EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
The Motor Vehicle Information System, (interpretation) or (interpretation ends) MVIS, is being developed in close collaboration with the Department of Community and Government Services’ Informatics Planning Division. This system manages the data for all of Nunavut’s driver’s licences, general identification cards, and vehicle registration information.
The system’s hardware, software, and operating system are now obsolete and have been experiencing periodic failures in recent years.
The acquisition of a new MVIS will ensure the protection of this important source of information.
All of the necessary resources have been allocated to the project to ensure that the request for proposal is issued in this fiscal year.
A solution and vendor will be chosen and the allotted funding of $1.2 million will be spent in 2015-16 for the purchase and implementation of the system.
Mr. Speaker, this capital plan was put together with much consideration given to prudent spending.
Though this plan is financially prudent, we have ensured that it incorporates 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, industry, and 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 any questions from my fellow members. (interpretation) Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.
Before we proceed, I would like to welcome Deputy Minister Suvega and Mr. Stevens.
Does the chair of the standing committee have comments? Mr. Rumbolt.
Mr. Rumbolt: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Welcome to the minister and his officials here today.
I am pleased to provide opening comments on behalf of the Standing Committee on Community and Economic Development concerning its review of the proposed 2015-16 capital estimates of the Department of Economic Development and Transportation.
Members note that the department’s proposed capital budget for 2015-16 is $81,426,000.
The department’s capital budget was $35,968,000 for the 2014-15 fiscal year and $20,075,000 for the 2013-14 fiscal year.
Mr. Chairman, as you will recall, the need to ensure that Nunavut communities have adequate marine infrastructure has been an ongoing issue of concern for the standing committee.
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.”
The Department of Economic Development and Transportation’s proposed 2015-16 capital estimates include $500,000 in funding for the GN’s contribution towards the construction of small craft harbours and other marine infrastructure in Nunavut communities.
The department has indicated that this funding is to be used to “undertake studies, obtain permits, undertake design work, undertake minor marine improvements and partner with the [federal] Department of Fisheries [and Oceans] on funding major works if the opportunity arises. The program is operated based on available budget through contribution agreements.”
Although members support efforts to obtain federal investments in this area, it is recognized that construction costs for major marine facilities can be in the millions of dollars.
Members continue to urge the department to focus on improvements to community marine infrastructure that will enhance the safety of boaters and the protection of equipment.
The Minister’s Statement further noted that “19 communities took advantage of this program. To date, $1.6 million has been committed for a variety of projects, including dock upgrades, dredging, boat launches, the installation of floating docks, and the upgrade of sealift areas.”
The standing committee urges the minister to table an annual report in the Legislative Assembly concerning his department’s actual expenditures in this area, including a detailed list of which communities have received and utilized funding under contribution agreements with the department.
It is the understanding of members that the cost to construct a deep water facility would be approximately $100 million.
Mr. Chairman, some of the objectives of the government’s updated 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.”
Other objectives are to “Rationalize government use of the transportation system” and “revisit the government’s Air Services Study.”
In June of 2014, the Legislative Assembly approved over $18.3 million in capital carryovers for the department, the majority of which were related to airport improvement projects in a number of communities.
The standing committee remains concerned about the volume of capital carryovers brought forward by the department in recent years.
The department’s proposed 2015-16 capital estimates include over $77 million in funding for the Iqaluit International Airport Improvement Project, which is being undertaken as a public-private partnership.
Members note that a significant portion of this amount relates to an accounting adjustment for the project.
On July 10 of 2014, the government announced the start of construction of this project. The standing committee urges 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 his department’s work with NAV CANADA and the Northern Air Transport Association concerning such matters as community aerodrome radio stations, navigational aids, and airport infrastructure.
For example, the Northern Air Transport Association adopted a number of formal resolutions at its most recent annual general meeting, including an important resolution that called upon the federal government to establish a region-specific northern airport capital assistance program.
The standing committee also encourages 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.
The standing committee also urges the minister to table his department’s recently completed 20-year capital needs assessment for Nunavut 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 $7.45 million on this project, with funding resuming in the 2016-17 fiscal year.
The department’s proposed 2015-16 capital estimates include $2.5 million in funding for small and minor capital projects, the majority of which is for the acquisition of mobile equipment for Nunavut airports.
