EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
The member requested clarification on two responses I had previously provided concerning the contracts for the purchase and supply of fuel and fuel in the change in fuel transportation costs.
The current contract for the purchase and supply of fuel was signed in April 1999.
This contract is in effect for a 3-year resupply season 1999, 2000 and 2001.
The 1999 resupply was the first under this new contract.
The overall transportation cost of the new contract is fixed over the 3-season term.
However, the unit cost will fluctuate depending on the volume of fuel that is ordered annually.
Resupply volumes will depend on capacity and annual sales volumes, which fluctuate with weather conditions.
Return to OQ 506 – 1(3): Status of Polaris Mine
Mr. Speaker, I would like to respond to a question posed to me on April 25 by the Member for Quttiktuq, Mr. Barnabas.
Following the closure of the Polaris mine, Cominco will be required to re-claim the site back to its original condition.
Over the past two years Cominco have been conducting an environmental site assessment. Based on that assessment they are now preparing a closure and reclamation plan.
The requirement to reclaim the site is part of Cominco’s water licence and land lease of the Polaris mine.
Cominco will soon have a draft of this plan available for review and comments.
Their goal is for their final plan to be completed by September 2000 that reflects consultations with affected communities.
Cominco was recognised as a world leader in mine reclamation and I am confident they will do an excellent job of reclaiming the Polaris mine site.
Moving on to Item 5.
I have not risen for a long time and I am very glad that you are able to come back Mr. Speaker.
Today I would like to recognise a person from my constituency also one of the graduates.
Jeannie Manning.
Glad that you are here.
I would like to recognise people from my constituency of Kugluktuk.
I would like to recognise Dorice Illatiak, and Agnes Allen from Kugluktuk.
I would like to recognise a person.
There was a time I posed a question to the Minister of Health and Social Services and I mentioned two elders.
My son-in-law Peter Iqalurjuak is one of the escorts.
His mother is very sick right now in Iqaluit and although that is the case, I would like to welcome him to the House.
I would like to recognise two people.
Paul Okalik recognised one of them who completed the Interpreter training program, Jeannie Manning and beside her is a relative of mine from Cape Dorset Mukshowya Niviaksie.
This person is not from my constituency but I would like to recognise Peter Iqalujuaq. At the last campaign for the MP position he was extremely supportive of me and helped me a lot. Thank you.
There are no Oral Questions.
We will move to Item 7.
I thought that would get your attention.
Question 523 – 1(3): Housing Subsidies for Elders
Yesterday, I think it was yesterday I asked a question which I will bring up again to the Minister responsible for Housing.
Elders who have their own private houses and who live on a pension have to pay for utilities like land rental, water and other utilities.
Are there no subsidies or benefits that are provided to elders who own their own homes.
This is an ongoing concern to the elders who are homeowners because they are not able to keep up with the monthly Bills.
I can use an example of people who are living in rental units.
If they are over 60 they do not pay for rent at all because they are elders and because they are respected.
However, for the homeowners that are over 60, although they are elders, if they are homeowners they pay for all the Bills, be it land lease, water, or operations & maintenance of the house.
It is very obvious some of these elders are having a hard time keeping up with the monthly Bills.
I was watching TV last night and I found myself fidgeting around the pen.
So I will put it down.
I do know when they pay for fuel, their fuel can be reimbursed by Social Services if they fill out a form.
I believe we will have to review this as the Nunavut Housing Corporation and how we can look at providing benefits for subsidies to the elders.
The Housing Corporation are not the people who deal with land leases or water delivery or those sorts of things.
I think the Nunavut Government departments should work together to review the whole process because this is an ongoing concern by the elders.
I would like to thank the person who posed this question because sometimes elders are intimidated and do not ask their own questions.
Question 524 – 1(3): Community Contribution to Capital Project
Uqaqti, like the honourable minister I watched myself on TV too last night and noticed I was giving people an evil eye and I will try not to do that either.
My question today Mr. Speaker, is to the Minister of Education.
We all know we had a trying time approving the education budget.
There was a lot of controversy around it but we finally got it through. I would like to thank the minister for approving the design money for the Jonah Amitnaaq school because our light fixtures are falling and it's full of asbestos because it is the oldest school in Nunavut.
I wonder if the minister would commit to my community that if my community raised an extra 20 percent for the larger gym, would he commit to having that in the plan.
We certainly would look at the community needs in that arrangement because we already set a precedent on it and individual communities could negotiate what kind of arrangement they would like to have, including the community's involvement in funding the larger gyms.
Speaker: Thank you, Minister. Supplementary. Mr. McLean.
It is no secret that the Jonah Amitnaaq school has been cancelled or put on hold for the last eight or nine years.
