EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Mr. Hickes raised the Family Services project from yesterday. That gives us an opportunity to provide some clarity there and Mr. D’Arcy would like to speak to that.
This project turns out to be interesting in several aspects of it, including what Mr. Savikataaq was asking as well.
This project was taken from what we call small capital, so you would not normally see prior year costs or you wouldn’t know if it was a budgeted amount or if it was an expenditure amount, which is why we’re taking a look at that number to table in there.
What happened is they took an amount from about $25,000 to go and do those small renovations. That amount wasn’t adequate.
When they started looking at it, it’s an old building, and that building needed to have an assessment done, especially with respect to asbestos.
In the current year, because we’re talking about capital carryovers now, they knew that they spent the $12,000. They showed that in column 2, $12,000, because of the assessment on the building.
It was a sunk cost and they put it in. Well, they also knew that they had gone out to tender, as the sheet says, and that tender came in at about $70,000.
Now, I don’t know why it did. It’s just what the cost was.
CGS thought, and we agreed, obviously, that we need a contingency amount, so they added a $15,000 contingency.
That added up to $97,000 out of the small capital allocation that Family Services had in 2014-15, which is why you see the sheet magically showing the $12,000 expense to start with in 2014-15 and the $70,000 plus $15,000, an $85,000 carryover to complete the project in 2015-16.
That’s what we know. What we cannot respond to Mr. Hickes with is exactly why it’s so expensive, but that’s the way it is.
My questions are going to be around the $4,687,000 carryover for the granular program.
This program was introduced as a pilot project back in 2009 with a budget of $6,915,000.
I’m wondering if the government can update us today if there has ever been any gravel produced as of today through this granular program or if it is still being worked on.
Hon. Keith Peterson: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I thank Mr. Rumbolt for his probing question.
Mr. Chairman, I wonder, with your permission, if we can bring in another witness, Deputy Minister Roy Green of the Department of Community and Government Services.
The minister is asking if we can bring in another witness.
Minister Peterson, please introduce your new witness for the record. Minister Peterson.
My new witness is Mr. Roy Green, Deputy Minister of Community and Government Services.
Mr. Green, welcome to the House.
At this time, Mr. Rumbolt, you can ask your question again so that you can get a response.
In 2009, a pilot project was introduced, I think it was in Kugaaruk, to do granular programs with the hope that it would spread throughout the Kitikmeot once it got off the ground.
It’s now five years later. I’m just wondering what the status is of this project. Has any granular material been produced from this project yet?
I’ll ask Mr. Green to respond to that question.
To date, we have actually produced granular in Taloyoak and we have also produced granular in Kugluktuk.
The carryover request we require now is that we purchase equipment for both the city of Iqaluit and Arviat. The equipment is in town, so we’re providing the training and support to start producing granular in those two communities this summer.
Total Infrastructure. $61,039,000.
Total Petroleum Products Division. $500,000.
Not Previously Authorized. $61,539,000.
Total Transportation. $15,831,000.
Maybe it’s just a wording thing, but my calculator failed me on this one, Minister Peterson.
On the international airport and the rationale for the carryover, it states that the budget is greater than the actual work completed and the remaining funds required, and it just kind of leaves off.
If I look at the budget amount and the remainder, obviously that makes perfect sense, but just remaining funds required, is that just to complete the work from the last fiscal year?
The second part of that: is that project on schedule?
I can answer the second part of the question.
It’s on schedule and on budget.
We have some very rigorous oversight on that particular project, so I can assure Mr. Hickes that it is on budget and on schedule.
I’ll have Mr. D’Arcy answer the first part of the question with respect to missing words.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Missing words, please, Mr. D’Arcy.
It’s rare that people would say that I’m missing words.
The budget was or is greater than the actual work completed and that’s because the project agreement has specific amounts that need to be paid out with the specific amounts of work that need to be done.
You will see this balance out over time, but obviously, we need to bring the amounts forward, the $4.8 million, to balance with the work that is going to be completed actually in 2015-16.
The reason I ask that is because to me, if it’s anything like a fund to build project, it’s funded at certain stages of completion.
If there is less completion than was allocated in a fiscal year, to me, that would show that the project is behind and that’s why I kind of asked those two questions in conjunction with each other.
