EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
So it’s the accumulation of that amount that carries over into the next year until such a time if they decide to leave or they use up their vacation leave in the case of vacations, the vacation portion of it Mr. Chairman.
Operations and Maintenance, not previously authorized, 10 million 451 thousand dollars.
Total Department 10 million 451 thousand dollars.
If we don’t approve this, then would it create problems with the Government of Nunavut’s funds?
It wouldn’t create problems.
These liabilities are already earned.
It would create a problem from the perspective of the legal legislative authority to spend.
And I don’t know how the Auditor General would treat that.
She might even comment on the legislature.
This will not create a deficit situation with the Government of Nunavut’s revenue or money?
Mr. Chairman, no, because as I had indicated already, this money has already been either spent in the case of departmental operations or over-spent.
And in the case of the liabilities, the leave and severance benefits are already earned by those individuals.
I would like to also, and maybe I should have said at the start, it would have clarified things a bit.
The reason why it’s so large for education is this is the assumption after the dissolution of the boards.
So this is the leave and termination, the cases of all the teachers throughout Nunavut along with those who have been become employees of the department, not of the boards anymore.
Total Education Total Operations and Maintenance. Total department. Not previously authorized, 10 million 451 thousand dollars.
Not previously authorized 20 million 865 thousand dollars.
Total Department 20 million 865 thousand dollars.
Page 2, on Bill 3.
Operations and Maintenance, 33 million dollars 34 thousand dollars.
Carried. Page 3.
Total Appropriation, 33 million 34 thousand dollars.
We’re on this page now.
Supplementary Appropriation No. 3, 2000/2001.
Chairperson (interpretation): Turning to page 3.
Vote 1, operations and maintenance.
Total Operations and Maintenance, 33 million 34 thousand dollars.
Total Supplementary Appropriation, 33 million 34 thousand dollars.
Do you agree that the bill as a whole is ready for third reading, do you agree on the Bill as a whole?
Thank you.  Supplementary Appropriation No. 4, 2001/2002.
Bill 4, page 6.
Are you on that page?
Special Warrants 5 million dollars.
Total Health Insurance Programs, 5 million dollars.
Chairperson (interpretation): Total Health Insurance Programs 5 million dollars.
We’re all in a hurry.
It’s just that I take it this 5 million dollars is for medical travel and how come it wasn’t picked up?
Or was the accounting that slow coming in for 2001/2002?
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. McLean. Mr. Ng.
Mr. Chairman, the Department of Health and Social Services realized late in the fiscal year that they were going to be over budget once again and put forward the request for the supplementary funding through special warrants.
But the primary cost Mr. Chairman, was the increased medical travel and out of territory hospital physician use as well as increased utilization of boarding homes.
We did this last year and when we were writing down another 20 million dollars over spending in the departments.
I’m not saying it’s over spending.
It’ll probably catch up spending.
But, you know, the minister has the facts and figures. So, you know we’d like to know about this ahead of time.
I’m sure his department can let us know ahead of time how much he’s going to be over by, 5, 10, or 15 million dollars because this really throws our accounting off every year, with the Department of Health and Social Services not having these budgeted figures in.
I’m sure if they would let us know ahead of time that they anticipate another 5 or 10 million dollar deficit in medical travel we could accept it but it only gets dropped on us out of the blue, you know, it’s a little harder to digest.
That’s just basically a comment and basically if the finance minister could direct the Department of Health and Social Services staff to maybe forecast what kind of deficit you’re going to have it’d be better on all of us.
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Yes, we have worked with the Department of Health and Social Services and will continue to do so to try to keep abreast of the situation in respect to the expenditures.
Sometimes unfortunately with medical travel and forced treatment requirements the area is hard to contain.
But the Minister of Health and Social Services is fully aware.
Okay we were on Department of Health and Social Services.
Health and Insurance Programs 5 million dollars.
Total department 5 million dollars.
Special Warrants 748 thousand dollars.
Total Corporate Management 748 thousand dollars.
Total department 748 thousand dollars.
Special Warrants 500 thousand dollars.
Total. Community Government and Transportation 500 thousand dollars. Total department 500 thousand dollars.
Operations and Maintenance Appropriation 5 million, 748 thousand dollars.
Capital Appropriation 500 thousand dollars.
Total Appropriations 6 million, 248 thousand dollars.
Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 4. 2001/2002.
Total Operations and Maintenance 5 million 748 thousand dollars.
Total Capital 500 thousand dollars.
