EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Item 12, Reports of Special and Standing Committees.
Item 13, Reports of Committees on Review of Bills and Other Matters.
Speaker (interpretation): I am sorry, Mr. Puqiqnak.
Mr. Puqiqnak: (interpretation): Mr. Speaker I would like to get clarified what do you mean by Reports of Committees on Review of Bills?
When can I do my Committee Report?
Not now?
Speaker (interpretation): Mr. Puqiqnak, your Committee Report, you will do your committee report during the Committee of the Whole.
Item 10.
I apologize, Item 13.
Reports of Committees on Review of Bills.
Item 14.
Tabled Document 6 - 1 (2): Analysis of Audit Reports, Hamlet of Clyde River
Mr. Iqaqrialu (interpretation): Mr. Speaker I am starting to sweat a little already so I would like to apologize for the mistake I made earlier, so I will go on to tabling documents.
Today, this is what you requested from the Hamlet Council of Clyde River.
The financial figures which have been reduced. $130,531.00, in 1988.
Thirty one thousand three hundred and twenty ($31,320.00), in 1999.
In the two years the reduction totalled one hundred and sixty one thousand, eight hundred and fifty one ($161,851), and that’s how the deficit started in 1998.
It is ok to make mistakes because we have only been meeting for six days since the beginning of the Assembly.
Tabling of Documents?
Tabled Document 7 - 1 (2): Baker Lake Hamlet Council Support for NTPC Contaminant Clean-Up
Tabled Document 8 - 1 (2): Review of Baker Lake Social Groups for Amalgamation
Mr. McLean: Thank you Mr. Speaker, I would like to table two documents.
One to the Minister of Health and Social Services regarding a review of the health care in Baker Lake, and services.
The second document is to the Minister Responsible for the Power Corporation regarding massive contamination in Baker Lake.
Speaker (interpretation): Tabling of Documents?
Item 15 Notices of Motions.
Item 16 Notices of Motions for first reading of Bills.
Item 17.
Item 17 Motions.
Item 18.
Item 19.
Speaker (interpretation): Item 20.
Bills and other matters.
Bill One Appropriation Act 1999/2000.
Committee Reports. 1-1(2), 2-1(2), 3-1(2) and 4-1(2) with Mr. Irqittuq as the Chairperson.
Chairperson (Mr. Irqittuq) (interpretation): We can reconvene the Committee of the Whole Meeting.
Yesterday, we were supposed to deal with the Justice Department.
What is the Committees wish for this afternoon?
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Mr. Chairman, I would like to deal with the Department of Public Works, Telecommunications and Technical Services.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you, are you in agreement?
To the appropriate Minister of Public Works, Telecommunications, Minister Manitok Thompson.
Hon. Manitok Thompson (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Chairman.
Can I talk, can I do my opening comments now for Pubic Works?
I will do my opening comments for the Public Works, and after I do my comments I’ll go down to the witness chair with my officials.
Thank you Mr. Chairman, for the opportunity to make some introductory remarks on the business plan as it relates to the budget for the Department of Public Works, Telecommunications and Technical Services.
This covers the time period of 1999 and 2000.
The main estimates for the Department are divided as follows:
$67.1 Million for O & M.
$5.7 Million for Capital.
Although there are a number of Headquarter positions that remain to be filled, the Department has well established regional offices in Baffin, Keewatin and Kitikmeot Regions.
Out of the 108 positions in the regional operations in the larger communities, a total of 40 are staffed by Inuit.
This represents 37% of the workforce in the Department.
All regional Public Works, Telecommunications and Technical Services Offices are ensuring that services are being provided without interruption while the Headquarters positions are bring staffed.
The services provided are Purchasing and Contracting: Building Maintenance and the delivery of Petroleum Products.
The Department is contracting services from the Department of Public Works and Services GNWT.
This will fill the gap in skills until they are developed in Nunavut.
The Decentralization Plan for the Department is proceeding.
