EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Bill 16 – Annual Reporting Validation (Liquor Licensing Board) Act – Second Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Rankin Inlet South and Whale Cove, that Bill 16, Annual Reporting Validation (Liquor Licensing Board) Act, be read for the second time.
Mr. Speaker, this bill deems annual reports of the Nunavut Liquor Licensing Board for certain years to have been submitted and tabled in accordance with section 9 of the Liquor Act.
The motion is carried and Bill 16 has been read for the second time and is referred to the Standing Committee on Legislation.
Bill 17 – Write-off of Debts Act, 2011-2012 – Second Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Rankin Inlet South and Whale Cove, that Bill 17, Write-off of Debts Act, 2011-2012, be read for the second time.
Mr. Speaker, this bill authorizes the write-off of debts in accordance with section 82 of the Financial Administration Act.
The motion is carried and Bill 17 has been read for the second time and is referred to the Standing Committee on Legislation.
Bill 18 – An Act to Amend Several Acts for Constitutional Validity (Spousal Benefits and Obligations) – Second Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Rankin Inlet South and Whale Cove, that Bill 18, An Act to Amend Several Acts for Constitutional Validity (Spousal Benefits and Obligations), be read for the second time.
Mr. Speaker, this bill amends certain enactments of Nunavut relating to spousal benefits and obligations to ensure their compliance with judicial decisions recognizing constitutionally protected rights; it makes corollary amendments to ensure consistent terminology in the Acts of Nunavut. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question has been called. All those in favour. Any opposed?
The motion is carried and Bill 18 has been read for the second time and is referred to the Standing Committee on Legislation.
Bill 19 – Family Support Orders Enforcement Act – Second Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Rankin Inlet South and Whale Cove, that Bill 19, Family Support Orders Enforcement Act, be read for the second time.
Mr. Speaker, this bill establishes a family support office to be administered by the family support manager and sets out procedures to collect and, where necessary, enforce payment of support orders in Nunavut.
The bill repeals and replaces the former Maintenance Orders Enforcement Act.
The motion is carried and Bill 19 has been read for the second time and is referred to the Standing Committee on Legislation.
Bill 20 – An Act to Amend the Judicature Act (Court Rules) – Second Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Rankin Inlet South and Whale Cove, that Bill 20, An Act to Amend the Judicature Act (Court Rules), be read for the second time.
Mr. Speaker, this bill streamlines the procedure for the making of court rules.
The motion is carried and Bill 20 has been read for the second time and is referred to the Standing Committee on Legislation.
Bill 21 – Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2011, No. 3 – Second Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Rankin Inlet South and Whale Cove, that Bill 21, Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2011, No. 3, be read for the second time.
Mr. Speaker, this bill corrects inconsistencies and errors in certain enactments in Nunavut, clarifies the citation of the enactments of Nunavut, corrects references to the Northwest Territories, and repeals provisions that have ceased to have effect.
The motion is carried and Bill 21 has been read for the second time and is referred to the Standing Committee on Legislation.
Bill 23 – An Act to Amend Public Colleges Act – Second Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Rankin Inlet South and Whale Cove, who has been very busy, that Bill 23, An Act to Amend the Public Colleges Act, be read for the second time.
Mr. Speaker, this bill amends the Public Colleges Act to empower the college to grant prescribed university degrees and applied bachelor degrees and to update the Act in light of the establishment of Nunavut.
The name of the Act is changed to Nunavut Arctic College Act.
Any opposed? No.
The motion is carried and Bill 23 has been read for the second time and is referred to the Standing Committee on Legislation.
Bills 13, 14, and 15 with Mr. Ningeongan in the Chair.
>>House recessed at 15:13 and Committee resumed at 15:44
We would like to continue with the review of the capital estimates for the Nunavut Housing Corporation, followed by the Department Economic Development and Transportation.
