EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Other expenses of 12 thousand, in miscellaneous about 5 thousand, Mr. Chairman that is roughly the breakdown of the 530 thousand.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you Minister Ng. Okay before we go to general comments.
If you would introduce your staff member who is sitting beside you so they will be properly recognized.
To my right I have Mr. Bob Vardy, Deputy Minister of the Department of Finance and Administration.
Chairperson (interpretation): Welcome Mr. Vardy.
We are on page 5.
We’ll then turn onto page number 6.
Department of Finance and Administration.
Fiscal policy and expenditure management.
Not previously authorized, negative 54 thousand.
Agreed? Mr. Iqaqrialu.
Could you give me an elaboration on what these negative numbers represent.
Because it could be a deficit.
Why is there a negative figure here.
Mr. Iqaqrialu would like clarification on the negative number.
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Mr. Chairman, this is an expenditure in establishing the decentralization secretariat and it is as a result of transferring one individual from the Department of Finance to the Division Secretariat.
So the negative would show up here and a positive would show up in the Executive Department later on.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you Minister.
Going ahead.
Page number 6.
Not previously authorized, negative 54 thousand dollars. Financial Services, not previously authorized, 310 thousand. Not previously authorized, total department 256 thousand.
General comments Mr. Iqaqrialu.
Mr. Iqaqrialu (interpretation): Following the numbers there is one to provide funding for the costs of removing the contaminated soil and providing backfill to restore the Arviat Centre site.
What kind of contaminants are we talking about here.
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Mr. Chairperson, this was mentioned in an earlier question in the House from Mr. O'Brien to the Health Minister.
It primarily is fuel oil spilled there over the years Mr. Chairman.
Where, in Arviat?
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Thank you Mr. Chairman, Mr. Iqaqrialu is correct, in Arviat.
Chairperson (interpretation): I think that is pretty clear.
We are still on page number 6.
Total department, not previously authorized, 256 thousand.
We’ll then go to page 7.
Human Resources, Operations and Maintenance.
Not previously authorized, 522 thousand dollars.
There is a question, Mr. Iqaqrialu.
Mr. Iqaqrialu (interpretation): I would like to know exactly what these monies are going to be used for.
Mr. Chairman this again is one of the internal government transfers, it is coming from the Department of Education to the Department of Human Resources.
So the programs that are intended to be delivered wouldn’t change as this is a shift in responsibilities between departments.
This is the public service training program, so it is for government wide training initiatives of our staff, Mr. Chairman.
The Department of Education sets the programs but now they always keep saying that they don’t have enough money, how come they are transferring these dollars to a different department.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Iqaqrialu.
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Mr. Chairman, it is primarily because it was felt that the role for staffing, Government of Nunavut staffing was the responsibility of the Department of Human Resources, so the department has agreed to this transfer.
If that is going to be the case, it doesn’t go well with me because the Department of Education doesn’t have enough money, we keep hearing almost on a daily basis that the Department of Education doesn’t have enough money.
Maybe because I don’t understand, maybe if you could explain to me I would feel better about it.
This is going to Human Resources from the Department of Education, right.
Mr. Minister, did you want to respond.
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Yes I will try again, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Chairman it is for a specific program for the public service commission training program for employees.
So the intent is that there is no change, the program will still continue to be delivered, it is just that instead of having the funding within the Department of Education, the funding is transferred to the Department of Human Resources.
If I can use another example, later on, it might clarify it.
For example, when we made a decision for the Housing to come out of Community Government, Housing and Transportation, and to be rolled in with Public Works, the housing program dollars will be transferred out of Community Government, later on here, and transferred in to the Public Works budget.
So it is the same type of thing, we are still delivering the housing program, it is just a transfer of the responsibilities for the budget goes from one department to another.
So this is still a training program.
Is that the way I understand it.
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Yes, I see that my colleague understands.
Chairperson (interpretation): Okay then going back to page number 7.
Directorate, not previously authorized 522 thousand.
Assistant Deputy Minister, not previously authorized, negative 55 thousand.