Chairperson (interpretation): Total Supplementary Appropriations in parts one and two, 6 million 248 thousand dollars.
Going back to page 1.
The Bill as a whole?
Does the committee agree that the bill is ready for third reading?
Bill 4 is ready for third reading.
Supplementary Appropriation No. 1, 2002/2003.
Page 4. Page 4 of Bill 5.
Department of Finance. Capital. Not previously authorised 390 thousand.
Total comptrollership 390 thousand. Total Department 390 thousand.
The 2002-2003 supplementary appropriations going all the way to the end of the page, are those ones we approved last year in 2001-2002?
Those are the ones they’ve already approved but were late in spending?
Everything is a carryover with the exception of the Baker Lake Community Centre, with Education for 1 million 660 thousand and the condominium project of Nunavut Housing Corporation 6.8 million.
There’s no explanation of why the money was not expended, after it was approved, and there’s a lot of money and it just explains that I guess the government’s money will not have impact for 2001-2002.
The Baker Lake one is not the same, I just want to find out why those were not expended right away even though they were approved already?
Sorry we cannot hear you.
Go ahead, is it on now?
I’ve indicated sometimes it’s for a variety of reasons, you know every year there’s a carryover in the capital projects.
Sometimes projects go over that can’t be completed.
Other times late arrivals, difficulty of contracting for various numbers of reasons but as you know this past year this current year we had a fall approval that’s a lot more adequate time for tendering. So we’ve been hoping to minimize the amount of carry over as a result of potential delays in the upcoming fiscal year, but this is for the last fiscal year.
Want to continue Mr. Arvaluk?
Mr. Arvaluk (interpretation): I’ll have a question when we get to page 7.
Capital. Not previously authorized, 390 thousand. Total Comptrollership 390 thousand.
Total department 390 thousand.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you. Turn to page 5.
Department of Justice. Capital. Not previously authorized 100 thousand dollars.
Total Registries and Court Services 100 thousand dollars.
Total Community Justice and Corrections 239 thousand dollars.
Why is this a carry over?
Why didn’t the planning go ahead on the Iqaluit Court House? Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Hon. Kelvin Ng: I don’t know Mr. Chairman.
I could find out from Public Works or the Department of Justice on that specific project.
Total department 339 thousand dollars.
Chairperson (interpretation): Page 6.
Not previously authorized 211 thousand dollars.
Total Technical Services 211 thousand dollars.
Petroleum Products Division 2 million, 537 thousand dollars.
Total Petroleum Products Division 2 million, 537 thousand dollars.
Total Department 2 million, 748 thousand dollars.
Department of Community Government and Transportation.
Not previously authorized 4 million, 319 thousand dollars.
Total Community Government.
There are a lot of communities.
We know that in 2002/2003, these are not previously authorized for 2002/2003, but they were approved for 2001/2002.
Most of the communities in Nunavut, there are projects that weren’t continued and I mentioned it here.
Even some projects, such as in Coral Harbour the sewage and solid waste improvements; projects that could have been done very easily with 13 thousand dollars.
So, I can’t even start to find a reason why it wouldn’t be done.
Have the communities been told as to why they weren’t continued or done?
I believe that Community Government and Transportation officials would have been working with the communities on these projects from the regional centres like they always do.
So they would have been advised and consulted on this.
Mr. Arvaluk (interpretation): The minister believes that Community Government and Transportation would have informed the communities.
The total of not previously authorized is 4 million 319 thousand dollars.
Are they informed in the communities?
Chairperson (interpretation): Are you asking the Minister of Community Government and Transportation?
The regional offices are responsible for informing the communities and I know that if the municipalities weren’t informed, the mayors when they were in Ottawa would have told me.
I wasn’t approached by any mayors about this.
But we will strive to inform them because it’s important that we have good communication and mayors must have been informed because I wasn’t approached and I was there for three hours one morning.
I’m going to see if some of these communities were informed.
I’ll be able to tell the minister and she could inform them whether or not they were informed.
My staff, I keep telling my staff to inform the communities, the municipalities.
If the member hears about one community not being informed, I would like to be told.
Mr. Arvaluk, are you done?
Page 7. Not previously authorized, 4 million 319 thousand dollars.
Total Community Government, 4 million 319 thousand dollars.
Chairperson (interpretation): Page 8.
Not previously authorized 991 thousand dollars.
Total Transportation 991 thousand dollars.
Total department, 5 million 310 thousand dollars.
Not previously authorized, 3 million 951 thousand dollars.
