EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
That’s the concern I would have is that I don’t want a build up of more bureaucracy in our government, overall. That’s something that would require careful attention.
With the limited resources that we have I want to take advantage of all potential opportunities throughout the government. That’s something that would require careful attention if we are going to build up additional bureaucracy, that’s something that I’m not too keen on. I’d rather that we take advantage of any additional resources that we can draw on from all parts of our government.
So that’s something that we can review but it’s something that we have to keep in mind.
I’m not talking about creating additional bureaucracy. I’m just talking about shifting responsibilities from one department to another.
As the Premier and his department have the overall responsibility for monitoring all the other departments, and like the Standing Committee on Health and Education heard when we traveled around, Arctic College felt that it was a poor cousin of the Department of Education, similar to, I think the Inuit Employment Division in the Department of Human Resources, given the workload that they have doesn’t get the attention it deserves, and I don’t think it has the mandate or the teeth to monitor, police, and enforce the priority hiring policy of this government.
I’m not talking about a shift or the creation of a new bureaucracy. I’m just talking about shifting responsibilities into a different area and broadening the powers to ensure that the departments are not being complacent and disregarding the priority hiring policy of the government and give them the ability to monitor.
Will the Premier commit to looking at that?
I must say that the Minister of Human Resources has been very focused in making sure that Inuit employment targets are met.
So it’s not for a lack of trying. The department is trying to make plans and trying to enforce them, but what I will do is see what we can do in terms of making sure that issues don’t fall through the cracks.
I’ll also commit to seeing if we can make that work.
But, as I said, the current location of the Inuit Employment Division at Human Resources, gives it the ability to put in training plans, put in more focused attention with the resources that are available overall at Human Resources.
So that’s something that we have to review carefully because by moving it to a separate department without all the resources, then it becomes quite difficult to implement some things that may have been easier to implement in a bigger department that has more resources.
So that’s something that will require careful attention.
I think that as representatives for our constituents, I’m sure I’m not the only one that has received calls and comments from constituents that are frustrated, that they never seem to be able to get a job.
I received a phone call from someone from another community last night, saying that this person was a grade 12 graduate and had been trying for five years to get a job, but can’t, and for no reason other than that individual felt that there was favouritism going on and bias, and for lack of a better work, “buddyism,” within the government for hiring.
It’s for these reasons that I’d really like to get a commitment. The minister said he would have to look at it, but will the minister commit to looking at a different option to try and strengthen and speed up the process of this government meeting its obligation to have a representative workforce?
We will continually look for ways to improve our Inuit employment numbers because they are unacceptable.
We’re working with the federal government to get additional resources through the land claim agreement so that we can train more Inuit not just to get to grade 12 but go past grade 12 and become qualified to take on all the other jobs that are available in our government.
So that’s something that will be ongoing and the member has made a request to see if we can review it. We will look at all options to improve our numbers and how we can prevent some issues from falling through the cracks.
I admit that I receive calls from my own constituents that are concerned with what’s been happening and some of practices that are taking place. So I’ve talked to my ministers and said that we have to look at this very seriously and see how we can improve what’s happening for all of our constituents in Nunavut.
I can appreciate the minister’s comments and I don’t think that any member in here wouldn’t acknowledge the efforts that this government is trying to do. However, the Premier indicated that he talked to his ministers; it’s not the ministers that are making those decisions; it’s the people that are working in the bureaucracy. There’s no one really watching them.
I’d like to ask the Premier, he said that they would be looking at all the options, would he have his people look at that particular option and report back in our next session after Christmas with some findings, even if they’re just preliminary?
Hon. Paul Okalik: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can say that I’ll talk to my colleagues and see how we can improve the current practices. As to creating a division, we’ll see what we can do, but I’d like to see some improvements.
I want to prevent future cases where beneficiaries may be denied employment. So I’ll remain open to all suggestions from my officials, along with my colleagues here.
I wish to thank the member for raising this matter so that all priority hires are not denied opportunities in our government.
Question 116 – 2(3): $60,000 Contract – Call for Tender (Curley)
Yesterday we heard that the government has a $60,000 contract for a lobbying company, Hill and Knowlton Canada.
All the contractors, when they’re hired from Nunavut to do snow removal and others have to compete.
Why aren’t those southern companies given an advertisement or call for tender?
If I am not mistaken, especially for those people from Ottawa that do advisory consulting for us, we’d like to be able to get some people that can do the work for us as the Nunavut Government. So those are the only people that we could get to do consulting work for us.
We always say that there is some office for the Nunavut Government in Ottawa and there is a lot of staff there. We have not heard what they do. The minister’s department has a contract with Earnscliffe Strategy Group.
Was that tendered? How much is the fee for a year?
The contract was never tendered.
They had had the contract with us since 1999 and they have been given an extension and it costs $60,000 and $1,800 for the administration work.
