EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
As well there will be base adjustments for the 2002-2003 and on-going years for their O&M.
Mr. Arvaluk: For the amount of 548 thousand dollars from somewhere we don't know, has been funding Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs.
Was this exactly the same amount of 548 thousand dollars that is going to appear in the Auditor General's Reports sometime in the future, from other departments under spent money and etc and etc.
Mr. Chairman, it hasn't come from other departments.
It is with their internal vacancy in the department up until this time.
Now the Supplementary Appropriation, once it is approved, obviously it will be reflected in their Main Estimates and will allow them to not be overspent.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you, Minister Ng. Further.
So from Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs department or from other programs or from other vacancies etc., how are we going to know up to date, to this date, before we actually budgeted for it.
How are we going to know what actually has been spent for the Deputy Minister and the Executive Secretary of that 548 thousand dollars when the audits have been done.
That will be the amount that we will be dealing with and it will be reflected in the public accounts when it is rolled up in the annual account the government does and it does get audited by the Auditor General.
Same page. Can I get some clarification or breakdown of this half a million dollars to Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs Deputy Minister and Executive Secretary.
We know that they already have an office.
Everything is set up in there as far as infrastructure.
Could we have a breakdown to see what this money is going to be spent on?
Mr. Chairman, compensation and benefits 469 thousand dollars, travel and transportation 40 thousand dollars, materials and supplies 4 thousand dollars.
Other services 19 thousand dollars, contract services 10 thousand dollars, fees and payments 2 thousand dollars.
Other expenses, hospitality and computers etc., 4 thousand dollars.
Mr. Chairman, the minister indicated 468 thousand in compensation and benefits.
How many PYs are you looking at?
Mr. Chairman, there is the Deputy Minister’s salary, actually times more than one because they had to carry a position for an individual as well, that was using up some severance payments and as well the Executive Secretary for that directorate.
Mr. Chairman, I believe the minister indicated earlier that all of this funding that has been asked for here was previously found within the Department of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs and found with its own budget.
Is that what he is saying, all the money that was spent in this area before came only from that department.
Yes, the member is correct it is all out of the EIAs unexpended funding through their budget.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you, Minister Ng. Any more.
We’ll go back to total Intergovernmental Affairs, 548 thousand.
Total Department 1 million 53 thousand.
Turn page to 8.
Fiscal Operations and Maintenance for the year not previously authorized, 443 thousand.
Mr. Arvaluk (interpretation): In here it says that it’s for litigation 443 thousand.
So I was wondering if you could explain that to me.
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Yes thank you Mr. Chairperson.
Mr. Chairperson this amount is to deal with the specific litigation that the Government of Nunavut is in partnership with the Government of the Northwest Territories in respect to the Ed Horn case.
What has been agreed upon is that in the Alternate Dispute Resolution there has been a million dollars agreed upon as advance payments for some of the victims.
Our cost to the Government of Nunavut’s portion of that liability is the 443 thousand dollars that is being set aside in the fund government wide held by finance right now until such a time as it is drawn down by victims once this Alternative Dispute Resolution moves to the next process.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you, Minister Ng. Are there any further questions?
Ms. Williams: Thank you Mr. Chairperson.
On that 443 thousand dollars litigation costs for Ed Horn case, that will amount to 1 million dollars.
Is the 1 million dollars, is there going to be more cost to, more than, will there be more over 443 thousand dollars.
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Thank you, Mr. Chairperson. Mr. Chairperson, this is as I indicated an advance payment in a gesture of good will and it’s expected that there will be some significantly additional liability as the result of future settlements.
So this is really just a, I guess if you want to look at it as an advance down payment on potential future payments.
Ms. Williams: Thank you, Mr Chairperson.
Does the government have an idea what it will amount to?
Hon. Kelvin Ng: No, Mr. Chairperson not at this time.
We’ll go back to the same page.
Total Fiscal Management 443 thousand dollars.
Total Comptrollership and Regional Financial Services.
Negative 200 thousand dollars.