Total Corporate Services, 3 million 951 thousand dollars. Total Department, 3 million 951 thousand dollars.
Not previously authorized 3 million 395 thousand dollars.
Total Directorate 3 million 395 thousand dollars.
Total Department, 3 million 395 thousand dollars.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you. Page 11.
Not previously authorized 1 million 926 thousand dollars.
Total Sustainable Development 1 million 926 thousand dollars.
Total department 1 million 926 thousand dollars.
I’d like to ask the Minister of Sustainable Development because these are projects that were carried over.
It was just about 2 million dollars carried over.
Were those communities informed as to why they were carried over and when the projects will be done?
These are projects that will be going ahead.
So the communities are informed.
Total Department, 1 million 926 thousand dollars.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you. Page 12.
Not previously authorized 6 million 381 thousand dollars.
Total Nunavut Housing Corporation 6 million 381 thousand dollars.
This is to purchase and furnish 37 staff housing units in Iqaluit.
Will you be purchasing furniture with the entire 6 million?
Hon. Kelvin Ng: That’s the plan.
Mr. Arvaluk (interpretation): Are the houses already built?
They are under various stages of construction right now.
We’re just finalizing negotiations with a couple of developers.
Mr. Arvaluk (interpretation): Was the tender put out to see who would be building the 37 staff houses and are you negotiating who would be building the houses and would it be advertised throughout Nunavut?
The developers were selected after requests for proposals were put out and then it was nailed down through some developers and the negotiations are now in respect to the floor plans and those types of things within the successful bidders.
Mr. Arvaluk: I’ve seen some houses in Iqaluit for 250 thousand dollars that aren’t even worth 40 thousand dollars each.
Do you feel that you are getting a fair deal with this 6 million dollars?
Yes, based on the local market conditions.
Yes. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
That’s what I was talking about, local market conditions right now. If you go to Nova Scotia, or Newfoundland, compare that house down there.
You would get it for 49 thousand dollars, but it’s marketing for 250 thousand dollars.
The local market conditions; is there a cheaper way, can you not order materials, construct it yourself and get your money’s better value for six million dollars?
I know there is a shortage of housing here right now.
Build your own.
Would you not get a better deal?
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Mr. Chairman, the proposals that we have now are for mid range housing, mid range price housing and the average of these units is 165 thousand dollars right now so we feel that that’s fairly competitive.
Chairperson (interpretation): Are you done?
Not previously authorized 6 million, 381 thousand dollars.
Total Nunavut Housing Corporation 6 million, 381 thousand dollars.
Chairperson (interpretation): Go back to page 2.
Total Capital Appropriation 24 million, 440 thousand dollars.
Total Capital 24 million, 440 thousand dollars.
Chairperson (interpretation): Bill 5.
Supplementary Appropriations.
No. 1. 2002 – 2003.
Definitions Clause 1.
Total 24 million, 440 thousand dollars.
Appropriations 24 million, 440 thousand dollars.
Chairperson (interpretation): Go back to page 1.
Do you agree that this bill is ready for third reading?
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you. Bill 7.
Bill 7 – Loan Authorization Act 2002-2003 – Consideration in Committee
So it will benefit municipalities which may not have the ability to borrow from commercial lenders.
The Loan Authorization Act sets the upper limit for municipal loans for the 2002/2003 at 5 million dollars.
The government is requesting a loan limit of 5 million dollars to ensure that we are able to meet the needs that may arise in a municipality.
If requirements do not materialize, loans will not be made.
Loans are advanced only after careful scrutiny by the Department of Community Government and Transportation and Finance.
Only applications from there are recommended to the Minister of Finance for approval.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Ng. Are you going to have the same officials with you Mr. Ng?
Yes. Ii.
Does the Committee Chair have opening comments?
I will be replacing the chair.
The Standing Committee on Government Operations and Services is pleased to have the opportunity to review Bill 7, the Loan Authorization Act 2002/2003, with the Minister of Finance.
Members are aware that this piece of legislation is introduced on an annual basis with the only substantive change from year to year being the upper loan limit allowable under the act.
Members noted with interest that the upper limit for 1999/2000 was 10 million dollars. The limit for 2000/2001 was 5 million dollars and the limit for 2001/2002 was 2.5 million dollars.
This year, the limit has been increased to 5 million dollars.
It is the understanding of members of the committee that this fiscal year will see loans being made to several municipalities for both land development purposes and as an element of deficit recovery plans.
