EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
We are developing more efficient and cost effective methods for buying fuel products.
Community and Government Services and the Department of Finance were directed to work together to explore opportunities for improving the way we acquire petroleum products and are implementing improvements.
We are reviewing options in partnership with the Department of Finance that reduce the high risk connected with buying fuel.
While we are considering our options, government is very aware that we must ensure we buy a quality fuel supply for our residents.
Community and Government Services sponsors internal training and development initiatives on an ongoing basis and participates in Human Resources sponsored initiatives which enhance opportunities to Inuit beneficiaries.
Currently Community and Government Services are working with Nunavut Arctic College and Kakivak to provide training for 14 students for jobs in IT computer services.
As you have noticed, there is some good news in our budget.
Community and Government Services have been able to address the utilities related forced growth on the needs of our hamlets.
I am pleased to announce today that communities will receive some additional program dollars. $2.5 million will go to communities for core funding associated with rising energy costs.
Community and Government Services continues to invest significant effort and resources to ensure that we continue to improve services to all government departments.
The department has focused significant resources on fire protection training and implementing the Fire Prevention Strategy.
We have delivered more training than ever before for our volunteer fire departments. 342 fire fighters completed 29 courses over the past year.
The Fire Protection Strategy focuses on: asset protection, hamlet fire equipment, and training and development of municipal fire departments volunteers has increased.
Our efforts are making a difference, as the fire losses for the 2006-year were far lower than recent previous years. Hamlets, the Government of Nunavut and the Nunavut Association of Municipalities formed the Nunavut Association of Municipalities Insurance Exchange about four years ago.
It is a unique success story that saves hamlets a lot of money every year.
The Nunavut Association of Municipalities Insurance Exchange provides affordable fire insurance coverage and other protection for municipals assets.
Government and the Nunavut Association of Municipalities Insurance Exchange officials are working together to develop a sustainable solution that ensures the Nunavut Association of Municipalities Insurance Exchange’s success directly benefits hamlets.
We hope to have an announcement over the coming weeks.
Community and Government Services is faced with many challenges in the accomplishment of its mandate to serve departments and support social and economic opportunities in communities.
We recognize that some of the challenges are financial and solutions are sometimes limited because of scarce fiscal resources.
Community and Government Services makes every effort to productively use and carefully manage the resources provided by this Assembly in meeting our mandate.
Positive leadership and direction, and a focus on service are all priorities of Community and Government Services.
We are committed to working with our partners to find solutions that work.
Our focus on public service means we are here to assist our clients, partners in communities and government, and to find solutions that work.
CGS continues to:
Support new and improved program delivery options,
Live within our means,
Support Training and Development,
Uphold Community Empowerment,
Address Environmental Issues.
This concludes my opening remarks and I am now ready to respond to the committee’s questions.
Hon. Levinia Brown (interpretation): Yes, I do.
For the record, Madame Minister, could you please introduce your witnesses?
On my right, Pam Hine, my deputy, and on my left is Mike Rafter who is the Director of Finance.
At this time I would like to ask the Deputy Chair for the Standing Committee on Infrastructure, Housing and Economic Development if he has any opening comments.
I am pleased to provide you with comments as the Deputy Chair of the Standing Committee on Infrastructure, Housing and Economic Development. The committee has reviewed the 2007-08 Main Estimates and Business Plan of the Department of Community and Government Services and had the opportunity to meet with the minister and her officials in February.
Members noted the recently released list of federally funded community infrastructure projects. Members appreciate that this information was included as an appendix to the department’s 2007-08 capital estimates.
I would like to take this opportunity to recognize the efforts of the members of the Nunavut Community Infrastructure Advisory Committee to prioritize projects for the federal funding.
Members look forward to an update from the minister on the workings of the Nunavut Community Infrastructure Advisory Committee and note that additional federal funding will be required to bring Nunavut’s infrastructure onto a par with other Canadian communities.
Members note that the department intends to review the Lotteries Act, Consumer Protection Act, and the Conflict of Interest Act in 2007-08.
Members also note that amendments to the Local Authorities Election Act and the Civil Emergency Measures Act are forthcoming.
Members look forward to scrutinizing these bills.
The standing committee believes that funding for hamlets should accurately reflect the responsibilities that are expected of them. Members support the department’s efforts to improve the funding mechanism for the Water and Sewage Services Subsidy Program and look forward to the minister’s update on the department’s review of the pilot project that took place in three communities in 2006-07.
Members noted that one of the department’s priorities for 2007-08 is to establish a granular program.
Members also noted that funding for a Quarry Management Program was not continued from 2006-07 to 2007-08.
