EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
That is what I understand.
Is Clyde River always going to be a deficit situation.
Are we just going to be wasting money for energy costs.
Is that going to contribute to your expenditures.
Speaker (interpretation): Minister for Nunavut Power Corporation, Mr. Picco.
I never forget about Clyde River, as the member and the members of this house know, my wife is from there, my father in law, and all my family in laws are there, and I hear about Clyde River every day.
Indeed Mr Speaker, I lived at Clyde River and I looked at it as my 2nd or 3rd home, probably after Hall Beach, where I spent a lot of time.
What I can say to the members and the people of Clyde River and to this house, is that the Government of Nunavut is not forgetting about the smaller communities.
We are trying to work in a co-ordinated approach to bring other opportunities to those communities that we talked about earlier.
Mr Speaker, the community of Clyde River is in the position right now of getting a new power plant, and we discussed that in house before.
And I want to assure the people of Clyde River that this Minister and this Government understands the complexities of the rate increases, and the other concerns of Clyde River and we will move aggressively to help people of Clyde River.
Mr. Iqaqrialu, supplementary.
Final supplementary to my question.
As you indicated, we don’t have enough infrastructure to accommodate the relocating of staff.
Can you provide for new infrastructure for our community.
That would be the only way that we become able to accommodate new staff members in our community.
Mr. Minister Picco.
Mr Speaker, as I said earlier, the Nunavut Government is try to look at opportunities for other jobs.
I’ll give an example, Mr Speaker.
Mr Speaker, we have a lot of patients right now, in the south being taken care of in different jurisdictions.
Mr Speaker, this government and Department of Health and Social Services, we’ve been looking at opportunities where we can repatriate citizens of Nunavut that are in rehabilitation centres and so on in the south.
Maybe there are some opportunities there to bring those types of infrastructures to Nunavut.
But that’s just one aspect of different things that the Nunavut government is trying to look at.
I can’t commit right now, Mr Speaker, to putting infrastructure or particular jobs in the community of Clyde River, under the mandate of Health and Social Services.
But I can commit to the member, as I said earlier, we know ministers of this House have spoken of this before. Members in this House, ministers of this House represent smaller communities.
The Government of Nunavut is trying to look at opportunities and ways that we can build on capacity in our smaller communities.
Mr. Speaker, that’s one of the things that myself as minister am trying to do.
Hopefully with the standing committee of this House, we can discuss some opportunities, maybe during the budget session, when we debate the Health Department’s budget; which is the only department I can speak for, Mr Speaker, because there may be an option of moving things forward.
Speaker (interpretation): Oral questions: Item 6.
Question 310 - 1(3): Housing Subsidies
My question will be directed to the Minister of the Housing Corporation.
As for my preamble, I’d like to indicate there is an issue concerning access programs, which were initiated by the Government in order for lower income families to afford their own housing.
There is a problem in that the ceiling limit was changed and it was accessible to people with higher income levels.
But now recently I’ve found that due to the higher gas and oil costs, people are reviewing the home access programs and the allowed incomes.
I understand that it has been raised from 235 dollars to 517 dollars.
This has been increased by 100%, Mr Speaker and we are already paying extremely high costs in the high Arctic area for our food, our gas and other necessities.
I am wondering if there is some kind of subsidy provided from the Housing Corporation in order for people to access these programs.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you Mr Barnabas. Minister for the Nunavut Housing Corporation, Ms. Thompson.
I wish to thank the member for raising this issue.
As it is after the price increase of gas, it became difficult for many people to stay on top of these price levels.
Even as the price of groceries increases, whether it is for maintenance of housing costs it’s difficult for us to keep up with the inflation rates.
That being the case, Mr. Speaker, the housing staff would be encouraged to speak with the clients to discuss their mortgage options, and to see if there might be some kinds of provisions or rebates that they can come to terms with through negotiations. They can also look at the possibility of options whereby they can apply for a mortgage and we can subsidise them on a temporary basis.
