EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
We will see how that evolves and from there, we will have to assess our situation.
Within a year, I’m sure that we will have to make some choices.
I remain open and see where we go with what we have put forward so far. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
We are on Justice. Branch Summary. Directorate.
I just have a couple of questions on Directorate.
I will start off with Public Trustee. I know, in the past, there have been a number of questions or concerns on how to get help within the community of Baker Lake.
I see that the Directorate oversees the Office of the Public Trustee. When you look at the Office of the Public Trustee, how does the department find out information when an individual or family member has passed away?
Is there an employee who oversees those programs in Baker Lake?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) The Public Trustee is there for those who pass on and don’t have a will.
They are there for anyone in the territory and they carry out the work to make sure that the person’s family is looked after if there is an estate and if there are other creditors that may claim an interest on the person’s property.
The Public Trustee will make sure all are looked after, and make sure that they also have to report to the court after the estate has been settled. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
In the community of Baker Lake, who would initiate it?
Would it be the family’s responsibility? Who provides the documents so that the necessary documents can be filled out in order for the Public Trustee to start initiating the work that is required?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) Yes, it would involve the family contacting the office if there is no will.
The Public Trustee will assist the family in making sure that their affairs are looked after. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Would the Department of Justice work hand in hand with the GLO?
The reason why I’m asking that is, like I said, it’s going to move on to my next set of questions.
Currently, and the minister will recall this, we do not have a legal aid worker within the community of Baker Lake.
Who oversees in providing such documents that need to be filled out in Baker Lake?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) The Public Trustee’s office makes sure that the family is looked after. Their job is to ensure that all the proper documents are signed and delivered.
That would be the primary goal of the Public Trustee’s office. The office number is 1-866-294-2137 and they can get service in English or Inuktitut at that number. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
The minister’s response is understandable.
In Baker Lake, there are no legal aid services. In that case, who would we approach when we want to get assistance in filling out the Public Trustee forms?
As I mentioned, you can call the office at the number I provided. There is a person working there who provides the appropriate forms and they inform which form needs to be filled. These people work at the Public Trustee’s office and work with the individuals.
Moving on to another topic, my colleague asked questions in regard to the minister saying that he was in Gjoa Haven recently to meet with the Legal Services Board and to visit the office.
There is currently no legal aid worker in Baker Lake. Are you going to fill that position this fiscal year?
I went to visit the headquarters in Gjoa Haven and I will meet with the board on Thursday to ask where they are at with their staff because they are quite behind on this work.
Can the minister elaborate on his answers to the questions that I posed earlier? When do you expect to fill the vacant position in my community? When you meet with the board, could you talk to them about the question I am posing right now?
We are at Mr. Savikataaq.
I would like to ask the minister, in his 2015-18 business plan, it indicated one of its priorities for the 2014-15 fiscal year was to “Consult with stakeholders on the creation of civil forfeiture legislation” and that “The department has mailed out a letter to various justice stakeholders, inviting them to provide their views in writing regarding the proposed new legislation.”
Can you specify which justice stakeholders received invitations to provide submissions on the proposed civil forfeiture legislation?
If you could mention the page number, it would help the minister.
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Sorry. (interpretation ends) I’m looking for the page number.
It is on page 34 of the business plan.
Sorry I did not mention that.
It’s right at the very bottom on 2014-15 priorities.
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) We’re just trying to get that information right now, but I know that the list was pretty exhaustive. We tried to keep it as broad as possible and to get as many people that can deal with these matters. We’re just trying to locate it right now.
We appear to have misplaced it, so we will look for it.
We will try and forfeit it somewhere. (interpretation) Sorry.  >>Laughter
(interpretation ends) The list is NTI, communities, community justice committees, the RCMP, and Inuit organizations. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Chairman, in the same paragraph, the very last sentence says, “The next step will be to conduct community consultations.” Can the minister indicate which communities his department plans to visit, if he’s that far in the process?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) Well, so far, it’s Iqaluit, Rankin Inlet, Cambridge Bay, and two other communities with high rates of crime.
That’s the list that I have so far. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
That’s all I have on there, but I would just like to thank the minister for the response.
I believe that it is legislation that is well needed in Nunavut and that is just a comment.
We are at Justice.
Total Operations and Maintenance, to be Voted. $17,272,000.
Page E-5.
Total Operations and Maintenance, to be Voted $36,235,000.
E-6.
Branch Summary. Justice.
I want to clarification on page 2 of your opening comments.
At the top of the page, it states, “To reflect the growing costs of circuit courts…” I want to ask maybe the days are limited or justice can be a pain to deal with.
Why isn’t videoconferencing being used more or is its use too impractical for the court system?
I wanted to understand.
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): If I understand the question properly, it relates to circuit courts going to communities to hold court hearings.
There is a practice in place that circuit courts have to go to the communities and that has been in place for a while.
If an individual is going to be tried, it should be in the community. The victim has to appear in front of the court to ensue the truth is heard.
This is the basis of law.
Sometimes we do use teleconferencing on an emergency basis and for those who are having a bail hearing that needs to be dealt with right away.
However, if they have to go to court, the circuit courts go to that particular community and that’s continuing.
On page E-7, the Coroners program is listed there.
Mr. Chairman, the last sentence on page 2 of the hon. minister’s opening comments states that they are requesting $100,000 to the Office of the Coroner.
It “reflects the growing numbers of deaths and the complexity of their investigations…” If this $100,000 is not going to be used for PYs, what is it going to be used for?
For studies or what?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): The coroner is independent. We’re just trying to assist her because she has to rule on each death. If they need an autopsy, they have to be sent to southern cities so that the pathologist will find out what was the cause of death.
That’s the main reason for the increase.
We’re at Branch Summary. Justice.
I just have a couple of questions on this particular page, E-7.
Can the minister provide me with information, when possible, on how many JPs there are in the community of Baker Lake?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): I’m sorry. (interpretation ends) I don’t have that level of detail with me right now.
I know that there was one. I’m not sure where that’s at right now, so I don’t want to mislead the House.
We’re desperately trying to find it. (interpretation) I’m sorry.
I’m sorry, (interpretation ends) we don’t have it by community at this time, but I’ll undertake to provide the information. (interpretation) I’m sorry.
Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Maybe at a later time also, if he can provide me the information who presently has commissioner for oath and notary public, who would have that designation, if he can provide me that information.
I’m sure he doesn’t have that information right now, but if he could provide me that information later in time.
Hon. Paul Okalik: Most definitely.
We try and make sure there is at least one JP in every community to carry out these duties.
I’ll definitely make sure that that information is available. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman: Thank you. We’re at Branch Summary. Justice.
Registries and Court Services. Total Operations and Maintenance, to be Voted. $12,288,000.
I just want to talk a little bit about the number of offenders.
I’m wondering: in the long term, what is the plan in dealing with the growing number of people going to jail?
What’s the department’s position on that?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) Our goal is to reduce the numbers and do whatever we can to get there. Working with our partners, like the wellness court, we are looking into that.
We are opening up Makigiarvik so that we can offer more programming for those inmates that are not maximum-security inmates. We are looking at the legislation that governs corrections to make sure that it is catered towards the inmates that are over-representing in our facilities.
We are looking at a various number of options and making sure that we do comprehensive work to make sure that we reduce the numbers in the long run. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I’m sure the department has had discussions around this. I’m just trying to come up with some ways of addressing this issue.
I’m wondering: what service is missing now that would help reoffenders not to reoffend? What is it that we really need right now?
What is the department’s position on something like, whether it be an addictions centre or whether it be more mental health counselling? I don’t know. What has your department identified as a priority that needs to happen in Nunavut in order to address this situation?
Hon. Paul Okalik: That is a very good question.
I wish we could find the solution now so that we can solve a lot of these issues, but as I said, we are continually looking for ways to improve so that we can provide the best programming available so that we reduce the levels of offenders in our facilities.
These new facilities that we are opening up like Makigiarvik, as I said, will definitely help us in offering more programming that is more directed toward the level of offenders that are in our facilities. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
The adult healing facility in Kugluktuk has been open for quite a while, I think quite a few years now, maybe five. I actually don’t know, but I think it has been open a lot longer than the Rankin Inlet Healing Facility.
Keeping those two facilities in mind, what do you feel is the success rate of them? Are you seeing positive results?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) As I said in my reply to my colleague’s written question, we don’t have the capacity to look at recidivism at this time, but we’re working on that. Those facilities give us more options. Those are targeted towards inmates that may not be a risk to the community.
It provides them with more opportunities to adjust their lifestyles as opposed to going the other way. Those facilities have definitely helped us in providing more programming and options throughout our territory. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I think it’s vital that you get that information because without it, you don’t know if you’re going down the right path or not.
You need to know: are we making an impact here and, if not, where do we need to change and, if yes, then that’s the way to go for other facilities in the future that may come about.
I would like to go on.
You have medium- and long-term plans to repatriate all Nunavut inmates housed outside of Nunavut.
I have heard that there are facilities in the south now that no longer take Nunavut offenders.
Can the minister tell us if this is true and, if so, why?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) There are other jurisdictions that are filling up with their own inmates. The biggest barrier that we are facing throughout the country is that their facilities are filling up and they don’t have the capacity to accommodate our inmates.
We’re building our own and we’re looking at options to make sure that we can accommodate as many inmates as possible and provide appropriate programming for inmates in the long run.
That is what we’re working on. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Do you have the numbers to tell us how many offenders are currently serving time in a southern facility?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) Today, we have 60 inmates outside the territory and 93 within our territory. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
We’re at Justice.
Branch Summary. Corrections. Total Operations and Maintenance, to be Voted. $35,449,000.
Are we still on the same page?
I also have a concern on the issue of corrections.
In the smaller communities, we have very limited facilities or staff housing.
That causes a problem in recruiting or retaining employees.
Qikiqtarjuaq, Clyde River, Hall Beach, Repulse Bay, Chesterfield Inlet, and some other communities do not have probation officers.
It is because there is no staff housing available or some other limitations.
When are we going to be getting probation officers for those communities that do not have one?
We are looking at how we can get probation officers in those communities.
We have yet to do a lot of catching up and we would like to provide proper services in all of the communities.
We need probation officers and support services for former inmates who return to their communities.
With those communities that I mentioned, there are no probation officers, are there?
In those communities that don’t have probation officers, we do have staff that go to those communities. I will find out which communities do not have probation officers or workers shortly.
We have 15 offices in the communities, but it doesn’t identify which communities those offices are in and I’ll provide that information in the near future.
Chairman: Branch Summary. Justice. Community Justice.
I wasn’t sure whether to ask this under Law Enforcement or under this, but I believe it has a community justice component to it.
I would like to just bring up the shared directional statement between the Department of Justice and the RCMP, specifically under the category where it talks of communities at risk, where it talks of youth suicide prevention, family violence, and crime reduction.
Last year, I had asked the minister a question regarding tracking on how the success is measured with this directional statement that’s done in collaboration with the RCMP. At the time, there wasn’t a lot of tracking done.
I was just wondering if the Department of Justice has updated some of its tracking in these categories.
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) The shared directional statement is a bit dated.
I’ve had a conversation with the current commanding officer and we’re focused on results. It’s nice to have this statement, but we need to produce some results in the meantime.
I must say that the current commanding officer has done a lot of proactive work with community detachments throughout Nunavut and their office has been providing me with updates on what they’re doing in each of the communities. So that’s a lot of progress that is happening now.
If I’m allowed by legislation, I would love to share that with you because there are some very good activities happening throughout Nunavut. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I think we would all like to hear how some of those activities are being rolled out across the territory.
Again, when you’re saying that you want to see results, it’s hard to see whether there are positive or negative results without measurables.
Just going back to my original question, is there a way to measure other than less suicides or specific crimes or activities that are decreasing or increasing?
Are there other ways that the RCMP or the Department of Justice is measuring the activity, for example, in this agreement, in this directive between the two agencies?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) I think the statistics show that there is some progress, some reduction in some crimes, so we can track that, but I don’t know the other outcomes.
I must say that a lot of the members are going to the schools and being proactive with the younger generation to have a healthier lifestyle, and that’s very productive and positive.
They’re viewed in a more positive light in their community when they do that type of work. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Very recently, I commended numerous members of the RCMP in the volunteer activities that they participate in across the territory.
I believe I just have one further question. Also last year during the summer session, I had asked questions regarding the Nunavut Crime Prevention Strategy. As I stated at the time, I participated along with my colleague, Ms. Angnakak, at a meeting here in Iqaluit that I found very well attended.
There was a lot of great information that came out from it. At that time, it was very shortly after those consultations were completed that I had asked when the final report would be ready. I’m just wondering if the minister has an update on that report.
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) It’s in the translation stage.
Once that’s done, I look forward to tabling it in the Assembly. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I just have one question. I’m not sure how many community justice committees you have within the territory.
On E-9, would they receive grants and contributions in that particular line item?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Yes.
When we look at community justice committees across Nunavut, when you look at the figure that is before us, $2,303,000, is that sufficient for the territory?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) I appreciate the good work of these committees and I meet with them wherever I go.
I’m at a loss because they provide a very valuable service for the community and I look forward to finding more ways to support them. We value their work; they provide the local contact that we need from our department. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Total Operations and Maintenance, to be Voted. $4,757,000.
Chairman: Back to E-3.
Total Operations and Maintenance, to be Voted. $109,442,000.
Chairman: Minister’s comments, Minister Okalik.
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) Thank you, colleagues.
I undertook a number of initiatives and I’ll make sure that I respond to those enquiries that you asked me.
I thank you once again for your comments and for your direction.
I look forward to more progress in the coming year. (interpretation) Thank you. Have a good evening.
Chairman: Thank you. Sergeant-at-Arms, please escort the witnesses out.
Thank you. I would ask the Minister of Finance to make his opening comments. Proceed, Mr. Peterson.
Bill 16 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2015-2016 – Finance – Consideration in Committee
I am pleased to discuss the 2015-16 main estimates and business plan of the Department of Finance.
This year, we are focusing on our Sivumut Abluqta priorities.
The Department of Finance and Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs are coordinating an external review of government programs. The terms of reference and RFP were issued on January 21, 2015 and closed on February 20, 2015.
We have reviewed our processes in the Financial Administration Manual (FAM Directive 801) for Grants and Contributions, and are confident that the existing controls are appropriate.
This year, we are set to work with departments to review and audit their grants and contributions policies and processes to ensure compliance with FAM and assure that the Government of Nunavut receive good value for money from grants and contributions recipients.
Part 6 of the Public Service Act, Disclosure of Wrongdoing, will come into force on April 1, 2015.
Our Ethics Officer, Jeffrey Schnoor Q.C., is on stream while all of the necessary materials are in place to support him and to ensure employees have access to a stable process in the event they decide to make a disclosure.
Last year, we tabled the Human Resources Strategy for the public service and have now started its implementation.
Mr. Chairman, for the fourth year in a row, we have met the statutory requirements for the tabling of our public accounts.
In fact, this year, we tabled the 2013-14 Public Accounts during the fall sitting of the House.
This was a first in Nunavut’s history and goes to show the continued, steady improvements that we have made and will continue to make in the government’s financial management.
For 2015-16, the Department of Finance has been allocated $91.3 million for operations and maintenance expenditures.
This is an increase of $7.0 million, or 8.3 percent, to the $84.3 million allocated in 2014-15.
Mr. Chairman, that increase is made up of:
Government of Nunavut insurance premiums, $419,000;
Sick leave expense, $3.0 million;
Nunavut Electrical Subsidy Program, $1,460,000;
GN employee medical travel, $1,150,000;
Centralized leave and attendance, $404,000;
Advertising costs for human resources, $350,000; and
Ethics officer, $220,000.
$33.1 million for compensation and benefits;
$6.0 million for other operations and maintenance costs in the department; and
$52.1 million for centrally administered funds, including:
$23.75 million for government-wide employee benefits, such as dental premiums, workers’ compensation premiums, and employee medical travel;
$10.5 million for energy subsidies and contributions;
$5.4 million for the Government of Nunavut’s insurance premiums; and
I would ask the chair of the standing committee to make his opening comments.
I am pleased to deliver opening comments on behalf of the Standing Committee on Oversight of Government Operations and Public Accounts on its review of the proposed 2015-16 main estimates and 2015-18 business plan of the Department of Finance.
Mr. Chairman, the department’s organizational structure, main estimates, and business plan reflect the transfer of certain functions and personnel from the Department of Human Resources, which was dissolved on April 1, 2013.
The standing committee notes that the department’s proposed 2015-16 operations and maintenance budget of $91,245,000 has increased by approximately 7.8 percent since the introduction of the department’s 2014-15 main estimates.
The number of positions in the department remains unchanged at 267.
Mr. Chairman, the Department of Finance provides support to the Financial Management Board. A government-wide issue for which the Financial Management Board has overarching responsibility is the size of the public service.
The total number of positions in the government continues to increase. The government’s proposed 2015-16 main estimates indicate that there are approximately 4,458 positions in the government’s departments and major Crown agencies and territorial corporations.