The company is very lucky that they don’t have to compete to get a contract.
We just found out that...are there any other lobbyists contracted by the Nunavut Government besides the two?
Not that I know of. I don’t know of any other southern firms that are doing contract work for the Nunavut Government.
According to the rules of the provinces and the federal government, the lobbyists have to be registered in a province. I just wondered whether the Nunavut Government has a guideline because the public has to know who is doing the lobbying for the government.
If you don’t have a policy, how can you find out to see which companies have to be registered?
Yes, they are under the federal registry, whether they are lobbyists or not.
Question 117 – 2(3): Update on Access Road Funding (Barnabas)
The small craft harbours or wharfs, the non-decentralized communities were consulted by the government.
I just wanted to find out from the Department of Transportation’s Minister what they are doing in regard to access roads.
Speaker (interpretation): Minister of Transportation, Mr. Kilabuk.
There was an announcement in the Legislative Assembly that in the year 2006-07, the money was already approved for access road projects to provide access roads to hunting camps in the communities and access roads to fishing places outside the communities.
When we are talking about wharfs or docks, will the smaller communities be considered for getting funding for access roads?
For those communities that would like to build an access road, they would have to apply for that funding. We will be writing a letters to the members of the legislature and the communities that there is funding available for building access roads and we will give out information; a clear indication that there’s only a certain amount of money.
But we had some requests from communities at the end of the construction year. For them to be able to request funding for access roads, they have to request the funding before the building season is over.
The bigger communities seem to have more advantage in obtaining those. Will the smaller communities have that access too?
I think you already got a response. Yes. The smaller communities will be able to apply and I don’t know how many times we have said it.
When the Premier made me responsible for this portfolio he asked me to look for some ways to assist those smaller communities in order for those smaller communities to have the same access.
Their only disadvantage is if they don’t apply.
I’d like unanimous consent to go back to Item 5.
Speaker (interpretation): The member is asking to go back to Item 5.
Revert to Item 5: Recognitions of Visitors in the Gallery
I’d like to try something.
I’d like to recognize every time we have a session there are hard working people who do the transcription of the English and Inuktitut Hansard at Innirvik.
We can assist those people more, the workers; when we speak in a language, especially for us bilingual people, we tend to use two languages and that makes it very difficult for those transcribers.
Mr. Speaker, I’d like to recognize the staff from Innirvik.
Peepeelee Qappik, Mary Arnakak, Lucie Idlout who is well known, my sister Mary Kilabuk, and Kaitaasi Peter, Silasie Kilabuk, welcome, Annie Iola, and well known guitarist and singer Jose Arreak and no stranger to Pangnirtung Leevede Atagoyuk.
Thank you. Welcome to the Gallery.
I’d like to recognize my wife but she can’t play guitar. But she can play the accordion very well.
Mr. Curley (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. From our beautiful community Ashley Dean who is enrolled in the Teacher Education Program.
Is that right? Yes, and a very hard worker who entered a beauty contest when we supported her and she was there last year. Welcome.
Petition 002 – 2(3): Severe Shortage of Social Housing – Gjoa Haven (Aglukkaq)
Mr. Speaker, I would like to present a petition dealing with a matter of the severe housing shortage for Gjoa Haven. Mr. Speaker, the petition contains 142 signatures from the residents of Gjoa Haven and Mr. Speaker, the petitioners request that Gjoa Haven be moved up in the 10 year plan 2006-07 capital plans for new housing and Mr. Speaker; I also want to include a quick response from the appropriate Minister, Mr. Akesuk to the petition.
Speaker (interpretation): Petitions; make sure you give them to the Clerk. Petitions.
Tabled Document 062 – 2(3): First Ministers and National Aboriginal Leaders Strengthening Relationship and Closing the Gap Communiqué (Okalik)
I would like to table the following document; First Ministers and National Aboriginal Leaders Strengthening Relationship and Closing the Gap Communiqué.
Speaker (interpretation): Pass the documents on to the Clerk please.
Tabled Document 063 – 2(3): Presentation to Members of Legislative Assembly of Nunavut on Mining by Miramar Mining Corporation (Peterson)
I’d like to table a presentation by Miramar mining to the Members of the Legislative Assembly the Doris North project is based in the Kitikmeot in Nunavut. The presentation was in Iqaluit November 20, 2005.
Tabled Document 064 – 2(3): Kivalliq News Editorial on Literacy (Tootoo)
I am very pleased to table today a copy of this week’s editorial in the Kivalliq News on an important issue of literacy in Nunavut. I really encourage the Minister of Education to add this item to his Christmas reading and the title of the editorial is “Literacy Numbers speak a language all their own”.
Tabled Document 065 – 2(3): Letter from Seemee Angmarlik Concerning Time Change (Kilabuk)
I’d like to table a letter from Seemee Angmarlik, one of my constituents, on his concern on the topic of Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated and time change.
