EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Can you clarify, that is, somebody gets a child tax credit, or GST, it goes under the unearned portion of the income support assessment forms and is that deducted 100% off the client income support.
That wouldn’t be deducted but I’ll get Sandy Teiman to respond to the question.
Ms. Teiman.
Ms. Teiman: Yes, Mr. Chairman, the GST rebate, the child tax benefits, foster payments that are being made from the Department of Health & Social Services, and daycare subsidies are not counted.
Clients are not penalized for receiving these payments at all.
They are allowed to keep those payments.
So, we don't count them on the assessment at all.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you, Ms. Teiman.
Is this something new.
Or has this been around for a while where they don't deduct these statutory federal payments.
Are your people in the field aware of this.
Ms. Teiman: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Our Income support workers are familiar with the fact that they are not supposed to count these benefits against the client’s assessments.
We carried over all these what we call deductions that we don't have to make against clients from the previous government, from the GNWT and they've been around for quite a while.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you, Madam Teiman.
I have a question on the review.
When will that report be in the House, sometime in this year hopefully.
Looking at that 22 million dollars.
It is a big chunk of money that can be made useful.
I am sure in that review that they'll be making suggestions as to how to best utilize some of this money.
Where a client say is unemployed but can work, does not receive UI, but able to work.
I guess I am just trying to say that as soon as that review is passed through the House during this year can a community say I have a project here that can be useful to our community and apply to this social assistance portion saying, I will use an example.
Where we can make it useful, for a church for example, we have about 10 unemployed but receiving social assistance and get them to work at the church, making some chairs maybe.
I am not sure if that is that case if that has happened in the past or will that be one of the things that could be considered.
That is one of the things that we want to do make sure we use our dollars in the community where could improve some of the community activities.
Hon. Peter Kilabuk: Just for the record Mr. Chairman, when the member said that this money 20 million dollars could be useful.
It is very useful today, and unfortunately, it is used a lot by people who have nobody to turn to for support.
This 22 million dollars provides a lot of support so it is very useful.
But, also we can use some of this money for programs, as for the member’s questions.
I am just going to give you some examples that are currently taking place right now.
We’ve got one for a taxidermy course, pre-employment carpentry, basic computer training, job skills preparation course, also a tutoring program and a fur-sewing workshop.
So we are running courses today, we've got five on the go right now.
Mr. Havioyak: Thank you, Mr. Chairman Thanks for the answer there.
I am aware of that, I'm just talking about part of that when I said unemployed that are able to work, I thought I would mention it, I'm glad that you clarified that for me too, for the record.
You mentioned courses, that's great, but not all the recipients that are able to work are in those courses.
I'm just trying to say outside the courses, doing some work, actual work.
Again I was using the church as an example, put them to work, to where we can make some kind of development in our community, again using the church, and have some of that money to purchase material so they could make something, in some of the communities activities.
I didn't really see a question but I think it was mostly a comment.
So Mr. Minister would you like to respond to his comment.
I would like to thank the member, if a community wants to try to teach the people how to do a job or how to get the activities going in a community then they could use part of that portion of money. If the community wants, they can request that.
Thank you for your response as a really good response, I appreciate that. (interpretation ends) My colleague was asking earlier about applications and talked about some of the things that were not deducted.
Maybe in the case where we say for example in my community if somebody won a hundred dollars in a bingo game and it was deducted from SA, because they found out through different channels.
For some reason, they knew it so they said this amount will be deducted, it's still happening today.
One of the guys came up to me and said, at least I made a little bit of money from my recreation and for my family too, but yet they take it off my social assistance.
So the question is, is that proper.
Because this is something that happens to the people of Nunavut I appreciate the question.
Perhaps Mr. Minister, you can respond to it.
Unfortunately, it has and will be like that for a while, unless or until we do make a regulation change as per the recommendations that we're reviewing for the income support review that's taking place right now.
This is an area that's been identified and there are some recommendations that have been put forward but until they are approved and finalized, I won't be able to share the finer details.
But anyway, last again, I'm sure you'll have put it into this review before it gets anywhere before it becomes a resolution within the system but again you want to make sure we see that part.
Turning to the same page on 9-18.
It's very good to be able to participate, getting my voice back.. Under 22 million, fees and payments.
Last year there was going to be a committee formed when there was another minister for the Department of Education. I have not heard about this committee that was supposed to be formed, which was talked about last year.
They were supposed to be an appeals committee is what it was supposed to be. I just wondered under 22 million dollars, are they getting set up to use some money from the 22 million dollars.
There are two questions that the member is talking about.
