EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Chairman (interpretation): Do you have any further comments, Mr. Curley?
I know that the minister indicated this is just a realignment of an interim appropriation that was made by the former Assembly to allow the government to operate.
I just wanted to ask her for clarification purposes: if there are changes made over the next couple of weeks to the government’s main estimates, would they automatically be reflected and changed in these current figures for the remainder of the time between now and the end of June?
The main estimates, once presented tomorrow, will override this supplementary.
Then I guess like I asked earlier on restructuring… Again, for more clarification: does this supplementary accurately reflect, I guess for accounting purposes, where money is being allocated to and being spent, as opposed to if we did not see a supplementary like this, that there would be funds sitting in inappropriate places, I guess is my question.
It would represent what was presented and approved earlier in the last session.
What it basically identifies are the changes in departmental structure; from one department, finances were transferred to another.
It does not change the bottom line.
We note that the Auditor General’s Report was tabled today, something I look very forward to looking at in some detail tonight in between periods of the hockey game.
Again, this realignment, moving things around into the appropriate departments; is it more a requirement for generally accepted accounting principles to have things in the proper funds allocated in the proper location, as opposed to not?
I am just wondering if it reflects that in the accounting purposes on the part of the government.
He is asking whether it is under generally acceptable accounting practices, and the answer to that is, yes.
In order to operate as a government, we need an internal appropriation to take us until June 30, until this House has dealt with the main estimates that will be presented tomorrow.
Chairman (interpretation): Mr. Tootoo, will you be asking further questions?
Mr. Tootoo: No.
Chairman (interpretation): I have no more names on my list for general comments or for questions.
We are Bill 3, page 4.
Madam Minister, did you want to make a further comment?
I do not have any other comments to add.
Chairman (interpretation): We are now on page four. (interpretation ends) Department of Finance, the subject is operations and maintenance.
Mr. Curley (interpretation): I would like to get clarification.
I would like to defer this matter for at least a day; I would like to hear from the minister of public works.
I would like further reasons that the department… I am sure the communities would like to hear when we go line-by-line and approve it line-by-line, when there is no explanation at the policy level.
I think the public out there might think that we are rushing.
If it is okay, I would like to move that these ministers’ statements and the plans be deferred until after we hear the presentation from them or by way of ministers’ statement.
For that reason, Mr. Chairman, I move to defer this matter.
We will consider Bill 3, the Supplementary Appropriation Bill, after we have heard the statements from the appropriate ministers.
Chairman (interpretation): There is a motion on the floor to defer Bill 3, Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, No. 1, 2004-2005.
Before the motion is presented to the floor, I would like to comment that it is going to delay the review of the supplementary appropriation, then that will delay the Budget Address and the presentation of the main estimates.
Chairman (interpretation): Understood?
Thank you. Mr. Curley.
Just to put a motion from… I am quite confident in the minister’s explanation as to what this is.
This is strictly a shuffling, a dollar shuffle to go along with the organizational shuffle that was made by the government, and that is why I specifically asked that question, if that is all that it was.
I do not know if Mr. Curley could elaborate on how he feels that we’re trying to rush or change anything, but from my understanding, from my questions and the minister’s response, that all that is said: the people-shuffle, and the organizational chart shuffle, and responsibility shuffle have all been done already and all this is just dollars to go along with those shuffles already. I don’t see any reason why we need to delay dealing with this.
Just go ahead; it seems pretty straightforward.
And I’m sure that we can catch up, because we haven’t dealt with the main estimates for the last weekend, some of us did not have anything to do, and I’m sure we have time to meet.
There are large sums of money, close to, or a little bit over $40 million.
I’m not thinking… It is just that I think the public is concerned about that because community residents did not even hear about the amalgamation of the departments.
Many people have not seen the press release.
So, perhaps elaborate to the people before we actually consider that supplementary appropriation, that the DPW has now been combined with community and government services.
Will some of the positions be moved to the headquarters?
I’m sure some of you understand, but some of us don’t understand what the plans are.
Committee Motion 001 – 2(1): Defer Bill 3 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 1, 2004-2005
Comments on the motion?
To Mr. Curley’s motion.
Please raise your hand if you are in favour of the motion.
We are still on Bill 3.
Any further comments or questions on that?