Mr. Chairman, if time permits, we would like to proceed with the capital estimates of the Department of Health and Social Services. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Are we in agreement that we first deal with the capital estimates of the Nunavut Housing Corporation?
Sergeant-at-Arms, please escort the minister and his officials to the witness table.
For the record, Mr. Minister, please introduce your witnesses.
To my right is the President of Nunavut Housing Corporation, Mr. Alain Barriault, and to my left is the Chief Financial Officer of the Nunavut Housing Corporation, Lori Kimball.
We didn’t finish the review of the Nunavut Housing Corporation’s capital estimates and I still had names on the list. We left off on page J-3, which includes pages J-4 and J-5.
On my list I have Ms. Ugyuk.
Yes, I would like to ask the minister and his officials a question. Many of my constituents have asked me about the capital plans for Nunavut’s public units. Some of the ovens and refrigerators in the units are getting old, suffer issues, and are not repaired.
These appliances are utilized as part of a unit’s essential equipment.
Additionally, the public units of the housing corporation are getting rather old.
Can the minister provide information as to what kind of policies you follow to replace these ovens and refrigerators in the public units of the Nunavut Housing Corporation?
Okay, I understood the reference to refrigerators in your question. When you referred to Innirviit, are you referring to dryers? Did you mean a dryer?
Some appliances within the public units do get rather old. If I was correct in understanding that you wanted to hear about the replacement of these appliances, then the M&I retrofit fund, which is around $6 million for all of Nunavut, is used for replacing appliances.
We have to work in conjunction with the LHO in the community to cooperate with the tenant to replace appliances if they are faulty.
However, the tenant has to inform the LHO that their appliances are not working properly.
The funding is usually available immediately to the LHO and they can apply to their district office.
That is how this system is set up for the replacement of appliances, if I understood the gist of your question.
Ms. Ugyuk (interpretation): When I said Ingnirviit, I meant the stove/oven, where you cook your food.
I believe that these household appliances come with a warranty; however, these appliances are used for a long time and not replaced even when they are problematic. In my constituency, the communities have issues with these appliances. I thank the minister for his clarification.
We would like clarification. Are you talking about stoves?
Ms. Ugyuk (interpretation): Yes.
Chairman: Minister Curley.
Hon. Tagak Curley (interpretation): Yes, okay, those appliances are eligible for that funding. If it is an urgent need, then they can apply for emergency funding for repairing faulty parts, especially during the winter months.
These essentials are part of the social housing units, so they have to inform their local housing authority and apply for funding at their district office.
We try to have replacement appliances in every community that can be used to replace appliances in an urgent matter. However, these appliances are limited and sometimes there is more demand than available units, especially in larger communities with many units.
I want the members to know that they can get assistance in this area if they are unable to meet the needs of their clients.
I want to ask our witnesses this question.
We are in dire straits due to the shortage of staff housing, particularly in Taloyoak. Can you inform me as to what your plans are to resolve this challenge?
We have limited staff housing in Gjoa Haven, particularly in Taloyoak. I am talking about GN employee staff housing.
Hon. Tagak Curley (interpretation): I would like the President of the Nunavut Housing Corporation, Mr. Barriault, to provide her with a detailed response.
We are aware that there are shortages of staff housing in a number of communities and we are working with our GN departments to identify where the needs are and to plan for either construction of new houses or acquisition of new leases.
In Taloyoak, for example, we’re now in the process of obtaining a lease for one of the staff for the Department of Education.
So we are working with our fellow departments to identify those needs and to find means of solving the problems.
Ms. Ell.
Ms. Ell (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
My question, first of all, is with respect to the contents of page J-5, Various Nunavut Fire Damage Replacement with a budget set at $1 million.
Can you identify what the actual uses of these funds are?
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Ms. Ell.
This line item is part of the $16 million fund.
When buildings catch fire, sometimes it only damages part of the unit, such as a bedroom damaged or when it is a multi-plex, it only damages part of the unit. Sometimes it can be as little as $10,000 or less to repair the fire damage.