I understand this difficulty, but under my budgets for my departments which you will be seeing shortly, we have been mandated to build a certain number of houses within the communities.
So, either we build houses in communities or we don’t.
And since we have been mandated to provide construction of houses we have to consider it as a priority.
However Mr Speaker, I can tell you that anyone who is having a financial difficulty keeping up with payments has the opportunity to come and negotiate with our staff members and come to terms, come to some sort of an agreement.
Member for Quttiktuq, Mr Barnabas
I know that the Government employees receive a subsidy, once they have their own housing.
They are still given housing allowances on top of their salary.
But even through negotiations with Housing Corporations prices will continue to increase.
Will you be providing housing allowance for people if this is not changed to accommodate the lower income people.
Minister for Nunavut Housing Corporation, Ms. Thompson.
I think we are all aware, Mr. Speaker, that income support is being reviewed by the minister as he indicated earlier.
He said that they are doing an income support program review all across the board and they can access some assistance but we can look into this particular question that the member is referring to as to how we can provide for some sort of subsidy.
But when we receive correspondence concerning mortgages, we go into depth about their individual cases and we try to negotiate their original terms of agreement upon the purchase of their house, Mr. Speaker, but I will be able to get back to you.
Item 6, oral questions. Oral questions.
Question 311 - 1(3): Youth Facility Funding Policies
My question is in regards to youth facilities in Nunavut, Mr Speaker, in light of that commitment last year Mr. Speaker, I was wondering, hasn’t the Minister of the department developed a policy to administer those funds.
Minister of Culture, Language and Youth Mr. Havioyak.
Hon. Donald Havioyak (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Speaker, in regard to the policy that I have been talking about, we are in the stage of implementing the policies and as I have stated we are a new department in the government.
We are still working on the policy to make them more effective.
We were working on the policies to accommodate the facilities for the youth.
Like I said earlier our department in new in the Government of Nunavut.
We have to review and implement these policies we have.
We have to have a public consultation with the communities as well.
So, like I said earlier we have to have input from other communities as well.
So, our youth workers and staff are working very hard.
Which programs that we could use that would be more suitable to our youth.
While we're working on these policies, we're working on the funding as well that we could use.
If we don't have any funding to get off the ground, we have to have a good policy to work with first before we can go on.
Mr. Tootoo: I believe what the minister implied with his answer there, that they had not developed a policy last year to administer funds that were supposedly committed for youth facilities last year.
Speaker (Interpretation): Thank you Mr. Tootoo.
For the member’s clarification on the question, I am not sure if it was on the facilities from last year.
Is that what you are saying from last year.
On the other hand, is it on the operations & maintenance.
Could I get clarification on the question.
Speaker (interpretation): Please clarify your question Mr. Tootoo.
Mr. Tootoo: I believe last year when the minister's department was at the Committee of the Whole I received as we all did a commitment from the department to provide some funding towards the running of youth facilities.
It was indicated last year again as Mr. Picco has pointed out in his statement earlier today that there were cases that facilities were available but there was no access operations & maintenance dollars to maintain them or program dollars to maintain those.
I was pretty sure I had that commitment last year.
I was just wondering did the minister develop a policy to administer those funds last year.
Minister of Culture, Language, Elders & Youth Mr. Havioyak.
Last year, when we first became a department.
We started working on policies that we could work with.
In order to be more effective to the youth and see what type of facilities that we could come up with in our communities.
That is what I stated last year.
Last year when we first started, we didn't have any funding that we could use.
That is why we didn't come up the new facilities yet.
As of today we are still working on some funding we could use for the youth facilities and some drop in centres.
We did not have all this last year.
We didn't have a capital plan last year.
We are still in the stages of reviewing our new policy that we are working on and see what kind of policies were going to have today and tomorrow and our future.
This is not an overnight thing that we could put together.
We have to work on these in due time.
