EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
I know that last summer, Iqaluit lost an opportunity to get public housing units due to lack of capacity, I think, with the water issue, and stuff like that.
I’m just wondering what steps you’re taking to work with municipalities, hamlets, and that to ensure that these kinds of opportunities aren’t lost again.
Hon. George Kuksuk (interpretation): Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. I thank the member for asking that question about potential barriers.
It isn’t just in Iqaluit where that occurred but in many of our hamlets in Nunavut.
Whenever we are looking at allocations of housing, we work with the hamlet councils on the planning and preparation towards the new units on issues such as water and other needs the member mentioned in her question as we have to review them all in the communities to ensure capacity isn’t overrun with new units to be constructed.
There are various factors that we have to consider in our planning process and they all have to be included.
That is also the case whenever we are considering units for the City of Iqaluit, where we work with the administration of the City, especially the land administration divisions.
You asked what kind of preparations or plans we have prepared; I do know that plans are in place for this eventuality.
I would ask that Lori be allowed to respond as she has the details and she can speak to the plans in place for Iqaluit between our department and the city.
One of the key things NHC has done in the past couple of years is development of our new framework and strategy documents for the GN Comprehensive Long-term Housing Strategy.
Through that, it has been identified that we really need to collaborate in terms of preparing to ensure that lots are available, land is available.
Not just that; if the corresponding infrastructure is available, you need the roads to the housing units; you need hydro poles to make sure you can power them; you need to make sure that the fuel tank farm can handle the additional capacity.
Through those documents we have identified the need for further engagement with our counterparts.
We’re definitely more pro-active in terms of working with the Department of CGS and working with the hamlets. You’ll notice that our planned construction for utilizing the $10 million that’s in front of you for public housing to actually to include the component of lot acquisitions for 2015-16. So we’re working a year ahead on our lot acquisition.
We’re also currently working on a five-year plan taking us to 2019 for the full scope of the CMHC funding and the investment of affordable housing funding, as well as the planned five-year commitment in the GN side of the Five-Year Capital Plan as well.
So we’re doing more long-term planning so that we can work in advance with the hamlets and with CGS.
Ms. Angnakak, is that it?
My question is on the homeownership program.
As my colleague, Mr. Hickes, read it too, I’ll just read part of it. The Nunavut Down Payment Assistance program indicates that these changes aim to support the development of private real estate markets.
I thought that the program of home assistance was to help people get into houses, not to make a housing market.
I know that this will be borderline operation, but I believe that the criteria to get down payment assistance, as Mr. Hickes indicated too, are not good.
It is too low. There should be a minimum and a maximum, but the maximum definitely is not $125,000 per household. Maybe that should be the minimum, but not the maximum.
There should also be, I believe, a sliding scale. And that sliding scale would be; if you live in Nunavut all your life, you should get priority and maybe more money than someone that just got off the airplane because the two-year residency was also removed.
A person can get off the airplane and apply for down payment assistance and they would qualify if they fit the parameters because there are no more residency requirements.
I would like to know if the criteria for homeownership program can be looked into.
To keep some honour in this House, may I remind colleagues to try and refrain from using our colleagues’ first names and use last names, please.
My colleagues’ comments are self-explanatory. There was a concern about this. He is talking about the down-payment assistance program.
Ms. Kimball has the details. I want her to provide the detailed information on the down-payment assistance program.
Also in regard to the comments made on the residency requirements in Nunavut, I want that question to be answered in detail. With your permission, Mr. Chairman, I would like to ask Ms. Kimball to respond to the question.
I have to admit that I wasn’t paying attention.
Are you asking me to recognize Ms. Kimball?
Just speaking to your first point about minimum and maximum, right now, we do have a verification of income where we set the maximum amount of income that someone can earn and be allowed to access the program at $125,000.
We agree that that doesn’t really make sense, especially in a market like Iqaluit, where a house is usually about half a million dollars, and if you’re making $125,000, I would argue that you’re probably not ready to be able to take on that financial burden.
We do implement an affordability analysis and we do review whether or not we’re setting a client up. We want to make sure that that client is going to be able to afford the housing.
It is part of our process. We are relooking at the income thresholds to make sure that they are more appropriate.
