EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
So Mr. Speaker, my answer was to the Member for Amittuq, when he asked if there were ongoing, if there is a vacancy we will try to fill it as soon as possible.
And, Mr. Speaker, we have retained within the Department of Health & Social Services, a dedicated staff person who just does recruitment for nurses.
We have at any given time, ads out.
So I can't say whether the position in Igloolik, if there is a vacancy, when that will be filled. What I am saying Mr. Speaker, is that we are filling all the time, continually recruiting for nurses.
Just maybe I misunderstood, because he said the ad was out.
That's how I understood the answer earlier on.
The ad was out.
I was just asking what the closing date is on that ad.
That's how I understood the earlier response.
Hon. Ed Picco: I think Mr. Speaker, and the Hansard will probably bear me out, that at any given time we have had recruiting not for specific centres, but we are recruiting all the time for our health centres.
So for example Mr. Speaker, in the member's community of Kugluktuk, if a nursing position was vacant then we would automatically do staffing for that position.
As I said, here for example in the Baffin we do have an individual staffing continually because of the needs of the hospital.
So we are continually staffing those positions.
But according to my records, from my notes, as of February 1, we have all positions filled in Igloolik.
I am kind of confused as to the recruitment.
When will the position be filled.
It is kind of difficult to find out when you have a shortage of nurses, you just explained that you are always recruiting but sometimes it is difficult when we don't have a nurse that is already in place.
It is difficult to know exactly when it is going to be filled.
Speaker: I didn't hear a question there, that was a comment.
Question 141 – 1(5): Staff Housing Shortage
Mr. Speaker, I am not sure if I should direct this to the Minister responsible for Human Resources, or the Minister responsible for Decentralization they can toss it back and forth I guess if they choose to do so.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the minister, in relation to the staff housing and our vacancies in our government, does the government have adequate housing available to hire the positions that it has vacant right now.
Mr. Speaker, it depends on which way you look at it.
There are units available, there are vacancies.
If we were to say that you wanted to go to 90% or 100% of staffing, then we wouldn't have sufficient units.
But as it stands now, in the staffing process it hasn't been shut down as a result of not having enough available staff housing units, recruitment goes on, Mr. Speaker.
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Ng. Supplementary. Mr. Tootoo.
Mr. Speaker, if it is determined, I know it has been raised by some of my colleagues, there isn't sufficient staff housing to accommodate the positions allocated to their communities.
I know there is a shortage of staff housing here in Iqaluit as well.
I would like to ask the minister if they have any plans to look at some new or alternative staff housing inventory other than what we have out there already.
Mr. Speaker, through the Minister responsible for Staff Housing, there is a continuing assessment of needs versus supply, particularly as it relates to current staffing levels and staffing competitions. So yes, it is an ongoing assessment, it is addressed as the need is required Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, this addresses what we currently have out there right now but are there any plans in the works to either build more staff housing units or lease more staff housing units.
Mr. Speaker, in the current budget estimates before the House, there is some funding for additional leased units for staffed housing in the Public Works budget and as I indicated to the member there is an ongoing assessment and if it's deemed that there is a serious deficiency, I'm sure that the minister responsible will bring forward some options to try to address those shortfalls Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, maybe the minister can correct me if I'm wrong but it's my understanding that a lot of the staff housing requirements that we faced in Nunavut were considered part of the incremental infrastructure money that was given to us by the federal government.
It looks like we have deficiencies in this area.
Is this something he should take back to his federal colleagues to look for some assistance.
Mr. Speaker, there were we believe lots of items that may have been missed in the planning stages for incremental needs prior to the establishment of Nunavut.
If that were the case, I think it would be our responsibility to try to identify that and try to make a legitimate argument to substantiate dealing with those matters.
Question 142 - 1(5): Status of Airport Employees
Last week I asked a question of the Minister responsible for Transportation in regards to the airport workers.
I have heard that some of them are going to be laid off and he was going to look into that.
What is the status of that now.
Speaker: Minister of Transportation.
While not knowing who the individuals are that the member is talking about, I am informed that if a staff member is working casually over six months, they're supposed to be asked if they would like to get that as a full time job.
There is no plan to lay off anyone but as I said I don't know which group of individuals he's talking about but anybody who is working by the hour can work for six months and if they want to work over six months, they're supposed to apply for it as a full time job.
That's the only response I can give you now.
I am talking about some of the Qikiqtaaluk staff.
I am not going to name names.
This individual came to me concerned that they would be out of a job by the end of the fiscal year.
They have worked for many years, I don't know if they were getting paid by the hour or not.
However, if they were working by the hour, will they just be laid off.
