EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
I could say that at the department, we want to be able to have a larger budget and we have been told by my peers that we have a very limited amount of money that would be used for recreational facilities, for schools, and for major infrastructure. There is absolutely nothing left for my department.
In regard to Repulse Bay, the money will be used for tomorrow. If we get approval by my colleagues, we will try and direct that money there so that we can start ordering the materials and so on.
At that time, they would be bought and then construction would begin for 2011-12.
Those are the plans that we have for Repulse Bay.
Thank you, Minister for your explanation. He says that he is going try and get his colleagues to agree with him.
I thank you once again and I give you my support to my request.
I understand exactly where you’re coming from and how the health centres are getting old very quickly in Nunavut. We have to replace them with new ones and also make modifications so that they meet the standards. The only way we can do that is by renovating those buildings.
Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Ningark. (interpretation) I didn’t hear a question.
I would like to express my disappointment with the government’s capital planning process.
Mr. Chairman, the 2010-11 capital estimates were introduced in this House on Tuesday, November 24, 2009.
Even though previous government had identified certain projects there have been critical priorities, such as a new health centre for Taloyoak as well as the renovations to the school in Gjoa Haven, the present government continues to delay these projects.
Mr. Chairman, I am very disappointed to see brand-new projects coming up in the capital estimates, even though these projects have been on the plan for several years.
The communities I represent expect the capital projects will proceed according to what has been said and planned in the past.
It is very disappointing and frustrating when the government’s capital planning process changes directly so quickly.
Mr. Chairman, Nunavummiut had been given to understand that his government’s mandate is to build better facilities as well as strengthening our health care and health facilities.
Mr. Chairman, learning other communities will be getting infrastructure such as new recreational facilities before these other critical projects is simply not acceptable to the communities I represent.
I didn’t hear any questions.
Perhaps Minister Curley wishes to elaborate on what Mr. Pauloosie commented on.
Hon. Tagak Curley: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation) Just briefly, we stated that our department, the Department of Health and Social Services, would like to proceed with the nursing stations or health facilities.
There’s one in Repulse Bay that would be placed in the priority category. The assessments were done first of all in Repulse Bay and we have limited funds.
We’re not saying that we’re not going to be building any more health facilities.
For Gjoa Haven, if we can access the funds, we would be looking at the 2014-15 fiscal year for construction.
If we’re going to be fair, I would have to say that I was talking about aging health facilities in regard to Gjoa Haven. Since we were regular members, we can say that the Gjoa Haven Health Centre is the newest renovated facility and we used quite a lot of money on that one.
There is a little bit more waiting time for that facility because of the major renovation that was done on it.
Mr. Pauloosie. (interpretation) Did you have another comment?
Mr. Pauloosie: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation) It states here that the Taloyoak Health Centre is a priority and I would like that to be treated as such by the Government of Nunavut, to have the Taloyoak Health Centre placed as a priority.
I would like to ask your department and the minister if he could deal with the Taloyoak Health Centre. I would like to make sure that my constituents are made well aware of what’s happening in their community by the minister.
Yes, I had made a mistake and I apologize. In the five-year capital plan, we are focusing on 2014-15. I had said Gjoa Haven instead of Taloyoak.
We could treat that as a priority and make a note to the federal government.
On the FMB, we have been dealing with this issue because it is an emergency and it’s a safety issue. We will lobby the federal government and we are looking at the possibility of accessing funds because these facilities are at risk and there are safety issues.
I have discussed that with the finance minister.
I would like to thank the minister for making those comments.
I guess I would echo Mr. Pauloosie’s comments as well. With the GN report card and the promotion of Tamapta, it appears that the Premier and cabinet are promoting healthy communities and with such an emphasis on healthy communities, it puzzles me why the budget is so small.
On page 3 of his opening remarks, he was talking about the $500,000 for small capital. It mentioned the ventilation system improvements.
Could the minister tell me what community that belongs to or is that too specific?
Yes, I will be able to have a capital project, especially with the comment on that, but this is an allocation for future projects, obviously. It could be that the ventilation in some aged or old facilities fails to operate, so we need some allowance to enable that. We’re not talking about previous projects now.
If you want an example of the previous year; in Rankin Inlet, even though the facility that we have is relatively new, really quite new, the ventilation system was not adequately working, so we’ve had to approve extra funding even throughout the capital budget that we had it wasn’t enough to cover it out of the small capital projects.
So we allow for allowance. We have 24 or so facilities in Nunavut. We want to make sure that at least have some allocations of funding in the event that either a boiler or ventilation system, for instance, fails.
Do you still wish to have Ms. Brown expand on the issue?
Every February and March, we send a letter out to all of the health regional directors, all of the Community and Government Services regions who do O&M, who look after our buildings, and so on. We find out what their priorities are for replacement that upcoming year.