In terms of the two-year residency removal, I know that this is a very sticky topic, a lot of concerns with that one.
What we were looking at is we know that the people in our public housing units are not having income sufficient to transition to homeownership. So when we looked at the territory, we looked at who has income that could transition into homeownership.
We’re really often looking at our own staff or also staff of the federal government or staff of other entities where people are employed in town.
When we look at the GN program, we’re spending $18,000 per household in staff housing subsidies right now per year.
It was that in mind where we looked at if we removed the residency requirement, it would allow people in staff housing to access up to $30,000 in down-payment assistance, which would actually take away the burden of $18,000 per year.
With our Nunavut down-payment assistance plan, if someone accesses that program and they leave the territory or they sell their unit within five years, we get 100 percent of that $30,000 back.
So if we were paying for them to be in staff housing for five years at $18,000, we would be out a lot more money than zero at the end of five years. That’s what led us to make that decision.
I can tell you that right now, we have zero people waitlisted for the NDAP, so it’s not like we’re turning down any applications for NDAP, where we’re processing people from the south and not processing people from the north.
So everybody who is applying that is qualified has been able to access the program, and that’s our goal going forward to make sure that we’re supporting people who can transition into homeownership to get them into homeownership and reduce the subsidies that we’re paying through other programs.
I would like to ask the minister if he thinks that the amount that people qualify for is sufficient enough when you’re buying, let’s say, a $500,000 house.
Chairman: Mr. Savikataaq, I’m going to have to ask you to rephrase your question.
You’re asking an opinion of the minister.
Mr. Savikataaq, if you want to, please rephrase your question.
I’ll rephrase that question then.
Just one last question here has to do with math again.
The minister indicated that there were four duplexes being built for staff housing, if I remember correctly, which is eight units.
Using the cost estimates for public housing, which is $400,000, my math says that’s $3.2 million and they have $5 million budgeted. I’m just wondering if I’m correct in assuming that there’s going to be a surplus.
A person who doesn’t need a calculator just asked me a question.
I’ll have Ms. Kimball respond to Mr. Savikataaq’s question.
Chairman: Hon. Minister, thank you. (interpretation) I will have Ms. Kimball respond.
The $400,000 that was quoted was based on our last round of construction. Costs have increased since then.
On our ten-plexes for the 123 tenders that have closed, when we factor in land costs, the fully loaded costs were between $400,000 in some communities to as much as $450,000 in other communities.
That’s on a ten-plex.
Again, the more units you have in one building the lower your costs go down.
When we start building duplexes, our cost per unit goes up quite a bit.
As well, because we have the historic cost for those specific communities, we have already run those costs for those communities, which do vary based on the different shipping costs, etcetera.
Mr. Savikataaq: At this time, Mr. Chairman, I move a motion to report progress.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Savikataaq.
Did you get bored all of a sudden or what?
Mr. Enook (interpretation): Mr. Speaker, your committee has been considering Bill 2 and the capital estimates, and would like to report progress, as usual.
Speaker (interpretation): Is there a seconder?
Member Mr. Savikataaq is the seconder. (interpretation ends) The motion is in order.
Just a reminder for all members that there’s a meeting of the Full Caucus tomorrow morning at ten o’clock in the Nanuq Boardroom.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) This House stands adjourned until Thursday, March 13, at 1:30 p.m.