There is an appeals committee in the community plus there has been a letter that was sent to all the communities asking for names to be put on these committees. They're now looking for names from the communities that could be members of these committee.
Mr. Iqaqrialu (interpretation): Yes, the minister responded to my liking.
When we were still under the GNWT this was running and we didn't like the way it was done and I just wondered when those committees would be set up in the communities.
Perhaps we expect in two months time or in the near future that the committees will be in existence.
I will try, I will see whether the committee is in existence in May or not.
Hon. Peter Kilabuk (interpretation): I'm sorry but I have to go to the washroom because I'm having a nosebleed.
Chairperson (interpretation): We'll take a 5-minute break.
The Premier just said that there is going to be pizza upstairs, so let’s take a 20-minute break.
>>Committee recessed at 7.55 p.m. and resumed at 8.16 p.m.
Looking at the 22 million, the question that I have is the communities that received income support, is there a difference between the size of the population in each community.
Do they get the same amount.
It has to be the same amount of money in income support so, does each community have the same amount of money given to them and do they have the same policy in each community.
The policy is exactly the same in each community and the payments are the same in each community.
Some of the programs are run by their hamlet and government departments run some.
Can I have an answer to that please.
There are fourteen hamlets that are dispensing income support.
There are fourteen hamlets are they, is it at their discretion to pay out income support to those people who are in need.
Like I said, the policies are the same in all of the Nunavut communities that's what they use.
Mr. Iqaqrialu (interpretation): I don't have any questions to ask but I would like to make a comment that some of the communities have problems with the income support program and the minister stated that the appeals committee would be in existence in about two months.
Would that committee be going to the communities.
We really want that committee to be in existence in about two months.
So as soon as that committee is in operation we expect that they will do their work they way that they are supposed to.
We are on page 9-14.
Are there any questions on 9-14.
I did not get enough pizza so I am going backwards.
We are on page 9-18.
I could go back and ask some questions on 9-14 if that is okay.
On 9-18. The money for compensation and benefits I am just wondering if that is based on 100 percent capacity.
How many PYs is that for and at what levels are they filled at right now.
Together there are 44.5 and 4 vacant.
I guess it's in this area is where the minister indicated all the income support funding is that goes out to our recipients.
Maybe I could just ask the minister or his staff to answer how the money went out.
How are we funded for income support.
Where does that money come from and how that money is derived at.
This comes from the Government of Nunavut budget not from anywhere else.
When the department submits its requests, how do they determine the amount that they are going to need for income support.
The money is based on how much expenditure we had from the previous year.
The Financial Management Board sets it and they review it, and that is how we make our applications.
When you look at the number of articles that I've read and the number of stories that I've heard and how fast our territory and our communities are growing.
Some of the fastest growing communities per capita in North America are in Nunavut.
You see this increase of a hundred thousand dollars or so, not very much of an increase.
So I guess I am wondering if there is a way other than guessing what we are going to need this year based on last years, is there some kind of formula or any way that number is determined.
Not only how the numbers are determined but looking at the needs not only right now but down the road.
This is a problem that if we don't get a grip on it, it could potentially have a huge impact on us in the future, maybe if we can get the minister’s response.
Much to our surprise, the expenditures have been steady for the last two years.
What we are doing now is doing a survey to see if we will be getting an increase for income support.
Mr. Chairman just looking at the last years, this is on here, where all those resources were allocated earlier were they all utilized.
Was there a surplus or looking at a higher number this year. Maybe was there a deficit in that area, was that, if I could get an answer.
Looking at the main estimates, I think that we expect to have a surplus of 120 thousand.
Did the minister indicate that, for the 2000-2001 year, they would have a surplus in the area of 120 thousand.
Yes, for the year 2000-2001, we expect to have a surplus of approximately 120 thousand.
Are there any further comments on the education branch summary, field operations.
Although I think I understood it, I want to get further clarification on the fuel price increase. All the other commodities prices are going up.
Do you also follow the cost of living annually.
Do you increase the budget annually with the cost of living.
As I have stated before, in the two years that have gone by it has been very interesting that the income support has remained the same without increasing and without reductions. It has been stable for two years.
Chairperson (interpretation): I would like to ask Mr. Iqaqrialu to come and take over the chair.
My question is on income support. My colleague from Kugluktuk was bringing up a good point.
The point I want to bring up that even the minister said it, nobody really wants to be on it, it's the last resort for people to get some income.
I'm a firm believer that a lot of people do not want to rely on income support, I think you just get a base living there and it just gets you the basic necessities of life.
