EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
The airline costs go up and they pass them onto us and then we have to pay it and that’s why the higher adjustments.
So these are just estimates, the main estimates are estimates.
The very best guess that we can take is to say this is what we think we are going to expend we believe that is why they did it.
However I can’t control if there’s an emergency medivac and so on.
Chairperson (interpretation): Anything else? Mr. Iqaqrialu.
In the past and looking at the present what I’m looking at and in listening to what’s happening, my heart races because I don’t want to make any mistakes for the people of Nunavut.
And I don’t want to give a misunderstanding to them but in regards to the main estimates, the money that is set aside for medical transportation, First Air is the airline that is used for medical travel and it’s the only one that we’re using and under Article 24, I’m not getting a very clear thing in my head and he hasn’t said anything about any other airline.
I think we’re going to have to look very carefully in the future and I would like to ask the Minister of Health and Social Services that has a large amount of money in his budget, I don’t want to make any mistakes and I don’t want to give any misunderstanding to the people out there.
That 29 million 564 thousand dollars, could we get some more money from 9 million 87 thousand dollars.
And when you turn the page, 9 million 429 thousand dollars, there’s about 48 million 90 thousand dollars altogether, if you add them together that could be used for emergency services.
That’s a lot of money.
And there are all kinds of things that we can do with that amount of money.
As a resident of Nunavut, I would like to ask him a question and to represent the people of Nunavut.
Why do you have just First Air contracted out for medical travel?
There are also other airlines that are available; if you could answer that question.
Why do we only have First Air contracted out when there are other airlines?
Mr. Chairman, we have several airlines contracted out to us, not just First Air for medical emergency travel and so on.
In the Baffin region, they have a medical travel contract with, I don’t know of the exact amount, for 5 million dollars.
It’s only probably about 5 million dollars which means it’s only about one quarter of the total that we’re spending.
That contract was signed by the Baffin Regional Health and Social Services Board before the Government of Nunavut stepped up to the plate before we even began.
That contract will expire, it was extended, it will expire in September and Mr. Chairman, we are reviewing all medical travel under that travel study I talked about earlier on the KPMG.
With the support of the standing committee on health, we brought that forward to them and they agreed at that time that we need to be able to get a handle on this 30 million dollars which is the total expenses that we spend right now in travel.
So I hope that help answers the member’s question that only less than one quarter of the total in one region goes to more than one airline and that was a contract that was signed previously, before we even began as a government, signed off with the Baffin Health Board.
It has been extended and the agreement is expected to end in September, in the next three to four months.
That was not exactly the answer that I was looking for but it’s approximate.
From Baffin to Ottawa and in Kivalliq, they go to Winnipeg and in the Kitikmeot they go to Edmonton.
All those prices of the airlines are different between the regions. I’m not just asking about the Baffin Region.
If we are going to try to encourage all the airlines to benefit from the government, we have to get some information from them as to the best, cheapest way that we can provide medical travel.
I think that we have to look for the most efficient airlines not just the cheapest airline.
They also have to benefit from this because they live and work here, the other airlines.
We have to try to assist the people of Nunavut.
We have to go down south to the hospital and we have to try to find the best medical travel airlines, for us, our elders and our children, so that our children will benefit.
Is that what you are doing as a department, when you are looking for the most efficient airline for medical travel?
Mr. Chairman, I agree with the member.
That is the reason why we have the contract in place to actually look at what we are spending.
Are we making the best bang for our dollar that is possible with the money that we are spending with the medical transportation costs?
That type of information will come back to us from that study.
I could not agree more with the member.
When that report comes forward and the recommendations I hope that we will be able to recommend some of them and that we cut down on the costs.
As the member has said and as Member Williams has said that the costs continue to increase.
Chairperson (interpretation): We are on page 10-12.
Please try to keep to the page.
My last question is, I appreciate the minister’s comment saying that he agrees with me.
The amount 9 million 429 thousand, it is a contribution agreement from the federal government.
I just wondered if he could give us some more information on that staff contribution agreement funding.
Mr. Chairman, Health Canada provides funding to the Government of Nunavut to manage and administer Health Canada programs for Inuit.
Those programs include the Brighter Futures Program, Building Healthy Communities, Mental Health Crisis Management, Solvent Abuse Program, Home Nursing, the Canada Pre-natal Nutrition Program, the National Native Alcohol and Drug Program, Treatment and Training, Home and Community Care, Foetal Alcohol Syndrome Program, and as well Program Management.
That is the total amount of money we receive from the federal government for those federal programs.
We are on Health and Social Services.
Treatment Programs.
Total operations and maintenance 68 million 351 thousand.
Page 10-13 is an information item, details of work performed on behalf on third parties as well as 10-14.
