EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
In recognition of this increase in fuel costs and given that the Community Government and Transportation offers contributions to offset additional costs I am seeking 1 time funding in the amount of 200 thousand dollars as a contingency reserve.
These funds will assist municipalities in offsetting their increased costs because of higher fuel prices.
As I mentioned earlier, we are in the process of improving the timing of this formula under the municipal funding finance review.
It is my expectation the revised formula will allow for a more timely disbursement of funds.
Mr. Chairman in addition to this one time initiative the department of Community Government and Transportation is also enhancing a number of its current programs.
For example, in keeping with the Bathurst Mandate's priorities of self-reliance and continuing learning, fire-fighting and search and rescue in Nunavut will be improved through specialized training.
The Department’s emergency services will be hiring a fire training specialist who will be dedicated entirely to special fire fighting training in Nunavut.
With the help of the Territories Assistant Fire Marshals the new training specialist will offer ongoing training in and for each community.
In addition, Nunavut emergency services will also be hiring a search and rescue training officer.
This training officer will put together training packages for each community and will work in partnership with other Federal agencies to provide specialized training.
I would like to underline that both the specialized fire fighting and search and rescue training programs will be developed according to the needs of each individual community.
Local conditions and circumstances will guide the specific training programs.
I am also pleased to note that the Department’s “ learn not to burn” educational campaign in schools will be improved with the assistance of my colleague the Honourable Minister of Education.
Another educational initiative that will be of benefit to the community is the enhancement of the community leadership program.
This training will ensure that our municipal partners continue to benefit from the quality skills of senior administrative officers and housing managers. Who are taking on more responsibilities in the delivery of programs and services.
This certification program will offer basic and advanced levels.
The basic program will provide aspiring and practicing SAOs and housing managers with knowledge and skills that will allow them to competently perform statutory responsibilities, understand their job responsibilities and represent themselves and their communities in a professional manner.
The advanced program will build on competencies developed in the basic program and provide the SAOs and housing managers with knowledge that enables them to manage human and physical resources and relate effectively with external publics.
Both of these programs which are being developed to suit Nunavut’s specific requirements will contribute significantly to the development of local civic public service with a common level of knowledge and skills.
In addition the Department will be continuing and enhancing a program that will focus on and contribute to the training of elected officials at the Municipal level.
To meet this objective my department has become more involved in the delivery of a specific community based training program.
This program offers professional training in four important public areas: 1.
The major responsibility of the Councillor. 2.
The structure and workings of Community Government. 3.
Conflict of interest, by-laws, and communication and 4.
Municipal financial management.
We will ensure that each community benefits from improved access to this enhanced professional training by taking the training program directly to the communities.
Mr. Chairman, (interpretation) at this point I would like to highlight two of the programs within my department that are working toward the Bathurst Mandate principles and Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit.
In recognition of the importance of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit, the department has established a working committee to ensure that this principle is considered and represented in all aspects of our work.
This committee will liase with the Government wide committee and will be a position to review new developments in policy and Governance that affect the implementation of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit.
On the employment front, my department is working to address Inuit employment with the communities.
Mr. Doug Crossley the Department’s senior advisor is working very closely with the decentralization secretariat to ensure our department’s plan is completed successfully.
Mr. Crossley is working with our staff and communities to develop the necessary programs to build capacity and ensure local employment opportunities.
This initiative will contribute to the success of our Inuit employment plan.
I am confident that our good progress to date will escalate as we head into the new fiscal year.
In further recognition of the fact that much of Nunavut’s leadership comes from its communities, the department is pleased to continue its support for the Nunavut Association of Municipalities.
NAM offers an important forum for community leaders to deal with issues of Municipal concern.
Together with NAM my department will work toward enhancing leadership meetings in Nunavut by taking advantages of economies of scale and cost-sharing.
As Minister I will be seeking the advice of our community leaders on how we can improve the way we consult.
I am confident that by working together on a community level, inter-departmentally and with the assistance of colleagues in this Legislature we can resolve the issues that confront us.
