EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
This legislation demonstrates to Nunavummiut and to the business community our government’s strong commitment to implementing Article 24 of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement by ensuring proper and full implementation of the new NNI Policy.
It should be emphasized that the proposed NNI Implementation Act does not introduce any provisions that are not currently in the new NNI Policy.
As members will recall, the new NNI Policy is set to come into force on April 1, 2017.
It is our hope that Bill 38 can be passed before the coming into force of the new NNI Policy to ensure that the policy’s provisions have the necessary legal authority.
I have invited officials from my department as well as the Department of Justice to assist me today.
I look forward to the committee’s questions and comments regarding Bill 38, the Nunavummi Nangminiqaqtunik Ikajuuti Implementation Act. (interpretation) Thank you.
Does the Chair of the Legislation Committee have opening comments?
Mr. Tom Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) As Chair of the Standing Committee on Legislation, I am pleased to make some brief opening comments as the Committee of the Whole begins its consideration of Bill 38, the proposed Nunavummi Nangminiqaqtunik Ikajuuti Implementation Act.
As members will recall, Bill 38 received second reading on February 22, 2017 and was referred to the Standing Committee on Legislation for consideration.
The standing committee recognizes that the new NNI Policy was agreed to by both the Government of Nunavut and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated and is scheduled to come into effect on April 1, 2017.
The standing committee further recognizes that Bill 38 does not change any of the provisions in the new NNI Policy itself.
Mr. Chairman, that concludes my opening comments. The standing committee recommends the passage of Bill 38 to all members. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
If there are none, please refer to Bill 38 in your legislation binder.
I have the English copy, so I will read it in English. (interpretation ends) Bill 38, Nunavummi Nangminiqaqtunik Ikajuuti Implementation Act. (interpretation) Clause 1.
I have a couple of questions here.
Knowing full well that there are a number of contracts that are currently in place that are set for a number of years, would those contracts be affected once this legislation is passed?
This will not affect any contracts that are already in place.
It’s for new contracts after April 1.
Would the businesses that are within the territory of Nunavut that currently hold contracts be notified of possible amendments that may be foreseen or would that be left to the negotiations?
There will be no amendments to any current contracts that the GN holds.
I’ll go back to where I left off. (interpretation ends) Bill 38. (interpretation) Clause 1.
I have a motion that I would like to move. This is a minor housekeeping matter to fix a drafting error in the bill.
Specifically there is an error in a reference to a paragraph of the Financial Administration Act that needs to be corrected. I would like to emphasize that there is no substance to this change.
I thank my colleagues for their understanding.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Thank you, Minister Ell-Kanayuk. (interpretation) The motion is in order.
Members, the motion is in your motions binder.
I’m sorry, Minister Ell-Kanayuk, and I’m sorry, my colleagues.
Let’s go back.
I obviously have the discretion as the Chair.
Minister Ell-Kanayuk, can you read your motion?
Committee Motion 016 – 4(3): Bill 38, Nunavummi Nangminiqaqtunik Ikajuuti Implementation Act, Clause 1 Amendment (Ell-Kanayuk)
I move that paragraph 1(b) is amended by striking out “107(f)” and substituting “107(1)(f).”
Let’s try again.
Members, you can refer to the motion in your motions binder.
Clause 1, as amended.
I was wondering if the minister can tell us, when it comes to the tribunal and appointments to sit on the tribunal and in fact the review committee, whether or not the business representatives of Nunavut will be taken into consideration to make sure that at least somebody from the business sector sits on either the tribunal or the review committee.
The NNI Tribunal will be comprised of five members and they will be an independent tribunal. We will be appointing two of the five members from the list of nominees that will be provided and three will be appointed by the Government of Nunavut.
The GN and NTI will be free to select the individuals who have demonstrated background in business and have knowledge of economic realities in Nunavut, training and/or experience in procurement law, procurement practices, and government contracting.
The answer to that question is yes, Mr. Chairman.
How long would the term be for the five appointed members?
Members of the tribunal will have a term of three years.