Mr. Arvaluk (interpretation): I just wanted to get some information on 10-14.
Under Headquarters, Contract Services, 33 million 985 thousand.
It is in headquarters so what does that mean?
Mr. Chairman, that’s the NIHB money, as well as the out of territory hospital costs and it’s all in the headquarters, so that’s what the monies are paid for, paid out of.
Mr. Arvaluk: In Kivalliq, Qikiqtaaluk, Ottawa, Winnipeg, Edmonton is that true.
If there are no more questions, Health and Social Services.
Page 10-5, the pie chart.
Total operations and maintenance 151 million 33 thousand dollars.
I’m not talking about trying to change the budget but I have a feeling that there’s going to be more money that should be given to the nursing program in Nunavut.
As well, I would like to say that, as my colleague from Amittuq also stated, that before we approve the budget, that the people that go on medical travel from Hall Beach to Igloolik, should not be in an uncomfortable state.
Not just for Amittuq, but also the people of Pond Inlet and I think that costs a lot more money if they have to overnight and be bumped and stuff like that.
That was just a comment and not a question, just before the budget is approved.
Next year, in October is Election Day for the new Nunavut Government.
I think the minister would probably want to be classed as being a good minister for Health and Social Services for this present government before the next election.
Do you have any plans in place whereby you can make better use of the money and to try to get some more funding from the federal government?
You had mentioned that 151 million dollars is not going to be enough.
Under the program review, when you do your program review, do you have any plans in place whereby you can do better than 151 million dollars?
Well Mr. Chairman, first of all, I think it’s important to note for the record that three years ago, when I became the Minister for Health and Social Services, I used to give Mr. Ng a hard time in Yellowknife about running Health and Social Services.
I can tell you, as the longest serving health minister in Canada, federally, provincially or territorially, it’s been quite a struggle.
We have a pandemic shortage of staff.
We are under funded.
We are dealing with deficit financing and budgeting, a fragmented delivery service, aging infrastructure, resignation of all my senior staff; I’m on my third deputy minister.
It hasn’t been easy.
I’m trying to get the three health facilities in place.
And trying to be honest and try to answer the questions that the members bring forward.
I do have some ideas for extra money, if I was lucky enough and fortunate enough from this House to be voted extra money.
It took me three years, to continually say I was under funded before we were able to help us out and advance our budget forward and so I was very thankful for that money.
So I thanked him and I would suggest to you that if I had an opportunity for more money it would go into staff training and programs like the Nursing Program and social work program and so on.
I believe it’s Ms. Williams who said on numerous occasions that the focus of health has been on health and not on the social side and that was why we had the retreat in Pang last year to try and change that and that’s going to take some time to change the corporate structure all through the department.
If the minister could respond to the questions like that it would be very good.
Total operations and maintenance 151 million 33 thousand.
I think it was the shortest department that we dealt with so far.
Also, ever since we got here he’s not had his officials say one word so next year he will probably just have to be just by himself without his officials.
Thank you, minister and your officials for appearing before the committee.
At this time if the Housing Corporation’s Minister is ready we could just begin with his opening statement.
Mr. Ng you can begin with your opening statement.
Mr. Ng, Minister Responsible for Housing Corporation.
I’m pleased to be in Committee of the Whole this afternoon to discuss the Nunavut Housing Corporation Main Estimates for 2002-2003.
Overall the Corporation has a ten percent increase in funding over 2001-2002.
Of that increase, operations and maintenance has increased by 4.6 million.
This is a six percent increase over last year.
The most important change since the 2001-2002 operating budget is the addition of the delivery of the Government of Nunavut’s staff housing program.
With the consolidation of public and staff housing put under one roof; the Nunavut Housing Corporation will be able to deal with the housing needs of Nunavummiut in a more focused, co-ordinated way.
Mr. Chairman this approach will provide a fair and equitable delivery of housing solutions to all Nunavummiut.
The base budget transfer from the Department of Public Works and Services is 30.96 million dollars.
For this coming year, we have also identified forced growth and new initiative funding of 2.4 million dollars to lease additional units in Nunavut, 200 thousand dollars to renovate owned staff housing units and 243 thousand to deliver the condominium initiative.
In total, the Nunavut Housing Corporation will dedicate 33.8 million dollars to staff housing this year.
The staff housing budget for this fiscal year can be found on Information Item page 12-11.
Currently, the Nunavut Housing Corporation is considering options for long-term investment in our staff housing stock.
With this in mind the purchase of new staff housing units that are either constructed or will be constructed as potential condominium units is underway.
We will keep the Standing Committee informed of the Housing Corporation’s activities on this issue.
Committee members will see the 2002-2003 funding of 61.8 million to our local housing organizations on the Grants and Contributions line.
