EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
However, it is obvious, as my colleague well knows, that there are concerns that are still outstanding that require further improvements within the Nutrition North program as it is provided in the north.
There are different aspects that have been identified and we still have improvements to make.
With respect to the member’s question regarding the advisory committee that was struck by the Nunavut government, I don’t have information as to what exactly this committee has undertaken, but they have been involved in the process throughout and they continue to monitor the efficiency, as they are what we would term in English the monitoring committee.
That is basically their mandate, to monitor the Nutrition North program.
I think that when the committee was originally struck and when I had asked questions previously in the House, the committee was going to track statistical data on pricing and other different statistics.
I was wondering if the Premier could elaborate on what type of statistics have been collected to date.
This information was made available by this committee. Once I have been notified that they have the information, I will ensure that I provide that update to the member.
I don’t have the information at this time.
Mr. Elliott: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again, I’m just wondering: does the Premier have a timeline of when she will have that information ready?
I think, at one point, it was a discussion of possibly collecting data from different communities and maybe monitoring prices to see if the prices are actually going down.
I think it goes towards my issues of what is affordable, providing affordable, nutritious food to communities, and how you come up with that dollar value.
I was hoping to rely on the department and the Government of Nunavut to provide some statistical data for, hopefully, use to take to Nutrition North to make sure and ensure that the prices are going down and more nutritious food is going to the communities.
Hon. Eva Aariak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) The Government of Nunavut committee consisting of members from Health and Social Services, the Department of EIA, and the Department of Finance has been established to monitor the progress of Nutrition North Canada implementation, identify issues of importance to Nunavummiut and identify ways to address them.
That’s the basic outline of the mandate of that committee.
Over the past couple of months, I have been working with MLAs in both the NWT and the Yukon on the issue of Nutrition North Canada.
I’m wondering if the minister, during the next tri-territorial Premiers’ meeting, would be able to commit to raising the issue of Nutrition North with her new counterparts and come up with a pan-territorial position on this program.
The Nutrition North program provides nutritious foods in Canada and is being collaborated on by several agencies. I am thankful as well to the member as he has been quite involved in voicing concerns about this program, whether on behalf of his constituents or in providing information to his communities.
Up to now, there have been no indications as to what else will surface and whether new services will be offered, as we have not been apprised of any new developments.
We are aware of the concerns that have been voiced with respect to the program, as my colleague knows.
Once we have requested further information from the program administrators in the short term, as I have also been informed that there was a letter from the member addressed to the federal government about the program, and once we have received a response, we will be able to revisit this matter and see what else is required in the area.
Question 229 – 3(3): Affordable Housing (Oshutapik)
It’s a brief question that the minister can respond to if he wishes.
As he is a unilingual non-Inuk, I will direct my question to him in English.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I’ve got a very short question for the Minister responsible for Housing and I would like to get an answer.
What is affordable housing, to start with?
Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation, Minister Schell.
It’s a very short question, but it’s probably going to be a long answer.
Basically what they look at is what’s affordable to the average citizen in Nunavut.
I understand that we’re working on the rent scale both at the staff level and at the public housing level, and we’re hoping to make some changes in there to make it a little bit more affordable.
As we all know, in all the communities in Nunavut, when we hear affordable housing, we think of another thing in life that may be affordable for the department to build houses in each community.
You can put it that way. The way I understand it is it’s been like that. Due to this, I’m saying that I’m not living in affordable housing.
I’m renting a house through the housing corporation.
It’s not affordable to me anymore in terms of paying rent.
I would like to get a quick answer to this: when are we going to change this rent scale?
You said you are working on it.
When are you going to change it? When can we expect to live in affordable housing?
Hon. Fred Schell: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Mr. Oshutapik.
Hopefully, by the end of the year, we will have a new rent scale in place.
Mr. Oshutapik (interpretation): Mr. Speaker, at this point in time, we would like to see this resolved in the short term.
Every time a Nunavut government position opens or when there’s an employment opportunity in our community, and I can only speak to my community’s challenges as I have not gone to other communities, part of the reason why people are not applying is due to the fact that they will be impacted in their rent.