In addition, regional granular programs do not receive funding in the 2007-08 capital estimates.
The standing committee is concerned that the establishment of a granular program is a departmental priority but it is not immediately clear how it will be funded.
Members note that hamlets continue to struggle to hire fully-qualified individuals for technical positions. Members are especially concerned that Municipal Land Officers do not receive adequate support but are expected to fulfill a role that is vital for both government and private sector infrastructure development.
Members urge the minister to continue working with hamlets to provide relevant training, especially with respect to Municipal Land Officers.
Members note that there is no funding allocated for the Nunavut Association of Municipalities Insurance Exchange, or NAMIX, in 2007-08.
Members recognize that the original intention was for the exchange to be self-sustaining after three years of start-up financial assistance.
It is not clear what the current financial status of NAMIX is. Members look forward to receiving an update from the minister on the exchange and any adjustments that will be made to it.
Members note that on February 19, 2007, a Government of Nunavut news release announced $1.5 million to assist hamlets in offsetting increased power and fuel costs.
Members note that one of the department’s priorities in 2007-08 is to implement recommendations to enable compliance with the federal Tank Farm Storage Regulations.
Members recognize that many tank farms have benefited from capital funding over the last eight years to increase capacity and comply with various codes. At the same time, communities have faced fuel shortages and required emergency airlifts to provide fuel before the arrival the annual fuel re-supply.
Members noted that the current five-year capital plan only includes one tank farm project that is commencing between 2007 and 2012.
Members look forward to the tabling of the consultant’s recommendations with respect to the federal Tank Farm Storage Regulations.
Members were disappointed to note that the new Department of Finance Bulk Refined Petroleum Products Risk Management Policy was not used for the 2006 purchase of petroleum products. Members recognize that the volatility of the cost of petroleum products on the world market is not within the minister’s control.
However, members are frustrated that the cost of fuel dropped significantly within weeks of the Government of Nunavut’s bulk fuel purchase. Members note that regulations are being drafted to allow for the use of various financial instruments, including hedging, for the purchase of Nunavut’s 2007 fuel supply.
Members recognize that some risk is associated with these changes to the way fuel is purchased for Nunavummiut and encourage the government to track the effectiveness of the new policy and adjust its approach as necessary following the 2007 re-supply.
Members are concerned that the department’s main estimates do not reflect the costs that will be incurred by the government to offset the deficit in the Petroleum Products Stabilization Fund.
Information in the 2007-08 main estimates concerning the Petroleum Products Division indicates that a deficit of $14 million is being projected for the Petroleum Products Revolving Fund at the end of fiscal year 2007-08.
Members also noted that the November 1, 2006, increase in consumer fuel costs was set below the level necessary to achieve cost recovery.
Members appreciate the minister’s efforts to minimize negative impacts on consumers and recognize that a supplementary appropriation will offset the deficit in the Petroleum Products Stabilization Fund.
However, given the fact that this expenditure can be forecast with certainty, members would wish to see the cost reflected in the government’s main estimates.
Members note that the Government of Nunavut’s Energy Management Program is administered by the Department of Community and Government Services and all three phases have been implemented.
The standing committee believes that it is important that the department measure all costs and savings related to this program and report its findings to the House.
Members remain frustrated with respect to the energy portfolio and the overlapping responsibility for energy-related issues across Government of Nunavut departments.
Members noted that a recently tabled document prepared by the Department of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs’ Energy Secretariat suggests revisiting the idea of creating a Crown Agency to purchase fuel for the territory. Members of this House have consistently expressed concerns with respect to this model. Members seriously question the efficiency of the Government of Nunavut’s current structure to provide accountability to Nunavummiut with respect to Government of Nunavut policies and spending on energy-related issues.
Members note that the Government of Nunavut’s 2005-06 Contracting and Procurement Report was not tabled in the House with the Lease Activity Report in December. Members look forward to the tabling of the Government of Nunavut’s 2005-06 Contracting and Procurement Report during this sitting.
At this time we will take a five-minute break.
>>Committee recessed at 17:01 and resumed at 17:12
Chairman: Welcome back.
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 to the members that, whenever possible, you ask your detailed questions during the page-by-page review of the departmental estimates.
Welcome, Madame Minister, and your officials.
While we are discussing the main estimates of your department, whenever the minister has to appear before the Legislative Assembly, there would not be any hamlet services, such as sewage, water, and whatever the hamlet council or the hamlet deals with, but what I have been missing is the operation of the hamlets.