There is only $500,000, so it’s not big planning that needs to take place.
We get the list, we have a conference call with the health regional directors, the executive director of corporate services, and we prioritize what we can afford out of that $500,000, keeping a little bit of money back as contingency for going over budget or something else that happens during year-end, and then it is submitted to the deputy minister who gives the go-ahead for that year.
What we have done this year; boilers in Resolute Bay, they finally finished off the health centre garage in Sanikiluaq, in Resolute Bay, there was also a problem with the generator because it was moved from Sanikiluaq as an emergency and didn’t get the garage. So now we have to make some alterations there. These are examples of some of the projects.
The Whale Cove telephone system was done the year before because it was completely obsolete. As the building was old, the wiring cost a lot more than the telephone system.
So that’s why we them the year before and that’s why we report kind of after the fact on what we have spent in the previous year because we don’t know if there is going to be boiler or another emergency generator that is going to come up that, as the buildings age, have obsolete parts.
It helps. I remembered something about Rankin Inlet and I tried to find it. It’s in the appropriations and that’s why I couldn’t find it.
I want to talk a little about the replacement health centres, the three of them, and the way that they are sort of staggered. How did your department come up with deciding that Taloyoak would be started in 2011, Repulse Bay would be 2013, and Arctic Bay would be 2014?
I will have our capital planning specialist deal with that one. It has to do with some of the years.
I replied to it in Inuktitut, I believe. There was previous work that was done with the help of Community and Government Services. The assessment of the aging facilities is normally carried over a number of years.
I know, from experience when I was sitting on the regular members’ side, that Repulse Bay was consistently moved back. Depending on how the capital allocation is done by the cabinet, obviously projects tend to fall back. In this case, we’re dealing with the health facilities, but I will have Rosemary Brown explain a bit about the procedure and how we arrived at our own situation.
Ms. Brown: The Repulse Bay and the Taloyoak Health Centre projects go back to the dawn of Nunavut. I am talking back as far as 2000-01. In the way the capital plan was determined way back then, funding was based on three-year rolling averages.
So we didn’t do capital planning like we do now, where we show planning, design, year one construction, and whatever.
With these rolling averages, each department was given a target. Say if the Department of Health’s target was 4,000 one year and 3,000 the next, it couldn’t exceed those targets, so you couldn’t plan properly.
So if you didn’t have enough money to do what you needed to do, the project slipped back in the plan.
That’s why here we are in 2009-2010 coming up to 2010-11 with the Repulse Bay and Taloyoak projects not done.
There are a lot of things that have changed since then. Communities got bigger. The 2008 announcement by the then Minister of Finance had said, “Bring these projects forward,” where the government decided to make them all the same so that we would have a good prototype.
So it would take hours to say why we have got them here.
Basically you are saying the order is because Repulse Bay has been in the plan the longest, Taloyoak has been in the plan the next longest, Arctic Bay was brought into the plan in 2008, and we’re attempting to bring Cape Dorset into the plan.
We haven’t done the planning yet for Cape Dorset, but we’re showing that that is the next health centre that needs consideration for replacement.
I have a question on page 2 in your opening comments.
The Qikiqtani General Hospital in Iqaluit is fully utilized now, which I am very pleased about.
I am sure there have been some changes, but I was in the lobby a month ago and waited about ten hours. When you go into the hospital, it’s kind of an unfriendly place. There are hardly any pictures or any decorations around.
I waited ten hours, there is no TV and I waited a very long time in the lobby in the old section. I am sure that there have been some changes in it, but it seems like it wasn’t complete.
I want to know if they’re still missing some furniture or some decorations that would make it friendlier to the clients. Is it in the planning stages? Is it in the works?
Mr. Campbell (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) The quick answer is yes, we will be getting eventually more of the furniture into the new hospital as well as the old.
There is going to be a new renovated area in the next several years.
It’s also our plan to do a bit more cultural orientation to decorate more of these health centres to have our promotion of more culturally sensitive prints and whatever carvings that we have as well placed in the centres at some point in time.
Those are all issues that we’re going to be dealing within the next few years.
Once we have most of the health centres that we have and the continuing health centres that we have in the current plan completed, that’s the next phase of the process.
I would like to welcome Hon. Minister Curley and his officials, Deputy Minister Campbell and Ms. Brown.
In the opening comments, I mentioned that this department has the smallest capital. With that, you also have the most sensitive impact to Nunavummiut as a department in terms of sensitivity.
I want to commend your efforts and offer support for the diligent work that you do. Every community has specific issues.
I wanted to ask the minister in his opening comments on page 3. It mentioned, “In order to meet these standards, we are requesting $500,000 for minor projects to be used to replace medical and dental equipment, and vehicles.”
I would like to ask the minister if he or his officials can explain to me what they mean by “vehicles.”
