EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Mr. Speaker, can the premier indicate when any results of these consultations and where they’re at to date will be made available to the members of this assembly to have their input?
And as well, are we going to get questionnaires?
There are two questions for you, Mr. Premier.
Yeah, there won’t be any more supplementaries, I hope.
For a change, I think we’ll get to ask questions of the MLA’s.
So I think it’d be nice to change that role.
Yes, that is part of the review.
The work that will happen is the MLA’s will be asked along with other groups in Nunavut, in particular Inuit organizations and teachers, what we can do better as a government.
We’re hopeful that we can complete a portion of this review in the New Year, early in the New Year so that we can perhaps react to some of them.
We’re hoping that we can react significantly to a portion of them in our next budget.
I look forward to receiving that questionnaire and maybe we’ll have an opportunity to put some additional questions into that as well.
The department as we all know, when you’re looking at yourself and evaluating yourself as a department, you won’t always get as objective view as possible as you’d like on there.
I’m sure that there may be a lot of questions that the members or constituents or other people may have about what they’d like to see asked as well, and put forward.
So, I’m just wondering if we will have an opportunity to do that as well.
I believe, yes, that would not be a problem and in addition all members have a role in this legislature and every time we try and produce something we’re often reminded of the shortcomings.
So I believe the members do a very effective job in reminding us that what else we can do better.
So, I must applaud the members for their continual suggestions on how we can improve the government services for their constituents along with us.
Question 296 – 1(6): Feasibility Study of Coastline in Qikiqtarjuaq
I would like to direct a question to the Minister responsible for Community Government and Transportation.
In my constituency of Qikiqtarjuaq in the fall they get big waves and last year I raised a question on this because they’re getting very close to the houses.
I’m wondering if there have been any feasibilities studies as to how we can improve so that there won’t be any damages to the houses from the waves that they get in the fall.
Last year the community was going to be consulted about that topic he’s talking about.
But I will get more information on this today and I will inform him as to the status of the feasibility study that was to be done.
I thank her that she will check into this.
Just this fall the waves were quite big and even the houses were being reached. Before there used to be a trail along the shore and it is completely gone. So this is an emergency case and we need to deal with this as soon as possible before any housing units are damaged.
We will be working closely with the hamlet council in regards to this right away.
Question 297 – 1(6): Status of Inuit Employment Statistics
I want to direct my question to the Minister responsible for Human Resources.
A year ago he tabled “Towards a Representative Public Service”. These were statistics on employment within the Government of Nunavut. Why have they stopped tabling such documents?
Do they plan to do another set of statistics on the Government of Nunavut employment?
Yes, as a department we will continue to provide the House with the status of employment for both the Inuit employment and also overall department numbers for the government of Nunavut.
When do you expect to table this document?
I know my department has been working on putting some numbers together, so I will need to talk to my staff and give a little bit of time as to when I’ll be able to present it to this House.
Question 298 – 1(6): Consideration Dry Cargo Rates – Fuel Contract
Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Minister responsible for Public Works.
Earlier my colleague from Qamanittuaq was asking about what factors they looked at in determining the fuel contracts and trying to get a guarantee out of the minister that the freight rate won’t change over there.
Hearing the responses that I heard, basically my colleague was trying to find out if these things were taken into consideration when the decision was made. This is the same issue that I raised last year when the price of fuel went up.
When we did the department the minister indicated they did an in-depth look into it and looked at everything and that’s the best thing to do.
It still never really let us know what the impact of this decision that they made would have on other components.
At that time there were students and low-income people with fixed incomes, they assured us that everything was looked at.
I still didn’t hear an answer and I would like to ask the Minister, were the dry cargo rates and how they may be affected something that was looked at and taken into consideration prior to the decision being made?
The question in regards to the dry cargo, the contract that we are going to have; at this time we haven’t worked out the finer details.
In the New Year, once the contract has been finalized, I believe we’ll release it in March.
We will announce a contractor at that time. But to now we haven’t finalized the content of the contract.
I expect with the freight, I don’t see a major problem at this stage and I don’t expect that there will be major problems because I think it will remain about the same.
So I don’t expect any major changes, Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Tootoo: Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and Mr. Speaker, I thank the Minister for projecting into the future and what he anticipates or doesn’t expect.
My question was, were the dry cargo freight rates and the possibility of them changing as a result of the awarding of the fuel contract taken into consideration?
Was that taken into consideration prior to the awarding of the fuel delivery contract and it’s nothing to do with the dry cargo contract that they are looking at now; I am asking, was this something that the department looked at to factor in as a result of the decision in awarding the fuel delivery contract?
The dry cargo and fuel contract will be separate and what I have stated is that I don’t expect that the dry cargo would cost more than the present one.
I realise we have to take care of the people of the Kivalliq region and I have stated many times that I would like to make sure that the people of Nunavut are treated fairly.
When we decided for separate petroleum and dry cargo contract we didn’t anticipate any higher prices for the dry cargo.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister if he could answer yes or no that the awarding of the fuel delivery contract is separate from the dry goods contract as it relates to the current supplier. Was that something that was taken into consideration prior to the decision that was made by this government?