The letter that I am tabling is requesting that NTI go to their community in regard to that.
Tabled Document 066 – 2(3): Letter to Minister of Health & Social Services regarding Children’s Advocate for Nunavut (Peterson)
I’d like to table copies of correspondence between the Minister of Health and Social Services and I, concerning the establishment of a Children’s Advocate here in Nunavut.
We’ll break for 20 minutes.
>>House recessed at 15:42 and resumed at 16:27
Speaker (interpretation): Back to Orders of the Day. Item 16.
Motion 005 – 2(3): Rescinding of Motion 011 – 2(2): Mid-Term Leadership Review of the Executive Council (Curley) (Curley)
I move, seconded by the Member for Cambridge Bay, that Motion 011 – 2(2), titled Mid-Term Leadership Review of the  Executive Council, be rescinded.
Each Member has 20 minutes to make comments to the motion.
The intent of the motion is to make it clear that the motion we amended last year to do a mid-term leadership review of the Executive Council, if you look at this motion we are not in mid-term yet.
We are three quarters of the way done. If we want to do an earlier leadership review we have to rescind this motion.
I am urging members to support his motion because we’ve got some concerns. If we do an earlier mid-term review it will be easier and better.
So we would like to have accountability for an open leadership review.
Speaker (interpretation): Comments to the motion. Mr. Tootoo.
As of yet, I’m not decided whether I’m going to support this motion or not.
Mr. Speaker, I know we have had that motion in place allowing for a midterm review by next fall.
The mover of the motion indicated that if we wanted to have an earlier midterm review, that we had to rescind this motion.
So I’m just wondering if he is indicating that he does want to have an earlier midterm review and maybe if he could just let us know why so that will help us when determining whether or not to support this motion.
If we are going to make changes to the midterm leadership review, it’s not going to be appropriate for the members and the government.
We want to be open and transparent of the activities of the government because we are not in the midterm as yet.
We want to see the Cabinet members willing to do their work. I’m not pleased with this at this time because this is not the midterm as yet.
We would be able to follow it earlier, there will be less concerns and Nunavummiut know the midterm review and it’s not even midterm yet.
The Cabinet members will be more relaxed personally because we are not up to midterm yet.
So I’m going to be in support of this motion.
Mr. Curley (interpretation): According to the rules, the mover of the motion has the last comment to make. As the mover of the motion, I would like to make the last comment.
In order to have a clear understanding, I think this motion is very clear that, at this time, it’s for the whole of Nunavut. I want to have a recorded vote on this.
Speaker (interpretation): Question is being called. A recorded vote was requested.
All those opposed to the motion, please rise.
All those who abstain, please rise.
All those for the motion: eight.
Against: one.
Abstained: seven.
Motion 006 – 2(3): Mid-Term Leadership Review of the Executive Council of Nunavut (Curley)
WHEREAS it is incumbent on the Executive Council of Nunavut to account openly to the Legislative Assembly and Nunavummiut for its performance in developing, implementing and managing the policies, decisions and expenditures of the Government;
AND WHEREAS the Second Legislative Assembly adopted, without opposition, Motion 008 – 2(1), Working Together for a Stronger Nunavut;
AND WHEREAS this Motion stated in part that “the values of consensus, co-operation, accountability and respect must guide us in our deliberations”;
AND WHEREAS this principle was acknowledged in the 2005 Budget Address, which stated that there are “responsibilities that flow from the public service to Cabinet, to you, the Members of the Legislative Assembly, and ultimately to Nunavummiut”;
AND WHEREAS the Members of the Executive Council were sworn into office in March of 2004;
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the Honourable Member for Cambridge Bay, that a Mid-Term Leadership Review of the Executive Council of Nunavut be held prior to March 31, 2006.
Speaker (interpretation): The motion is in order. Are there any comments to the motion?
This motion is very straightforward and to the point. The people of Nunavut have to understand exactly what’s happening within the government. They have to have an explanation of what the government’s doing and its performance in developing, implementing, and managing the policies, decisions, and expenditures.
There are only 19 of us.
We want the government to be open, transparent, and accountable to the people of Nunavut. We would like to see a review be held prior to March 31, 2006. The federal government is going to be having their elections in February.
The people of Nunavut do not select their Premier. It is the 19 Members of the Legislative Assembly who select the Premier, but some time in the future we would like to see the people of Nunavut select their Premier.
What we’re doing at this point is that we are going to be reviewing the Executive Council. We think that there should be a change in the membership. If the other side is more capable then they would have the freedom to do so.
With that, I would like the motion to be supported by all the Members of the Legislative Assembly.
Anybody should be able to get in to those positions.
I think that’s the only way that we can be more open and accountable to the people of Nunavut.