Two hundred thousand dollars for Operations and Maintenance to Capital to complete renovations to the Parnaivik Office in Iqaluit Headquarters for the Department of Finance.
I know that, we know that we all know that Department of Finance is all over the City of Iqaluit and in November’s Supplementary Appropriation we approved another 200 thousand dollars.
Now there is another 200 thousand dollars this time.
Will there be more, will they be taking more funding after the 400 thousand dollars.
Mr. Chairman, I couldn't say whether we would or we wouldn't right now.
But like all other departments once you identify what your office requirements are. For example, if there are leases that expire that cause you to move to other locations, part of the responsibilities for the tenant, in this case the Department of Finance, is to finance tenant improvements.
That is what this is for.
So if there were other moves that require tenant improvements then we may be back at other times for additional requests.
The Parnaivik building was set up as an office building already.
How many offices are you setting up in there?
Mr. Chairman as you know, where the former offices of NTI were quite spacious they didn't exactly conform to what we would need as a government.
So we are getting quite a few additional offices as a result of the tenant improvements.
I believe it is in the neighbourhood of 27 to 28 offices that will be accommodated in that building.
Ms. Williams: One last one, Mr. Chairman, thank you.
So, by the time Parnaivik is done, would Finance be in one, two or three.
How many offices will they have now in the City of Iqaluit?
Mr. Chairman, I believe we will be at four different locations because of the different divisions of the department and the lack of consolidated office space.
Mr. Arvaluk (interpretation): Are we on page eight, it is okay.
We are on page 8.
Total controllership and regional financial services.
Negative 200 thousand.
Total department 243 thousand dollars.
Do you agree?  Some Members: Agreed.
Turn to page 9.
Mr. Arvaluk: Mr. Chairman, this is our campus, why would you need to charge the government, adult education for secondary services, 815 thousand just for the Arctic Winter Games.
Mr. Chairman because of the commitment that Nunavut Arctic College made to provide the residence to the Arctic Winter Games Host Society Athletes Village, it was an unexpected cost in respect of the relocation of students, catering contract changes, co-ordination, student effects moving and storage. Also increased facility costs that the government is providing as a result of that commitment.
So this was decided very recently because we had that O&M budget last year. You did not foresee that the Arctic Winter Games coaches and athletes with the exclusive use of Nunatta Campus Student Residence at North 40.
What were you going to use instead before you decided to put them there.
What was the original plan to house them?
That was totally the responsibility of the Arctic Winter Games Host Society.
Our responsibility here is because Nunavut Arctic College made the commitment for the residence.
Some of the costs associated with that commitment could not be funded by them.
They went through the Department of Education and we felt that it was in the best interests to support that, in order not to jeopardize the possibilities of escalating the shortage of accommodation for participants and people involved in the Arctic Winter Games to be in the sports.
I don’t want to be misunderstood, I completely support that, especially with accommodation of the participants and etc.
If you had the commitment when the plan was being initiated four years ago, you must have an idea when you had to put the proper budget in for it accordingly.
This is what I want to know, why wasn't it put in the regular O&M, when small capital is required to house them.
And why are we doing the Supplementary Appropriation now on this rather than three years ago or two years even or a year ago even.
It is my understanding that the Nunavut Arctic College officials thought there wouldn't be any significant costs.
There was a changeover in leadership of that organization and it wasn't until closer to the requirement of the facility that it became apparent that there were some significant costs associated for the turning over of the residence for Arctic Winter Games usage.
That was when the minister stepped in to recognize that concern and bring forward this matter to the FMB that is before you now in the legislature for approval.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Ng. Any more questions?
Mr. Tootoo: Mr. Chairman, I just have something the minister mentioned in his response to Mr. Arvaluk that caught my attention and that was the catering contract changes.
I was just wondering if he could elaborate on that.
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Mr Chairman, from what I understand that is the result of having to cancel the catering contract services for that time period.
Other than that I don’t know the full details but I certainly could provide it if that's what the members would like.
Chairperson: Thank you, Minister Ng. Mr. Tootoo.