These types of fire damage line items are for repairing fire damage in public units. The LHOs apply to the department for these damage repair funds and they do not use their own funds.
We disburse the funds to the LHO if they have used funds to repair fire damage repairs. Sometimes it can be an urgent issue, especially when a unit catches fire.
Ms. Ell (interpretation): Damage by fire to units are quite different, some completely gutted while others are only partially damaged and can be repaired with varying amounts of funds required.
It seems to be occurring more frequently every year. Although it is unfortunate to have anyone experience this, people do go through that type of event.
What plans are required and what priorities are there with respect to the repairs?
Yes, if the unit is salvageable, this program can be used to make the repairs.
In cases where the unit suffers mainly smoke damage and the odour is too strong after the fire has been doused, then the tenants are placed in another unit while the repairs are being made. This could be due to the heavy smoke odour and we have to ensure that there are no health risks after a fire. Therefore, it is only after the unit has been repaired properly and inspected that the unit can be inhabited again by the tenants.
That is usually the case where the tenants have to wait until the building is repaired.
To answer your question, setting priorities is not the issue.
However, if a unit is uninhabitable, then they have to repair the building. These funds are mainly allocated for repairing the building. In cases where the building is a total loss, the LHOs would use the insurance program to replace it.
Ms. Ell (interpretation): It seems that more and more units are being damaged as a result of fire or are a complete writeoff.
What exactly has your department undertaken to teach tenants about fire safety and fire prevention?
This is the responsibility of the tenant relations officer. In cases where there are criminal activities taking place, that complicates the tenant relations officer’s duties.
This is also the case where tenants are behind in their rents.
The tenant relation officers have to meet with the tenants and the LHO.
Part of their responsibility is ensuring that tenants are aware of fire safety.
As an example, children ought not to be close to any areas that may be a fire hazard.
Unfortunately not all risky behaviour is caught by the officers. We sometimes hear that children playing with matches cause these fires.
There are many different ways that fire can occur, and ever since the public housing units arrived in the north, this has continued to be an issue that is dealt with. However, not all tenants listen to the information that is presented to them, much like us.
Ms. Ell (interpretation): Mr. Chairman, as I am new to the procedures of this House, if my questions are out of line, you may reprimand me if I go off on a tangent.
This question is towards the same page we are reviewing, J-4. This is with respect to repair funds that are applied for.
During my campaign, I visited many elders in their units. Many of these units have no porches and the doors are drafty and during the winter, snow blows in through the cracks.
I doubt that this is part of the responsibility of the Nunavut Housing Corporation, but if you could expand on what programs are available, which body has to be approached, or how these maintenance repairs are dealt with.
Just to ensure that all members understand this issue, Iqaluit has the largest number of public housing units in Nunavut and the largest number of private homes.
We had to replace the local board of directors, although we retained some of the previous members. Further, we have requested names from the public for those people interested in serving on the board and the closing date is at the end of December.
With respect to the program itself, we are looking at those units that don’t have porches. Perhaps I can get Mr. Alain Barriault to explain the program.
If an elder is a homeowner, they can apply through district offices of the Nunavut Housing Corporation, which are located in Cape Dorset, Arviat, and Cambridge Bay.
For assistance under the Seniors and Disabled Persons Preventative Maintenance Program, which addresses items such as weather stripping, leaky doors, and things like that, if the elders are in public housing and similar to anyone in public housing, if you note any repairs that need to be done on your housing unit, you are encouraged to contact your local housing organization and report the repair that needs to be done.
At that point, a work order is issued and the unit is repaired.
Yes, I thank you for clarifying that.
What if the people don’t own their own private homes and they weren’t renting a public unit? As an example, here in Iqaluit, we have an elders’ facility that includes housing units for the elders.
Who is responsible for the maintenance of these units?
Minister Curley, do you have a response to that question?