Like I said earlier, it is the oldest expanding school in Nunavut at this time.
My community when they did the initial community consultations and the early stages of the design said they would like to have a larger gym.
It is a larger community and they knew there would be extra cost involved.
Would the Minister be receptive if the local DEA got involved in it within the next week to start the design.
The design is being started and we know designing takes weeks sometimes years.
Would the Minister commit to meeting with the DEA to start discussions immediately on the enlarged gym in our community.
Hon. James Arvaluk: We will do that.
Question 525 – 1(3): Adult Technical Training Courses
Also would like to welcome you back to the Speaker's position because we missed you.
You had a very good reason to leave the session and thank you for coming back.
At this point in time Mr. Speaker I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Education.
The Nunavut Arctic College I believe, I understand that given the opportunity they could have training programs, plumbing programs, training programs and small engine programs because when we do these adult training courses they are very beneficial for the communities.
I would like your department to clarify that to me.
Looking at Nunavut as a whole, especially my community in the Nattilik area, today the students who dropped out of school do speak English but they have not completed their high school yet.
We would like to see them given training because in Nunavut we now have new things that we are not used to, such as snow machines that need welding.
So we have this new equipment and new technical stuff in Nunavut and I do know a person in my community can do training on welding and who can be an instructor and who can train a person to be a mechanic.
We do have people who know about plumbing in our communities.
My question to the minister is, do you have any plans in place to train for these kinds of opportunities.
Speaker: Just to remind my good friend to keep his preambles short. Mr. Minister.
Different programs are offered by Arctic College.
We do provide training courses through Arctic College and they are given funding by way of applying directly from the communities for training programs.
I am sure that your community can do the same.
For example guide training, we do have guide training programs for people even though they are unilingual.
We can look at the communities' requests perhaps by way of third party funding.
So we are open to the communities needs and applications.
If I understood you, yes I understand now.
In regards to the third party, I think you are saying they could have third party funding.
My community or my constituency would have to fill out a form and give it to your department.
Do you have any application forms available for that.
They are not actual application forms.
They are proposals.
That is what we go through.
That is what we use.
My two communities in my constituency are quite small and usually the instructors rarely go to my community, to those two small communities.
They usually go to larger communities to hold training programs.
Why do we not use the smaller communities for training programs.
Usually that does not happen because my two constituencies do have capable people who can instruct. For example in Pelly Bay and other communities they do have very capable people who can be instructors.
Why do you not use the smaller communities as training centres through Arctic College. I think we should make those training programs available to the smaller communities.
I would like the minister's department to be sensitive to that.
Speaker: That was just a comment.
I do not think that requires an answer.
Question 526 – 1(3): Land Claim Five-Year Review
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Premier.
I would like to ask the Premier, I know that there was a five-year review done on the Nunavut Land Claim Final Agreement forwarded to the Department of Executive for review.
I am just wondering if they have received it and if the Premier plans to table that document for the rest of the members to look at it.
Yes we have received a copy of it and hopefully tomorrow I will be in a position to table it.
I am pleased that it will be tabled and I am just wondering if the department has had it for a while.
Are there any plans for the Department to do some type of review on some of the concerns that were raised related to the Government.
There were numerous issues raised in the report and it was produced before our term was started.
It was a five-year review from 1993 to 1998.
So it was before our Government came into force.
I can say as the Nunavut Government we have done quite a bit to rectify some of the concerns raised.
We have been in office for just over a year.
We have a new contracting policy in place, which implements the Land Claim Agreement.
We have set aside 1 million dollars for Inuit employment and training.
There are plans within our government through the Minister of Sustainable Development to negotiate an IIBA for Territorial Parks.
We made this commitment that we will do our part in implementing the Land Claim Agreement within the Bathurst Mandate.
The Minister of Sustainable Development is also setting up a Fisheries Division to assist in getting our fair share of fisheries along our coast.
So I believe we have done quite well.
That is one of the areas where we have done considerably well as a Government.
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Premier.
Mr. Speaker I commend the Premier and the government for their actions on that and I realise the report does pre-date our government.
I am sure in the discussions that I had with the members from NTI they are happy with the direction and the relationship between our Government and NTI.
Would the Premier commit that if there are any on-going changes or recommendations, these are things that are planned or being made throughout this ongoing relationship, would he commit to keeping the members informed of these new and upcoming possible changes.
I think we established a precedent in working with the members on the NNI.
I think the Minister of Sustainable Development is doing a review of the Wildlife Act to implement the Land Claim Agreement.
So I am sure we will keep the members informed.
I should mention that we keep in regular contact with NTI in accordance with the Clyde River Protocol.