What we don’t want the people to say is, “are they just here just for the job.” They might be saying that if they don’t know what we’re doing.
In full caucus we can select the date, whether it’s going to be during the budget session, or prior to.
If it’s going to be prior to the budget session, I think the people of Nunavut would be more in support of it.
For example, for these following reasons, the ministers are going to be allocating the monies to the departments and to various programs and services, and we’d like the people of Nunavut to be able to see us and see how the government works.
I’m not overly concerned, even if it goes after the budget session, but my first reason is in regard to the comments that were made by the member from Arviat. The government, the deputy ministers, and the ADMs, have to be open and accountable and know that there is a possibility of a change in the Executive Council.
What I’m trying to say is that the civil service has to be settled down. They can’t be worried about who their minister is going to be.
I think it’s better for all of us if we get a stable government.
I would like to have a recorded vote.
Speaker (interpretation): Are there any comments by the seconder of the motion?
We were first elected to the Legislative Assembly in February of 2004.
Most of us were newcomers and rookies so to speak. We talked about the mid-term review but I don’t think we were fully thinking the true meaning of mid-term, and now we’ve had time to reflect. The mid-term is half way through the term of the government.
I think September 2006 is going a bit too far. I think February, or by the end of March is adequate. It’s half way.
I think the people of Nunavut would appreciate that. It would give us an opportunity to question ministers on their performance, their mandate, and role.
In 2006, a lot of new issues or new things are developing.
As Mr. Curley said, there is a federal election on January 23. That could have some serious and grave ramification with what we want to do in the next few years in Nunavut.
The Premier has talked about a Devolution Secretariat being set up.
That will be very important. From my region, economic development is going to be very critical. We have a mine opening up over there and people want to know how the government is going to be looking at economic development in the Kitikmeot.
I just think, further to my colleague’s comments, that a mid-term review would help us clear the air between Members of the Legislative Assembly and ministers, clear the air for Nunavummiut out there, who have been listening over the last two weeks. There have been some interesting discussions in the House.
I know I have to answer a few questions when I go home. I just think people would like to have a chance to consider the performance of the ministers in February or March, and then we’ll go on from there.
Having been one of the few members here that have gone through a leadership review in the past, and knows what’s involved with preparing for it, I think that all Members of this House want to be open and transparent and show, I think beyond a reasonable doubt, that this whole process is objective and done in a well thought out manner. Mr. Speaker, I know that at the time that is suggested in the motion we will be dealing with the budget.
I know I don’t look forward to questioning a new minister who had no input into the budget. If someone else is put into the Executive Council they are going to have to defend the budget that’s there. And I can just see Question Period and Committee of the Whole…well, I didn’t do that.
But we have to work with it, for now it has already been an approved budget.
So, Mr. Speaker, with that I have some concerns over the timing of it. I have no problem with supporting a Leadership Review. I think it is a good process and allows for an opportunity for all members to raise issues that have been brought forward to them by their constituents.
I am sure I guess for both regular members and Executive Council an opportunity to share mutual frustrations. Again, I am speaking from experience. Mr. Speaker, I know the comments that I have made we have to show Nunavummiut that we are accountable, open and transparent.
The reason I said on the previous motion that I hadn’t made up my mind yet because I still wanted to hear why. That didn’t happen. So I didn’t support that motion.
When we talk about being open and transparent I think that should go for everybody. I’ve got no problem standing up and saying why I want to do something.
I am telling you right now. So for those reasons and I also hear our government is not stable. I think it is much more stable than the last government, if you look back at some of the events that transpired in the last assembly.
Again, my biggest concern with the timing of it is the budget session. It is just going to be very frustrating for regular members to question ministers that had no input in developing the budget and I don’t want to look forward to…well we are stuck with the budget like we were in 1999. I’d like to be able to question Ministers and hear why they made the decisions that they did on our behalf.
And I think if anything, that will be more, how that process goes will be more useful for us in our evaluation of them in the mid-term review. You know it should happen after that.
Also given Mr. Speaker, the fact during the last year before this sitting there has been a considerable amount of time since we sat.
There was no work for us in the spring.
I think that maybe we should be looking at the spring; at least we’ll have something to do. Unless we see more legislation come forward from the government between now and then, at least we’ll have an opportunity to be here in the springtime and work.
Mr. Speaker, with that I’d like to make an amendment to the motion.
Motion 007 – 2(3): Amendment to Motion 006 – 2(3) (Tootoo)
Mr. Speaker, I move seconded by the Honourable Member for Quttiktuq, that the motion be amended by striking out the words March 31 and replacing them with June 30.
Speaker (interpretation): There is a proposal to amend the motion. This amendment was seconded by the Member for Quttiktuq.
We would like to see it in both Inuktitut and English and we will do so and take a brief break in order to make the amendment.
>>House recessed at 16:50 and resumed at 17:02