We also have a growing number of younger people out there and I don't want to pick on a group but there's a young single group, the males that access this income support and it's not a lot, I think a single male in the territory gets about 360 dollars a month on income support.
That works out to about 90 dollars a week for groceries and it's no secret when you go down to the store there what 90 dollars will buy you today.
But that's not the issue with me, the issue with me is that, is there any way that you guys, when the department is working on the review, is there some way they can try and encourage the younger guys that are on income support or social assistance to maybe take some extra training or improve their life skills. Then re-evaluate how the program delivery is with income support and partner with Arctic College or education.
You said earlier you were doing a taxidermy course in Coral Harbour that's a great thing, that's a step in the right direction. I don't know how many taxidermists we are going to need up here but at least it gives them an extra skill.
I don’t think there's anything wrong with having too much education in this country because I don’t think there's enough.
Is there going to be a shift or are you guys going to concentrate on trying to get these young single people more involved in the workforce and training.
Hon. Peter Kilabuk: As a matter of fact the income support workers, the staff are provided with ongoing training so they can provide career development counselling.
Under the income support program we are also, we can also fund a whole range of education and training programs for those 18 years and over, such as student skills counselling, upgrading, skill training as well as college and university courses.
So, we are moving towards providing some counselling to the youth and hopefully the benefits will be realized by those that are getting the counselling from income support.
That's good to hear and I support the minister on that and I praise him.
Our community is one of the larger communities in Nunavut, I think it's the fourth or fifth largest community in Nunavut and like I say, we do have a high unemployment rate and birth rate.
We have a career development officer under your department, full time in our community.
We are very fortunate to have that and I think the role of the career development officer is to work with the disadvantaged and the unemployed and people like that.
Is it mandatory that people over the age of 18 that are able bodied without dependents and stuff like that, go in and report.
Is it mandatory for them to report on a monthly or bi-monthly or every six months basis to see that they've been out there trying to improve their learning skills or work skills or anything like that.
Is there a policy there for them to have to do that to make it mandatory.
For 18 and over for career development and for job opportunities we're encouraging them to develop the employment opportunities.
At this time income support workers should encourage career counselling and it's evident now that this is the weak area and this needs to be encouraged more and that's within our objectives and goals.
Is your department willing to work with the municipal government like the hamlet council, if the hamlet council identifies the training opportunity and they feel that it's beneficial for people in the community.
They take it and they get outside funding like the aboriginal training fund or the Canadian training funds through the federal government.
If they approached you or wrote you a letter saying we think it is a good idea to do this.
Would your department work with the local municipalities in helping them deliver a program.
If the funding was sound.
As a matter of fact, the income support program and the labour market development agreement will allow us to do that.
We will certainly continue to look for other possible partners.
So if an application does come through our office that is something that we’ll most certainly look at.
There are no names.
We will go back to 9-18.
Chairperson (interpretation): Total expenditures, 32 million 204 thousand.
Chairperson (interpretation): We will move to 9-10.
Total operations and maintenance, 1 million 865 thousand.
Chairperson (interpretation): Total expenditures, 1 million 865 thousand.
Chairperson (interpretation): Going on to page 9-20.
School operations.
Education branch summary, school operations.
Total operations and maintenance, 79 million 877 thousand.
On grants and contributions for 9 million 447 thousand.
I was wondering why there is an increase.
Perhaps I should ask why there has been an increase.
The reason why it increased to 9 million 447 thousand dollars is because it is trying to keep up with the population growth.
Mr. Nutarak (interpretation): I think it was in January when there was a conference for principals and the chairs of the DEAs.
They requested a DEA association and they appointed a Chairperson.
Have you set aside some funding for that.
Would that be included in there.
Chairperson (interpretation): Sandy Teiman before you leave I would like to thank you for sitting at the witness table.
Yes, we thank Sandy Teiman.
She asked me if we could get someone else to sit on the seat so I just agreed to it.
Right now, we now have my Deputy Minister, Mr. Moody.
So if you did not forget the question, Minister Kilabuk.
That item is not included here.
Is it because or rather, they’re requesting to establish an association during the conference of principals and chairs of DEAs.
When are you going to respond to the request that was made or do you plan to work and deal with this the next fiscal year.
I would like to get a clarification.
When will you will be able to deal with the question I just posed.
Perhaps, I did not clarify it enough but the budget for the year was already established before the principals and DEAs requested the association.
We will be working with them.
Where can we talk about those 20 positions please just to get clarification. I just wanted to make sure it’s in this area.
New positions, 20 new positions, is this where it’s at.
You can ask that question under this page.