Capital funding.
Mr. Chairman I would now like to turn to the issue of capital funding.
The Department has established its capital spending budget of 15.5 million dollars for this fiscal year.
As the Department’s mission indicates, these funds are aimed at enhancing the capacity of communities to promote and improve their quality of life.
To achieve this goal the Department supports community investment in capital projects as diverse as water reservoirs, sanitation sites, fire fighting, fire halls, heavy equipment, airport terminals, airfield lighting, and maintenance garages, just to name a few.
As is the case with other Nunavut Departments the Department allocates funds to projects based on specific community needs and in compliance with the criteria set out by Government for the distribution of capital funds.
The Departments capital budget represents 24% of the Government of Nunavut’s entire capital funding.
Looked at in its entirety the Government of Nunavut’s total capital expenditures are allocated as follows. The 14 communities of Baffin received an average of 2.4 million dollars per community. The seven communities of the Kivalliq received an average of 2.2 million dollars per community.
As you heard during his presentation on the Government budget on April 23, Finance Minister Ng has committed to developing a new capital planning process this year.
The Department of Community Development and Transportation plans to be an active partner in this initiative.
In Conclusion.
Mr. Chairman and Members of the Legislative Assembly what I have presented to you today is the Department of Community Government and Transportation’s direction for the next fiscal year.
Its aim is to achieve a better tomorrow by working with the communities, cabinet colleagues and MLAs, the Inuit Organizations and indeed with anyone who has the best interest of Nunavut and Nunavummiut at heart.
The Department of Community Government & Transportation is committed to the values and principles set out in the Bathurst Mandate.
My officials and I have made a conscious effort to weigh each of our initiatives against the mandate’s priorities to ensure that the Department’s direction is one that supports and enhances healthy communities, simplicity and unity, self-reliance and continuing learning.
These are the principles by which we are guided.
I thank you for your attention this afternoon.
I look forward to consulting with you in the near future as we strive to achieve a second year of community-responsive and fiscally responsible governance for Nunavut and all Nunavummiut.
We are now available for questions.
We have completed 51-1(3), 61-1(3), 77-1(3).
We had already considered this.
Mr. Puqiqnak (interpretation): I would like to report progress.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Puqiqnak. He would like to report progress.
The Speaker can now return.
Speaker: Returning to Orders of the Day. Item 20. Report of Committee of the Whole.
Chairperson (interpretation): Mr. Speaker your Committee has been considering Bill 13 and Tabled Documents 41-1(3), 51-1(3), 60-1(3), 61-1(3), 77-1(3), 84-1(3), and 85-1(3). And would like to report Tabled Document 51-1(3) 60-1(3), and 77-1(3) are concluded.
And Mr. Speaker I move that the Report of the Committee of the Whole be concurred with.
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Item 21. Third Reading of Bills.
Item 22. Orders of the day. Mr. Clerk.
Meeting of Standing Committee on Government Operations tonight at 6:30.
A regular caucus tomorrow at 9 o’clock.
Orders of the Day for Wednesday, April 19.
According to the authority vested in me by motion 3 - 1(3) this House stands adjourned until Wednesday April 19, at 10.00 a.m.
>>House adjourned at 6.21 p.m.
