EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
I would like to go back to last question that I asked the last time when we were talking about our youth developing life skills. What type of research activity is NHC participating in to really see the benefit or evaluate the need to take that route?
I can’t answer that, so I’m going to get Ms. Kimball to answer that question.
In regard to life skills, it is something that we have been looking at working with other departments because we are not really an education-oriented department in terms of providing that type of training.
We definitely can speak to some of the skills that would be valuable for tenants and homeowners. We have actually looked at other jurisdictions. There are some videos, for example, for homeowners that the Yukon has prepared.
We are looking at some of those online tools. In terms of more formalized training, that is something I think would be better served through Arctic College or Education.
Those are things that we would tap into as we explore avenues in the blueprint for action.
I do understand that it is not the role of NHC from an education standpoint.
Where I’m going with that is if smaller units were available in enough numbers that our youth would be able to educate themselves through life experience.
That is where I was going with that. I’ll leave that alone for now, Mr. Chairman.
It talks in the business plan about updating a new staff housing policy.
Within that, it talks about encouraging members of the GN staff to transition into other housing methods, homeownership programs, and that type of thing.
What work is being developed under this new policy to really stress to old and new employees that there are other alternatives than just staff housing?
Chairman (Mr. Akoak): Thank you. Minister Kuksuk.
Thank you for the question. The issue of (interpretation ends) staff housing (interpretation) as per his question is related to that, as these areas are part of the study as to what plans we have for staff renting units from the government.
Encouragement is provided to try to get GN staff to build their own homes. However, (interpretation ends) staff housing (interpretation) issues will be revisited down the road, but we don’t have anything written to date to respond with to the question, unfortunately. (interpretation ends) Thank you.
Chairman: Oh, Mr. Hickes.
I thought I just had one more, but apparently I have two.
With the staff housing situation here in Iqaluit specifically, in my opinion, it is at a fairly critical need. I’ve had a number of constituents contact me that they have been on a staff house waiting list, in some cases, for years.
I know your allocation committee does the best that it can with the resources allocated, and you guys are building staff housing units here in Iqaluit.
Is there a light at the end of this tunnel?
I would like Ms. Kimball to respond to that, (interpretation ends) if you don’t mind.
One of the first steps we did as we started this review was to try to refine our calculation of the need of how many people are still in need of staff housing. Of the vacant positions, how many are realistically expected to be filled?
Looking at the new headcount that’s being added in this budget, we actually worked with Education and got updated numbers on student-educator ratios.
You’re correct. When you look at the numbers of need for staff housing, the GN’s budget will not accommodate staff housing for all GN employees.
There is no way that we can do that. That is why we’re focused on trying to identify how we can get staff out of staff housing where they have been in staff housing for more than a few years.
At $18,000 per year, after three or four years, it starts to make a lot of economic sense to just give them an incentive to move into homeownership. That’s what we’re looking at now.
Just a reminder, we have translators.
I appreciate that comment. I know that it is a challenging endeavour.
I’ll move on. In the last point of the business plan from 2014-15, it talks to development of a long-term Inuit employment plan. It talks about mentoring and training opportunities.
It states that “One District Office is now using a three-year training program for beneficiaries.” Why only one district office for starters?
Hon. George Kuksuk (interpretation): Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. With respect to this question, we would require proof that the employee is a (interpretation ends) beneficiary. (interpretation) However, we can certainly accommodate more beneficiaries in this program.
It doesn’t have to be just one. (interpretation ends) Thank you.
Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Sorry, maybe I misunderstood the minister’s response. It talks in the status that “Several beneficiaries have been offered mentoring and GN training opportunities, and are being trained to perform duties of increasing responsibility.”
It states, “One District Office is now using a three-year training program for beneficiaries.”
Again my question is why only one district office is utilizing the three-year training program.
That’s under NHC-7 of your business plan.
If you will allow Ms. Kimball to reply to that.
I think, since that time, we are using that in others as we identify a beneficiary who is suited for the position who wants to take on the increased role. We have identified people who are available to train and bring that person along.
Then we are assessing, depending on their skills going into the position, how long it’s going to take and we put a detailed plan of how we’re going to get that employee trained up and into the full scope of the role.
I have seen it from a two-year plan to a three-year plan depending on the needs of the employee.
The next name on the list, Mr. Enook.
I just have a couple of questions with an option for four more.
Mr. Chairman, (interpretation) I want to ask this question and I enquired about this issue in this House to the Department of Community and Government Services in particular after our community underwent an emergency with service delivery, with freezing sewage tanks and overflows that were quite problematic.
This is largely due to the fact that some communities don’t have emergency procedures. My line of questioning was so that Nunavummiut and our hamlets would be aware of what to follow if they find themselves in the same situation, especially which departments would offer assistance.