It's too bad we didn't have this funding last year when we first started.
Mr. Speaker, I'm not sure if the minister understands the question.
I'm not talking about any capital funding.
I'm talking about operations & maintenance funding that there was a commitment for last year and the Finance Minister said that there would be money there for these types of programmes.
I was asking the Minister, after they made that commitment of having that funds available, did they have a policy to administer it.
Hon. Donald Havioyak (interpretation): We are still working through these policies.
These operations & maintenance dollars have to be put in place for the facilities that we are going to put it in place for the youth.
We can't do it without these operations & maintenance. Right now I can't really answer you in terms of how much funding.
So that we can have an idea how much operations & maintenance we can use.
Mr Speaker, again I'm not asking how much money.
Mr. Speaker, I'm asking did the minister and his department develop a policy to administer the funds that they committed to use for these types of programmes last year.
Hon. Donald Havioyak (interpretation): I will answer you again.
The policy that we are still working on today as it we don't have it today.
Going back to the orders of the day, Oral Questions.
Since I don't have much time left possibly it will be better to ask my question tomorrow.
We will take a 15 minute break.
Mr. Sergeant-At-Arms.
>>House recessed at 3:16 pm and resumed at 3:43 pm
Speaker (interpretation): Item 7 on Orders of the Day, Written Questions. Item 8.
Returns to Written Questions. Item 9. Replies to Opening Address.
Item 10 Replies to Budget Address.
Item 11 Petitions.
Item 12 Reports on Standing and Special Committees.
Item 13 Reports on Committee on Review of Bills.
Item 14 Tabling of Documents.
Tabled Document 49 - 1(3): Arctic Bay Concerns regarding Nunavut Day
Mr. Barnabas (interpretation): I wish to table the following letter from concerned citizens of Arctic Bay concerning Nunavut Day and the following holiday in August.
Item 16.
Tabled documents 27 1(3) Bill 10, Bill 13, tabled documents 41 -1(3), Bill 14, with the authority invested in me by motion 3.1(3) the Committee of the Whole will stay in session until a report itself out with Mr. Irqittuq as the Chairperson.
Sargent-At-Arms.
Chairperson Mr. Irqittuq (interpretation): The committee will come to order.
Continuing from Minister's Statement 15 1(3), we also have Tabled Document 27-1(3) Bill 10.
We will continue with the business that we were dealing with yesterday.
The item that we dealt with yesterday.
I would like to continue again and we will be making motions to that affect.
Everybody in agreement.
Committee Motion 47 - 1(3): Support for NNI
Mr. Chairperson, I move that the committee expresses support for the Government of Nunavut's Nunavummi Nangminiqaatunik Ikajuuti policy.
Mr. Chairperson, I move that this committee recommend that the department responsible for implementation of the Nunavummi Nangminiqaqtunik Ikajuuti policy works to ensure that the comprehensive information and assistance is provided in both Inuktitut.
Chairperson (interpretation): Mr. Iqaqrialu, the first motion that you made have to be voted on by the committee.
Mr. Iqaqrialu (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Chairperson. I'm sorry.
Mr. Iqaqrialu moves the motion.
The members would like to have copies of the motion.
The copies of the motion have been passed on to the members.
Any comments or questions on the motion.
If there are no questions.
Mr. Iqaqrialu can you go ahead with the other motions.
Committee Motion 48 - 1(3): Information on NNI
I move that this committee recommends that the department responsible for the implementation of the Nunavummi Nangminiqaqtunik Ikajuuti policy works to ensure that comprehensive information as assistance is provided in both Inuktitut and English to any firm or individual in Nunavut who request it.
In addition, that business in smaller communities receive adequate training to adapt to their activities to the new policy.
Chairperson (interpretation): Questions on the motion.
Mr. Iqaqrialu (interpretation): I will pass on this motion to Mr. Tootoo.