Pages 281 – 337
Opening Prayer 281
Ministers’ Statements 281
Members’ Statements 284
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 286
Oral Questions 287
Revert to Item 5: Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 302
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 303
Report of the Committee of the Whole 336
Orders of the Day 336
Thursday, March 13, 2014 281
024 – 4(1): Literacy 4 Life Initiative (Quassa) 281
025 – 4(1): Fire Prevention Workshop (Sammurtok) 282
026 – 4(1): CT Scan (Ell) 282
027 – 4(1): Uqausirmut Quviasuutiqarniq – Inuktut Celebrations (Okalik) 283
064 – 4(1): Arctic Winter Games (Angnakak) 284
065 – 4(1): Condolences to Rankin Inlet (Sammurtok) 284
066 – 4(1): Arctic Winter Games Participants from Aivilik (Mapsalak) 285
067 – 4(1): Senior Housing in Iqaluit (Okalik) 285
068 – 4(1): Search and Rescue Effort at Aggu (Quassa) 285
069 – 4(1): AWG Athletes from Gjoa Haven (Akoak) 286
070 – 4(1): Recognition of AWG Participants (Mikkungwak) 286
059 – 4(1): Review of Income Assistance Programs (Joanasie) 287
060 – 4(1): Departmental Staffing in Smaller Communities (Sammurtok) 288
061 – 4(1): Nanisivik-Arctic Bay Highway (Shooyook) 289
062 – 4(1): Extended Health Benefits Program (Angnakak) 291
063 – 4(1): Addressing Social Promotion (Mikkungwak) 292
064 – 4(1): Correctional Facilities (Hickes) 294
065 – 4(1): Consumer Protection Initiatives (Rumbolt) 295
066 – 4(1): Public Housing Rental Arrears (Savikataaq) 296
067 – 4(1): Dust Control Initiatives (Mapsalak) 297
068 – 4(1): Medical Travel Policy (Enook) 299
069 – 4(1): Inuit Employment Plan Initiatives (Mikkungwak) 299
070 – 4(1): School Guidance Counsellors (Hickes) 301
Bill 02 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2014-2015 – Nunavut Housing Corporation – Consideration in Committee 303
Bill 02 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2014-2015 – Education – Consideration in Committee 321
Speaker (Hon. George Qulaut) (interpretation): Mr. Taptuna, can you say the opening prayer, please.
Speaker: Qujannamiik, Premier. (interpretation) Good afternoon, Members, Ministers, and all Nunavummiut.
Ministers’ Statements. (interpretation ends) The Hon. Premier, Mr. Taptuna. No?
(interpretation) I’m sorry. (interpretation ends) The Hon. Member for Aggu, Mr. Quassa.
Minister’s Statement 024 – 4(1): Literacy 4 Life Initiative (Quassa)
In keeping with our commitment to education, I am happy to announce Literacy 4 Life as a comprehensive and intensive initiative for our schools.
The initiative will begin with kindergarten to grade 4 in the 2014-15 school year and move into grades 5 to 8 and 9 to 12 in successive years.
(interpretation ends) Literacy 4 Life’s specific goals are to:
Ensure our students have the opportunity to read, write, and speak at high levels of proficiency
Ensure our high school graduates leave school with literacy skills that will enable them to pursue career and college aspirations
Support teachers to deliver high-quality learning experiences for our students by giving them high-quality professional development training in literacy acquisition
Ensure literacy assessment of our students is consistent across Nunavut, is transparent and well understood by parents and students, and helps inform teachers’ daily practice
Ensure schools have high-quality resources required to support literacy acquisition in all official languages
(interpretation) Mr. Speaker, students will experience a balance of direct and indirect instruction as they move from support to independence in word study, reading, and writing.
Students who struggle will be provided with timely, focused intervention to ensure that all students have the opportunity to be successful.
(interpretation ends) Reading programs will use leveled books, allowing students to master increasingly difficult text while providing parents with understanding of their child’s development in relation to grade level outcomes.
(interpretation) Mr. Speaker, we have purchased English language leveled books for all schools and we are currently working with a local publisher to produce an extensive series of leveled books in Inuktitut.
That is what I wanted to announce, Mr. Speaker.
Minister’s Statement 025 – 4(1): Fire Prevention Workshop (Sammurtok)
Educating the public about how to prevent fires is an important part of the work done by our volunteer firefighters.
(interpretation ends) Nineteen volunteer firefighters from across Nunavut took part in a workshop held in Iqaluit from February 25 to March 4 to learn how to deliver fire prevention presentation s in their communities.
Participants at the fire prevention workshop learned how to develop community presentations on topics like kitchen safety, home fire safety plans, and preventing fires in the workplace.
Participants then gave fire prevention presentations to elementary and middle school students, teachers at Arctic College, elders at the seniors’ home, and housekeeping staff at the Arctic Hotel.
Training and developing community leaders to raise awareness about safety is key aspect of our Fire Prevention Strategy.