Mr. Iqaqrialu (interpretation): I would like to know in regards to the Assistant Deputy Minister, I thought we had Assistant Deputy Ministers already.
There is no Assistant Deputy Minister for this particular department.
Could I get clarification on that please.
Did you want to respond to that, Mr. Ng.
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Mr. Chairman, the Department of Human Resources still has an Assistant Deputy Minister.
This particular transfer is to deal with the one Assistant Deputy Minister, Ms. Aglukkaaq, that went over to the Decentralization Secretariat.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you Minister Ng. Mr. Iqaqrialu.
I thought that there was already money in the decentralization secretariat.
I thought we already had approval on April 1.
On April first we didn’t have a decentralization secretariat.
It’s a decision that was made at the Apex meeting, when cabinet reviewed the whole focus of decentralization and the decision was made to try to co-ordinate things from a government perspective and establish the decentralization secretariat.
So you’ll see throughout the Supplementary Appropriations, some transfer of funds from various departments...earlier we did one from Finance...to the decentralization secretariat, so it’s pulling pots of person years from different departments to form the decentralization secretariat under the Department of the Executive.
Chairperson: Thank you, Mr. Ng. (interpretation) Going back to page 7, Assistant Deputy Minister, not previously authorized, negative 55 thousand.
Total department, not previously authorized ...467 thousand.
Hon. James Arvaluk (interpretation): Just to help, you should say “total department”, please.
Chairperson (interpretation): I apologize.
I think there’s a question on the floor.
The total department, the total, is it 522 thousand and negative 55 thousand?
The total is not 467 thousand.
Where did the total come from.
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Mr. Chairman, the total is the addition of the 522 thousand, and you take away the negative amount of 55 thousand, and that’s how you get the total departmental amounts at the bottom of the page.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Ng. Yes, going back to the total department.
Previously authorized. 457 thousand.
Going on to the next page.
Court services.
Not previously authorized. 200 thousand.
Total Department. 200 thousand.
Not previously authorized.
There’s a question.
Mr. Akesuk (interpretation): Is this essential.
That 200 is it just for that department?
Why do you need it now.
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Thank you Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, the primary reason for it is establishing the automated personal property registry system, because the current system now lacks certainty.
It inhibits and increases the cost of commercial transactions as a result of not having an automated system.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you, Minister.
Does that answer your question, Mr. Akesuk, OK.
Going back to page 8.
Total department.
Public Works.
Not previously authorized. 153 thousand negative.
For Public Works, for what kind of works, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Minister, could you respond to his question, or your official?
Mr. Chairman, it is my understanding again is that is a couple of person years that is transferred over to the decentralization secretariat.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Ng. Mr. Iqaqrialu.
This 153 thousand, is it geared towards Human Resources, or staff members?
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Yes, Mr. Chairman, again it’s staff transferred to the decentralization secretariat.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you, minister.
I don’t understand the translation term for decentralization secretariat. Could you tell me or elaborate to me who they are?
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you. Perhaps the Premier could elaborate to him.
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Chairman We wanted to have good direction on decentralization.
That’s why we established the secretariat.
Our work with Public Works to establish our offices and the infrastructure for decentralization are now in the works and in order to give clear direction we are getting support from Public Works.
We’re not coming up with new dollars.
We’re just going to be working with the Public Works to establish the decentralization secretariat.
I hope I answered you, thank you.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Premier.
I think that answers his question.
Going back to page 9.
Negative 153 thousand.
Housing, not previously authorized. 19 million 471 thousand. Do you agree?
There’s a question from one of the members.
This 19 million dollars.
Where did this come from? Is this new dollars, or does this come from our approved budget?
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Nutarak.
Mr. Chairman, this is the funding that was initially approved for Community Government, Housing and Transportation.
At that time, at the start of the year, we approved 33 million 243 thousand for operating and maintenance for the housing portion of CGHT.
Since that approval, CGHT has utilized 13 million 772 thousand and this is the amount that’ s being transferred here.
The 19 million 471 thousand is what’s left and it’s going over to Public Works because of the transfer between departments.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you., Minister Ng. We’re still on page 9.
Not previously authorized: 19 million 471 thousand.