Committee Motion 49 - 1(3): NNI Policies
Mr. Tootoo: Thank you Mr Chairperson.
I move that this committee recommend that the department responsible for the implementation of the Nunavummi Nangminiqaqtunik Ikajuuti policy develops clear, consistent, and enforceable monitoring and enforcement procedures that will apply to the contract authorities.
Moreover, that the responsible department co-operate fully with any internal audit and evaluation bodies to government may deem appropriate.
Chairperson (interpretation): Are any questions to the motion.
Are there any comments to the motion.
Committee Motion 50 - 1(3): Reporting on NNI Policy Operations
I move that this committee recommends that the contracting policy review committee’s report on the operations of the first year of NNIs operations be tabled in the Legislative Assembly.
Comments on the motion.
Committee Motion 51 - 1(3): Bid Security System Reform
Motion 5.
Mr. Chairman, I move that this committee recommends that responsible department continue to reform the bid security system to increase the contracting opportunities for smaller Nunavut firms.
Chairperson (interpretation): Any questions or comments on the motion.
Are there any more comments on the motion.
Mr. Akesuk (interpretation): Mr. Chairman, the NNI policy has been completed and I would like to move on to Bill 10.
I was suppose to ask the committee if Ministers Statement 50-1(3) and Tabled Document 27 - 1(3) are concluded.
Does the committee agree that these items are concluded.
That took a long time.
Mr. Akesuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I wish to deal with Bill 10 dealing with The Dissolution of Boards of Management Act.
Chairperson (interpretation): Are we agreed that we will proceed with Bill 10.
Mr. Picco you can go to the witness table with your witnesses or do you prefer to handle this on your own.
Thank you Mr. Picco please indicate who your witnesses will be.
Hon. Ed Picco: Mr. Chairman with me today for Bill 10, Dissolution of Boards of Management Act, is Mr. Armstrong who provides legal counsel.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you Minister Picco. You can begin with your opening remarks.
Mr. Chairman the Bill we have here today is an amendment to the Social Services Dissolution Act, which passed in this house in June 1999.
That act was 1 page long and confirmed the governments decision to integrate the operations of the 3 health and social services boards with the department, which reports to the minister of Health and Social Services.
Mr. Chairman the act that was passed last June did not spell out any administrative details that will arise from the integration of the three regional boards into the department.
Bill 10, in front of you today, addresses those details and will eliminate administrative confusion as this transition is achieved.
Mr. Chairman this Bill has benefited from the thorough review it has received form the Standing Committee on Education, Culture and Health.
I would sincerely say we appreciate the constructive debate we engaged in during my appearance in front of the committee.
Because of those discussions, the standing committee recommended two amendments to Bill number 10, which were accepted.
Accordingly, the reprinted Bill you have in front of you today incorporates the amendments of the standing committee.
Mr. Chairman, speaking generally about the Bill number 10 that you have in front of you, it addresses seven kinds of issues.
First, of all the assets and liabilities of the board will become assets and liabilities of the Nunavut Government after April 1.
If a board owes anyone money they need not worry that they will not be paid.
The Government of Nunavut will assume that liability.
If anyone doubts who owns physical assets of the board now they will belong to the Government of Nunavut.
If anyone was going to initiate an action against the board about the way they were treated before April 1, 2000 this act makes it clear that all though the boards will be gone people can seek a remedy from the Government of Nunavut.
Second, all contracts and obligations with which the boards are involved which extend beyond March 31, 2000 will become contracts and obligations of the Government of Nunavut.
No one Mr. Chairman will be left with an invalid contract.
If someone has entered into an agreement with the board beyond March 31, 2000 then that agreement will have the same force before March 31, 2000, but that agreement will be with the government of Nunavut and not the board.
Third, all employees of the board will become employees of the Government of Nunavut.
This amendment makes absolutely clear Mr. Chairman that no one’s employment status is affected.
This provision carries with it the effect that no employee can claim that they have been dismissed just because the reporting relationship of the name on their pay cheque has changed.
