EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
In terms of the discussions we have been having this evening they have been based around seeking additional funding. Originally, when funding was received for the Nunavut Housing Trust, I think it was in partnership with NTI. I’m wondering: is the Nunavut Housing Corporation still constantly working with NTI and other partners?
I think I’ve got it here somewhere.
I think ITK and the National Aboriginal Healing Organization just came up with a document that they published about housing for Inuit communities all across the north.
So I’m wondering: are you working with those organizations to help lobby more funding, to have a better case to go with the federal government?
We did not work together with them on receiving the funds of the $100 million or the $200 million, but we are starting to work together with them on the poverty reduction program and the housing strategy program.
We’re starting to work with NTI on that.
That was going to be my next question in terms of the department’s work on homelessness.
I remember actually seeing Mr. Barriault at one of the poverty reduction summits and I was wondering if you could outline what exactly it is that the corporation is doing in regard to their role in the Poverty Reduction Strategy.
I’ll let Mr. Barriault answer that one.
The housing corporation is playing an important part in the whole Poverty Reduction Strategy, the public housing rent scale review in particular, and making sure that housing is affordable to the population of Nunavut, as well as removing any barriers that are perceived or otherwise to employment.
As a part of all this work, we are tying the strategies together through the GN Comprehensive Long-term Housing Strategy whereby we are working with all of the government departments and agencies to ensure a holistic approach to meeting all of the needs of Nunavummiut in the long term.
That includes as well the homelessness strategy for the GN, which looks not just at providing buildings and shelters but also prevention of homelessness and assisting people who are homeless to get homes of their own.
So it is a transitioning phase to do with that.
We are looking at things from mental health counselling, addictions counselling, provision of food, food security; these are all factors that tie into homelessness.
So we can’t just look at it from a bricks and mortar type of approach. These strategies are looking at everything from a holistic viewpoint as a government and beyond government of what we can do as communities to address these big issues.
Chairman (Mr. Ningeongan): Thank you, Mr. Barriault.
With the restructuring that the government has been talking about, is the potential of the homelessness responsibility being put into the big umbrella of social development or social services and being taken away from your department?
Well, they’re looking at all different kinds of options, but at the present time, there’s nothing being decided on that.
In particular, with this actual document, if not now, when that was produced by ITK, was the Nunavut Housing Corporation made aware of this or were you providing information to this? It’s a pretty interesting document and it definitely outlines all of the different problems and concerns that we talked about all the time when the Nunavut Housing Corporation was before us. I’m just wondering what input was provided by your department.
We weren’t involved in that article over there, but it’s a very interesting article and we are using with our strategy and everything to deal with a lot of the issues in that article.
I know the minister had said that he sought board approval for moving forward on the audit that the corporation will be doing. I’m just wondering, in terms of an update for the board, maybe the minister could give us some background on what the board has been doing since its inception in terms of how many meetings they’ve had and possibly priorities and what direction the minister has given them.
So far, there has only been one meeting in January and that was just kind of a get-together and the next major one will be in May, but there will be a teleconference in between that in March here.
At these meetings, are records being kept in terms of decisions that are made?
Like most boards, do you have a secretary who keeps track of that?
Yes, records are kept and motions are recorded.
Could the committee members receive a copy of the January meeting minutes?
Chairman (Mr. Enook): Thank you, Mr. Elliott.
Yes, at the request of the board, once they have the minutes done up and approved there, if they request it, we will look into it.
I think I’ve just about got to the end of my questions.
When I had first heard about one of the key aspects of the Nunavut Housing Trust, I was actually in my role as adult educator. Aside from the much needed housing for people in our communities, it is quite amazing. I know we have received input from well over 100 people in new houses.
As much as we have talked this afternoon about some of the pitfalls that we experienced with the over-commitment, I still think that was definitely a very valuable exercise. I really hope that the federal government will see the specific need that we have and provide us with the needed funding to continue to build more houses because it affects everybody’s daily life in terms of overcrowding and different colds that seem to go around and, I think, just the idea of having a place to call your own.