I would like to ask about culture, language, elders and youth’s, and I’m sure we talked about it, $1,235,000. They were given an additional mandate, the status of women.
If you could elaborate for me if this is part of the amalgamation, or are they for capital expenditures?
Chairman (interpretation): I apologize, Mr. Curley.
Are you talking about page 4?
Mr. Curley (interpretation): Page 3.
The explanation in regard to the $1,235,000 is outlined on page seven.
The special warrants in that amount were approved on March 31, 2004 to provide additional funding to reflect the restructuring of the Government of Nunavut departments.
And, the adjustment is required as a result of the transfer of the recreation and leisure program from the former Department of Community Government and Transportation and the transfer of territorial libraries programs from the Department of Education.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. We will reach that page.
We are on page 4.
Any comments on page 4?
The Department of Finance.
Within that page. -$193,000; it’s a negative number.
Chairman (interpretation): Turn the page to page 5.
Public Works and Services. Operations and Maintenance.
I don’t believe there is a question on that.
Did you want me to go through that change?
Chairman (interpretation): Page 5.
Public Works and Services. Not previously authorized. -$14,406,000.
Chairman (interpretation): Turning to page 6.
Department of Community Government and Transportation. Operations and Maintenance. Not previously authorized.
Under Various. Total Various. -$20,946,000. Agreed?
Chairman (interpretation): Page 7. Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth.
Special Warrants. Various. $1,235,000.
Chairman (interpretation): Total Various. $1,235,000.
Chairman (interpretation): Page 8.
Department of Education. Operations and Maintenance. Not previously authorized. -$275,000.
Chairman (interpretation): Total Various. -$275,000.
Chairman (interpretation): Page 9. Sustainable Development. Operations and Maintenance.
Not previously authorized. Various. -$8,514,000. Agreed?
Chairman (interpretation): Total Various. -$8,514,000.
Chairman (interpretation): Page 10.
Department of Environment. Operations and Maintenance.
Various. $3,534,000.
Chairman (interpretation): Total Various. $3,534,000.
Chairman (interpretation): Page 11. Department of Community and Government Services. Operations and Maintenance.
Special Warrants. Various. $3,198,000. Agreed?
Chairman (interpretation): Total Various. $3,198,000.
Chairman (interpretation): Page 12. Department of Economic Development and Transportation. Operations and Maintenance.
Special Warrants. Various. $9,367,000. Agreed?
Chairman (interpretation): Total Various. $9,367,000.
Chairman (interpretation): Turning back to page 2, Schedule 1. Operations and Maintenance.
“Operations and maintenance appropriation now.” (interpretation) Agreed?
Chairman: Go to Bill 3, Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, No. 1, April 1 – June 30, 2004-2005.
Some Members: Agreed.  Chairman: 3.
Chairman: Go to Schedule 3.
Zero; nil. (interpretation) Agreed?
Chairman: Bill Supplementary Appropriations. Zero. (interpretation) Agreed?
Chairman (interpretation): We will go back to Page 1.
Chairman: Do you agree that Bill 3 as a whole is ready for third reading?
Chairman (interpretation): We have concluded with Bill 3.
Now, we will move on to Bill 4, (interpretation ends) Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 1, 2004-2005.
Page 4. (interpretation) Mr. Netser had a question.
I have a question regarding the staff housing, $5,060,000. (interpretation ends) The Nunavut Housing Corporation, for the construction of ten additional staff housing units in each of Cambridge Bay and Rankin Inlet.
(interpretation) I represent Chesterfield Inlet, and there is a severe shortage of housing over there. I was just in Chesterfield Inlet recently and the school principal was renting the Catholic mission’s house and the government was stating that they would build ten additional staff housing.
What about the rest of the Government of Nunavut employees?
When I go back to Chesterfield Inlet they are going to be wondering why Cambridge Bay and Rankin Inlet are going to get additional staff housing when the other communities are not.
I think first of all, I would just like to mention, highlight, that the ten additional units in Cambridge Bay and the ten in Rankin Inlet, were to address the opening of the new health facilities in those two communities.
They’re expecting, approximately, in total, 43 new technical-type positions to be going into those communities, and there was a need to identify additional units in order to have fully functional regional hospitals both in Cambridge Bay and Rankin Inlet.
The special warrant was related to that.
The question that you have: during the 2003-04 fiscal year, the Housing Corporation will be working with ministers to address the housing needs in all the communities.
