EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
They are very difficult at this time to pinpoint exactly what we are going to be doing on that. The work continues.
I wonder if the Premier can give us a few examples of some of the changes that may be coming?
If I can have Mr. Akeeagok respond to that question.
It’s difficult to offer examples while we are right in the middle of revisions. Some of those examples may change.
In that report there were a number of action items that we were tasked as part of the review. So each of the departments are looking into the different models and also within our own department, we are coordinating that, but it’s difficult to put examples at this current time, as it continues to be revised. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
When does the Premier anticipate that these changes will be to the point where they can be publicly stated to us so that we can have our chance to debate the changes that are being suggested?
Mr. Chairman, I’m hoping that we could come up with a plan by the next session in the fall time.
Mr. Chairman, we’re dealing with positions and people out there. Our key intention is to provide better services for Nunavummiut and how we do that, at times, it’s very difficult with the decentralized communities, depending on the type of services that are needed out there.
Mr. Chairman, when we talk about decentralization and reorganization, we’re trying to be as efficient as possible and we’re trying to maximize the services provided by the government.
I’m hoping that we could start these discussions in the fall time.
At present, the Government of Nunavut has a total of approximately 460 decentralized positions.
As of today, how many of these positions are vacant?
We don’t have that number at our fingertips, but the 459 positions that are out of Iqaluit are integrated into the overall positions.
Even though he’s not aware of how many are vacant, we’re pretty sure there are a fair number of vacancies out there in the government positions.
I’m wondering if the Premier can state some of the reasons why these positions are vacant.
At this time, I don’t have that information with me, but the Minister of Finance may have that information in front of him.
I believe the representative numbers were tabled by his department and he may have that information in front of him.
Unfortunately, I don’t have that information in front of me at the moment, but I can get it if it’s important.
He may not have the information I want on my next question either. I’m wondering if there are any government positions out there that are decentralized that have never been filled.
I don’t know that answer.
In communities where you’re having issues or problems filling decentralized positions, is your government considering relocating any of these positions to other communities?
Next name on the list, Mr. Mikkungwak.
Along the same lines, I would like to ask about the decentralized communities.
Baker Lake is one of the decentralized communities and if our community is going to be affected by this, will the people in the community be met with or consulted?
And, the other communities that have decentralized positions in them, will they be consulted and met with, as well?
I have already said that the communities are represented by their MLAs and that the MLAs will be notified of any changes.
Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. I thank the Premier for his response.
Moving along, under that same Priorities 2014-15, third bullet under the Priorities, “Review the delivery of Sivuliuqtiksat Internship Program to ensure that it is effective in meeting its objectives”.
My question to that firstly is; are they looking at internship programs to all government departments at the regional level, executive and senior management levels?
Mr. Chairman, that’s the intention of the program, is to get sivuliqtit leaders and it is to develop for managerial directorship and professional and specialized training, in whatever department that they are from.
And, yes, Mr. Chairman, the applications do come from all three regions, and I believe, Mr. Chairman, that there has been four approved positions for this program in the past couple of months and all of them, I am quite happy to say that, they are all from outside of Iqaluit.
In reference to that Sivuliuqtiksat Internship Program, have they considered this internship program with decentralized positions that are not filled?
The mentorship and training takes place with the existing supervisor in that position and in some cases, if there is no real position within the decentralized communities, that can be looked at.
At this time, Mr. Chairman, the mentorship and training the internship does take place with a senior manager, director and the aim of the program is to develop employees into becoming directors and other professionals specialized within any department.
Are there any departments that currently do not have any Sivuliuqtiksat internships in their departments and which department would they be?
There are a number of departments that do participate. It is based on proposals coming from the department, which is, in turn, coordinated through my Department of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs.
There is involvement from Economic Development and Transportation, Arctic College, Health, Community and Government Services, Nunavut Housing Corporation, EIA, and Justice are participating in the internship program.
I thank the Premier, once again, for his response.
The other departments that were not indicated, will they be taken into consideration of this Sivuliuqtiksat Internship Program in the near future?
Yes, we encourage, through a directive letter that goes out to each department to come with an Inuit employment plan. We encourage all departments to assist our department in getting applications for the internships.
It’s very nice to know that the Sivuliuqtiksat Internship Program is a positive outlook for all Nunavutmiut.
To ensure that it’s properly up and running, would that be followed through right from priorities 2014 right up to priorities 2016-17.
Since the inception of the internship in 2004-05, we’ve had 23 graduates.
We intend to put more graduates out there through this internship program.
When I said graduate I meant that the employees that graduated up to another level of directorship, managerial level, or senior position within the departments.