At the same time, in terms of the comments, it’s always being said that it’s no indication of the effort of all of the hard-working staff at the Nunavut Housing Corporation.
In terms of education, I think it’s amazing that 70 percent employment is Inuit employment.
That’s amazing and I think that would be encouraged by all members on the committee.
For the Nunavut Housing Trust, one of the key aspects was the training component and the apprentices.
I know I have asked many times in the past and I was hoping to get an update. I’m sure that the housing corporation continues to try and employ as many of these individuals as possible and I’m sure much of the work is seasonal, but if there was a possibility of getting an update as to who is still in the program and how many apprentices have been successfully completing the program.
We just made that program available to the contractors that were initiating the apprentices. We don’t have an update and information on that.
As the Chair, I can ask questions.
I just have this one question.
I know full well that the Nunavut Housing Corporation would do reviews on staff housing as well as public housing, including the homeownership programs. As the Nunavut Housing Corporation stated, they will do all of those reviews.
I was wondering if you have considered or if you can provide support on this. I do want to provide this comment as a suggestion, especially in the smaller communities.
According to the policy of the Nunavut Housing Corporation, there are individuals who can’t access public housing units. That is when following the rules of the Nunavut Housing Corporation or the local housing organization rules.
Those individuals living in the communities can’t get into social housing because there are eligibility rules.
There are individuals living in the communities who will never get public housing.
Even though that’s the case, if those individuals don’t work for the Nunavut government, they will never get into staff housing because they don’t work for government.
In spite of that, they can deny the individual when they apply for homeownership programs to get a mortgage.
In the smaller communities, chances are that there are no units for private leasing available.
Mr. Ningeongan alluded to the fact that there is no market for private homes in the smaller communities.
I would like to ask a question. What is going to happen to the individuals when they can’t access a home?
Are you going to include that in your review so that we won’t be leaving people homeless all their lives?
That was part of the needs survey that we did. There are like 3,580 new homes required just to bring it up to date here and we’re looking at all options.
We definitely want to see as many people in public housing as possible and we’re working on that.
I will leave it at that. Let us move forward.
We are currently on page L-3. (interpretation ends) Department Summary.
Total Operations and Maintenance. $157,382,000. (interpretation) Mr. Curley, did you have your hand up?
Do we agree that the review of the Nunavut Housing Corporation is concluded?
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Mr. Minister, do you have closing remarks?
I am pleased with all the good questions and hopefully I gave mostly good answers there.
Hopefully we can work together and lobby the federal government for more housing units in Nunavut.
Chairman: Thank you, Minister Schell. (interpretation) Sergeant-at-Arms, please escort the witnesses out.
I would like to ask the Minister of Justice to make his opening comments.
Bill 24 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2012-2013 – Justice – Consideration in Committee
I am pleased to appear before the Committee of the Whole to present the Department of Justice’s main estimates for the 2012-13 fiscal year.
A total amount of $92,085,000 is being allocated for the operations of the Department of Justice in the coming year.
This number represents a $1,409,000 increase from the previous fiscal year. The increase is attributed to eight new staff in the Court Services Division and five new staff in the Corrections Division.
Additional staff at courts are needed to address two new judges being appointed in Nunavut and growth at corrections is attributable to the opening of the Rankin Inlet Healing Facility.
Last year, the original main estimate for the RCMP was $27,317,000. However, an FMB submission was made for an additional $2,289,000 by the RCMP to cover operational overages.
In an effort to avoid having to approach FMB again, the department’s 2012-13 estimates contain the same total amount the RCMP was given in 2011-12 of $29,606,000.
Our Court Services Division will be making arrangements to accommodate new staff and new judges and our Corrections Division will be focusing on developing solutions for the overcrowding and infrastructure issues identified at the Baffin Correctional Centre.
The department believes that the addition of new personnel will help us move forward with the objectives outlined in the business plan in improving the administration of justice and public safety for all Nunavutmiut.
Mr. Chairman, that concludes my opening remarks. I would be pleased to answer the questions of the committee.
Do you have witnesses to bring to the table?
Mr. Minister, for the record, please introduce your witnesses.
