EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
That the federal government assist in the acquisition, upgrading and installation of diesel generating facilities in remote off-grid northern communities.”
And the final recommendation, “That the federal government support infrastructure investment in qualified territorial energy projects.”
The committee further said, “The committee holds a view that the federal government should contribute, in some way, to help advance territorial energy projects.
This could take the form of a federal infrastructure funding program for qualified territorial energy projects that promote cleaner air and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”
By supporting this motion, I believe that we can get a coordinated effort from all stakeholders to make positive strides in the goal to reduce our exposure to the volatility of global oil prices and play our part in participating in the worldwide effort to develop renewable energy sources and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
I hope all of my colleagues will agree to support this motion to show Nunavummiut, Canadians, and the world that we take this issue seriously.
Hon. Keith Peterson: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Mr. Hickes, for that motion and giving me an opportunity to speak about Nunavut’s energy infrastructure.
Mr. Speaker, the Qulliq Energy Corporation is a proponent of alternative energy research and implementation, and is actively pursuing the opportunities to incorporate alternative forms of energy in its power generation system.
One of the strategic goals for the Qulliq Energy Corporation is to reduce its dependence upon diesel by at least 2 percent by 2018.
Currently, this strategy relies solely on creating efficiencies within the diesel generation system.
The Qulliq Energy Corporation does not have the resources to upgrade and ensure that the primary diesel backup generation system is safe and reliable, and invest in alternative energy infrastructure.
Many of Nunavut’s energy infrastructure is necessary to ensure the continued delivery of safe and reliable power.
Unlike in other Canadian energy systems, the equipment failure in one of Nunavut’s isolated plants cannot be addressed by transferring loads across a grid.
If Canadian and Nunavut governments do not start replacing the territory’s energy infrastructure soon, the risk of costly and potentially dangerous power interruptions increases as it ages beyond its useful life.
The federal Liberal Party has published a platform backgrounder titled, and I quote, “Investing in Green Infrastructure and Sustainable Prosperity,” in which it pledges to be a full partner with provinces and territories in the development of the Canadian Energy Strategy.
The primary objectives of this strategy are “ensuring Canada’s energy security, energy conservation, and bringing cleaner, renewable energy into the electricity grid, including through direct federal infrastructure investments.”
As an example of green infrastructure projects eligible for investment, the backgrounder identifies investment in provinces and territories “in the kind of modern grid, power storage, and transmission that ensure a bigger role for clean energy.” Investment in Nunavut’s energy infrastructure is consistent with this platform as well.
Mr. Speaker, I will soon be meeting with my federal counterpart to discuss Nunavut’s critical energy infrastructure deficit.
Motion 010 – 4(3): Invitation to Representatives from Northern Airlines to Appear Before the Full Caucus of the Legislative Assembly (Quassa)
(interpretation ends) WHEREAS the issue of affordable and accessible airline service in Nunavut is a concern for all Members of the Legislative Assembly;
AND WHEREAS codeshare agreements involving three airlines serving Nunavut communities came into effect during the summer of 2015;
AND WHEREAS Members of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut have identified a number of significant issues and concerns regarding the impact that the implementation of the codeshare agreements has had on service to Nunavut communities;
AND WHEREAS formal correspondence from the Government of Nunavut articulating these concerns has been sent to Canadian North, Calm Air, and First Air;
AND WHEREAS responses to this correspondence have been tabled in the Legislative Assembly;
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the Hon. Member for Rankin Inlet South, that representatives from the management and ownership structures of Canadian North, Calm Air, and First Air be invited to appear at a special meeting of the Full Caucus to be held during the week of January 25 to 29, 2016 to respond to members’ questions;
AND FURTHER I MOVE that the special meeting of the Full Caucus be held in public and televised live for the benefit of all Nunavummiut;
Before proceeding further, we will take a 15-minute break.
>>House recessed at 17:44 and Committee resumed at 18:04
Chairman (Mr. Akoak): Good evening.
Thank you. Welcome back again.
I think this is the first time we started Committee of the Whole at six o’clock, the very first time. That means we’re busy.
Good evening to everybody.
Mr. Chairman, we wish to continue with the deliberation of Tabled Document 107 – 4(2), the Agreement for the Management and Administration of Local Housing Organization Programs, and once concluded, we will report progress.
Are we in agreement that we continue with the discussion on Tabled Document 107 – 4(2)?
Tabled Document 107 – 4(2): Agreement used for the Management and Administration of Local Housing Programs – Consideration in Committee
Good evening, Nunavummiut. (interpretation ends) To my left is Stephen Hooey, Chief Operating Officer with the Nunavut Housing Corporation, and to my right is the (interpretation) president of the corporation, Ms. Lori Kimball. (interpretation ends) Thank you.