It’s a very positive outlook for young individuals within the territory, or individuals that take the internship program.
Would it not be more effective if all departments were obligated to utilize this worthwhile initiative?
Absolutely. Yes.
The next person on my list. Mr. Joanasie.
I am going to first touch up on, and it was mentioned before, the bilingual bonuses.
I believe it was under B-4. I am now bringing it up. First of all, are there trilingual bonuses?
We have already approved that page, but I will ask of members want to go back. Do members agree to ask questions we already approved on?
Thank you, my fellow colleagues.
I wanted to ask on the bilingual bonus.
I wanted to ask if there’s a trilingual bonus.
Hon. Peter Taptuna: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. No, there isn’t for trilingual, but there is for bilingual.
I think it was briefly touched upon on the proficiency tests. Is it like an oral or written exam or is there a specific number of questions that in order to receive a bilingual bonus, how many questions do they have to answer?
Is it to that detail?
Nunavut Arctic College is involved in this and Uqausilirijiit Taiguusirnik is also included in it, but Mr. Chairman, if I can, I want Mr. Akeeagok to respond in finer detail.
Mr. Akeeagok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) For the members who are under the Nunavut Teachers Association, there is an assessment tool in place for their language incentive.
For the individuals under the Nunavut Employees Union Collective Agreement, which applies to other government officials too, there is a bilingual bonus. The assessment tool for that particular one, as mentioned in the business plan, we’re developing that and it should be completed by the end of 2014.
It was outlined about how the bilingual bonus has to be dependent on the position.
If it’s in essence that it needs to be bilingual, then that position, I believe, they have to apply to receive this bilingual bonus.
Am I correct, Mr. Chairman?
I believe we went through all that earlier when we were at that section.
I apologize if I’m repeating some questions.
However, it was also touched upon how there are two different types of bilingual bonuses, one through NEU and the other through the Nunavut Teachers Association.
What are the two differences between the bonuses?
The differences with the Nunavut Teachers [Association] collective agreement, there are three tiers where a bonus can be awarded and it depends. With the NEU collective agreement, it is one tier.
Could they please provide us with the amount for each tier?
Mr. Akeeagok: With the NEU government agreement, I believe it is $1,500 a year.
I don’t have the new Nunavut Teachers Association’s collective agreement that was signed last month.
But the one previous was; for level one it was $1,200, level two was $2,400, level three was $5,000 a year. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
For the NTA, how do they progress to the next tier?
I’d like to get that information if possible.
I’ll move onto something else.
On another matter, according to the most recently tabled public service annual report, approximately 33 percent of Government of Nunavut positions have been designated as requiring employees to be proficient in both English and Inuktitut.
How many bilingual positions are allocated in headquarters offices in Iqaluit and how many are located in decentralized offices outside of Iqaluit?
If they have that level of detail, Mr. Chairman.
We don’t have that information in our databases.
I’d be interested to know.
It would be an interesting statistic to know and if we could find that out at some point then we would appreciate it.
Touching upon the interns that Mr. Mikkungwak was asking. I don’t think he asked but are there any interns in the decentralized communities?
That’s my final answer…That’s not my final answer, that’s my final question.
At this moment we have eight positions that are ongoing. Some internships last a year; some are two, some up to three years.
We have some of the positions in mid-stream, two years out of three. Some are in Cambridge Bay, Cape Dorset, Baker Lake and other communities throughout Nunavut.
We’re on page B-8. Sivumuaqatigiit.
I’m also going to touch on the intern program, as I had made a Member’s Statement earlier in this sitting and asked the Premier some questions.
I received a number of answers that I was looking for there and throughout some of the questions that have been going around by my colleagues, I’ve got a few more answers provided to me.
Out of the eight interns right now who were hired recently in seven departments, if memory serves me correctly, when I was in the program there were 14 interns and I believe the budget at that time was for 20 interns.
How many interns is the current budget capable of carrying?
We have positions for 16.
I realize that it’s a proposal-based application that is provided to your department for departments to fill intern positions.
I believe I stressed it at the time during my oral questions or during one of my comments that I think this program, as good as it is and for some of the failings that it has had as well, I’m assuming the review, as it was reviewed in 2008 from the Office of the Auditor General as part of the HR review, identified some issues.
I applaud your department for taking this review very seriously.
In my opinion, I think it’s overdue.
I think this could be a very good flagship for creating Inuit into leadership and management positions throughout our government, throughout all of our departments.
I’m just wondering what his department is doing other than putting out a call letter to the departments for soliciting applications.
Are there any more aggressive options that his department could be pursuing to fill up these 16 positions?
I would like to bring in another witness.