To my right, I have with me Acting Deputy Minister Norman Tarnow and to my left, I have the Director of Corporate Services, Christine Bens. Also, Mr. Chairman, in the Gallery here, we have J.P. Deroy, the Director of Corrections, and Rebekah Williams, the ADM of Justice.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Minister Shewchuk. (interpretation ends) Does the Chair of the Standing Committee on Social Wellness have comments?
Yes, I have comments. (interpretation ends) I am pleased to provide opening comments on behalf of the Standing Committee on Social Wellness on its review of the proposed 2012-13 main estimates and 2012-15 business plan of the Department of Justice.
The standing committee notes that the department’s organizational structure remains unchanged from 2011-12.
Its proposed 2012-13 operations and maintenance budget of $92,085,000 has increased by approximately 4.2 percent since the introduction of the department’s 2011-12 main estimates.
The standing committee also notes that the total number of positions in the department has increased from 267.0 PYs in 2010-11 to 330.0 PYs in 2012-13.
Members recognize that this increase is primarily a consequence of the opening of the new correctional facility in Rankin Inlet and an increase in the number of staff in the Court Services and Community Corrections divisions.
Mr. Chairman, given the nature of Department of Justice’s mandate, it is important that the department set an example for the government with respect to meeting its statutory requirements for the tabling of annual reports, especially reports that are of significant interest to the public.
These include annual reports under the Family Abuse Intervention Act, the Human Rights Act, and the Liquor Act.
In a number of cases, the annual reports under these pieces of legislation are years overdue.
The standing committee looks forward to such annual reports being tabled in a timelier manner.
In 2010, the Legislative Assembly approved Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, 2010-2011, No. 3.
This contained $2.5 million in supplementary funding to address the Legal Services Board’s “projected year-end budget shortfall.”
The department’s proposed business plan indicates that the amount of annual funding provided to the Legal Services Board has increased from $5,807,000 in 2010-11 to $8,307,000 in 2012-13.
The standing committee applauds the minister’s efforts to work with his provincial and territorial counterparts to lobby the federal government to fund a greater proportion of the costs of criminal and civil legal aid and notes the contents of the October 15, 2010 and January 26, 2012 communiqués issued by federal, provincial, and territorial ministers of justice concerning this issue.
The standing committee also notes that the department’s proposed business plan indicates that two of its priorities for the 2012-13 fiscal year are to “Investigate independent society status for LSB” and to “Conduct a comprehensive structural/operational review” of its operations and financial protocols.
The standing committee also notes that one of the department’s priorities for 2012-13 is to complete a review of the Human Rights Tribunal’s “systems and procedures to ensure that the people of Nunavut are utilizing the services of the Tribunal.”
Mr. Chairman, Members of the Legislative Assembly have frequently expressed concern and frustration that the final reports produced by such reviews are not tabled in the Legislative Assembly in a timely manner.
The standing committee urges the minister to ensure that these items are tabled in the House in a timely manner so that all Members of the Legislative Assembly have the opportunity to consider their conclusions and recommendations.
Mr. Chairman, the Tamapta Action Plan states that “During this mandate, the Government of Nunavut will develop a comprehensive Crime Prevention Strategy based on Inuit societal values and involving Nunavummiut in efforts to reduce the need for intervention by the justice system.”
However, the extent to which progress has been achieved by the government in developing this strategy is unclear.
On March 9, 2011, the 2010-11 shared directional statement between the GN and the RCMP’s “V” Division was tabled in the Legislative Assembly.
The document included a number of priorities for action in the areas of communication, communities at risk, and crime reduction and prevention.
The standing committee also encourages the minister to resume the practice of regularly tabling in the Legislative Assembly the annual shared directional statement between the Government of Nunavut and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police’s “V” Division.
Members also note that a national conference on northern and remote policing is scheduled to be held later this year in the Yukon.
Members look forward to reviewing the results of this initiative.
Mr. Chairman, committee members have raised the ongoing issue of communication difficulties between the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the public whom it serves.
The standing committee also encourages the minister to review the idea of introducing civil forfeiture legislation to address the issue of assets acquired through the proceeds of crime.