Hon. Tagak Curley (interpretation): My deputy minister will respond.
Chairman: Thank you, Minister Curley. Mr. Campbell.
Mr. Campbell (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) When we say “vehicles,” we are talking about vehicles that are assigned to the health centres, or in Iqaluit the hospital, as well as, in some cases, we do have ATVs, as well as skidoos that we do purchase for some of our health centres, to provide that emergency transportation for our staff to attend to cases at some point in the community.
I don’t have any names on the list. F-3. Health and Social Services.
Directorate. Total Capital Expenditures. $1,050,000. Agreed?
I thank you for the opportunity to ask this question.
In regard to small capital on F-4, you have minor projects.
I had asked earlier in the year in the House with the concern as well in the Committee of the Whole, I believe was that there was a concern for steps and grill for the steps for the Baker Lake Health Centre.
As you may or may not know, there are elderly and those with special needs who have difficulty climbing the stairs due to the extra large pore openings in the present step grills.
I had requested to see if a better grill could be installed.
I wanted to ask the minister or his officials if this would be considered as part of the capital planning.
I have seen this responded to by email. They needed to rectify the portal openings in the step grill. Once we are able to work, they will assess it.
This also can go through minor projects. Through that, I will assess it, review it, and I will keep you abreast as we progress on that when they’re working on it.
Thank you for identifying this issue because Baker Lake has the highest population of elders in Nunavut. They said that those portal openings were quite huge.
We will work on that. Once we start working on that, I will let the member know.
I would also like to thank the minister for acknowledging the elders in Baker Lake because the population of elders in Baker Lake is highest and they identified the problem and they also identified Baker Lake with the highest elder population.
I would like to thank the minister for acknowledging that.
I will be waiting for the rectification of this problem.
We will go back again. (interpretation ends) Health and Social Services.
Total Capital Expenditures. $1,050,000.
Chairman: Go to F-2. Department Summary.
Health and Social Services. Detail of Expenditures. Capital Expenditures.
Total. $1,050,000.
Chairman: Thank you. I would like to ask Minister Curley if he wishes to make closing comments.
I would to thank the members.
We are sensitive to emergency work and we’ll still be thinking about how we can work with urgent repairs with regard to the health centres and I will keep the members abreast as we progress.
I would also like to thank Alex Campbell, the Deputy Minister because he works very hard on behalf of Nunavummiut and many people know him now.
I would also like to thank Rosemary Brown. She is the Capital Projects Coordinator. I would like to thank her for appearing before the committee.
Chairman: Thank you, Minister Curley. I also thank your officials.
Sergeant-at-Arms… Mr. Kusugak.
Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): Although I may be out of place, Mr. Chairman, before the Sergeant-at-Arms comes here, I would like to acknowledge a couple of people from Rankin Inlet and welcome them to the Legislative Assembly.
Welcome, Brian and Maggie.
Chairman (interpretation): We can proceed and continue with our meeting.
I would now like to ask the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, Mr. Arreak, to make his opening remarks.
Sergeant-at-Arms, if you can escort the Speaker in.
Bill 08 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2010-2011 – Legislative Assembly – Consideration in Committee
It is a pleasure for me to appear before you and members today to present the proposed 2010-11 Capital Estimates of the Office of the Legislative Assembly.
(interpretation ends) As members will note, the 2010-11 Capital Estimates of the Office of the Legislative Assembly amount to approximately 1 percent, it’s only 1 percent, Mr. Chairman, of the Government of Nunavut’s total planned capital spending for the coming fiscal year.
The Assembly’s capital estimates for 2010-11 continue to include an annual allocation dedicated to planning for our long-term vision of a new facility.
Ongoing investments in equipment, furniture, and fleet renewal for the Assembly and members’ offices;
Further enhancements and upgrades to the Legislative Assembly’s audiovisual, Hansard, and information technology systems; and
Acquisition of artwork for the Legislative Assembly building to ensure that it reflects and showcases the rich culture and heritage of our territory.
That concludes my remarks, Mr. Chairman. I would be pleased to answer any questions that members may have. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
For the record, Mr. Speaker, please introduce your witnesses.
To my right is John Quirke, Clerk of the Legislative Assembly, and to my left is Michael Rafter, Director of Corporate Services.
Before we proceed, I would like to remind members of the following: Rules 77(1) and 77(2).
Keep that in mind if anybody wishes to have any comments on the general comments.
This is one branch of the Legislative Assembly that I find no controversial issue with.
I just want to state for the record that the people who work under this branch are the most welcoming people and if it wasn’t for them, there would be times when I would get stuck on the way to Iqaluit from my community.
The moment weather is out and you landed anywhere other than your destination, you made a phone call about hotel and meal arrangements, it is there for you.
So I thank them for that.
