EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
On the Legislative Assembly building, the capital budget.
Members were pleased to hear that we have received 3 million 400 thousand dollars for the audio/video and security systems for the new chambers.
Members were advised that the system installation would be two months behind schedule, as it has been a very complex tendering process, which is being administered by Public Works Canada.
Companies interested in making a bid will be visiting the site.
Members were advised that highly qualified specialists would be involved in evaluating the bids.
The Clerk now expects final installation by late September or early October and has requested that the chambers be the first priority in order to accommodate the first session in the new chamber in the fall.
Members are dissatisfied however, that these monies have had to come out of Nunavut's own capital funds, rather than the federal capital funds originally allocated for the building, and urge the Minister of Finance to vigorously pursue this issue with the Federal government.
Recommendation: That the Premier and the Minister of Finance continue their efforts to obtain capital funding from the Federal government for the audio/video and security system for the new chamber in light of the fact that they should have been incorporated in the original capital costs of the building which are under the responsibility of the Federal government.
Members also asked about the status of the automated library system and were advised that projected expenses, 100 thousand dollars which at this time is in the 5 year capital plan but not in this years budget.
Members were also advised that it is hoped that there may be some slippage in the budget for staff which can be allocated to this item.
For opening ceremonies and one-time expenses, the Speaker noted that although there is funding in the budget for opening ceremonies this funding was used for the April 1st opening ceremony.
There is no additional funding for the actual opening ceremonies for the new Legislative Assembly building once it has been completed.
As well, he noted that there is no funding in his budget for the furniture for constituency offices or for the telephone system in the new building.
That funding has had to be found from other line items.
Members are concerned that these expenses are examples of items which were overlooked in the planning.
Members would like to have opening ceremonies for the new building in the fall, and would like to review some options for the activities and how they could be funded.
Expenses for sessions and work of the Standing Committees.
Members were advised that the 1.7 million dollars budgeted for the sessions include the law clerks, the interpretation services, coffee and all the services that support the administration of the session and the committees.
An amount of 320 thousand dollars is budgeted for travel for committees.
It was noted that the budget for the Standing Committees will also need to be reviewed once the committees have set their plans for the year.
The Assembly or the Standing Committees may choose to meet outside of Iqaluit and this will impact on the budget.
Members asked how many staff are hired under the research and library services.
They were advised that three research staff and two library staff are included in this budget line.
Members' constituency staff are paid out of another line item.
Members wondered whether the funding for research support to the Standing Committees and members would be adequate.
Members would like more clarity on how the budget for the Standing Committees will be allocated among the committees and how much a committee meeting costs in or outside of Iqaluit.
Members would like a complete list of what expenses must be factored into sessions and committee hearings.
Expenditures on behalf of members.
It was noted that the 4.8 million dollars for members expenses includes many items such as constituency expenses, pension plan contributions, living allowances, it also includes the constituency salary for Cabinet members.
The additional salaries and expenses for Cabinet are allocated in the budget for Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs.
Members asked if the Legislative Assembly has any funds for grants and contributions to groups and communities in Nunavut and were advised that there are none.
The entire budget is for the provision of services to the members and the members only.
Thank you Mr. Chairperson, at this time I would like to turn the floor over to the Honourable member for Hudson Bay.
Mr. Kattuk (interpretation): It is quite hot in here Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends).
I would like to read in English at this time because when I was in school I was taught only in English writing and not in Inuktitut, so I never had a chance to learn to read in Inuktitut.
So, bear with me with my wordings or my spellings.
I will be reading on the Hansard part.
Mr. Speaker noted that the Legislative Assembly is trying to build local capacity in the private sector for the provision of our services.
For example, Hansard will be produced by a local company in both Inuktitut and English.
As it is developed members will be informed as to progress and costs.
Members were advised that work had begun on Hansard in December with a Request for Proposals.
Mr. Chairman, the Offices of the Legislative Assembly have now had an opportunity to review hard copies from the Nunavut Leadership Forum on April 1, First Session.
It is expected that by the May session we will have a contract in place for a fully functional Hansard in at least one language within 24 hours.