I wonder, if they cancelled the catering contract who is going to feed all the athletes.
I wouldn't mind finding out that information.
Are they going to have to cook for themselves or whatever?
I can understand that the minister won't have that information with him right now but hopefully within the week or something or less than that as soon as possible if he could provide the members of this Assembly with that information.
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Yes, we will try to provide that information.
Mr. Chairman, on the other line on that page it deals with supplementary 585 thousand dollars for the increased costs of compensation and benefits and Northern Allowance to employees of Arctic College contained in the new Collective Agreement in the GN and NEU.
Mr. Chairman my recollection last November in the Supplementary Appropriation Bill all of those things came through and I was wondering how come this one wasn’t put through at the same time as all the other ones and why it’s late.
Mr. Chairman, at the time when we compiled all the initial information it was an oversight that Nunavut Arctic College hadn’t been identified and their employees who receive the same pay and benefits under the same Collective Agreement.
Referring to Mr. Tootoo’s question about catering services in the old residence or Federal Building it has many names now.
I thought the catering service was okay with the students over there.
Why are you changing the caterers other than what the caterers have been catering for the present students there?
What is the requirement to change the caterers?
Mr. Chairman, as I indicated as members know, the Arctic Winter Games Society has responsibility for that residence for that time period just prior to and after the Arctic Winter Games.
They are a separate society and they entered, from my understanding they entered into a proposal call or tenders for the catering services.
So there was a different caterer that was awarded the contract for the time period while they had the responsibility for the building and for the athletes and participants.
Mr. Arvaluk: Wonderful.
I mean, the Host Society tenders, somebody else gets it, the government pays for it.
Did you have any control at all as to what conditions that you would be paying them?
For example, you keep things simple and less expensive, negotiate with the Host Society to urge them to keep the same caterers because the government is paying for it the taxpayers are paying for it.
Mr. Chairman, as members know, we have made a significant contribution to the Arctic Winter Games Society but it isn’t just the Government of Nunavut.
There are a lot of corporate sponsors and other governments involved.
So I mean, I don’t think it’s our mandate to be telling them what to do I mean we recognize that they have quite a bit of autonomy in trying to support them.
So having said that though, I said that I would get all the information in respect to the catering contract change, the 40 thousand dollars.
I understand there was also some stoppage of work and that they lost some income as a result of some major renovations that are going on at the residence prior to it being suitable or being ready for occupancy by the Arctic Winter Games Society and their participants.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you, Minister Ng. Do you want to continue Mr. Arvaluk?
I think that’s clearer.
Let’s go back to Education.
Adult Education and Post-secondary Services.
Not previously authorized, 850 thousand dollars.
Total Department, 815 thousand dollars. Agreed.
Turn the page to 10.
Department of Sustainable Development.
O&M not previously authorized.
Corporate Management 232 thousand dollars.
Mr. Arvaluk: Just a quick question Mr. Chairman.
I totally support the mission if it is going to bear fruit in the future.
My question is, are you going to get a rebate from the federal government on this 232 thousand since it was their Trade Mission.
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. No.
This is our specific cost as part of the Team Canada Trade Mission.
Some of it was over and above what the federal government would have sponsored in respect of us bringing certain entertainers and our staff.
Airfare, management and those types of things as part of the overall promotion that we did as a government specifically.
Yes, we probably won't be going over to these missions in the future with the federal government and other provincial governments.
But when you look at the federal government’s total budget compared to what they expend on those tours, international tours.
Our budget of 600 million 233 thousand dollars compares in ratio.
We are probably going to spend a lot more money in terms of the ratio of our total budget versus our expenses for that particular trip.
So I would urge the minister to in the future to try and get the federal government to see what kind of ratio we do spend from our total budget every time when we go to these.
We like to go.
It is just that it affects us more financially at the outset.
Hopefully it will bear fruitful results.
Yes, I don't think there was any question but I note the member’s comments.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you, Minister Ng. Do you want to continue?
It says here supplementary funding of 232 thousand dollars.