DAY 38
Wednesday, April 19, 2000
Pages 1709 - 1778
Opening Prayer 1709
Point of Order 1709
Ministers’ Statements 1710
Members’ Statements 1711
Point of Order 1714
Tabling of Documents 1715
Notices of Motions 1715
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 1717
Report of the Committee of the Whole 1777
Orders of the Day 1777
Wednesday April 19, 2000 1709
118 - 1(3): Absence of Education Minister (Okalik) 1710
119 - 1(3): Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (Picco) 1710
339 - 1(3): Working Relationship in the House (Alakannuark) 1711
340 - 1(3): Made in Nunavut Ties (McLean) 1711
341 - 1(3): Alcohol and Tobacco (Iqaqrialu) 1712
342 - 1(3): Response to Minister Ng’s Member’s Statement (Tootoo) 1712
87 - 1(3): 2000-2001 Department of Sustainable Development Business Plan 1715
88 - 1(3): Letters from Northern Employees Union 1715  Wednesday April 19, 2000
Wednesday April 19, 2000
Mr. Ovide Alakannuark, Mr. Olayuk Akesuk, Honourable Jack Anawak, Mr. Levi Barnabas, Mr. Donald Havioyak, Mr. David Iqaqrialu, Mr. Enoki Irqittuq, Honourable Peter Kilabuk, Honourable Peter Kattuk, Mr. Glenn McLean, Honourable Kelvin Ng, Mr. Jobie Nutarak, Honourable Paul Okalik, Honourable Ed Picco, Mr. Uriash Puqiqnak, Honourable Manitok Thompson, Mr. Hunter Tootoo.
Deputy Speaker (Hon. Uriash Puqiqnak) (interpretation): I would like to have Mr. Iqaqrialu say the opening prayer.
Deputy Speaker (interpretation): Please be seated.
Thank you Mr. Iqaqrialu. Orders of the day.
Before going to the orders of the day, Mr. Tootoo has a point of order. Please proceed.
Mr. Tootoo: Mr. Speaker I rise to make a point of order.
Yesterday Mr. Speaker, in this house the member from Cambridge Bay stated that I have been misrepresenting the cost of the Kiilinik High School project for my own political means.
Mr. Speaker, I believe that rule 23 (i) and (j) are relevant in this case.
Rule 23 states clearly that it is impermissible to impute false or hidden motives to another member.
Mr. Speaker, when the member across the floor indicated that I am misrepresenting something for my own political means then I would ask that he indicate to the members of this House whether he can substantiate that claim that I have a hidden agenda.
I have been raising legitimate questions and concerns on a very important issue of where our priorities are for the government in allocating our very limited capital dollars.
On the basic issues of accountability, transparency and fairness. This is the only thing that I am trying to achieve.
I have nothing to gain personally or politically in asking these questions aside from keeping my commitment to people who elected me to stand up for a transparent and accountable government.
Mr. Speaker, rule 23 (j) states that it is impermissible to charge another member with a deliberate falsehood.
Mr. Speaker, by accusing me of misrepresenting the costs of the project I would again challenge the minister to provide proof of motivation.
Mr. Speaker, I would ask that you would direct the minister to withdraw his comments and apologise.
Mr. Ng do you wish to respond to the point of order.
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Mr. Speaker, I would ask for time to review the Hansard and respond accordingly.
I am not prepared at this time to withdraw my comments.
Deputy Speaker (interpretation): Thank you.
We will review the Hansard.
Before we go to the orders of the day I wish to inform the members first we will review the Hansard on the member for Iqaluit Centre’s Point of Order and I will make a ruling on this point of order.
It won't be today but I will let you know what my decision is at the appropriate time.
At this time before we get back to orders of the day, Mr. O'Brien, the Speaker will not be in the House as he has to travel to Arviat.
Also Commissioner Irniq is accompanying him to Arviat as there was an elder that passed away John Arnalukjuak so they have gone to Arviat for a memorial service.
We will miss Mr. Arnalukjuak as he is one of those that paved the way to the making of Nunavut so that we will have a better future.
Minister’s Statement 118 - 1(3): Absence of Education Minister
It is good to see you are here again today.
I rise to tell you our Minister for Education, James Arvaluk, will not be in the house today.
Deputy Speaker (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Premier.
Minister’s Statement 119 - 1(3): Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit
Mr. Speaker, the Nunavut Government exists today because of an idea that was born twenty years ago.
The leaders at that time had a vision of government that would be closer to the people and that would create programs and services that respect and reflect Inuit culture.
Today I want to share with you and the members of this assembly some of the ways that our government department will build Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit into our philosophy, programs and services.
In our proposed budget we had allocated funds to ensure that our department seeks the advice of elders to build a strong foundation of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit.