Is there money that hasn’t been expended yet or is this just an accounting, waiting for invoices type thing?
I guess maybe just a further clarification.
I know the minister stated that it’s on time and on budget, but to me, if we’re still carrying money over, then we didn’t get that work done in the timeframe that we’re supposed to.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Mr. D’Arcy, please.
The work is proceeding the way it should and as per the project agreement, what was agreed to be done in fiscal 2014-15 was and we’re expecting that the project will continue as per the project plan.
However, the budget needs to catch up to it because we need to re-jig the budget in the capital plan itself as opposed to in the project agreement with Project Co. This $4.8 million brought forward will do that and we expect that the work that is done will balance to what we need to expend during the course of this year as per the project agreement and as Mr. Peterson says, on budget, on time, with all the proper checks and balances.
Total Department. $15,831,000.
Go back to page 2 in Inuktitut and English.
Government of Nunavut. 2015-16 Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) No. 2.
Capital Appropriation. $117,901,000.
Please get your legislative binder.
Bill 22 is in your legislative binder.
I believe all of you have it in front of you.
Do you have it now?
Bill 22, Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 2, 2015-2016.
Let’s look at page 2 in the Schedule.
I’ll read the English or maybe not.
Total Supplementary Appropriation. $117,901,000.
Chairman (interpretation): We will go back.
Chairman (interpretation): Do members agree to Bill 22 as a whole?
Chairman (interpretation): Pursuant to Rule 62(2), do you agree that Bill 22 can immediately be read for the third time?
We are now done with the bill.
Minister Peterson, if you have any closing comments, you have the floor.
I would just like to thank you, Mr. Chairman, for your chairmanship over the last couple of days.
I would like to thank the committee members for their excellent questions and you put me on the hot seat down here.
I sweated a couple of times there yesterday and a little bit more today.
I appreciate all of your questions and suggestions on how to improve the substantiation sheets and improve our reporting.
We take these quite seriously. Our officials will be working on them.
I would like to thank my colleagues in cabinet for being here to help me with some of the questions.
Yesterday, I mentioned the ICCP. I didn’t have the acronym quite correct.
I would like to thank the Interdepartmental Committee on Capital Planning, the folks out there. I appreciate all the hard work.
I would like to thank all of our finance officials who work hard and all the departments that work hard on not only our capital planning carryovers but also throughout the year on delivering all of our projects and staying on top of stuff.
I would like to thank my witnesses, of course, Chris D’Arcy, Peter Tumilty, and a special appreciation to Mr. Roy Green, who made a quick appearance to answer one question.
I brought him in because he put his suit on. I didn’t want it to be for naught. He did excellent in answering that question.
Also, Camilius Egeni is in the gallery. He came here today.
Again, thank you and I appreciate all the hard work there that he has done.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Minister Peterson. I thank all of your officials who appeared before us.
As we proceed, Sergeant-at-Arms, please escort the officials out.
As we have completed our wish for Committee of the Whole, I would like to make a motion to report progress at this time.
At this time, there is a motion on the floor to report progress and the motion is not debatable, but you can vote on it.
Mr. Enook (interpretation): Mr. Speaker, your committee has been considering Bill 22 and would like to report that Bill 22 is immediately ready for third reading.
Bill 22 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 2, 2015-2016 – Third Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Pangnirtung, that Bill 22, Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 2, 2015-2016, be read for the third time.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) This House stands adjourned until Friday, May 29, at 9:00 a.m.