Is that what the trip actually costs or were there hidden costs in regards to departmental travel and things like that.
Was this the total cost of the trip?
Mr. Chairman, I would imagine that there would have been some obviously there were employees of the government there and they were being paid as part of their work and duties and responsibilities.
There may have been some travel that would have been charged out of their appropriate travel budgets as well.
But by and large, any additional costs over and above that are before you right now.
Mr. McLean: Don't get me wrong here.
I fully support the Team Canada trip with our Premier going to Russia and Germany.
I guess it is difficult for me to ask you this question because you weren't on the trip and neither was the Sustainable Development Minister.
Were there any signed contracts on this trip for Keewatin Meat and Fish or stuff like that?
I heard it was very popular but did we make any money on this trip.
Hon. Kelvin Ng: I wasn't on the trip either so I couldn't tell you.
I did note that I believe the Premier made a press release that indicated that there were a couple of agreements that were signed.
It would be probably more appropriate if you ask him.
I'll ask the appropriate person the questions because like I say these trips are good but they got to go past goodwill in this territory where we are expending almost a quarter of a million dollars on a trip.
And like I say I support these trips 100 percent but there has got to be something at the end of the trip.
I don't want to put the Finance Minister on the spot.
I'll ask the appropriate person.
But if Minister Ng would like to respond.
Hon. Kelvin Ng: No, thank you.
Chairperson (interpretation): Total Corporate management, 232 thousand dollars.
Total Department, 232 thousand dollars.
Mr. Arvaluk: On page 11.
These monies will be spent…where are you.
It hasn't been carried yet.
Total department 232 thousand dollars.
Turn the page to 11.
Controllership and regional finance services, 200 thousand dollars.
There is 200 thousand dollars for operations and maintenance to be transferred to capital so the Parnaivik offices could be renovated. We were told that is not a concern because it is just a move from O&M to capital.
This 548 thousand on page 7, like all of a sudden there is some money available on page 7 of 548 thousand dollars.
On page 11 there is 200 thousand dollars.
When the government finds out that they have to get additional amounts of money it would be best if they could notify us first before hand that they have to transfer things like that to be expended.
Chairperson (interpretation): Mr. Ng. Do you have any comments?
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Yes, Mr. Chairman, that is probably why we are here today to deal with these requests for expenditures and transfers and etc.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Ng. Page 11, 200 thousand dollars.
Total department, 200 thousand dollars.
Going back to page 2. Item 1.
Schedule 1.
Appropriation authority required, 2 million 442 thousand dollars.
If you don't mind, I would like to go back to page 8.
I have a question on that page.
If you don't mind, Mr. Chairman.
Thank you, we will go back to page 8.
Ms. Williams has a question.
Go ahead, Ms. Williams.
Litigation costs, 443 thousand dollars that this government will put in.
This litigation started when the NWT government was in operation over here.
Are they contributing anything to this one?
They were the government of that day.
Our proportion is 44.43 percent so the GNWT portion is 55.66 percent.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you, Minister Ng. Going back to page 2.
Supplementary Appropriations, 2 million 422 thousand dollars.
Capital, 200 thousand.
Total Appropriation, 2 million 642 thousand dollars.
At this time we will go clause by clause for Bill 19.
Are there any questions before we go to Bill 19?
If there are no questions we will go to Bill 19, Supplementary Appropriation Act No. 3.
I am sorry, there are more pages.
Turning the page to page 3.
Total Operations and Maintenance, 2 million 442 thousand dollars.
Chairperson (interpretation): Vote 2.
Total Capital, 200 thousand.
Chairperson (interpretation): Total Supplementary Appropriations in Parts 1 and 2, 2 million 642 thousand dollars.
Chairperson (interpretation): Bill 19, Supplementary Appropriation Act No. 3 2001-2002.
Is Bill 20 ready for third reading?
Chairperson (interpretation): We will go to Bill 20.
Bill 20.
At this time I will allow the minister to make his opening comments.
