EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Hon. Keith Peterson: Mr. Speaker, I request consent of this Assembly to waive the two-day notice requirement to allow for the first reading of Bill 1, Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, No. 3, 2014-2015.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) The minister is seeking consent to waive the two-day waiting rule so that Bill 1 can be read today for the first time.
Bill 01 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 3, 2014-2015 – First Reading
Hon. Keith Peterson: Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Pangnirtung, that Bill 1, Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, No. 3, 2014-2015, be read for the first time.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) The minister is seeking consent to waive the two-day… .
(interpretation) I’m sorry. (interpretation ends) The motion is in order.
The motion is carried and Bill 1 has received first reading.
I request consent of this Assembly to waive the two-day notice requirement to allow for the first reading of Bill 2, Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, No. 1, 2015-2016.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) The minister is seeking consent to waive the two-day waiting rule so that Bill 2 can be read today for the first time.
Bill 02 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 1, 2015-2016 – First Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Pangnirtung, that Bill 2, Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, No. 1, 2015-2016, be read for the first time.
The motion is carried and Bill 2 has received first reading.
Hon. Keith Peterson: Mr. Speaker, I request consent of this Assembly to waive the two-day notice requirement to allow for the first reading of Bill 3, Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2016-2017.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) The minister is seeking consent to waive the two-day waiting rule so that Bill 3 can be read today for the first time.
Bill 03 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2016-2017 – First Reading
Hon. Keith Peterson: I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Pangnirtung, that Bill 3, Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2016-2017, be read for the first time.
The motion is carried and Bill 3 has received first reading.
I request consent of this Assembly to waive the two-day notice requirement to allow for the first reading of Bill 4, Write-off of Assets Act, 2014-2015.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) The minister is seeking consent to waive the two-day waiting rule so that Bill 4 can be read today for the first time.
Bill 04 – Write-off of Assets Act, 2014-2015 – First Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Pangnirtung, that Bill 4, Write-off of Assets Act, 2014-2015, be read for the first time.
I request consent of this Assembly to waive the two-day notice requirement to allow for the first reading of Bill 5, An Act to Amend the Safety Act.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) The minister is seeking consent to waive the two-day waiting rule so that Bill 5 can be read today for the first time.
Bill 05 – An Act to Amend the Safety Act – First Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Pangnirtung, that Bill 5, An Act to Amend the Safety Act, be read for the first time.
Bill 01 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 3, 2014-2015 – Second Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Pangnirtung, that Bill 1, Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, No. 3, 2014-2015, be read for the second time.
This bill makes supplementary appropriations to defray the operations and maintenance expenses of the Government of Nunavut for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2015.
Second Reading of Bills. Hon. Minister of Finance, Mr. Peterson.
Bill 02 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 1, 2015-2016 – Second Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Pangnirtung, that Bill 2, Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, No. 1, 2015-2016, be read for the second time.
This bill makes supplementary appropriations to defray the operations and maintenance expenses of the Government of Nunavut for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2016.
Bill 03 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2016-2017 – Second Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Pangnirtung, that Bill 3, Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2016-2017, be read for the second time.
This bill authorizes the Government of Nunavut to make capital expenditures for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2017.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) The motion is in order. To the principle of the bill. Question has been called.
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Pangnirtung, that Bill 4, Write-off of Assets Act, 2014-2015, be read for the second time.
This bill authorizes the write-off of assets in accordance with section 82 of the Financial Administration Act.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) The minister is seeking consent to waive the one-day waiting rule so that Bill 4 can be read today for the second time.
Can I ask the minister to read the bill again?
I move, seconded by… .
Speaker: We will have a five-minute break.
>>House recessed at 15:45 and resumed at 16:10
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Item 18.
I thank you for the opportunity to go for an early coffee break earlier. I apologize to my colleagues for the mishap here.
Mr. Speaker, I request consent of this Assembly to waive the one-day notice requirement to allow for the second reading of Bill 5, An Act to Amend the Safety Act.
Speaker: The minister is seeking consent to waive the one-day waiting rule so that Bill 5 can be read today for the second time.
Speaker: There is agreement. Mr. Peterson, please proceed.
Bill 05 – An Act to Amend the Safety Act – Second Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Pangnirtung, that Bill 5, An Act to Amend the Safety Act, be read for the second time.
This bill amends the Safety Act to provide more clearly for occupational health and safety programs, committees, and representatives, and a workplace hazardous materials information system.
It also repeals and replaces provisions of the 2003 amendments to the Safety Act which were never brought into force.
The motion is carried and Bill 5 is referred to the Standing Committee on Legislation.
