EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
I wonder if the minister can commit to looking into this as soon as possible, even if it has to be slightly different from the provinces.
Can the minister check into this in the very near future?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Mapsalak. Minister Picco.
As I said, I appreciate the member’s question.
He has raised it not only in the committee, but also to me one on one personally. I have asked our people within the department, our Income Support specialists to review this issue. Again, it’s not singularly on just the airline or a free ticket; it impacts the whole program when you look at the abilities of a program to exclude unearned income as part of income support.
So that’s where it is.
I will make that commitment to the member, and I would hope to be in a position in our spring session, probably in May, to be able to look at bringing forward a concrete answer to the House and to the member.
At this time, before I allow anyone to ask oral questions I would like to acknowledge and welcome the First Air officials. I’m sure we’ll see each other tonight.
I wanted to welcome the officials from First Air because we could hear their phones ringing.
Question 042 – 2(4): Developments Concerning the Workers’ Compensation Board (Peterson)
My question is for the Minister responsible for Workers’ Compensation Board.
Mr. Speaker, as you will recall, the Auditor General’s report on the Workers’ Compensation Board was tabled in this House and the Legislative Assembly of the NWT last year.
During our last Session, the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Accountability reported to the House. Last week, the NWT Minister tabled in his Legislative Assembly a number of important items, including a draft communications protocol involving MLAs in both legislatures.
My question for the minister: can the minister tell us today when he plans to table these items in this House, so that Nunavut’s MLAs can be aware of these recent developments?
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Peterson. Minister responsible for Workers’ Compensation Board, Hon. Patterk Netser.
To answer the member’s question, we will table the recommendations in the House during the next sitting.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Minister. Your first supplementary, Mr. Peterson.
I hope he commits to tabling it very soon and not in the last week so that we have time to look at them while we’re here.
I understand that the minister recently hosted his NWT counterpart in Iqaluit to discuss issues of common concern.
Can the minister tell us today what issues they discussed and what decisions they made?
Minister responsible for Workers’ Compensation Board, Mr. Netser.
Amidst all the polar bear activities, I haven’t really been briefed. I’m going over my briefing notes on the Workers’ Compensation Board file, but, yes, he was here.
If my memory serves me correctly, we were discussing the... oh my God, I’m going to have to take this question as notice, Mr. Speaker.
Speaker (interpretation): The minister has taken the member’s question as notice. Oh, says he can respond to that.
Minister Nester.
We were discussing the YMIR for this year, and it’s been raised, with Cabinet approval, from $67,500 to $69,200, effective January 1, 2007.
I thank the minister for not taking that question as notice. I appreciate the answer.
We are expecting a new Workers’ Compensation Act to be introduced here and in the Northwest Territories very shortly.
Can the minister tell us today what input he’s had in development of the new legislation and indicate what his specific priorities have been in developing the new Act?
I will be bringing that up tomorrow in a motion to the House and I believe the consultation with the new Act has been going on for two years now. We expect to see some final changes in the Act.
Yes, the consultations and reviews have been around for a couple of years now and we’ve been involved quite a bit on our side.
We extended an invitation to our Northwest Territories colleagues to come here this year to meet with us and talk about some of the changes.
The current legislation establishes a position of a Workers’ Advisor. The Deputy Workers’ Advisor is based in Cambridge Bay. Mr. Atima Hadlari is our Deputy Workers’ Advisor.
Can the minister tell me; in his view is our Deputy Workers’ Advisor receiving adequate support and resources in fulfilling his important responsibilities?
Minister responsible for the Workers’ Compensation Board, Minister Netser.
I would have to talk with the Deputy Workers’ Advisor to see if he’s getting adequate support, and if he’s not then we would ask the fiscal workers to make accommodations for him.
Question 043 – 2(4): Audit of NBCC Offices (Tootoo)
First, I would just like to say that it is very nice to hear the eloquent sounds of Mr. Picco here in question period.
I think if the members and the public were listening to those half-wit comments that he has mentioned that he heard yesterday, he doesn’t have to worry about it.
Welcome back, Mr. Picco. I think he’s all here.
My question for the Minister responsible for Economic Development and Transportation, first a reminder that I haven’t forgotten that all the questions that I had asked the previous minister on November 27, 28, 29, 30 and December 4; there were a lot of commitments made for information to get back to me.
I am still patiently awaiting that information.
That line of questioning had to deal with concerns that I had with the Nunavut Business Credit Corporation Board of Directors that was just here earlier, and KDBC in Rankin Inlet.
Unbeknownst to me, at the time, and I heard after that, that there was a rather large contingent of auditors from the Auditor General’s office at the NBCC office in Cape Dorset.
I am just wondering if the minister can confirm whether or not there was an audit going on there and give us an update on it.
