EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
The standing committee was pleased to note that both departments are working together on solid waste management and look forward to ongoing updates on this important issue. This is a comment that I also made in my opening comments on the 2012-13 Capital Estimates for the Department of Community and Government Services.
Mr. Chairman, I would like to note that the Minister of Community and Government Services tabled a document earlier today on the current status of the waste management program.
Chairman: Excuse me, Mr. Rumbolt.
For the benefit of our interpreters, slow down a little bit, please.
Mr. Rumbolt: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Maybe they need to listen faster.
I will try, Mr. Chairman.
The committee looks forward to its review of the department’s 2012-13 main estimates and business plan at the upcoming winter sitting of the Legislative Assembly.
Mr. Chairman, that concludes my opening comments on the proposed 2012-13 Capital Estimates of the Department of Environment.
Before we proceed, I would like to remind you that according to Rule 77(1), you have 10 minutes to speak, and according to Rule 77(2), subject to the discretion of the Chair, a member may speak more than once to a matter under discussion but not until every member wishing to speak has spoken.
I suggest once again that wherever possible you ask your detailed questions during the page-by-page review of the departmental estimates.
I would like to welcome the hon. minister as well as your officials here.
I’m sure Nunavut is well recognized for its beauty and its vastness; I mean two million square kilometres is immense. It’s good to see that there are a lot of protection and mechanisms in place in order to ensure that these are well respected and taken care of.
I’m sure Nunavut Tourism does an excellent job and I’m sure they will be promoting a lot of these wonderful parks and areas as well.
I’m sure that my colleague from Gjoa Haven, Ms. Ugyuk, will be happy to know as well that we both identify with Back River and what we wanted to enhance was to ensure that this unique place is also recognized and well protected. It’s nice to see in the minister’s opening comments that they’re becoming more open in the sense of advancing and planning activities for the Back River.
In previous statements, I just wanted to emphasize that there are strong genealogical ties between Baker Lake, Gjoa Haven, and Back River; there are extended family members. With that, I just want to remind that there are very many prominent, world-renowned artists that come from this area.
I think it would do a lot of good and enforce some pride, as I have stated that there are world-renowned artists, and I think this would bring a lot more attention and sensitivity towards the cultural aspects as well as environmental protection.
I, too, would like to welcome the minister, his deputy and his officials as I know them all. I am grateful that you are able to be present before us.
Prior to our asking questions, I have a comment on this particular matter. The line item listed on page 2 speaks about sealing and fisheries.
This is particularly important to our community as we are one of the few communities that are into fisheries. The fact that there is a budget set aside is very gratifying, especially as it is very important to our future economic development and self-sufficiency.
Furthermore, the second item which is mentioned here speaks to parks and special places. I’m not sure exactly of the proper term for these items. With wildlife increasingly less available and the fact that wildlife is constantly on the move, if Inuit are no longer hunting due to old age, these parks will be important to enjoy the land.
We will eventually have to no longer hunt and just enjoy the land in our old age as we will no longer be able to reach the wildlife.
This is just a welcoming comment, but I will also have some questions later, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Oshutapik. (interpretation ends) I failed to recognize the minister.
Did you want to make a comment just previously?
That’s fine. I would have included it here somewhere eventually, but thank you very much.
I would like to thank the member from Pangnirtung and he is very correct in saying that the fisheries industry is very important to Nunavut and also to his community, where there’s a lot going on in fisheries.
I just wanted to say to Mr. Aupaluktuq that I appreciate your words and comments on the Back River because it is a very important project that we’re moving forward on and it’s going to take some time to get where we want to go, but I would like to thank you for initiating this whole project a few years ago. I think it’s a very good cause.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Minister Shewchuk. I have no more names on my list for general comments. We’re on page G-3.
The details are on page G-4.
My question is for Mr. Monteith and I would like him to answer the question for a very good reason: he used to live in Sanikiluaq many years ago and I’m sure a lot people there would like to see his face on TV.
Mr. Chairman, in the budget, it says $100,000 towards the Sanikiluaq Park Development.
I’m wondering if Mr. Monteith can describe what this money will be used for.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Rumbolt. (interpretation ends) That was many years ago.
This year, we are hoping to get the preliminary feasibility study completed for Sanikiluaq. In fact, I’m hoping to have the study done by the end of this month. Based on the results of that study, it will have a variety of ideas of where we go next.
We will be meeting with the community, QIA, and obviously our minister would have input into that process. Based on that, we will develop a work plan for next year.
So what we got in the budget is an estimate of what we think we may need.
It may be a little bit more that’s required or it may be less, but it’s just a number that we figure is appropriate at this point in time.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Monteith.