Hon. Keith Peterson: Mr. Speaker, I request consent of this Assembly to waive the one-day notice requirement to allow for the second reading of Bill 4, Write-off of Assets Act, 2014-2015. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Bill 04 – Write-off of Assets Act, 2014-2015 – Second Reading
To the principle of the bill. Question has been called. All those in favour.
The motion is carried and Bill 4 is referred to the Standing Committee on Legislation.
Bills 1, 2, and 3, and Tabled Documents 107 – 4(2) and 149 – 4(2) with Mr. Mikkungwak in the Chair.
I ask members to stay at their desks so that we can proceed directly to the Committee of the Whole.
Chairman (Mr. Mikkungwak): Thank you.
In Committee of the Whole, we have the following items to deal with: one, Tabled Document 107 – 4(2); two, Tabled Document 149 – 4(2); three, Bills 1, 2, and 3.
We wish to commence with the review of Bill 3, capital appropriation for fiscal year 2016-17, starting with the Department of Economic Development and Transportation and followed by the Nunavut Housing Corporation.
Are we in agreement that we first deal with the capital estimates for the Department of Economic Development and Transportation?
Bill 03 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2016-2017 – Economic Development and Transportation – Consideration in Committee
Chairman: Thank you. I would now like to ask the Minister of ED&T if she has officials that she would like to appear before the committee.
Hon. Monica Ell-Kanayuk: Yes. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Does the committee agree to let the minister’s staff go to the witness table?
Chairman: Thank you. (interpretation) Sergeant-at-Arms, please escort the officials in.
For the record, Hon. Minister, please introduce your officials.
Hon. Monica Ell-Kanayuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. On my left is my Deputy Minister, Pauloosie Suvega, and on my right is Art Stewart, Acting Assistant Deputy Minister, Transportation, and in the gallery is Director of Finance and Administration Tanya Winmill.
You can now make your opening comments, Minister Ell-Kanayuk.
Hon. Monica Ell-Kanayuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I am pleased to be here today to review the Department of Economic Development and Transportation capital plan for 2016-17 with the Committee of the Whole.
The department is proposing a $68,325,000 capital plan for the 2016-17 fiscal year.
A significant portion of this budget contains funding in the amount of $59,825,000 for the Iqaluit International Airport Improvement Project. As members know, this project is the largest and most complex project that this government has undertaken.
I am pleased to report that this project is proceeding on time and on budget.
Another airport improvement project is the Taloyoak Air Terminal Building, although not as big as the Iqaluit project, which is just as important for community residents.
The current facility was constructed in 1980 and is the last of the “freezer” style air terminal buildings in the Kitikmeot region.
It has reached the end of its useful life.
I am pleased to announce that $2 million has been allocated to commence the construction of this much needed facility in 2016-17.
Mr. Chairman, in addition to the funding for the Iqaluit International Airport and the Taloyoak Air Terminal Building, there are other airport projects, more precisely airport equipment purchases, under $250,000 which are grouped together under the heading of “Small Capital Projects.”
We have allocated $600,000 to complete seven projects, which will include runway inspection vehicles for Kugluktuk and Resolute Bay, runway compactors for Kugaaruk and Arctic Bay, snow blower attachments for Cape Dorset and Taloyoak, and loader attachments for Rankin Inlet.
Several larger equipment purchases will be made under the “Transportation Equipment and Facilities” project heading.
Under this heading, we have allocated $1.7 million to purchase loaders for Cape Dorset and Sanikiluaq, a plow truck for Baker Lake, a grader for Naujaat, and a self-propelled snow blower for Resolute Bay.
My apologies, I am not sure about the Inuktitut place names. They’re written in the syllabic versions.
The Kivalliq is the only Nunavut region without a visitor centre.
A final design for the Kivalliq Regional Visitor Centre was prepared during fiscal year 2015-16. Funding in the amount of $3 million has been identified to begin the construction phase in 2016-17.
Another $100,000 in small capital funding will be set aside to continue renovations required at the visitor centre in Iqaluit.
We have included $500,000 in this capital plan for our Small Craft Harbours Program, which is used to make minor improvements to community marine facilities across Nunavut.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Chairman, we propose making the majority of the funding for community marine facilities available to communities under contribution agreements so that communities can work on the priority projects they have identified.
The Motor Vehicle Information System, or MVIS, as we call it, is being developed in close collaboration with the Department of Community and Government Services’ Informatics Planning Division.
Initially, it was estimated that such a system could be purchased for $4.5 million. However, following a request for proposals, it is now apparent that the cost of the preferred system will be considerably more than budgeted.