Members also urge the minister to table an annual listing in the Legislative Assembly of his department’s actual expenditures related to the acquisition of mobile equipment.
The department’s budget for small and minor capital projects also includes $201,000 for transportation-related studies and upgrades to existing visitor centres.
The standing committee also urges the minister to report annually on his department’s actual expenditures in these areas.
Mr. Chairman, in June of 2007, $66,000 in funding for a Manitoba-Nunavut road study was carried over in a supplementary appropriation.
On April 26 of 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.
The department’s 2014-15 capital estimates included $2.8 million in funding for the replacement of the government’s Motor Vehicle Information System. An additional $1.2 million is included in the department’s proposed 2015-16 capital estimates for this project.
The department has indicated that the Motor Vehicles Division “produces drivers’ licences, drivers’ record reporting, vehicle registration and General Identification Card services to Nunavummiut.”
The department’s substantiation sheet for this project also indicates that “the system’s hardware, software and operating system are obsolete.” It also indicates that a new Motor Vehicle Information System will “improve linkages with law enforcement agencies” and “enhance linkages with health care providers.”
Members continue to urge the minister to publicly clarify his department’s plans with respect to the sharing of Nunavut residents’ personal information with “law enforcement agencies and health care providers.”
Mr. Chairman, that concludes my opening comments on the proposed 2015-16 Capital Estimates of the Department of Economic Development and Transportation.
Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Rumbolt. Well read.
(interpretation) Before we proceed with our review, I would like to remind members of the rules that we must follow during Committee of the Whole.
At this time, I would like to ask if members have any general comments to the opening comments.
Mr. Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I just want clarification on page 2.
It states that the government will “save in excess of $100 million” on the airport project.
The private business is there to make money and will make money.
Otherwise, they wouldn’t be in it.
I’ll just ask the minister if the government runs their airports so poorly that a private company will make money and, at the same time, save the government $100 million.
As the Chair, I will allow you to ask that question when we get to the appropriate page under Transportation.
At this time, are there any general comments, not questions but general comments?
If there are none, we will move on and I’m sure you have a copy of what we’re going to be reviewing. Page K-3.
I’ll be reading from the Inuktitut version.
If anyone has a question, please raise your hand. Please note that when I don’t wear my glasses, I cannot see properly, but I’m sure the table officers will be able to see you when you raise your hand.
Let’s go to the capital estimates on page K-3.
Total. Mr. Hickes.
In the minister’s opening comments, he had stated that the Iqaluit airport project is on track with what they had planned. Forgive my lack of information, Mr. Chairman.
I’m not on the Economic Development Committee. I believe, as part of that plan, there were some Inuit employment figures worked into the contract.
I’m just wondering if the minister could educate me on whether that part of the contact is also on the plan.
If I understood the question correctly, yes, this was part of the plan to make sure that Inuit are employed during the project.
I would like my deputy minister to add to my response with your permission, Mr. Chairman.
For the most part, the preliminary information we’re getting from the proponent is that most of the targets are being met.
However, we’re also heading into an audit in the fall period. We will be starting the early phases of that comprehensive audit, including Inuit employment.
Once the audit is done, we hope to share that as quickly as possible with members.
Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you for that response.
What are the Inuit employment targets for this project?
I would like my deputy minister to respond to the question about numbers. Thank you.
There are a few targets both on the construction phase and the operation phase throughout the life of this project.
Are you referring, perhaps, to the construction phase first? Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) I see Mr. Hickes nodding his head.
If you want to continue, Mr. Suvega, I guess.
Beginning with the requirements, starting with about 15 percent labour force construction for beneficiaries, over the life of the project, that number is supposed to escalate all the way up to 60 percent and above.
Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. As all members are aware, this project was negotiated outside the NNI Policy in the belief that it would save the government money.
I believe I have said some slight objections to some of that decision.
At the same time, under the NNI Policy, what would the normal Inuit employment number be for a project?
Hon. George Kuksuk (interpretation): Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. I would like my deputy minister to proceed to answer that question as well.
This is one of the first projects of this nature to establish targets like these.
For the most part, the intent is there to try and encourage proponents and partners to try and push for as much Inuit employment and content as possible, not just with employment but also with Inuit companies.