Plans will be put in place to meet those needs over the next number of years.
Chairman (interpretation): Mr. Netser, do you have another question?
I’m sure that the community of Chesterfield Inlet will be asking the same question; is it possible for the minister to give us a written response to assure the members that they will be doing a review in the upcoming years?
I believe that the appropriate minister will be addressing that, and I will pass that information to Minister Kilabuk.
Chairman (interpretation): Mr. Kilabuk is not in the House.
Mr. Netser, do you have another question?
They’re probably watching TV, and the people of Rankin Inlet are probably watching the events on TV.
Teachers are Government of Nunavut employees and they need adequate staff housing.
They are the ones who are teaching our children.
The Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation is probably listening but the Minister of Finance said that she will be rerouting this question to the appropriate minister.
Hon. Leona Aglukkaq: Mr. Chairman, I don’t believe there was a question there but I will commit to having the minister of the Housing Corporation respond to his question.
Chairman (interpretation): Any further questions?
On that appropriation for additional staff housing units to go along with new infrastructure, I think it is something that is long overdue.
There has been a lot of new infrastructure built throughout the territory, here in Iqaluit, and everywhere, without any consideration for staff housing at all.
I know from looking at the paper for jobs here in Iqaluit, over the last year or so, they’ve been saying it doesn’t come with staff housing, or doesn’t come with housing because there isn’t any.
I’d just ask the chairperson of the Financial Management Board: is there a policy now, or something that the government follows in looking at allocating appropriate staff housing to go along with new capital infrastructure, regardless of where it is?
I don’t know if there is a particular policy in place but I can look into that.
As it relates to these major projects for hospitals in Cambridge Bay and Rankin Inlet, these are major projects, like we say, and yes, there are going to be additional positions that are required.
I think we all know that there is a major shortage of housing across Nunavut, and right now just to respond to housing for staff, we’re short by at least 300 across Nunavut.
It’s an ongoing effort to try and address the gap, including for social housing.
If there is a policy in place, again, I’m not aware, but I can follow up on that question.
Mr. Curley (interpretation): Yes, there is a severe shortage of housing all over Nunavut.
We welcome any housing projects that go on in Nunavut.
Of course, we will approve this if we are talking about building additional housing.
We have $50,399,000 for the twenty units that will be built by the Housing Corporation.
I would like to get a reply to my question as we are about to approve this.
What kind of public tenders will be available?
Will they be government owned, Crown constructed, supply, ship and-erect, or will they be RFP for lease-back provision?
Can the chief financial officer of the government provide the best value for the money on these ten units?
The private sector is willing to hear from the government what contracting process the Minister of Finance or her deputy recommend to the Housing Corporation.
Chairman (interpretation): Honourable Leona Aglukkaq.
I believe some of these types of questions were also raised in the House today, to the appropriate minister, in terms of how we award the contract for capital projects.
From what I understand, there is a public tender process, where the NNI policy is applied. And yes, at all times we try to award contracts for the best value for the money.
Again, I will present that information to the minister of the Housing Corporation as it relates to the particular question on housing units, but I believe the process is transparent.
Chairman (interpretation): Do you have any further questions, Mr. Curley?
Mr. Curley: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
She is trying to respond to my question. We are talking about using the money wisely, but the government hasn’t stated what process they will use with that money that is going to be approved.
Are these trial units going to be owned by the government?
From what I understand they would be owned by the GN. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Curley (interpretation): With those ten units that are going to be owned by the Nunavut Government, what about the supply-ship-and-erect; are we going to be seeing the same rules in Cambridge Bay and Rankin Inlet?
From what I understand, yes.
(interpretation ends) Department of Public Works and Services. Capital.
Not previously authorized. Technical Services. -$1,150,000.
Chairman (interpretation): Petroleum Products Division. -$6,575,000.
Chairman (interpretation): Total Petroleum Products Division. $6,575,000. Agreed?
Chairman (interpretation): Total Department. -$725,000. Agreed?
Chairman: Thank you. Page 5. Department of Community Government and Transportation.
Capital. Not previously authorized.
Community Government.  -$16,643,000.
Chairman (interpretation): Total Community Government. -$16,643,000.
Chairman (interpretation): Transportation. -$2,553,000.
Chairman (interpretation): Total Transportation. -$2,553,000.
