EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
It’s the intention, I guess, at this point to provide coverage where possible.
Obviously, we are trying to be flexible but the member is quite correct, there are going to be instances where perhaps coverage is not appropriate.
He’s looking for examples, so an example might be where it’s known that a particular outfitter has a shoddy history. Obviously, we would have to look at that situation a lot closer. If there’s an issue with equipment, I think the member made reference to equipment, if we know that an outfitter has equipment that is perhaps not up to standard, then that would also raise some eyebrows, so to speak.
So those are two examples, Mr. Chairman, with respect to the member’s question. Thank you.
Could the minister or Mr. Ma indicate how the Department of Finance, as administrators of this program, would know that a particular outfitter has an operation that’s up to code, so to speak, or is lacking the proper equipment and training in safety for their employees and their guests?
There are a number of things that we could do. Certainly, at the time that the particular outfitter comes to us for assistance, we could ask them about their operations and get some sense of it that way. We could certainly contact Nunavut Tourism, the membership organization, and then just what we call general inquiries.
So, for example, I’m going to pick on Mr. Arvaluk’s community of Pond Inlet.
If there’s an applicant from Pond Inlet, we would generally ask around and see how that person has operated in the past, and if things come to light that require us to think further or have further discussions, then we would obviously do that.
Obviously, we’re not in the business of doing this on a regular basis, but hopefully we have enough common sense and due diligence in our work to make some assessments.
Mr. Peterson: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate that information.
Could the minister or Mr. Ma indicate exactly how the Department of Finance would be able to participate at the community level to ensure that the application process, inspections, and all that good stuff are complete?
I’m asking that question since you have an office here in Iqaluit, you have an office in Cambridge Bay, Rankin Inlet, and perhaps an office in Igloolik, but you wouldn’t have Department of Finance staff in every community.
So how would you administer this program to ensure that there is an uptake and the entire application process is complete?
Like I said earlier, the Department of Economic Development and Transportation will be providing information to outfitters and we will provide the money for insurance for outfitters.
The Department of Economic Development is the department the people approach in order for them to inquire about those types of things in the communities.
We have the staff in the communities and the department will also keep the outfitters in the communities informed about the program, Mr. Chairman.
I appreciate that answer from the minister.
Can the minister give us an indication of the total number of jobs and employment benefits that the outfitters sector in Nunavut provides, and then give us an indication of the revenue that the outfitting industry generates for Nunavut?
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): I would like to ask the Minister for Economic Development and Transportation if he has those numbers, Mr. Chairman.
I don’t have that information with me at the moment, so I would have to get back to the member.
I thank the ministers for that information or no information.
I think it’s quite important that when we’re investing in this type of program, we have some data on the revenues that are generated by this insurance program.
I indicated earlier today in my Member’s Statement that tourism revenues are probably $30 million to Nunavut. We’re making a very significant investment of up to $5 million with this program, so I think we should have some information on the economic impacts that are generated in terms of jobs and tourism revenues in Nunavut.
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk: Mr. Ma.
The member raises a good question and certainly, as Minister Netser has indicated, we will provide that information to members.
I just don’t have it in front of me, but I believe it was in our fiscal and economic outlook. I just didn’t think to bring it with me this afternoon, so I do apologize to the member for that lack of foresight.
Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Ma. Mr. Peterson, you have three seconds left on your time. Mr. Peterson.
I thank the minister and Mr. Ma for that response.
I presume that this is probably the information you would include in your annual report and I hope that’s something that you would provide to the House.
My final question, Mr. Chairman: could the minister tell the House what his counterpart departments in the Northwest Territories and the Yukon are doing with respect to assisting their outfitters with liability insurance?
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): According to our knowledge, the Yukon and the Northwest Territories are not dealing with that sort of thing.
Perhaps it’s solely the Nunavut government that’s dealing with this, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Arvaluk, I have you next on general comments, I’ll allow you then.
You’re so generous. I’m just going to make some general questions because I see that you’re going to have to make a whole lot of regulations governing the eligibility criteria and who would be covered, who would not be, how it would be covered, and if you have a shabby history of being outfitter, etcetera. So regulations and guidelines, etcetera, will be developed.
Considering that boat tourism, polar bear hunting, eco-tourism, camping, hiking, mountain climbing, etcetera, North Pole trips, I mean the list is endless, so will you be consulting with HTOs, some outfitters, MLAs, and tourism associations when you are developing a policy or regulations governing the eligibility under this bill?