Mr. Chairman, the department’s proposed business plan indicates that one of its priorities for 2012-13 is to “Obtain funding and implement the pilot project for a Healthy Relationships Court in Nunavut.”
An ongoing concern of members has been the issue of probation services in Nunavut.
The standing committee notes that the department’s proposed business plan indicates that “Community Corrections has been working at establishing a ‘stand alone’ probation service for Nunavut.
Probation services that were formerly handled by Health and Social Services are now being conducted by Community Corrections officers in some communities.”
The standing committee notes that two of the department’s priorities in 2012-13 are to “Continue hiring, mentoring and training of staff for the new correctional centre in Rankin Inlet and proceed with the operation of the facility” and to “Develop a plan for medium to long-term solution to increase capacity for inmates in Nunavut, including planning to repatriate all Nunavut inmates housed outside of Nunavut.”
Last year, the standing committee noted with concern that the department’s proposed 2011-14 business plan indicated that “no additional resources have been identified by either Corrections or Community Justice towards the reintegration of offenders after incarceration.”
The standing committee is also aware of the concerns that have been expressed regarding the impact of new federal crime legislation on provincial and territorial corrections systems.
A report was subsequently prepared by the Genesis Group.
This report made a number of recommendations.
The department’s proposed business plan indicates that one of its priorities in 2012-13 is to “develop policy and procedures for implementing Family Abuse Intervention Act (FAIA) practices including the enforcement of the Orders available under the Act.”
The standing committee also notes that the department’s proposed business plan indicates that two of its priorities in 2012-13 are to “review the scope of work currently being conducted by Community Justice Committees” and to “Assist Justice Committees to increase their ability to receive more cases diverted from the formal criminal justice system.”
It’s been a long day for everybody, so I would make a motion at this time to report progress.
Just a reminder of two meetings tomorrow morning; at nine o’clock, there’s a meeting of the Standing Committee on Oversight of Government Operations and Public Accounts in the Nanuq Boardroom, followed by, in the same room, a meeting of the Standing Committee on Legislation at half past ten.
This House stands adjourned until Wednesday, March 7, at 1:30 p.m.
>>House adjourned at 21:03  Appendix – March 6, 2012
Return to Written Question 011 – 3(3): Government of Nunavut Expenditures on Overtime Pay for Indeterminate, Term, and Casual Employees
Asked of: Hon. Keith Peterson, Minister of Finance
Date: February 23, 2012
Expressing the data in a comparable format to that which was provided by the Department of Finance in its Return to Written Question 15 – 2(2), what were the Government of Nunavut’s expenditures on overtime pay for indeterminate, term, and casual employees during the 2009-2010, 2010-11, and 2011-12 (to date) fiscal years for each of its departments and Crown agencies?
Please find attached the government’s response in the format requested.
I would note that term employees are included with the reporting for indeterminate employees.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Pages 2227 – 2319
Opening Prayer 2227
Ministers’ Statements 2227
Members’ Statements 2229
Returns to Oral Questions 2234
Oral Questions 2235
Written Questions 2251
Petitions 2251
Tabling of Documents 2251
Notices of Motions 2252
Revert to Item 13: Tabling of Documents 2252
Motions 2253
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 2254
Report of the Committee of the Whole 2318
Orders of the Day 2318
Wednesday, March 7, 2012 2227
142 – 3(3): Minister Absent from the House (Kusugak) 2227
143 – 3(3): Total Knee Replacement Project (Peterson) 2227
144 – 3(3): NHC Releases Revised Maintenance Management Program Manual for Local Housing Organization (Schell) 2228