Hon. Tagak Curley (interpretation): Mr. Chairman, Mr. Barriault will answer that question.
To my understanding, the seniors’ facility in Iqaluit, similar to other seniors’ buildings throughout Nunavut, is managed by the local housing organization.
As such, they should contact the Iqaluit Housing Authority. If, for some reason, they’re not the ones responsible, they will know who is and they will put them in contact with the appropriate person.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Barriault. (interpretation ends) J-3.
Total Capital Expenditures. $16,004,000. (interpretation) Do you agree?
Go to page J-2. (interpretation ends) Department Summary. Nunavut Housing Corporation.
Are we in agreement that we have concluded with the Nunavut Housing Corporation?
Minister, you may proceed if you have any closing remarks.
I am quite happy with the questions that were raised and we will keep them in mind. Whenever a member raises a question, it is quite clear and further, we will work to move them forward. We also know that we need to work on our communication and that is something we take to heart.
We will keep trying to remediate that.
My colleagues, if you have any questions even outside of this House, we will be available to answer them. I also thank you for supporting our departmental allocations for this fiscal year.
I will stop there for now, Mr. Chairman. I also thank you as well, Mr. Chairman.
Committee members, I will have Mr. Louis Tapardjuk take the Chair while the Minister of Economic Development and Transportation prepares for his presentation.
I have quite a few questions for the minister.
Let’s continue on.
The committee will now deal with the Department of Economic Development and Transportation.
Before we proceed with the opening comments, a point of order was raised on Friday by a member and I said that a ruling will be issued today.
We will deal with that before Minister Taptuna begins his opening comments.
My eyes are not getting any younger.
I am now prepared to rule on the point of order that was raised by the Member for Rankin Inlet North during the proceedings of the Committee of the Whole on October 20, 2011.
The point of order was raised in relation to comments made by the Member for Tununiq during consideration of the motion that was before the Committee of the Whole at the time.
I would like to begin by taking this opportunity to remind all members that the purpose of raising a point of order is to draw the attention of the Chair to a departure from any written or unwritten rule or custom of the Legislative Assembly.
When raising a point of order, it is important to clearly state what rule or custom has been breached, and to clearly state what remedy is being requested.
In speaking to his point of order, the Member for Rankin Inlet North suggested that comments which he had made during the previous day’s proceedings of the Committee of the Whole had been inaccurately rendered in the daily Blues.
I note that in speaking to the point of order, the Member for Tununiq indicated that he had reviewed both the Inuktitut and English versions of the Blues.
Having had the opportunity to review the audio recording of the proceedings in question, I am satisfied that the Inuktitut version of the Blues accurately rendered the comments made by the Member for Rankin Inlet North on October 19, 2011.
I further note that in raising his point of order, the Member for Rankin Inlet North did not ask the Member for Tununiq to withdraw his comments, nor did he suggest that the Member for Tununiq had used unparliamentary language or otherwise committed a breach of the Rules, nor did he ask the Chair to take any specific action.
In essence, the Member for Rankin Inlet North used the mechanism of a point of order to offer additional clarification of his remarks in relation to the debate that was being undertaken at that time on the motion under consideration.
Accordingly, no action from the Chair is required and the matter is closed.
I hope that was clear enough.
We will then go back to the Committee of the Whole and deal with the Department of Economic Development and Transportation.
Minister Taptuna, you can proceed with your opening comments. We will then open the floor for questions.
Bill 15 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2012-2013 – Economic Development and Transportation – Consideration in Committee
Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to be here today to present my department’s 2012-13 capital plan to the Committee of the Whole.
The Department of Economic Development and Transportation is proposing a $14.4 million capital plan for the fiscal year 2012-13.
This budget contains two large airport projects which address major issues contained in the Nunavut Transportation Strategy. These projects are improvements in two of our hub communities, Rankin Inlet and Cambridge Bay.
