EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Under the ALTS funding from Family Services, adult basic education students will receive funding for the first time, which started this academic year, 2013-14.
It is hoped that this will enable more people to attend adult basic education programming.
The college will track this information.
Nunavut is the only jurisdiction in Canada that provides this level of support to adult basic education students. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I am happy to recognize in the Gallery my wife, Eva Mikkungwak, and my son, Theo Haumitnaaq Mikkungwak.
Question 146 – 4(2): Access to Affordable and Nutritious Food in Nunavut (Akoak)
Mr. Akoak: Thank you.
Good morning to the people of Gjoa Haven and Members in the House. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Minister of Family Services.
As the minister will recall, I asked her questions last week about the Nutrition North Canada Advisory Board Meeting, which takes place tonight at 7:00 p.m. in Rankin Inlet.
Although I recognize that Nutrition North Canada is a federal program, our government is expected to stand up for Nunavummiut on important issues, such as food security.
As the minister will also recall, she participated in the Legislative Assembly’s Public Meeting with Nutrition North Canada representatives on October 25, 2011. During that meeting, she spoke about the need to prioritize the interests of Nunavummiut.
Will the minister ensure that our government’s concerns are represented during tonight’s meeting of the Nutrition North Canada Advisory Board in Rankin Inlet, yes or no?
Hon. Minister of Family Services, Ms. Ugyuk.
I thank the Member for Gjoa Haven for his question with respect to Nutrition North Canada, which is run by the federal government.
At Family Services, there are also people working for Family Services in Rankin Inlet; I will ask them to attend the meeting.
Mr. Akoak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank you for the response. As the minister will recall, she also raised concerns about fresh produce, which often goes bad during transit to communities.
I am aware that it is the retailers’ responsibility to ensure that produce on the store shelves is fresh. However, the government’s mandate, Sivumut Abluqta, states that it will promote “community-based solutions to enhance access to nutritious food.”
Can the minister indicate how her document is working with retailers, airlines and other partners to support community access to fresh produce?
I thank the Member for Gjoa Haven for his question, which is also a concern of many people in Nunavut with respect to fresh produce going bad in transit.
The retailers are the ones that look after their product…if the member wants to know more about exactly which produce he is talking about I can write him a letter and provide a better response.
The Nunavut Food Security Coalition recently completed its Nunavut Food Security Strategy and Action Plan for 2014-16.
The strategy recognizes that “action at the community level is necessary to address hunger in the short-term.
This means that in addition to long-term strategies and action plans, communities need programs that help Nunavummiut who are hungry right now.”
Can the minister describe how her department is supporting communities to provide programs that address hunger in the short-term?
The Nunavut Food Security Coalition had a meeting on May 5, 2014 to have a plan of action, and it is part of Makimaniq.
At this present time, we will be making a five-year plan to provide hunger in a short-term.
Question 147 – 4(2): Taxation (Joanasie)
Good morning. (interpretation) My questions today are for the Minister of Finance. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister of Finance.
This year’s budget projects that the government will raise approximately $24.2 million in revenue from the territorial payroll tax, which is currently at two percent.
Can the minister indicate approximately what percentage of payroll tax revenue is generated from permanent residents of Nunavut and what percentage is generated from workers who travel to the territory for short periods of time to work at mine sites or construction projects?
Mr. Speaker, I do not have that detailed information at the moment.
This year’s budget projects that the government will raise approximately $16.3 million in revenue from the territorial tobacco tax, but only $12.5 million in revenue from corporate income taxes.
I recognize that Nunavut has one of the lowest corporate [income] tax rates in the country, and that one of the reasons for having a low rate is to attract businesses to operate in Nunavut.
Can the minister indicate if his department has been able to measure the extent to which our current corporate tax rates have been successful in attracting new businesses?
It is, indeed, unfortunate that we collect more in tobacco taxes from people purchasing tobacco products.
In fact, I was just asked by someone the other day if they knew how many cigarettes that 34,000 people in Nunavut smoke and they thought 1.5 million cigarettes; in fact, 66 million cigarettes, Mr. Speaker.
It’s a grave concern that we have so many smokers we’re collecting that number of taxes.
However, Mr. Speaker, I don’t have the details on how much the corporate tax rate is attracting investment in Nunavut.
I also note that this year’s budget projects that the government will raise approximately $4,168,000 in revenue from the sale of alcohol.
As we know, the department is moving in the direction of allowing retail sales of beer and wine, and we know that a portion of the revenues from the sale of liquor are to be used to promote social responsibility.
As part of this process, is the government reviewing its markups on liquor products?
The Nunavut Liquor Commission is constantly reviewing their product inventory and markups.