222 – 3(3): 2012 Tourism in Nunavut Conference (Ell) 2229
223 – 3(3): Arctic Winter Games Standings (Ningeongan) 2230
224 – 3(3): Congratulations to John Arnalukjuak Students and Teachers (Shewchuk) 2231
225 – 3(3): The Passing of Jacoopie Panikpak (Arreak) 2231
226 – 3(3): National Social Work Week (Elliott) 2232
227 – 3(3): Not Satisfied with Nunavut’s Leadership (Curley) 2233
Return to Oral Question 282 – 3(3): Climate Change (Arreak) 2234
Return to Oral Question 289 – 3(3): Fire Safety Inspections (Kusugak) 2234
324 – 3(3): Equipment Replacement for Hunters (Tapardjuk) 2235
325 – 3(3): Providing Support for Women (Ugyuk) 2237
326 – 3(3): Income Support Case Management System (Oshutapik) 2239
327 – 3(3): Social Worker for Sanikiluaq (Rumbolt) 2240
328 – 3(3): Permafrost Monitoring (Ningark) 2241
329 – 3(3): Federal Position on Nunavut Housing Corporation Operations (Curley) 2243
330 – 3(3): Infrastructure Planning for Quttiktuq (Elliott) 2245
331 – 3(3): Total Knee Replacement Operations (Ell) 2247
332 – 3(3): The Effects of Climate Change (Enook) 2248
333 – 3(3): Total Allowable Fish Harvest at Igloolik (Tapardjuk) 2250
016 – 3(3): Fuel Distribution Service Contracts (Curley) 2251
002 – 3(3): Staffing at the Igloolik Health Centre (Tapardjuk) 2251
172 – 3(3): 2010-2011 Annual Report of the Nunavut Status of Women Council (Aariak) 2251
173 – 3(3): Suicide and Attempted Suicide in Nova Scotia - 1995-2004 - A Report (Elliott) 2252
174 – 3(3): Inuit Participation in Determining the Future of Lancaster Sound (Elliott) 2252
023 – 3(3): Extended Adjournment – Notice (Ningeongan) 2252
024 – 3(3): Legislative Assembly Appointments – Notice (Elliott) 2252
023 – 3(3): Extended Adjournment (Ningeongan) 2253
024 – 3(3): Legislative Assembly Appointments (Elliott) 2253
Bill 24 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2012-2013 – Justice – Consideration in Committee 2254
Bill 24 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2012-2013 – Nunavut Arctic College – Consideration in Committee 2282
Bill 24 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2012-2013 – Finance – Consideration in Committee 2301
Bill 24 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2012-2013 – Culture, Language, Elders and Youth – Consideration in Committee 2315
Honourable Eva Aariak, Honourable James Arreak, Mr. Tagak Curley, Ms. Monica Ell, Mr. Ron Elliott, Mr. Joe Enook, Honourable Lorne Kusugak, Mr. John Ningark, Mr. Johnny Ningeongan, Mr. Hezakiah Oshutapik, Honourable Keith Peterson, Mr. Allan Rumbolt, Honourable Fred Schell, Honourable Daniel Shewchuk, Mr. Louis Tapardjuk, Honourable Hunter Tootoo, Ms. Jeannie Ugyuk.
Before we get started, I would like to ask my good friend, Mr. Ningark, to lead us off with a prayer, please.
Moving on in our orders of the day. Item 2.
Minister’s Statement 142 – 3(3): Minister Absent from the House (Kusugak)
I wish to advise members that the (interpretation ends) Hon. Peter Taptuna (interpretation) will be absent from the House from March 6 and 7, 2012.
Minister Taptuna is attending the mines training strategy meeting in Toronto.
Minister’s Statement 143 – 3(3): Total Knee Replacement Project (Peterson)
Hon. Keith Peterson: Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share news of an innovative project at Qikiqtani General Hospital in partnership with the Ottawa Hospital and the Ottawa Health Services Network.
Mr. Speaker, since 1997, the Ottawa Health Services Network has been working with the Department of Health and Social Services to provide specialized medical services at the Qikiqtani General Hospital.
As part of this project, a team of orthopaedic surgeons has been visiting patients at the hospital and their home communities.
Although minor operations are performed in the north, larger surgeries like total joint replacements are referred to the Ottawa Hospital.
As our waiting list for knee replacements has grown significantly, the Ottawa Health Services Network and the Ottawa Hospital collaborated in identifying an opportunity for Nunavut patients needing total knee replacement surgery to be moved up on the waiting list.