I want to remind the witnesses and MLAs to be mindful of the interpreters. They need to keep up.
The last name I had was Mr. Mikkungwak and that was it.
I think we were dealing with personnel and administration. I wanted to ask if there are specific concerns that have been raised by LHOs concerning their existing authority regarding human resource matters.
Thank you very much. I also thank the member for that question.
If I understood his question correctly, he asked what the concerns are of the local housing organizations.
Did I understand his question correctly?
Mr. Joanasie: I believe that Mr. Mikkungwak left off with human resource policies, so that’s what I’m trying to get at.
Has any LHO expressed concerns with regard to their authority in human resource matters?
I’ll have the president answer the question.
There are occasions where boards or LHO managers may contact our district office with questions about who has authority over different aspects of human resource matters.
There are different questions relating to recruiting, dismissal, performance management, and those kinds of things.
When we get those questions, we work with our LHOs to resolve those issues.
The Human Resource Guide and the Board of Director Manual all provide guidance as to who has what authority over each of those elements.
Mr. Joanasie (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Page 25 of the Local Housing Organization Board Members Manual states that LHO boards of directors hire the LHO’s housing manager “in partnership with their NHC District Office.”
What role does the district office play in the hiring process?
When the local housing organizations deal with their employees, they can work independently. They have to deal with it themselves when they’re dealing with the hiring of employees or whatever actions.
They have boards of directors in all of the communities. It’s the board of directors and management within the LHO that work independently when they’re dealing with this issue. In case they need assistance when it comes to human resources, as the Nunavut Housing Corporation, we can provide assistance if we are invited to be involved.
It’s only when the housing organizations ask for assistance from the housing corporation. For instance, when hiring a housing manager, it says that it’s done in partnership, but I just wanted to clarification on what role the housing corporation district offices have in the hiring process.
As the housing corporation, we can become involved if we have to assist the housing organization. Secondly, in the management agreement with the housing organization, they have the full authority.
If the Nunavut Housing Corporation or the housing organization had concerns about the person being considered for the position, then we would have discussions. If we had concerns whether the person is qualified or not, we would have to have discussions with the local organizations.
In cases where an LHO board and its district office disagree over the choice of candidate for housing manager, who has the ultimate authority to make the hiring decision?
When an LHO is hiring a manager, as NHC, we try to work closely with the LHO board to the best of our ability.
What we like to see is a close working relationship where we can agree on the candidate.
If there is a need to go above the district office, and there can be various reasons for why, once it has gone through the proper levels, a decision can be made at the ministerial level.
For the ultimate authority, the minister can exercise the right to make a decision if there was a disagreement between the two.
If I understood you correctly, if there was going to be a suspension, it would have to go through the ministerial level, according to our management agreement between the LHO and the corporation, if they didn’t abide by the agreement.
I was asking a question about when the board is going to hire a LHO manager.
Sometimes NHC will take part in the hiring.
If I understood the minister’s response, then the only time it goes to the ministerial level is when the LHO manager breaks the agreement.
Did I understand the minister correctly?
I believe you understood. In our management agreements between the LHOs and the Nunavut Housing Corporation, the LHO is supposed to deal with the issues at the local level.
If they breach the management agreement, yes, it will be brought up to the ministerial level, if need be.
This rarely ever occurs.
If I understood you correctly, what I’m trying to say is that it would have to be dealt with at the ministerial level if there was a breach of the management agreement. To date, there has not been one.
Moving on, in 2003, the Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation dissolved the board of directors of the Iqaluit LHO because of a human resources decision that the board made involving the termination of the LHO’s manager.
To what extent do LHO decisions regarding the firing of employees require your approval as Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation?
Does that need ministerial approval?
The housing corporation does get involved when what you stated occurs and when we have to deal with such issues.
Mr. Chairman, the minister is not 100 percent involved. If the district office can deal with that, then they usually do so. The minister would not take part in that.
Mr. Joanasie (interpretation): In 2003, the minister dissolved the board of directors because of a human resources decision that the board made involving the termination of the LHO’s manager.
To get the details, I’ll have my deputy respond.
There are two different levels within the LHOs. The board of directors deal with the LHO manager while the LHO manager deals with their employees.
Over the past couple of years, we have actually circulated communications to our local housing organizations requesting that they do consult with their district office. Prior to that, they were doing dismissals of staff without consultation of district, which created some legal challenges because, if it’s not handled properly, it can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to address the situation.