Was that a factor?
Hon. Peter Kattuk (interpretation): Mr. Speaker, we have considered that and we expect that it will not cost more to bring dry cargo into the communities.
I guess from all of that, out of all my questions the answer is yes, this is something that the government looked at.
Would the minister commit to providing an analysis and information that they looked at to come up with that expectation to the members of this house?
We have considered that, once we separated the petroleum and the dry cargo, transportation and we have taken that into consideration, it will not raise any prices for those communities.
Mr. Nutarak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can we go back to item 5 of orders of the day?
Mr. Speaker I would like unanimous consent to do that.
Speaker: The Member is seeking unanimous consent to go back to item 5.
Are there any nays? There are no nays. Please proceed Mr. Nutarak.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize an individual from Pond Inlet, Elijah Esuk.
I would also like to recognize one of my constituents and he’s been working at the RCMP for quite some time. I would like to recognize Sandy Akavak.
He has always worked with people at the correctional centre.
Sandy Akavak.
I would also like to recognize Sandy Akavak, he has been an RCMP in Pangnirtung for quite a while, also he’s my older brother in law.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker; and Mr. Elijah Esuk.
Report 006 – 1(6): Bill 19 – Budget Measures Implementation Act
I am glad that I was paying attention, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, I wish to report that Bill 19, Budget Measures Implementation Act has been reviewed by the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Services and the Bill is ready for consideration in the Committee of the Whole.
Mr. Speaker, I seek and ask for consent to waive Rule 68(5) and have Bill 6 moved to the Committee of the Whole for today.
For the record it is Bill 19.
There is a request to waive Rule 68(5) on Bill 19 so it can be immediately referred to the Committee of the Whole.
Are there any nays? There are no nays. Bill 19 is referred to Committee of the Whole for today.
Tabled Document 058 – 1(6): Elders and Youth Facility
I would like to table information for the facilities that are provided for the elders and the youth.
It is in Inuktitut and English.
Tabled Document 059 – 1(6): Letter to Minister Thompson Re: Long Term Care Facility Required in Rankin
I would like to table a document which is a letter from the Kivalliq region and it is in regards to caring for the elders.
Tabled Document 060 – 1(6): Incremental Costs to the GN for the Legislative Assembly Session Held in Pangnirtung 2002
I wish table the following document, “The Incremental Costs for the Government of Nunavut for the Legislative Assembly Session held in Pangnirtung”. It is under the amount of 14 thousand 505.
Tabled Document 061 – 1(6): Victims Assistance Annual Report 2000-2002
I wish to table the following document, “Victim’s Assistance - Annual Report from the year 2000-2002”.
Tabled Document 062 – 1(6): Annual Report of the Languages Commissioner of Nunavut Apri1, 2001 to March 31, 2002
Are there any further Tabling of Documents?
If not, I have one to table.
If I can take a question from Mr. Iqaqrialu, I can table a document.
Members, in accordance with Section 23 of the Official Languages Act, I am tabling the Annual Report of the Languages Commissioner of Nunavut, covering the period of April 1st, 2001 to March 31st, 2002.
Motion 013 – 1(6): Extended Adjournment
I am glad that I am paying attention too.
I give notice that on November 28th, I will move the following Motion. I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Cambridge Bay, that notwithstanding Rule 24, that when the House concludes its present sitting in Iqaluit, it shall be adjourned until March fourth, 2003.
Bill 23 – An Act to Amend the Cities, Towns and Villages Act – Notice
I give notice that on Thursday, November 28th, 2002, I shall move that Bill 23, An Act to Amend the Cities, Towns, and Villages Act, be read for the first time.
Bill 24 – An Act to Amend the Hamlets Act – Notice
Hon. Manitok Thompson: Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Thursday, November 28, 2002, I shall move that Bill 24, An Act to Amend the Hamlets Act, be read for the first times.
Bill 22 – An Act to Amend the Securities Act – Second Reading
I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Pangnirtung, that Bill 22, An Act to Amend the Securities Act, be read for the second time.
Mr. Speaker, the purpose of this Securities Act is to adopt terminology for the registration of security dealers and advisories that is consistent with other jurisdictions.
This will enable implementation of a national registration database for dealers and advisors to apply and receive confirmation of their registration status through the internet.
The amendments also address potential conflict between certain provisions of the Securities Act and of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, once the latter comes fully into force.
The amendments will improve the efficiency of the securities registry, clarify the registration status of securities dealers and advisors, and promote a more coordinated approach with individuals who are registered in more than one province or territory.
Speaker: The motion is in order. To the principle of the Bill.
Bill 22 has had second reading and accordingly the Bill stands referred to a committee.
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters; Bill 13, Bill 17, Bill 18, Bill 19 and Minister’s Statement 072-1(6) with Mr. Irqittuq in the Chair. Before we proceed to Committee of the Whole we will take a short 20 minute break.