I am pleased to say that both of these projects effectively will leverage funding from the federal Building Canada Fund, and both will improve the long-term efficiency of all passenger and freight operations in the Kivalliq and Kitikmeot regions.
Our contribution to these two projects is $6 million and the total budget for these improvements is $24 million, including the $18 million of federal contribution.
We have also included $3.5 million to advance the Iqaluit Airport Improvement project. This funding will be used to develop comprehensive documentation and planning to successfully deliver this project under a private-public partnership model.
Mr. Chairman, our transportation strategy also addresses the need to rehabilitate and improve our community airports. We have included $350,000 to conduct engineering design for a surface overlay and airport lighting upgrades at the Hall Beach Airport; we have allocated $1.5 million to advance the design of a new airport for Pangnirtung; and we have $50,000 to begin planning for a new airport terminal in Taloyoak.
Mr. Chairman, these are the major airport projects we will be undertaking in the 2012-13 fiscal year.
There are also some other projects under $250,000 which are grouped together under the heading Small Capital Projects.
We have allocated $800,000 to complete these projects, which will include new runway inspection vehicles for four communities, as well as an airport sweeper and a vibratory compactor. In addition, our small capital plan includes $100,000 to upgrade visitor centres in the territory and $147,000 for tenant improvements to our offices across the regions.
Several larger equipment purchases will be made under the Minor Capital Project heading. Under this project, we have allocated $1.7 million, which will be used to purchase plow trucks for Sanikiluaq, Arviat; three loaders for Pangnirtung, Taloyoak, and Iqaluit; and a snow blower attachment for the wheeled loader we purchased for Kimmirut this past summer.
Mr. Chairman, we have included $500,000 in this capital plan to make minor improvements to community marine facilities and to contribute towards our lobbying effort of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. We propose making the majority of the funding under this project available to communities under contribution agreements so they can facilitate some of their own changes.
Mr. Chairman, I believe this plan makes good use of our limited resources and is well focused on the department’s mandates. We all realize there is much more to do, but I will continue to work hard with my department to ensure that partnerships with the federal government, with industry, and with the communities are strengthened, and that the investment this government makes in Nunavut has a lasting value on the economic and social future of our territory.
Mr. Chairman, I will be glad to answer any questions from my fellow members.
Do members agree to bring in the witnesses?
Sergeant-at-Arms, if you would escort the witnesses in, please.
Minister Taptuna, please introduce your witnesses.
On my left is Director of Planning and Policy Mr. John Hawkins and on my right is Deputy Minister Long.
Chairman (interpretation): Welcome Deputy Minister Long and Mr. Hawkins.
I am pleased to provide you with opening comments on behalf of the Standing Committee on Community and Economic Development concerning its review of the proposed 2012-13 Capital Estimates of the Department of Economic Development and Transportation.
Members note that the department’s proposed capital budget for 2012-13 is $14.4 million.
The department’s capital budget was $3,925,000 in the 2011-12 fiscal year and $5.55 million in the 2010-11 fiscal year.
The department’s proposed 2012-13 capital budget is focused primarily on transportation-related infrastructure.
The Department of Economic Development and Transportation’s proposed 2012-13 capital estimates include $500,000 in funding for the GN’s contribution towards the construction of small craft harbours in Nunavut communities. This amount has been included in the department’s annual capital estimates since the 2009-2010 fiscal year.
The department has indicated that this funding is to be used to “undertake studies, obtain permits, undertake design work, undertake minor marine improvements and partner with the [federal] Department of Fisheries [and Oceans] on funding major works if the opportunity arises.”
Members are pleased that the minister tabled the GN’s updated Nunavut Transportation Strategy in the Legislative Assembly on June 5, 2009. Some of the objectives of the strategy are to “Implement the federal Small Craft Harbours Program in Nunavut,” “Act on the Nunavut Small Craft Harbours Report,” and “Extend the Small Craft Harbours program to other communities.”