It is noted that the costs for producing Hansard in two languages are significant, double the cost of one language, somewhere from 5 thousand to 8 thousand dollars per sitting day.
Only two other jurisdictions prepare bilingual Hansard in Canada, the Parliament of Canada and New Brunswick.
Only two other jurisdictions have private contractors preparing Hansard, Yukon and NWT.
So Nunavut is learning as we go.
Members asked if funding for Hansard would be significant.
Members were advised that it will be difficult to assess until we know how many sitting days we have, how many committee meetings, and so on.
It was noted that the members have already made the decision to prepare Hansard transcripts of committee hearings when members appeared as witnesses but not for regular meetings.
These are the types of decisions that will impact on these costs.
The Speaker also noted that the other areas to invest in local capacity were in printing services because when the Assembly is fully operational it will be responsible for printing many documents and reports.
Members look forward to hearing more about Hansard and our communications strategy as it is develops and comment that the Legislative Assembly is supporting and encouraging Nunavut businesses.
Appointments to offices under the jurisdiction of the Legislative Assembly related to legislation.
It was noted that there are 40 appointments made on the recommendation of the Legislative Assembly.
Those budgets fall under the Legislative Assembly.
Generally they also report to the Legislative Assembly and therefore Standing Committee, Ajauqtiit, has an interest in them.
Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages, Office of the Conflict of Interest Commissioner, and Office of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Commissioner.
Members asked questions about the process for these appointments and their role in this regard.
It was noted that the Management and Services Board which is chaired by the Speaker, has a mandate to appoint an interim Conflict of Interest Commissioner until a permanent position is appointed, and they have made a decision to do so.
Members were advised that the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly in Alberta was forwarding information on these processes and these would be made available to the Standing Committee.
It was suggested that the committee might establish the criteria for these appointments and review information on applicants.
The Standing Committee will likely play a role in bringing in recommendations and nominations formally to the Assembly by means of nomination in the House.
It was noted that in the case of the Information Commissioner and Conflict of Interest Commissioner there is not a budget for a full time position, rather it has been done in the past on an as-needed contract basis.
Members were advised that, in the past, the Official Languages Commissioner has been a full time position with additional support staff.
This position is appointed by and reports to the Assembly, but works independently.
In the Northwest Territories there are eight official languages that the Official Language Commissioner must protect and promote.
However, it is generally understood that there are four official languages in Nunavut.
The Standing Committee will need to review this position further, for Nunavut and its relationship with the Department of Culture, Language, Elders & Youth.
Until the government formalizes its policy on language services in Nunavut it will be difficult to hire a Commissioner.
Members also asked if it was going to be their initiative in establishing legislation such as the Elections Act, Conflict of Interest Act, Official Languages Act and so on.
It was noted that the Standing Committee would have this responsibility.
Members look forward to receiving a list of legislation that is the responsibility of the Legislative Assembly and reviewing it with respect to their appropriateness for Nunavut.
Members would like to receive information from departments regarding the government of Nunavut’s language policy as it develops and other information relevant to the Official Languages Act.
As well as the Official Languages Act, members will also review the Conflict of Interest Commissioner’s role and relevant legislation.
Members will review issues relating to the appointment of these officials as a priority.
It is further suggested that these issues be reviewed at a full caucus retreat.
You might see sweat glistening off my brow or dripping and you will know it is coming from me.
I will add to the comments already made.
On the report of the Chief Electoral Officer on the First Nunavut Election and the review of the Elections Act.
Members expressed interest in receiving a copy of the report from Chief Electoral Officer, David Hamilton, on the February 15, 1999 Nunavut election.
The Clerk advised that he hopes to receive the report early in July.
It will be filed by the Speaker and provided to all members.
Members stated their wish to view this report and also discuss amendments to the Elections Act to make it more appropriate for Nunavut.
The Role of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker.
Members had several questions to clarify the role of the Speaker.
It was noted that although the Speaker does not belong to the Cabinet and cannot be asked questions during question period, he does have administrative authority and responsibilities similar to a Minister as he is running the Assembly.