This is scheduled to begin in the year 2000 as additional housing and office space becomes available.
There are now a total of 46 housing units and 3 office buildings completed.
These are located in communities in all three regions where regional offices will be located.
The Department also manages the Petroleum Products revolving fund.
This fund I strictly for the financing of fuel inventory, and operating expenses and is recovered through the pricing structure.
Public Works also manages a large budget on behalf of client departments who are constructing buildings as part of their capital plan.
The Department provides a high degree of services in order to ensure the necessary requirements are met.
The Department also intends to review the standards and criteria used to determine capital expenditures.
The intent will be to designing criteria that meet the specific needs of Nunavut.
All interested parties will be contracted for input including the MLAs through the Standing Committees.
Current criteria were carried over from the GNWT in order to ensure that some standards were in place until a review.
Central purchasing is also a major task handled by the Department.
This represents a significant opportunity for Nunavuts’ businesses to develop and grow.
The Department ensures contracts and purchases meet all the requirements of Article 24 of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement, in addition to the Government’s purchasing regulations.
A review will be undertaken with NTI to ensure that the policies meet the needs of Nunavut and Article 24.
One of the largest Divisions in the Department is Petroleum Products.
Petroleum Products is responsible for providing fuels to the communities of Nunavut.
The fuel is distributed by local contractors employing local people.
This Division has annual revenues of over 1.4 million Dollars.
Fuel is supplied by ships or barges during the resupply period in the summer time.
There is currently a contract in place with NTCL to supply this fuel until the end of year 2001.
This will provide time to allow a review of the options available to lower costs.
This will be done in conjunction with a review of the Eastern Arctic Sealift which is co-ordinated by the Coast Guard until the year 2000.
There are no problems being anticipated at this time.
I hope these comments have been informative and I hope that I have been clear.
So I am ready to go down to the witness chair.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you Ms. Thompson.
You may go to the witness chair with your officials.
Ms. Thompson could you introduce your officials please?
Hon. Manitok Thompson (interpretation): To my left, I don’t have a Deputy Minister so he is my Acting Deputy Minister, Ross Mrazek. On my right Patrick Galbraith, Comptroller in my Department.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you Ms Minister and you are going on with the Committee of the Whole item.
Do the Committee have reports.
Mr. Chairman the following is some brief remarks on reference to meetings that we held with the Minister for the Department of Public Works, Telecommunications, Technical Services.
Mr. Chairman, Minister Thompson appeared before the Committee on the afternoon of May 2, the main estimate summary provided to the Committee indicated that the 1999/2000 expenditure of $72,901, 332 of which 5,000,769.00 is capital spending.
In reference to Petroleum Products the Petroleum Products situation in Gjoa Haven a member requested an update to the situation facing the community.
The Ministers Deputy advised that samples of the gas had been tested and most of them had been satisfactory.
The Committee was advised that the studies were continuing and the final results will be available within a few weeks.
The Committee was advised that in the Deputies judgement this was a one time rare situation.
The Committee received a commitment to be updated on the situation.
In reference to Article 24 and the business incentive policy, the Committee was informed that the PWTTS staff are now reviewing the issue with a review, with a view to the GN Government of Nunavut dealing with both together in order to achieve one streamlined policy for the Government.
It was acknowledged that there is a present confusion between Article 24 and BIP.
The Ministers Deputy indicated that a goal of the policy review was to provide a reasonable support and assistance to Inuit owned firms and that the Department officials would be discussing the issue with NTI.
The Committee stressed to the Minister a strong desire to see the provisions of Article 24 adhered to by the Department.
The Committee also seeks clarification as to whether the provision of the BIP will apply to tendering in Nunavut during the upcoming construction season.
As members of the Committee we are concerned about the possible negative impact that on certainly this regard, would have on Nunavut firms.
With reference to the 1999/2000 Capital Plan.
Members of the Committee requested clarification on the start dates of the PWTTS 1999/2000 Capital projects.
The Committee received a commitment to receive this information.