I think this should be looked at or reviewed before they have a problem because sometimes I feel that whenever they start having problems, such as financial and operational problems then the department goes in there and tries to solve the problem that they are having.
I feel that the Nunavut Government in a region has to work closely with the communities or the hamlets and to make sure that they are assisted in their operations, because they deal with roads, finances, and the services that are provided to the communities.
For the taxation-based communities, if they’re looked after and have a good leader, then their operation is more effective.
Those are the types of things that I have wanted the hamlets to have available to them. Being a leader and being a very good, effective community is important. The employees of the hamlets have to be told that they have to follow the legislation and the regulations because if they don’t have an effective hamlet then they tend to have hardships, such as finances, and other services that they have to provide to the communities.
I feel that the Community and Government Services should look after the hamlets.
We just can’t give that money to the hamlets and say, “Here, this is for you to run the community.”
I know that they have to get self-reliant but they have to be told by CGS people that they have to operate within the rules; to give them suggestions as to how they can operate better.
Also it’s depressing too that some communities say that we want to do this, and even though the leaders say yes, sometimes they’re told that the council is going to get so much money and they want to be able to get these kinds of capital things.
However, they are told by CGS that they can’t give them any money, after they tell them that they’re going to get it.
It is depressing for them.
I agree with Mr. Alagalak’s comments, but just to add a little bit, because the hamlet councils are elected people; just the same as I’m elected; no less; no more.
The people in the communities elect them.
Because they are elected they usually negotiate with the government employees and then they agree on something.
And then when the government does their budget, like David said, their needs are not met because those hamlet councillors agree to do something but the government people say otherwise.
I know that there’s not a whole lot of money but the Nunavut Government has to realize to tell the hamlet council, who are elected individuals, that this cannot be done because we’re short of resources, not until much, much later.
They have to tell them in advance.
The Infrastructure Advisory Committee, I don’t want to make a mistake, but who are the members of that Infrastructure Advisory Committee?
That was a general question. We’re under general comments.
If you can respond to Mr. Arvaluk’s question, Madame Minister.
That committee has been running for just a short while, but we will find out whether they will be effective or not.
There are 20 of them on that committee: two from the mayors, Elisapee Sheutiapik from Iqaluit, and from the Nunavut Association of Municipalities there are two, because the Nunavut Association of Municipalities elected individuals from the hamlets.
There are two of them from Community and Government Services, one from Community and Government Services, and one from finance.
There are 20 people all together on that committee.
General comments?
Later on, you can ask questions. General comments.
Mr. Arvaluk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Do I understand that there are four from the Nunavut Association of Municipalities, and two government departments?
Like I said, advisory means, if I can sort of describe it: the elected hamlet council and the Members of the Legislative Assembly are elected people, if they could perhaps work with each other.
If maybe perhaps, we, the elected members of the Legislature can be consulted as to what they want to do, and let us know so we can talk to those elected individuals as well.
Like, if the Minister of Finance says that we could also talk with those elected individuals and say that the government is saying that they’re short of money, so these types of projects that you want have to be deferred for so many numbers of years.
Say, for instance, in Pond Inlet the arena and the complex were supposed to be built, but they have been taken out of the budget.
Also, the Resolute Bay project has been moved to 2010, I think, and when they first hear that it’s been deferred then it’s not very good for them.
We always want to have an SAO who is competent at doing his job in the hamlets, and then we pay an SAO who may be from Toronto, a lot of money. He would then talk with the hamlet council, but then they seem to want to administer everything.
They should be working with Community and Government Services staff in Iqaluit, to assist with authority. Community and Government Services should help with the hiring of SAOs.
The people who would manage it would be the elected officials of the hamlet council.
Whether they are an assistant deputy minister, or capital planners, it should be left to the hamlet council.
If the advisory council advises that it should be this way, then it should be left up to those people who are elected on the hamlet council because they were elected by the people in the communities.
My last point, Mr. Chairman, whether it’s Operations and Maintenance or Capital, we’ll have to see what services are most needed in the communities.
What would be good so that our children can have a better future?
Even though I keep saying that we need a recreational complex and an arena in Pond Inlet and I’ve been saying that all along, there was another suicide last night - a young person.
I think we should wake up so that the elected officials should identify more what the communities need.
What we call regulatory requirements are very expensive and we’re going to have to find some way where it would be cheaper because the money that we get from the federal government, or from license fees, or from taxation, or insurance, or what have you, they’re limited.
As the Nunavut Government, we don’t want to be in deficit. The federal government, who gives us funding, if they see that we’re not spending the money wisely, might be kind of hesitant to give us more.