I can’t tell the member today if it’s part of the process of social responsibility. They are reviewing it for that purpose, but we’re constantly ensuring that the liquor commission… .
Through the Liquor Revolving Fund, they have to sustain their operations. Of course, there have to be markups on our products to ensure that it covers the expenses of the liquor commission.
Having said that, Mr. Speaker, I can endeavour to get back to the member with detailed information if that’s what he wishes.
Speaker: We’re having technical problems.
We will have a 10-minute break.
>>House recessed at 10:38 and resumed at 10:49
Speaker (interpretation): We will now resume our meeting.
Question 148 – 4(2): Nunavut Food Security Coalition (Hickes)
Yesterday, the Minister of Health tabled the Nunavut Food Security Strategy and Action Plan for 2014-16.
Although the Minister of Family Services received a couple of questions, I would like to ask the Minister of Health.
I noticed with some interest that a number of groups have been expanded into participating with this coalition, including two of our major food retailers in Nunavut.
With the overall concern of pricing in Nunavut, how has their inclusion impacted coalition discussions?
I thank the member for Tasiluk for those questions.
The Nunavut Food Security Coalition… . The report I tabled just yesterday was publicly released in the week of May 5 to 9 during Hunger Awareness Week.
I thank the Premier for officially releasing that document at that time.
There are several action items under there.
The coalition is a large group. It has Nunavut government officials in it; Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated is co-sponsoring the Nunavut Food Security Coalition.
The coalition represents other Inuit organizations, non-government organizations and the private sector that the member mentioned.
I think we are working to be inclusive with the coalition to develop long-term ongoing and sustainable approaches to food security in Nunavut.
Mr. Hickes: As one of my colleagues mentioned a little bit earlier, there is a meeting planned with the Office of the Auditor General’s review of Nutrition North happening this evening in Rankin Inlet.
Are there members from this coalition that will be participating in that meeting this evening in Rankin Inlet?
I thank the member for that question. (interpretation) I’m not really aware of everything that they are doing because there are many departments involved in it.
I am getting my staff to look into this and I will have to get back to the member with that question.
I will look forward to that information from the minister.
I’ve noticed that with the amount of expansion that this coalition has included so many different representations, it talks about face to face meetings.
One of the things that leads to this question is; who covers the cost of these face to face meetings and is there a budget associated with it?
In June 2012 Health Canada provided a notice that $400,000 a year, which is federal funds, will be provided for food security efforts and this included a one full-time food security strategy specialist, food security symposium that the meetings that happened and the development of a territorial food security strategy which we’ve done the implementation plan for and evaluation frame work.
Initial implementation of this strategy and work to establish a mechanism for sustained action on this issue.
Member for Rankin Inlet South.
Question 149 – 4(2): Alternative Options for Housing (Sammurtok)
Mr. Speaker, I have noted that under the Nunavut Housing Corporation housing allocation system, the community of Rankin Inlet is scheduled to receive 20 new public housing units.
Can the minister confirm that this number of units will be built in Rankin Inlet and provide a brief update on when they will be completed?
I say ‘good morning’ to fellow Nunavutmiut and thank you for that good question.
Mr. Speaker, in regards to his question about 20 new public housing units for Rankin Inlet, he is correct. They will be started during the summer construction season.
In April, CBC ran a story about a family living with five children in a small three-bedroom cabin with no heat, no running water, about 20 minutes outside the community of Rankin Inlet. The situation posed serious health risks to the whole family.
Can the minister describe what steps are being taken to ensure that no one and definitely no family with small children are forced to live in such conditions?
It is being worked on.
After we heard about that family, the Nunavut Housing Corporation started working on this. I can tell my colleague that.
Given the immediate and drastic need for public housing and recognizing the length of time that it takes to construct new dwellings, would the minister be prepared to consider temporary housing solutions, such as establishing short-term homes in mobile trailers until such time as more permanent housing becomes available?
And, thank you for that question.
Mr. Speaker, homeless people and people who have a lack of space and housing in general.
We would like everyone to have permanent homes, not just temporary homes and we know that it will take a long time to correct the housing issue.
Mr. Speaker, in regards to my colleague’s question, the trailers that he is referring to, to see if we have done any planning to install mobile trailers.
Mr. Speaker, we are looking more into more long-term housing solutions to try to increase the number of houses available.
There is no planning for mobile trailers, as the MLA is asking about.
Question 150 – 4(2): Options for Income Assistance Clients (Mikkungwak)
I say ‘hello’ to the people of Baker Lake and Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Family Services.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I appreciate that the Income Assistance Program is intended as a program of last resort.
I also believe that many individuals would prefer not to rely on social assistance to feed their families.
However, it often seems that there are not many other options available.