In reference to Centralized Purchasing.
The Committee was informed that the GN tenders over $5,000.00 will be tendered through the Department.
The rational provided was that this policy will achieve a significant cost saving to the Government.
The Committee expects that the Department will closely monitor and evaluate the success of this policy.
In reference to the Housing Corporation.
The Committee was informed that the Housing Corporation has been slightly, slightly dismantled, with some program personnel having gone to CGHT, and some technical personnel to PWTTS.
The Committee was also advised that the Corporation has experienced a number of resignations over the past few months.
The Committee was informed both departments are in discussions.
The Committee would like to be updated on the progress in this area.
In reference to fuel costs.
The members of the Committee expressed strong concern over the high cost of petroleum products especially in the smaller more remote communities.
The Committee asked whether the department had a subsidy plan to lower costs to home owners.
The minister indicated that a review of the sealift is being undertaken up to the year 2000.
The Committee supports these initiatives designed to fairness and affordability to the communities in this area.
In reference to staff housing.
The Committee was advised that approximately 120 NCC units are currently under construction.
The Committee was further advised that the Department of Human Resources has the responsibility for establishing policies for the allocation of staff housing units.
In reference to the information super highway.
The Committee was provided with a brief overview of the progress to date in establishing the GNs' I.T. system.
It was also advised that the Departments Chief Informatics Officer was to start the following week.
That is to start work?
The committee was advised that the Departments first priority was to complete work in the larger centres Iqaluit, Rankin Inlet, and Cambridge Bay.
The CIO would be developing strategies for making progress in the smaller communities.
The committee encourages the department to vigorously pursue initiatives designed to bring the benefits of the Information Super Highway to all communities of Nunavut.
Mr. Chairman, I have some motions I would like to move.
Chairperson (interpretation): Yes Mr. O’Brien
Committee Motion 7 – 1 (2): Communities Benefit from Information Superhighway  Mr. O’Brien: Thank you Mr. Chairman.
Chairperson I move that this Committee recommends that the Department work to ensure that all the communities benefit from the Information Super Highway.
Chairperson (interpretation): Comments to the motion?
To the motion. I don’t think there are any comments.
Committee Motion 8 – 1 (2): Adherence to Article 24 By Departments
Mr. Chairman the second motion.
I move that this Committee recommend that the conditions of Article 24 are adhered to by this Department.
Chairperson (interpretation): Member from Arviat has a motion on the floor.
To the motion, questions, comments.
Opposed? Abstentions?
It is carried.
Committee Motion 9 – 1 (2): Mid Year Progress Report
My final motion Mr. Chairman, I move that this Committee recommends that the Department provides a mid year progress report to the Standing Committee for review in October of this year.
Chairperson (interpretation): Comments or questions to the motion?
Hon. Manitok Thompson (interpretation): Progress, on what progress?
Petroleum Products or Purchasing.
What Division can he be more clear on that issue.
Mr. O'Brien: Thank you Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Chairman I think that this motion reflects similar motions by all the other committees and basically it is an overall motion to review the progress of the overall department.
Very straight forward, not to be singled out to any one Department or any one issue or any one Division.
Chairperson (interpretation): Ms. Thompson are you more clear?
Hon. Manitok Thompson (interpretation): Thank you.
Chairperson (interpretation): Questions or comments?
To the motion.
That concludes my comments and motions that I wish to put forward.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you to the member for Arviat.
At this time, looking at our main estimates.
Mr. Iqaqrialu (interpretation): Thank you.
Thank you Mr. Chairman for giving me the opportunity for voice my concerns in regards to petroleum products.
If there was an accident or a spill of petroleum products it doesn’t seem like it is in included in your opening comments.
Mr. Chairman could I get further clarification as to what their plans are with oil spills?
Chairperson (interpretation): Ms. Thompson would you like to respond or would you like one of your officials to respond?
Hon. Manitok Thompson. As to the oil spills, I do know that we have a program in our department but I will ask Mr. Mrazek to elaborate more on oil spills in Nunavut.