If we had an employee, who was working with the hamlet council, or us as you know it is the hamlets who are responsible for the airports at the community level. If there were an individual who worked more than a year, getting paid by the hour, we would ensure that they are treated properly because they are very experienced in working in that field. Provided that they have a good safety record in their employment we wouldn't want to just lay them off.
However the municipality, all the people that work at the airports are the responsibility of the hamlet councils, I could look into this so I could give them some support if they have been long time workers over there.
I could find this out for the member, to check the facts and report back to him on this.
You will notice that question period is now over.
Tabled Document 013 – 1(5): Business Plans for Nunavut Development Corporation, Nunavut Business Credit Corporation and Nunavut Tourism
I wish to table the 2000-2001 and 2001-2002 Business Plans for the Nunavut Development Corporation and Nunavut Business Credit Corporation and the 2001-2002 Business Plan for Nunavut Tourism.
Tabled Document 014 – 1(5): Notice of Temporary Indemnification for NPC Board of Directors
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to section 67.2 (5) of the Financial Administration Act, I would like to table a letter to Mr. Irqittuq, Chair of the Regular Members' Caucus on advance notice of temporary indemnification for the Nunavut Power Corporation Board of Directors.
Tabled Document 015 – 1(5): Response to Petition 3 – 1(5)
I wish to table the response to Petition 3 – 1(5).
Bill 4 - An Act to Amend the Interpretation Act (Time Zones) - First Reading
Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Member for Amittuq, that Bill 4 - An Act to Amend the Interpretation Act (Time Zones) be read for the first time.
Bill 5 - Loan Authorization Act 2001/2002 - First Reading
I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Baffin South that Bill 5 - Loan Authorization Act 2001/2002 be read for the first time.
Thank you.  Speaker: Thank you Mr. Ng. The motion is in order.
All those in favour. All those in favour. All those opposed.
Motion is carried. Bill 5 has had first reading.
Hon. Paul Okalik: I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Amittuq, that Bill 4 - an Act to Amend the Interpretation Act (Time zones) be read for the second time.
Mr. Speaker, I informed this House on March 1 of the government's intention to introduce amendments to this Bill.
These amendments will provide, once again, for three time zones within our territory; eastern, central, mountain.
This change will become effective in the early morning hours of Sunday, April 1.
Speaker: Consent to continue.
I just want this over with…
…just as quickly as possible.
Bill 4 - An Act to Amend the Interpretation Act (Time Zones) - Second Reading
Okay, thank you my fellow colleagues.
Mr. Speaker, (interpretation) I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Amittuq, that Bill 4 - an Act to Amend the Interpretation Act (Time Zones) be read for the second time.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I informed this House on March 1st, of the government's intention to introduce amendments to this Bill.
This change will become effective on April 1st of this year.
Nunavummiut will be informed of how they should change their clocks in order to come into line with these time zones through newspaper ads and bulletins will be sent to the hamlets. (interpretation) Mr. Speaker, the federal government has already been notified to make amendments to the appropriate regulations.
Speaker: To the principle of the Bill. Question has been called.
Bill 4 has had second reading and accordingly is referred to committee.
Bill 1, Bill 2.
With Mr. Iqaqrialu in the chair.
Before we proceed, I think we all agree that we will break for 15 minutes and then return to the chamber.
>>House recessed at 3.05 and resumed at 3.30 p.m.
During committee of the whole we have Bill 1, Appropriations Act 2001-2002 and Bill 2, Supplementary Appropriation 2000-2001.
The committee wishes to continue with Community Government & Transportation capital estimates.
Does the committee agree that we deal with the Appropriations Act 2001-2002, Community Government & Transportation capital estimates. I would like the minister at this time to approach the witness table.
At this time does the committee agree that the minister's officials can enter the chambers.
Mr. Minister please have your officials join you at the witness table.
Thank you, Mr. Anawak.
Hon. Jack Anawak (interpretation): My officials are Mike Ferris, Doug Sitland, our finance person Mike Rafter and Anthony Saez.
Chairperson (interpretation): I would like the committee to look at the main estimates.
Minister you can introduce your officials, you already did, but please do so again.
Hon. Jack Anawak (interpretation): Mike Ferris, my Deputy Minister, Doug Sitland and also Mike Rafter and Anthony Saez.
I would ask the members to turn to their capital estimates for Community Government & Transportation, page 7-5.
We were on general comments, item 7-5.
Do the members have any further questions to the Department of Community Government & Transportation.
If there are no more general comments.
I just want to remind the members that there is more information under Community Government & Transportation in the appendices, from A-9.
For the information of the members for capital expenditures for 2001-2002, we are on Community Government & Transportation, program summary.
Total capital expenditures, 12 million 950 thousand dollars.
We are under 7-5, capital expenditures for Community Government & Transportation.
Community Government & Transportation, branch summary.