Fourth, whatever employee benefits may have with a board if they conflict with the employee benefits of a government position the provisions for the government position shall prevail.
This is a safety clause Mr. Chairman in the event it turns out that some small differences with benefits with individual employees.
Fifth, whatever a board is obliged or empowered to do today the minister will be empowered or obliged to do after April 1, 2000.
The intent of that clause Mr. Chairman is to ensure whatever the situation it will always be clear who can act and in some cases who must act.
Sixth, the boards have authorised certain things such as medical reviews and privileges through bylaws.
Ministers, Mr. Chairman, don’t make bylaws so we have a provision making it clear that the minister or his designate, the deputy minister or executive director in a region, can provide the same type of authority through ministerial directives or guidelines.
As an example the way clinical practices of medical professionals in a hospital are overseen and the rights of doctors to practice with that hospital facility or the granting of medical privileges are regulated by bylaw.
Finally Mr. Chairman, the Standing Committee has expressed their commitment to establish a direct relationship between the communities and this department.
My cabinet colleges and I agree wholeheartedly, that the theme of simplicity and unity links initiatives like this integration with open, responsive and accountable government and the encouragement of public participation.
Mr. Chairman the amendment recommended by the standing committee clarifies the minister’s ability to enter into agreements with communities.
Having offered this overview, I am pleased to appear in front of the committee of the whole today to discus Bill 10, An Act to Amend the Boards of Management Dissolution Act.
Mr. Nutarak your opening remarks on Bill 10, coming from the Standing Committee on Culture, Education and Health.
Mr. Nutarak (interpretation): Mr. Chairman I thank you for the opportunity to speak on Bill 10, An Act to Amend the Boards of Management Dissolution Act.
As Chairman of the Standing Committee on Culture, Education and Health, I would like to thank the minister for his participation with the standing committee’s review process on this Bill, and his willingness to accommodate our concerns.
The standing committee held a number of briefing sessions and meetings with the minister on Bill 10 over the past few months.
In particular I would like to note for the benefit for all members of the house that our standing committee sought amendments on two different issues.
These were accepted by the minister.
First, this was stated when the government first proposed abolishing the regional boards of management.
The government hoped by bringing the functions of the regional health boards into the Department of Health and Social Services this would help ensure there was more accountability and transparency in government services and provide for more Nunavut wide programs and services.
The standing committee supports these objectives however the standing committee has, in two different reports, stressed the importance of also continuing to develop the local capacity to participate in health and social services matters.
We are very supportive of the creation and support existing local community health committees.
We believe that the involvement of local communities and local organizations will be essential if we are to deal with many of the health and social problems and needs of Nunavummiut.
We applaud the minister’s recent initiatives to work with hamlets in this regard and encourage his efforts to do more in the future.
However, the standing committee wanted to be certain that the new legislation would in fact insure the minister could enter into agreements with hamlets or with organizations with that are designated by hamlets on health and social services, and we requested an amendment to this effect.
Although the new clause is very permissive and does not require agreements, the minister has stated his commitment to work with hamlets in establishing these relationships on health and social service matters.
Secondly, in order to ensure open and transparent government, a core principal in the Bathurst Mandate, we requested that the clause stating the Statutory Instruments Act would not apply to guidelines or policies be deleted.
The standing committee has advised that the Statutory Instruments Act requires the government publish certain instruments in the gazette including regulations and appointments and certain directives.
This ensures that the public will have access to this information The regional boards of management were not required to follow the Statutory Instruments Act.
However, the minister and his department are bound by it.
The standing committee felt it was very important to ensure that the status quo would change.
To the extent that directives and instruments that should fall under the Statutory Instruments Act now that the responsibilities are under the department, they should in fact do so.
However, since the Statutory Instruments Act does not apply to guidelines or policies in any event, the clause in the original Bill was not necessary as a legal matter and was redundant.