EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
The 2007-08 capital estimates, and the 2008-12 five-year capital plan have been changed to reflect the recommendations in the Pinasuaqtavut document.
Here are the highlights of the major changes to the capital planning process:
All major multi-year projects will now be based on a prioritization method.
This means that all departments will compete on an equal basis for funding of new capital projects;
An annual base target has been established for small capital projects that are $300,000 or less.
This is based on departmental historical spending for small capital projects, such as mobile equipment.
As well, any unspent funding for minor capital will lapse at the end of the fiscal year.
This will reduce capital carryover requests for future years and provide departments with some flexibility to allocate funding to other minor capital projects for emergency requirements;
All major capital projects included in the five-year planning horizon will ensure training initiatives are undertaken to maximize the use of local labour in communities for large construction projects. This change meets the recommendation of the comprehensive review of the NNI policy for the training and development of the local workforce; and,
All major capital projects substantiation sheets will be reviewed by the CGS Technical Division to ensure the following factors are considered:
Project scope and budget;
Completeness and accuracy of forecasted costs for other incremental housing and O&M costs, which includes the facility operating costs; and,
Impact of community capital projects on community resources.
In addition, appendix IV of the 2007-08 capital estimates includes all funding of capital projects from third party funding. This will provide members with a complete picture of all capital projects to be undertaken by the Government of Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, I want to point out that the $200 million Nunavut Housing Trust has not been included in the 2007-08 capital estimates.
Nor has it been included in the 2008-12 capital plan and that’s because Financial Management Board only recently approved the project delivery strategy. Funding allocated for the construction of public housing in 2007-08 from the trust will be through the supplementary appropriation process.
I am pleased to advise members that the Qikiqtani General Hospital will be substantially completed in February 2007.
The Financial Management Board has completed its review of the lease agreement proposal submitted by 3379442 Canada Incorporated to lease the facility.
The board has directed the Departments of Community and Government Services and Health and Social Services to proceed with the purchase of the facility because it provides the Government of Nunavut with the best value on this investment.
As it stands, we are planning to spend $91.8 million for 2007-08 and $404.8 million over the five-year planning horizon.
This includes the cost to construct previously approved multi-year capital projects, funding for new projects that are considered to be emergency, and third party matched funding and departmental base targets for minor capital and mobile equipment.
Mr. Speaker, the Government of Nunavut will continue to reflect the priorities that have been set out in the Pinasuaqtavut document, by maintaining a sound fiscal position while maximizing the benefits from the financial resources that are available to us.
While the measures I have outlined today are difficult and necessary, I encourage my colleagues and Nunavummiut to keep focused on a very different future. Even though the situation might sometimes seem bleak, we need to remember that our young territory is still experiencing growing pains and that the long-term picture looks bright.
Nunavut harbours a wealth of largely untapped non-renewable and renewable resources that can generate jobs, economic growth, and social development to meet the needs of our young and growing population.
The territory also benefits from a young and growing population, a rarity elsewhere in the country. If we harness this valuable resource, and equip our youth with the necessary skills and education, they will achieve both their individual and our territory’s potential.
Achieving this vision will not be easy and it can not happen overnight. However, no one should doubt our ability or determination to see our dreams realized.
The sheer fact that we have successfully created Nunavut is testament to our tenacity, and to what we can achieve when we work hard and when we work together.
Minister’s Statement 114 – 2(3): Minister Brown’s Absence from House (Picco)
Hon. Ed. Picco: Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and good afternoon.
Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise the members that the Honourable Levinia Brown will be absent from the House on November 21 and 22, 2006 to attend meetings in the Kivalliq.
Member’s Statement 277 – 2(3): Members’ Absence from House (Evyagotailak)
As you know and also the members, some members are unable to be here. David Alagalak cannot be here as well as Peter Kattuk. They will be here tomorrow.
Members’ Statements. Member for Repulse Bay, Mr. Mapsalak.