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): At this time, this bill is intended for the general public. We will work with all the people affected by it and resolve any problems with them. We will also explain what the Nunavut Outfitters Liability Protection Fund Act policies and regulations will be.
In short, we will consult with these people, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Arvaluk: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. There is also another bill that is under consideration before us and I think it’s the Securities Act or the Lands Act that will allow the applicants for electronic filing or electronic application, or whatever. Will that be a provision, too, unless you will be having agents in the communities, such as HTOs, or CEDOs, or wildlife officers and nobody else, especially in the smaller communities?
So will there be a provision in the regulations that you can fill the applications electronically if you don’t have agents?
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): We will not deal with this initially, but we are now starting to set up some forms that could be used electronically. We placed an order for computers and broadband equipment for distribution to the communities.
At this time, I’m not sure if they can apply electronically but it is something we are working on, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman: Thank you, Minister Tapardjuk. (interpretation) Are you finished? (interpretation ends) Thank you.
I think there are no more questions.
We have Bill 34, Nunavut Outfitters Liability Protection Fund Act.
Chairman: And clause 16?
Chairman: Is the committee agreed to Bill 34 as a whole?
Chairman: Do members agree that pursuant to Rule 62(2) that Bill 34 can immediately be placed on the Orders of the Day for third reading?
I would now like to thank the minister and his officials.
I’m sorry. Minister Tapardjuk, do you want to make closing remarks?
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I think I’m the first minister to ever appear before you as the Chairman of the Committee of the Whole and for that, I am proud of you.
And to my colleagues, this legislation has been requested by outfitters and I would like to thank all my colleagues for supporting this bill. There is little doubt that tourism outfitters will now get support as a result.
I would like to thank all the members for supporting this bill.
Chairman: Thank you, Minister Tapardjuk. (interpretation) Sergeant-at-Arms, please escort his officials from the witness table.
(interpretation ends) Now to Bill 30, Supplementary (Operations and Maintenance) Act, No. 1, 2008-2009.
Members turn to page 4 of the 2008-09 Supplementary Appropriation (O&M) No. 1.
Department of Finance. Operations and Maintenance. Not Previously Authorized.
Centrally Administered Funds. Total Centrally Administered Funds. $5,573,000.
Total Department. $5,573,000.
Chairman: Department of Justice. Operations and Maintenance. Not Previously Authorized.
Corrections. Total Corrections. $75,000.
Chairman: Total Department. $75,000.
Chairman: Thank you. Department of Education. Operations and Maintenance. Not Previously Authorized.
Adult Learning and Post-Secondary Services. Total Adult Learning and Post-Secondary Services. Not Previously Authorized. $427,000.
Chairman: Total Department. $427,000.
Program Management. Not Previously Authorized.
Total Program Management. $2,292,000. Agreed?
Chairman: Total Department. $2,292,000.
Department of Community and Government Services. Operations and Maintenance. Not Previously Authorized.
Community Support. Total Community Support. -$75,000.
Total Capital Planning and Technical Services. $168,000.
Chairman: Total Department. $93,000.
Mr. Arvaluk (interpretation): I might be wrong here, but we have already approved $2,292,000 for Environment, there’s $93,000 for Community and Government Services, and then there’s -$1,492,000 for Economic Development.
I’m just looking at the bill and don’t have the figures in front of me. So can you clarify that, please?
Chairman (interpretation): I believe Mr. Arvaluk would like further clarification.
Minister Brown, can you respond to that, please?
I believe the member saw the numbers.
My apologies, the O&M schedules are reversed in the bill and that is why I made a mistake.
I will ask a question after we finish Community and Government Services.
Chairman: So do we start all over again?
Total, okay.
Total Department. $93,000.
Operations and Maintenance. Not Previously Authorized. Economic Development.
Total Economic Development. -$1,492,000.
Mr. Arvaluk: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation) I’ll start over again.
I believe the Minister of Environment... I’m not sure which minister was speaking, but it was in regard to the Fisheries and Sealing Division.
I believe they were moved from Economic Development to the Department of Environment.
Is this -$1,492,000 from the Economic Development Division that has been moved to the Department of Environment?
Environment has an additional $1.2 million and this negative number under Not Previously Authorized is greater and I find that hard to comprehend.
Perhaps the Minister of Finance can clear this mystery.
Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Arvaluk. (interpretation) I believe Minister Okalik would like to respond to that question.
The Fisheries and Sealing Division used to be part of the Department of Economic Development and Transportation was indeed moved to the Department of Environment. The funding has subsequently been transferred to the Department of Environment from ED&T.
Even with the explanation of these funds, the Department of Environment still has another $1.2 million listed here. I don’t know what the purpose is of this extra funding and I believe the purpose is written elsewhere. Has this funding been transferred and is that why there is a difference here?
Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Arvaluk. (interpretation) Who will respond to that question?
We put another $800,000 into this fund and that’s why there is a difference.
The Community Development Trust Fund was added onto this amount that we received from the federal government and that is why there is a slight difference in the total figures.
Are you done, Mr. Arvaluk?
Page 9. Total Economic Development. -$1,492,000.
Chairman: Total Department. -$1,492,000.
Chairman: Page 10. Nunavut Housing Corporation.
Nunavut Housing Corporation. Total Department. $850,000.
Chairman: Thank you. Turn to page 2. Schedule 1.
Operations and Maintenance Appropriation. $7,818,000.
Mr. Arvaluk (interpretation): I wanted to ask a question about the Nunavut Housing Corporation but the figures are quite well prepared, so I will not pose a question regarding those.
I know that it was already dealt with, but I do want to know about the mess and the materials that were sent to Sanikiluaq by mistake.
Where is the funding that was used to pay for the fiasco listed or is it in here?
Hon. Patterk Netser (interpretation): Is he referring to the Sanikiluaq excess materials?
(interpretation ends) Thank you.  Chairman: Thank you, Minister Netser.
Mr. Arvaluk: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation) I am referring to the ones that went to Sanikiluaq, Pond Inlet, and Igloolik that were sent in one Sea-Can of materials. There was a whole Sea-Can in Pond Inlet that wasn’t even supposed to go there as it had a completely different address.
It seems funny now, but at the time, it was a little maddening.
There were materials destined for Igloolik, Clyde River, Coral Harbour, and Pond Inlet that were all put into one Sea-Can and they were all over the place.
So how did that get funded and why aren’t the costs listed here?
Hon. Patterk Netser: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation) The supplementary appropriation that we’re dealing with has nothing to do with the Nunavut Housing Trust. (interpretation ends) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Arvaluk (interpretation): I realize that, Mr. Chairman. There were some materials destined for Rankin Inlet, there were some that were for the Co-op housing projects, as well as materials that went to the Housing Corporation and they all have purposes we can understand.
Where in the O&M budget or which fund out of O&M was used to pay for the costs?
Was it out of our daily operational funds since there is nothing listed in the supplementary appropriation figures?
That is my question. Thank you.
Hon. Patterk Netser: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation) I don’t believe the member realizes that we’re not dealing with the Nunavut Housing Trust; we’re dealing with the supplementary appropriation.
We are still dealing with the extra work as a result of the mix-up, so I can’t respond to his question. (interpretation ends) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Arvaluk: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) So when are we going to review the figures?
For example, the point of shipment was from Montreal, from which they were then sent out to the communities. I believe it was an expensive amount, perhaps $500,000. There was an estimate given and I know that it was quite expensive.
When are we going to see the numbers? I believe they’re going to have to come out of a future Supplementary Appropriation Bill.
Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Arvaluk. (interpretation) Did you want to respond? Minister Netser.
Hon. Patterk Netser: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation) If the member attended the meetings everyday, he would know what’s currently happening.
With regards to this issue, we are still working on the situation. We have sent out the materials to the communities via the aircraft charters and we have not received the total costs of this transportation requirement to remedy this matter.
We’re probably won’t know the total amount of the extra funds required until the fall.
Mr. Arvaluk: Mr. Chairman, a Point of Privilege, (interpretation) I believe that it should be a Point of Order. The minister used unparliamentary language, so I would like him to retract his sentence.
I realize exactly what he’s talking about, but he could have stated right when I asked my first question that the numbers would be available in the fall.
The minister has made an unparliamentary remark in the House and I would like him to retract his statement and apologize.
Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Arvaluk. (interpretation) Mr. Arvaluk has made a Point of Order.
Minister Netser, would you want to retract your comment and apologize?