When people have to pay a majority of their take-home pay on their rent, many people need employment to offset the high rent scale in our community.
This is even when people have their own home since our take-home pay is now lower because most of it goes towards our rent.
That is why I originally asked for the definition of the term “affordable housing.” I would like to know to whom “affordable housing” is geared towards.
In this current era, if a person is successful in getting a position, even though they are billeting at their grandparents or in another home or even if they are staying at a unit that they are not responsible for, they are included in the assessable rent.
I would like to ask when this policy will be revised and improved. That was the reason for asking the question.
I would like to see it applied in this manner and I wonder if it can be taken into consideration. When a person has a job, can your department look at a simple flat rate applicable to all units?
Have you ever considered a flat rate?
Hon. Fred Schell: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, everything is open for discussion.
They do have a flat rate rent in Nunavik. Actually, we’re also meeting this week with the housing from Quebec. They’re in town here as of yesterday; they also came in here today.
We’re looking at all options in order to make it more affordable.
The maximum rent that anybody pays, it doesn’t matter what kind of a job they got or how many people are in the household, is 30 percent of their income.
We have also looked at the possibility of not assessing every individual in the home and only assessing the individual who is on the lease. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Speaker: Thank you, Minister Schell. Your final supplementary, Mr. Oshutapik.
Mr. Oshutapik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Mr. Minister, for your response. Based on that, along with my fellow Nunavummiut, we will be expecting changes in the future for those of us who are renting public housing units.
My last question pertains to the current designs and I continue to speak about the problems we face, as we are causing people to experience issues with the new designs of the units that are currently being constructed in our community.
I am unsure of whether it is the materials because the new units deteriorate a lot faster than the previous generation of housing units that were built 20 years ago. The units are experiencing issues within a few years.
In our case, the units are being affected due to the growth of mould, as the building construction methods are no longer the same.
I wonder if this is a result of the government trying to get the cheapest units for public housing that the majority of our residents reside in. Is this due to the units being constructed by the lowest bidder or is it due to the materials they use now?
I wonder if the minister is aware of this issue facing the communities. That is my final question to the minister. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Oshutapik. Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation, Minister Schell.
Hon. Fred Schell: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well, if we were trying to get the costs down in the construction, we obviously didn’t do that in the last program, but I don’t think the design… . I think, if anything, we have overdesigned these buildings and that’s why our costs are up.
We are looking at all options in order to get housing in Nunavut, which includes homeownership, which also includes the private sector building units, and we’re hopefully going to simplify the units to keep the costs down so that it’s more affordable for the individuals. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Speaker: Thank you, Minister Schell. Oral Questions. Member for Hudson Bay, Mr. Rumbolt.
Question 230 – 3(3): New Licence Plate for Nunavut (Rumbolt)
Mr. Rumbolt: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister of Economic Development and Transportation.
Mr. Speaker, on October 27 of last year, I asked the minister questions concerning the Government of Nunavut’s competition to choose a new design for our territorial licence plate.
As the minister will recall, this competition closed on August 26 of 2011.
Mr. Speaker, in his responses to my questions, the minister indicated that over 200 submissions had been received by the government and that the new design would be rolled out in the near future.
Can the minister update us today on which design has been selected?
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Rumbolt. Minister responsible for Economic Development and Transportation, Minister Taptuna.
Hon. Peter Taptuna: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the member from Sanikiluaq for that very important question.
Mr. Speaker, we all know that the polar bear design was a symbol for Nunavummiut, but unfortunately, we couldn’t use that design as it was trademarked and copyrighted by NWT.
Mr. Speaker, as the member indicated, yes, there were over 200 designs that were submitted. Our department received over 200 designs and through a process, we narrowed it down to four. Mr. Speaker, with the uniqueness of our territory, I look forward to updating our colleagues here in the House and unveiling the new design hopefully at this session.
Speaker: Thank you, Minister Taptuna. Your first supplementary, Mr. Rumbolt.