The Speaker is not involved on Standing Committees because committees will have to table reports to the Speaker in the House.
It was noted that one of the most important functions of the Speaker was to ensure that the committees get the support that they need, such as researchers, clerks and translators.
He has overall management and responsibility for the Assembly budget and supports the members to ensure the committees are effective.
It was also noted that the Speaker is the Chairperson of the Management and Services Board.
It was further noted that under the Financial Administration Act section 3(4), the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly may sit as a member of the Financial Management Board and participate in its’ decisions where the Board acts on matters related to the Legislative Assembly.
The Deputy Speaker only appears if the Speaker cannot, therefore there is no separate budget for the Deputy Speaker except for an expense allowance as provided in the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act.
Nunavut.
In terms of obtaining support for the committees, the members asked if a protocol was in place or being worked on regarding information coming from the departments.
They reported that all of the Standing Committees had encountered difficulties in getting detailed information regarding the main estimates.
The Clerk expressed his hope that this current difficulty was part of the growing pains of starting a new government and that when everything had settled down the committees' researchers and staff assigned to the committees will be able to go directly to the departments and request this information without having to go through many hoops.
The members look forward to hearing of progress on this matter as soon as possible so the Standing Committee can be assured of obtaining information necessary to fulfil their mandate.
Clarification of Roles and Relationships.
The members noted that the Standing Committee has a broad mandate that overlaps somewhat with other Standing Committees.
For example, the Standing Committee Ajauqtiit has the mandate to review Land Claims issues and has already met with NTI.
However, departments of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs and Sustainable Development have formal staff responsibilities for Land Claims and they are also dealt with by two other Standing Committees.
The Standing Committee Ajauqtiit will explore how the different Standing Committees will work on Land Claims matters.
Members want to ensure that the Legislative Assembly and all departments of government are adhering to Article 23 and 24 of the Land Claims Agreement.
As well, the committee noted that where it deals with matters effecting the Legislative Assembly there would be times when regular members and Ministers alike will have an interest in these issues.
For example, the Official Languages Act is of concern to many different departments and several committees.
The Standing Committee Ajauqtiit will explore how this committee will relate to the independent commissioners and work on the legislation under the responsibility of the Legislative Assembly.
Members look forward to discussing these issues further and hearing from our colleagues in full caucus.
I will now pass this on to Mr. Alakannuark.
This is in respect to Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit.
Members want to ensure that the Legislative Assembly plays a leadership role in putting Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit into their systems.
Our culture and language play a role in the Assembly.
Members also want to involve elders and youth and suggest working with the Minister of Culture, Language, Elders & Youth to ensure there is funding for this.
Members are pleased with the efforts of the Office of the Legislative Assembly to date and so commend the Speaker and the Clerk.
Even though the Nunavut Legislative Assembly does not have its own building the sessions have a distinctly cultural and spiritual feel to them.
The lighting of the qulliq, the opening prayer, the beautiful wall hanging from the students of Gjoa Haven, the magnificent mace from the Inuit Organizations, the carvings from the wonderful artists in Nunavut, the youth pages, the clothing of the officials have all contributed to the special atmosphere of this place.
The members also acknowledge the efforts of the Office in providing materials and also interpretation in Inuktitut for the Inuk members.
Members look forward to such future projects as model parliaments for Nunavut’s youth, the development of the Assembly’s art collection which will showcase the work of Nunavut's’ artists and as well, the use of the building for special community events.
I will now conclude my report and I want to give this to the Iqaluit Centre MLA, Mr. Tootoo.
Mr. Chairman at this time I would just like to thank all the rest of the members of the Committee that helped read the report so that I wouldn’t have to read all of it myself.
I would now like to turn the floor to Mr. Akesuk who has a couple of motions from the committee.
Committee Motion 22 – 1 (2): Materials to be in Inuktitut and English
Mr. Akesuk: Thank you Mr. Chairperson.