My question relates to this issue: I know for a fact that hundreds of overtime hours were added to the operational budgets of the local housing authority to handle this emergency and the maintenance workers worked non-stop.
I am so grateful for their dedication during the Christmas season in particular, even reaching into January and February.
Our community is indebted to these workers, but they are owed for this extra work.
The local housing authority had not planned for this type of emergency obviously, but I imagine they incurred a hefty sum of additional expenses.
I hope that an emergency budget is set aside for events such as this to be provided to the LHO or if they will now have to come up with these extra funds.
Hon. George Kuksuk (interpretation): Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. Currently, with respect to the issue the member raised about the emergency situation in Pond Inlet that, due to the lack of services, resulted in frozen sewage tanks and the like, after the final tabulation has been completed with all related expenses finalized for the repairs and cleanup, NHC has determined that they will request the extra costs incurred to manage this event that occurred about a month ago.
Once we have the figures from the Pond Inlet LHO on the extra costs, we can start to deliberate on our options. We are still waiting for the final costs related to that incident.
If any sister community goes through this type of emergency, just so they will understand the process, let me ask this question: do you first need the details from the LHO because you may ask the LHO to fund this out of their own budget after you conduct a review?
What exactly does NHC need to study? If the amount exceeds their budget by a certain amount, would you then pay the difference or if it doesn’t, then they have to pay for the extra costs out of their own budget?
What does NHC need to clarify before making a decision on providing financial assistance?
The fact that this was an emergency and it had to be dealt with by crisis management is a fact. What we need to understand is the final costs associated with the crisis management that occurred.
In those cases where the LHO had to pay for those costs immediately, they can (interpretation ends) claim (interpretation) that for the (interpretation ends) emergency (interpretation) they faced.
It was crisis management of an emergency and the LHO had to resolve the issues as it became more of an (interpretation ends) emergency (interpretation) situation.
We need the final figures in order to process their claims and get them reimbursed. (interpretation ends) Thank you.
Mr. Enook (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. His response was quite clear that the LHO won’t have to pay for this emergency out of their limited funds due to the classification of the event as an emergency. Now that has been clarified, good.
For my next and final question, I raised this question to the Department of Community and Government Services about the associated cleanup that will be required.
In Pond Inlet, the overflows are adjacent to a number of units, with some units actually suffering spillage in their interiors due to bursting pipes.
This is visually disgusting as well as unhealthy, especially in light of the coming spring weather that will melt the groundcover exposing this unsightly mess. It also becomes a hazardous health concern with the spring warming.
I know for a fact that the Department of Community and Government Services has already indicated their plan of action, but what about the housing corporation?
How are you going to provide assistance or through what avenue? What is your planned course of action prior to this issue becoming another safety hazard? Pond Inlet has a major cleanup project this spring.
This situation is dire. That much is obvious based on your commentary. We are aware of this requirement for a major cleanup.
As the housing corporation, we will provide assistance wherever possible and assist the LHO by working with them. Obviously, this includes the municipal government and their departmental partners, the Department of Community and Government Services.
This includes the (interpretation ends) municipality. (interpretation) We have to all work in conjunction to complete the major cleanup required. We will be involved in handling this situation. (interpretation ends) Thank you.
I have just two questions, the first one on page 8 of the 2015-18 business plan.
It indicates that the rental revenue of the Nunavut Housing Corporation is approximately $13.58 million. It also indicates that “Revenues collected are discounted 3% as an allowance for bad debt.”
Can the minister explain the 3 percent formula, Mr. Chairman?
Ms. Kimball can provide a better response than I can, so I would like her to respond to Ms. Angnakak’s question. (interpretation ends) Thank you.
It’s based on the 97 percent target that we have set for a collection rate.
That has been a target that has been in effect for quite a while. We have actually seen a number of LHOs that have been successful at collecting 97 percent or even higher.
We have proven that that is a doable rate, so that is the rate that we have set.
Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you for that explanation. That now makes sense when I look at it.
I guess my last and final question is I would like to know how you prioritize which units require renovations.
I have some constituents, for example, I was doing some door-to-door before the House went into session and I went into some pretty bad units with some elders and kids and everything on floors that are all ripped up. I don’t know.
It broke my heart, really, to see what kind of conditions some people are living in, in their homes.
It made me wonder: how bad does a public housing unit need to get before something is done?
This is part of the process we follow at NHC for renovation of our units. We look at the condition rating. Our local partners, the (interpretation ends) LHO, (interpretation) are responsible for identifying the condition.
They have a (interpretation ends) condition rating system (interpretation) and the unit condition is rated. We follow that system to determine the priority list for renovation of units.
