EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
In terms of a response to that, I am going to be writing a letter to the Inuit organizations just to clarify my point and what I meant by transparency because I received a copy of a press release that I was ill informed.
I am not ill informed. I know, as a former employee of Inuit organizations and board member, that there is no process in place for transparency of personal business interests or interests of yourself or your children in the Inuit organizations.
As well, I received a copy of a press release that was issued by Franco that speaks to everything that I thought was not transparent. For example, in the press release it talks about because our meetings are open, they’re transparent.
We’re open, so we’re transparent. They produce minutes. We produce Hansard.
They produce various reports. We produce various reports. Their policies are in place but that does not mean they’re transparent, which totally missed the boat with respect to my comments.
Thank you, colleagues, for that.
I want to make it clear that when I spoke about transparency, I didn’t talk about because we hold public meetings and because you say you are transparent in a physical sense, it doesn’t mean that you are.
I want to make that clear for the record and I will be following up in writing but taking minutes, having public meetings, and producing reports is not what my point was. My point was, as a member and a beneficiary of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement, we have the right to question the compensation of our elected officials.
I produce, through this House, my package, my interests, my house, my vehicles, and so on.
I read all the reports that are produced like every other beneficiary in Nunavut and I want to go to the last annual report of 2007, which basically speaks to why I think they should be more transparent.
If I go to page 82, it says that the elected officials from presidents to vice-presidents receive a salary range between $143,000 and $156,000, and we don’t know which ones receive that but for us to declare as individuals.
The other thing they list is that they also receive free housing; it’s not so free because Nunavut’s beneficiaries pay for that, vacation travel assistance, northern allowance, free vehicles; it’s not so free again because we pay for that, transitional allowance, and so on, but it also does not include personal business interests of self or of their dependents.
So I just want to make clear what I meant by transparency again.
I think, through a letter that I will be sending to the Inuit organization, just to clarify my point. As a beneficiary, I am entitled to an opinion of what I think is transparency and so on, and I have, in the past, asked for this of my President in the Kitikmeot and I have received nothing.
I think the press release, to some extent, is misleading in that way, so I wanted to make it very clear today that I intend follow-up to clarify why I spoke of transparency and I want to share with the executives of the Inuit organizations because as beneficiaries, Nunavummiut, I think, we need to know.
Member’s Statement 394 – 2(4): Integrity Act Guidelines Not Relevant to Inuit Organizations (Curley)
Mr. Curley: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation) I would like to speak in Inuktitut.
When we were debating the Censure Report of the Integrity Commissioner, I think someone was out of order.
What was brought forth by the Nattilik Member was not even relevant to Inuit organizations. From what I understand it had to be absolutely relevant.
The Integrity Commissioner’s guidelines and (interpretation ends) legislation is the law.
It applies only to the Members of this House, elected Members of this House, no other.
It doesn’t allow for trying and begging the question that every other organization or Crown corporation, or CBC, for all that matter, should comply with Nunavut’s Integrity Act. That’s not the point, so it’s not comparable. I want to say that.
(interpretation) The Inuit organizations have been established for some time now. They have brought the Inuit up to where they are now in standing. When we have Members’ Statements, we will not get any answers about looking at the salaries of different organizations.
We have to be transparent, like the Premier said the other day when he was going to Vancouver, but he didn’t say anything to the caucus that he was going to charter a plane. We wouldn’t have approved that as members.
The Premier also, I heard that Hill & Knowlton went to play golf in Ottawa at their invitation. The information has not been made public when he went down to play golf but the information has to be made public.
How many times have they done that? And, with respect to the Crown Corporations’ issues as well, we have not seen how large the bonuses are.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) A Point of Order has been called.
We all know that I like to play golf but to be falsely accused in the House, it is not right. We have guidelines and policies to follow.
I just don’t like to be charged in the House. I follow and always try to follow the Conflict of Interest guidelines. When I’m being falsely accused, it’s not appropriate in the House.
Hon. Leona Aglukkaq: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to raise a Point of Order. As a Member of this House, I am entitled to make a Member’s Statement on any subject and I did that today; it’s not against the law, it’s not against the House Rules, and it’s not against the law to ask our Inuit organizations to be transparent.
I’m not applying our internal laws; I’m saying we can do more to be transparent.
There’s nothing wrong with that as implied that I have gone beyond my job. So I don’t think that the member is correct by saying that and he’s imputing motive again, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Curley, I will stop you from making your statements as we will have to review them, but I will give you an opportunity to speak to the Point of Order. Mr. Curley.
Mr. Curley: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation) First of all, I have only heard of that individual going to play golf and for that reason, I stated it whether it’s fact or not as I haven’t asked him. Maybe if the Premier clarified it because it’s possible that what I heard is true, but he didn’t say whether or not he was playing golf. It’s possible that he might have been in Ottawa for that reason.
With regards to the Minister of Health’s Point of Order, I didn’t say that she broke any laws or policies, but I’m just trying to state that when we were dealing with the Integrity Commissioner, the issue was brought up that organizations aren’t transparent enough.
She’s stating that beyond what she’s supposed to in the House and I didn’t say that she’s wrong. (interpretation ends) Thank you.
Following your points, you need to apologize to the House for the statements you made.
Mr. Curley: Thank you. (interpretation) What am I supposed to apologize for?
I am asking you to apologize for the statements you directed to the Premier.
Mr. Curley (interpretation): Yes, if I accused him, I apologize to the Premier.
Also, with regards to the Member for Nattilik, what you were discussing are just arguments at this time and there’s no Point of Order to your statements.
I would like the visitors to feel welcome but I’m sorry that we had a little bit of an argument while they were here.
I would like to recognize them all and welcome them to the House; I represent some of them and we, as a whole, represent all of them.
First of all, we have some individuals here that are doing research on how Inuit societal values can be reintegrated into today’s society and how they can be used as educational material particularly in Iqaluit and the Baffin region at this time.
First of all, I would like to recognize Akesuk Joamie, please feel welcome.
As well, Enookie Nowdluk from Iqaluit.
As well, one of your constituents from Pangnirtung, Jamesie Mike, welcome.
As well, one of Akesuk’s constituents, Simeonie Aqpik, from Kimmirut, welcome.
As well, one of Eddy’s constituents, Simon Nattaq, I wish him a warm welcome.
As well, one of my constituents, I really want him to be welcomed, Sammy Qaumariak.
As well, another one of Eddy’s constituents, Mosesee Atagoyuk, please feel welcome.
As well, Jacob Shaimaiyuk, please feel welcome.
Sorry, he is currently not in the Gallery. As well, Akulisik Nowdlak... sorry, he is not here either.
Also, I would like to welcome their employees; Meeka Mike, welcome to the Gallery.
And finally, one of Eddy’s constituents, Jacopoosie Peter.
Please feel welcome because we get consoled by our elders.
Question 485 – 2(4): Fuel Delivery Service in Sanikiluaq (Kattuk)
Mr. Speaker, earlier today I spoke of the problems my constituents have been having with their fuel delivery.
Can the minister clarify for this House whether or not she is aware of this problem with the fuel delivery service in Sanikiluaq?
Yes, in regard to these types of contracts, I get reports of contracts occasionally from all over Nunavut, including his community.
I don’t think she understood my question. Is she aware of this problem with the fuel delivery service in Sanikiluaq?
I understood his question because he asked if I was aware of any problems with contracts for fuel delivery in his community.
I am aware of some of the issues, as problems with contracts are usually reported to me, but based on the information I have in respect to the fuel delivery service issues in Sanikiluaq, based on his question, this is the first that I have heard of it.
Can the minister clarify for this House how her department works with small communities to ensure that fuel delivery contracts are met and that equipment needs are addressed in a timely manner?
In Nunavut, there are contracts for the delivery of fuel in the communities. For the past ten years, some of the contractors have held these contracts and some of them are run by the Co-ops and private businesses.
There are different delivery methods in the communities and none of them are exactly the same.
As well, PPD, which is under CGS, is working with the community of Sanikiluaq. The delivery trucks are prepared and organized by their respective communities when the need arises, but private businesses inform us on their own, though PPD, of what condition the delivery trucks are in.
Mr. Kattuk: I have two more.
Can the minister update this House on how often servicing of vehicles such as the fuel delivery truck need to be replaced and what resources are in place to ensure that fuel delivery trucks are properly maintained?
The contractors have to monitor their operations to ensure that the trucks are in good condition, and if the fuel delivery trucks need to be replaced, then they are obligated to inform either the government, or PPD, or CGS.
Question 486 – 2(4): Simplification of Fuel Tax Rebate Applications (Tootoo)
My question is for the Minister of Finance, who is responsible for the Fuel Tax Rebate Program.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the minister for tabling last week the report for the following year on it.
Mr. Speaker, the minister indicated that they were going to revamp and simplify the application process.
Can he outline what kind of things they’re looking at doing to simplify the application process?
The original application form was two pages and they had to declare their household income and so on.
The form was too complicated, especially for full-time hunters because they had a hard enough time filling them out without any assistance.
So we have made the following modifications to the application process: we shortened the application form to one page requesting only the name, mailing address, Social Insurance Number, and indicate whether they’re full-time, part-time, or seasonal hunters, then it is signed by the conservation officer in the community indicating that the information provided is true, and then it’s sent to the Department of Finance once it’s signed.
Include gas receipts with the application filled out and signed, and then mail it to Iqaluit, and from there, the Department of Finance will review the applications and calculate the rebate amount.
We will be making cheques out to applicants four times a year, and if they keep sending the gas receipts, then we will enter the applicants’ data into the computer so that we will have all of the information. The first application may be difficult but it will get easier in subsequent applications, Mr. Speaker.
I think we all know that if people who go out hunting, sometimes they use someone else’s boat, or snowmobile, or ATV when they go out.
I understand that one of the requirements under the old program was for the applicants to put down the serial numbers of their equipment.
I guess it’s kind of difficult if you’re not always using your own equipment, or you’re borrowing someone else’s, and that’s three or four different serial numbers on there.
I’m just wondering if the minister could confirm that the requirement to put down serial numbers of equipment is no longer in the application process.
There will no longer be a requirement to indicate what the fuel was used for. All we’re asking for are the receipts for the purchase of fuel and whether they’re full-time hunters. As long as they indicate those, then they will qualify.
We’re not asking what kind of equipment they use, whether it’s a boat, an ATV, or a snowmobile. So those are the modifications that we have made.
I thank the minister for that response and confirming that they have taken that out, although, I wonder why that was even put in there in the first place.
Mr. Speaker, my next question to the minister is: they have simplified the process for harvesters; have there been any changes in the application process for businesses that are applying for a rebate under the program?
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): The hunters aren’t the only ones who qualify for the rebate but it’s also available for those who have outfitting businesses or sport hunting guides as long as they operate their four-wheelers, snowmobiles, or boats out on the land.
They can also get a rebate if they’re making a living off hunting or running an outfitting business. So they will be eligible if they’re hunters, fisherman, or outfitters, Mr. Speaker.
I wonder if the minister could outline if there are any changes, like for mining companies that, I think, this program was basically targeted for, for the rebate program.
Will there be any changes, and he mentioned businesses but he never mentioned the mining companies, and those are, I would assume, potentially the biggest draw on the program.
Is there any different reporting or application requirements for them under the program?
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): We already have the forms for mining companies because an agreement needs to be signed between the government and the mining company before any development can occur, so the one for mining companies will remain the same.
We’re just simplifying the ones that are geared toward the hunters and outfitters because it was too complicated to fill that out, so we have simplified it.
It still remains the same for the mining companies. If they want a Fuel Tax Rebate, then they must have the form signed, and that has not changed, Mr. Speaker.
Question 487 – 2(4): Determination/Definition of a Hunter (Kattuk)
I would like to supplement my colleague’s questions to the Minister of Finance.
How do you differentiate the hunters? As you stated earlier, the conservation officers will have to sign.
In our community, we just got a new conservation officer and he doesn’t even know who the hunters are because he is fairly new.
He’s not sure who the full-time hunters are, so I don’t know if the conservation officer will know.
They will be sending cheques out four times a year.
The conservation officers have to sign the form to indicate that the person who is applying is a hunter and the person also has to indicate that he is a hunter.
What we thought of was that the conservation officers usually know who the full-time hunters are, and even if they don’t know, we have asked the hunters and trappers organizations to help with the form if the conservation officer is unable to.
That’s how it is, Mr. Speaker.
I would like to ask a question with regards to students because they like to go out hunting after school or during the weekend.
Can the students also get rebates for the purchase of fuel?
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): There are three questions on the form: whether they’re a full-time hunter who goes out everyday or when he can, or a part-time hunter who goes out hunting on the weekend or after work, or a seasonal hunter who goes out hunting during the spring or winter, for instance, while they’re on holidays.
As long as they indicate which one it is, then that form would be signed by the conservation officer.
If the student purchases gas which he will use to go out hunting, then it would make it credible that they’re going out hunting and the conservation officer would sign the form because they know we’re going to try this on a trial basis.
We might encounter some problems at first until we smooth it out, but the form has been simplified and I’m sure it will fall into place smoothly.
Is the minister saying that the people who work for hamlets, Co-ops, or organizations like hamlets or Co-ops, can they also apply for that?
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): We will require information, such as their names, a contact number, their mailing address, and how much fuel they used.
Once that information is sent down, yes, they will have to be signed by the conservation officer and the hunter. Once that’s done, then the finance staff here in Iqaluit would calculate the rebate that they would receive.
Only if the conservation officer signs, that will certify that that individual is qualified for a rebate.
If the conservation officer refuses to sign knowing that the fuel or gas was used for a taxi company and so on, then they wouldn’t be eligible for a rebate.
We don’t want this to be misused and that’s why we have that process in place.
Question 488 – 2(4): Fuel Tax Rebate Program (Barnabas)
I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Finance on the same subject.
Mr. Speaker, we all know that only the people who are employed can purchase gas because they have the income and they’re the ones who go out more frequently than the ones who can’t purchase the gas.
If I was a full-time hunter, for example, if you look at a drive belt, it’s very expensive and the rebate program doesn’t seem to be giving any benefits to the people who are full-time hunters.
The Department of Finance put this program together and they’re working with the Department of Environment through their conservation officers.
My question to the minister is: how will this directly benefit the full-time hunters?
With regards to the Gas Tax Rebate Program, when we purchase gas, there is a tax in there that’s payable to the government.
The government has set up that program so that there’s a tax rebate for the hunters.
There are also other benefits available, for example, the Department of Environment buys sealskin pelts and sends them out to the taxidermists and there are already benefits available to the hunters through the seal pelt program.
So the Fuel Tax Rebate Program is another benefit where we provide rebates to the hunters and the application is verified by the conservation officer by way of a signature.
As a government, in order to attract mining development, for example, we are providing benefits for off-road use which were one of the changes that we provided.
We’re also providing this benefit to the outfitters, and we also provide rebates for off-road use and the consumption of gas.
We recognize that we should not only provide benefits to the exploration companies; we also have to provide benefits for those who are providing food for their family and their community. For that reason, we have made that program available, Mr. Speaker.
The full-time hunters are usually on income support and with the little amount of money they get, they buy the gas and some store-bought food.
They can only get those benefits in the middle or at the end of the month.
So how the rebates be processed in this case?
In regard to the Fuel Tax Rebate Program, we are providing that benefit to the full-time hunters and even if it wasn’t available, or even if we didn’t provide that benefit, they will always be hunters and they will keep hunting.
So we want to provide a benefit through gas tax rebates because they’re going to keep hunting one way the other. We’re trying to at least give them a little bit of support, Mr. Speaker.
I understand that completely and I like that program.
We find that there are only a few people who apply for this program.
There was “red tape” involved for much of the full-time hunters who applied for this rebate.
My question is; for those of us who aren’t full-time hunters, we and all snowmobile owners, know that the price of gas and oil is very expensive.
In my community, one litre of oil costs $14.
How could the Fuel Tax Rebate Program be set up in that regard?
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): For clarification, this benefit is for gas only.
We’re talking about the tax rebates because when we buy gas or oil, there are taxes already applied to it.
These tax rebates are geared towards full-time, part-time, or seasonal hunters. I can probably talk to you and look at possible situations, but this is for tax rebates only.
Question 489 – 2(4): Consumer Price Review (Curley)
I don’t have notice for this but I would like to direct this question to the Minister of CGS and I believe she’s responsible for consumer protection.
In the communities, there is no consumer protection.
The reason why I’ll be asking this question to the minister is that the cost of living is dramatically increasing, clothing, school supplies, or food, and we can’t keep up with them anymore and there is no consumer protection anywhere. There is no watchdog that is looking at how dramatically the prices are increasing or decreasing.
I would like to suggest to the minister that they do a review of the prices and the cost of living increases.
Can the minister do so?
The Consumer Protection Act is in effect and was grandfathered from the Government of the Northwest Territories when Nunavut was created in 1999.
What we’re trying to do is make some amendments to update the Act.
As for the member’s question, yes, I concur with the member and once the report is done, we will table it in the House.
Mr. Curley (interpretation): Thank you and I also thank the minister.
I’m sure that even if you wanted to get a study done, you might not get the approval. I was talking about goods and services; it’s not only the cost of living.
The majority of the Nunavut residents cannot keep up with the costs of living and the price of goods and services.
I wonder if the minister could report to the House on that because when we don’t have that information, we tend to go all over the place.
So if she could provide that, I would appreciate it.
I’m sure that it’s not going to be an easy task and we can’t finish it overnight, but the Department of CGS has worked on this very subject.
I can’t give you an update during this sitting but (interpretation ends) we will work on the strategy on the Consumer Affairs Act. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Curley: Thank you. (interpretation) I think the minister understands that it’s imperative to get this study done. It’s getting way too expensive for people with babies as the cost of living and transportation is getting more and more expensive; there are even cases where prices have been increased by more than 100 percent.
So for that reason, I don’t think we should just focus on strategies but I think it’s imperative that you direct your department to write a report even if it’s done by a consultant.
Can you provide an update to the House as soon as possible?
We talked about this issue this morning. It’s very convenient to use emails, which is something new to me.
When I got elected, I had to learn how to use a computer and how to send emails and so on, so that’s what I was doing this morning.
We were talking about consumer protection and I’m sure that people are busy putting all the data and information together.