I move that this committee recommends that all materials or correspondence provided by Government of Nunavut departments or Ministers to the members of the Legislative Assembly should be done in both English and Inuktitut and, further, that sufficient resources be allocated for translation services to ensure that this happens on a timely basis.
Are there questions or comments to the motion.
Committee Motion 23 – 1 (2): Capital Funding for Audio/Visual Equipment
Mr. Akesuk (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Chairperson. (interpretation ends).
Mr. Chairman, I move that this committee recommends that the Premier and the Minister of Finance continue their efforts to obtain capital funding from the federal government for the audio/video and security system for the new chamber, in light of the fact that they should have been incorporated into the original capital costs of the building which is under the responsibility of the federal government.
Moved by Mr. Akesuk. Are there questions or comments to the motion.
Mr. Akesuk do you have any further motions.
Mr. Akesuk (interpretation): I am completed. Thank you Mr. Chairperson.
Chairperson (interpretation): Any comments or questions.
Every time I raise my hand my receiver keeps making a beeping sound.
I would like to take a short break before we start with the new department.
Perhaps ten minutes.
Chairperson (interpretation): Do you agree?
Mr. Chairman, we haven’t finished off, we need to approve the budget. Maybe we could quickly do that before we go to a break.
It should just take a moment.
Chairperson (interpretation): Go ahead. General Comments.
Do you want to go clause by clause?
Mr. Nutarak (interpretation): We will have to adjourn at 4 o’clock.
For that reason I would like to take a short break, how long is it going to take clause by clause?
I would like to know this ahead of time so that I could make a motion to extend the sitting hours, if we don’t complete this by 4 o’clock.
I would like to know how long it is going to take to go clause by clause, if it is going to take after 4 o’clock.
Mr. Akesuk (interpretation): I think we can go clause by clause because looking at the pages, we can continue on it whether we finish by 4 o’clock or not, so I would just like to go clause by clause now Mr. Chairman, Thank you.
Chairperson (interpretation): You would like to do it line by line now, let’s go to page 1 – 4. Office of the Clerk.
Total operations & maintenance 4 million 430 thousand. Agreed?
Chairperson (interpretation): Open the page to 1 – 5 Office of the Clerk, in another dialect, total capital 3 million 402 thousand.
Chairperson (interpretation): We will no go back to 1 –4. Total Capital 3 million 402 thousand.
Total Expenditures 7 million 832 thousand.
Chairperson (interpretation): Now turn the page to expenditures on behalf of members.
Page 1 – 6, total operations & maintenance 4 million 803 thousand.
Chairperson (interpretation): Total Capital zero, total expenditures 4 million 803 thousand. Mr. Tootoo.
Mr. Chairman I heard, I don’t know if it is just the interpretation, it said 4 million 803 thousand, and the amount is actually 4 million 802 thousand.
Chairperson (interpretation): The Inuktitut has version has 4 million 803 thousand, the English has 802 thousand in it but the translation has 4 million 803 thousand. So there is a variation between the translation and the English.
Chairperson: Mr. Nutarak
Mr. Nutarak (interpretation): Mr. Chairman what are we going to do, there are two figures now and both of the languages are recognized but the two figures are different.
Perhaps the Chairperson or Minister of Finance can make a comment to that.
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Mr. Chairman maybe I can get away with the higher number, the Inuktitut version 4 million 803 thousand.
Chairperson: Thank you Mr. Ng. Do you agree.
Some Hon. Members: Agreed.
Total expenditures 4 million 803 thousand.
Now turn the page, Office of the Speaker, there was a missed translation there.
Office of the Speaker.
Total operations and maintenance 159 thousand.
Total capital, no capital.
Total expenditures 159 thousand.
Go onto the next page.
Commissioner of Official Languages, operations and maintenance total 358 thousand.
Total capital none.
Total expenditures 358 thousand.
Go back to page 1-3 detail of expenditures, operations and maintenance, total 9 million and 749 thousand.
Capital total 3 million 402 thousand, total expenditures 13 million 151 thousand, do you agree that the department budget be concluded with. Agreed?
Chairperson (interpretation): Mr. Speaker Levi Barnabas and John Quirke, thank you. I think we did this in a short period of time.
