EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Question 306 – 2(4): Status of Housing Materials (Curley)
He stated to me that he has no more answers because he already responded but there is a new question that the minister has not responded to.
Can the minister provide the House with an update this morning on the exact location and status of the housing materials that are waiting to be shipped to Nunavut?
Minister responsible for Nunavut Housing Corporation, I will have you respond to the question if you wish, Minister Akesuk.
They are still in Montreal and we have indicated to them which community they should be flown to and that has to be placed as a priority.
They are still in Montreal but we are currently working on it.
Mr. Curley (interpretation): I would like to thank the minister but I would like him to know, and from what I know, there are over 45 truckloads that have been brought to Ontario.
My question is: has the Nunavut Housing Corporation awarded a new sole source contract to sort these materials, and if so, to whom has it been awarded and what is its value?
We have been trying to do exactly what we’ve been doing in regard to contracting and it has been given to Aqqujaaq.
My question in my preamble indicated that there was a firm in Ontario that has been sole sourced to sort out the mess that originally was the responsibility of the contractor he signed on to last year.
My second question is; earlier this week, the minister committed to providing the Members of this Assembly with regular updates on the status of their communities’ public housing construction: when can members expect to receive news for the Kivalliq region?
Once all the documentation has been written, it will very likely be the end of this month that we’ll be able to give an update on the public housing construction.  Once all the documentation has been completed, then we will give you an update.
Each year the Minister of Community and Government Services tables an annual report on the GN’s contracting activities. However, this report does not include information on the contracting activities of Crown corporations.
Will the Minister of Housing commit to tabling a comprehensive, transparent, and detailed contract report at the next sitting of the Legislative Assembly on the results of the NHC’s most recent Request for Proposals for marshalling and packaging services?
I commit to giving you a comprehensive, transparent, and detailed contract report.
Question 307 – 2(4): Impact of Fuel Price Increase (Peterson)
Mr. Speaker, on October 22 the minister indicated that the new fuel prices will not enable the government’s Petroleum Products Stabilization Fund to maintain its legislative limits with the cost of this year’s fuel re-supply.
Mr. Speaker, as the minister will recall, the Revolving Funds Act was amended in both 2004 and 2006.
The authorized limit of the Petroleum Products Revolving Fund now stands at $150 million.  My question for the minister: can the minister indicate whether the Revolving Funds Act will need to be amended again, and if so, when will a bill be brought forward?
My colleague made a very good statement.
The Revolving Fund was at $110 million and it went over by $50 million.
We will be getting a report from PPD and see whether there has to be an amendment or not.
I will discuss this with the Petroleum Products Division.
That certainly doesn’t sound very hopeful for us.
Mr. Speaker, in the same news release the minister mentioned that on November 1, the retail prices for fuel will go up 10 cents per litre and 20 cents on aviation fuel. It says further in the news release that aviation fuel increase brings the price into line with those charged in other Canadian jurisdictions.
Mr. Speaker, the airlines have already announced, I saw their news release or news story that they’re passing this increase onto their consumers in the form of higher ticket prices.
Mr. Speaker, the Government of Nunavut itself purchases a significant number of airline tickets each year for medical travel and other purposes. I believe I heard the Minister of Health mention 14,000 tickets; across Nunavut, there are probably 30,000 tickets for all forms of travel by government.
My question for the minister: can the minister indicate to the House what the net impact of this increase in ticket prices will be on the Government of Nunavut’s bottom line?
We have been anticipating an increase in fossil fuels, and I have been asked by some people in advance when the fuel prices were going to be increasing.
This summer there was a vast increase in the per-barrel market and I think it went up to $90 per barrel.
We don’t have much of a choice as CGS and Petroleum Products Division but we give this information to the FMB and then we set the prices.
I’m not exactly sure what kind of impact it would have on the communities but as we heard, the airline companies were going to be increasing their airfares.
Here in the minister’s news release, she also mentions energy contingency was built into the Government of Nunavut’s fiscal plan. I’m not sure what ‘energy contingency’ means but, Mr. Speaker, the price of a barrel of oil recently touched $96 U.S., I think it was two days ago that I heard that on the television. Two years ago it was $50 U.S.
My question for the minister: can the minister tell us if the Government of Nunavut has reached the crisis level with respect to high fuel prices?
At some point, we’re going to be unable to pay to stay in business.
There was an increase on November 1 and this is the first time that the regular members would have not been given enough time with a notice of when there is going to be a fuel increase.
We have given them one-week notice, but in any case, there was a constant increase in the fuel prices and a 20-cent increase in the aviation fuel.
We were able to keep a subsidy to make sure that it could be affordable for consumers.