Mr. Rumbolt: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m sure all of my colleagues are anxious to see the new design in the near future.
Can the minister provide the House with details on his department’s timetable for distributing the new licence plates to Nunavut’s 25 communities?
As we speak, the department is planning on production. They are talking to the production company on how to best deal with the manufacturing of the plates. As I said, Mr. Speaker, we will have information throughout this session, possibly before the end of the session, on the design and the manufacturing and distribution of the new licence plates to all 25 communities.
I’m sure that these new licence plates come at a cost to the government.
Can the minister clarify whether residents will receive their new licence plates free of charge?
Mr. Speaker, throughout the process of acquiring licensing and registering vehicles, there is a fee involved.
As usual, we will be looking at that to determine the best way to charge these fees to the users. Mr. Speaker, I don’t believe anything is going to be changing from the user fees. We do have to charge a fee for a service provided by the government for this type of distribution of licensing.
In my questioning back in October, the minister indicated that the supply of polar bear plates was running low. Will the present supply of polar bear licence plates be adequate to last until the new plates are available?
Yes, the old supply is adequate to last until we roll out the new licence plate.
We will move on in our orders of the day.
Item 8. Returns to Written Questions. Mr. Clerk.
Return to Written Question 009 – 3(3): Enforcement of the Environmental Protection Act (Clerk)
I wish to table the return to Written Question 9 – 3(3).
Item 11: Responses to Petitions
Response to Petition 001 – 3(3): Coral Harbour Nurse-in-Charge (Clerk)
I wish to table the response to Petition 1 – 3(3).
Reponses to Petitions.
Tabled Document 140 – 3(3): Correspondence Dated December 13, 2011 to the Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development on the Nutrition North Canada Program (Elliott)
*See Appendix for full text of Return to Written Question 9 – 3(3) filed with the Clerk.
Tabled Document 141 – 3(3): Joint News Release and Correspondence Dated February 20, 2012: Legislators Across Canada’s North Work Together on the Nutrition North Canada Program (Elliott)
As you will recall, representatives from the Nutrition North Canada Advisory Board and the federal Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development met with all Members of the Legislative Assembly in this Chamber last fall.
I wish to table today a copy of my follow-up correspondence to the federal Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development on our meeting. I’ll be pleased to table any reply that I receive from the federal department.
Mr. Speaker, the second item I wish to table is the joint news release and letter that was signed yesterday by elected representatives from across the north concerning the Nutrition North Canada Program.
I am proud to have joined with colleagues from the Yukon, the Northwest Territories, Nunavik, and the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador to convey the concerns of our constituents to the appropriate federal ministers.
I will be pleased to table any reply that we receive from the federal government.
Tabled Document 142 – 3(3): 2010-2011 Public Accounts (Peterson)
I am pleased to table the 2010-11 Public Accounts.
Mr. Speaker, this is the first time in Nunavut’s short history that the public accounts have been tabled on time.
I would like to thank all officials and staff in all our departments and Crown agencies for their hard work in making this historic occasion.
Speaker: Congratulations, Minister Peterson.
Tabled Document 143 – 3(3): 2010-2011 Annual Report for the Nunavut Housing Corporation (Schell)
Tabled Document 144 – 3(3): Nunavut Housing Corporation’s Contracting Report for Year Ending March 31, 2011 (Schell)
First of all, I am pleased to table the annual report for 2010-11 for the Nunavut Housing Corporation.
Also, I am pleased to table the Nunavut Housing Corporation’s Contracting Report for the Year Ending March 31, 2011.
Item 13. Tabling of Documents. There are none.
I have a couple documents to table.
Tabled Document 145 – 3(3): 2010-2011 Pension Administration Report (Speaker)
Tabled Document 146 – 3(3): 2012 Sitting Calendar (Speaker)
As required by the Legislative Assembly Retirement Allowances Act and the Supplementary Retiring Allowances Act, I wish to table today the pension administration report for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2011.
Also, as required by Rule 3(2), I wish to table the Legislative Assembly’s 2012 Sitting Calendar.