Are these members who are appointed for this three-year term able to resubmit their application to continue their representation on the NNI Tribunal?
With regard to the appointments representing all of Nunavut in this role of the NNI Tribunal, what happens when a party complains about the appointment?
Hon. Monica Ell-Kanayuk (interpretation): I apologize, Mr. Chairman.
I have no idea of the usage of the term “complaint” and f the person wants to be the chair and somebody complains.
Perhaps I am off on a tangent here.
That was unfortunately misunderstood.
When any business submits an appeal for any contract they may have lost out on, does the businessperson have the ability to appeal that decision based on the appointee’s background or the fact that they are not representing all of Nunavut, as they have to review appeals for all of Nunavut?
As I understand, these tribunal members have to have awareness of the whole territory of Nunavut, otherwise it would seem like a harried response based on a frivolous appeal, as this language seems to indicate that any business appealing a contract has that right. Does this also apply to the various government contract RFP advertisements that are quite numerous, and will this apply to every single contract that this tribunal will oversee?
Hon. Monica Ell-Kanayuk (interpretation): Yes, they will be representing all of Nunavut.
I just want to ask if the minister can clarify once again in regard to appointments, how many appointments the GN makes and how many appointments the federal government makes and NTI makes.
I wasn’t quite clear. Maybe you can just clarify exactly who is making the appointments and how many.
Minister Ell-Kanayuk, can you clarify that again?
Two will be appointed by Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated and three by the Government of Nunavut.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you for that clarification.
I will go back to Bill 38 and I will start from where I left off.
On 5(d) as well as 5(e) there is wording in there that says “preferential treatment.”
I just need to see what that explanation means. What do they mean by that?
I’ll have Ron Dewar explain that.
Chairman: Mr. Dewar, please.
Mr. Dewar: Thank you.
The preferential treatment is the bid adjustment formula that’s built into the policy for Inuit firms.
I will go back to where I left off.
Bill 38.
Members, do you agree to Bill 38 as a whole?
Chairman (interpretation): Members, pursuant to Rule 62(2), do you agree that Bill 38, as amended, can immediately be placed on the orders of the day for third reading?
Minister Ell-Kanayuk, if you have any closing comments, you have the floor.
Hon. Monica Ell-Kanayuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) I would like to thank the NNI Secretariat, Ron Dewar and Allen Kunuk, who is here as the intern for executive director of the NNI Secretariat, for having worked diligently on both the NNI Policy and the NNI Implementation Act, and also the Department of Justice for their work in contributing to the drafting of the Act.
Before we proceed, we will take a 15-minute break.
Before we take a break, Sergeant-at-Arms, please escort the witnesses out.
>>Committee recessed at 17:32 and resumed at 17:47
Bill 41 – An Act to Amend Certain Acts Respecting Annual Reports Provided to the Speaker – Consideration in Committee
We will now be working with the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.
I would first like to ask the Speaker if he would like to have any witnesses.
Speaker (interpretation): Yes, I have witnesses that I would like to bring to the witness table.
The Speaker would like his officials at the witness table.
Mr. Speaker, we will be dealing with Bill 41. If you have any opening comments, you now have the floor.
I will be speaking in English, as my documents are in English.
I am pleased to have the opportunity to appear today before the Committee of the Whole on the occasion of its consideration of Bill 41, An Act to Amend Certain Acts Respecting Annual Reports Provided to the Speaker.
As members are aware, the Legislative Assembly recommends the appointment of five independent officers: the Chief Electoral Officer, the Information and Privacy Commissioner, the Integrity Commissioner, the Languages Commissioner, and the Representative for Children and Youth.
All of these office-holders report to the Legislative Assembly.
Each office-holder’s enabling legislation requires that an annual report on his or her activities be submitted to the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly for tabling in the House.
As members are very much aware, a number of these reports are the subject of televised hearings each year on the part of standing committees of the Legislative Assembly.
At present there is significant inconsistency with respect to statutory reporting deadlines for annual reports of independent officers.