There’s a question on the floor.
Mr. Iqaqrialu (interpretation): My mistake, Mr. Chairman, so just go ahead.
Chairperson (interpretation): Alright, then.
Housing. 19 million 471 thousand.
Thank you. 19 million 471 thousand.
Just for clarification.
Total department 19 million 318 thousand.
There’s a hand, Mr. Iqaqrialu.
We take 153 thousand from 19 million 471 thousand so the total comes down to 19 million 318 thousand.
Does that mean we take 153 thousand from 19 million dollars?
Chairperson (interpretation): Mr. Iqaqrialu has asked a question.
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Yes, Mr. Chairman, the negative amount is deducted from the positive amount.
Chairperson (interpretation): OK. Thank you.
Total department, not previously authorized - 19 million 318 thousand.
I will try and remember to press my button here.
Community Government and Transportation.
Negative 63 thousand.
My microphone kept going on and off, on and off, so it took me quite a while to make a comment.
This 63 thousand, what was it geared towards and why is it negative?
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you, MLA for Pond Inlet.
Mr. Minister, your response please.
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Thank you Mr. Chairman, both this negative item of 63 thousand and the next one of 337 thousand, which totals 400 thousand, the department has taken this out of their operating and maintenance and moved it over to capital – which you will see later - to deal with the Pond Inlet sanitation site closure.
So this is money that they felt they didn’t need within their operating and maintenance budget, and they’re asking to move it over to their capital.
Mr. Nutarak, do you have a question.
Mr. Nutarak (interpretation): I only asked about the 63 thousand.
I was going to ask about the bottom one, the lower one, although you answered that.
Just respond to my question, please.
I just asked about the 63 thousand – not the other numbers, Thank you.
Chairperson (interpretation): Your question was in regard to 63 thousand.
Are you asking another question?
Mr. Nutarak (interpretation): Mr. Chairman, I’m just trying to say that he can only respond to my question, and he responded to two questions.
So I just want to make sure that he understands that when I ask a question I want you to respond to that topic only.
Mr. Chairman, you said 63 thousand, you weren’t talking about the other numbers.
You only talked about 63 thousand, so my question was geared towards that number only.
Chairperson (interpretation): Going back to page 10.
Not previously authorized. 63 thousand negative.
Community Government.
Not previously authorized, 337 thousand negative.
There’s a question on the floor, Mr. Nutarak.
Mr. Nutarak (interpretation): I'll ask another question in regards to that.
Mr. Chairman mentioned 337 thousand so I’ll be asking a question in regards to that.
I’m not talking about 19 thousand as yet, I have a question in regard to this number.
What was this set aside for?
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you., Mr. Nutarak.
Mr. Minister, if you’d like to respond.
I don’t know the specifics of what has been set aside.
All I know is, it’s part of the Community Government budget, the section that’s outlined here, that’s where the operations and maintenance dollars are coming from, or asking to be transferred from.
Chairperson (interpretation) Thank you., Minister.
Mr. Nutarak (interpretation): 337 thousand. What was this directed to, because if my constituency asks a question, I would like to be able to respond to them in detail.
I would be very pleased if the Minister of Finance can respond to me as to what this was directed to.
Perhaps you could rephrase your response.
Hon. Kelvin Ng: (interpretation unavailable)
We spoke Inuktitut on the English channel.
So could you please repeat yourself because the interpreters were on the wrong channel.
Once again I’ll say that the 337 thousand is coming from unexpended salaries out of Community Government and the request is to transfer that 337 thousand of unexpended funds over to capital, as I indicated earlier, for the Pond Inlet sanitation site closure.
Chairperson (interpretation): OK, I would ask that you speak a little bit louder, because some members cannot hear us.
Mr. Nutarak, I think he has responded to your question.
Going back to page 10.
Not previously authorized. 337 thousand negative. Housing. 19 million 471 thousand negative.
Do you agree? Thank you. Total department, not previously authorized, 19 million 871 thousand negative.
Mr. Nutarak (interpretation): Mr. Chairman, there’s only nine of us and the quorum is ten.