Motion 021 – 3(3): Legislative Assembly Appointments – Notice (Elliott)
I give notice that on Thursday, February 23, 2012, I will move the following motion:
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the Hon. Member for Nanulik, that Mr. Tagak Curley be appointed a member of the Standing Committee on Legislation and a member of the Standing Committee on Oversight of Government Operations and Public Accounts.
Notices of Motions. Mr. Ningeongan.
Motion 022 – 3(3): Extended Sitting Hours and Days – Notice (Ningeongan)
Mr. Ningeongan (interpretation): Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on February 23, 2012, I will move the following motion:
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the Hon. Member for Rankin Inlet South and Whale Cove, that the Speaker be authorized to set such sitting days and hours as the Speaker deems fit to assist with the business before the House during the winter 2012 sitting of the Legislative Assembly.
Bill 34 – An Act to Amend the Integrity Act – Notice
I give notice that on Thursday, February 23, I will move that Bill 34, An Act to Amend the Integrity Act, be read for the first time.
Motion 021 – 3(3): Legislative Assembly Appointments (Elliott)
And as we have no items in committee, I will move to the next item on the Orders of the Day.
A reminder that the Standing Committee on Legislation meets tomorrow starting at nine o’clock in the Nanuq Boardroom.
Before we adjourn for the day, I would just like to ask members, after I exit the Chambers with the Sergeant-at-Arms and the Mace and the staff, to please remain seated. The Minister of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth would like to introduce us to some special guests that we have here today.
This House stands adjourned until Wednesday, February 22, at 1:30 p.m.
>>House adjourned at 15:28 Appendix – February 21, 2012
Return to Oral Question 213 – 3(3): “Solution Box” on Government Website
Date: October 28, 2011
Mr. Speaker, recently I was on the Government of Nunavut’s website. I have noticed something that I haven’t seen there before.
There was a new icon called the “Solution Box.”
The “Solution Box” was added to the Government of Nunavut website last week on October 27, 2011 and we will now begin to promote its use.
The Government of Nunavut continues to look for ways to provide Nunavummiut with opportunities to give us feedback and input.
The solution box is an easy and convenient way for people to send us their solutions, ideas, and input.
Email to solutions@gov.nu.ca is monitored daily.
All input will be taken seriously and will be delivered to the appropriate department to consider as we strive to provide better service and governance in Nunavut.
The title, “Solution Box,” communicates that the GN has both the desire and the need to improve and the knowledge that others have solutions to assist us.
All Nunavummiut are invited and encouraged to visit www.gov.nu.ca and to send us their solutions by using the blue “Solution Box” button.
With your help, we will move towards excellence.
Return to Oral Question 219 – 3(3): Number of Active Cases of TB in Nunavut
Date: October 31, 2011
…can the minister provide an update on how many cases of active tuberculosis we have in Nunavut?
As of October 25, 2011, there were 62 cases of tuberculosis diagnosed in Nunavut since January 1, 2011 and that 98 percent of cases diagnosed this year have been in the Baffin region.
Cases of tuberculosis are classified as active when they are diagnosed.
Active cases are reported by the calendar year in which they were diagnosed, as per the protocols of the Public Health Agency of Canada.
So far this year, we will report 62 cases.
Return to Written Question 009 – 3(3): Enforcement of the Environmental Protection Act
Asked of: Hon. Daniel Shewchuk, Minister of Environment
Zero (0).
No fines were imposed within this timeframe.