Minister of Economic Development and Transportation, the Honourable Minister Simailak.
Yes, there were people from the office of the Auditor General, and also people from our Department of Finance’s internal audit services in Cape Dorset performing an audit on the NBCC.
That audit is ongoing. It should be completed in the next few weeks.
This has been going on for a few months now. Can the minister provide any information as to any concerns that the auditors uncovered or have raised with him in the process of the audit they have been doing so far?
That audit is still ongoing. It is not complete yet and I am not in any position to comment on it at this point.
Speaker: Thank you, Minister. Your second Supplementary, Mr. Tootoo.
I also understand that the gentleman, I’m not sure if his title was CEO or whatever the position for NBCC was, is no longer there. I am just wondering if the minister would be in a position to indicate if there had been any staffing changes as a result of the audit.
As I mentioned earlier, that audit is still ongoing and I am in no position to comment at this point.
Speaker: Your final supplementary, Mr. Tootoo.
I guess this must be a serious audit if it has been going on for so long with the minister not willing to make a comment on it until the final report. There are issues we need to touch on.
What are some of the issues that have been identified by the Auditor General?
He indicated it should be done in the next couple of weeks. As soon as you get that report from the Auditor General, will he provide it to the Members of this Assembly?
Yes, as I mentioned earlier, the audit should be completed within the next few weeks. I will treat it the same as any other audit report.
Question 044 – 2(4): Kugluktuk Arena (Evyagotailak)
In my Members’ Statement earlier, I updated this house on the current status of the Kugluktuk arena.
(interpretation ends) Can the minister tell me why the project to complete the installation of artificial ice in the Kugluktuk Arena was not included for funding under either federal infrastructure funding program?
Minister of Community and Government Services, Honourable Levinia Brown.
Hon. Levinia Brown (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I would like to thank the member for asking the question.
We set priorities for health and safety issues and this funding we received was mainly for water and sewage issues.
Half of the funding came from the Government of Nunavut.
It was used for buildings. In Kugluktuk, the Department of Community and Government Services had to consider very carefully how this would be set. We just followed the priorities that were set.
Question 045 – 2(4): Training for Local Community Librarians (Arvaluk)
I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth, he’s not here?
Mr. Speaker, there have been some concerns with training and staff turnover at the Rebecca P. Idlout Library in Pond Inlet.
I know that as Minister of CLEY, one of the objectives of his department is to enhance library services through patron-oriented access and through professional development and training of staff.
These measures support our goals of improving literacy in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, can the minister update us today on the status of hiring the community services librarian in Baker Lake and the training of a local librarian for the Rebecca P. Idlout Library in Pond Inlet?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Minister of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth, Honourable Louis Tapardjuk.
In regard to the first question concerning libraries, they work them out of Baker Lake.
If the member would like to send a written letter, I would be able to look into it.
Mr. Arvaluk (interpretation): I didn’t hear anything about the Baker Lake librarian, but in any case, could the minister tell me what training his department currently provides to local librarians in Nunavut?
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): Mr. Speaker, in regard to the question and what training is available, I can’t respond to that question at this time. I will be able to respond once I know what training is provided.
Speaker (interpretation): Your second supplementary, Mr. Arvaluk.
I don’t think we’ll be able to finish this subject for today.
Mr. Speaker, the department’s budget for community library support has not increased by a penny since 2006-07.
What kinds of operational support are provided to community libraries in Nunavut and how will the department try to enhance its services?
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): Mr. Speaker, there are two types of libraries; there are ones that are available in the schools and the ones that our department deals with are operated differently.
Some of them are contracted out to the hamlets and some of them are under Education.
The library services are done through Baker Lake and we have to follow our rules and regulations in regard to the services and libraries.
The public libraries are a little different and they go through our department.
We look at how we can enhance their services, especially the books that are written in Inuktitut, we are trying to increase the numbers that are available in our libraries.
I don’t think he’ll be able to answer any of my questions but maybe he can respond to this one.
Can the minister commit to working with the Rebecca P. Idlout Library Board to address its concerns so that they can start working out of there as soon as possible?
Yes, I can commit but I would like to get everything in writing so that we can look into the issue to start the process.
That’s not only with the libraries but for any of the services that are provided through my department.
We can deal with it once we get something in writing.
Question 046 – 2(4): Polar Bears Listed as Endangered Species (Kattuk)
Under Ministers’ Statements, the minister made a statement in regard to polar bears.
We were told that the polar bears were going to be listed under endangered species.
Are we talking about the American Government, or are we talking about the scientists who are proposing to do that?
Minister of Environment, Mr. Patterk Netser.