For example, section 68 of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act requires the Information and Privacy Commissioner to submit an annual report “by July 1 in each year,” which is only 90 days after the end of the previous fiscal year.
By contrast, section 24 of the Official Languages Act requires the Languages Commissioner to submit an annual report “within twelve months after the end of each fiscal year.”
The purpose of Bill 41 is to create uniform reporting deadlines for the annual reports of our independent officers, which will achieve significantly greater consistency and predictability.
All independent officers will be required to submit their annual reports to my office within six months after the end of each fiscal year.
This is a reasonable time frame in which to produce a comprehensive annual report and it is a time frame which will allow for the annual reports to all be tabled in the House during its fall sitting.
I would also note that the Management and Services Board has aimed to help facilitate the timely preparation and submission of such annual reports by providing assurances to all independent officers that the board emphasizes the importance of the information contained in such annual reports, and does not expect them to incur significant expenditures of time and resources with respect to extraneous physical production features.
Bill 41 contains additional provisions regarding the chief electoral officer’s separate reports on the conduct of elections, by-elections, and plebiscites.
At present section 23 of the Inuit Language Protection Act requires that the annual reports of the Inuit Uqausinginnik Taiguusiliuqtiit (Inuit Language Authority) be submitted to both the Minister of Languages and the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly prior to being tabled in the Legislative Assembly.
Given that the members of the Inuit Uqausinginnik Taiguusiliuqtiit are appointed on the recommendation of the minister, it is more appropriate for the minister to be solely accountable for receiving and tabling these annual reports.
Bill 41 amends this section of the statute to provide for a clear line of accountability.
I would also note that Bill 41 does not affect the ability of independent officers to submit special reports on matters of concern to the Legislative Assembly at other times.
For example, as members will recall, the Information and Privacy Commissioner recently produced a special report on her office’s privacy audit of the Qikiqtani General Hospital, which I tabled in the House on November 8, 2016.
I look forward to responding to any comments or questions that my colleagues may have. (interpretation) Thank you.
If there are none, are there any questions to the opening comments?
If there is none, please refer to Bill 41 in your legislation binder.
We will be reviewing it clause by clause.
I have an English copy, so I’ll read it in English. (interpretation ends) Bill 41, An Act to Amend Certain Acts Respecting Annual Reports Provided to the Speaker. (interpretation) Clause 1. Do you agree?
Does the committee agree to Bill 41 as a whole?
Pursuant to Rule 62(2), do members agree that Bill 41 can immediately be placed on the orders of the day for third reading?
Mr. Speaker, if you have any closing remarks, I now give you the opportunity to make them.
Speaker (interpretation): I thank you all. I would also like to thank all the staff at the Legislative Assembly. I thank all of my colleagues.
Bill 43 – An Act to Amend the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act – Consideration in Committee
Mr. Speaker, we would like to deal with Bill 43. If you have any opening comments on Bill 43, I now give you the opportunity to make them.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My apologies.
I was just following your lead.
(interpretation) I am pleased to have the opportunity to provide some brief opening comments concerning Bill 43, An Act to Amend the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act.
Bill 43 amends Schedule C of the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act to change the indemnities and allowances payable to members.
These changes reflect the recent signing of a new collective agreement between the Government of Nunavut and the Nunavut Employees Union.
The base rate of pay for Members of the Legislative Assembly will be increased by the same percentage as that which has been agreed to for members of the Nunavut Employees Union.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Are there any general comments or questions on the opening comments?
If there are none, please refer to the Bill 43 in your legislation binder. I believe you all have a copy of the bill.
I have an English copy in front of me, so I’ll read it in English. (interpretation ends) Bill 43, An Act to Amend the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act. (interpretation) Clause 1. Do you agree?
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. Does the committee agree to Bill 43 as a whole?
Chairman (interpretation): Pursuant to Rule 62(2), do members agree that Bill 43 can immediately be placed on the orders of the day for third reading?
Mr. Speaker, if you have any closing remarks, I give you the opportunity to make them.