The department is currently working with CG&S Procurement and Informatics Planning to evaluate options for this project.
Unfortunately, timing issues around the capital planning cycle and the conclusion of the RFP process for the new MVIS meant that an updated budget could not be incorporated into the department’s 2016-17 [capital plan].
We are requesting an appropriation of $500,000 for 2016-17 as per the original project schedule.
If necessary, once a final budget and project plan has been developed, we will be seeking a supplementary appropriation for the balance of the project budget.
I ask my fellow members for patience and understanding as we work to replace this important piece of IT infrastructure that supports a very critical public service.
In conclusion, this capital plan was put together with much consideration given to prudent spending and projects that focus on safety, which is our number one concern.
I believe that this plan is in line with the department’s mandate as we continue to strengthen partnerships with the federal government, with industry, and with our communities to ensure that the investments we make in Nunavut have a lasting impact on the economic and social future of our territory.
I will be glad to answer questions from my fellow members. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman: Does the chair of the standing committee have opening comments?
I am pleased to provide opening comments on behalf of the Standing Committee on Community and Economic Development concerning its review of the proposed 2016-17 Capital Estimates of the Department of Economic Development and Transportation.
The department’s proposed capital budget for 2016-17 is $68,325,000.
The department’s capital budget was $81,426,000 for the 2015-16 fiscal year and $35,968,000 for the 2014-15 fiscal year.
The standing committee notes that the recent federal-territorial announcements concerning new marine infrastructure projects in Iqaluit and Pond Inlet both stated that “funding is conditional on the project meeting applicable federal eligibility requirements with respect to the New Building Canada Fund and the signing of a contribution agreement.”
Members look forward to the introduction of supplementary appropriation requests to fund the Government of Nunavut’s share of these projects.
Some of the objectives of the strategy are to “implement the federal Small Craft Harbours (SCH) Program in Nunavut,” “act on the Nunavut Small Craft Harbours Report,” and “Extend the Small Craft Harbours program to other communities.”
In August of 2015, the department’s Community Transportation Initiatives Program Policy was revised.
Schedule A of the policy details departmental support for “access roads and community marine infrastructure.”
Schedule B details departmental support for “small craft harbour capital contributions.”
The Department of Economic Development and Transportation’s proposed 2016-17 capital estimates include $500,000 in funding for small craft harbour capital contributions.
Members continue to encourage the department to focus on improvements to community marine infrastructure that will enhance the safety of boaters and the protection of equipment.
During the minister’s recent appearance before the standing committee, members posed a number of questions and interventions concerning the methodology by which her department approves applications for capital contributions under its $500,000 small craft harbour capital contributions budget.
Members noted that the department’s current practice appears to be based on providing contributions to the greatest possible number of applicants rather than focusing on fully funding a smaller number of projects during each fiscal year.
Members recommend that the department reconsider this approach.
Members note that the department’s recently revised Community Transportation Initiatives Program Policy provides that the “Minister [of Economic Development and Transportation] will table annually in the Legislative Assembly a summary of contributions detailing the amount of each contribution, the type of initiative being supported and community.”
The standing committee looks forward to the timely tabling of departmental annual reports on contributions made under both Schedule A and Schedule B of the policy.
Mr. Chairman, some of the objectives of the current Nunavut Transportation Strategy are to “Assure the integrity of the Nunavut transportation system by ensuring every community has infrastructure adequate for its needs within that system” and to “Enhance the current airport system.”
The department’s current business plan indicates that a 20-year capital needs assessment for Nunavut airports “has been completed and will be tabled in the Legislative Assembly.”
Members continue to look forward to this important document being tabled in the Legislative Assembly.
In June of 2015, the Legislative Assembly approved over $15,831,000 in capital carryovers for the department, the majority of which were related to airport improvement projects in a number of communities.
Members also remain concerned about the inclusion of projects in the capital estimates that remain at the class “X” stage of development.
Members note that local and regional airport projects are eligible for consideration under the federal government’s New Building Canada Fund.
The standing committee supports departmental efforts to obtain federal funding for major airport construction initiatives, including initiatives that require relocation of existing facilities.
The department’s proposed 2016-17 capital estimates include approximately $59.8 million in funding for the Iqaluit International Airport Improvement Project, which is being undertaken as a public-private partnership.
On July 10 of 2014, the government announced the start of construction of this project.
The standing committee encourages the minister to provide regular updates to the Legislative Assembly concerning the status of this project, including the extent to which Inuit employment targets are being met.
Members also encourage the minister to provide regular updates to the Legislative Assembly concerning her department’s work with NAV CANADA and the Northern Air Transport Association concerning such matters as navigational aids and airport infrastructure.