Mr. Havioyak (interpretation): Thank you. Earlier I talked about teachers’ assistants.
Is this being addressed here, with these those new positions.
The reason I keep saying that is that in my community one of the schools is experiencing some shortages on support workers along with a teacher.
The number was given to me in one of the schools that they are saying they got only two. I’m not sure exactly what you call them, assistants or in the classroom but they are saying they’re short.
Is that being considered when you say 20 new positions, would there be additional assistants.
As we have said, we would like to work with the Kugluktuk DEA on their priorities and we told them we could work with them to identify their priorities. If the community is willing to work with us, we can work on their priorities together.
Mr. McLean, did you have your hand up.
I wanted to talk about those DEA contributions.
Can we talk about that now.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman, under DEA contributions, there’s a significant increase.
The contributions to the DEAs have been increased by roughly 10 % this year.
Is that for the operation of the DEAs.
I have to find the information so give me a minute.
Chairperson (interpretation): In reference to the question by Mr. McLean.
It's under 9-21 and it's in addition to 9-20.
It's a clear question, so if you can answer this question you should answer it.
I'll have my Deputy Minister answer this question.
Yes, there's an increase there of approximately 800 thousand for district education authorities.
That's a general increase that provides for some flexibility at the local level in terms of allocations of resources.
What we as a department are attempting to encourage is some local choice about how the final funds are allocated school by school, community by community.
So we do give direction but then there's some local discretion that is exercised and is encouraged.
That's good to see that the DEAs are finally getting an increase.
So this funding that the DEAs are getting is an increase of roughly 800 thousand. Can the DEAs if they so wish enhance their cultural inclusion program, enhance the classroom support, special needs, is there going to be restrictions on what the DEA can do with that increased funding.
Mr. Moody: The general answer is yes, that can be done.
Perhaps I could best answer that by explaining how the process works with the schools and the DEAs.
It's a little different in each part of Nunavut, under the three former divisional education councils each one did it a little differently.
What we are encouraging is that it be more similar and it be an open process because in some parts of Nunavut the process was more open than in other parts and we'd like to see it more open in all parts.
Generally what will happen and what has happened in some parts is that the formula funding drives figures and says okay for this school based on this student population, that means you have this amount for teachers, this amount for language specialists etc., etc., etc. and that's what the formula does.
Then what we are encouraging and as I say Mr. Chairman, this was done in parts of Nunavut before but now we want to see it done in all parts of Nunavut is that we want the DEA working with the principal and to fine tune that.
So if in a community for example, Sanikiluaq, decides they want to have one less classroom teacher and one and half more language specialists that is their prerogative to do that.
Or visa versa.
So the general answer to your question is yes.
Having said that we in the Department of Education, we’ve watched that process so that if each DEA and principal went through that, we'd want to make sure that the process didn't go off the rails.
That it made sense.
But our experience to date to this is very positive and it allows the communities to tailor their programs and their needs as they see it.
Not done out of a central office somewhere in Iqaluit or wherever.
Mr. McLean: That is something that I like to hear.
Giving the communities more responsibility to make decisions in their own communities that affect them.
That is all I have on that.
I have another question and I didn't know where it fell under.
It was the Nunavut student transportation policy and practices.
Is this our policy that was developed in Nunavut or is this one where we inherited it from the GNWT.
We acquired that from the GNWT.
We will be reviewing it some time in June when we are reviewing the other programs that we grandfathered from the GNWT.
Further questions Mr. McLean.
That is good to know because the policy that we inherited from the GNWT, it is no secret that communities like Fort Smith, Hay River, Fort Simpson and Rae Edzo are stretched out.
They are longer communities than our communities.
Our communities have a tendency to be bunched together.
So our demographics are different from the Western Arctic and I think the policy was developed, it was told to me when I was on the DEA years ago that the policy was developed for the West.
That really didn't really reflect the needs of the East and if you go through the busing policy it just said here from 5-6 year olds living more than 0.5 kilometres from the school and 12 year olds living 1.5 kilometres.
So when you are reviewing the policy have you ever taken into consideration that we have different demographics.
Some place like Grise Fiord and Arctic Bay where you have total darkness for quite a few months out of a year.
It may be better for them to have busing more months than communities more south than Grise Fiord.
So when you do this review when you start it in June, when do you expect to have it finished.
The review is continuing and we should be able to finish it by June.
I’d just like to thank the minister for his concise answers.
Mr. Chairman, going from the notes, I take it all the funding to operate the schools, to run the schools is now flowing through this area.
I just want to confirm that with the minister.