Because of the lawsuits that we have been seeing come through, we now are requesting that they work through us. We are in the process of hiring a legal position that is going to work in our office and that person will be able to provide employee relations support just to make sure that the proper protocols are followed.
We are not actually part of saying yes or no in terms of a termination.
We’re providing guidance as to how to do it properly and to ensure that the documentation is properly handled and that the communications is properly handled, mainly to save money for the government.
This is protecting the government’s investment in housing and in the local housing organizations.
Perhaps my question didn’t come across.
The local housing organization’s decisions regarding hiring or firing of an employee, whether it be a manager, do the local housing organizations have authority over that or do they need approval from the housing corporation first?
The LHO has the authority to hire or fire an employee of a manager.
The LHO board has that authority to hire and fire.
What about the Nunavut Housing Corporation’s president? Do they have a responsibility or a role when a local housing authority is trying to hire or fire a manager?
Hon. George Kuksuk (interpretation): As I stated earlier, there is an agreement between NHC and LHOs. We have district managers that have different responsibilities in our district offices and the local housing organizations can work with the manager’s district offices.
However, if something needs the attention of the president of the Nunavut Housing Corporation, if circumstances call for it, then the president will be involved.
It was already discussed yesterday, but I just wanted some clarification. We know that there are two different kinds of local housing organizations. One is appointed and the other one is elected.
What are the differences between the authorities of the two kinds of local housing groups? Which has more authority, the appointed boards or the elected boards? Can you tell us the differences between the two?
There is a little bit of a difference between the two, but their authorities in the communities are pretty much the same. It is explained in the management agreement between the local housing organizations and NHC. The differences between the associations and authorities are explained in the agreement.
For example, the associations run elections and the community elect them.
If it’s an authority, then they are given their authority by the minister.
They can suggest names that the minister would appoint. The appointments for that would be done by the minister.
The next name on the list, Mr. A. Sammurtok.
I would like to go back to, (interpretation ends) if you don’t mind, the funding formula, (interpretation) Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Sammurtok: Operations and maintenance funding is based on the corporation’s local housing association funding formula. (interpretation) How do they deal with standby, overtime, or emergency callouts in the wintertime, which is quite common?
The power goes out, the furnace goes out, and there is someone working on standby. (interpretation ends) Are they included in the funding formula?
Your question about the details of overtime and emergency callouts, Ms. Kimball knows the details and I would like her to respond to that, please.
Depending on the number of housing units that each LHO oversees, both public and staff housing, there is a complex formula that then determines how many positions they need and it includes partial positions, which we obviously don’t staff parts of people.
They get an overall budget that they’re expected to manage for.
Now, that budget includes things like preventative maintenance time. If the preventative maintenance is done, then you get less callouts. You get less demand maintenance if you’re doing the preventative maintenance.
We have seen situations where, if that maintenance is not done, then of course, they’re going to incur demand maintenance, so that can cause issues. In those cases, we work with the LHO to help them improve the management and address those issues.
Mr. Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) It has come to my attention that the funding given by the housing corporation to the local housing associations is not adequate for some of the housing associations, even though they do their preventative maintenance scheduling during the fall and spring.
Would you be thinking of increasing the funding of such cases?
The president has requested the opportunity to respond to this, if you don’t mind. (interpretation ends) Thank you.
This is something we look at every year. As we have our LHO audits completed, we look at the financial position of all of our LHOs. Overall, across 25 LHOs, we only have eight that are in a cumulative deficit position.
Overall, we are in a $4 million surplus, which would indicate that the vast majority of LHOs are able to operate within the funding formula that is being provided.
We are working with those eight that have cumulative deficits. Of those eight, this past year, more than half actually ran a surplus. They have been given a deficit recovery strategy and they have been actually able to save money and slowly pay down their deficits.
Because it is working for the vast majority, we will look at those exceptions, but for the most part, we are finding it’s an operational consideration and the way they’re operating that generally drives their financial challenges and we have been able to work with them to develop a solution.
We will just wait a bit for the translators to catch up.
Let’s go on to a different topic.
With the O&M for employees of the local housing associations, do you include their pension plan at all?
Yes, pension plans have been included.
The next name on the list, Mr. T. Sammurtok.
On page 5 of the Nunavut Housing Corporation’s Master Agreement for the Management and Administration of Local Housing Organization Programs, it states that NHC will, and I quote, “conduct a formal assessment of the LHO every two years, or as required.
The assessment will review the LHO’s operations to ensure adherence with the terms and conditions in this agreement and in the general areas of tenant relations, finance, technical, administration and governance.”
Which LHOs have received assessments over the past two years?
Hon. George Kuksuk (interpretation): Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. I also thank the member for his question.