Would you like to take a short break.
Mr. Tootoo: Thank you Mr. Chairperson. I don’t know, just looking at the clock we only have another 15 minutes till we close.
I’d like to maybe make a Motion to report progress at this time.
Chairperson (interpretation): There’s a motion on the floor to adjourn.
All those in favour. Opposed. Carried.
We shall report progress with the Speaker.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you let’s go back to the orders of the day, report of the committee of the whole, Mr. Irqittuq.
Mr. Speaker your committee has been considering bill 1 and committee reports 1, 2, 3 and 4.
Also bill 2 and 3.
Mr. Speaker, I move that the report of committee of the whole be concurred with.
Speaker: There’s a motion on the floor.
Who seconds the Motion.
Mr. O’Brien seconds the Motion.
All those in favour, show of hands.
The motion is carried. Item 21, Third Reading of bills, Item 22, Orders of the Day.
On Monday, half past eight in the morning meeting of the Regular Caucus.
Order of the Day, Monday May 31, 1999
11. Reports of Standing and Special Committees
18. Second Reading of Bills  19.
This house stands adjourned until Monday May 31, at 10.30 in the morning.
>>House Adjourned at 3.38 pm.
DAY 14
MONDAY, MAY 31, 1999
Pages 536 - 619
Monday May 31, 1999 28
26 - 1 (2): Corrections Planning (Anawak ) 28
7 - 1 (2): Question 70 – 1 (2) GN Employees Eligible for Staff Housing (Ng) 28
153 - 1 (2): Eligibility for Staff Housing (Tootoo) 28
154 - 1 (2): Wildlife in Captivity (Iqaqrialu) 28
155 - 1 (2): Financial Support for Student Exchange Trip (Irqittuq) 28
156 - 1 (2): Correctional Facilities Plan Recommendations (McLean) 28
157 - 1 (2): Certification for Inuit Experts (Puqiqnak) 28
158 - 1 (2): Search and Rescue (Iqaqrialu) 28
159 - 1 (2): Lack of Social Workers in Arviat (O'Brien) 28
160 - 1 (2): Housing Policy for Drug Dealers and Bootleggers (McLean) 28
161 - 1 (2): Status of Housing Committee (Akesuk) 28
162 - 1 (2): Staff Housing for Iqaluit Employees (Tootoo) 28
163 - 1 (2): Doctor for Igloolik (Irqittuq) 28
164 - 1 (2): Power Rate Increases in Clyde River (Iqaqrialu) 28
165 - 1 (2): BIP Application to Article 24 (O'Brien) 28
7 - 1 (2): Ublivik Centre 28
24 – 1 (2): Inuit Nurses Training (O'Brien) 28
25 – 1 (2): Implementation Plan for Abolishing Boards (O'Brien) 28
26 – 1 (2): Communication Package for Communities (O'Brien) 28
27 – 1 (2): Savings Retained by Department (O'Brien) 28
28 – 1 (2): P3 Financing (O'Brien) 28
29 – 1 (2): Support for Enhanced Inuit Leadership Programs (O'Brien) 28
30 – 1 (2): GN Provide Detailed Implementation Plan to the Standing Committee (O'Brien) 28
31 – 1 (2): GN Strength Community Empowerment (O'Brien) 28
32 – 1 (2): GN Develop Communication Package (O'Brien) 28
33 – 1 (2): Savings be Retained by Department (O'Brien) 28
34 – 1 (2): Cost-Benefit Analysis (O'Brien) 28
35 – 1 (2): Dept. of Education Audit Existing Facilities (O'Brien) 28  Monday May 31, 1999
Monday May 31, 1999
I would like to ask Mr. Alakannuark to begin the opening prayer.
At this time I would like to make some comments regarding the questions on the Gun Control Legislation posed last week.
(interpretation ends) During last Wednesday's oral question period, I ruled a question out of order on this matter.
Having now had the opportunity to review the written record, and after consultation with legal counsel, I am prepared to issue a full ruling.
The issue in question here is the sub judice convention.