As far as we understand it, the LHOs use this system to determine the (interpretation ends) condition (interpretation) of the unit, and then it is rated accordingly based on the extent of the damages.
That determines the priority rating of the units. (interpretation ends) Thank you.
Ms. Angnakak: I know I did say it was going to be my last, but now since I have heard that response, I want to ask another question.
You said that there’s a rating system. I’m assuming that the rating system in place has to be pretty stiff.
I’m just saying that because of the conditions I saw and if nothing is done at that point, how bad… ? I don’t know your rating system, so I don’t know.
Can you give me an idea of when a unit would be addressed right away? What do they have to get at in order for that to happen, for that kind of action by the local housing association or organization?
With respect to the details of determining the age of the unit, I personally have no idea nor have I been briefed on the rating system.
Perhaps if I can be allowed to refer that to Ms. Kimball so that she can elaborate on that, Mr. Chairman, with your permission. (interpretation ends) Thank you.
For the condition rating we use, we have each unit inspected once every two years and every component of the house is ranked from 1 to 3, and then it results in a mathematical formula that gives you a rating.
For example, Iqaluit overall is at 75.1 percent, which is lower than the average across the territory of 78 percent condition.
We actually get that detail of the percentage rating for every single unit. The LHO would then take the units with the worst condition ratings and given how much M&I funding on an annual basis, they will figure out how many units they can repair and do that.
We do look at this when we’re doing our M&I budgeting in terms of our ask for M&I’s and how we allocate it between the different communities.
For instance, if Iqaluit falls below average, then they would get a little bit more money because our goal is to get all of the communities to the same standard, to at least get the rating the same to make it equitable.
Thank you for your answer. That helps me to understand how you go about determining renovations.
I wonder: do you give any weight to, perhaps, an elder in a public housing unit? Would they get more weight versus maybe… ? I don’t know if that’s how it works or not, but maybe you can explain what kind of system you have in place for that.
This is under the mandate of the LHOs. (interpretation ends) They determine, so that’s how (interpretation) they manage the renovations the member raised in her question.
Hopefully I was clear. (interpretation ends) Thank you.
Are you done, Ms. Angnakak?
The last name I have at this time on my list, which has just changed apparently, Mr. Mikkungwak.
Mr. Mikkungwak (interpretation): Thank you very much. (interpretation ends) Just a few questions on the business plan, NHC-13, regarding homeownership.
One of my colleagues had asked, but I guess my first question here is, when you look at the Senior Citizens Home Repair Program, and I did ask about this in the House, but by various government departments, senior citizens’ age requirement varies.
My first question here is: what do you consider senior citizens?
Hon. George Kuksuk (interpretation): Thank you very much. 60.
Mr. Mikkungwak, we’re not there yet.
Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I thank the minister for the prompt answer.
When we look at objectives, on the third bullet on that same page again, “To work to improve the energy efficiency of private homes in Nunavut,” as private homeowners are aware, to do energy efficiency, an audit is required.
Will that be looked at across the territory or is there an action plan in place by the Nunavut Housing Corporation to do various audits for private homeowners in each respective community?
I don’t know what they’re called in Inuktitut, but we have the (interpretation ends) Energy Secretariat (interpretation) and it’s under the responsibility of a different department. (interpretation ends) Thank you.
In reference to the homeownership programs, NDAP, TOP, the Home Renovation Program, the Tenant-to-Owner Program, the Nunavut Downpayment Assistance Program, I believe the minister earlier, when Mr. Savikataaq was asking about the threshold to be eligible for becoming a private homeowner… .
In Baker Lake, for these particular programs, is there a minimum and threshold to be eligible for private homeownership?
There is no minimum, but for Baker Lake, (interpretation ends) the threshold is at $161,000.
When an individual who is in public housing, let’s say, they are paying maximum rent, would they be considered possible eligible private homeowners or if they are near the maximum rent?
Yes, as long as it is not over $161,000. (interpretation ends) Thank you.
I guess my last question here would be: is there a variance or is that $161,000 applicable to NDAP, TOP, and the Home Renovation Program?
This is true for all the (interpretation ends) programs (interpretation) as it would be the marker to determine that. (interpretation ends) Thank you.
The last name on my list, Mr. Savikataaq.
Mr. Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I thank you for recognizing me again. I just have one question.
Yesterday, when we had the Department of Education at the witness stand, he indicated that there are 42 new positions coming into Nunavut, one to each community. By the sounds of it, these are highly trained, highly technical, and well-educated people.
Has the Department of Education requested for staff housing in every unit for this position? Earlier, you just said that staff housing needs cannot be met.
I just want to know if the request has been made to your department from Education.
Hon. George Kuksuk (interpretation): Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) Yes.