Friday, May 29, 2015
Pages 2792 – 2822
Opening Prayer 2792
Ministers’ Statements 2792
Returns to Oral Questions 2796
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 2796
Oral Questions 2797
Tabling of Documents 2820
Orders of the Day 2821
Friday, May 29, 2015 2792
154 – 4(2): Aboriginal Educators’ Symposium (Quassa) 2792
155 – 4(2): Canada-Nunavut Job Grant (Ugyuk) 2793
156 – 4(2): Nunavut Food Price Survey (Taptuna) 2793
317 – 4(2): Concerns Regarding Martha Taliruq Elders Centre (Mikkungwak) 2794
318 – 4(2): The Need for an Elders Care Facility in Rankin Inlet (Sammurtok) 2795
319 – 4(2): Congratulations to 2015 Nunavut Quest Winners (Keyootak) 2795
320 – 4(2): 2015 Winter Turbot Fishery (Mike) 2796
Return to Oral Question 491 – 4(2): Status of Nursing in Nunavut (Okalik) 2796
514 – 4(2): Conditions at Martha Taliruq Centre (Mikkungwak) 2797
515 – 4(2): Airline Services and Rules (Keyootak) 2798
516 – 4(2): Changes to the Department of Community and Government Services’ Organizational Structure (Mapsalak) 2800
517 – 4(2): Update on Arviat’s Water Pump Station (Savikataaq) 2801
518 – 4(2): Green Energy Sources for Nunavut (Hickes) 2802
519 – 4(2): Status of the Revised NNI Policy (Angnakak) 2804
520 – 4(2): Activities of the Office of the Chief Coroner (Joanasie) 2806
521 – 4(2): Air Service Issues in the High Arctic (Shooyook) 2807
522 – 4(2): The Need for an Elders Care Facility in Rankin Inlet (Sammurtok) 2809
523 – 4(2): Status of Standing Offer Agreement for Government of Nunavut Medical and Duty Travel (Enook) 2810
524 – 4(2): Review of Extended Health Benefits Policy (Angnakak) 2811
525 – 4(2): Support for People with Disabilities (Mikkungwak) 2813
526 – 4(2): Government of Nunavut Program Review (Hickes) 2814
527 – 4(2): Seafood Expo North America (Savikataaq) 2815
528 – 4(2): Status of Piqqusilirivvik (Keyootak) 2816
529 – 4(2): Baffin Island Caribou Moratorium (Shooyook) 2817
530 – 4(2): Support for People with Limited Mobility (Sammurtok) 2818
531 – 4(2): Nunavut Suicide Prevention Strategy (Joanasie) 2819
156 – 4(2): 2015 Report of Annual Activities under the Environmental Protection Act (Mike) 2821
157 – 4(2): F/P/T Ministerial Report on United Nations’ Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of the Parties of COP20 in Lima, Peru, December 1 to 12, 2014 (Mike) 2821
158 – 4(2): Nunavut Business Credit Corporation’s 2012-2014 Procurement and Leasing Report (Ell) 2821
025 – 4(2): Extension of Question Period (Mikkungwak) 2812
Mr. Tony Akoak, Ms. Pat Angnakak, Hon. Monica Ell, Mr. Joe Enook, Mr. George Hickes, Mr. David Joanasie, Mr. Pauloosie Keyootak, Hon. George Kuksuk, Mr. Steve Mapsalak, Hon. Johnny Mike, Mr. Simeon Mikkungwak, Hon. Paul Okalik, Hon. Keith Peterson, Hon. Paul Quassa, Hon. George Qulaut, Mr. Allan Rumbolt, Mr. Alexander Sammurtok, Mr. Tom Sammurtok, Mr. Joe Savikataaq, Mr. Isaac Shooyook, Hon. Peter Taptuna, Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk.
Speaker (interpretation): Good morning, members, ministers, and the (interpretation ends) Premier. (interpretation) Welcome, my fellow Nunavummiut.
Minister’s Statement 154 – 4(2): Aboriginal Educators’ Symposium (Quassa)
I am grateful that we are able to be here.
Good morning, residents of Igloolik and Nunavut and my colleagues.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledge the elder and the six Inuit educators who have been invited to participate in the Council for Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC) Aboriginal Educators’ Symposium in Yellowknife, June 29 to 30, 2015.
The elder, Ms. Sarah Takolik from Taloyoak, will be supported by six very effective educators: Doreen Hannak from Arviat, Jolene Itkilik from Repulse Bay, Mary Neeveacheak from Taloyoak, Marjorie Havioyak from Kugluktuk, Jefferson Uttak from Cape Dorset, and Mina Rumbolt from Sanikiluaq.
Mr. Speaker, the Aboriginal Educators’ Symposium will focus mainly on how to attract more aboriginal people to the teaching profession, how to encourage existing educators to remain in their field, and how to support new as well as experienced educators with career development.
I would like to thank these dedicated individuals for representing us at this national symposium, as well as for all the hard work that they do on a daily basis for Nunavut students and families.
As the school year is coming to a close, I would also like to thank all of our educators for their dedication and support to our students.