Oh, I forgot to include Mr. Minister, who I’m trying to direct my question to.
Chairperson (interpretation): Mr. Nutarak, do you have a question. Go ahead.
Mr. Nutarak (interpretation): In regards to this 19 million, this 19 million dollars was originally going to be used for the Pond Inlet sanitation site.
What was it for, or was this money transferred over to housing.
Chairperson: Minister Ng.  Hon. Kelvin Ng: Mr. Chairman, this 19 million 471 thousand is the exact amount that we just previously dealt with in Public Works.
It is a transfer of the Operating and Maintenance portion of the housing, it comes from Community Government, Housing, Transportation to Public Works.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you., Mr. Hon. Kelvin Ng, I think we’ll go ahead.
Mr. Nutarak (interpretation): This 19 million dollars was taken out.
Is there going to be any money going back for the year 2000?
Chairperson (interpretation): Mr. Hon. Kelvin Ng.
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Mr. Chairman, this is for the current year.
It’s not actually taken out, it’s just being transferred from one department to another.
Next years budget will be set accordingly.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Ng. Mr. Nutarak.
Mr. Nutarak (interpretation): We’re doing Supplementary Appropriations for this year, to the end of March 31.
On April 1, we’ll get new money.
My question was, when it becomes April, will there be money available to replenish what was taken out of the department?
Mr. Ng, response please.
No, the point would be that there would still be money for housing.
It’s just that instead of being in the Community Government, Housing and Transportation budget it would be in the Public Works housing budget.
If that answers the member’s question, thank you.
I believe that’s a response.
Then we’ll go back to page number 10.
Total Department – not previously authorized - 19 million 871 thousand negative.
Page number 11.
Department of Education.
Adult Education and Post-secondary services.
Special Warrants.
The Inuktitut’s not very good.
James, what does that mean.
Hon. James Arvaluk (interpretation): Special Warrant?
The Inuktitut's not very good, so we’ll be looking for a better word right now.
Chairperson (interpretation): Ok. We have a good translation for it.
Special Warrant. 2 million 255 thousand.
In regards to this 2 million 255 thousand, is that just for this year, or is that going to be ongoing over the coming years.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you, Akesuk.
Mr. Ng, can you answer.
This particular decision is for this year, the warrant and the approval request, but the intent is to have it ongoing, subject to approval of budgets in the assembly, in the house.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you., Mr. Ng. Was that an appropriate response, Mr. Akesuk?
Mr. Akesuk (interpretation): Yes, I’m very glad that it’s going to be on an ongoing basis.
Chairperson (interpretation): Just a comment, then. We’ll then go back to page 11.
Adult education and post-secondary services.
Not previously authorized. 523 thousand negative.
Income support.
Not previously authorized – 720 thousand 279.
This money is for Court Services.
There was already a budget approved for the Department of Justice.
Maybe they didn’t have adequate funding.
Chairperson (interpretation): I apologize, again. It doesn’t have anything to do with Court Services.
It’s supposed to say, I mispronounced it.
Income Support. 720 thousand 279.
Total Department – Special Warrants – 2 million 255 thousand.
Total 198 thousand 279.
Page number 12.
Health and Social Services.
Special Warrants. 600 thousand.
I would like to know what this is going to be used for.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you., Mr. Iqaqrialu.
Mr. Hon. Kelvin Ng.
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Mr. Chairman, the funds are for the Nunavut Nursing Program.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you., Mr. Minister.
Mr. Akesuk (interpretation) It’s the same question as the one I asked earlier.
Are we going to be seeing this money again, next year, or is it just for this year.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you., Mr. Akesuk.
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Yes, Thank you Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Chairman, this is an ongoing program, and it would be the intent to bring it back in the upcoming budget.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Ng. Going back to page 12, Directorate.
Total Department.
Okay, then page number 13. Department of Sustainable Development.
Not previously authorized. 729 thousand 279 negative.
Not previously authorized - 729 thousand 279 negative.
Page number 14. Department of Justice.
Registries and Court Services.
Not previously authorized. 220 thousand.
The first question that I wanted to ask this Department.