We are on Department Summary. Nunavut Housing Corporation.
Total Operations and Maintenance, to be Voted. $183,856,000.
Are we agreed that the review of the Nunavut Housing Corporation is concluded?
Minister Kuksuk, we are done. How about you?
If you have any closing comments, I now give you the floor. Minister Kuksuk.
Hon. George Kuksuk (interpretation): Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. I also want to show my appreciation to my colleagues for their excellent questions, although I had some difficulties providing responses.
I would be remiss not to mention my officials here at the witness table for providing clear responses to the questions.
That is basically all I have. On behalf of my officials, I thank each and every one here, including you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) Thank you.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Minister and your officials, for being able to provide proper responses.
As we have concluded with the housing corporation, I move a motion to report progress.
There is a motion on the floor to report progress and the motion is not debatable, although you can vote on it.
Mr. Enook (interpretation): Mr. Speaker, your committee has been considering Bill 16 and the main estimates, and would like to report progress. Also, Mr. Speaker, I move that the Report of the Committee of the Whole be concurred with.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) This House stands adjourned until Friday, March 6, 2015, at 9:00 a.m.
>>House adjourned at 18:52
Friday, March 6, 2015
Pages 2115 – 2177
Opening Prayer 2115
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 2115
Report of the Committee of the Whole 2176
Orders of the Day 2176
Friday, March 6, 2015 2115
Bill 16 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2015-2016 – Family Services – Consideration in Committee 2116
Speaker (interpretation): Good morning, my fellow Nunavummiut and welcome to the House, members, ministers, (interpretation ends) Premier, (interpretation) staff, and interpreters. (interpretation ends) Hon. Minister, Mr. Allan Rumbolt.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) The member is seeking unanimous consent to proceed directly to Item 19 on the order paper.
There are none. We will proceed to Item 19. Item 19.
Consideration in [Committee] of the Whole on Bills and Other Matters.
I ask the members to remain at their desks so that they can immediately proceed to the Committee of the Whole.
Chairman (Mr. Mikkungwak) (interpretation): Good morning to the people of Baker Lake and Nunavut.
We wish to continue with the review of the 2015-16 main estimates, commencing with the Department of Family Services, followed by the Department of Justice and, if time permits, the Department of Finance.
Are we in agreement that we deal with the main estimates for the Department of Family Services?
Bill 16 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2015-2016 – Family Services – Consideration in Committee
Is the committee agreed that the minister’s staff go to the witness table?
Thank you very much. (interpretation ends) Minister, please introduce your staff.
My (interpretation ends) Deputy Minister Rebekah Williams (interpretation) and Brandon Grant, Comptroller.
You may now proceed with your opening comments, (interpretation ends) Hon. Minister, Ms. Ugyuk.
I am happy to appear before the Committee of the Whole this morning to present the proposed 2015-16 main estimates and business plan for the Department of Family Services.
Mr. Chairman, the Department of Family Services has been allocated a budget of $127,359,000 for the 2015-16 fiscal year, which represents an increase of 4 percent, or $4,522,000, over last year’s main estimates.
The staff complement for the Department of Family Services increased from 196.1 PYs to 205.1 PYs in the 2015-16 main estimates as a result of new approved positions.
(interpretation ends) Overall increase of $605,000 in compensation and benefits
Additional funding of $4,563,000 for grants and contributions
Additional funding in the amount of $1,528,000 for purchased services
A decrease in funding for contract services in the amount of $2,320,000 for residential care placement contracts
An overall increase in funding of $146,000 in other operations and maintenance (O&M) expenditures
Mr. Chairman, this additional funding will assist the Department of Family Services to make progress in improving program and service delivery for Nunavummiut.
Corporate Management
The Corporate Management Division is strengthening its overall management role by ensuring that the department implements and achieves its mandate objectives.
Over the past year, the division has secured additional resources to strengthen the department’s capacity of program and service delivery.
Children and Family Services
The Children and Family Services Division has been allocated 42 percent of the department’s 2015-16 budget.
The division is currently working on the implementation of the Quality Protects Action Plan, which addresses the recommendations from the Auditor General of Canada’s report.
We have made progress in some areas, including updating and monitoring our programs, developing a children-in-care tracking system, and revising the regional file auditing process to ensure greater oversight.
Our department recognizes that some timelines identified in the Quality Protects Action Plan were too ambitious, which has led to delays in the implementation of some items, including the development of a client information system, monitoring of workload standards, supporting child safety through parental engagement and community development, and the development of a comprehensive human resource strategy to recruit social workers in Nunavut. The department is currently reviewing the action plan and is in the process of developing timelines for the outstanding issues that are realistic and achievable.
Income Assistance