Staff housing expenditures make up the rest of the expenses for this page.
Like LHO funding, all expenditures for staff housing appear here.
In total, Affordable Housing Programs represent just over 72% of the total operating and maintenance budget of the corporation, representing a dollar value of 95.6 million dollars.
Funding for the LHOs has kept pace with our new construction schedule as has been the case since we built the first 100 new units.
O and M funding has been increased for the LHOs to ensure they receive adequate funding for administration, maintenance and to cover the cost of utilities.
For 2002 – 2003, LHOs will receive an additional 1.026 million dollars over last year’s contributions.
This represents the remaining 9 months of O and M for the 50 units the Housing Corporation built last year and three months for the units that will be built this coming summer to be completed by January 2003.
The Corporation is also increasing its administrative O and M budget in fiscal 2002/03.
As the Corporation matures and takes on more responsibility such as with what it did recently with the transfer of staff housing, costs rise and additional staff become necessary.
In addition, the Corporation is still rebuilding since its creation as a stand-alone organization.
This has led to:
Increased staffing costs totalling 688 thousand dollars Corporation-wide:
Two Technical Officers and two Program Officers in the Baffin District to accommodate increased workloads.
These additions will bring all communities in Nunavut up the same level of service from the Corporation.
A Senior Policy analyst in the Directorate Group to accommodate increased workloads and responsibilities.
A Senior Informatics Technician in the Headquarters Group to accommodate Informatics requirements for both the Corporation and Local Housing Organizations.
The Corporation has also established a training fund that will allow Corporation employees, LHO employees and Board members access to targeted training programs.
In keeping with the Corporation’s employment strategy in its Business and Inuit Employment plans, this 286 thousand dollars fund will allow up to sixty employees and Board members to receive professional development training every year.
100 thousand dollars has been dedicated to a feasibility study to determine if the Nunavut Arctic College “Old Residence”, the site of the Arctic Winter Games Athlete’s Village can be renovated into a mixed-use residential complex.
Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to report that this 100 thousand dollars is the only one-time funding amount in the increase to the Corporation’s base budget.
The remaining 4.5 million dollars is part of the continuing demonstration of this government’s resolve to attack our housing crisis head-on.
In total, forced growth and one-time initiatives for the Corporation total 2.1 million dollars.
Combined with the staff housing transfer of 33.8 million and adjustments for the Collective Agreement of 420 thousand dollars and a reduction of 760 thousand dollars for the reduced price of fuel; the 2002-2003 budget is just over 76.2 million dollars, before the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation O and M funding and other Corporation-generated revenues of approximately 56 million dollars.
With all sources identified, the Housing Corporation operating budget will come in at just over 132.4 million dollars.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Ng. Are you going to be bringing officials?
Any opening comments from the Chairperson of the standing committee?
As Chairman of the Standing Committee on Community Empowerment and Sustainable Development, I am pleased to be able to provide opening comments as we begin the review of the 2002-2003 main estimates for the Nunavut Housing Corporation.
Mr. Chairman, over the past month, the Standing Committee has had the opportunity to meet with the new Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation and carefully reviewed its main estimates.
Mr. Chairman, the committee noted with interest that the Housing Corporation has taken on responsibility for Government of Nunavut staff housing.
In his opening address that began the Sixth Session, the Commissioner notes that by bringing employee and public housing under one roof, the corporation will be able to make more effective policies and allocations for housing across Nunavut.
Having noted that the Corporation is continuing work on the public housing rent scale review and tenant-to-owner programs, the committee encourages the Corporation to being a similar review with respect to the rent scale for employee housing.
The committee urges the Corporation to seek a balance between income-based rent and rent based on the size of the unit.
The committee looks forward to reviewing the staff housing condominium project and policies associated with the purchase of those units by Government of Nunavut employees.
The committee cautions the Corporation that staff home ownership programs should not become a money making venture for short-term employees.
Mr. Chairman, the committee was pleased to have recently met with the minister regarding the public housing rent scale review and tenant-to-owner program.
Recognising that the rent scale review stems from recommendations made by the Minister’s Task Force on Housing two years ago, the committee urges the minister to see that these projects come to fruition as quickly as possible.
Mr. Chairman, the standing committee is looking forward to work with the minister and the Housing Corporation in the coming year to formulate new staff housing policies.
Mr. Chairman, the committee noted with interest that funds have been set aside to complete a feasibility study of the Nunavut Arctic College Old Residence to determine if it can be renovated into a mixed-use residential complex.
I will slow down Mr. Chairman.
It is important that all innovative options be taken into account to ensure that all housing stock is increasing and resources are not being wasted.
The Housing Corporation has taken many of the Housing Task Force recommendations and has put them into effect.
