EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
LARGA arbitrarily set up the boarding home facility that they are intending to use in Ottawa and they have approached the Baffin Regional Health and Social Services Board to refer patients to their home to the LARGA home. In the mean time the contract is still with the Rotel and that is the agreement, an arrangement that has to be facilitated between the Health Board and the OHSNI group to see if they will facilitate clients to stay at the LARGA home.
I had indicated LARGA had asked for unilingual patients where possible, older patients, handicapped patients and so on.
The government, me as a department, the Minister of the Department Health and Social Services had been conducive to that but we are not in any way going to step in and circumvent the legitimate and legal contract that is in place.
Question 130 - 1(3): Loan Authorization Act
Mr. Speaker my question is directed to the Minister responsible for Finance.
Mr. Speaker we recently passed the Loan Authorization Act and there was great interest and debate regarding this issue.
And I still require further clarification on this.
The ceiling on it was 10 million dollars, 5 million dollars was committed to Iqaluit and another 200 thousand to Clyde River.
My question is, can the minister give some further detail as to how this 10 million dollars or whatever is going to show up on the books, will it show up as a receivable, in other words where did it come from?
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Yes, Mr. Speaker it will show up as a receivable, thank you.
Back to our orders of the day.
Item 7, Written Questions, Item 8, Returns to Written Questions, Item 9, Replies to Opening Address, Item 10, Petitions.
Petitions?
Before we go to Item 11, I would like to ask for a 15 minute recess.
Speaker: Thank you, Sergeant at Arms.
Going back to Orders of the Day.
Item 11 – Reports of Standing and Special Committees.
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour of presenting the Report on the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Nunavut.
This report was prepared by the Standing Committee - Ajauqtiit, after we conducted a thorough selection process to identify the most appropriate candidates for this important public office.
Later today, I will bring forward a motion and seek unanimous consent to bring the Motion to the floor of the House today to recommend that Elaine Keenan Bengts be appointed as the new Information and Privacy Commissioner of Nunavut, pursuant to section 61 of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
As the report states, our Standing Committee worked very hard to make sure that our selection process was thorough and unbiased.
A sub-committee of three of our members conducted the interviews and the selection process for the Languages Commissioner and the Information and Privacy Commissioners, which included Ovide Alakannuark, Co-Chair, Olayuk Akesuk and myself, as Chair of the Committee.
Members of our Committee and Sub-Committee met twelve times on the matter of the Information and Privacy Commissioner over the last two months.
We received twenty-seven applications from people across Canada for this position.
We conducted in person interviews of three candidates, reviewed their written answers and questions, and evaluated their experience and education as outlined in their resumes.
We also received information from references for the final candidate.
It was a very difficult decision for members because all of the candidates are very committed people.
They were all interested in the position and they all have many skills and ideas to bring to the position.
We thank them for applying.
Nevertheless, we had to choose one name to recommend to the Members of the Legislative Assembly.
The Information and Privacy Commissioner for Nunavut must have many qualities.
The Commissioner must be a strong, committed voice for open government, which provides timely access to information and at the same time be an advocate for the protection of privacy.
They must have the diplomacy and grace to mediate solutions, sensitivity to the needs of government processes, ability to assist different language groups within Nunavut, and the integrity and administrative competence to deal with complaints in a fair and timely manner.
And although this Commissioner is a resident elsewhere in Canada, as with all public offices in Nunavut, they must be a leader in the Inuit tradition, able to hold the respect and confidence of all Inuit elders and youth as well as French and English speaking residents of Nunavut.
We believe that Elaine Keenan Bengts has these qualities.
She has learned a lot about the north in her thirty years living in Yellowknife and in her last two and a half years in the position of Information and Privacy Commissioner of the NWT.
We see no conflict with her holding both positions.
And there may be cost savings to both of our governments.
She will represent both the NWT and Nunavut in meetings with other Information and Privacy Commissioners across Canada elsewhere.
Elaine understands the challenges facing the Government of Nunavut and our need to be resourceful in meeting the requirements under the Act in a most cost effective manner.
Her office will be accessible to the residents of Nunavut through a toll free line and all materials will be developed in the official languages of Nunavut.
We are confident that with the support of Members and staff of the Legislative Assembly and her colleagues in these positions elsewhere in Canada, Elaine will do an outstanding job as Information and Privacy Commissioner of Nunavut and help Nunavut to establish itself as a truly open, transparent, and accountable government which also guards and protects our personal information.
At the appropriate time, I will give Notice of Motion to appoint an Information and Privacy Commissioner.
Item 11. Reports of Standing and Special Committees.