It is always a concern for members when municipalities in Nunavut fall into deficit.
The issue of whether the current levels of municipal funding are adequate for municipal needs is a debatable one.
Regardless, it cannot be seen as a positive development when municipalities have to borrow money in this way.
The committee would also reiterate a recommendation made last year during the review of the 2001/2002 Loan Authorization Act, that all Members of the Legislative Assembly be formally advised in writing by the government as to which municipalities have received loans and for what purposes and in what amount.
The Committee recommends the passage of Bill 7 to all members.
Any general comments to Bill 7?
I don’t think there are any general comments.
I would like further clarification on Clause 10.
Maybe I’ll rephrase it. (interpretation ends)The Executive Council considers necessary procuring at the purpose and provision of this act.
Or may make any regulations.
Are you saying that, you will make a condition an agreement to carry these conditions out before you make a loan?
Is that what clause 10 means?
It’s my understanding that means the commissioner will sign off on recommendations of the Executive Council in carrying out the provisions of the act.
So, in other words, the recommendations are being made to allow for the authority to lend and the Commissioner signs on that.
Anything else? Mr. Arvaluk.
Mr. Arvaluk: That number 9 then is more suited to this kind of thing I’m concerned about that when you’re making a deal with the communities, for a certain amount of dollars, that you take conditions.
How is this being repaid?
Repayment Program, repayment plan or something like that.
Mr. Chairman, it’s always the case of repayment schedules agreed upon before the loan is authorized and agreed upon between the government and the municipality.
Chairperson (interpretation): Bill 7.
Does the committee agree the bill is ready for third reading?
I’d like to thank the committee members and also my officials, Mr. Vardy and Mr. Perchard.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you very much for making your time available.
We have concluded our business.
Thank you very much for your support and cooperation while I was chairing the Committee of the Whole.
At this time we can call in the Speaker.
Your committee has been considering Bills 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 9 and I would like to report that Bills 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 9 are ready for third reading.
And Mr. Speaker, I move that the Report of the Committee of the Whole be concurred with.
Mr. Okalik will be the seconder.
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Mr. Chairman, I seek unanimous consent to go back to Item 13, Tabling of Documents.
Speaker: The member is seeking unanimous consent to go back to Item 13. Tabling of Documents.
Tabled Document 034 – 1(6): Consolidated Financial Statements, March 31, 2001
Tabled Document 035 – 1(6): Non-Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) March 31, 2001
I wish to table the following documents, Public Accounts Consolidated Financial Statements, March 31, 2001 and Public Accounts Non-Consolidated Financial Statements, March 31, 2001.
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Ng. Is there any further tabling of documents?
Bill 9 – An Act to Amend the Property Assessment and Taxation Act – Third Reading
Hon. Manitok Thompson: I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Baffin South, and everybody else, that Bill 9, an Act to Amend the Property Assessment and Taxation Act be read for the third time.
The motion is carried and Bill 9 has had third reading.
Bill 2 – Supplementary Appropriation Act No. 4, 1999/2000 – Third Reading
Bill 3 – Supplementary Appropriation Act No. 3, 2000/2001 – Third Reading
Bill 4 – Supplementary Appropriation Act No. 4, 2001/2002 – Third Reading
Bill 5 – Supplementary Appropriation Act No. 1, 2002/2003 – Third Reading
Bill 6 – Supplementary Appropriation Act No. 2, 2002/2003 – Third Reading
Bill 7 – Loan Authorization Act, 2002/2003 – Third Reading
Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Hudson’s Bay that Bill 2, Supplementary Appropriation Act No. 4, 1999/2000; Bill 3, Supplementary Appropriation Act No. 3, 2000/2001; Bill 4, Supplementary Appropriation Act No. 4, 2001/2002; Bill 5, Supplementary Appropriation Act No. 1, 2002/2003; Bill 6, Supplementary Appropriation Act No. 2, 2002/2003 and Bill 7, Loan Authorization Act, 2002/2003 be read for the third time.
The Bills have had third reading.
Before we proceed to Item 22, I would ask that the Clerk ascertain whether the Commissioner of Nunavut is prepared to enter the chamber to give assent to bills.
Mr. Speaker and Honourable Members of the Legislative Assembly, as Commissioner of Nunavut I am pleased to give assent to the following Bills.