Yes, there’s going to be an aftereffect with the increase but there’s going to be a rebate program for hunters.
Mr. Speaker, one important thing about fuel is we all need fuel, particularly for our houses.
With ATVs and vehicles we can choose not to drive, but when we’re living in our houses we have to heat them. We need fuel to operate our power plants. So unfortunately, we have to pay for the fuel for those because we don’t have much choice.
The minister mentioned subsidies and contingency plans. When the government’s paying more money, it takes the money away from other programs and services that Nunavummiut need.
So one way or the other we’re going to pay; the suffering of programs and services for higher fuel prices.
So we have to do something.
My question for the minister: can the minister indicate to the House what steps the Petroleum Products Division is taking to work for the Department of Finance to implement the Government of Nunavut’s new Fuel Price Hedging Policy?
Minister responsible for Community and Government Services and PPD, Ms. Brown.
Our department is working extremely hard. As a Nunavummiuq, I do pay for petroleum products like everybody else.
In regard to your question and in regard to the Hedging Policy, we did review that.
It might have to be put in the future but not this year.
We are currently doing a review and the Department of Finance was the ones who brought up the Hedging Policy.
Once it’s approved, then we’ll see.
Question 308 – 2(4): Gravel Shortage in Kugluktuk (Evyagotailak)
My questions are for the Minister of Community and Government Services.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the minister and her Cabinet colleagues for taking the time to visit Kugluktuk in September of this year.
One of the issues facing the community is the shortage of gravel. As the minister is aware, heavy rains earlier this year caused floods that washed away parts of our roads. The hamlet also needs a crusher and a blaster.
Mr. Speaker, can the minister indicate to me what assistance can be provided to Kugluktuk in this area?
Hon. Levinia Brown (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to thank the member for posing those questions. We were in Kugluktuk and it was very welcoming.
In regard to gravel, there is a shortage there and Kugluktuk is one of those communities.
They are having a very hard time meeting the gravel needs of their community and I’m well aware of it.
The Hamlet of Kugluktuk and CGS worked together to rectify this problem.
On this issue, some of the communities have been trying to get support from the government in order to produce gravel.
Some gravel deposits are farther in some communities but we’ve been trying to find out how much it will cost if we bought some gravel by barge.
It will be something like $800 per cubic metre.
The 2007-08 business plan for the Department of Community and Government Services indicates that one of its priorities has been to “establish a granular program.”
I know that $56,000 has been budget for 2008-09 for granular programs in the Kitikmeot.
Can the minister tell me how much of this funding could be accessed by Kugluktuk?
The CGS Department will have identified the program for the engineering consulting and they’ll be working towards Kugluktuk.
They have started earlier this summer.
We won’t know what the total will be until later but we will get the estimates a little later on.
The report will be done this year for the community of Kugluktuk.
I understand that the minister’s department is working on a study on the issue of granular materials in different communities.
Can the minister tell me today when she expects the study to be completed and tabled in the House?
I found the piece of paper I was looking for. (interpretation ends) A model containing information of data on quarries in Nunavut will be ready in the fall of 2007. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 309 – 2(4): Update on Insurance for Outfitters (Mapsalak)
Mr. Speaker, earlier this spring, Levi Barnabas had asked a similar question and I just need clarification on it.
I want to ask the minister at what stage the assistance for outfitters’ insurance is at up to now.
We have similar concerns for the outfitters in communities and they are paying a lot of money for insurance.
Nunavut Tourism is able to assist hunters by letting them know where they could get insurance packages and assist them in that way by providing applications.
The insurance issue is being reviewed to see how we could decrease the cost that the outfitters to pay.
We are able to assist them within Economic Development through the Small Businesses Support Program.
At this time we are able to assist them through that when the insurance is very high for the outfitters.
Maybe the minister could identify how much they could be assisted through the insurance program for the outfitters.
They have different levels of payment for insurance.
If anyone wants assistance, they can ask our department.
They also have regional offices they could contact to found out how much insurance they would be allowed to pay for the outfitters. They could be assisted if they contact the offices.
I can’t tell you exactly how much is allowable to pay for their insurance.
Whoever has an outfitting business in the communities, they could contact our office for more information on the levels of the insurance payments.
The outfitters are not able to keep up because of the high cost of insurance premiums.
Are they looking into how they could assist the outfitters? They could have a contact to find out how they could lower their insurance payments as owners of outfitting businesses in the communities.
We are looking into doing reviews to see how the outfitters can lower the costs of their insurance premiums and we would like to assist them in any way we can.
There aren’t many outfitters in Nunavut.