Hon. Patterk Netser (interpretation): In regard to the question by the member, it’s the American Government who would like to list polar bears under endangered species.
We’ve been hearing on the news that this minister is opposed to this proposal.
What is the minister’s department going to do on this issue?
I went to Washington on March 5 to state our opposition. We will be writing a letter to the American Government before April 9 and make a statement saying that the polar bear population is not depleting. That’s what we’re doing at this time.
Is it possible for the American Government to come up to Nunavut, or can the minister extend an invitation to the American Government so that they can see our environment here in Nunavut?
I had already told their government that they were more than welcome to come up to Nunavut and I also told them that they should be trying to do that since they live way down there.
Mr. Kattuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I agree with the minister in making this statement and extending an invitation to the American Government.
They should come up here and see the different species that we have. The Inuit have known the polar bear for a very, very long time.
The American Government should come up here and listen to our elders and get informed about traditional knowledge.
Question 047 – 2(4): Docking Facilities and Community Freezers (Barnabas)
My question today is directed to the Minister of Economic Development and Transportation.
When we were talking about the docking facilities, they were going to build some in the Nunavut communities following the economic opportunities.
They wanted to build those docking facilities in order to enhance fishing of turbot and shrimp.
At this time, some of the smaller communities have food processing units and they have aging freezers, which would be adequate for fishing possibilities.
The smaller communities will not be getting anything at all through this venture.
Is it possible for you to work with CGS and the other departments to make sure that the freezers and the meat processing plants are updated?
Minister of Economic Development and Transportation, Honourable David Simailak.
I can work with those departments that the member mentioned in his question.
There are many communities without docking facilities in Nunavut.
The federal government stated at the time that the Canadian provinces had to get highways.
I asked this same question before with the minister at that time to see whether the federal government can be requested to make sure those smaller communities in Nunavut can get those docking facilities because they have to have those facilities in order for the ships to offload in the communities.
Will the minister to look into my request?
Yes, I will look into it to see whether the communities will be expecting those facilities in the near future.
There was a study done in the communities to see which communities would be given those docking facilities. When will the next review be done by the federal and Nunavut Government on those facilities?
Fisheries and Oceans are looking for $40 million for seven communities that should be receiving those docking facilities. As well, the Nunavut government has been looking into funding those facilities in the communities.
We are working with Fisheries and Oceans and we will be working with them again to make sure those facilities are done.
I am sure there is money left over from the Department of Transportation.
If there is any money left over, I would like the minister to consider Grise Fiord and the other smaller communities to make sure they have those docking facilities as soon as possible.
If there is any money left over in his department, see if they can perhaps start giving them docking facilities.
At this time, we don’t have any money to upgrade those facilities or for any emergency facilities for the communities.
We are working with the federal government.
The federal government is looking at the $40 million in order to upgrade those facilities.
I would like to assure the member we are doing our best to make sure that there is some funding available for that.
Question 048 – 2(4): Cost of Energy for the Consumers (Curley)
Mr. Curley: My question today is to the Minister of Energy.
Welcome back. The minister provided the consumers of Nunavut last summer, I believe, called Energy Facts and Figures.
The first paragraph actually stated that the oil prices are going up with no end in sight.
I believe the minister was wrong.
That statement was misleading to the consumers of Nunavut.
The prices of oil went sharply down within a month or so.
Could the minister tell the public when will the consumer expect to enjoy the lesser cost of energy compared to the world prices today?
Minister of Energy, Honourable Ed. Picco.
Thank you for your welcome back from the member.
The issue around the pricing of oil, gas, and energy is very complex. There is a lot of volatility in the marketplace when it comes to the price of gas, at the pump for example.
So we’ve seen in the last week, as the member has and the members in the House, on TV where the prices have gone up from $0.97 in some jurisdictions to $1.13 in the last 72 hours.
In the last few weeks, we have actually seen where there is a gas shortage and gas stations had to close in Ontario because of problems with supplies that directly resulted from a fire at one of the major refineries.
While I can say to Nunavummiut is that the price right now is again increasing per barrel.
As the member knows, we buy our oil based on the rack price, usually on the world market; sweet crude, usually from New York.
That is the pricing of a barrel of gas or oil at U.S. prices. That price is continuing to go up again.
Right now it is about 20 percent less than what it was at this time last year.
However, when we get into later on in May and other months when we start buying the fuel, it may be higher. It is difficult for me to forecast what those prices may be and what the impact to Nunavut consumers eventually will be.
Nunavummiut are paying for one of the highest worldwide prices that occurred last summer, around $74 per barrel.
That is a price that they charge to the consumer. Since then, the oil prices have gone down, as the minister has indicated. The prices fluctuate obviously throughout Canada, but we pay one time, a world price in Nunavut.