Member’s Statement 278 – 2(3): Kugaaruk Family Re-united for Christmas (Mapsalak)
As we approach the holiday season, I rise today to share with the House the inspiring story of how one Kugaaruk father will be very pleased to see his wife and six children this coming Christmas.
Mr. Speaker, the Senior Administrative Officer for the Hamlet of Kugaaruk, Mr. Elwood Johnson, has managed to lead a campaign to raise $25,000 for the Oqsukittuq family to be able to go to Edmonton for a holiday reunion.
Their father, Harry, has spent the last year recovering from a brain aneurysm that kept him in Edmonton away from his family to rehabilitate.
The kind hearted donations made by the people of Kugaaruk and Repulse Bay and other businesses will now make it possible for Mr. Oqsukittuq to reunite with his wife and six children for Christmas after this long separation.
Christmas is a very special time for families and I was happy to personally donate to this special cause.
Harry is slowly recovering; he has regained some of his memory and speech but is still relearning how to walk.
Mr. Speaker, please join me in wishing Harry a full recovery and in thanking the people of Kugaaruk and Repulse Bay for their generosity.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, member. He is the Member for Repulse Bay and Kugaaruk.
I apologize; I correct that, Mr. Mapsalak.
Member’s Statement 279 – 2(3): Coral Harbour Girls’ Soccer Team (Netser)
Mr. Netser (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today on behalf of Coral Harbour soccer team. (interpretation ends) I rise today to congratulate the girl’s soccer team from Coral Harbour.
The team was recently voted by Sport Nunavut as the team of the year.
They have demonstrated what can be accomplished by complimenting one another and playing as a team, and my constituents at home are extremely proud of what they have accomplished: first by winning the regionals, and then the territorials, and we all know that they won the bronze medal over in Alaska at the Arctic Winter Games recently held this year.
I want to personally congratulate Ashley Etuk, Reena Amitnaaq, Kailie Kaludjak, Shawnee Nakoolak, Brittany Pudlat, and my little daughter, Olivia Netser, and lastly their dedicated coach, Marilyn Bruce.
I want to encourage the team to continue to show good work and outstanding performance, and be a role model to the younger athletes that look up to them for leadership.
Member for Amittuq, Mr. Tapardjuk.
Member’s Statement 280 – 2(3): Youth Parliament (Tapardjuk)
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to thank the Office of the Legislative Assembly, or the Office of the Speaker for the Youth Parliamentary Session.
It was very beneficial to the youth who took part, especially for my riding.
Those delegates are now planning along with Minister Simailak that these youth need a good future and this youth parliamentary exercise was very beneficial to my constituents.
Also, while I’m up, I would like to welcome and congratulate Mr. Arvaluk for being elected for the Tununiq riding.
Member’s Statement 281 – 2(3): Congratulations to Grade 12 Graduates (Arreak)
I, too, would like to congratulate Mr. James Arvaluk and I’m happy that I won’t be the only James around in this House.
So Mr. Speaker, I, too, would like to congratulate the students of grade 12.
Although there were three graduates, I know that the other students will follow along their footsteps.
I would like to congratulate Juusipi Idlout, Sanali Naatanai, and Barney Kalluq.
Those are the students that had graduated and I encourage all the students of Nunavut to complete their grade 12.
And your first one for today, Member for Tununiq, Mr. Arvaluk.
Member’s Statement 282 – 2(3): Election to the House (Arvaluk)
It’s very good to be back.
Mr. Speaker, I’m both humbled and honoured to rise today in this House on behalf of my constituents in Pond Inlet.
Mr. Speaker, earlier today, I was privileged to swear my Oath of Allegiance and my Oath of Office as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Tununiq.
In doing so, I am mindful of the serious responsibilities that I have assumed on behalf of my constituents and my accountability to them.
Last month, I was proud to have been nominated to stand for election in the by-election to fill the seat that was formerly held by our friend and colleague, the Honourable Jobie Nutarak. I am humbled by the support that I received from the residents of Pond Inlet, and I intend to honour the trust that they have placed in me.