Chairman (interpretation): Total Department. -$19,196,000.
Chairman (interpretation): Page 6.
Capital. Special Warrants.
Directorate. $2,150,000.
I can’t hear everybody.
Total Directorate. $2,160,000.
Chairman (interpretation): Total Department. $2,163,000. Agreed?
Chairman (interpretation): The Department of Education.
Corporate Services. -$1,900,000. Agreed?
Chairman (interpretation): Total Corporate Services. -$1,900,000.
Chairman (interpretation): Total Department. -$1,900,000.
Chairman (interpretation): The Department of Sustainable Development.
Program Development and Delivery. -$1,075, 000.
Chairman (interpretation): Total Program Development and Delivery. -$175,000. Agreed?
Chairman (interpretation): Community Operations. -$1,807,000. Agreed?
Chairman (interpretation): Total Community Operations. -$1,807,000. Agreed?
Chairman (interpretation): Total Department. -$1,982,000.
Chairman (interpretation): The Department of Environment.
Program Development. $1,957,000.
Chairman (interpretation): Program Development. $1,957,000.
Chairman (interpretation): Total Department. $1,957,000.
Department of Community and Government Services.
Capital. Total Appropriation for Capital Planning and Technical Services. $17,373,000.
Chairman (interpretation): Total Capital Planning and Technical Services. $17,373,000.
Chairman (interpretation): The Petroleum Products Division. $6,575,000.
The Department of Economic Development and Transportation.
Economic Development. $25,000.
Chairman (interpretation): Total Economic Development. $25,000.
Chairman (interpretation): Transportation. $2,723,000.
Chairman (interpretation): Total Transportation. $2,723,000.
Chairman: Total Transportation. $2,723,000.
Chairman (interpretation): Total Department. $2,748,000.
Chairman (interpretation): Page 12. Department, Nunavut Housing Corporation. Capital.
Not previously authorized. Nunavut Housing Corporation. $5,060,000. Agreed?
Chairman: Total Nunavut Housing Corporation. $5,060,000.
Chairman: Total Department. $5,060,000.
Chairman: We’re back to page 2.
June 1. Capital. Total Capital Appropriation. $5,060,000.
Chairman: Bill 4, Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 1, 2004-2005.
Chairman: Bill 4, Supplementary Appropriation. Clause 1. Definition.
Chairman (interpretation): If we can back to the schedule on page 3.
Capital. $5,060,000.
Total Supplementary Appropriation. $5,060,000.
Chairman (interpretation): Clause 7. Agreed?
Chairman (interpretation): Does the committee agree to Bill 4 as a whole?
Chairman (interpretation): Does the committee agree that Bill 4 as a whole is ready for third and final reading?
Chairman (interpretation): What is the wish of the committee, Mr. Barnabas?
Mr. Barnabas (interpretation): I would like to report progress.
Motion is not debatable. All in favour.
Just before we report progress, I would like to thank the minister and her officials, Mr. Vardy and Mr. Reddy.
Speaker (interpretation): Going to back to the Orders of the Day.
Chairman (Mr. Arreak): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Your committee has been considering Bill 3 and Bill 4 and would like to report that Bill 3 and 4 are immediately ready for third reading. And, Mr. Speaker, I move that the Report of the Committee of the Whole be agreed to.
Speaker (interpretation): A Seconder?
Bill 03 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 1, April 1 – June 30, 2004-2005 – Third Reading
I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Rankin Inlet South/Whale Cove, that Bill 3, Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, No. 1, April 1 – June 30, 2004-2005, be read for the third time.
Bill 04 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 1, 2004-2005 – Third Reading
I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Iqaluit East, that Bill 4, Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 1, 2004-2005, be read for the third time.
Bill 3 and Bill 4 have had third reading.
Clerk (Mr. Quirke): Mr. Speaker, the meeting of all of the standing committee members is in Nanuq, immediately following the end of this sitting day.
Orders for the Day for Tuesday, May 18:
Speaker (interpretation): This House stands adjourned until tomorrow at 1:30 in the afternoon, May 18, 2004.