We would like to thank the participants who took part in the fire prevention workshop and encourage them to share their presentations on fire safety and prevention with their home communities.
Fire prevention begins at home and in our communities. (interpretation) Help support your local firefighters in stopping fires before they start.
The Hon. Member, Ms. Ell.
Minister’s Statement 026 – 4(1): CT Scan (Ell)
I have the pleasure of updating members on the installation and operation of Nunavut’s first computed tomography scanner, otherwise known as the CT scanner. The equipment is fully operational at the Qikiqtani General Hospital in Iqaluit.
The equipment was delivered in December and the first CT scans were given to patients on February 3.
Mr. Speaker, we purchased the new medical diagnostic equipment through funding provided by the Patient Wait Times Guarantee Trust.
The trust was created in 2007 to build on and complement the continued work on wait times commitments form the 2004 First Ministers’ Health Accord.
The Department of Health used the funding to upgrade to digital radiology equipment across Nunavut.
About half of that $4.5 million we received was used to purchase and install the CT scanner and the Picture Archiving and Communication Server, or PACS.
The department will also be replacing outdated diagnostic imaging equipment in all health facilities in Nunavut. With the new digital X-ray equipment, we can transmit images to specialists, who can provide a diagnosis the same day rather than in several weeks’ time.
Mr. Speaker, our commitment to this project is expected to result in possible savings to Nunavut of approximately $2 million over the next five years and should also help reduce wait times for our patients.
We are committed to delivering timely health care through the benefits of modern technology.
Ministers’ Statements. (interpretation ends) The Hon. Member, Mr. Okalik.
Minister’s Statement 027 – 4(1): Uqausirmut Quviasuutiqarniq – Inuktut Celebrations (Okalik)
Mr. Speaker, Uqausirmut Quviasuutiqarniq was celebrated this year from February 17 to 28.
The celebrations of the Inuit language were extended to 12 days in order to provide more opportunities for Nunavummiut to fully appreciate the history, importance, and diversity of language in our territory.
Mr. Speaker, in 2011, Inuktitut was the predominant language in Nunavut, with 21,515 people declaring it as their only mother tongue.
However, English was the language spoken most often at home for 46 percent of the population.
This is worrisome, especially when home is central in passing our values and culture to our children.
Mr. Speaker, our language has a very strong foundation. Our language is now protected under territorial laws.
However, we must all take action individually and collectively, and this starts at home.
Uqausiqput Piqqusittinnut Sanngijjutauvuq, “Our language keeps our culture strong.” Mr. Speaker, these are the words of our youth which inspired the 2014 Uqausirmut Quviasuutiqarniq.
When we practise our language, speak and teach it to our children, we make our culture stronger.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that Nunavummiut took the time to celebrate and appreciate this important part of our culture.
Many activities were held by various organizations and communities, including the launch of movies and books, and language issues were discussed on local and territorial radio, television, and newspapers.
We even received national and international coverage.
Mr. Speaker, I am particularly delighted to share that Culture and Heritage released Iglanaqtut! , a collection of 11 short, original stories written in the Inuit language, both in syllabics and Roman orthography, depicting Inuit humour at its best.
To accompany the stories, an audio book is also available to encourage both listening and reading skills, particularly among youth who are eager to learn using new technologies.
Mr. Speaker, I hope you will join me in looking forward to next year’s new and improved Uqausirmut Quviasuutiqarniq.
Meanwhile, let’s use the Inuit language daily, starting at home and continuing on in our schools, offices, and communities.
Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu, Ms. Angnakak.
Member’s Statement 064 – 4(1): Arctic Winter Games (Angnakak)
I rise today to offer my congratulations to all of the athletes selected to participate in the 2014 Arctic Winter Games.
Nunavummiut, along with athletes from other participating provinces, territories, and countries, are in for an exciting week in Alaska, filled with competition in traditional and modern sports, as well as cultural events.
Mr. Speaker, I believe that the involvement of Nunavummiut in events such as the Arctic Winter Games is very important.
Participation in such activities is an excellent investment in our youth. It allows our young people to experience and learn about other peoples’ cultures and languages. Of course, sportsmanship and striving to do one’s best are also important attitudes to encourage and develop.