Total capital expenditures, 12 million 950 thousand.
Mr. Chairman, before we approve the whole capital, I think maybe we could go through it line by line.
Could you repeat what you just said. I didn't hear you.
Mr. Chairman, I just said that instead of approving the whole capital in one shot, maybe we could just go line by line and there may be some questions as we go through.
Are there any questions from the members.
Just before we go to the capital estimates for Community Government & Transportation, program summary.
Total capital expenditure, 2 million 280 thousand.
Mr. Chairman, the line by line or the breakdown starts from 7-7.
Maybe we could start going through that.
If we approve those other two pages we don't have to go through the rest of it because we will have already approved it.
Mr. Havioyak, you have a question.
At this time turn to page.
Do you have any questions on 7-6 or do you want to move on to 7-7.
Page 7-6 or 7-7, which one would you like to start first.
The breakdown starts on page 7-7.
Community Government & Transportation, branch summary, under 7-7.
Total headquarters region, 300 thousand.
Mr. Chairman, this has various Nunavut under the headquarters budget for recreation facility projects.
Could I ask the minister if he has any idea what that amount is going to be used for.
Although that amount is not very big, we were able to use that amount for the communities' recreational facilities.
If they want to initiate projects for recreational facilities, such as a swimming pool or an arena or a community hall.
If they want to do some projects such as these, this is the amount of money that we would be giving but we don't know exactly what they're going to use it for so after the approval of the capital, then we will talk to the communities as to what they would like to start in their community and we would be able to give them some assistance.
So the minister is stating that there's no purpose decided yet as to what those funds, no specific purposes I guess for what those funds are going to be used for right now and if that's the case, I'd like to ask, for my community, I'm sure every member would like to ask how they could apply for this funding.
Hon. Jack Anawak (interpretation): I'm not saying that it has no specific purpose but it has to do with recreational facilities.
But some of the communities can raise funds on their own if they want to try, they have to put in their own funding themselves partly and then we would put in our share.
Whether it be if they want to build a swimming pool or arenas or anything to do recreational projects.
The money, I know it's not going to be a very big amount of money but it's for things that are not expensive, because we know that in the communities, if they want to bring out a community hall, they wouldn't go through under this item, but if they just wanted to make renovations say for instance, next year, they want to renovate, this is where the money comes from.
Recreational Facilities Projects is what it says on this page.
Thank you. Mr. Tootoo.
Mr. Chairman, earlier, the minister kept referring to a pilot project and I'm just wondering if, and he mentioned three communities, in doing that, I'm just wondering if that's where the funding was coming from out of this item in the budget.
Hon. Jack Anawak: It's not necessarily limited to that.
Mr. Chairman, I guess it could be, but not limited to, does that mean that all this funding is going to that but then there may be additional funding.
I need some clarification.
Are funds under this item going towards the pilot projects he was talking about earlier.
Hon. Jack Anawak (interpretation): What the member just mentioned, the pilot projects have nothing to do this, but it's to do with if the community would put in their share and if they get some money from the federal government, then we would be able to help them out or if they can get it from a private company, and then we could talk to the community if they want to do something like that because the 300 thousand dollars is not enough money for capital projects.
But it could help.
Mr. Chairman, he said that the funds from here aren't going to be going towards the pilot project, which I believe he was talking about earlier was putting artificial ice in three communities.
Hon. Jack Anawak: Yes, we've gone beyond the pilot project, we're not talking on the pilot project anymore. As I've just explained the pilot project I was promoting last year was to pay for, in entirety, artificial ice for at least three communities.
But now we are past the point where these are not necessarily pilot projects but what we are looking for is supporting communities where if they come forward with a proposal, and we have a couple, then we would evaluate and see where the funding, other sources of funding, are coming from and see what we can do, whether it's a paying 50% or 75% of the project.
And these again are projects that, obviously 300 thousand dollars, is not going to go very far this year.
So these would be projects that the hamlet can afford to pay at least half if not 75%.
Were you finished with your statement.
Hon. Jack Anawak: I am sorry, if the community is going to be paying at least 25% or 50% of the project.
If the minister indicated that he had a couple of applications already, I guess it would be nice to know if other communities would get the opportunity to apply for this funding and out of those two maybe if he could let us know what they are and where they are.
And also who can our communities get hold of if they want to try and access some of this funding.
Hon. Jack Anawak: I don’t think that we would be prepared to work on or at least before we have a chance to evaluate the proposal that came forward without Community Government and Transportation asking for the proposal, I don't think we would be prepared to say what this community had put forward at this time.
But the proposal came in a form of a project that included funding from the private sector of say mining companies, from the hamlet and I believe the Department of Education has a role in this.
So there are, there are other projects and these were proposals that came in without solicitation.