I believe the President of NTI also meets with regular members.
So I am sure we will keep everyone informed.
Question 527 – 1(3): Support for New Hires
Mr. Speaker I think it has been two years or over if I remember correctly since we were trying to pay off our 100 million dollar deficit.
The government equipment was being sold to pay off the deficit.
So I will be directing my question to the Minister responsible for Housing.
My question is, we do have staff housing for Nunavut staff employees.
If an employee is coming from Sanikiluaq to work in Iqaluit would they be given equipment or would they be given some funding to buy equipment.
I think the Human Resources Minister is responsible for this question.
Mr. Speaker moving to another community usually the Human Resources Department will work with the new employees.
They discuss what kind of equipment and how many pounds of their property they can bring in when they are moving to another community.
For example, furniture, tables, chairs, in regards to those things I would have to take your question under notice.
I understand that for people who are hired usually the Department of Human Resources discuss these items with new employees.
So I will take your question as notice and I will be open to the member if he has any further questions. In regards to the furniture in the house I will have to take your question as notice.
Speaker: Members just to note that our practice is when a minister takes a question as notice there will be no further supplementary.
Mr. Barnabas if you would like to raise your hand I will put you on the list again.
Question 528 – 1(3): Break-in to Finance Building
Uqaqti I was watching the news last night and there was a statement about the break and entered one of our most important buildings in Nunavut.
They had a picture of a large safe and I was immediately alarmed that, I know that we don't have crown jewels in Nunavut, but can the Minister responsible for Finance give the members a brief update on what was absconded with last night or the night before.
From my understanding it was a smaller household type of safe.
Obviously it was taken right out of the building and from my discussions with my officials there were some cheques to the Government of Nunavut for some payments of accounts or some invoices.
Right now there is a reconciliation being done.
There were cheques on hand that hadn't been deposited.
There was approximately 200 dollars of petty cash and from my understanding some taxi vouchers were kept in there.
There are rumours that these taxi vouchers are appearing on the streets of Iqaluit being discounted for 2 dollars, from what I understand.
I will sleep a lot better tonight knowing that I'll be paid tomorrow and the people in question didn't abscond with our payroll.
Can the minister assure me that proper measures are going to be in place and proper security is going to be in place in the future in all Government of Nunavut buildings.
Because we know that crime is on the rise, to make sure that sensitive documents or other such paraphernalia won't be taken.
Mr. Speaker, yes after incidents like this we always review all the security provisions to see, obviously wait and try to find out what did happen and try to take some corrective measures to minimize the possibility of it happening again.
Speaker: Thank you Mr. Ng. Minister I would like to suggest that you keep Mr. McLean personally updated as to the investigation as he is quite concerned about these taxi chits being stolen.
Question 529 – 1(3): Communication Systems for Decentralization
I would like to direct my question to the Minister responsible for Decentralization.
Some jobs are going to some of the communities.
My first question is, are the communication systems being linked at this time.
Is that a priority in setting up the offices.
I believe that the Department of Human Resources would be more informed on this issue.
In regards to Cape Dorset there will be offices and furniture from what I know and we will hear what is happening with the communications systems and the telephones.
I apologize, if it is okay with the Speaker, I will re-route this question to the Minister for Human Resources, as I should have done in the beginning.
Mr. Akesuk (interpretation): There are also the office supplies and the furniture.
Are they also being sent to Cape Dorset.
Speaker: Minister Thompson perhaps you can respond to that question.
I think it is best if I am responsible for all departments.
Yes, we are working on it, if there are going to be moves, for example in Baker Lake some of the staff have already moved over and there are different times set for moving staff and furniture.
If he would like more information on this issue and particularly on his community I can give him that information.
Will the Qamanittuaq people be working to set up and ship all of this furniture and things.
Maybe I misinformed you in what I said.
It was that some of the staff have been relocated to the communities.
For example, we have some that have gone to Baker Lake.
That is what I said in case you misunderstood me.  (interpretation ends) Just to clarify the interpretation, I was just saying that some of the decentralized positions have been filled, as an example in Baker Lake.
(interpretation) My staff at the regional offices of Public Works, have staff and they are working on these issues for example in Iqaluit, Rankin Inlet and Cambridge Bay we have regional staff so they are working with the communities in their respective regions.
Question 530 – 1(3): Update on Clam Divers
I will direct my question to the Minister responsible for Human Resources.
I have been asking this question on numerous occasions.
To date I have been asked by many people to bring clams from Broughton Island to Iqaluit.
I have received many requests up to now.
What kinds of plans do you have for the clam divers.
Mr. Speaker, if the member could be more specific about what plans he refers to.