There are no jobs in the community. Courses at Nunavut Arctic College fill up fast or have eligibility requirements that prevent income assistance clients from applying. There isn’t much else out there.
Can the minister describe what kinds of programs are available to social assistance recipients to help them become more self-reliant?
I thank the Member for Baker Lake for asking about the general lack of places to turn to when you need help with food.
I don’t know of any other programs as the Minister of Family Services.
However, using the Sivumut Abluqta mandate, we are encouraging them to continue their education.
If they’re young people, we encourage them to get their high school education.
I know that the college students want to make sure that their children are well cared for so that they can go back to school.
Other than income support, I don’t know if there is anything else available to them up here.
The business plan for the Department of Family Services raises the concept of “productive choices” for income assistance clients.
Can the minister describe what kinds of activities her department considers “productive choices” by income assistance clients?
I thank the Member for Baker Lake for asking what productive choices can help income assistance clients.
They can be returning to school, advancing their education, learning trades, and learning accounting skills, learning career skills, working within the community, or hunting for food.
If a person has a handicapped, is mentally ill, has an alcohol or drug addiction, counselling is available.
If hunters get sick or have physical disabilities or not able to do things on their own, they are considered.
Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the minister for the response.
The minister has indicated that the Income Assistance Program and the related policies and legislation will be reviewed in priorities 2013-14.
Can the minister provide a timeline for when the review will be conducted and when we can expect to see some changes to the program?
I would also like to thank the Member for Baker Lake for asking those questions. We are going to reviewing the policy on income assistance. Since the Department to Family Services is brand new and we are still are in shortage of filling positions within the department but in 2015 we have an estimate.
Our target date is 2015. We will be making announcements prior to that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 151 – 4(2): QEC Procurement and Contracting (Angnakak)
Yesterday, I asked the minister if the government’s NNI Policy applies to the procurement and contracting activities of Qulliq Energy Corporation. In his response to my question, the minister indicated that this issue is under review but he did not clearly state what the Qulliq Energy Corporation’s current practices are.
Mr. Speaker, the Qulliq Energy Corporation is currently tendering for almost a dozen projects including a distribution system upgrade in Grise Fiord, plant site fencing in Iqaluit, and a distribution line upgrade in Sanikiluaq.
Will the NNI Policy be applied to these Qulliq Energy Corporation tenders, yes or no?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Hon. Minister responsible for the Qulliq Energy Corporation, Mr. Okalik.
We are now reviewing the NNI Policy for contract at this time. Prior to the review being completed, we will just continue to use the status quo.
Ms. Angnakak: As I noted yesterday, the question of whether or not the NNI Policy should apply to the procurement and contracting activities of the Qulliq Energy Corporation has been under consideration for almost two years. I recognize that this is a complex issue.
On one hand, Inuit and northern firms especially, small firms and entrepreneurs need our support. On the other hand, any increased cost that the utility incurs through its operations will be passed on to Nunavummiut through higher rates.
What is the minister’s position on whether the NNI Policy should apply to the Qulliq Energy Corporation?
This issue is very complex and our government is doing a comprehensive review and the Department of Economic Development and Transportation is now reviewing how this NNI can be utilized within the whole government. Once the review is complete, then we will have a better idea of what Qulliq Energy Corporation will be doing.
Yesterday the minister informed the House that this issue is under review. Will the final decision on whether the NNI Policy applies to the Qulliq Energy Corporation be made by the cabinet, the Financial Management Board, or the Public Agencies Council?
Thank you, Mr. [Speaker].
Yes, the review has to go through the cabinet level once the review is complete. So therefore I cannot make any decisions prior to the review being complete.
Question 152 – 4(2): Search and Rescue Protocols (Mapsalak)
Mr. Speaker, every time we do a search, how many days do we need to do a search prior to us using the airline to help?
Who is responsible for hiring airlines to do a search?
Minister of Community and Government Services, Minister Sammurtok.
When we need to use airlines, the RCMP is responsible for the request.
Does the minister know what kind of airline is used for searching hunters?
What kind of aircraft does it have to be?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Hon. Minister of Community and Government Services, Minister Sammurtok.
We use any kind of aircraft, as long as they are available but some smaller airplanes can fly lower and faster, so it is better to use those aircraft.
Your last supplementary, Mr. Mapsalak.
We constantly hear Nunavummiut saying that the Hercules airplanes are used most commonly but it is very difficult to see using those Hercules.
Do I understand correctly that they can utilize any kind of airplane as long as it is faster? So, is it okay to use any kind of aircraft to do a search?
The member’s comment, in regards to Hercules, when Hercules planes are used they are used to support the searches and Hercules usually carry people and supplies.
If they need to drop the supplies then they are best suited to that role. If there are other smaller and faster airplanes, it would be ideal to use those in other situations.