This is going to be your second last question.
There' s other people too who would like to ask questions.
If I got a straight answer I would ask a lot less questions, or less confusing answer I should say, I'm sorry.
Is there going to be, let's say the minister already mentioned that they are looking at artificial ice in communities so, we would be kidding ourselves if we were saying that's not what we were talking about.
Are there going to be steps taken to ensure that any proposal that's considered under this program that the municipality has the means to maintain on an ongoing basis whatever the project is.
Hon. Jack Anawak (interpretation): I know for sure there is more than one community that has made a proposal.
For instance, one community was making a proposal for a baseball diamond and these other projects that we are looking into, as this person stated earlier, perhaps last year or the year before, the community of Arviat wanted to enlarge their recreation facility using their own money.
So yes we can go through that process, but for some communities that have made proposals, we have answered them but we have not said how much each community should contribute.
For example, if they have to go and get some more gravel for their playground, or maybe to make a swimming pool, if they cannot meet their funding requirements, they can make a proposal for the baseball diamond to put some fencing around it, there is some funding that we can offer.
For instance for arenas, in Sanikiluaq, Kugluktuk, other hamlets as well.
We approached only one hamlet on this so far to propose a pilot project to test this type of funding out.
There are other proposals as well from the private sector, the school boards.
So we can't say exactly that these are the kind of proposals that we are going to fund, but we are going to try and assist some of the projects in the community that have been proposed.
Perhaps if some of the communities make proposals for projects, it doesn't necessarily have to be the projects that Mr. Tootoo suggests, but other projects too.
Any kinds of recreation or leisure projects.
Chairperson (interpretation): Mr. Tootoo. Thank you.
At this time, Mr. Havioyak.
You said a couple of times it is a small amount of money for projects across Nunavut.
I know it can't cover all the Nunavut communities with that amount.
Let's say you used up that 300 thousand, are there going to be some type of, something for where you have more applications than you expected.
Hon. Jack Anawak: Yes, we expect quite a number of applications from those hamlets, communities that can afford to put forward a proposal.
Of course we do realize, Mr. Chairman that some hamlets are not in a position to move forward on spending their own money at this point.
So obviously we are not necessarily going to get proposals from those.
But there are some communities that would put forward a proposal, using some of their own money, some private money and some other sources of funding, and we will be assisting them to see if there are ways we can access some more money from the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development.
After the meeting I had with the Minister of the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, we're quite hopeful that we will be able to access more money to help out with particular projects that we may have in terms of recreational facilities.
Correct me if I'm wrong, I think I heard you say you are setting up a meeting with the federal government or the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development.
I'm not sure if that's what I heard, but, I guess I'm just trying to say, if there's a plan to, because you talked about some partnership funding from the communities.
There may be some funds from the federal government.
I'm sure there's going to be some meetings in the very near future with them.
And if so, when would that be.
Hon. Jack Anawak: No, what I said was I had a meeting with the Minister of the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development in which we tried to get some money before April 1, but bureaucracy got in the way down in Ottawa. So we're looking at getting some funding for some projects that might qualify under this after April 1 so that the community itself, or the Government of Nunavut, doesn't have to expend all of the money for one project.
So we're looking at probably at least a three party funding type, where we access funding from other sources to help offset the cost of whatever project we're doing.
Mr. Havioyak (interpretation): If I heard you correctly.
After April 1st, some of the communities are wanting to put proposals through, once April commences, proposals will go forward and we'll begin to get feedback as to what kind of funding they're able to access from this funding in terms of recreational facilities.
Would we be responded to prior to April 30th.
Hon. Jack Anawak (interpretation): If we believe that we can get more funding from the federal government and also from the private sector, within this year, in addition to the 300 thousand dollars.
It could probably be more, but if we cannot access more funding from the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, then we would probably use this funding for one project.
For instance, I’ll use Kugluktuk as an example, if they have a project that they can propose to the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development where we can access some funding for project proposals that they can contribute to.
And if they refuse our funding proposal within that 300 thousand dollars we might have to spend more, over and above the 300 thousand dollars if we cannot access funding from the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development.
So we cannot answer all these proposals before April 1, but maybe perhaps after April the 1st knowing that a lot of the materials that are being proposed will have to be ordered through the sealift and for that reason we'd like to have the answer by April 1 or before that, as soon as we get an answer where we can find the extra funding from.
This might not be a question but a concern more than anything.
If we are refused, there are three parties that are helping in terms of the project to go forward.
It's a concern to me if one of the parties should not be in favour of going ahead with that project.
Say for instance, in Kugluktuk because we don't think we are going to get artificial ice.
But we will wait to see what the response will be in a few days.
I'll give you the opportunity to ask two more questions.