I have mentioned in the past that the Minister of Sustainable Development is trying to put together some training initiatives to allow those divers to be upgraded for commercial purposes.
I have stated on other occasions in respect to trying to get the WCB officials to meet with the municipality and the divers or the Hunters' and Trappers' Association.
We will try and work out some kind of arrangement that would make things more accommodating, but recognizing that it can't be done overnight.
So those are a couple of things in response to the concern that the honourable member brought up on numerous occasions now.
So if he has any more specific questions I can try to answer them.
Speaker: Supplementary to the member.
He has responded to my question but my question is, when is the training going to take place so that the clam divers will be able to do commercial diving.
Mr. Speaker, I understand that a training program, as I indicated, is being put together.
I don't have the specific date as it stands now as to when that training will take place.
How are you working with the WCB in regards to the clam divers.
Mr. Speaker, I indicated that I was trying to co-ordinate a meeting of concerned parties including the WCB personnel to see if some kind of an accommodation can be made.
Question 531 – 1(3): Kugluktuk Docking Facility
I wanted to get an update from the Minister responsible for Community Government & Transportation combined with the Department of Justice, which is Mr. Anawak.
I wanted to get an update on a meeting that took place about a month ago with the Hamlet Council, the representatives the Mayor and a Councillor about the docking facility proposal that was submitted to him and the Corrections facility.
I just wanted to get an update and a response on that.
Koana.
Hon. Jack Anawak (interpretation): I can probably respond to his questions at the same time. (interpretation ends) We are awaiting word from the Department of Transportation Canada for more funding to enable us to do some capital projects in Nunavut on docking facilities.
On the proposal that was put forward to myself on the issue of corrections, I would like to inform the member that our officials at Justice are now presently setting up meetings with them to further discuss this issue with Department of Justice Canada officials.
After the meeting is done then they will be setting up a meeting between myself and the Solicitor General of Canada to further discussions on the issue of corrections facilities for Nunavut.
I know he is waiting for a meeting with the Federal Government on this docking facility, but it has been a month and two weeks.
He also said that he might receive a response from them a week ago but I haven't had any response on that.
So exactly when does he expect to hear from the Federal Government.
Unfortunately we were expecting an announcement on some programs but due to some unfortunate circumstances that occurred, our Member of Parliament was expected to make an announcement but she had to suddenly go to Arviat.
So we are just awaiting word from her as to when she might make an announcement on our applications for funding in Nunavut and what they will be.
Again, we are just awaiting word from our Member of Parliament.
On the issue of the corrections proposal, you just mentioned that you will have your staff working on that.
I just wanted to know if the Department has a timeline as to how they are going to be dealing with this corrections facility in Nunavut.
As I said, presently our officials are setting up arrangements to meet with the Departmental officials of Justice and shortly after that they are expecting to set up a meeting between myself and the Solicitor General of Canada to discuss this issue of a correctional facility in Nunavut.
I would say, Mr. Speaker, that in my last meeting with the Solicitor General, Mr. Macauley, we were quite hopeful and the outcome of that meeting was quite positive.
So I am hoping to get a positive response from the Solicitor General.
Again, we are hoping to have that meeting set up as soon as our officials are able to discuss the details of our proposals to the Solicitor General.
While the meeting may occur after the House has arisen, I will make sure that the members are informed as to the progress of our discussions on the issue of a corrections facility for Nunavut.
Question 532 – 1(3): Access Roads for Hunters
Mr. Speaker, we have been making comments under members' statements and we also ask questions to appropriate departments regarding support for hunters.
We supported initiatives but still there is nothing in the budget for programs such as access roads for hunters.
My question to the minister is if there is going to be any funding available to build access roads.
As community governments, we do not have any money for building roads outside of the communities.
I can inform the member that my Deputy Minister is having discussions with the Department of Transportation, with the Federal Government on whether they will increase their funding.
With the past government, this item was deleted and we have not set a line item yet.
Possibly through discussions with the Federal Government we will be able to obtain some funding but to date we have had not response on whether there is going to be funding available and how much.
So I can't answer his question.
Now that he will respond to this question soon, I would like to ask the minister if he is working with the Department of Sustainable Development so that these projects will go ahead.
There are different types of roads, there are access roads and there are different types.
If we were talking about parks then that would be under the Department of Sustainable Development.
If we were talking about access roads to gravel quarries, then that would be under the Hamlet Council.
If it were under the Hamlet Council then that would go under our department.
Some communities want to build roads to parks and recreational facilities and if that's the case then we would work with the Department of Sustainable Development.
I believe that the minister knows that some of the roads that we build are provided or funded by Sustainable Development even if we have an access road to a park, the hunters still use them.