Is the committee agreed to let a different official in?
Chairman: Sergeant-at-Arms, please escort the official in.
Premier Taptuna, would you introduce your official?
Hon. Peter Taptuna: Mr. Chairman, thank you.
Ms. Sheila Kolola, Director of Sivumuaqatigiit.
Ms. Kolola.
Ms. Kolola: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
If I understand your question correctly, what are other ways that we are encouraging departments to access the internship program, we have an active Inuit employment steering committee that meets on a regular basis. Through that is where we’re promoting the internship.
Also, departments have accessed our department to look into more training opportunities for the development of their staff.
We have been sitting down with various departments, but the majority of it is through the HR coordinators, committees, DMC, and the Inuit Employment Steering Committee. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
While I realize that the department puts on a number of different learning and development opportunities and I myself have participated in a number of them during my time with the program, I think that one of the key factors is designating the mentors for these trainees and I think there is an opportunity, especially when we are dealing with the employees on a term basis where people aren’t fearful of training their replacement when they are in an indeterminate role. I will leave that as a comment.
I will move on to my next topic, Mr. Chairman, if you don’t mind.
I would like to touch on the action plan for decentralization that’s been brought up a couple of times already and concerns with moving positions around.
One of the things that caught my interest from the action plan, unfortunately they are not page numbered so I can’t give you the page number but in one of the key recommendations for making changes in the decentralized policy and governance, it talks about one of the key actions is the recognition of positions located outside of Iqaluit, the aim for a better fit between positions and community, including strengths, characteristics, and labour market.
The way I interpret that, Mr. Chairman, they’re looking at reviewing some of the departments that are in decentralized communities, to take a look at the workforce available in that community and potentially move departments around from community to community.
I guess, first of all, is that interpretation correct?
I will have Ms. Kolola respond to that.
Chairman: Ms. Kolola.
Ms. Kolola (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) The action deals with revisions and review of the decentralization action plan that the Premier had said earlier, is doing all of that, reviewing the action plans that were provided to this House and seeing the feasibility, doing that with the consultations of departments.
Mr. Hickes: Okay, so I’ll take that as, that right now they’re not looking at moving anything. They’re just looking at doing a review; that satisfies my answer on that question, Mr. Chairman.
Another one, in the improving structures and supports for decentralized public service, as I am sure, all members are aware, sometimes it’s a challenge when there is a workforce in a community that reports to a supervisor and headquarters in one of our regional offices, there is a disconnect sometimes between the management and the local workforce.
It talks about in here as one of the key actions of “Wherever possible design community based functions as intact work units with an onsite manager rather than isolated positions with remote management.” This is exactly what I just described.
How advanced is that review going and would the Premier be able to update us if they are looking at actually adding or taking away positions from some of the communities.
At this time there is no update on the specific request on the reviews and whatnot but hopefully by the fall time we should be able to respond to that.
We are on Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs. Branch Summary. Sivumuaqatigiit.
Total Operations and Maintenance, to be Voted. $8,222,000.
Chairman: Thank you. Next page. Branch Summary.
Intergovernmental Affairs, Ms. Angnakak.
I don’t have a lot of questions here but I do want to ask a little bit about the Western Premiers Conference.
I know that everybody is very busy and getting ready for it. I am wondering if you can tell us how many premiers will be attending this conference.
There was a teleconference at 3 o’clock that I was supposed to be at. The western premiers that are coming here are from BC to Manitoba.
I wonder if the Premier can tell us what kind of agenda items he might have that will have a real impact on Nunavummiut that he wants to discuss with the western premiers.
Yesterday I made a Ministers’ Statement on that. I talked about community competitiveness and our issues with remote northern communities.
Can I ask the Premier about what he means about issues with northern remote communities?
I’m sure there are going to be a lot of discussions.
The agenda is not finalized yet.
As members are well aware, the high costs of servicing the smaller communities up north with lack of infrastructure.
In most communities in the north and in the northern provinces, the only connection that they have is through airlines. That is one of the issues that drive up the cost of living, both for the residents and for governments.
With that agenda item in mind, are you looking for support from the other premiers to support the fact that we need more financial support for those communities in the High Arctic?
There is no doubt that there will be discussions on that. When it comes to that, we talk about public housing.
As I indicated earlier, Nunavut is in desperate need of 3,600 units. Across the board through our northern jurisdictions and the western provinces, of course, that’s an issue that we’re hoping to carry forth.
Are you then hoping to take the support of the western premiers on this issue to the Prime Minister?
The northern premiers, with the assistance of our western colleagues, we do prepare for these types of collaborations to bring forth to the Council of the Federation.