Mr. Speaker, we look forward to hearing back from Sarah Takolik and our Inuit educators after the symposium ends.
I am confident that our educators will bring back new ideas on how best to support and encourage Inuit educators within Nunavut.
This will have a positive impact on our students and their success.
Minister’s Statement 155 – 4(2): Canada-Nunavut Job Grant (Ugyuk)
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, today, I am happy to announce to the Assembly that the Canada-Nunavut Job Grant applications for 2015-16 have already surpassed the halfway mark. In October 2014, the Canada-Nunavut Job Grant launched a new program that provides small business owners across Nunavut with a grant of up to $10,000 to train their employees.
Mr. Speaker, we have received numerous applications from all across Nunavut thus far. Ten employers have applied for the training funds for 43 trainees.
Our commitment to date is $149,384, which is over half of our funds designated to this program for the 2015-16 fiscal year.
This program allows for small business owners to apply for up to $10,000 for each employee while contributing one-third of the training costs themselves.
Applications can be found on the GN’s Department of Family Services’ website.
Minister’s Statement 156 – 4(2): Nunavut Food Price Survey (Taptuna)
Hon. Peter Taptuna: Ullaakkut, colleagues, Nunavummiut, and Kuglukturmiut.
(interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I would like to take this opportunity to let my colleagues know about the most recent Nunavut Food Price Survey.
Earlier this year, the Nunavut Bureau of Statistics, in collaboration with the Nunavut Food Security Coalition, completed the 2015 survey, for the third year in a row.
Mr. Speaker, our goal is to see all Nunavummiut have access to nutritious, affordable food and to ultimately reduce hunger in our territory.
The Nunavut Food Price Survey collects information to help measure the difference in the cost of living between Nunavut communities. It also compares price differences with other jurisdictions.
Mr. Speaker, in 2014, government liaison officers in all Nunavut communities were trained to conduct the survey.
This year was the largest Nunavut Food Price Survey yet, as government liaison officers collected prices on a total of 135 items from local retail stores.
This was a combination of 118 food items and 17 non-food items.
The data collected is currently being prepared for analysis and distribution and the results are expected to be released by mid-summer.
Mr. Speaker, the Nunavut Bureau of Statistics plans to continue the Nunavut Food Price Survey on a regular basis, as it provides an awareness of the considerable price differences across Nunavut communities.
I invite all members to find publications and tables from past Nunavut Food Price Surveys on the Nunavut Bureau of Statistics website to learn more about this important endeavour. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Item 3. (interpretation ends) Members’ Statements. (interpretation) Member for Baker Lake, Mr. Mikkungwak.
Member’s Statement 317 – 4(2): Concerns Regarding Martha Taliruq Elders Centre (Mikkungwak)
When I was in Baker Lake, I was watching the proceedings of the House on television. Good morning, residents of Baker Lake and Nunavut.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address a growing number of concerns with the operation of the Martha Taliruq elders facility in Baker Lake.
Mr. Speaker, I fully understand that the Martha Taliruq Centre is managed by a board of directors.
However, as a facility which provides residential care to elders, significant responsibility also lies with the government, specifically the Department of Family Services, to ensure that the care is good.
Mr. Speaker, I have received a number of concerns regarding the management of the centre, the conditions at the facility, the planning, and the preparation of meals, as well as behaviours towards the residents.
I understand as well that financial matters, such as staff pay and other bookkeeping issues, are getting into serious disarray.
Mr. Speaker, there must be oversight to ensure that elders centres such as the Martha Taliruq Centre are properly managed and provide safe, comfortable, and healthy environments for our elders.
It concerns me to hear that individuals visiting their parents end up cooking meals, doing laundry, and cleaning the kitchen.
While I greatly appreciate the spirit and intent of those individuals who volunteer their time to make life more enjoyable and comfortable for all residents at the centre, it worries me that when the volunteers are not there, conditions again deteriorate.
At the appropriate time, I will have questions on this issue. (interpretation) Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.
Member’s Statement 318 – 4(2): The Need for an Elders Care Facility in Rankin Inlet (Sammurtok)
Mr. Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I rise today to continue pressing our government to build an elders care facility in Rankin Inlet.
Mr. Speaker, as you know, I have spoken on this issue a number of times.