I will just express my gratitude to our officials for their dedication on the completion of this work and the successful completion of our session. I thank each and every one of you.
It has been a long day for some of us. Mr. Speaker, we have completed the wish of the committee, therefore I would like to report progress.
The motion is carried and I will now rise to report progress to the Speaker.
Mr. Enook (interpretation): Mr. Speaker, your committee has been considering Bills 26, 28, 30, 38, 41, and 43 and would like to report that Bills 26, 28, 30, 41, and 43 can immediately be read for the third time, that Bill 38 can now immediately be read as amended, and that one committee motion was adopted.
I wish to advise the House that I have received written notice under Rule 20(2) that the Member for Cambridge Bay intends to raise a matter of personal privilege under this rule.
I now recognize the Member for Cambridge Bay. Mr. Peterson, please proceed.
I rise today pursuant to Rule 20(1) on a personal matter where I would like to correct published accusations against myself.
Mr. Speaker, as elected officials and especially as cabinet ministers, we are scrutinized by the public and media quite a bit.
Over time we learn to develop a pretty thick skin and just roll with the punches that are thrown at us as we go about our duties serving the people of Nunavut.
However, there comes a time when enough is enough.
Mr. Speaker, the media publishes a lot of stories that single out the work I do as a cabinet minister in this government. For the most part I live with facts that are published.
Saying that, I feel I must address a recent story reported by Kent Driscoll which I saw on APTN’s national news website on March 9 entitled, and I quote, “Former Nunavut Premier asking why a report on RCMP being kept secret.”
There are three statements that I believe are incorrect in the interview that misquote myself and could effectively and recklessly misinform the public.
In the video Mr. Driscoll states, and I quote, “The Government of Nunavut commissioned a report into civilian oversight of the RCMP.”
Mr. Speaker, neither myself nor the Government of Nunavut have commissioned a report into civilian oversight of the RCMP.
I believe I clearly stated in both the October 18, 2016 and March 2017 Hansard that I have asked my justice officials to review what other jurisdictions do across Canada as it relates to oversight of police forces.
In the written summary of the story on APTN’s website, Mr. Driscoll writes, and I quote, “The report investigated civilian oversight of the RCMP across Canada, and how that could work in Nunavut.”
Again, there is no report and we did not investigate civilian oversight of the RCMP across Canada.
Mr. Driscoll singles out the RCMP.
My request to my staff was to review what other jurisdictions in Canada are doing for policing oversight.
Again, I believe that is clearly stated in the Hansard.
A misconception might have occurred when I responded to questions on March 2 saying, and I quote, “It’s not a report I’m going to make public, but it’s an internal report…”
Mr. Speaker, in the context of the discussion I was referring to, I asked my staff to gather information for me on what other jurisdictions in Canada do in relation to police oversight.
That is all, Mr. Speaker, gather information by calling other provincial and territorial jurisdictions and do some basic Internet research.
Furthermore, Mr. Driscoll states, and I quote, “Okalik requested the review of civilian oversight of the RCMP in 2016, after a high profile incident in Iqaluit’s cells.”
Mr. Speaker, I reviewed the Hansard from when Mr. Okalik questioned me on October 18, 2016 and nowhere do I see where Mr. Okalik requested a review of civilian oversight of the RCMP. He does ask me if I, and I quote, “support the establishment of a civilian oversight body here in Nunavut, yes or no?”
It is pretty clear in our exchange that I did ask my justice officials to look at what other jurisdictions in Canada were doing in relation to police oversight.
Moreover Mr. Okalik was referring to civilian oversight relating to comments from an Ottawa Police Service member on social media and not specifically to incidents in RCMP cells, as the story indicates.
It concerns me that the reporter tried to make it seem that I have commissioned a report into the civilian oversight of the RCMP. This is clearly not true if you research and review Hansard.
I would like the RCMP to be rest assured that the Government of Nunavut values the dedicated and often dangerous work that the members of the RCMP do to protect our citizens and our communities across our great territory.
Mr. Speaker, the discussion of civilian oversight and the investigation of serious incidents involving the RCMP and Nunavut is a complicated one which began last spring.