Standing Committee on Government Operations and Services Report on the 1999-2000 Six Month Departmental Progress
I have the honour today to present the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Services Report on the 1999-2000 six month departmental progress.
I am going to read the first two pages and then David is going to read the next two pages.
In May of 1999, the Standing Committees of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut recommended in the House that Government of Nunavut Departments provide mid-year progress updates to the Committees for review.
Ministers and senior departmental officials appeared before the Standing Committees from October 14-16, 1999.
This exercise took place shortly before the opening of the Third Session of the Legislative Assembly, and the tabling of the Bathurst Mandate.
At the mid-point of the 1999-2000 fiscal year, the Standing Committees were interested in gaining a picture of where the new Government stood in terms of spending to date; legislative and policy plans and priorities for the remainder of the fiscal year; staffing progress; and other matters.
Unfortunately, Standing Committees were again disappointed by the fact that departments were inconsistent in the manner in which materials were provided to Committee Members.
While some departments provided thorough documentation, others did not.
Few departments seemed able or willing to provide materials much in advance of ministerial presentations.
Problems with providing even short documents in both Inuktitut and English were evident in some presentations.
The Standing Committee again recommends that departmental materials be provided to Members sufficiently in advance of appearances to allow for adequate preparation; and that all materials be fully translated.
Mr. Speaker, generally speaking, the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Services was satisfied with the progress to date made by the three departments under its oversight mandate.
This report will serve to highlight the Standing Committee's main observations and concerns.
Premier Okalik appeared before the Standing Committee on October 14.
The Standing Committee is pleased with the efforts being made to develop sound working relationships with other jurisdictions, while ensuring that Nunavut's interests are effectively articulated.
The Committee is of the view that strong efforts should continue with respect to securing a fair deal for Nunavut in such issue areas as fishing quotas, a mineral accord and other issues requiring intergovernmental discussions.
Protocol Agreement between the Government of Nunavut and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated
Members of the Standing Committee were provided the opportunity to review the Protocol.
The Standing Committee is supportive of this initiative to establish a sound working relationship between the Government and NTI; while recognizing the special role of the Standing Committee Ajauqtiit in considering issues related to the Government of Nunavut's obligations with respect to the implementation of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement.
Decentralization Secretariat
The Standing Committee received a brief update on the work of the Secretariat, and took note that a total of 69 decentralized positions have been filled to date.
The Standing Committee reiterates its fundamental support for decentralization, and strongly recommends that the work of the Secretariat proceed in an effective and timely fashion.
The Standing Committee also recommends that the elected local leadership of communities impacted by decentralization receive formal updates on a monthly basis from the Secretariat.
Nunavut Law Review Commission (Maligarnik Qimirrujiit)
Members are supportive of this important initiative.
The Standing Committee recommends that careful consideration be paid to the challenge of how to effectively and realistically draw upon the special wisdom of Elders in the Commission's review of complex pieces of legislation.
Members are aware of the Government's work in reviewing options in this area.
The Standing Committee supports the establishment of a Nunavut Public Utilities Board at the earliest opportunity.
Government Communication with Nunavummiut
With respect to such issues as the move to a single time zone, the Standing Committee feels that better efforts should be made to communicate government initiatives in a way that is sensitive to public concerns and perceptions.
Mr. Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Akesuk.
Report on 1999-2000 Six Month Departmental Progress Update.
Minister Ng appeared before the Standing Committee on October 14.
Mid-Year Fiscal Update
The Standing Committee is pleased that the Government does not anticipate a deficit for 1999-2000.
However, Members of the Committee are concerned about the drop in projected personal and corporate income tax revenues, given that the Committee shares the Minister's commitment to greater financial self-reliance.
The Standing Committee recommends any government-wide surplus be allocated to address Nunavut's housing crisis.
Division of Assets and Liabilities
The Standing Committee was informed that the final status of this process will not be known until later this year.
The Standing Committee continues to take a strong interest in this issue, and expects to be regularly updated.
Pay Equity
While supporting the principle of pay equity, the Standing Committee is concerned that the Government take the appropriate steps to cover potential liabilities as a result of the ongoing tribunal process in Ottawa.
Departmental Staffing Progress
The Standing Committee recognizes efforts being made by the Department to meet Inuit Employment Plan targets, while acknowledging the need to build skills and capacity.
The Standing Committee recommends that the Department continue to make efforts to foster training opportunities in partnership with educational institutions in these skill areas.
Members of the Committee take a strong interest in the direction that the Government will take with respect to P3s; especially with respect to the issues of transparency and accountability.