Mr. Mrazek: In order to ask and answer the question as to the potential oil spill officials from sustainable development and other departments, Public Works, Telecommunications, even if it is within the actual organization of Petroleum Products is not directly involved with official clean-up even if the people are knowledgeable and they’re always ready for otherwise regarding potential clean-up.
Thank you for talking slowly, at least then your interpreters can keep up with you.
Mr. Iqaqrialu (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Yes, I have a little knowledge of the plants if just in case there was any oil spill, but in case there was a large oil spill in Nunavut, it would require a lot of cleaning up.
I was just wondering if you have any cleaning up supplies.
Hon. Manitok Thompson (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I don’t know if you could understand him, that the Department of Sustainable Development is responsible for your question.
When the department goes to the witness chair, you can ask the question on the cleaning up of the potential oil spills and that department is responsible for that.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you, Ms. Thompson.
Mr. Tootoo: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I guess I just have a question for the Minister.
As the chairperson indicated in his general remarks, he talked about the slate, dismantling of the Housing Corporation and the Department of Public Works and Telecommunications and Technical Services taking on the technical function; I was just wondering if the Minister could inform us as to the relationship between the department and the Department of Community Government, Housing, & Transportation and their relationship between themselves and the local housing organizations within the communities.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Chairperson (interpretation): Ms. Thompson:
Hon. Manitok Thompson (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
You can call me angayuqqaaq anytime you want.
I'll have Ross respond to his question, Mr. Mrazek, rather.
Mr. Mrazek: To answer the question to Mr. Tootoo.
As I mentioned earlier, the staff from the Housing Corporation offices, through all regions have been divided between the technical side, which is mainly the building inspectors and some purchasing people to go with the Public Works, and the programming side of the people which went to the Community Government, Housing, & Transportation departments.
I would like to add that this happened in Cambridge Bay, and probably the best scenario there is that many people stay employed, in case of the Rankin, there have been a number of the vacancies,
I believe only one or two persons went to the Public Works office, and in case of Iqaluit, I think we have only one person transferred from housing, and I’m not exactly familiar with how many program people will be going or went to the Community, Housing, & Transportation office.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you. Mr. Mrazek.
Mr. Tootoo?
Mr. Tootoo: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Mr. Mrazek, for your answer.
I know I wasn’t so much as asking about the staff whether they’re going to be going around as far as the relationship between your department and the Department of Community Government, Housing, & Transportation and the relationship between your department and the local housing organizations.
Right now, the technical staff with the  prior to April 1, the staff that were with Housing Corporation dealt directly with the community LHO staff providing technical support and assistance to each and every LHO in the community and there was a direct relationship…working relationship between the two.
It is my understanding in this structure now that there is a possibility for the maintenance of those public housing units that any other homeowner or I’ll say public housing units, I think, to be fair that’s all that falls under that area.
This all falls under the jurisdiction of the Department of Community Government, Housing, & Transportation.
If the LHO wants, or needs to get some work done, or needs some technical support or assistance, they have to go to the Department of Community Government, Housing, & Transportation, it will then go to Department of Public Works, Telecommunications, & Technical Services will then go to the community and fix the problem, or work on it, but then again, from what I understand from before, your department doesn’t have any direct responsibility or tow the load the community to the LHOs'.
I’m just wondering if that’s the case.
I’m sure your comment was understood or your question was.
Please proceed, Mr. Deputy Minister?
Mr. Mrazek: Yes, you’re completely right.
What has been developed for the last few weeks is a memorandum of understanding how to handle the housing issues as far as the technical or maintenance between the Local Housing Association and Public Works.
Funding is directly provided through the Community Government, Housing, & Transportation as the funding agencies.
Public Works is providing the technical advice, technical assistance.
Only after, we will be able to staff a few positions to help.
Meantime we are working on a temporary arrangement with several communities in order provide response to them on a technical basis.