Was not the budget for the Department of Justice already approved?
Do you want approval for this because they do not have adequate funds?
Chairperson (interpretation): Mr. Iqaqrialu has a question.
I’m sure you would like to respond, Mr. Ng. Mr. Minister.
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Mr. Chairman, in this year’s budget we had approved 318 thousand for capital funding for renovations to the courthouse, but bids for the project came in significantly higher than the budgeted amounts and that is why the request is here for additional funding.
Mr. Iqaqrialu (interpretation): Why did it go over.
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Mr. Chairman. When it was out to tender the bids came in higher than what the budget was, and it was felt that because this issue had to do with courthouse safety, .safety for both the public and registry staff, the judiciary and other individuals that utilize the court building, we went forward with the request for additional funding.
We’ll go back to page 14.
Not previously authorized – 229 thousand.
Total Department. 220 thousand.
Page Number 15. Public Works. Capital.
Not previously authorized – 9 million 319 thousand.
Housing – not previously authorized - 9 million 319 thousand. Total Department, 9 million 319 thousand.
Not previously authorized negative – not negative.
Page Number 16.
I believe there’s a question.
I’m sorry – I didn’t see you.
Jobie.
Mr. Nutarak (interpretation): Mr. Chairman, you said that it was a negative.
They’re going to record it, I was just thinking that since we said 9 million dollars plus negative, I thought it would be recorded like that. I would suggest that you ask us if we agree with the 9 million dollars three hundred plus.
I apologize, like I said.
I said that it’s not negative. 9 million 319 thousand.
Positive. Okay, Page Number 16. Community Government and Transportation.
Special Warrants. 400 thousand.
Not previously authorized – 9 million 119 thousand negative.
There’s a comment, Mr. Iqaqrialu.
This 400 thousand under Special Warrants and the 9 million 119 thousand.
Why are they side by side?
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Mr. Chairman, I think that’s just the way it’s laid out in the provision of the information.
I’m not sure if that answers the question or not.
The negative 19 million 199 thousand is there, but then there’s the 400 thousand beside it.
What are they going to be used for?
Today, the Speaker stated that we are going to be adjourning at two o’clock, and because of that, we’re going to have to go, so I’ll make my report to the Speaker.
I would like to move that we complete the Supplementary Appropriation.
We only have two pages to go before we complete these.
Chairperson (interpretation): Following the House rules, it is too late now.
Point Of Order
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Point of Order, Mr. Chairman.
Chairperson (interpretation): Even if there’s a point of order, we have to adjourn at two o’clock.
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Point of order.
Chairperson (interpretation): Okay. There’s a Point of Order.
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Mr. Chairman, my Point of Order is that if we make it to two o’clock, then automatically the House recesses, and the Speaker is called in.
The motion, the honourable member made a motion prior to two o’clock, so the motion has to be debated, or voted on before the house recesses.
Chairperson (interpretation): According to the rules, I wanted to adjourn and after I had announced that you made your point of order, after I had stated that.
I stated first that we would adjourn at 2 o’clock and later on you made your point of order.
In my capacity as the Chairperson we will follow the House rules.
Thank you Mr. Minister for going to the witness table and I would like to thank your officials for appearing before the committee.
I would also like to thank the legal counsel for the Legislative Assembly.
Your committee has been considering bill 5 and would like to report progress.
Mr. Speaker I move that the report of the committee of the whole be concurred with.
Speaker (interpretation): I have received a motion by the honourable member for Baker Lake and seconded by the member for Cambridge Bay authorizing the Speaker to set such hours as the Speaker sees fit to assist with the business before the House.
I therefore extend today’s sitting to conclude with the committee of the whole, bill 5, Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 1, 1999/2000.
We will resume regular hours on Tuesday.
You have the Chair.
Chairperson (interpretation): There is a motion to extend the sitting hours, right now we are page 16, of the Supplementary Appropriation Act and I would like to ask the minister to go back to the witness table.
We will resume the committee of the whole on page 16.
Community Government and Transportation, total.
Just a minute please.
Since we are resuming the committee of the whole, Mr. Minister, could you reintroduce your official please.