The Committee is anxious to examine the results of a review of proposed P3 projects, including student housing for Nunavut Arctic College in Cambridge Bay, a regional hospital in Iqaluit and regional health complexes in Rankin Inlet and Cambridge Bay.
The Standing Committee recommends that it be consulted as the Department moves forward on this issue, and prior to final P3 criteria being established.
Budget Consultations
The Standing Committee supports the Department's plan to hold public consultations on the 2000-2001 budget and the five-year capital planning process, and reiterates its April recommendation that clear information be made available to the public in both Inuktitut and English, and that community input be taken seriously during this exercise.
Progress of Staffing
The Standing Committee is concerned that a lack of staff housing in the Capital will negatively impact on Government-wide staffing plans.
The Committee requests that the department address this issue, in addition to clarifying the current GN staff housing policy.
Competency-Based Human Resource System
The Standing Committee remains concerned that an inappropriate overemphasis on paper qualifications will be detrimental to the goal of maximizing Inuit employment in the public service.
The Standing Committee recommends that the department continue to work to ensure that individuals who have the necessary skills and competencies to perform the duties of positions be given every opportunity to compete for vacancies.
Given the impending termination of NUHRDS funding, the Standing Committee further recommends that every effort be made to successfully obtain necessary resources from federal partners.
Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit and the Public Service
The Standing Committee is pleased that Inuktitut language training has commenced, and that a Government-wide staff workshop on IQ was recently held.
The Standing Committee looks forward to progress reports on the success of these initiatives, and emphasizes its support for a public service that is representative of the people of Nunavut.
Report be referred to Committee of the Whole
Report on 1999-2000 Six Month Departmental Progress Update referred to Committee of the Whole
I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Uqqumiut, that the Report be referred to Committee of the Whole and further seek unanimous consent to waive Rule 91 (4) and have the Report be moved into Committee of the Whole for today.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.  Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Akesuk.
The Member is seeking unanimous consent to waive Rule 91 (4) so that the Report of the Standing Committee can be referred to Committee of the Whole today.
Are there any nays? There are no nays. Mr. Akesuk, you have consent.
The Committee’s Report is referred to Committee of the Whole for today. Item 11. Reports of Standing and Special Committees.
Ajauqtiit Standing Committee Report on the 1999-2000 Six Month Departmental Progress Updates
Mr. Tootoo: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have the honour today of presenting the Standing Committee on Ajauqtiit’s Report on the 1999-2000 Six Month Departmental Progress Updates.
I’ll be going over part of the Report and the Honourable Member, Mr. Iqaqrialu, will be doing some as well.
In the May, 1999 Report of the Standing Committee – Ajauqtiit, the Standing Committee recommended that they review the progress of the Legislative Assembly in its Business Plan at the six month point of the fiscal year.
Members of Ajauqtiit did so on Friday October 1st, 1999 during a presentation from yourself, Mr. Speaker and the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly, after which Members had an opportunity to ask questions.
In regards to timely provision of detailed information to the Members of the Standing Committees, in the May session, Members recommended that a protocol be put in place regarding obtaining information from departments, particularly detailed information, for example, in support of the Main Estimates Review by the Standing Committees.
Members were advised that an Information Protocol has been finalized between staff in the Legislative Assembly and Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs which clarifies which information should be provided by departments to Members or Standing Committees as a matter of course and which information would be considered confidential or private to individuals.
In terms of timely provision of information in these types of review exercises, such as advanced review of budget and Main Estimates, and the six month progress review, nothing further has been worked out with the departments.
It is noted that no departments provided materials in advance of their meetings with the respective Standing Committees.
In addition, only a few departments actually presented information on expenditures to date, such as were provided by the Legislative Assembly.
However, most departments did have their materials in English and Inuktitut.
The Standing Committee again recommends that the departmental materials be provided to Members sufficiently in advance of their appearance to allow for adequate presentation and that all materials be fully translated.
The Standing Committee was given a detailed and up to date budget for the Legislative Assembly which included the amounts spent to September 30, 1999, amounts committed, and the balance for the remainder of the fiscal year.
It is still difficult to project accurately with this budget, because as noted in May, the budget was estimated for Nunavut based on the NWT.
By the end of September, the Speaker noted that there had only been the sitting in April and May-June, and no committees had travelled for public consultations on bills.
Since the sessions, expenses for October and November have not been incorporated, nor committee work after September 30.
We cannot yet assess if the amounts for the year will be sufficient.
However, it was noted that as of September 30, the session expenses were higher because of the higher costs of operating in temporary and rented premises in April and May and June.
The Committee costs were lower as fewer Committee meetings have been held.