We are reviewing the insurance plans and looking at ways to see how we can better assist them in the communities so that they can keep up with their insurance payments.
How long will it take to complete the review that you are proposing to do?
Hon. David Simailak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It won’t take long. It’s almost done.
We will see how large the amount that the outfitters have to pay for their insurance.
The Small Business Support Program would be able to assist outfitters when they’re paying for their insurance.
We are also looking at other programs that might be able to assist them, too.
Question 310 – 2(4): Shortage of Mental Health Workers (Barnabas)
Mr. Speaker, the mental health workers in the communities of Nunavut are very important and hold vital services.
The positions for the mental health positions are not filled in the communities, even though there’s a huge need for mental health workers in the communities.
In one of my constituencies we have one mental health worker.
Other communities have more than one job description and the mental health worker is overworked.
Can the minister put forth more positions in the communities and fill the positions for the mental health workers?  They are overworked and I’m asking the minister if she will get more PYs for the mental health positions in the communities.
I would be happy to provide that information to the member.
In the three communities of Resolute Bay, Grise Fiord, and Arctic Bay, in terms of what positions are available for mental health, I have to get that information and get back to the member.
Can the minister update this House on what efforts are being made to provide counselling services in all Nunavut communities?
Counselling services are provided by a variety of a number of positions throughout Nunavut with the Department of Health or outside the Department of Health.
One example is wellness counsellors.
We have wellness counsellors in most communities. We have social workers in communities. We also have travelling psychiatrists that come to the communities to provide counselling.
As well, mental health nurses are in the communities. There’s a variety of positions in the Department of Health that provide some form of counselling services. We also have A&D workers at the hamlet levels that also provide counseling.
So I can provide that information in terms of the variety of functions or positions that we have within the Department of Health that provide some form of counselling or advice to people.
Question 311 – 2(4): One Firefighter Trained in Iqaluit (Kattuk)
My question will be directed to the Minister of Community and Government Services.
I understand firefighters had training this week and last week.
I have a concern on this training because, from what I understand, there were two firefighters flown in from other communities but there was only one firefighter here from my community or constituency.
I want to know what the reason was for sending just one firefighter.
Yes, it’s true. There was a training here starting on Monday.
They completed their training today and they’ll start heading home. We had supper with them last night.
There were people from a lot of communities.
The captain mentioned that there was one from Sanikiluaq.
I can certainly check into why there was only one person from Sanikiluaq during the training.
Your first supplementary, Member for Hudson Bay, Mr. Kattuk.
She stated that she will let me know. Can she tell me when she will give me the information?
My staff is listening so they’re probably checking into it right now.
Your second supplementary, Member for Hudson Bay, Mr. Kattuk.
I’m very happy that she will let me know by one o’clock and her fellow minister said the same thing. So I will be very happy if she provides the information by 1:00.
Question 312 – 2(4): Update on Foster Parent Review (Tootoo)
Mr. Speaker, I know it’s an unfortunate thing that we face, not only here in Iqaluit but in a lot of places; the demand and the need for foster families throughout the territory.
I believe there was a review done a couple of years ago on this issue by the department. I would just like to ask the minister if she’s aware of any findings or any changes that came about as a result of that review.
I’m not aware if there was a review done or not but I’ll find that out.
I know with the Foster Parent Association what we’ve tried to do was provide training for foster parents and promote the foster parents’ program throughout the territory. I understand the association themselves are also trying to organize foster parent associations in the other two regions. The one here is quite active.
So we have tried to put that information out to the general population in trying to get more foster parents in Nunavut to address the needs in Nunavut.
Your first supplementary, Member for Iqaluit Centre, Mr. Tootoo.
I know, like for example here in Iqaluit, they were actually even putting ads out on the radio looking for foster parents or foster families.
I would like to ask the minister, with our unfortunate demand for foster families, when was the last time that the department reviewed the rates that foster families receive for fostering children?
I know over the last few years there have been substantial increases in the cost of living here in Nunavut. So I would just like to ask the minister if she could indicate when the last time those rates were reviewed.
I recall the foster parent rates were increased within the term of this government. So some time after 2004, they were increased to address the concern that the member has raised.
I thank the minister for that response and I do recall it.
In the review and the changes of rates, I believe it’s been some time since those rates have been changed, but given the almost annually increasing cost of living here in Nunavut, would the minister consider looking at indexing those rates to go along with the increase in the cost of living if that isn’t the case already?
I will commit to doing that review for the member as well as this House and provide that information on whether we can index the rates for foster parents.
My last question, I just want to clarify and I would like to thank the minister for committing to looking into that.