However, the committee is concerned that all of the issues raised by the task force are not being given due consideration.
The committee would like the Corporation to continuing working from the task force recommendations, specifically with respect to reviewing the Housing Corporation Act, and investigating innovative housing design.
Mr. Chairman, the standing committee recognises that 87 percent of employees of Local Housing Organizations are beneficiaries; however, concern exists that Inuit employment statistics for the Corporation do not reflect this number.
The housing Corporation, is required by law to table an annual report.
The standing committee would like to see the Corporation table its outstanding annual report before the end of this session.
Mr. Chairman, just as there is a new Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation, so too is there a new minister responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.
The standing committee strongly encourages the minister to meet with the Honourable John Manley at the earliest opportunity.
It would be desirable for this meeting to be held in Nunavut, so that the Minister responsible for CMHC can see first-hand the challenges facing Nunavut with respect to housing.
A visit to Nunavut, which may be the first for Minister Manley, with an emphasis on the housing crisis, and the health issues related to overcrowding, may drive home the real needs of Nunavummiut to our federal partners.
It has been noted that health spending by the provinces and territories is expanding beyond sustainable levels.
It is important for the new Minister of CMHC to see the current housing conditions and recognise that reducing instances of overcrowding is in fact a preventative measure as overcrowding contributes to both social and health problems in the territory.
That concludes my comments on the main estimates of the Nunavut Housing Corporation.
I would like to ask the minister if he would like to have witnesses.
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Thank you, Mr. Chairman, I’m prepared to go to the witness table and entertain general comments.
The staff will be here after the break.
Chairperson (interpretation): Okay, Mr. Ng go ahead.
The witnesses are here also.
Mr. Ng, if you would identify your officials.
To my right is Ms. Pam Hine, the President of the Nunavut Housing Corporation and to my left is Mr. Chris D’Arcy, Director of Policy and Planning and also on his way is Mr. David Akoak, Vice-President will be here shortly.
Chairperson (interpretation): Welcome all.
I would just like to say that at 6 p.m. we will be taking a break and I think there are two members that will have an opportunity to make their general comments.
General comments to the opening remarks.
I don’t have a whole lot of comments to make but I feel that when we had the task force there were recommendations that were made at that time and it was in regards to finding solutions to the housing shortage and the housing crisis we are in.
At that time I found that in some of the communities there was some misunderstanding about the tasks that were given to them and we have to give accurate information to the communities out there if we are going to be bringing out any information.
If the staff of the Nunavut Housing Corporation are going to be going to communities they have to fully understand what their mandate is and take the community concerns back to their offices so that they can look for the solutions.
That wasn’t the case and there was a misunderstanding in my riding, I was told about this and it hurt me.
This individual was an elder and he was misinformed.
With the Nunavut Housing Corporation and the main estimates the people of Nunavut have a right to housing and of course we are not going to find a solution right away, but it’s desirable to have adequate housing for the people of Nunavut.
As a Member of the Legislative Assembly if I went into a house with, I don’t know what the maximum number of people who can live in a house is, but in some houses that have two or three bedrooms, there are sixteen or fifteen individuals living under one roof. That causes hardship for the people living in that house.
Representing my community I will make a comment that was told to me by this particular individual.
I’m sure that the rents are lower for apartments or units but those types of housing cause further problems because people can have access from the other units beside you.
There was a case of a murder in one of these buildings and it was very sad for our community of Clyde River and I’m sure that happens in the other communities.
I don’t know whether that happens in the other communities or not but I think that we have to seriously consider providing stand alone housing because it adds to the stress.
I do know that it is going to be more cost effective to build row housing and apartments.
To add further, the inadequate housing contributes to health hazards.
There might be inadequate ventilation, even though the window is open but if the ventilation system, if there is a hole in the roof of the building, it would be better ventilation for a house and the dust and everything could go out through there.
We all know if the women don’t clean their houses a lot of dust accumulates everywhere.
It is only through the women cleaning the houses that we are dust-free.
If you don’t dust for three days, there is a thick layer of dust because there is no hole up there in the roof.
When I see your little logo it has a little igloo but there is no ventilation up there because of course there is an opening for the entrance.
We don’t see ventilation in the little igloo that you use as a logo; it is not a laughing matter, because it contributes to your health.
In the communities we have to inform the people out there about the Housing Corporation and what it is doing and what types of programs there are so that they are fully informed.
And also to let the communities know what types of responsibilities that they have.
In my two communities of Qikiqtarjuaq and Clyde, the Hamlet Council now has the responsibility to run the Housing, but they have no desire to take on the Housing responsibility.
So we have to fix that up.
Those are my closing remarks so I would like to thank you, Mr. Chairman, for giving me the opportunity.