Bill 20 – Interim Appropriation Act, April 1 to June 30, 2002  Hon. Kelvin Ng: Mr. Chairperson, I am pleased to appear before your committee today to discuss the Interim Appropriation Act, April 1 to June 30, 2002.
Mr. Chairman, the Interim Appropriation is required as our Main Estimates for 2002-2003 will not be introduced until after the new fiscal year has begun.
The total we will request is 169 million 331 thousand dollars.
By passing this bill it will allow the Government of Nunavut to operate.
Members of the Committee may recall that we have used Interim Appropriations in the past, in the 1999-2000 budget, as well as the 2000-2001 budget.
I look forward to answering your questions.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you, Minister Ng. Are there any questions from the members?
You have 10 minutes each.
We just want to be understood as regular members that there is 169 million 331 thousand dollars beginning April 1st.
What I understood from the minister is that if we are not finished the budget by April 1st, if we did not approve the budget because the government has to operate, they need 169 million 331 thousand dollars.
That is what we are supposed to approve.
The problem that we have now is we do have questions about the O&M and capital for this coming fiscal year, because there is only three more months that we are going to be talking about.
A lot of people might have a misunderstanding why we need that amount in three months.
We want to able to represent our constituents but during the upcoming budget session, we will be debating the budget for the fiscal year.
At this time before April 1st, the government has to operate and they need that amount of money.
I just want it understood by the people of Nunavut. That is the way that we have to do it.
At this time we are not arguing the amount of money that is to be expended in this Interim Appropriation.
I just wanted to make it clear to the people of Nunavut that this is the amount of money we are approving.
We will be debating the budget this upcoming budget session.
Chairperson (interpretation): I understand what the member is speaking about.
We have to be able to have the money set aside so the Government of Nunavut can still operate in the meantime before the budget session.
That is why we are dealing with this bill today.
To Bill 20, Interim Appropriation Act, April 1 to June 30, 2002.
We will go through clause by clause.
Turning the pages to the schedule part one.
Vote one, Operations and Maintenance. Total Operations and Maintenance 169 million 331 thousand dollars.
Thank you. Total Interim Appropriations, 169 million 331 thousand dollars. Agreed.
Bill 20 as a whole.
Interim Appropriation Act, April 1 to June 30, 2002.
Chairperson (interpretation): What is the wish of the committee?
Chairperson (interpretation): The member is asking to report progress.
Thank you to Minister Ng and his officials for being able to answer questions and comments from the members.
Thank you Mr. Ng.
Hon. Kelvin Ng: I would like to thank the officials as well and the committee members.
If we can ascertain if the Speaker is available to return to the House.
Thank you to the minister, his officials and the members of the Committee of the Whole.
Thank you Sue for being able to attend here as well.
Mr. Iqaqrialu (interpretation): I would like to report that Bill 19 and 20 are ready for Third Reading.
And Tabled Document 67 is still under consideration.
And I move that the report that the report of the committee be concurred with.
Is there a seconder?
Do we have a seconder?
Tomorrow morning, Wednesday at 9 o'clock meeting of the Special Committee on the Review of the Official Languages Act at the Nanuq Boardroom.
Orders of the Day for Wednesday February 27,
Thank you.  >>Applause
This House will adjourn until February 27, 2002 at 1.30 p.m. Sergeant-At-Arms.
>>House adjourned at 4.32 pm.
DAY 50
Wednesday February 27, 2002
2619 – 2681
Opening Prayer 2619
Ministers’ Statements 2619
Members’ Statements 2620
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 2625
Oral Questions 2626
Tabling of Documents 2646
Notices of Motions 2646
First Reading of Bills 2647
Point of Order 2647
Second Reading of Bills 2648
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 2650
Report of the Committee of the Whole 2679
Third Reading of Bills 2679
Orders of the Day 2680
Wednesday February 27, 2002 2619
157 - 1 (5): Community Land Administration Certificate Program (Thompson) 2619
158 - 1 (5): Announcement of a Joint-use Research Laboratory (Kilabuk) 2620