Hon. Patterk Netser: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation) If I made a mistake, I apologize, but what I was trying to say is that we’re not dealing with the Nunavut Housing Trust, we’re talking about the supplementary appropriation for Rankin Inlet as well as the $500,000 that the government incurred in costs.
We’re trying to get the $500,000 back and we are not talking about the Nunavut Housing Trust.
If I made a mistake, then I apologize, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman (interpretation): There is an apology.
Mr. Arvaluk, did you want to make an additional comment?
(interpretation ends) Bill 34 on page 2. Schedule 1.
Operations and Maintenance Appropriation. $7,818,000. Agreed?
Chairman: Go to Bill 30 in your legislation binder.
Bill 30, Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, No. 1, 2008-2009.
Chairman: Go to page 3.
Vote 1. Operations and Maintenance. Total Operations and Maintenance. $7,818,000.
Chairman: Total Supplementary Appropriation. $7,818,000.
Chairman: Thank you. Page 1 of Bill 30. Clause 4?
Chairman: Is the committee agreed to Bill 30 as a whole?
Some Members: Agreed.  Chairman: Do members agree that pursuant to Rule 62(2) that Bill 30 can immediately be placed on the Orders of the Day for third reading?
Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Mapsalak, you will get your wish.
Mr. Mapsalak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. My committee will have a meeting, so I would like to move to report progress.
Chairman (interpretation): There is a motion on the floor to report progress and the motion is not debatable. Who is the seconder?
(interpretation ends) Not. All those in favour.
Speaker (interpretation): Members, Item 20. Report of the Committee of the Whole.
Your committee has been considering Bill 34 and Bill 30, and would like to report progress, and report that Bill 30 and Bill 34 are immediately ready for third reading. And, Mr. Speaker, I move that the Report of the Committee of the Whole be agreed to.
He moved to have the report agreed to.
Third Reading of Bills. (interpretation ends) Government House Leader, Minister Picco.
Bill 31 – Legislative Assembly Statutes Amendment Act, 2008 – Third Reading
Hon. Ed. Picco: Thank you, Mr. Speaker and good evening.
Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Cambridge Bay, that Bill 31, the Legislative Assembly Statutes Amendment Act, 2008, be read for the third time.
Bill 31 has had its third reading.
Item 21. Third Reading of Bills. (interpretation ends) Mr. House Leader, Minister Picco.
Bill 32 – An Act to Amend the Nunavut Elections Act, No. 2 – Third Reading
I would move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Cambridge Bay, that Bill 32, An Act to Amend the Nunavut Elections Act, No. 2, be read for the third time.
Bill 32 has had its third reading.
If there are no more, thank you.
A reminder of the meeting of the Standing Committee Ajauqtiit this evening at 6:15 in the Tuktu Boardroom and a meeting of the same standing committee tomorrow morning at nine o’clock in the Tuktu Boardroom.
Orders of the Day for June 3:
Speaker: Order, order.
Can we have some order in the House, please?
Please proceed, Mr. Quirke.
This House stands adjourned until Tuesday, June 3, at 1:30 p.m.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Pages 4447 – 4530
Opening Prayer 4447
Ministers’ Statements 4447
Members’ Statements 4450
Returns to Oral Questions 4463
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 4465
Oral Questions 4466
Written Questions 4486
Tabling of Documents 4486
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 4489
Report of the Committee of the Whole 4527
Third Reading of Bills 4528
Orders of the Day 4528
Tuesday, June 3, 2008 4447
195 – 2(4): Alcohol Education Committee Reference Guide (Tapardjuk) 4447
196 – 2(4): Coppermine River Management Plan Update (Akesuk) 4448
197 – 2(4): Update on the Nunavut Business Credit Corporation (Netser) 4449
473 – 2(4): Happy Birthday to Peter Kattuk and Farewell as MLA (Barnabas) 4450
474 – 2(4): Congratulations to Graduate of Office Administrator Program in Gjoa Haven (Aglukkaq) 4450