There are many of them that were completed in 2013 and they are (interpretation ends) Arctic Bay, Cape Dorset, Clyde River, Grise Fiord, Iqaluit, Kimmirut, Resolute Bay, (interpretation) and the other ones that have not been completed that are being dealt with are (interpretation ends) Naujaat, Whale Cove, Cambridge Bay, Gjoa Haven, Kugluktuk, and Taloyoak. (interpretation) They’re working on the 2013-14 years for those ones.
I wonder if the minister can tell me who actually does conduct the assessments. (interpretation) Thank you.
I also thank the member for that question. The respective district offices do the assessments.
Once an audit is completed, who receives copies of the assessment?
The community that is being assessed and the housing corporation are given a copy.
I wonder if the minister can tell me: what specific actions does NHC take when it determines that an LHO is not adhering to the terms and conditions of its master agreement with the housing corporation?
It’s explained in the management agreement, as to my colleague’s question. The agreement is agreed to by the LHO and the housing corporation.
It comprises of many different things.
If we need to do something because someone is breaking the agreement for whatever reason, although I can’t give any examples, there can be different reasons for that happening.
On page 7 of your agreement, item 13 a) reads, “This Agreement may be suspended and an Administrator appointed to assume the responsibilities of this Agreement, Schedules, and Appendices, in whole or in part, without notice if in the opinion of the Corporation and the Minister there has been a serious breach of any terms of this Agreement, Schedules, or Appendices to this Agreement.”
I wonder if the minister can outline what sort of actions or penalties the LHO may face.
I will refer this question to Ms. Kimball. (interpretation ends) Thank you.
Suspending an LHO board is something that we take very seriously. We have only done it a few times in my five years with the organization. It’s generally reserved for situations where there’s a very serious breach, often a financial breach or an instance of fraud, something very serious where we would do that.
Generally, we’re able to work very well with our local housing organization partners and our district staff will meet with them if there’s an area of concern.
It can be escalated accordingly if there are any issues, but we have been able to work through the vast majority of issues with our LHO partners.
I’ll conclude my questioning at this time and yield my time to someone else.
Good evening, Mr. Minister. Before I ask my question, we had a long service award ceremony last night and I would also like to congratulate Ms. Kimball.
She was one of the long service award recipients last night.
Mr. Minister, I would like to go back to some of the questions that I would like clarification on.
First of all, I will focus on the roles and responsibilities of the local housing organizations.
Yesterday, you said that the housing association can put a name on the top of a waiting list only under unusual circumstances and that they would have to report it to the Nunavut Housing Corporation.
Does the board of directors have to report that situation to the housing corporation so they can be denied or is it for statistical purposes?
Have you ever stopped them from doing that?
Hon. George Kuksuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I also thank the member for that good question.
Mr. Chairman, you need to have a clear understanding of the response as to how you can put a name on top of a waiting list under unusual circumstances.
I will refer this to Ms. Kimball if it’s okay with you, Mr. Chairman.
The information is shared with our district office so the district can make sure that the LHO has properly documented the rationale for the special circumstances.
That’s done to make sure that it’s open, transparent, and fair and that there’s clear documentation on why someone is bumping ahead on the list.
Again, with so many families on that waitlist, it is really critical that we maintain that equity and fairness in the allocation process.
It’s just an audit check and balance; it’s really not us taking over that authority. We’re just making sure that the board has done their due diligence and documented things accordingly.
My question was: have you ever denied anyone when they sent the report in that kind of situation?
Hon. George Kuksuk (interpretation): Ms. Kimball will respond to the question.
Ms. Kimball: Yes, I believe that we have. I know, in some cases, we’ve had follow-up questions to get clarification.
In some circumstances, we have identified where there may be a relationship with a board member, for instance, and of course then it’s our obligation to step in to make sure that the fairness of the system is upheld.
I have another question regarding the local housing associations. You also indicated that if they’re going to be allotting to a person, why is it that they have to give the information to you first before they get the unit?
I don’t want to try to answer the question without understanding it fully, so I would like to refer it to Ms. Kimball.
Once a tenant has keys and has moved in and a lease has been signed, there is a residency created, which is a legal contract of residency.
If the allocation has been done improperly and we discover it after the fact, it creates a lot of complexity to fix the error.
It’s much better if we actually have a review before someone gets the keys and signs the lease agreements.
That’s why we ensure that the district is in the process beforehand.
Mr. Enook (interpretation): Just for further clarity, let me ask this question. The local housing organizations know what the situation is like in their community.
If they’re allotting houses, why do they need your approval or why do they have to give you the information?