In October 2010, we had the privilege of having your officials appear at one point, and I did ask before and I would like to ask again in regard toG-4 under the Baker Lake Thelon and Kazan Heritage River.
I want to ask: what exactly is planned for the Thelon and Kazan Heritage River development?
The Thelon and Kazan, there’s ongoing development of a management plan for that river. There have been delays because of negotiations and IIBA agreements that are ongoing.
So basically that’s the status of where that is right now.
I wanted to ask as well as a follow-up in regard to communication or negotiations with IIBA.
Do you foresee any data as to when you might want have clarity or even some more updated information as to what the process will be?
Just to clarify, this whole process for these IIBAs is lead by the Government of Canada and we’re part of that. So they would be setting the agenda, but we would hope that there’s progress by the end of the year and we definitely will keep the member informed.
On G-4 under Qikiqtaaluk - various for the Napaaqtulik (Axel Heiberg Island) Park Development, there’s $100,000 being allocated to that.
I’m wondering if the minister could elaborate on what has been done with that project.
I know that there has been communication with the community, but is the $100,000 for more development and more research as to what should be done with the park or boundaries, or is it for actual facilities?
The $100,000 is, similar to Sanikiluaq, to do a feasibility study on the whole park development.
With the importance to Grise Fiord in terms of making sure that area is preserved in its natural state, I’m wondering: what sort of a timeline is planned for seeing the actual park come to fruition?
I think, in previous years, there has been $300,000 spent and now there’s going to be $100,000 spent.
How long until the park will actually be set up?
As he can appreciate, it takes time to develop a park. There are many steps that you have to go through and it could be a costly endeavour.
I would just like to clarify for him again too that we are doing a feasibility study with this money and that is absolutely going to include the consultation of Grise Fiord and the communities.
As timelines to when there is going to be a park, to be very honest, Mr. Chairman, we don’t even know if there is going to be a park at this time because that’s what a feasibility study is all about, to communicate and consult with the people and see what their concerns are.
We hope there will be, but as to deadlines and dates when a park will be in place, we cannot answer that question at this time.
Mr. Elliott: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you for that information because, again, that is good to know.
In conversations with the HTO chairperson and residents in Grise Fiord, they would like to see that.
They’re not working towards the possibility but definitely wanting to preserve that area.
My next question is on G-4 as well with the Repulse Bay Wildlife Office Replacement. There is $150,000 that we will be approving today.
I’m wondering and again, partly curiosity because of Repulse Bay and whether this will be all the construction money needed for that facility or whether it’s just the design.
I noticed, as what the Chairman had said, Resolute Bay as well will be allocated $150,000 in the following year’s budget. So if the minister could answer that.
Well, the short answer is that the $150,000 is for planning and design.
As we have spoken before, once that phase is done, we will have a better projection of what it’s going to cost to actually construct these things.
The planning and design is the year after that is scheduled and is planned for Resolute Bay in 2013, I believe.
Thank you, Mr. Minister, your deputy and officials.
I just want to ask for clarification on your opening comments. You didn’t say anything about fisheries and sealing.
It says here that there is a $214,000 budget for research.
What I would like to know about is the research that was done in Cumberland Sound to determine if it would be economically feasible during the summer and not just the winter, as it has been to date.
For the people who do winter fisheries, if they should decide to do summer fishing, would there be any monies that could be accessed from your department? I don’t see anything here and that is why I’m asking.
Will you be providing assistance in this as well?
I’ll just clarify. The $214,000 for research equipment, that is for the vessel Nuliajuk, the new research vessel, to upgrade the equipment that we have on board. As the member will know, we did quite a bit of research this year in Cumberland Sound and it was very successful and we accomplished 100 percent of what we wanted to do there.
As far as winter and summer fisheries, any funding that’s acquired through there would be through O&M funding, which is not capital funding, but it would be and there are monies available, I’ll just say, Mr. Chairman, through the fisheries diversification fund to assist fishermen in those regards and those endeavours.
I would like to supplement that question on page G-4 and also included in the minister’s opening comments on page 2, and it’s for 2012-13.
I believe it was in July.
So if you can elaborate on something that was started in July.
In the English, I never got a question, or all I heard was July. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Shewchuk.
Ms. Ell, maybe you could rephrase your question.
Thank you to the minister and his staff.
I’ll rephrase the question. It’s in regard to the budget on the scientific equipment for the research vessel for 2012-13 of $214,000.
This vessel may have started operating or has started the progress and this year, they’re asking for the scientific equipment. Is this vessel now in operation?
Can the minister explain the status of this vessel at this time?
I would like to thank Ms. Ell for the excellent question and I will explain it in very great detail.
It’s a very good news story for Nunavut in the fact that we acquired federal funding and built our new research vessel, the Nuliajuk, in Nunavut.