>>House adjourned at 16:41  Nunavut Canada
Tuesday, May 18, 2004
Pages 181 – 219
Opening Prayer 181
Budget Address 181
Members’ Statements 192
Returns to Oral Questions 195
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 196
Oral Questions 198
Tabling of Documents 215
Notices of Motions for First Reading of Bills 216
First Reading of Bills 216
Second Reading of Bills 217
Orders of the Day 217
Tuesday, May 18, 2004 181
009 – 2(1): Budget Address (Aglukkaq) 181
052 – 2(1): Concern about Education Opportunities (Barnabas) 192
053 – 2(1): Thanks to Mamie Oniak and Jacqueline Shouldice (Aglukkaq) 193
054 – 2(1): Gjoa Haven Volleyball Tournament (Evyagotailak) 193
055 – 2(1): Government of Nunavut Summer Student Program (Tootoo) 193
056 – 2(1): Feast and Celebration of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (Picco) 194
057 – 2(1): Belcher Island and James Bay Issue (Kattuk) 195
058 – 2(1): Fishing Derby in Pangnirtung (Kilabuk) 195
Return to Oral Question 011 – 2(1): Summer Student Program (Tapardjuk) 196
046 – 2(1): Medical Boarding Home Leases (Curley) 198
047 – 2(1): Status of Negotiations on the Belcher Islands (Kattuk) 199
048 – 2(1): Senior Management at Qulliq Corporation (Peterson) 200
049 – 2(1): GED Course Curriculum (Barnabas) 201
050 – 2(1): Senior Management Bonuses - Qulliq Corporation (Tootoo) 202
051 – 2(1): Incorrect Billing Address (Alagalak) 204
052 – 2(1): Auditor’s Report – Leasing Practices (Peterson) 204
053 – 2(1): Payment of $800,000 under a Verbal Agreement – Auditor General’s Report (Curley) 206
054 – 2(1): Tabling of Public Accounts (Barnabas) 206
055 – 2(1): Tabling of all Ministerial Directives (Tootoo) 207
056 – 2(1): Power Bill Payments (Kattuk) 209
057 – 2(1): Decision on Fuel Rider Issue (Peterson) 210
058 – 2(1): Tabling of Information on Directing Crown Corporations (Curley) 211
059 – 2(1): Tabling of URRC Review of the Fuel Stabilization Rider (Tootoo) 213
009 – 2(1): Deposit of Waste in Contravention of Water License NMB3ARC0207 (Barnabas) 215
010 – 2(1): Deposit of Waste Contravention of Water License NWB3CAM0207 (Barnabas) 216
011 – 2(1): Waste Metal Dump in Cambridge Bay - Letter to the Minister of Community and Government Services (Peterson) 216
Bill 02 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2004-2005 - Notice 216
Bill 02 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2004-2005 – First Reading 217
Bill 02 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2004-2005 – Second Reading 217
Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Honourable Olayuk Akesuk, Mr. David Alagalak, Mr. James Arreak, Mr. Levi Barnabas, Honourable Levinia Brown, Mr. Tagak Curley, Mr. Joe Allan Evyagotailak, Mr. Peter Kattuk, Honourable Peter Kilabuk, Mr. Steve Mapsalak, Honourable Jobie Nutarak, Honourable Paul Okalik, Mr. Keith Peterson, Honourable Edward Picco, Honourable David Simailak, Honourable Louis Tapardjuk, Mr. Hunter Tootoo.
Speaker (interpretation): Item 1 in the Orders of the Day.
I will ask Mr. Evyagotailak to say the prayer.
Minister’s Statement 009 – 2(1): Budget Address (Aglukkaq)
Hon. Leona Aglukkaq: Thank you. Mr. Speaker, honourable colleagues, and fellow Nunavummiut. Today I am pleased to table the first budget of this, the Second Legislative Assembly.
The First Legislative Assembly of Nunavut had much to be proud of.
They created a functioning government with departments, agencies, and processes that deliver programs and services to our citizens.
They established a foundation for us to build on.
There was much accomplished in the first five years of Nunavut’s existence.
But there is still much more that needs to be done.
We are all honoured to be able to continue the work necessary to ensure a better future for all Nunavummiut.
The first budget of the new territory was delivered in the Iqaluit parish hall over five years ago.
It set the stage for the successes and accomplishments achieved over that government’s term.
This budget will help ensure the success of this Legislative Assembly.
Through it, we will continue to live within our fiscal means.
Also, it will move us forward in terms of dealing with the challenges which must be addressed in order to provide needed public services.