Even if the world price drops within a month, there is no mechanism within the pricing arrangement that we have to lower the cost of fuel.
But, the minister has, at his discretion, the ability to review the power subsidies that are available, and the minister has not reviewed that policy.
In view of the prices that went up, could the minister commit to the consumers that he will in fact be reviewing the electricity subsidy in hopes of helping the consumers?
The Government of Nunavut has been very proactive when we look at the actual costing of fuel and the impact to consumers in Nunavut.
For example, last year, the full brunt of the amount of the purchases for fuel, as the member has indicated, was not applied to the consumers in Nunavut. Indeed there was a heavy subsidy put in place.
At the same time, on the energy costs, the Government of Nunavut moved very quickly last year. We actually increased the amount of the subsidy per kilowatt-hour from 700, to 1000-kilowatt hours for the six-month period in the winter months when most people would have higher energy consumption.
At the same time, the Government of Nunavut is looking at opportunities to hedge the cost of fuel purchases.
What that means is: when the Hedging Policy would be in place, is that the Government of Nunavut purchase the oil on the world market at a lower price, or at the world market price, which would be lower at that period in time, meaning if the price per barrel would be $57 or $60, then we would purchase it at that price under a Hedge Fund, and when the fuel is delivered, that cost savings would be passed onto the consumer.
So hopefully that helped answer the member’s question when we’re looking at possible help to Nunavut consumers with the fuel purchasing.
Mr. Curley: Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the minister’s... I hope sincerely he’s trying to satisfy the consumer that they are getting a fair share of subsidies from this government.
The part I can tell; the latest subsidy increases that were applied to Nunavummiut were based on about two year’s fuel increased rate, not this latest fuel world market problems that we have today.
So I believe the minister must correct himself that the power increase and subsidy that were adopted by the government were based on two years ago, a year and a half ago, not recently as last summer.
So I would like the minister to clarify that because I believe the minister is now faced with the fact that the world prices are normally applied when the fuel has been bought.
It’s not fair, in my view, to try and recover that within one year from consumers in Nunavut.
Having said that, will the minister commit to having a better system of applying fuel rates and the matter in which it is recovered should perhaps be delayed up to two or three years.
Just for a point of clarification, since April 1, 2005, instead of charging the full rate for power and the amount of the subsidy, we charge what is called a half, the Iqaluit rate, which would be 19.49 cents per kilowatt-hour. That is a tremendous subsidy to the consumer.
However, again, the member is correct when he says that the impact last year of those increases were almost 30 percent of the price that we pay for fuel, opposed to the last two years before that.
That’s why we’re trying to look at other energy opportunities; look at ways of purchasing fuel for example on the hedge funds.
The member specifically is speaking about the fuel rider, the FSR that is put in place by the Power Corporation to recoup their extra cost for power.
If I extended that as the member mentioned, over say 18 months, we purchase fuel every 12 months. So when I purchase fuel in June and that costs us $70 a barrel, and then I apply the fuel rider and so that in October when I figure out what the total cost is, if I only leave it on for one year and I don’t recoup those monies, the following June, in less than nine months, I’m purchasing fuel again.
So then, the consumers, instead of having that taken care of in the first 12 months, might have to have it extended for 18 or 24 months on top of any extra increases.
That’s why under legislation we have the Petroleum Products Revolving Fund and the FSR, and that’s why we try to do it within the 12-month period instead of extending it over a longer period of time.
The good news, Mr. Speaker, is that we’re actually lowering the FSR by almost a cent, 7.98 cents down to 6 point-something cents in the coming weeks.
Speaker: Thank you, Minister. (interpretation) If you recognize the clock, the Question Period is now over.
Written Questions. (interpretation ends) Item 8. Returns to Written Questions.
Tabled Document 027 – 2(4): GN Response to the 2005-06 Annual Report of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Nunavut (Okalik)
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I am pleased to table the following document: Government of Nunavut’s Response to the 2005-06 Annual Report of the Information and Privacy Commissioner. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Premier. Can we have those at the officer’s table? (interpretation ends) Tabling of Documents.
Tabled Document 028 – 2(4): Letter to CLEY from Rebecca P. Idlout Library Board re: Initial Training and Ongoing Support for Local Community Librarians (Arvaluk)
The Minister of CLEY said that if he receives a letter about libraries that he would be able to respond.
I wish to table today a letter from Rebecca P. Idlout Library Board dated February 12 to Mr. Stenton. That was last month.
I do believe the minister has not looked at this letter yet. The letter talks about the people of Pond Inlet wanting some assistance from his department.
Could you bring the documents to the officers’ table?
Tabled Document 029 – 2(4): Calendar - Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies, Healthy Families (FASD Initiative) (Aglukkaq)