It still requires a great deal of work.
Indeed, in the shared directional statement I signed with the RCMP which was tabled in the legislature in November of 2016, we made a shared commitment to address this issue, stating that, and I quote, “The GN and RCMP agree that allegations of police misconduct must be taken seriously and acted upon.”
Mr. Speaker, I would like to close by stating that I have the utmost respect for the men and women of the RCMP who protect our communities.
They are part of our communities, their children attend school with our children, they participate in special events, and give of their time volunteering in our communities. For that I am very thankful.
I hope this clears up the misconception that this story has created.
As Rule 20 requires no action from the Chair or the House, the matter is closed and we will proceed to the next item on the orders of the day.
Hon. Minister of Family Services, Hon. Johnny Mike.
Bill 26 – An Act to Amend the Social Assistance Act – Third Reading
Hon. Johnny Mike (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Arviat North-Whale Cove, that Bill 26, An Act to Amend the Social Assistance Act, be read for the third time.
The Hon. Minister of Community and Government Services, Hon. Joe Savikataaq.
Bill 28 – An Act to Amend Certain Acts Respecting Codes and Standards – Third Reading
Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Cambridge Bay, that Bill 28, An Act to Amend Certain Acts Respecting Codes and Standards, be read for the third time.
Bill 30 – An Act to Amend the Fire Prevention Act – Third Reading
Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Cambridge Bay, that Bill 30, An Act to Amend the Fire Prevention Act, be read for the third time.
Bill 38 – Nunavummi Nangminiqaqtunik Ikajuuti Implementation Act – Third Reading
Hon. Monica Ell-Kanayuk: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Aggu, that Bill 38, Nunavummi Nangminiqaqtunik Ikajuuti Implementation Act, be read for the third time.
(interpretation ends) Third Reading of Bills. Hon. Member for Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu, Ms. Pat Angnakak.
Bill 41 – An Act to Amend Certain Acts Respecting Annual Reports Provided to the Speaker – Third Reading
Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Cambridge Bay, that Bill 41, An Act to Amend Certain Acts Respecting Annual Reports Provided to the Speaker, be read for the third time.
Third Reading of Bills. Member for Hudson Bay, Hon. Allan Rumbolt.
Bill 43 – An Act to Amend the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act – Third Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Cambridge Bay, that Bill 43, An Act to Amend the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act, be read for the third time.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) The motion is in order, all those in favour. (interpretation) Thank you. (interpretation ends) Opposed.
Mr. Clerk, will you determine if the Commissioner is prepared to enter the Chamber to give assent to bills.
Bill 19, Unlawful Property Forfeiture Act;
Bill 26, An Act to Amend the Social Assistance Act;
Bill 28, An Act to Amend Certain Acts Respecting Codes and Standards;
Bill 30, An Act to Amend the Fire Prevention Act;
Bill 31, An Act to Amend the Human Rights Act;
Bill 34, Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, 2017-2018;
Bill 35, Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 1, 2017-2018;
Bill 36, An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act;
Bill 38, Nunavummi Nangminiqaqtunik Ikajuuti Implementation Act;
Bill 41, An Act to Amend Certain Acts Respecting Reports Provided to the Speaker;
Bill 42, An Act to Amend the Tobacco Tax Act; and
Bill 43, An Act to Amend the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act.
As winter’s darkness gives way to the light of spring, I wish all members a safe return to your communities, constituents, and families.
Rest well because you have worked hard to improve the lives of Inuit. Thank you very much.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) This House stands adjourned until Tuesday, May 30, 2017, at 1:30 p.m.
>>House adjourned at 18:23
Tuesday, May 30, 2017
Pages 4201 – 4234
Money Message 4201
Speaker’s Statement 4201
Ministers’ Statements 4202
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 4210
Oral Questions 4211
Revert to Item 5: Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 4228
Returns to Written Questions* 4228
Tabling of Documents 4229
Notices of Motions 4231
Notices of Motions for First Reading of Bills 4231
Motions 4232