I know that her department has the responsibility for that program but given the change in the financial responsibilities for the department, my last question is this: is the responsibility still with her department for issuing the cheques out to the foster families for the rates that are provided, or does that now fall under the Department of Finance?
As far as I know, that responsibility, in terms of the day-to-day management of the foster parent program, and budget rests with the Department of Health. In terms of processing the cheques and so on, I believe that falls with the Department of Finance processing function.
Question 313 – 2(4): Consumer Protection for Sale of Used Cars (Curley)
Mr. Curley (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I want to be quite clear on my concern with respect to consumer protection.
I believe the consumer protection legislation that we have in any regulations is inadequate to clamp down on some of the issues that I mentioned, concerns of constituency during my statements.
For instance, most of the general stores like Wal-Mart or Sears for that matter, if they’re going to be selling automobiles, they will actually have automobile services that are properly licensed and regulated. We are now seeing products like North Mart or North West Company selling used cars and used trucks without any regard for consumer safety.
I would like to ask the minister whether she could commit to review the current legislation and protection for consumers, and see whether or not licenses are required or not so that there will be a safety factor that are clearly stipulated on products they are selling?  Mr. Speaker, I believe the consumers in Nunavut require the minister to look into that.
Thank you, my colleague. (interpretation ends) The area of responsibilities and key initiatives on that information I have, this consumer affairs section of the department’s Community Development Division was established in Baker Lake in September 2000, which is quite old and I believe it needs updating and maybe improvement.
As far as information goes there, the Consumer Affairs Division administers the consumer service area and its relevant programs and legislation, including the Real Estate Licensing Act, the Consumer Protection Act, the Secondhand Dealers and Pawn Brokers Act, the Business Licensing Act, the Lottery Licensing Act, and the Billing Classification Act.
I would believe it would probably be under Secondhand Dealers Act, what my colleague is speaking on.
I would further check into that and see what the department can do. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Your first supplementary, Member for Rankin Inlet North, Mr. Curley.
I believe that they have some tools to deal with the problems that I just outlined. These problems that I outlined, in terms of safety; whether the products are safe and whether they are certified products; are really required by consumers so that they’re not spending thousands of dollars.
I can honestly tell the minister that there was one individual who bought a used car/truck from the North West Company and ended up spending an additional $6,000 the following week to bring it up to standard.
Mr. Speaker, my question to the minister is: will you consider requiring these companies to actually have a license to service products instead of just getting a quick dollar for a product that is sold as is?
Yes, I can certainly check into this further and check what was said, especially with the North West Company.
A lot of times they sell things just to get quick money.
A lot of times we can’t seem to go any other way.
I feel for the person of whom he mentioned about. I can assure the members that I’ll certainly check into this. If we can, we will try to make changes for that.
Mr. Curley: Thank you, Minister, for responding to my question.
I believe that these are not isolated cases at all, particularly in places like Rankin Inlet with the North West Company selling vehicles, approximately in the range of 50 vehicles every summer now.
There are other products that are coming in available to consumers.
I just want to raise it and help the minister out a bit.  I noticed this summer that the products that I considered unsafe were being sold on the counter, like firecrackers, by one of our Co-op stores in the Kivalliq region.
So for the young kids, these are actually fun stuff for them.
So in the dark of the night, middle of the midnight, they’re out near the houses and crack these up, and it scares the elder to death.  Could the minister consider some of the products and review them, whether they should be sold over the counter?
Minister of Department of Community and Government Services, Minister Brown.
I will certainly investigate under these developing policies that reflect Nunavut-specific needs and include current government mandates.
I will try and see what fits under there for safety.
Question 314 – 2(4): Funding for Immigrants (Barnabas)
Mr. Barnabas (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to direct my question to the Minister responsible for Immigration.
(interpretation ends) We’ve heard a lot about doctors’ and nurses’ shortages in the newspapers and through radio.
Can the Minister for Immigration explain the process to bring in these people and other immigrants?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Barnabas. (interpretation ends) Minister responsible for Multiculturalism, Homelessness and Immigration, Mr. Picco.
Mr. Speaker, the Government of Nunavut has been involved in a process with our federal partner on a provincial nomination program. We haven’t signed one off yet.
What we have been doing is looking at specific recruitment or targeting specific positions, for example, like nurses, where we had an opportunity some time ago to bring nurses in from Australia and from the Philippines and so on.
In cases like that, they’re really not immigrants. They’re actually people we bring in for specific tasks. If they come here on a work permit and they’re entitled to stay for a period of time, then at the end of that time they can apply for immigration status within the country, or territory, or province where they’re living.
The minister stated that there’s a nomination program within the Government of Nunavut.