Mr. Speaker, I would also like to recognize the many hours that parents and coaches have invested to helping our youth become great athletes and team players.
I would like to take this time to wish all the athletes from Nunavut and, of course, the many athletes from Iqaluit good luck at the Games. I wish you the very best.
Member’s Statement 065 – 4(1): Condolences to Rankin Inlet (Sammurtok)
In Rankin Inlet, we are of the same mind with the family who have lost a loved on just recently.
We sympathize and will keep you in our thoughts. (interpretation ends) Qujannamiik, Mr. Speaker.
Member’s Statement 066 – 4(1): Arctic Winter Games Participants from Aivilik (Mapsalak)
Mr. Mapsalak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I say “good day” to the people of Repulse Bay and Coral Harbour.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my pride in and to congratulate the athletes as I take joy in their success in representing us at the Arctic Winter Games in Alaska.
An athlete who will be playing hockey from Repulse Bay is Casey Akumalik and another player from Coral Harbour is Wesley Siutinnuark, as well as two athletes from Coral Harbour for volleyball, May Ningeongan and Jay Pudlat.
I am quite proud of their accomplishments and I hope they enjoy this experience and reach the medal rounds. I hope that will be the case.
Member’s Statement 067 – 4(1): Senior Housing in Iqaluit (Okalik)
Although I sit on this side, my constituents continue to express their concerns and issues that they want voiced in the House.
I have consulted with my colleague sitting next to me about elders who have received new housing where they presented their experiences to me.
The elders are quite pleased with the new units, but dislike the orientation of the unit, as they are facing the wrong direction.
During the day, due to this layout, their observation was that they have to use lighting. They were concerned about this because their windows aren’t facing the sunlight during the day and thus require lighting even during the day.
I encourage the Nunavut Housing Corporation to take into consideration the proposed layout of their new units so that they ensure natural light can enter the unit.
Member’s Statement 068 – 4(1): Search and Rescue Effort at Aggu (Quassa)
I rise today to inform my colleagues in this House, although they may already be aware of the situation as it has been in the news already, the search and rescue teams are continuing their search. Both SAR teams from Hall Beach and Igloolik are involved.
Steve Alianaq has been out on the land since Sunday and has yet to return to the community, so the search is still underway.
Both SAR teams from Igloolik and Hall Beach are involved in this search, and we have been informed that two Hercules planes have been flying as part of this search. Another plane from Resolute Bay will become involved in this search.
I wanted my colleagues to keep this person in their thoughts and to pray for the family and his safe return.
Member’s Statement 069 – 4(1): AWG Athletes from Gjoa Haven (Akoak)
‘Good afternoon’ to the people of Gjoa Haven.
I rise today to also congratulate all the athletes going to Alaska, that’s where my grandmother’s parents were from, so they are lucky they are going there.
I have four athletes from Gjoa Haven going to the games. They are: Devon Pauloosie, who is going to play hockey; for volley ball I have; Vanessa Aglukkak, Chanel Quqshuun, and Ann Sallerina.
Member’s Statement 070 – 4(1): Recognition of AWG Participants (Mikkungwak)
I rise today to recognize the parents, families, and friends in my constituency.
I am very honoured and very pleased to recognize the following athletes from Baker Lake who will be attending the Arctic Winter Games in Alaska:
Kaytlyn Amitnaaq, badminton;
Chesley Haqpi, badminton;
Tyler Pudnak, volleyball;
Sara Nakoolak, arctic sports, who is my constituency assistant’s daughter;  Miranda Uqayuittuq, arctic sports, the daughter of my colleague next to me; and
Judy Mariq, female hockey. (interpretation ends) Judy will also be the flag bearer for Team Nunavut.
(interpretation) Mr. Speaker, I would also like to recognize coaches Brad Maines for badminton and Steve Paterson for female hockey. (interpretation ends) It is individuals like this who dedicate their time and effort to training our athletes and the parents and family members who support them throughout the year that our youth can have these wonderful opportunities to compete and do their very best in the world of sport.
Mr. Speaker, I wish them the best of luck and most of all, I hope they have fun.
Go Team Nunavut, go!
Item 4. (interpretation ends) Returns to Written Questions.