(interpretation ends) I would like to take a moment to offer a few words in memory of our late friend, whom I was proud to have served with in the First Legislative Assembly. Jobie was a community leader. His wisdom and experience will be missed by people in Pond Inlet.
I intend to live up to his high expectations that I know he would have placed on his successor.
Mr. Speaker, I hope that you will permit me, for a moment, to offer some candid words of a personal nature.
Speaker (interpretation): The member is out of time.
Mr. Arvaluk, would you like to ask a question?
Mr. Arvaluk (interpretation): I would like to get unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
The member is asking for unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays?
There are no nays. Go ahead, Mr. Arvaluk.
(interpretation ends) I hope that you will permit me, for a moment to offer some candid words of a personal nature.
As you know, Pond Inlet is my home community and the home of my elders.
When I moved back to the community two years ago, I sought the guidance of my relatives, elders, and long-time colleagues.
I found their advice invaluable in addressing a number of personal issues, which I have struggled with for many years; going back to my days in residential school.
I believe that we need to take personal responsibility for our actions. I also believe that we need to do what we can do to contribute and give back to our communities.
Over the last few years, people in Pond Inlet challenged me to do so, and I accepted their challenge in my work with the Hunters and Trappers’ Association, the Hamlet Council, and the Toonoonik Co-op.
(interpretation) Mr. Speaker, I look forward to working with you and all Members of this House over the course of the next two years.
I believe that we can accomplish great things on behalf of the people of Nunavut if we work together.
I look forward to vigorously representing my constituents and articulating their aspirations and concerns to the best of my ability.
When I stood before the public and asked them for their support, I listened carefully to what they told me.
I heard of the need for new infrastructure in the community.
I listened to parents and elders who told me of their dreams for their children and grandchildren. I heard the voices of the youth and their goals for the future.
It is these voices that I will listen to during my time here.
Member’s Statement 283 – 2(3): Fact Finding Tour of Diavik Mine and its Importanct to Nunavut (Peterson)
I rise today to inform the House about the recent fact-finding tour of the Diavik Diamond Mine that the Premier, Minister Picco, Minister Akesuk, and I participated in on September 19, 2006.
I thank them for taking the time to travel to Yellowknife for this important event.
Mr. Speaker, we visited the Diavik Diamond Mine site at the joint invitation of the mine and Kitikmeot Cementation and Mining Development.
The latter entity is the largest Inuit-owned underground mining company in the north. The 51 percent Inuit partners are Kitikmeot Corporation in Cambridge Bay.
Mr. Speaker, the Diavik Mine is a world-class engineering and mining project located just south of the Nunavut/Northwest Territories border. Many northerners and aboriginal-owned companies were involved in construction of the mine. Through Impact Benefits Agreements, the mine provides training, employment and business opportunities that help Kitikmeot and northern communities.
Mr. Speaker, Kitikmeot Cementation and Mining Development, in partnership with Diavik Diamond Mine, completed an Underground Mine Training Program this year for Kitikmeot and NWT residents.
By all accounts, Mr. Speaker, it was a great success.
The diamond mining industry projects that there is a demand for 300 underground miners over the next decade. The average cost to train an underground miner is $40,000 per student. It is a career that many young Nunavummiut should consider.
Mr. Speaker, earlier this year, warmer weather caused problems with the Lupin winter road.
This shortened the re-supply period to the diamond mines in the Northwest Territories and for the Tahera Diamond Mine in the Kitikmeot. As a result, all the diamond mines operations were seriously affected, including Tahera Corporation. We learned during the Diavik tour that it cost the Diavik Diamond Mine more than $59 million to fly in the additional fuel and other materials that they needed to remain operational this year.
Mr. Speaker, the Diavik Diamond Mine has indicated that they are very interested in the discussions to advance development of the Bathurst Inlet Port and Road Project. I urge the Government of Nunavut to demonstrate leadership and impress upon our federal partners that the Bathurst Inlet Port and Road Project is a project that will benefit Nunavut, the north, and Canada as a whole.
Member for South Baffin, Minister Akesuk.
Member’s Statement 284 – 2(3): Officials’ Visit to Kimmirut (Akesuk)
This year one of my constituencies, Kimmirut, was visited by numerous organizations.
First of all, the leaders of Nunavut and the leaders of Northwest Territories went to Kimmirut to meet with the people, or the Hamlet Council of Kimmirut, and also the leader of the government in the Yukon was able to visit my community as well.
It is understandable that these leaders in the three territories are starting to recognize the smaller communities such as the Premier of Nunavut, and the Northwest Territories, and the Yukon...were able to visit our community, and I would like to say that I would like to appreciate them for that.
Member’s Statement 285 – 2(3): Habitat for Humanity Iqaluit – First Annual Invitational Golf Classic (Tootoo)
I welcome you, and all my colleagues back to our beautiful capital. Finally we got some snow.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share with members the success of a fundraising event that I took part in earlier this fall.
Mr. Speaker, The First Annual Invitational Golf Classic was held in Hull in October to support Habitat for Humanity Iqaluit.
There were approximately 150 participants and I would like to thank each and every one of them, and more than $40,000 was raised in this event. I’d like to thank all of the sponsors for participating in it.
Without their help, it wouldn’t be possible. And I would like to especially thank the title sponsor of the event, and that was First Air. Without their support the event would not have been possible.
Mr. Speaker, every member knows that Nunavut is facing a housing crisis. More than 3,000 new units are needed to address current levels of overcrowding throughout the territory.
Like our game, Mr. Speaker, there is no hole-in-one solution for this problem. Just like our game, right, Mr. Picco? Although we tried.
I would like to acknowledge, also, the hard work that is done every day by the local housing organizations in the communities, but the reality is, and I think if we can follow up on the Minister of Finance’s statement, the funding is limited.
Mr. Speaker, I’d also like to congratulate the Minister responsible for Homelessness for taking home a prize. Unfortunately, I didn’t manage to win anything, but my honourable colleague won a prize for the biggest divot.
Unfortunately, you know, Mr. Speaker, we don’t dig basements in Nunavut because that divot could have been used as an official ground breaking ceremony.
Mr. Speaker, at this time I would like to ask for unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Tootoo. The member is asking for unanimous consent to conclude his statement.
Mr. Tootoo: Thank you, colleagues and the Minister responsible for Homelessness.
Mr. Speaker, I am proud to stand in this House to support the volunteers who are working to make Habitat for Humanity a reality in Iqaluit.
Mr. Speaker, the golf tournament was based on team play and it will truly take a team effort from the government, the private sector, and the countless volunteers that are helping to pull this project together to address the housing issues in Nunavut.
I would like to again make a special appreciation to all of the board members on the Habitat for Humanity Board for the Iqaluit chapter for all of the hard work that they did in organizing this event.
I would also like to mention, as it is a team effort, I would like to acknowledge my team members in that tournament that it was Mr. Tim Neilly from Iqaluit, a good friend of mine from Ottawa Mr. Darcy Moore, and also a former resident of Iqaluit, Mr. Jeff Kilabuk.
They were my team mates in that tournament and it was a lot of fun.
I thank them for their participation.
And at this time Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask all members to join me in congratulating the sponsors of the First Annual Invitational Golf Classic and Habitat for Humanity Iqaluit for making this event a success, and I’m sure we all look forward to next year’s event as well.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Tootoo. Item 3.
Member’s Statement 286 – 2(3): Gjoa Haven Empowering Seniors Conference (Aglukkaq)
Hon. Leona Aglukkaq (interpretation):…interpretation unavailable…I would like to thank the elders of Gjoa Haven for organizing their Elders’ Meeting for Nunavut.
George Porter has worked very hard to get the meeting going in regard to a healthier lifestyle. I would also like to thank the government for participating in this elder’s meeting in Gjoa Haven.
They also talked about their programs.
I would like to thank a person from Yellowknife who participated and gave a workshop to the elders in Gjoa Haven. He was the first to organize this kind of a program.
I would like to thank the community of Gjoa Haven to hold this special meeting. George Porter and also the rest of the council, I would like to thank them. I will present the minutes from that meeting to the House today.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Ms. Aglukkaq. Members’ Statements.
Member for Baker Lake, Mr. Simailak.
I would like to welcome my wife, Jean, sitting right behind me. She is able to be here with me this time around.
I would like to recognize two young ladies from my community who are here. They were chosen to go to Nunavut Youth Abroad this spring and I had tried to make them come here before they went down south.
Helena Bolt is sitting on your right there, and Tracy Evyagotailak, my daughter. They are the ones that are wearing our traditional clothing from the Copper Inuit style.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Evyagotailak, and welcome to the Gallery.
It gives me great pleasure to welcome to the Gallery an old friend of mine, a former adult educator with me, who worked in Arctic Bay as well as in Kimmirut as an adult educator and has been living in Iqaluit for many years; Ms. Maureen Doherty.
Maureen has been a community activist in a large way, a volunteer with different groups and organizations, and will be soon leaving Iqaluit for southern climes.
I would like to take this opportunity to welcome her to the Gallery.
Question 329 – 2(3): Mistakes Learned from First Education Act (Tootoo)
I would like to ask the minister, because I heard on the news this morning a report on how the new Education Act is developing and my question for the minister I guess is just wondering: has he as a minister, as a government, as a department, learned from some of the mistakes that they made the last time in developing an Education Act where one of the things that we did in the First Assembly was to dissolve the Divisional Boards of Education promising to develop more power, control, and authority down to the local District Education Authorities?
My question to the minister is: have we learned from that and are they planning on following through with that commitment in developing the Education Act that he plans on bringing forward?
In the recent past, there have been several meetings with local District Education Authorities. I have met with all the DEAs in Nunavut in special session with them.
As recently as two weeks ago, I met with the DEA Coalition, which is representatives of all the DEAs in Nunavut, here in Iqaluit to discuss their concerns about the devolution of different types of administrative, as well as financial and logistic opportunities within the current structure of the existing Education Act, and to see where we could implement some changes within the new Education Act.
So, Mr. Speaker, I guess the short answer is yes to the member’s question.
I just want to follow up on the DEAs and that in a minute, but does the minister know if the DEAs receive 100 percent of their funding from the Department of Education?
Minister responsible for Education, Minister Picco.
I think it is fair to say that the majority of the funding for a District Education Authority does come from the Government of Nunavut. However, DEAs do have the opportunities to access other sources of funding. For example, they may come from community organizations and groups who have done fundraising efforts on behalf of different schools.
Mr. Speaker, there is also money under other federal programming. For example, some DEAs apply for Brighter Futures’ monies that they actually get access to. There are also local fundraising activities carried out on behalf and for different schools, which the District Education Authority may have an opportunity to participate in.
I would suggest to that probably 90 percent of funding for most DEAs comes directly from the government.
As the minister had indicated that not all of the funding comes from the government for the District Education Authorities, and also the fact that he said they had learned their lesson from the past, and were looking at devolving responsibility, power, and control to the District Education Authorities at the local level, and I guess, as an indication of that, he had said, is allowing, by the department, a forming of a coalition, which was something that was sought after a number of years ago, and this has finally come out.
But, if that is the case Mr. Speaker, I’d like to ask the minister, if that is the case, that they don’t get all their funding from the government, from the Department of Education, and they are committed to devolving control and power and responsibility down to the DEAs; when they set up this coalition each of the DEAs wanted to contribute $500 towards the administration of the coalition.
A directive was issued by the Department of Education for the DEAs not to do that.
To me, it would seem like a contradiction in terms that we’re, “Yep, we’re doing all this wonderful stuff.”
But here they’ve wanted to do something to help develop their coalition so that they can adequately work together, and the Department of Education issued a directive saying that no, they couldn’t.