It was completed this spring/summer and it sailed up here.
We did have, as she well knows, a grand opening of it here on July 11, I believe it was, in Iqaluit, and then it went off and did its research for the summer.
The vessel is a very expensive vessel, it’s approximately $3.5 million, very highly equipped with sophisticated information and research equipment and facilities on it, and having this equipment provides us with very great accessibility to do research in Nunavut.
We had set our targets and goals on what research we were going to do this summer and we did all of that. It was very successful.
We found out more. As you go through the process, doing research and having the vessel, you find out what the needs are.
We need some more technical and highly technical equipment, I guess I could put it, on this boat and that’s what the $214,000 is for.
Plans are being developed with communities and with DFO on next year’s research taking place.
The boat presently has sailed back down to Glovertown, Newfoundland for some warranty work and that is where it is right now, but it’s a very successful endeavour that the Department of Environment is very proud of.
Ms. Ell: Thank you, Iksivautaaq. (interpretation) I also thank the minister for his excellent response.
In the substantiation sheets, it states that there will be four employees hired every year.
My question is: I know that you require qualified personnel, but will you also be hiring employees who are from Nunavut?
If they’re not hiring Nunavummiut, have they made plans to try to train Nunavummiut who could assume these positions down the road?
Hopefully I’m not off topic with that question, Mr. Chairman.
I would just like to tell Ms. Ell that we’re very proud that right from the get-go on this project, in the initial thinking of even having a research vessel, the whole goal was to have beneficiaries and Inuit employed on this vessel.
Initially and now, of course, being such a commercial vessel, you do need a qualified, trained, skilled crew, which we do have.
However, we did employ two beneficiaries on the vessel this year.
It worked out very well and we’re training them into being mates on the boat.
Rightfully, as you say too, any research that takes place, we will also take advantage of any chance that we can get to include beneficiaries in doing the research.
So the program is working out and we’re always going to target to have more beneficiaries and Inuit working on the boat.
I don’t think I have another question. Nonetheless, this project seems to be well thought out. I will try to find out more details about what kind of research will be undertaken in the northern waters.
Within the Nunavut Economic Development Strategy, we seem to be missing maps that outline the area of research.
Will this mapping be included or is it specifically just for fisheries?
If my comments were understandable, that is.
Specifically, right now, we’re just doing fisheries research.
At this time, I have no more names on my list. We’re on page G-3. Environment.
Branch Summary. Program Management. Total Capital Expenditures. $3,044,000.
Chairman (interpretation): Page G-2. Department Summary. Environment.
Mission. Detail of Expenditures. Total Capital Expenditures. $3,044,000.
Do you agree that we have concluded with the Department of Environment?
I would like to ask the Minister of Environment if he has any closing comments. Minister Shewchuk.
I would like to thank you, your committee, and the members for approving this budget. I think it’s very important that we move forward with the projects outlined in the Department of Environment’s budget.
We will assure to use this money wisely and benefit all Nunavutmiut.
Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank my witnesses for being with me and I would like to just thank our Acting Director of Corporate Services, Wei Zeng. This is her first time in the House, I believe.
Welcome and thank you for your help. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Minister and your officials. Welcome to the House.
We will move on with the departmental review of the capital estimates.
I would like to ask Minister Peterson, Minister of Justice, if he has any opening comments.
Bill 15 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2012-2013 – Justice – Consideration in Committee
I am pleased to appear before the committee to review the Department of Justice draft 2012-13 capital estimates.
A total amount of $900,000 is being allocated for the Department of Justice capital expenditures for the fiscal year.
As with previous years, the department’s major capital expenditure is the completion of the new men’s correctional healing facility in Rankin Inlet.
The total amount allocated for this important project is $500,000.
Upon completion, the minimum-security Rankin Inlet facility will accommodate up to 48 inmates with 32 beds for medium-risk offenders and 16 beds in apartment style living for low-risk offenders.
The facility will serve to relieve some of the capacity issues faced by the Baffin Correctional Centre and will also enable offenders from the Kivalliq to serve their sentences closer to home and family.
Construction of the facility is nearing completion.
Unfortunately delays in connecting power and water have resulted in the completion date being pushed back.
The Department of Community and Government Services is confident that construction will be complete by December 2011.
Upon completion of construction, the Corrections Division will begin testing systems, training staff, developing programs, and brining the facility online.
Everyone at the department is looking forward to the successful opening of the facility within the first half of 2012.
(interpretation ends) Minister Peterson, please introduce your witnesses.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Peterson. (interpretation ends) Does the chair of the standing committee have comments?
Ms. Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) I am pleased to provide you with opening comments on behalf of the Standing Committee on Social Wellness concerning its review of the proposed 2012-13 Capital Estimates of the Department of Justice.
The standing committee notes that the department’s total proposed capital budget of $900,000 is primarily allocated to the completion of the new men’s correctional facility in Rankin Inlet.
During the minister’s recent appearance before the standing committee, members were advised that the anticipated completion date of the facility is in December of this year.
During the minister’s recent appearance before the standing committee, members engaged in a broad dialogue concerning issues related to the territory’s correctional facilities.
Members note that the new men’s correctional facility in Rankin Inlet is designed to accommodate 48 medium- and low-risk offenders.
Although the opening of this facility will help to address overcrowding at BCC, which currently houses approximately 90 offenders, members recognize that a number of factors, including proposed new federal crime legislation, will continue to put pressure on the capacity of the territory’s correctional facilities.
Mr. Chairman, members also note that the staff housing costs associated with the Rankin Inlet Correctional Centre amount to an additional $11.88 million.
This amount has been funded through the budget of the Nunavut Housing Corporation.
The standing committee urges the minister to provide regular updates to the Legislative Assembly on the status of the new correctional facility in Rankin Inlet, including any initiatives on the part of the department to explore options for expanding the facility.
Members of the standing committee also look forward to reviewing the status of staffing and programming at the new facility during their upcoming consideration of the department’s proposed 2012-13 main estimates and business plan, as well as the department’s progress in transferring offenders from the Baffin Correctional Centre and repatriating offenders from outside of the territory.
Mr. Chairman, recent news reports have indicated that the Department of Justice has been “considering a temporary jail for Iqaluit and housing more inmates at outpost camps.”
During the minister’s recent appearance before the standing committee, he confirmed that his department is considering a number of options to increase correctional capacity in Iqaluit, including the potential use of modular sprung structures.
The standing committee also recognizes that the construction of a new facility to replace the Baffin Correctional Centre would be a significant undertaking.
On December 1, 2009, the minister informed the Legislative Assembly that “the funding for a $100 million to $150 million capital project of this nature would be very difficult to proceed with in any event.”
Mr. Chairman, the standing committee supports efforts on the part of the minister to engage his federal, provincial, and territorial counterparts to identify cooperative measures to help address our territory’s needs.
Members recognize that approximately 60 offenders from Nunavut are currently serving their sentences at facilities in the Northwest Territories and Ontario because of lack of space in our jurisdiction.
The standing committee urges the minister to begin the practice of tabling an annual report in the Legislative Assembly on the state of the territory’s correctional system, including current and comprehensive statistics on the number of offenders in territorial correctional facilities, outpost camps, and out-of-territory facilities, as well as an accounting of departmental expenditures incurred under agreements with other jurisdictions for the placement of offenders.
This information would be of benefit to all Members of the Legislative Assembly and would assist the government in analyzing and substantiating the need for new correctional facilities and resources.
This annual report would also benefit from including detailed information concerning the effectiveness of the department’s rehabilitation and treatment programs in reducing the rate at which individuals in territorial custody reoffend.
During the minister’s recent appearance before the standing committee, members raised the issue of outpost camps.
Members were advised that five camps are currently operational across the territory.
Members recognize the importance of effective healing and rehabilitation programs that will help enable offenders to successfully reintegrate into their communities.
Members also recognize the importance of incorporating cultural components in rehabilitation.
Mr. Chairman, the department’s proposed 2012-13 capital estimates also include $400,000 for minor capital projects, including upgrades to the Baffin Correctional Centre, the Kugluktuk Men’s Healing Centre, and vehicle replacements.
During the minister’s recent appearance before the standing committee, members took the opportunity to pose questions to the minister concerning the condition and safety of the Baffin Correctional Centre, including its compliance with applicable legislation and codes in relation to fire safety.
Members urge the departments of Justice and Community and Government Services to work closely together to address this issue.
Mr. Chairman, that concludes my opening comments on the proposed 2012-13 Capital Estimates of the Department of Justice.
Today I have continually been reiterating our rules, specifically Rule 77(1) and Rule 77(2), and I no longer wish to remind you as these rules are probably seared in your minds.
What I do want to remind members is that when you wish to raise questions on an item, please withhold your questions until we reach the appropriate page during our page-by-page review of the departmental estimates.
At this time, does anyone have questions on the minister’s opening comments?
We’re on page C-3.
On page C-3 and C-4, there’s an allocation of… . Actually, maybe I’m a little mixed up. Nope, I’m not.
The departmental minor capital, I was wondering if we could get clarification or a breakdown on that.
I know that in the minister’s comments over the past week, he did mention about $300,000 being struck from the previous capital and the, I guess, sad state of BCC.