Chairperson (interpretation): Mr. Tootoo, perhaps if you could make your comments or questions more concise, perhaps you’ll get a more complete answer.
Mr. Tootoo: Thank you, Mr. Chairman, I’ll try.
Mr. Chairman, I’m wondering if the…then the Deputy Minister could tell me if an LHO needed some technical advice or need an inspection done say on a sewer tank upgrade on a house or something like that,  would they go directly to Department of Public Works & Services or would they have to go to the Department of Community Government, Housing, & Transportation who would then go to your department?
Mr. Mrazek: The contact is direct without going to Community Government, and they will obviously transfer the information is much faster and it’s clearly stated in the memorandum of understanding between the Public Works and individual housing local association in the communities which has been developed, and is being negotiated with individual communities at this time.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Mrazek.
Did you raise your hands?
I didn’t quite catch who raised his hand.
I don’t know whether it was Mr. Kattuk or Mr. Akesuk.
Which of you raised your hands?
Oh, it was Mr. Akesuk.
I have just a comment.
Perhaps the opening comments read by the Minister when she was still sitting in her seat.
I would like to get a written copy of the opening comments read by the Minister.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Akesuk.
Could you give her a copy?
Thank you, Mr. Minister.
Hon. Manitok Thompson: If there is a copying machine, they are available.
The copies of my opening comments is available.
I’m not sure who or whether the legislative assembly clerks, I believe they deal with requests for copies.
A question in respect to the houses which are already constructed in the regional centres where there are still no offices, we know they have to have maintenance payments, I would like to ask how much it costs for the maintenance, or whether we could find out more detail about those costs, Mr. Chairman?
Chairperson (interpretation): Ms. Thompson or Mrazek, Mr. Mrazek?
I hope I’m correct in pronouncing that?
Mr. Mrazek: If I could get more clarification, I would appreciate that because we have a number of different types of housing in the communities.
Chairperson (interpretation): Mr. Akesuk?
Mr. Akesuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
In respect to… I’m trying to refer to the buildings built by the Nunavut Construction Corporation, the offices…not the offices…the houses which are to be utilized by staff…I’m referring to them because the Nunavut government will own them or lease them back…and right now there’s nobody inhabiting those units so I’m asking about those units.
What are…what is the average monthly payments for the maintenance of those empty units?
Chairperson (interpretation): I’m sorry I keep making mistakes in respect to the names.
I called Mr. Akesuk, I was trying to call someone else.
Ms. Thompson, could you respond please.
I might make mistakes because this is definitely a male department so I’ll refer that to Mr. Mrazek.
Mr. Mrazek: I would like to give a brief overview of the Nunavut Construction Corporation activity.
So far, they have built 146 housing units in a number of the settlements.
This year, they will be building 104, in total number, it will be 250 units  by next summer 2000.
You’re right, there’s nobody living in those units yet, some of  are completed, some of them are not; they have a number of deficiencies, and the interim inspection has not been passed.
I think we will start paying the leases within the next month, and the amount of the leases is available but I don’t have that with me.
I can supply that later on.
We’re making arrangements currently to use one housing unit in Arviat as the temporary office space for education.
Mr. Akesuk: Thank you.
I ran out of questions, thank you.
Mr. O’Brien: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Chairman, it’s my understanding that the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, the federal government has spent between eight and ten million dollars on information technology for Nunavut government.
This was done through the Office of Interim Commissioner.
Do we have a figure in place now as to what the total cost of our information highlight of what it will cost us… I don’t know if it’s in the budget… we have an estimate as to what it will cost and if the federal government will continue to support my funding for this huge project?
Chairperson (interpretation): Mr. Mrazek?
Mr. Mrazek: I’m not familiar and I cannot confirm the expenditure on behalf of the OIC office last year or year before.
The only thing I would like to confirm that we have approximately about fifteen million dollars in this capital budget, in this main estimate which is basically for operation and for the policy and program assistant development for all department.
Chairperson (interpretation): Mr. O’Brien?