475 – 2(4): Impact of Rising World Price of Oil on Nunavummiut (Curley) 4451
476 – 2(4): Congratulations to Arviat Students for Aboriginal Business Achievement (Alagalak) 4452
477 – 2(4): Traditional Knowledge vs. Current Practices (Arvaluk) 4453
478 – 2(4): Member Not Running in Next Election – Reflections as MLA (Kattuk) 4454
479 – 2(4): Rosemary Sandy – Teacher for 38 Years (Brown) 4456
480 – 2(4): Need for a New Airport and Runway Extension in Clyde River (Arreak) 4456
481 – 2(4): Aaju Peter - Called to the Nunavut Bar as a Lawyer (Picco) 4457
482 – 2(4): Thanks to John Avaala (Simailak) 4458
483 – 2(4): Newmont Mining Gold Project Update (Peterson) 4458
484 – 2(4): Reflections on Working with Peter Kattuk (Okalik) 4460
485 – 2(4): Reflections on the Legacy of the Second Legislative Assembly (Tootoo) 4461
486 – 2(4): Thanks to Wife Elizabeth Mapsalak (Mapsalak) 4462
Return to Oral Question 530 – 2(4): Fuel Hedging Strategy (Tapardjuk) 4463
Return to Oral Question 551 – 2(4): GN’s Involvement in Regulatory Process (Okalik) 4464
598 – 2(4): Improvements to Bloody Falls Trail in Kugluktuk (Evyagotailak) 4466
599 – 2(4): Report of the Auditor General on the Nunavut Housing Corporation (Curley) 4468
600 – 2(4): Subsidy for Hunters for Fuel Purchases (Arreak) 4470
601 – 2(4): Summer Student Employment Program in Baker Lake (Simailak) 4472
602 – 2(4): Concerns Regarding Journeymen Training (Kattuk) 4473
603 – 2(4): Territorial Treatment Centre in Cambridge Bay (Peterson) 4475
604 – 2(4): Decision on Young Offenders Facility (Tootoo) 4479
605 – 2(4): How Polar Bears are Counted in Nunavut (Curley) 4480
606 – 2(4): Western Hudson Bay Polar Bear Quota (Alagalak) 4483
015 – 2(4): Disclosure and Withdrawals under the Integrity Act (Tootoo) 4486
257 – 2(4): Ministerial Expenses – Duty and Home Travel 2007/08 (Okalik) 4486
258 – 2(4): Successful Winter Fur Harvest in Baker Lake - Photos (Simailak) 4487
259 – 2(4): Standing Committee on Government Operations and Accountability – Amended Copy of the Report on the Review of the 2007 Report of the Auditor General on the Nunavut Business Credit Corporation (Tootoo) 4487
260 – 2(4): Alcohol Education Committee Reference Guide (2008) (Tapardjuk) 4488
261 – 2(4): Fuel Tax Rebate Program 2008 Annual Report (Tapardjuk) 4488
262 – 2(4): Letters of Expectation to Nunavut Crown Agencies for the Fiscal Year 2008-2009 Nunavut Housing Corp., Nunavut Arctic College, Qulliq Energy Corp. (Tapardjuk) 4488
263 – 2(4): Responses to the Letters of Expectation from Nunavut Crown Agencies, 2007-2008 (Tapardjuk) 4488
264 – 2(4): Nunavut Business Credit Corporation Annual Report for the Year Ended March 31, 2007 (Netser) 4488
265 – 2(4): Agriculture Products Marketing Act Annual Reports 2004/05 - 2007/08 (Netser) 4488
266 – 2(4): Response to the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Accountability’s Report on the Review of the Report of the Auditor General on the Financial Assistance for Nunavut Students Program (Picco) 4489
017 – 2(4): Bill 33, An Act to Amend the Labour Standards Act – Amendment to Clause 2 – Coming into Force Provision (Okalik) 4498
Bill 33 – An Act to Amend the Labour Standards Act – Consideration in Committee 4489
Bill 26 – Securities Act – Consideration in Committee 4499
Bill 27 – An Act to Amend the Land Titles Act – Consideration in Committee 4521
Bill 34 – Nunavut Outfitters Liability Protection Fund Act – Third Reading 4528
Bill 29 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 1, 2008-2009 – Third Reading 4528
Bill 30 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 1, 2008-2009 – Third Reading 4528
Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Honourable Olayuk Akesuk, Mr. David Alagalak, Mr. James Arreak, Mr. James Arvaluk, Honourable Levi Barnabas, Honourable Levinia Brown, Mr. Tagak Curley, Mr. Joe Allen Evyagotailak, Mr. Peter Kattuk, Honourable Peter Kilabuk, Mr. Steve Mapsalak, Honourable Patterk Netser, Honourable Paul Okalik, Mr. Keith Peterson, Honourable Edward Picco, Mr. David Simailak, Honourable Louis Tapardjuk, Mr. Hunter Tootoo.