Bill 2 – Supplementary Appropriation Act, Number 4. 1999/ 2000– Assent
Bill 3 – Supplementary Appropriation Act, Number 3, 2000/2001– Assent
Bill 4 – Supplementary Appropriation Act Number 4, 2001/2002– Assent
Bill 5 – Supplementary Appropriation Act, Capital Act, Number 1, 2002/2003 – Assent
Bill 6 – Supplementary Appropriation Act, Number 2, 2002/2003 – Assent
Bill 7 – Loan Authorization Act 2002/2003– Assent
Bill 8 – An Act to Amend the Revolving Fund Act – Assent
Bill 9 – An Act to Amend the Property Assessment and Taxation Act – Assent
Bill 10 – An Act to Amend the Land Titles Act – Assent
Bill 11 – An Act to Amend the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act – Assent
Speaker: Before we proceed to Item 22, I’d like to acknowledge the pages for their hard work and long hours, Darren, Joanna, George, Julia, Natik, Tamaiju, Tommy, and Terry, who are not all here.
Now the item that everybody’s waiting for Mr. Clerk.
Orders of the Day for Monday, October 28, 2002:
Speaker: Members, that closes this session. I know it’s been long and difficult and strenuous at times.
Most of the members are taking off for the summer.
Safe travelling and a good summer and we’ll see you back here in the fall with the exception of the committee that’ll be here throughout the summer.
This House stands adjourned until Monday October 28, 2002, at 1:30 p.m. in Pangnirtung.
>>House adjourned at 8.55 p.m.  Nunavut Canada
Monday October 28, 2002
Pages 1249 - 1288
Deputy Premier; Minister of Finance; Minister Responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation; Government House Leader
Jaco Ishulutak
Opening Prayer 1249
Ministers’ Statements 1250
Members’ Statements 1254
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 1264
Oral Questions 1266
Returns to Written Questions 1284
Petitions 1284
Tabled Documents 1285
Notice of Motions for First Reading of Bills 1285
First Reading of Bills 1285
Second Reading of Bills 1286
Orders of the Day 1287
Monday October 28, 2002 1249
044 – 1(6): Nunavut Literacy Council Receives Canada Post Award (Kilabuk) 1250
045 – 1(6): Update on Gas Compensation Program (Ng) 1250
046 – 1(6): Substance Abuse Treatment (Picco) 1252
047 – 1(6): Elders’ Gathering (Anawak) 1253
048 – 1(6): Minister Absent from the House (Ng) 1253
049 – 1(6): Acceptance of FNT Agreement (Ng) 1253
167 – 1(6): Thank Constituency and Staff of Iqaluit for the Opening of the Assembly (Kilabuk) 1254
168 – 1(6): Keeping Traditional Knowledge Alive (Iqaqarialu) 1255
169 – 1(6): Encouraging Ministers to Support on the Land Programs (Puqiqnak) 1256
170 – 1(6): Would like to see Decentralization in the Communities (Havioyak) 1257
171 – 1(6): Would like to Support Financially for Inuktitut Speaking Professionals (Arvaluk) 1258
172 – 1(6): Thank you to the People of Pangnirtung (Irquttuq) 1259
173 – 1(6): How to Include Elders Knowledge in the School System (Alakannuark) 1259
174 – 1(6): Kayaking – White Water Championships (Tootoo) 1260
175 – 1(6): Children’s Advocate for Nunavut (Williams) 1261
176 – 1(6): Terminal Building in Pond Inlet Too Small (Nutarak) 1262
177 – 1(6): How the Government Could Work Well with the Young and the Old (Anawak) 1263
178 – 1(6): Thanking a Person for His New Vest (Picco) 1263
194 – 1(6): Status of the Motion to Support Funding for Nursing Programs (Arvaluk) 1266
195 – 1(6): Has the Department Sought Legal Opinion on Bill 1 (Tootoo) 1267
196 – 1(6): Review of All Job Competitions (Havioyak) 1269
197 – 1(6): Deadline to Submit for Bad Gasoline (Nutarak) 1270
198 – 1(6): Minister Responsible for Gas Compensation (Iqaqrialu) 1271
199 – 1(6): Compensation for Bad Gasoline (Irqittuq) 1274
200 – 1(6): Process for Insurance for On the Land Programs (Puqiqnak) 1275
201 – 1(6): Plans to Provide Aviation Fuel in Kugaarjuk (Alakannuark) 1277
202 – 1(6): Has the Department Spoken to the Nunavut Association of Municipalities on Child Advocate (Williams) 1278
203 – 1(6): Clarification on Compensation for Bad Gasoline (Arvaluk) 1280