The standing committee also continues to encourage the Department of Economic Development and Transportation to work closely with the Department of Community and Government Services and municipalities to ensure that adequate supplies of granular materials are available for use at airports.
A number of capital carryovers have been approved by the Legislative Assembly in recent years for this project. The department’s current five-year capital plan indicates that it will spend a total of approximately $5.95 million on this project, with funding resuming in the 2016-17 fiscal year.
The department’s proposed 2016-17 capital estimates include $2.5 million in funding for small capital projects, the majority of which is for the acquisition of mobile equipment for Nunavut airports.
The department’s proposed 2016-17 budget for small capital projects also includes $200,000 for transportation-related studies and upgrades to existing visitor centres.
The standing committee also encourages the minister to report annually, in detail, on her department’s actual expenditures in these areas.
At that time, the department’s five-year capital plan included funding for this project. However, subsequent years’ capital estimates did not include funding for this initiative.
On April 26, 2013, a news release was issued by the Government of Nunavut and the Government of Manitoba following a meeting of the Hudson Bay Neighbours Regional Round Table.
Members encourage the Minister of Economic Development and Transportation to work closely on this strategic initiative with the Minister of Community and Government Services, who is the Co-Chair of the Hudson Bay Neighbours Regional Round Table.
The department’s 2014-15 capital estimates included $2.8 million in funding for the replacement of the government’s Motor Vehicle Information System.
The department’s 2015-16 capital estimates included $1.2 million in funding for this project.
During the spring 2015 sitting of the Legislative Assembly, the department sought and received approval for $2.8 million in capital carryovers for this project.
During the minister’s recent appearance before the standing committee, members received an update on the project’s budget and look forward to the minister clarifying its status during the current sitting of the House.
Mr. Chairman, the importance of ensuring that such documents as driver’s licences and general identification cards are issued in a timely manner to Nunavut residents has been raised in the Legislative Assembly on numerous occasions.
The department’s current business plan indicates that the new Motor Vehicles Information System will “…enhance services and communication between MVIS and national information management systems.” Members continue to recommend that the minister publicly clarify her department’s plans with respect to the sharing of Nunavut residents’ personal information with other levels of government.
Members also urge the minister to ensure that her department formally consults with Nunavut’s Information and Privacy Commissioner concerning the privacy impact of this initiative.
Mr. Chairman, that concludes my opening comments on the proposed 2016-17 Capital Estimates of the Department of Economic Development and Transportation.
I want to remind members that the contents of the minister’s opening comments are covered in the different branches of the department.
Are there any general comments? I have no members on my list for general comments. We will now proceed to the page-by-page review of the departmental estimates starting on page K-3.
I would like to ask some questions coming from the committee, talking about the responses regarding driver’s licences and information that has to do with us as people that is taken by the Motor Vehicles Division.
I would like clarification on that. Please feel welcome, Madam Minister and your officials.
These were concerns brought to us by the people of Nunavut and we have relayed them to you. You have stated that personal information will be used by other levels of government.
We were always concerned about that. We have asked the Information and Privacy Commissioner to speak with your department to ensure that none of our private information has been released inappropriately.
Have you had a chance to speak with the Information and Privacy Commissioner about the matter?
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you very much. (interpretation ends) Hon. Minister Ell-Kanayuk.
This hasn’t been approved as of yet and this process is moving forward. With respect to the question of what type of (interpretation ends) personal information (interpretation) would be available, I can’t answer as this isn’t yet started and not approved by the Legislative Assembly. Therefore, we didn’t really want to start the negotiations until it has been approved.
We would have an implementation plan outlining the best practices. However, if I can ask, perhaps my deputy minister can explain this better. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Yes, any confidential matters to be kept from prying eyes are areas we can discuss in the future.
In looking at the way it will be set up, we currently have agreements with various organizations and government departments and how they can access this private information.
That is our foundation and perhaps we can review the set-up in the future. This can be taken into consideration.
I have a totally different mindset.
I would prefer if we were informed before it was approved.
It would be sad if we approved it and then we realized we’re opening up private information to everybody. Wouldn’t that cause more difficulty?
You probably know right now who you are able to give private information to. (interpretation ends) I’m sure you have an idea. (interpretation) You should know who you would be giving the information to, like the information that you get about me when I’m trying to get my driver’s licence.
If you already kind of know where they would go, then what’s the problem with talking to the Information and Privacy Commissioner now before it becomes law?
To try to change it after it’s made into law, you will say that it’s too difficult because it was already approved and it went ahead.