I would like to welcome the Speaker to the witness table and I would also like to thank him for his dedicated work.
The question I have, the G7 ministers are going to hold their meeting here in February.
There is no doubt that they are going to be using this Chamber and we are very proud of that fact. We are hearing that there is going to be high security.
Will they have to renovate this chamber or will they have to rework the doors for high security?
John Quirke has been working very hard on that, so he will respond to that question.
Clerk (Mr. Quirke): Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
There will be no renovations to the facility. However, what they will do is join these entire rows of desks where members come over together.
As you know, we have a spare desk where our Law Clerk is; there’s an empty spot there. They’re building us a brand-new desk, so we will get a brand-new desk out that is completely wired.
Those are the only changes that will be made to the facility.
I don’t want to ask too many questions, but another question is with regard the G7 delegates coming here. The Minister for Economic Development and Transportation discussed this today and also in caucus, we discussed the matter of having carvings displayed out there.
Will you be displaying carvings or would they get in the way?
Will you display and showcase Inuit and culture along the walls? It’s going to be very good for outsiders to see.
I was wondering if you have considered all of that.
Yes, we will showcase and display Inuit carvings and handicrafts as much as we are able to and that are with a Nunavut theme. As well, our pages will wear traditional clothing.
Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation) Thank you.
It’s not very often that I get a chance to ask questions now I’m in the cabinet. I echo Mr. Ningark’s comments that the Legislative Assembly does a tremendous job in organization and coordinating everything.
I was truly amazed in the Assembly when I was a Member of the Legislative Assembly how you folks took care us. Now being on the cabinet side, I see the integration and cooperation and coordination.
I still haven’t figured out how you guys do it, but you do it very well.
Mr. Chairman, I would just like to ask the Speaker just for the record. I hear the Clerk would give us an update on the new Legislative Assembly building that they have here identified in capital reserve for $1 million.
Thinking forward in the future, there was a boundaries commission report a couple of years ago that was defeated but it recommended there be 24 Members of the Legislative Assembly and more than likely, there is going to be another boundaries commission that will recommend an increased number of Members of the Legislative Assembly.
Of course, we’re all squeezed in here with Members of the Legislative Assembly and staff. So I’m just wondering if you could just give us an update on how that project is proceeding in the planning stages.
Mr. Quirke will respond to that question.
I can mention to members that the Management and Services Board received a briefing from staff in terms of the financing of a new facility and I believe you mentioned at Full Caucus that you get the complete detail in our Full Caucus meeting in January.
What I can tell you is that we have identified the site and we identified drawings in terms of the first boundaries commission where they were looking for increased membership to the floor.
If you have two new members where you’re sitting right now, we would have to straighten that out a little bit.
If there are four members, we have to move this Assembly right back to the exit sign and that’s the easy part.
The hard part is no office in the building, etcetera. We’ve got those concepts in drawings already.
In terms of the overall, the next steps will be during the meeting of the Full Caucus in January to see how far we proceed.
That will impact future work of the building and future work of the boundaries commission.
I wasn’t going to discuss this, but as you stated, Mr. Speaker, the pages are going to use traditional clothing during the G7 Summit.
I would be in support of you. I have also spoken with your official that the pages’ uniforms should be renewed and some pages wear Kamiit in the House.
I was wondering if you can look at and review the uniforms of the pages, because the pages were using Kamiit with no duffle socks, to make sure that the decorum is perfect, so that the pages could also utilize traditional clothing during the regular sessions.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for giving me the opportunity to speak on the subject.
We will look into that. At that time, the pages will be able to use sealskin slippers instead of Kamiit.
Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation) I have no more names on my list.
In regard to Mr. Curley’s question about high security here during the G7 Summit, we heard on CBC radio as to what the process is going to be.
We don’t see how much it will cost. Will the federal government help pay for this G7 meeting?
We are working on capital estimates now. Your questions are operations and maintenance questions. Mr. Clerk can, through you, Mr. Chairman, make a supplementary response.
There will be no cost to the Assembly other than assisting the Department of Finance and the Department of Public Works federal officials. It would be just our time, so there will be no monetary costs to the Legislative Assembly.
I have no names anymore. Page A-3. Office of the Legislative Assembly.
Assembly Operations. Capital Expenditures. Total Capital Expenditures. $1,470,000.
Chairman: Page A-5. Office of the Legislative Assembly.
Branch Summary. Independent Officers of the Legislative Assembly. Total Capital Expenditures. $12,000.
Chairman: Go back to A-2. Department Summary.
Office of the Legislative Assembly. Detail of Expenditures. Total Capital Expenditures. $1,482,000.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Does the committee agree that the Office of the Legislative Assembly is concluded?
Chairman: I wish to ask Mr. Speaker (interpretation) if you have any closing remarks. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, my colleagues. I also thank the members for making their general comments.