Question 153 – 4(2): Issues with Search and Rescue (Enook)
I would like to direct my question today to the Minister of Community and Government Services.
I also want to ask questions in regards to search and rescue.
Mr. Speaker, search and rescue teams have a very important role and responsibility and their equipment are the most expensive equipment, especially their mode of transportation. I apologize, Mr. Speaker, I believe that the search and rescue teams are the ones that are receiving the least support.
They have to fundraise and help themselves and not all local governments in the communities have the funding to provide for search and rescue teams.
I apologize to those search and rescue teams that we are not provided adequate funding.
I would like to ask the Hon. Minister that every time a search and rescue team have to do a search, they don’t have any mode of transportation.
Are they allowed to use government equipment?
Hon. Tom Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank my colleague for his question.
The government doesn’t have equipment for search and rescue, but if there is any way that we can provide support to search and rescue teams, we can provide any kind of support to the search and rescue teams.
Mr. Enook: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation) Perhaps if I ask the question: if local search and rescue teams are going to use transportation equipment, whether it be a snowmobile or a boat, and if the government has that equipment in the community and if the search and rescue team have to utilize that government equipment, are they allowed to use that equipment to do search and rescue?
As I stated earlier, if the government did have that equipment and if there is no equipment in the other community to be utilized, yes, we can look into that.
Usually, the RCMP takes the lead for search and rescue. You can ask those questions to the RCMP detachment to see if they have any equipment for them to use.
Mr. Enook: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation) I apologize if I seem to be asking the same question, but I believe I haven’t received the answer I’m looking for. The only question I posed was not even using RCMP equipment.
I’m asking a question about government equipment, whether they have snowmobiles or boats, and they belong to the government. Can the search and rescue teams, if there’s no choice, utilize government equipment to conduct search and rescue?
I’m not asking about anything else other than that.
I’m not doing this on purpose, but if there is no equipment within the community and if there was equipment that belonged to the government, yes, we can look into it.
Question 154 – 4(2): Building Foundations for Public Housing in Arviat (Savikataaq)
My questions this morning are for the minister of the housing corporation.
I have been informed by concerned citizens in my community that they’re building new public housing there and we’re grateful for that, but the foundation they’re using is the pylons.
They’re drilling down and using pylons. The soil or rock conditions we have in Arviat are not good for that.
In fact, all of the old pilings and foundations that were on public housing, the local housing association has cut them off and put different kind of foundation.
I would just like to ask the minister why they’re going back to pylon foundation when it hasn’t been used in years because it doesn’t work.
Minister responsible for the housing corporation, Mr. Kuksuk.
Hon. George Kuksuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank my colleague from Arviat for the question.
The housing lots are reviewed and checked. The conditions of the soil are checked and they are not uniform. Some are softer and others are firmer.
They have been checked first. That is the way I can answer him.
Mr. Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. [Speaker].
I imagine they did studies. Yes. But the local housing association has removed all of the piles and if they have to do that again then it’s added cost for the few dollars that we do have for building housing.
Does the minister know for sure, does he have copies of studies where they did soil sampling and they actually did drilling to see what’s underneath?
Hon. George Kuksuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank him again for that question.
Mr. Speaker, I mentioned previously that there is soil testing done on the ground prior to installation of the piles. The soil underneath is checked.
The contractors who have put bids to build houses are advised what kind of foundations they would need to install.
The people who need to check these conditions of the soil and the land are advised which kinds they should be using. Whether they be blocks or tubes and pipes and piles.
That is the way things are done.
One last question here. Did the minister spec out what type of foundations were required for the houses that went to tender?
I thank my colleague. According to my understanding, Mr. Speaker, before the piles are installed the ground is drilled and I can tell them exactly what they will be in relation to what types they will be using I will be able to provide information to him.
Question 155 – 4(2): Rankin Inlet Infrastructure Needs (Sammurtok)
Mr. Sammurtok: Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for allowing me to have a chance to ask a second question.
Mr. Speaker, as the minister will be aware, the community of Rankin Inlet is in desperate need of a new arena. Even though the project first appeared on the government’s capital plan a few years ago, it seems as though very little progress has been made since then.
Can the minister provide an update on the current status of the new arena for Rankin Inlet and indicate when this construction will begin?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Hon. Minister responsible for Community and Government Services, Mr. Sammurtok.
Hon. Tom Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I can tell the member that this project is in our capital plan and is in the design stage.
The lack of adequate community infrastructure in Rankin Inlet is a serious concern. As well as the urgent need for a new arena, the hamlet office is in an old, mouldy building with no room for a mayor’s office and no storage space.
Rankin Inlet’s mayor has to work out of his own home.