Nevertheless, it is clear that there will be some slippage in areas where the positions have not yet been filled – for example, the Languages Commissioner and her staff.
These savings will be applied to other expenses which were not planned in the budget, such as opening celebrations for the Legislative Assembly building.
At the half way point of the fiscal year, just under 40 per cent of the budget has been spent or committed.
Therefore, it does not appear that a Supplementary budget appropriation will be necessary for the Legislative Assembly.
The one area where there may need to be a Supplementary appropriation is for the expenses relating to the building security and janitorial services.
Members were advised that it is the Department of Public Works that is responsible for these duties, but it appears that there has been no specific funding allocated for these areas of expenditure for the Legislative Assembly.
Members were concerned that while there may be funds available to pay for these expenses, from slippage during this fiscal year, once the Legislative Assembly is fully staffed and set up, it will be necessary to ensure that a specific budget has been allocated for these purposes.
The Clerk undertook to follow up with the Deputy Minister of Finance to determine if the proposed Supplementary Appropriation Bill or an increase in the base funding for the Legislative Assembly, or Public Works, would include amounts for those purposes.
Members were very pleased to be able to hold this session in the new Legislative Assembly Building and were advised that the building had already been host to official visits from the Prime Minister of Canada and the President of France and an official signing ceremony by the Minister of Sustainable Development.
Members were advised that the audio-visual system is being installed, but is still behind schedule, due to delays in the delivery of specialized equipment.
The Clerk noted that an interim system had been installed, to ensure that this session – October – November, would proceed...and arrangements had been made for renting interpretation equipment.
Members were further advised that the audio visual system should be in place by the end of November.
In the May, 1999 report, a strong recommendation was made to continue following up with the federal government to obtain capital funding for these items, which had been overlooked in the original capital plan for the Legislative Assembly.
Members were advised that in another Standing Committee, the Premier had reported that these further requests had been made but that there was no further funding to be obtained from the federal government to pay for some of these capital expenses which had not been predicted at the outset, such as the security and audio visual systems.
Members reluctantly acknowledged that these capital expenses must therefore come out of Nunavut’s capital budget for this fiscal year.
As requested in the May report, Members were pleased that the opening ceremonies were being planned for the opening of the session in the new chamber, and understood that the expenses for this must come from other budget items which will not be fully utilized this fiscal year.
Members were especially pleased that elders were being invited from each of Nunavut’s constituencies for the opening.
Nevertheless, Members were concerned at the lack of space for the public in the Chamber.
This is always a greater concern at special events like openings.
The Standing Committee recommends that the Speaker present options for ensuring that the public will have access to the Chamber when in session.
If these options would require additional capital expenditures such as renovations, or an addition, or additional audio visual expenses, these should be put forward in the five year capital planning exercise.
Members were also advised that the Legislative Assembly Website was up internally and that the shelves had been established and were waiting for data.
Members were being asked to provide updated information on their own biographies.
Soon, Hansard, Bills, Committee Reports, Member Profiles, will be available to anyone with internet access.
In elaboration to questions about public space in the Chamber, Members were advised that the Legislative Assembly was originally designed as an office building, and was adapted to be the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut.
This was due to the fact that the groups planning for Nunavut forgot to put a Legislative Assembly in the plans.
As a result, there were some features which were not able to meet all the needs of the Legislative Assembly.
For example, it was not possible to have a large public gallery.
Members felt it would be prudent to begin now to start planning for the time that a new building would be required.
For example, they wondered if a reserve could be set aside each year for the next ten, or fifteen or twenty years.
This planning may be done in conjunction with the proposed Nunavut Capitol Commission planning for the future of Iqaluit, and the need for various facilities in Iqaluit as Iqaluit continues to grow, both as a community and as a government centre.
Members do not want the same mistake to be made wherein the need to consider a Legislative Assembly building is an afterthought.
The Standing Committee recommends that the Speaker present options for long term capital planning for replacement of the Legislative Assembly building in the future, and that the need for a future Legislative Assembly be placed in the government capital planning exercise and in any future planning by the Nunavut Capitol Commission or any similar organization.
I’ll turn over the next part of the report to my colleague, the Honourable Member for Uqqumiut.
Member for Uqqumiut.
Sessional and Standing Committee Expenses
As requested in the May report, Members were given detailed information about the cost of one day of session and one day of committee’s work.
It was noted that for the sake of tracking the overall budget was divided amongst the four Standing Committees and the Management and Services Board.
However, since the Standing Committee must deal with the bills, or other requests, as they arise, some committees may have more expenses in a given year than in another, depending on the need for public hearings, travel and so forth.