I think it’s about time that we wake up and use the funding we get to better plan for the future of Nunavut.
Just a brief comment. I fully agree with Mr. Alagalak and I’m in agreement with Mr. Arvaluk’s comments.
Some communities are small communities.
The Advisory Committee and the mayors have received letters from the minister. I saw what the advisory council put in.
It seems like they’re putting the smallest communities on the backburner. $130 million was made available by the federal government to the minister but it’s directed to the Advisory Committee.
So I think the hamlets will each get $26,000.
If the smaller communities want to build infrastructure, even if they try and raise money themselves, it would take them years to match the government contribution.
If that’s going to be the case, we were hopeful that we would get that arena in Resolute Bay in 2007 or 2008 but now it’s clear; we have to approve what was in the capital estimates.
And after the Advisory Committee met, then it’s 2010-11. And the minister is just approving what the advisory council is recommending? And the Hamlets have received correspondence and the funding that is given by the federal government is up to the discretion of the minister.
It was put to the minister for her discretion but now it’s under the discretion of the advisory council. So for that reason, for those smaller communities we will always be behind. And we are behind in infrastructure anyways.
The new arena, we have been working on this for over 11 years, and they keep deferring it, sometimes it gets out of the books, or paper.
Community and Government Services probably has to consider where the money will go but when the Members of the Legislative Assembly, when we have to approve the budget when they seem to be neglecting the smaller communities, it’s not fair when we have to agree to approve to the estimates.
Maybe if we start not agreeing, maybe that’s the only way we’ll get their attention.
I wanted to bring this up, the acquisition of $120 million; it’s not the advisory council’s discretion how they will spend it and putting the smaller communities way behind infrastructure-wise. They’ll eventually get those but they’ll be far behind.
I am not in agreement with that and I wanted to make that comment.
Another brief comment. We all know, first of all I will talk about the fuel prices, gasoline, petroleum products.
After the price went up they especially had a big effect on the hunters. And I also talked to the minister, I believe, in November and a lot of times they don’t go out that much.
If the price of gasoline goes up again it will put a big burden on the hunters again. And especially for the future generation who we encourage to keep on hunting and not to leave the Inuit culture because the price of fuel, or gasoline is so expensive they might lose that knowledge that we want to pass on to them within Nunavut.
That’s one of the concerns that I have.
Maybe because the gas and fuel is so expensive now, in the future they might lose the Inuit tradition of hunting because they won’t be able to afford the gas.
Our fathers, or uncles taught us by letting us observe, and if the price of fuel keeps going up then the Inuit culture and hunting might be in jeopardy.
I also agree with the other member’s comments that in some communities, the infrastructure, and especially in my community, the three bay garage doors have to be made.
And those are not a big deal to us.
Maybe we can look for funding elsewhere to use for three bay garage doors.
In Sanikiluaq, they keep saying that our recreation complex is way too small, and when there are specially occasions like Christmas holidays when we have celebrations, it is way too small for our community.
Listening to the comments, I feel so small because when people are saying that our recreation complex is too small, we are told that the doors have to be fixed on the three bay garage.
To us that shouldn’t be a priority.
I don’t know how the advisory council works, but to me the prioritizing is wrong, and they don’t seem to know what the Inuit in the communities want.
Maybe it’s because they’re not aware of the concerns of the people in the communities.
I wanted to point that out.
Chairman (interpretation): General comments, Mr. Curley.
First of all, I would like to thank him for reading his opening comments.
I had to go to the airport, so I apologize and thank Mr. Peterson, and I thank you.
I, too, would like to make short opening comments.
When you’re setting up the budget for the communities, and I know that last January you reported on the review, and the municipalities have problems with their funding.
As the minister, I’m sure that this will be resolved, and we hope to see this issue resolved.
Secondly, with regard to the infrastructure funding, the Nunavut Association of Municipalities is involved, and they make decisions on the priorities.
But it seems like even though they set up this advisory committee, there are still people who are not pleased.
Although we can’t see what they are working on, we are in support. If we could at least see their plans, even a one-year plan within their five-year plan, it would be good to see that.
But, it seems like we do our five-year plans very hastily. We work very hard to rush on it.
So I was thinking (interpretation ends) there has to be more decent planning, (interpretation) something to that effect, rather than having to keep up with the deadlines.
(interpretation ends) There’s got to be a way to do it a little more carefully so you don’t just have communities, the mayors, and the councils complaining to whoever can listen.
So I think we’ve got to put some decencies, you have to put some kind of...at least ensure our communities are settled down.
I think it’s really quite important we do that, we strive for that at least.