The residents of Rankin Inlet have spoken on this issue as well, with a petition that I was pleased to present in this House during our March sitting.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the government for its response to the petition, which was tabled on May 26.
However, I am disappointed that the response simply contained a promise to undertake a long-term care needs assessment.
Mr. Speaker, I do not understand why we must wait for further studies.
It is already clear that the need for an elders care facility is sufficient.
Rankin Inlet’s population is the second largest in Nunavut after Iqaluit, which not only has an elders facility but also has a designated elders residence.
Mr. Speaker, currently, six Rankin Inlet elders are in the care facility, but none in their own home town.
They are sent away to Baker Lake, Gjoa Haven, or Igloolik.
Four more Rankin Inlet elders are reaching the stages where they require greater levels of assistance.
Family members even go on radio asking for the community’s help so that they can run errands and take care of the household needs.
Mr. Speaker, the numbers and the needs already make the case for an elders facility in Rankin Inlet.
I would be happy to provide the data to the minister and his officials.
We should not have to wait for another lengthy study. Our elders should not have to wait for long-drawn needs assessments to be completed.
We should instead be focusing on building a new elders facility in Rankin Inlet so that our elders can be cared for in their home community near their families. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Member’s Statement 319 – 4(2): Congratulations to 2015 Nunavut Quest Winners (Keyootak)
I rise today, first of all, to congratulate... . As I stated before during the last session, Clyde River residents were not able to listen to the proceedings of the Legislative Assembly. The radio and TV did not work for a very long time in that community.
Therefore, I am very pleased to announce that they are able to hear the proceedings through the radio and television in that community.
Mr. Speaker, I also would like to congratulate, although we spoke about this during the spring, there was a dog team race.
Although we don’t use the dog teams for hunting anymore, they use the dogs for dog team races.
I am very proud of the mushers and I am very proud of Imoosie, who won the race.
I would ask that all members congratulate that individual.
Member’s Statement 320 – 4(2): 2015 Winter Turbot Fishery (Mike)
I’m sorry you didn’t see me when I raised by hand.
I also have a statement to make in regard to Pangnirtung.
Good morning to the people of Pangnirtung and to the rest of my family, especially my uncle, Seemee.
I rise today to talk about an issue I have been raising before. The turbot fishery is completed in Pangnirtung.
The ice is all gone where they go turbot fishing.
The ice went away very fast and if it was in the past, we would still be fishing for turbot.
Today, the ice is all gone and the fiord is all water now. The ice fishery is not going to occur now.
Mr. Speaker, I just want to point out that the fishermen, as I keep mentioning, this winter during the fishing season, they harvested over 600,000 lbs. of turbot.
The fishermen made over $700,000 from the fishery itself.
This is very beneficial to the community and it’s very good that the government spending on income support program is mitigated because of commercial fishery.
Even though the ice is gone at a very early stage, they had lost their cabins and their fishing equipment.
This is the news from Pangnirtung.
That’s the livelihood of Pangnirtung residents.
Return to Oral Question 491 – 4(2): Status of Nursing in Nunavut (Okalik)
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I apologize.
When I answered an oral question from the Member for Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu in regard to how many nurses there are in Nunavut, I said 274 and I made a small mistake. It’s 272.
I apologize for that mistake.
My husband and grandchild are here in the gallery visiting.
I would like to acknowledge them and I love them both because they are providing very good support to me.
Hon. Minister... .
Question 514 – 4(2): Conditions at Martha Taliruq Centre (Mikkungwak)
Mr. Mikkungwak (interpretation): Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I am just a regular member.
Mr. Speaker, as I described in my Member’s Statement, my constituents have brought forward a number of concerns about the operations at the Martha Taliruq elders centre in Baker Lake.
First of all, can the minister tell this House if she is aware of the current conditions at the Martha Taliruq Centre?
I thank my fellow member from Baker Lake for his question.
At the beginning of this year, it was visited by our employees and now we have some capital work projects on the table, but we are not the ones that make that request.
It has to be with CGS support that we put a proposal together for improvements.
The Martha Taliruq Centre’s board of directors runs the operation with funds we have to give them to operate the centre.
Mr. Mikkungwak (interpretation): Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I appreciate that the Martha Taliruq Centre is managed by a board of directors and not directly by the government.