Chairman (Mr. Mikkungwak): Ms. Angnakak.
Can the Premier tell us what the budget is for this conference?
The budget hasn’t been finalized. Once that has been finalized, I will certainly provide that to the members.
Can the Premier just remind me once again when the conference start, and how long is it on for?
The conference starts on July 9, Nunavut Day. That day was specifically chosen by my officials to showcase Nunavut, including all the activities that take place on Nunavut Day.
I want to move on now to the Arctic Council. Will this government be attending any of the Arctic Council meetings in the future?
Can the Premier tell us what issues affecting Nunavut have been discussed at the Arctic Council so far?
The Nunavut Government’s support of the chairmanship that we have within the Arctic Council and the three main themes of discussions for Nunavut is mental wellness and developing wellness strategy throughout the north throughout the arctic circle. The second item is marine pollution prevention and the third item is climate change adaptation.
In the business plan it states that there was going to be a senior arctic official meeting in June 2014.
Is this still on or is there a delay in this meeting?
I can get that information to the member as soon as possible once we are made aware of what day of the month it is happening.
We look forward to that information. I would like to go on to talk a little bit about this Canada-US relations through the Beyond the Border Regulatory Corporation Council Working Group. That’s a big long name It says in the business plan that the Government of Nunavut continues to work with the federal government to advance the work of the Regulatory Corporation Council.
I’m wondering what agenda items do you discuss on this working group that impact Nunavut directly?
May I ask which page you are referencing your question on?
I’m looking at page 10 on the business plan that I’m working with.
Page 10 on the business plan, third bullet.
Once we get that information I’ll certainly provide it to the member.
Chairman: Following the list of names, Mr. Hickes.
It is with a little bit of interest that I noted in the Premier’s opening comments to this committee that there was no reference to devolution.
In the throne speech from Prime Minister Harper this year, he spoke to the fact that there is some interest at the federal level to initiate negotiations or at least to start working on the agreement in principle.
Within the business plan and the priorities pretty much every year it has continue efforts on devolution agreement in principle negotiations with the Government of Canada and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated.
Now, I realize I’m not really looking for an update here. I’m sure that if there was one, the Premier would let us know.
With the last government that we had, we heard devolution, it seemed like, every second word and I don’t hear it quite so frequently now. Is the impending federal election stalling out efforts on this agreement-in-principle?
I do understand that it was in the Throne Speech, and we applaud what the NWT has done. They have completed their AIP in that and they’re moving forward with their file on devolution.
At this time, there haven’t been any discussions on this yet as the federal government does not have a mandate on this yet.
I thank the Premier for that response. I’m just looking back with the Devolution Branch’s PYs.
Starting off in 2009-2010, it started off with five and then an additional two PYs were added in 2011 and 2011-12, and that there was a request for more positions in 2012-13 that was denied. Now, in the department’s PYs, they’re listing nine right now. Are all those positions currently filled?
No, all those positions are not filled. There are only four that are filled and five vacant.
Out of the five vacancies, are there any casual employees working in those positions?
There’s nobody in the vacant positions at this time.
So four of the nine positions are filled with indeterminate or term employees.
I believe that the previous question you asked, if there are casuals in the vacant positions, in the filled positions, we have one casual.
Maybe I haven’t been following the job listings or job postings as closely as I should have, Mr. Chairman. Out of the five remaining positions, are there current advertisements out to fill those positions?
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you very much. (interpretation ends) Premier Taptuna.
Being a new Premier on this devolution file, I intend to assess and look at the PYs for the branch, this division on devolution, and by fall time, I should be able to make a determination of how many PYs we’re going to have within that division.
I’m using the devolution as a bit of a soapbox here, but I have spoken numerous times on my concern of using casual employment across the government as a whole.
With this casual employee in the Devolution Branch, maybe specifically, are you looking at advertising or offering a term or even direct appointing the casual position in this circumstance, and has he or she been there for some time?
I haven’t made that determination yet. Once Canada has determined that we can go ahead and start negotiating, things can move very quickly, but at this time, we have no further determination of what we’re going to do with the casual.
I’ll just finish off with a comment.
I encourage the Premier to take a look at all casuals under his supervision and along with the Minister of Finance as the Minister responsible for Human Resources. Take a look especially at long-term casuals and work with them on their own career development to get more stable employment opportunities available to them.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you very much. (interpretation ends) Take that as a comment.
Total Operations and Maintenance, to be Voted. $4,322,000.
Chairman: Back to page B-3.
Total Operations and Maintenance, to be Voted. $27,309,000.
Chairman: Closing comments, Mr. Taptuna.