My department will work interdepartmentally to share our resources, including the elders we will be consulting with.
We will continue to develop linkages and to collaborate with the organizations such as Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated and the Nunavut Social Development Council.
Mr. Speaker, the Nunavut Government and the Department of Social Services had made steady progress in establishing Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit in its structures and its processes.
It takes time and commitment and there are many steps to take.
But, Mr. Speaker, the department of health and social services is determined to succeed to bring the dream of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit to life.
Deputy Speaker (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Picco.
Member’s Statement 339 - 1(3): Working Relationship in the House
I rise today to talk today about how we are progressing at the Legislative Assembly.
At this time I am pleased that the discussions are moving forward but I would like to urge the members to work together as regular members.
We are feeling powerless and oppressed by the government.
If we are going to proceed that way into the future it will be extremely hard to have a working relationship amongst all members.
We have been proceeding in the House with obstacles, which is expected at times.
I have difficulty reading my own writing.
We need to discuss issues without creating barriers and conflicts amongst ourselves.
That way we will have a working relationship and we will be better in the long run for the government.
I am not criticising anyone in my member's statement.
Instead, I strongly encourage members to work closely together.
Deputy Speaker (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Alakannuark.
Member’s Statement 340 - 1(3): Made in Nunavut Ties
I rise today to recognize the Premier’s beautiful tie.
I myself wear one of these ties today.
The beautiful ties were manufactured and designed in my home community of Qamanittuaq, by the Inuit of Qamanittuaq.
Mr. Speaker, there are many beautiful items designed and manufactured in Qamanittuaq and are for sale all through the world and it pleases me to see the distinguished leader of Nunavut wear such a tie.
Yes, Mr. Speaker, Jessie Oonark does mail order, their phone number is in the book, and they do mail order.
Deputy Speaker (interpretation): Thank you Mr. McLean.
Member’s Statement 341 - 1(3): Alcohol and Tobacco
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to make a statement about tobacco and alcohol.
These things in Nunavut Mr. Speaker, we do not have agriculture, we do not grow tobacco products, and we do not distil alcohol.
These things are not coming from the Nunavut area.
Mr. Speaker, I would like everyone to know we in Nunavut whenever we use those tobacco and alcohol products sometimes unpleasant things happen and it appears that we are the ones that brought these things to Nunavut.
We do not make those products in Nunavut.
They come from the southern provinces those things that make our bodies go bad, as it is not coming from the Nunavut people.
Member’s Statement 342 - 1(3): Response to Minister Ng’s Member’s Statement
Mr. Speaker my statement today is lengthy and I will be seeking unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to respond to a statement made yesterday by the member for Cambridge Bay.
Mr. Speaker, there are serious allegations against me in that statement.
Allegations that I wish to address one by one.
Before I begin, I would like to point out that the statement that I made on Monday April 17, which the member quoted from, was made on behalf of all the regular members.
To the extent the member insults me he insults all the regular members. On the point of manipulation of public opinion Mr. Speaker, the member quoted my earlier statement that members are particularly concerned students and others in Cambridge Bay are being manipulated into thinking and making statements to the effect that members do not care about their needs.
The member challenged me to identify the individual or individuals responsible for this manipulation.
Mr. Speaker, I can only say that it is apparent that the people are being quoted in the media who may not have been given full factual information on the MLAs concerns about the project.
About the MLAs concerns about the needs in other communities nor the fact that MLAs have indicated in the House that they supported the school in Cambridge Bay.
Members had legitimate questions about the extras especially in light of the need of other communities.
But this is not how it has been portrayed by this member in the House.
In addition, there have been all kinds of statements by government ministers about members concerns over the last few weeks.
In particular about the drastic effect of the deferral of the education capital budget.
It got people all worked up even though Public Works officials in Cambridge Bay stated only yesterday the fact that construction could go ahead after yesterday’s supposed deadline.
Mr. Speaker, we want an open, transparent and accountable government.