Another issue that I brought forward a number of times on contracting is, as we’re all very well aware, we would like as much Inuit employment as possible, especially a project of this size and nature and the trades that are involved.
One of the concerns that I brought forward a number of times is actually also employing long-term northerners. There are a number of people in our territory that have made their lives here, their children are born here and they have lived their whole lives here.
While they may not categorically fit under the beneficiary term, are there any hiring practices in place to help our other Nunavut residents in employment at this project?
In relation to the member’s question, there were many issues taken into consideration. Further, within the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement, we have beneficiaries and others.
In looking at all of these issues, we felt that any project should include beneficiaries as employees as well as being in the community. These issues were all taken into consideration.
While I appreciate the minister’s response that it’s being looked at, what is being done about it?
As per the earlier comments made by my deputy minister, whenever a project or a company owned by Inuit beneficiaries or by northerners is included, the projects fall under the P3 category similar to the international airport project.
There will be a review undertaken of the project during the lull in construction during the winter.
All the figures will have to be reviewed by the department, including the number of employees, the percentage of Inuit workers or northerners.
These are just a few of the numerous issues we face and this will be part of the review that my colleague asked about.
After the audit has been completed and the report has been finalized, we would be able to share that with the members.
Chairman: (interpretation): Thank you, Minister Kuksuk.
When this audit is complete, if the proponent is not in compliance with the target numbers of Inuit employment and northern labour, what ramifications does it have on that party?
After these issues have been reviewed and audited, if we find any non-compliance, such as not meeting the minimum percentage of Inuit employees or Inuit company subcontractors… . We will need to review many different issues.
Further, if a penalty needs to be placed for non-compliance or not meeting these requirements, these various requirements have different penalties for non-compliance, so we would have to impose penalties on the companies.
Chairman (Mr. Mikkungwak) (interpretation): Thank you very much, Minister Kuksuk.
You have changed suddenly.
I was wondering if the minister could maybe give me a little bit more detail on what some of those penalties may be.
Are they serious enough to really put pressure on the proponent to make sure that they are working towards meeting the obligations and even improving upon the numbers that are projected to be employed?
One of our staff members, Tanya Winmill, knows about it.
So that you can get a proper response about money and figures, I would like Ms. Winmill to come and respond to that, please.
Sergeant-at-Arms...
>>No audio due to technical difficulties
Ms. Winmill: …If those targets are not achieved, which means they won’t be compliant in the project agreement, there is a formula, but the penalties imposed on the private partner are extensive.
I appreciate that response. Thank you very much.
I’ll take it as substantial.
I’ll move on to my next category.
Also within the airport improvement project, there were some negotiations that were to take place between the Government of Nunavut and the City of Iqaluit of two separate land swaps.
What is the status today of those land swaps?
The land swap that you’re referring to has been completed.
So both separate land swaps have been completed, just go confirm.
Hon. George Kuksuk: Yes, Mr. Chairman.
It is my understanding that one of the land swapped portions of land was contaminated by a previous landowner, specifically, the federal government. How was the environmental cleanup negotiated as part of that swapped land?
I cannot get into the details about these matters, but I would like to have Tanya Winmill respond to that, please.
Mr. Winmill: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes, there was some pre-existing contamination on the airport lands which were transferred over and known about by Transport Canada back when they transferred the lands to the GNWT and then over to us.
When we did this project agreement, because the contamination was unknown, the Government of Nunavut agreed to retain the risk of those pre-existing contaminated sites, knowing that we would then invoice back Transport Canada for the work to remove the contaminated soil within the airport lands.
Chairman (Mr. Enook): Thank you, Ms. Winmill.
Just so I understand clearly from the response from Ms. Winmill, was that agreed upon with Transport Canada during the negotiation phase or is there a potential issue down the road or even legal liability?
Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Hickes. Minister Kuksuk.
Hon. George Kuksuk (interpretation): Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. I would like Ms. Winmill to continue. (interpretation ends) Thank you.
I’m not sure what you mean by negotiations. Transport Canada wasn’t involved in our negotiations on the project agreement. The project agreement is between the GN and the private partner.
When the land transfer happened, back to the GNWT and then to Nunavut, there is a part in that agreement that states about the pre-existing contamination and that there were certain things that needed to be done, but then Transport Canada acknowledged their responsibility with that pre-existing contamination.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Ms. Winmill.
I think that describes it better. Basically, the Government of Nunavut will not get a cheque or an invoice for the contaminated soil cleanup of this project, Mr. Chairman.
That question is part of the same issue, so I will ask Ms. Winmill to continue.
What will happen is we will receive an invoice from the private partner for the contamination cleanup and then, in turn, we will invoice Transport Canada for those costs.
Chairman: Thank you, Ms. Winmill.
Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate those responses.
I’m going to jump over to motor vehicles and the replacement of the Motor Vehicle Information System. Mr. Speaker, I have to apologize, I have been guilty of this in the past, my licence plate renewal has come due and I have forgotten.
Will this system allow for the possibility for people who have licence plates in Nunavut to be given a renewal notice?
Hon. George Kuksuk (interpretation): Mr. Chairman, if my deputy minister can answer it, I would like him to do so.
Chairman: Mr. Suvega.  Mr. Suvega: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Our hope is that the new system, whatever the system looks like in the future, will have that feature to allow standardized notifications going out.
As we work with Community and Government Services in issuing the request for proposals of what an off-the-shelf system might look like, we are also trying to see if we can incorporate additional features into the system that allow for increased efficiency.
I have spoken to residents in other jurisdictions and it seems that this is more the norm than not of people getting renewal notices for their licence plates and driver’s licences.
Now, I know from media coverage that the RCMP has done blitzes in Iqaluit as well as other communities on vehicle registration. In some cases, if I recall the article correctly, up to 40 percent of the vehicles they pulled over had lapsed registrations. Now I know that in the most recent blitz, those numbers had decreased substantially and most of the vehicles are licensed properly.
I’m just trying to maybe keep the minister informed of what measures this new system may be able to use to alleviate stresses and legal liabilities for members of Nunavut so that they can be driving safely.
With that, Mr. Chairman, if you will indulge me, I’ll just go on to another quick section. It talks about the $100,000 in small capital funding for planning work for marine, airport and transportation facilities.
What studies has the department been undertaking with this funding?
Part of the answer is that the communities and hamlets, for example, can take part in the consultation on marine infrastructure.
The department plans to have discussions with hamlet.
The municipality can take the initiative in setting their priorities and then coming to the department with a proposal.
How many communities have participated in this planning in the past?
I believe, in one of the opening comments, it says there are 19 communities that have participated in the past. Are there any applications on file right now that are being worked on and what communities they may be?
Looking at specific communities in Nunavut, I think the person who can provide the best answer is Art Stewart, if it’s okay with you, Mr. Chairman.
I don’t mind, but my colleagues, do you agree to have Mr. Stewart go to the witness table?
Sergeant-at-Arms, please escort Mr. Stewart in.
Perhaps so that Mr. Stewart can understand properly, if you can repeat your question, Mr. Hickes.
Mr. Hickes: Absolutely, Mr. Chairman.
Basically, what I’m looking for, Mr. Stewart, is what communities have applied for funding under this program right now and what type of projects.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Hickes. The minister said that Mr. Stewart could answer.
I believe Mr. Hickes is referring to the studies that we can undertake in any one year. This year, we have a variety of studies that we are doing.
For instance, in Pangnirtung and Arviat, there is a problem with the granular supply. We are going to proceed with a study to determine what can be done to bring that granular supply up to specifications.
Also, in Resolute Bay, we had a problem with an oil spill under the airport terminal building there and we are commissioning a study to determine the cost of remediation.
Also, in the communities of Gjoa Haven and Cambridge Bay, we have bridges that have not been installed yet and we’re going to proceed with consultation work to determine what has to be done in order for those bridges to be installed.
Those are three examples of studies that will be carried on this year.
I had a number of questions about a deep sea port here in Iqaluit, but to avoid duplicity, I’ll end there.
Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Hickes. (interpretation) Moving on. Ms. Angnakak.
Finally my turn.
My interest, really, today is going to be mainly around the small craft harbour report.
In the transportation strategy that was tabled in the Legislative Assembly in 2009, it said that the objectives 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.”
Can you tell us what is the status of the government’s efforts to obtain additional federal support for this area?
I believe that the Small Craft Harbours Program is an important one for Nunavutmiut.