Minister of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth; Minister of Environment; Minister of Languages; Minister responsible for the Utility Rates Review Council
Government House Leader; Minister of Community and Government Services; Minister responsible for the Qulliq Energy Corporation
Minister of Finance, Chair of the Financial Management Board; Minister of Health and Social Services
Minister of Human Resources; Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation; Minister responsible for Homelessness; Minister responsible for the Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission
Minister of Justice; Minister responsible for Nunavut Arctic College
Deputy Premier; Minister of Economic Development and Transportation; Minister of Energy
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Pages 1576 – 1637
Opening Prayer 1576
Ministers’ Statements 1576
Members’ Statements 1582
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 1587
Oral Questions 1588
Written Questions 1604
Reports of Standing and Special Committees on Bills and Other Matters 1605
Tabling of Documents 1605
Notices of Motions for First Reading of Bills 1606
First Reading of Bills 1606
Second Reading of Bills 1607
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 1608
Report of the Committee of the Whole 1636
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 1576
112 – 3(3): Budget Address 2012-2013 (Peterson) 1576
155 – 3(3): Polar Bear Population is not Decreasing (Curley) 1582
156 – 3(3): Need for Strategic Infrastructure Investments in Baker Lake (Aupaluktuq) 1583
157 – 3(3): Congratulations to Arctic Winter Games Participants (Oshutapik) 1584
158 – 3(3): Successes of the Community Access Program (Elliott) 1585
159 – 3(3): Women in Action: Steps of Hope (Taptuna) 1585
160 – 3(3): Appreciation for Truth and Reconciliation Commission Process (Enook) 1586
161 – 3(3): Thoughts and Prayers for Coral Harbour Residents at a Time of Loss (Ningeongan) 1587
231 – 3(3): Government of Nunavut Contracting Practices (Curley) 1588
232 – 3(3): Status of Exams for Sanikiluaq High School Students (Rumbolt) 1591
233 – 3(3): Medical Escort Policy (Oshutapik) 1591
234 – 3(3): Forensic Audit of Nunavut Housing Corporation (Elliott) 1594
235 – 3(3): Emergency Exits in Public Housing Units (Ell) 1596
236 – 3(3): Medical Travel Bookings (Enook) 1597
237 – 3(3): GN Procurement Policy (Curley) 1599
238 – 3(3): High Arctic Transportation Strategy (Elliott) 1601
239 – 3(3): Down-payment Assistance for Prospective Homeowners (Curley) 1603
010 – 3(3): Vacant Staff Housing Units (Enook) 1604
Committee Report 012 – 3(3): Bill 21, Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2011, No. 3 (Ningeongan) 1605
147 – 3(3): The Road We Travelled: Our Communities’ Voyage to the Future on the ICT Highway (Elliott) 1605
148 – 3(3): Maclean’s Article: We’re Shooting Polar Bears!?!
(Curley) 1605
149 – 3(3): Speaker’s List of Outstanding Statutory Tabling Requirements (Speaker) 1606
Bill 24 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2012-2013 – Notice 1606
Bill 35 – An Act to Amend the Tobacco Tax Act – Notice 1606
Bill 24 –Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2012-2013 – First Reading 1606
Bill 35 – An Act to Amend the Tobacco Tax Act – First Reading 1607
Bill 24 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2012-2013 – Second Reading 1607
Bill 35 – An Act to Amend the Tobacco Tax Act – Second Reading 1608
Bill 24 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2012-2013 –Education – Consideration in Committee 1608
>>House commenced at 13:34
Before we get started, I would like to ask Minister Taptuna if he could start us off with a prayer, please.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Minister Taptuna. (interpretation ends) I’ll start off with a wink for everybody today.
Moving on in the orders of the day.
Minister’s Statement 112 – 3(3): Budget Address 2012-2013 (Peterson)
Hon. Keith Peterson: Mr. Speaker, I rise to present this government’s budget for the coming fiscal year.
In my first budget speech, I said that this government was moving forward prudently in building a sustainable territory.
At the time, the global economy had just plunged into a serious recession.
A cautious approach seemed best.
Prudence was the central idea for the second and third budgets and it remains my policy today.
With the passage of time, Mr. Speaker, we can see that this cautious approach of prudent financial management can build a solid foundation for our future.
In this sensible approach, we live within our means, continuously improve our financial management, use debt appropriately, and plan for the future that we desire and deserve.
Our sensible approach is paying dividends.
Today we project a small surplus for the year ahead.
Here is our fiscal situation.
For the current year, we project spending of $1.45 billion and revenues at $1.37 billion.
In my last budget, I anticipated a deficit of $50 million.