EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
It would be helpful to actually see a breakdown of the increased costs. I’m sure these are well documented and it would be helpful that they actually were applied to the increased costs of utilities. So that we can actually see the details of certain amounts of increase listed in this page.
When we say increased utility costs it’s more than just the cost of electricity. It is my understanding is when we talk about increased utility costs we do talk about the increase in electricity but we also talk about the increase in, for example, fuel oil to heat buildings and furnaces and so on.
So I hope that helps to clarify the member’s question.
The explanation is useful but it’s also important that we get to see the details, the back up documentation for expenditures of that amount. No other institutions are normally provided, for instance the hamlet facilities I know are provided by lump sum figures to reflect the increased costs of energy and utility costs.
Maybe once the information is provided that will be a good base document for the municipality to use in asking for increased funding from the government. Could the minister agree to provide us more information on that item?
When we look at the transfer itself, it states that it’s under the Department of Transportation through Arctic Airports. That’s the $112,000; I believe that the member is looking at.
Is that correct the amount that we’re looking at? Arctic Airports.
If that’s the case when we look at the operations of the Arctic Airports, those costs are considered within the departmental budget and are transferred to the operators of the airports, which are usually the hamlets. That’s the extra costs that they would receive.
Maybe the Minister of Transportation would have that information available. I don’t have a breakdown of each airport. It is my understanding when we look at the airport operations, because there are staggered hours, meaning they are not on a regular schedule, depending on the planes, and so on, that’s the total amount for the Department of Transportation for all Arctic Airports under the auspices of the department.
Mr. Curley: I will ask the Minister of Economic Development and Transportation to provide that information because we have 25 other airports in Nunavut and hamlets have not been given additional lump sum amounts from Community and Government Services to cover increased costs.
I think we should have across the board standards for small airports. They certainly are paying much more energy and utility costs than the Iqaluit region. Could the minister also agree to provide that information to the members and to this House?
The transfer was necessary because Nunavut airport’s operating service contracts are largely held by, as my colleague said, by hamlets on behalf of the GN. Community and Government Services works with the hamlets very closely. So the request for more funding was lead by Finance and CGS in consultation with our department but I do not have in front of me a detailed information package to share with my colleagues as to the breakdown.
The transfer of $112,000 from CGS to ED&T was completed to reflect the Arctic Airport’s portion of the supplementary funding related to power rate increases, mostly.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Kilabuk. Mr. Curley.
Mr. Curley: Yes, the minister has not answered the question. Could he provide more detailed information as to the exact impact of the power because that information will be useful to other increased costs of power rates in Nunavut communities?
They certainly felt the same impact as this airport did, and therefore, a number of departments, at least a couple of them, transfer funding, so that ultimately they will probably be transferred to the local airport authority.
So, in that regard, that information will be important to members as well as my constituency.
So, could you undertake to provide that information through correspondence?
Yes, I can commit to doing that.
As I said, I regret that I don’t have the detailed information in front of me but I will undertake to providing that important piece of information to my colleague, and I will also make sure that the hamlets are made aware of the information.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. Mr. Curley, anything else?
Total Department. $1,601,000. (interpretation) Do you agree?
Economic Development. $81,000. (interpretation) Do you agree?
Chairman: Total Economic Development. $81,000. (interpretation) Do you agree?
Transportation. $112,000. (interpretation) Do you agree?
Total Transportation. $112,000. (interpretation) Do you agree?
Chairman: Total Department. $193,000. (interpretation) Do you agree?
Chairman: Thank you. Page 14.
Nunavut Housing Corporation. Operations and Maintenance. Not previously authorized.
Nunavut Housing Corporation. Mr. Curley.
Mr. Curley: I have a question to the Minister responsible for Housing Corporation. Are there other staff housing needs and shortages of staff housing outside of Iqaluit in Nunavut?
Yes, there have been some communities that are trying to get more staff housing for nurses and teachers mostly.