This is the best way to have . . .Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
Deputy Speaker (interpretation): The member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement.
I would like to tell the member about the point of order this morning and I said we would look at the Hansard and get back to the members.
I think you are making a member's statement about the same issue.
So we will be looking at the Hansard and reporting back to the house.
Mr. Tootoo: Mr. Speaker, maybe just to clarify it.
My point of order was in regards to basically one last line in the member's statement.
I have a lot of other issues in that statement that I wish to address in my member's statement.
We will go to the orders of the day members’ statements.
Under item 4.
We will get back to Members’ Statements.
We have to know that the point of order was made and I can tell Mr. Tootoo, I would caution Mr. Tootoo not to talk about the Point of Order.
Is that okay with the members if Mr. Tootoo continues.
Mr. Tootoo you can continue with your member’s statement.
Mr. Speaker, MLAs have talked about factual information on MLAs concerns about the project, about the MLAs concerns about the needs of other communities, nor the fact that MLAs have stated in the House that they support the school in Cambridge Bay.
Members had legitimate concerns about the extras especially in light of the needs of other communities, but this has not been portrayed by this member in the House.
In addition, there have been all kinds of statements by the government ministers about members’ concerns over the last few weeks in particular, about the drastic effect of the deferral of the education capital budget.
This got people all worked up even though the Public Works official in Cambridge Bay stated only yesterday that the project would go ahead even after yesterday’s supposed deadline.
Mr. Speaker, we want an open and transparent and accountable government.
The best way to do this is to have an informed debate about issues.
By not providing information in a clear, forthcoming manner people are left to draw their own conclusions on bits of quotes they have heard on the radio and perhaps comments from individuals with information they have obtained from discussions going on here in Iqaluit.
Mr. Speaker, on the cost of the school.
Mr. Speaker, in my statement on Monday, I used figures that the government provided to regular members that the average school in Nunavut costs between 2800 and 3200 dollars a square meter.
I then took the government advertisement for the building of the new school and took the number is using itself, the number of square metres the school will be.
I did simple arithmetic that any elementary student in Nunavut could do and multiplied these numbers together.
If the Cambridge Bay school was an average school and using the governments own numbers it should cost between 10.7 and 11.5 million dollars.
But the budget is 14.2 million.
Again, Mr. Speaker using simple arithmetic the difference is roughly 3 million dollars.
But the member has his own form of arithmetic that he provided for the house yesterday, in an effort to, quote “correct the record. .
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Point of Order.
Deputy Speaker: Mr. Ng.
I wasn’t using my own form of arithmetic.
The reference, I quite clearly referenced the tabled document on the Cambridge Bay budget for the Kiilinik High School that is tabled along with the main estimates and the business plans for the Department of Education that is before the house.
Deputy Speaker (interpretation): I think we are hearing two points of order.
We will review the Hansard and then report to the House.
I cannot let the member continue with his statement because we have to review the Hansard.
Okay going back to Orders of the Day.
I missed.
I seek unanimous consent to move back to Item 6 on the agenda.
Deputy Speaker (interpretation): The Member is seeking unanimous consent to move back to Item 6.
Does he have unanimous consent.
A Member: Nay.
Deputy Speaker (interpretation): There is one nay so according to the rules there is no unanimous consent.
Going back to the Orders.
Under Item 13.
Tabled Document 87 - 1(3): 2000-2001 Department of Sustainable Development Business Plan
I wish to table a document, “2000-2001 Department of Sustainable Development Business Plan”.
According to Motion 14-1(3), the Sustainable Development Business Plan will be moved to Committee of the Whole for discussion.
Member for Kugluktuk Mr. Havioyak.
Tabled Document 88 - 1(3): Letters from Northern Employees Union
Mr. Havioyak (interpretation): I would like to table the four letters from members of the Northern Employees Union.
Deputy Speaker (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Havioyak.
I am sorry Item 13.
I give Notice that on Friday April 25, 2000 I will move the following motion: