EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
On December 1, 2009, the Minister of Community and Government Services announced a reduction in the cost of gasoline by 10 cents a litre and I would like to thank the minister on behalf of my constituents and all Nunavummiut for this reduction.
Many of my constituents, especially the hunters, are grateful for this reduction and I encourage the minister to look into further fuel price reductions in the future.
Mr. Speaker, in the past, I have brought up such issues as cost of living, the Food Mail Program, food allowances, and the minimum wage.
I am pleased to see during yesterday’s budget address the federal government announced plans to increase funding for the Food Mail Program.
Mr. Speaker, any help that governments at any level can provide to offset the high cost of living in Nunavut is very much appreciated.
Member’s Statement 146 – 3(2): Resolutions from Kitikmeot Mayors Meeting (Ningark)
Last fall in November, the Kitikmeot mayors held a leadership summit in Cambridge Bay.
During this meeting, they passed resolutions to address their concerns. They faxed a copy of their resolutions to my office and I apologize for not mentioning this right away.
When leaders hold summits, they usually voice their needs and requests for assistance, whether it’s for training, capital projects, economic development, regional issues, housing construction projects, or issues pertaining to our environment.
These types of requests come from all over Nunavut, regardless of the region, such as here in the Baffin region, in the Kitikmeot, as well as the Kivalliq region.
I also represent part of the Kitikmeot area as an MLA.
In the past, the resolutions have spoken to their requests, such as requests to specific ministers in our government as well as federal ministers.
These requests are for assisting their communities, either to advance their cause or on a regional basis.
What I’m referring to only applies to the Kitikmeot’s interests and concerns.
When we reach Item 13 in our Orders of the Day, Tabling of Documents, I will be tabling the resolutions from the November 2009 Kitikmeot Mayors’ Conference.
Member’s Statement 147 – 3(2): Congratulations to Quttiktuq Mayors (Elliott)
I rise today to congratulate and thank the hard-working elected officials in my three communities of Grise Fiord, Resolute Bay, and Arctic Bay.
In representing three communities, it is often hard to visit with them as much as I would like.
With the extremely high cost of travel in the High Arctic, the limited availability of scheduled flights, and a limited budget, it is difficult.
I often rely on the mayors and their senior administrative officers to keep me informed and updated as to the issues concerning the communities.
Mr. Speaker, elections were held in December and I would like to congratulate Meeka Kiguktak from Grise Fiord, Ludy Pudluk from Resolute Bay, and Niore Iqalukjuak from Arctic Bay, who were successful in being elected into the position as mayor to represent their communities.
For Meeka Kiguktak from Grise Fiord, this is her second term as mayor.
Meeka works at the school in Grise Fiord and is very involved with youth issues.
Ludy Pudluk from Resolute Bay is no stranger to this House or politics. Ludy is a former MLA during the days of the NWT.
Niore Iqalukjuak from Arctic Bay has served as mayor before for the community and is very active in the community.
He is one of the founding members of the annual Pangaggujjiniq Nunavut Quest dog team race.
Mr. Speaker, I look forward to working with my mayors and their staff over the next couple of years to work to push forward the issues of Quttiktuq, whether it is arctic sovereignty, preserving the pristine beauty of our wildlife and the environment, having access to clean water through an utilidor system, or the construction of a naval facility. I am encouraged and excited to work alongside a group of people with such experience and talent.
Mr. Speaker, in conclusion, I would like to thank the outgoing mayors for their hard work and dedication to the communities over the past two years.
They are Sarah Manik from Resolute Bay and Andrew Taqtu from Arctic Bay.
Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating all of these individuals on their success.
Member’s Statement 148 – 3(2): Best Wishes to Nunavummiut Participants of Arctic Winter Games (Okalik)
Mr. Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) Today being Friday, I would like to talk about some nice things that are happening.
I understand that our young athletes are going to an important event in Grande Prairie, and I want to thank the Minister of Sports for inviting me for the opening ceremonies and I look forward to taking part and do my part to support our athletes.
I want to wish them all the very best and do their best and have no regrets.
Just don’t play like my Montreal Canadiens or the Toronto Maple Leafs, where they just show up for one period here and there and then lose out.
I want them to win and do their best. Even if they don’t win, as long as they do their best, they will have no regrets.
They will win at the end of the day; they will have great memories and they will know their level and what to strive for even if they don’t succeed. I want them to be very successful and win as many as they can for our wonderful territory.
Just remember, you can do better than the Montreal Canadiens or the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Moving right along. Item 4.
Question 216 – 3(2): Mould Problems in Government Office (Okalik)
Mr. Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) My question is going to the minister responsible for government buildings.
Yesterday, I tabled a document explaining what took place when mould was discovered in one of the mines in the Yukon.
I understand that there has been mould continuously found in one of the buildings here in Iqaluit and to date, there have been no steps taken to protect the employees of that building.
Can the Minister of CG&S explain if there are any plans to evacuate the building that is continually contaminated with mould?
Hon Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): Thank you.
I wish the people of Nunavut a good morning.
(interpretation ends) I would like to thank my colleague for the question.
In fact, Mr. Speaker, there have been corrective measures taken. Upon hearing of minor mould that was noted in December 2009, a clean-up had taken place of the building.
I am pleased to advise that the recent environmental test conducted at the Trigram Building indicates that the building is mould-free and that air quality is acceptable, with a safe working environment for all staff in that building.
Mr. Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) From what I understand, once mould is forming and it develops, it stays in the building and you have to do structural work in order to address the problem, and I have not heard that taking place.
So are there any plans to relocate these employees for their own health and safety?
In the test areas, there was no mould found, so it was deemed mould-free, Mr. Speaker.
Just for your information, the Office of the Health and Workplace Safety Inspector is actually located in the building and that individual is responsible for the health and safety of employees, and it was deemed a safe environment in which to work, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) From what I understand, this is not the first case where there has been mould in this building, and it returns and it will return.
I can bet you that will happen because once it forms, it doesn’t go away. That’s why a mining site was practically shut down.
They are ordering new buildings. What is the department doing about the situation?
I read the document that my colleague is referring to. I am not the expert to decide if the situation in the document he presented is the same as at the Trigram Building, the building he questions.
As of right now, Mr. Speaker, the building is deemed safe, it’s deemed clean, and the landlord of the building is doing regular inspections of the air handling units and is ensuring that the workplace is safe.
If, at any time, we find that the environment is not a safe place in which to work, our department will take immediate corrective measures.
We, too, don’t want to see anybody, including ourselves or employees of anywhere and Nunavummiut, to be working in a hazardous environment, Mr. Speaker.
So we will keep very close tabs on the situation and report to my colleague and those interested if the situation should change at the Trigram Building.
Question 217 – 3(2): Whistle-blower Protection for Government of Nunavut Employees (Elliott)
Mr. Elliott: I’m sorry, I was waiting for my light to go on, Mr. Speaker.
My questions are for the Minister of Human Resources, the Hon. Daniel Shewchuk.
Almost five years ago, the Parliament of Canada passed the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act.
This law protects members of the federal public service who put themselves at risk to disclose wrongdoing in the workplace.
However, no such protection exists for the men and women who work for the Government of Nunavut’s public service.
Can the minister explain today why the members of our public service do not enjoy such protection?
I think, as the member knows, that there was a review and an initiation of a new Public Service Act.
During the establishment of that Act, that question will be dealt with and addressed, and consultation will take place in that regard.
Thank you for that reply.
At this time, though, it’s unclear to me what options and protection employees in our government have today if they observe wrongdoing in the workplace.
While things such as theft and fraud are clearly matters of the criminal justice system, there are always situations where it is not all clear what employees should do, such as cases where they observe senior officials in their departments abusing their authority in such areas as awarding contracts to consultants or spending in ways that are clearly inappropriate.
Can the minister clearly explain to the House what employees should do in this kind of situation?
I believe there are processes in place at present where, if there was a suspicion of that, that employees could go and report that to their immediate supervisors.
If they are in fear that that will jeopardize them, I believe that they could write to the Department of Human Resources and we would look into the matter.
However, I can get very clear direction for the member on the processes that are place at this time.
In his first response to my question, the minister didn’t mention this, but for many years, the department’s annual business plans and annual reports have indicated that work has been underway on a new Public Service Act and the new Code of Values and Ethics.
When will the minister actually introduce new legislation in this House and will it contain provisions to protect whistle-blowers, yes or no?
As the member well knows, we are working on the new Public Service Act. There’s a delay in that process right now in finding proper people to lead that.
I will assure the member that the consultation will take place for the development of this new Act and I think it is a priority with all of us that there is some type of whistle-blower legislation.
I believe that there are other areas where the government needs to send a clear message that its employees will not be punished for raising concerns, such as situations regarding workplace health and safety.
Will the minister publicly assure our employees today that they have nothing to fear if they bring forward legitimate concerns in good faith, yes or no?
The simple answer to that is yes. I don’t think any employee who works for the Government of Nunavut has anything to fear for any retribution if they’re being honest and open about their employment situation.
Question 218 – 3(2): Procurement Activity Report (Okalik)
Mr. Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) My question is to Madam Premier on the tabled document for procurement activity reports.
I noticed that there was a sole source of $20,000 to NorthMart for tea leaf balls.
I would like to know what these tea leaf balls were for. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I will need to conduct some research into this question in order to answer the member properly, so I would like to take the question as notice.
Mr. Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) Further...
Speaker (interpretation): Just a minute, Mr. Okalik.
Madam Premier, would you please reiterate your response. We didn’t quite understand what you stated with respect to the member’s question. (interpretation ends) Are you taking the question as notice or not?
Hon. Eva Aariak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I will repeat myself in English.
I will find out all about this contract and I will get back to him as soon as I can.
Mr. Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) As a tea drinker, I always find it difficult to find loose leaf tea in the entire territory.
So I was a bit puzzled as to what this purpose was for, so please look into this matter. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Madam Premier
I will indeed look into this matter as requested.
Question 219 – 3(2): Government of Nunavut Travel Policies (Schell)
At our last sitting, I called on the Government of Nunavut to support our northern and Inuit owned airlines.
One of the most basic ways that the government can do this is by ensuring that its travel policies require all GN employees to travel to the south on either First Air or Canadian North.
When I asked the minister about this issue last fall, I did not receive a clear commitment on this issue, so I’m going to try it again today.
Will the minister commit to ensuring that the GN’s travel policies require government employees to travel to the south on either Canadian North or First Air, that they will use either Canadian North or First Air, yes or no, and if not, why not?
Minister of Finance, Hon. Keith Peterson
I thank Mr. Schell for standing up for our northern airlines, Canadian North and First Air.
My answer to his question will be no and the reason is because it’s a free enterprise.
We all know that the government spends millions of dollars per year on consultants and contractors who live down south and fly back and forth to Nunavut for work.
Will the minister commit to ensuring that the GN requires all of its consultants and contractors to fly on northern and Inuit owned airlines, yes or no?
Mr. Speaker, it’s a free enterprise and of course, the government’s interest is in saving money.
If contractors and consultants can get to Nunavut in an affordable manner, then I believe that will save money for the Government of Nunavut and for the other organizations in Nunavut that rely on their services.
Can the minister clarify how the government applies the NNI Policy with respect to its employees’ air travel?
I thank Mr. Schell for being so persistent.
Our employees are required, under the duty travel policy, to fly the most economical travel or transportation.
Obviously, if the northern airlines can offer affordable transportation, then they will fly.
I believe, Mr. Speaker, most of the travels in Nunavut are on First Air and Canadian North.
After all, we have 25 communities in Nunavut and they are all connected by those two airlines.
Can the minister indicate if non-northern airlines, such as Air Canada Jazz, will be eligible to bid on the government medical travel contract when it comes up for renewal, yes or no?
I again thank the member for being so concerned about the two airlines. Of course, we’re all concerned about those two airlines.
For me to answer that question, I would have to be theorizing and hypothesizing. I have no way of knowing if those two airlines would be interested in bidding on northern medical contracts.
Mr. Speaker, again I mention that there are 25 communities in Nunavut.
Presuming that they have to have infrastructure in many of those communities and they are willing to fly into Grise Fiord, Resolute Bay, Cambridge Bay, and those places, there would have to be a very hefty investment in their infrastructures to fly into those communities and they have to land on some of the airstrips… (inaudible) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Ningark: Mr. Speaker, I was going to ask for the concurrence of my colleagues to go back to Item 5, Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery.
I thought questioning was over.
We cannot return to Item 5 before question period is over. (interpretation ends) Oral Questions.
Question 220 – 3(2): High Cost of High Arctic Travel (Elliott)
My question is directed to the Minister of Finance, the Hon. Keith Peterson.
I would like to continue on with the line of questioning that Mr. Schell was asking.
In meetings with the president of First Air, I think places like Iqaluit and the big centres don’t have much to worry about, but it seems like the communities of the High Arctic might actually bear the brunt of covering costs or any losses that these businesses and the airlines incur by having this competition.
Has the government looked into the effect that this might have or the trickle-down effect where possibly our rates for flights might go up to compensate the costs for the lower flights in Iqaluit?
Mr. Elliott has been a dedicated advocate for reducing the high travel costs in the High Arctic. I had the opportunity to visit him last August up in the High Arctic and I got a first-hand observation of how difficult it is to travel up there and the costs of getting there. It is very difficult.
Mr. Speaker, we had lunch with the president of First Air five or six weeks ago and he indicated to us that they’re willing to compete and that there’s going to be no decrease in service in Nunavut, so it is business as usual. I don’t have much more I can say on that. I applaud Mr. Elliott’s lobbying efforts on behalf of his communities.
Is the minister saying that there is nothing in place?
The average cost to fly from Grise Fiord to Ottawa is about $7,000, so most people within the community cannot afford the luxury of the $500 to fly down to Ottawa to get the Tim Horton’s donuts and whatnot, and then fly back home over the weekend; $7,000 is a lot of money and if you have a family of four, there is no way it’s possible.
At the same time, I would think that the Government of Nunavut would be interested and concerned about this because that $7,000, when we have a medical travel person going out for a check-up in Ottawa, that’s $14,000 if they have an escort.
So it falls back on the government in terms of the amount of people who travelled through government travel.
So if the minister could maybe explain to me whether the Government of Nunavut is looking into this.
Yes, we’re well aware of the costs of transportation in Nunavut.
Under medical transportation contracts, it’s very expensive. I know it is expensive to get to Ottawa, there’s no questioning that.
The transportation for medical purposes is one of the highest components of our budget and we’re always looking at ways to save money.
I personally haven’t had conversations with anyone about reducing the costs, but I know the two airlines in the north are competing with each other.
So without being privy to their books or their business models, it’s difficult for me to say off the top of my head whether they can reduce those costs to a more affordable level.
From the minister’s answers, he’s saying no, the government hasn’t looked into it. So I guess I’ll ask: could the government look into it?
When we’re talking about medical travel and government issues, it becomes expensive for the government to pay for these.
I know that when we start reviewing the budget, it’s going to become apparent, probably, what’s happening, but it’s more than that for the people of Grise Fiord and Resolute Bay.
Public input for their concerns and needs sometimes do not get heard.
The latest example would be the language summit that happens down here for input into the new Language Act.
We had three people from Arctic Bay come down, which was great, we had three people from Resolute Bay come down to put their input in as well, and there was only one person from Grise Fiord.
The explanation for that was because of the tremendous costs for that.
Once again, the concerns or needs of the people from the High Arctic are not being met or heard.
I just wonder if the government or if the minister could commit to actually looking into helping out our communities in the High Arctic, especially if, from what the president of First Air is saying and considering, we only have one airline, we don’t have the luxury of Canadian North, we don’t have a choice, we only have First Air, and whether the government would look into something to try and help our communities.
I know Mr. Elliott is frustrated and concerned on behalf of his constituents up in the High Arctic, particularly Grise Fiord.
I waited for a week to try to get into Grise Fiord on the airline out of Resolute Bay and then the weather closed in and prevented that.
We can certainly communicate your concerns to the airlines.
I’m sure they are well aware of them already.
My colleague, Minister Taptuna, is on top of the transportation issues in the north.
Through the line of questioning today, it gives an opportunity to communicate to the airlines that there are high transportation cost issues up in the High Arctic.
I look forward to the review of our 2011-12 main estimates. I’ll have lots of questions about travel and travel budgets.
I’ll ask one more time if the minister could actually commit to looking at what the costs will be to our three communities in the High Arctic.
If Air Canada comes up and continues to provide service, what I could see happening is maybe after six months, look in to have our fares gone up and then work out some type of an assistance to help our communities.
Mr. Speaker, the airline business is a difficult business to be in; it’s very competitive. Someone once told me that if you want to get into a business to lose money, the airline business is the business to get into.
The airlines aren’t going to share their confidential and private financial information with us, their business model and how they calculate their fares and routes, any of that kind of information, and without that kind of information, it’s very difficult for me to explain to Mr. Elliott how we can encourage the airlines to lower their costs.
I’m sure that my colleague will be monitoring the airline travel rates when Air Canada comes into the community. I understand that they are already talking about lowering rates or the possibility of even lowered rates in the anticipation of competition.
But if you’re in business, you have to be prepared to compete. When the First Air folks had lunch with us, they said that they’re willing to compete and I think the Canadian North folks are willing to compete as well from all of the indications that I received.
Question 221 – 3(2): Update on Conservation Officer Investigation (Ningeongan)
My question is directed to the Hon. Daniel Shewchuk, Minister of Environment.
In November, I tabled a written question regarding an investigation that would be undertaken by an independent third party.
I would like to know what the status of this investigation is and whether it has proceeded. If this investigation has proceeded, when would it be completed?
I would like an update about this investigation.
We were informed that it was going ahead, so I would like to know where it is at.
Through the interpretation, I never got the question clear.
It’s just in regard to a study. I would like him to be more specific on what study that is, Mr. Speaker.
I would like to make a clarification on my question.
I am referring to the independent investigation that has been ongoing. I would like to ask the minister for a status on that investigation. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I would like to thank the member for the clarification.
I will provide an update in the sense that, as the member knows, I have committed that we assign an independent source to do an investigation on the situation in regard to a wildlife officer.
The investigation is being done by the RCMP.