But, what we’re also trying to do is to provide adequate housing for the teachers, nurses and wildlife officers.
Mr. Curley: The item, additional funding required here indicates $1,098,000 to lease 40 or 50 additional staff housing units in Iqaluit.
My question to the Minister Responsible for Housing Corporation: are there other additional staff housing unit agreements that have been entered into this year or up to April 1, 2006 outside of Iqaluit?
Hon. Olayuk Akesuk (interpretation): Thank you. In the headquarters, we’re experiencing a severe shortage and we haven’t made any lease agreements in the other communities other than Iqaluit.
We would do so if the larger communities, Rankin Inlet, Cambridge Bay, are also reviewing the possibility of going into a condominium agreement. We will be looking at that in the upcoming years.
Mr. Curley (interpretation): Thank you. Mr. Chairman, it says here that they have to furnish 40 or 50, additional staff housing units in Iqaluit, and they’re leased from the private market I’m sure.
In Iqaluit, there are private homes that are on the market already. Why is it that you didn’t get on that trend? As the government was saying, they’re trying to get out of the staff housing units, but 40 or 50 additional staff housing units is quite large.
My question is: when we’re looking at the market out there, did the government look at other alternatives or options whether to look at the down payment program, or others?
There are quite a lot of jobs that are open out here and that do not provide staff housing.
Looking at the government, we want to make sure that we do this properly.
We stated that in the upcoming five years, the government is looking at getting out of leasing houses and looking more at increasing the number of homeowners.
Mr. Curley (interpretation): Yes, in the next few more years, they’ll probably go to the other regions and to the smaller communities, because there is a lack of housing in the communities.
This amount that is a little over $1 million, is that being used now?
Hon. Olayuk Akesuk (interpretation): We’re going to be using that amount of money pretty soon.
Mr. Curley (interpretation): Can the minister provide us with information as to how many are being used and which companies are providing the leases.
There is no information provided at this time, but I can provide him with the information.
The people that you are leasing from, I would like to find out whether it’s the same company or different companies.
I would like that provided to all the members, not just myself.
Hon. Olayuk Akesuk (interpretation): Thank you. We will provide that in the leasing agreements. I will provide it to the members.
We’re on Nunavut Housing Corporation
(interpretation ends) Nunavut Housing Corporation. $1,098,000. (interpretation) Do you agree?
I know earlier this year, and I raised it, there was close to a dozen teachers that I know of for sure that were staying in hotels here because there was no place for them to stay. Some of them are staying with their families in the hotels.
With this funding, does that mean that we’re going to finally end up with not having teachers and their families staying in hotels?
It doesn’t state whether they are going to be used for teachers or nurses, but we just want to provide that amount of money to lease and furnish 40 to 50 additional staff houses.
But I will find out for the members the majority of which staff will be staying in those staff housing and I will provide that to the members.
Mr. Chairman, I don’t need to know which staff are going to be staying in those units. I just want to try and make sure that we can finally have teachers and their families living in adequate accommodations and not in hotel rooms.
So if that is what this is for I am in full support of it.
Chairman (interpretation): That is not a question just a comment. Total Nunavut Housing Corporation.
Total Department. $1,098,000.
Mr. Tootoo: Question.
Yeah. Mr. Chairman, my question to the Minister of Housing. I am just wondering, we have seen in other cases incremental funding to deal with increasing energy costs, I am wondering if there is nothing in there for them I am wondering if the housing associations across the territory are not going to have increased money for utility cost increases.
Chairman: Minister of Housing, Mr. Akesuk.
We will make an attempt to find that out and we will look at it to see how we can provide that kind of funding for power.
I know that I am sure the Housing Associations and Authorities are going to be hit just like everyone else with these power and fuel increases and the minister said he is going to take a look at it and report back to Members of this House so that they can inform their LHOs and the housing authority here on any plans that may be in the works to assist them to deal with the ever rising energy costs.
Hon. Olayuk Akesuk: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We are in the very early stages of trying to figure out how we can help out the LHOs in all the communities and also other departments in housing to come up with an idea on how we are going to approach that.
Again we are in the very early stages of figuring out how much we’ll have to put into the communities.
Chairman (interpretation): Mr. Tootoo that’s it. Thank you.
Total Nunavut Housing Corporation. $1,098,000.
Chairman (interpretation): Total Department. $1,098,000.
Chairman: Thank you, very much. Back to page 2.
Operations and Maintenance. Operations and Maintenance.
Appropriation. $4,772,000.
Go to Bill 3 on your white legislation binder.
Bill 3, Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act #2, 2005-06.
Chairman: Go to page 3. Schedule.
Supplementary amounts appropriated for the fiscal year starting March 31, 2006. Vote 1.
Operations and Maintenance. Total Supplementary Appropriations. $4,772,000.
Go back to page 1.
I think you agree to Bill 3 as a whole.
Are you agreed that Bill 3 is ready for third reading?
Chairman: Thank you. What is the wish of the committee?
We’re not quite done here yet.
Bill 4, Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act #4, 2004-05.
We’re on page 4.
Expenditures on Behalf of Members. $504,000.
Chairman: Total Expenditures on Behalf of Members. $504,000.
Chairman: Back to page 4. The Premier said no and that got us confused.
Total Expenditures on Behalf of Members. $504,000.
Chairman: Thank you. Back to page 2.
O&M Appropriation. $504,000.
Going to Bill 4 in your white legislation binder.
Chairman: Page 2.
Schedule supplementary amounts appropriated for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2005.
Vote 1. O&M.
Total Supplementary Appropriation. $504,000.
Chairman: Mr. Okalik, do you want to say something?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Yes, the two of us didn’t agree.
Chairman: Thank you. Are you agreed to Bill 4 as a whole?
Chairman: Are you agreed that Bill 4 is ready for third reading?
Chairman: Thank you. (interpretation) Mr. Minister, thank you and your officials. Do you have any closing comments, Mr. Minister?
Hon. David Simailak (interpretation): Thank you, very much.
Chairman: Thank you. Go back to your seats.
Mr. Barnabas (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move to report progress.
Chairman: There is a motion on the floor and it is not debatable.
Your committee has been considering Bill 2, Bill 3, and Bill 4, and would like to report progress, I’m sorry, and would like to report that Bill 2, 3, and 4 are ready for third reading.
And Mr. Speaker, I move that the Report of the Committee of the Whole be agreed to and I would like to second the motion.
Speaker (interpretation): There is a motion on the floor. Who is the seconder? Mr. Simailak.
Bill 01 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2006-07 – Third Reading
Hon. David Simailak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Iqaluit West, that Bill 1, Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2006-07, be read for the third time. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The motion is carried and Bill 1 has had its third reading.
Bill 02 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act #2, 2005-06 – Third Reading
Hon. David Simailak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Pangnirtung, that Bill 2, Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act #2, 2005-06, be read for the third time. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The motion is carried and Bill 2 has had its third reading.
Bill 03 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act #2, 2005-06 – Third Reading
Hon. David Simailak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Iqaluit East, that Bill 3, Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act #2, 2005-06, be read for the third time. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The motion is carried and Bill 3 has had its third reading.
Bill 04 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act #4, 2004-05 – Third Reading
Hon. David Simailak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Nattilik that Bill 4, Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act #4, 2004-05, be read for the third time. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The motion is carried and Bill 4 has had third reading.
Orders of the Day for December 2:
We’ll reconvene on December 2 at 10:00 a.m.
>>House adjourned at 19:16
Friday, December 2, 2005
Pages 777 – 804
Opening Prayer 777
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 777
Report of the Committee of the Whole 802
Third Reading of Bills 802
Assent to Bills 802
Orders of the Day 803
Friday, December 2, 2005 777
Bill 10 – An Act to Amend the Nunavut Elections Act – Consideration in Committee 777
Bill 10 – An Act to Amend the Nunavut Elections Act – Third Reading 802
Bill 01 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2006-07 – Assent 802
Bill 02 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act #2, 2005-06 – Assent 802
Bill 03 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act #2, 2005-06 – Assent 802
Bill 04 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act #4, 2004-05 – Assent 802
Bill 10 – An Act to Amend the Nunavut Elections Act – Assent 802
Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Honourable Olayuk Akesuk, Mr. David Alagalak, Mr. James Arreak, Mr. Levi Barnabas, Honourable Levinia Brown, Mr. Tagak Curley, Mr. Joe Allan Evyagotailak, Honourable Peter Kilabuk, Mr. Patterk Netser, Honourable Jobie Nutarak, Honourable Paul Okalik, Mr. Keith Peterson, Honourable Edward Picco, Honourable David Simailak, Honourable Louis Tapardjuk, Mr. Hunter Tootoo.
Speaker (interpretation): Good morning, Mr. Premier, Cabinet Members, and Members of the Legislature.
Hon. Peter Kilabuk: Good morning, Mr. Speaker.
Pursuant to Rule 18(1), I seek unanimous consent of the House to proceed to Item 19 on the orders of the day.
Speaker (interpretation): Are there any nays?
We will proceed to Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters with Mr. Arreak in the Chair and deal with Bill 10.
Chairman (Mr. Arreak)(interpretation): Welcome. (interpretation ends) I would like the law clerk to join us; I see you are already here.
We are dealing with Bill 10 today, An Act to Amend the Nunavut Elections Act. (interpretation) I would like to ask the Speaker if he could do his opening comments.
Bill 10 – An Act to Amend the Nunavut Elections Act – Consideration in Committee
I’m very pleased for the opportunity to appear before the Committee of the Whole to introduce Bill 10, An Act to Amend the Nunavut Elections Act.
As you will recall, Mr. Chairman, the Report of the Chief Electoral Officer on the 2004 Territorial General Election was tabled in the House on February 22, 2005 and considered in detail by members during proceedings of the Committee of the Whole.
Subsequent to the consideration of the report, the Committee of the Whole adopted a motion on April 27, 2005 recommending that the Management and Services Board, in cooperation with the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, make amendments to the Nunavut Elections Act for consideration by the Legislative Assembly.
The bill before you today is the result of that process.
As you will recall, the Chief Electoral Officer’s 2004 Report contained a number of recommendations for amendments to the Act.
This bill takes into account the recommendations contained in the report as well as the issues raised by MLAs.
Mr. Chairman, I would like to take a few minutes to highlight the major elements of the Bill. I will begin by noting that this bill does not make any fundamental changes to the electoral system currently in place in Nunavut, rather, it seeks to address a number of matters that came to light during the 2004 election, in addition to concerns raised by the Members of this House.
One improvement that all of our constituents will note at the next election is a notification of the hours that polling stations will be open.
In 2004, voters in the Kitikmeot did not learn of the results in their community until some time after voters in the Kivalliq and Qikiqtaaluk learned of the results in their communities.
By having the polls closed at the same time across Nunavut on election night, results will be able to be reported to the public in a more timely fashion.
All polls in all communities will continue to be open for a full 10 hours on Election Day.
Polls will open at 8 a.m. and close at 6 p.m. in Kitikmeot; open at 9 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. in Kivalliq; and, open at 10 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. in Qikiqtaaluk.
The bill strengthens and clarifies a number of provisions in the Act related to the integration of the electoral process.
Both candidates and their financial agents will be required to sign off on the accuracy of the financial information submitted to Elections Nunavut.
Membership lists of groups making contributions to candidates will be available for inspection by election officials.
Greater consistency will be required in relation to identifying sponsors of campaign materials.
The names of persons who fail to properly file their returns will be published in the territorial publication of record, The Nunavut Gazette.
Non-residents of Nunavut will not be permitted to serve as a candidate’s financial agent.
Mr. Chairman, the bill also seeks to make voting more accessible to our residents and to streamline a number of administrative and enforcement procedures. For example, the provisions related to emergency voting provisions will be modified to allow greater voter flexibility in choosing a method of communication.
Provisions related to advance polls are simplified. In recognition of the fact that costs are higher in the north, the maximum limit of campaign contributions will be raised to $2,500.
This bill also corrects a number of minor miscellaneous areas in the existing Statues.
This concludes my opening comments Mr. Chairman.
I am confident that, if passed, these amendments will improve what is already a strong Statute.
I look forward to responding to any questions or comments members may have on this bill.
Do you have witnesses you’d like to bring to the table?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I will be with Sandy Kusugak, Chief Electoral Officer of Nunavut, and Patrick Orr, the Legal Advisor for Elections Nunavut.
Sergeant-at-Arms, you can assist them to the witness table.
Mr. Speaker, if you could introduce your officials.
Speaker (interpretation): To my left is Sandy Kusugak the Chief Electoral Officer for Nunavut, I’m sorry, to my right.
To my left is Patrick Orr, the Legal Advisor for the Chief Electoral Officer for Nunavut.
Chairman: Before we proceed with Bill 10 in your legislation binder, I would like to remind members of the following: according to Rule 77(1), you have ten minutes, 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.
Ministers will have equal opportunity at this time to speak to this matter.
I am very pleased to see these amendments being made to our Elections Act. I know that since our first election and also during the second election, there were a number of concerns raised by candidates and by the general public as well. I think that this is a perfect example of making something more suitable for us.
For example, in anything you do your best to try and make it the best you can but there are always circumstances that come up you can’t foresee. I think this is a great example of trying to adjust and evaluate those concerns that were raised and I fully support the bill and the changes.
Hopefully it will assist anybody that has the courage to run in a campaign for public office with a clearer understanding of dealing with that which they are getting into and what they’re required to do. It will also allow the general public to better understand the process as well.
I just wanted to tip my hat to our chief electoral officer and her left hand man for working very hard at coming up with these amendments that were brought forward as a result of concerns raised during the last two elections.
I don’t have anybody else on my list. (interpretation ends) Bill 10 is in your white legislation binder.
Bill 10, An Act to Amend the Nunavut Elections Act.
In Clause 3, I believe it’s the one that states, paragraph 4.9(b) and 9(c), are repealed and the following substituted.
I just want to get an explanation as to why that amendment is being made.
Speaker (interpretation): I’ll let Patrick respond.
Chairman: Mr. Orr
This change is to deal with an issue that arose in the last election. There was a member in Iqaluit who had difficulty in voting in the constituency in which he was running because the rules are that you can select a place where the Returning Officer is, but because in Iqaluit the returning officers’ offices were consolidated, it made it difficult for this member.
We’ve adjusted the provisions so that the candidate, who was a former member, can choose a site anywhere in the constituency that’s appropriate for that person to choose as a residence so they can vote in the constituency in which he or she intends to run.
I know when they first made some amendments, this was something that was addressed by, I guess by trial. I won’t say trial and error, but by trial. They realized that the amendment that was made didn’t meet the intent of what the amendment was there for.
So is this amendment to more clearly meet the intent of the initial concern that was raised with the first amendment?
Ms. Kusugak: That was the amendment to directly resolve that problem. That was the issue we found and how we addressed it. It met the requirements of the Management and Services Board.
They were content with it and it’s why you see it before you today.
Chairman: Clause 4. (interpretation) Do you agree?
Chairman: Clause 6. (interpretation) Do you agree?
Chairman: Clause 7. (interpretation) Do you agree?
Chairman: Clause 8. (interpretation) Do you agree?