTEP over the next 10 years so that our goal of developing a bilingual education system can and will be achieved.
Minister’s Statement 018 – 2(3): Travelling Ultrasound Program for Baffin Communities (Aglukkaq)
Using evidence based decision making, the Department of Health and Social Services is starting a travelling ultrasound program that will not only improve healthcare in our communities, but also result in considerable savings to the government.
The department has just purchased two portable ultrasound machines.
One will be based in Pond Inlet, and the other in Iqaluit. A third ultrasound technician has been hired. With these resources, it will be possible to regularly visit Baffin communities throughout the year.
Mr. Speaker, right now patients must travel to the Baffin Regional Hospital for an ultrasound.
This can be an unwelcome disruption to their lives. Just over 1,000 trips for this purpose are made annually.
Most clients travel to Iqaluit solely for the ultrasound study and return home immediately.
More than $1 million is currently spent on travel for ultrasounds which are an important diagnostic tool, especially for prenatal patients.
This is not the first time Nunavut communities have had a portable ultrasound service.
Mr. Speaker, a similar program was offered in the Kivalliq and the Baffin in 2002 and 2003.
During that period, 377 studies were done for an average of five studies per day of travel.
Cost savings were estimated to be about $750,000 plus patients had more timely and convenient service.
In the Kitikmeot a portable ultrasound program is available in all five communities and has been a considerable success.
In the Kivalliq ultrasounds are currently available at the regional health centre with plans to offer a portable program within a year.
Mr. Speaker, our focus is on enhancing the quality of our service. We know that the traveling ultrasound program reduces patient travel risks, minimizes disruptions and provides a more timely service.
Not only will the program improve the quality of care but it will save money at a time when we are challenged to cope with rapidly escalating medical travel costs.
I am proud of this initiative shown by the department staff to use new technology for the benefit of Nunavummiut and the Government of Nunavut. Timely, clear, closer to home; it’s Pinasuaqtavut’s commitments that I am pleased we can deliver.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Minister. (interpretation ends) Ministers’ Statements.
Minister’s Statement 019 – 2(4): Save 10 Energy Reduction Campaign (Brown)
Hon. Levinia Brown (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) On behalf of Community and Government Services I am pleased to announce that we are continuing our efforts to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions throughout Nunavut.
An important part of this initiative is to keep the public informed on what they can do to make a difference.
CGS has launched an energy education and awareness campaign called ‘Save Ten.’ It is called ‘Save Ten’ in recognition of the fact that all Nunavummiut can reduce their energy consumption by ten percent with simple changes to daily routines.
Reducing energy consumption saves money and reduces our impact on the environment.
This campaign is supported by the new ‘Save Ten’ website. It contains reference material that can be used by all Nunavummiut at work, at home, and in schools to reduce energy consumption.
In addition to energy reduction tips, the website also contains a planning manual for including energy reduction measures.
It also contains an energy lesson planner for teachers of schools in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to invite my colleagues to visit the website at http://www.gov.nu.ca/saveten and to see firsthand how they can make a difference by implementing the helpful energy tips.
Member’s Statement 036 – 2(4): Kugluktuk Arena (Evyagotailak)
I rise today to update the Members of this House on the status of the Kugluktuk arena.
Mr. Speaker, I have heard that the squeaky wheel gets the grease. I have also heard that good things come to those who wait.
My constituents in Kugluktuk have been very patient. We cannot wait any longer.
This government has said that the youth are our future. This government has said that our focus should be on health and wellness.
We know that youth boredom can lead to many problems. We know that there are many benefits to living an active lifestyle.
The ice is finally in the arena in Kugluktuk. The community is finally able to enjoy skating and hockey. I don’t know how long it will stay cold enough for the arena to stay open.
Mr. Speaker, Kugluktuk needs artificial ice in the arena. The current situation is not acceptable.
The facility is not used for the majority of the year. The space is wasted.
I have asked the minister many questions on this issue in the past. At the appropriate time I will ask again.
Member’s Statement 037 – 2(3): Importance of Consulting Communities on Wildlife Matters (Mapsalak)
I rise today to highlight the importance of consulting Nunavut communities on wildlife issues.
As you will recall, I rose in the House last December to raise concerns about the tagging of beluga whales and narwhal near Repulse Bay. In my Member’s Statement, I expressed my view that it is important for DFO officials and scientists to meet directly with communities to be accountable and answer questions.
I indicated that greater efforts need to be undertaken to ensure that communities and hunter and trapper organisations are clearly aware of the scientific projects that are being undertaken where we live and hunt.
The issue of adding species to the federal Species at Risk listing also concerns me, as these decisions can impact our harvesting.
I have been frustrated for a long time with this issue.
Inuit have always known how to protect their lands, waters and wildlife for the benefit of future generations.
We know perfectly well that it is essential to ensure that species are not over-hunted.
I sometimes feel the need to remind scientists and bureaucrats that it was the European whalers, not Inuit, who first demonstrated to us the dangers of hunting a species to extinction.
Mr. Speaker, my colleague from Uqqurmiut rose last week to ask questions about International Polar Year. I note that many of the International Polar Year projects, including a study of beluga tagging in the Arctic waters near Nunavik, are supposed to combine traditional knowledge with western science.
I hope that these promises are sincere.
I believe that federal officials and scientists can benefit from the knowledge and experience that our life-long hunters and respected elders can offer. I want to see them consult our communities in a meaningful way, and I hope that International Polar Year will help to improve this situation.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Mapsalak. I would like to remind the members that you have to be aware of your time.
Member’s Statement 038 – 2(3): Polar Bears (Kattuk)
I rise today to talk about the issue of polar bears.
I have been hunting ever since I was a little boy, starting out by going out with my father.
At that time there weren’t any polar bears around the Sanikiluaq area. There was only one occasion we spotted some polar bear prints.