>>House recessed at15.33 p.m. and resumed at 15.59 p.m.
During the committee of the whole, we will be dealing with Bill 13, 17, 18, Ministers’ Statement 072-1(6) and Bill 19.
We would like to do a review of Bill 18.
To begin with we would like to deal with the Nunavut Housing Corporation and from there we would like to deal with the Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth.
Is the Minister available now?
Mr. Ng. Sergeant-at-arms if you can escort the minister and his officials to the witness table.
Perhaps Mr. Minister if you can introduce your officials again.
Hon. Kelvin Ng: To my right is Pam Hine, the president of Nunavut Housing Corporation. To my left is Mr. David Akoak, vice-president and in the gallery, Mr. Chris D’Arcy, Director of Policy.
When we last dealt with the Nunavut Housing Corporation we were dealing with questions, we were under questions.
Any questions from the members?
I don’t have that many questions but at the beginning of our discussions, I stated there has been a review on the Housing Needs Study. Pond Inlet was identified as one of the communities and I would like to thank the Housing Corporation for prioritizing Pond Inlet as one of the communities.
Although we still need more housing I would like to thank the department for prioritizing Pond Inlet in their study.
Mr. Iqaqrialu (interpretation): My question was at that time, I know that there is going to be more housing built in the decentralized communities; but for my community of Clyde River we have a shortage of housing. There is some row housing that has been brought to my community but they don’t have very much space with two small bedrooms.
Because they are so small we might encounter some problems and my question to the minister is because they brought in those row-housing units can the Housing Corporation perhaps build three bedroom houses in a row-housing style?
Mr. Chairman, we work with the local housing authorities to see what their preference is for consideration of units.
We try to build whatever we can afford to build and based on what those local housing authority needs are.
But we can’t always meet their expectations, as there are higher costs that are involved because of requests for larger units.
Is the minister saying that he will not be providing any more housing of any sort to Clyde River?
Hon. Kelvin Ng: No, that’s not correct Mr. Chairman.
Right now we are planning, as I said in my opening comments, for at least two units in every community with the exception of Resolute Bay.
That’s still in the works with 2003 Capital.
Will they be building two houses in each community?
I just want to ask the Minister if they are going to be providing duplexes for those communities that he stated will be receiving housing.
Yes, for the 2003 capital program that is the plan.
This year I think there’s four times the amount of money in the capital budget as last year.
Perhaps this will help out, but up to 2004 and for the rest of the years are there any plans in place to build more housing?
I’m not sure about the member’s questions, but in the 2003 capital for public housing we are trying to two units, two for every community.
On top of that I mentioned before the issue of staff housing, which is to build some staff condominiums, in the majority of decentralized communities.
I realise that the decentralized communities will be getting more houses but for smaller communities such as my constituency there is a lack of housing.
Are there any plans in place for 2004 to build houses in smaller communities?
Because they have to have housing, adequate housing for the residents and we don’t want to see any problems arise in the communities, such as health hazards or overcrowding.
We’re trying to do the best we can for the delivery of public housing units and staff housing based on the resources available to us. I can’t speak about 2004, because the final allocations, budgetary wise for all government departments and the Housing Corporation haven’t been finalised yet.
The Nunavut Government has created the Nunavut Housing Corporation; is there any funding that you request from the federal government?
As you may recall the former minister of housing did access with corporation officials, investments for additional public housing requirements that was put into the capital, approximately 5 million dollars. But it’s an ongoing issue that continues to be brought forward more frequently.
I think we’re happy about the fact that at the recent meeting of the aboriginal ministers here in Iqaluit about two weeks ago, that the Federal Minister of DIAND, Mr. Nault, acknowledged the issue of housing needs and put it on the agenda for aboriginal ministers to discuss at their next annual meetings, next year.
I will keep the question as brief as possible.
It’s complementary to my colleague’s question.
I think the majority of the Nunavut communities have a severe housing shortage.
Usually, what happens in overcrowded situations is that there are health hazards and social problems.
If we are going to be building two additional units in each community, have you considered the possibility of increasing those allocations to three or four in the upcoming years?
We try to build as many as we can given our resources, as I had indicated.
If there is more money appropriated to the Housing Corporation then we will have that opportunity.
I think that there has been significant investment to the Housing Corporation, to public housing, since the 2000-2001 year.
We know that we could always use more, but I think that given the limited resources that is fulfilling some of the needs, albeit that is not as much as we would like.
I don’t think that you understood my question.
If we are going to be building two houses per community, and since it is impossible to increase the number of allocations, is it possible to build houses that have three or four bedrooms?
Maybe the Member is right.
I am not exactly getting his line of questioning.
We can build whatever we can afford to build I guess would be the answer.
And the plan is to build duplexes in every community for 2003.
If there are expectations over and above that, then we would have to consider how we would fund that if at all possible.
Chairperson (interpretation): Any other questions?
Mr. Havioyak (interpretation): I am sorry that I am late. (interpretation ends) Are we still on general?
I want to ask further.
Mr. Havioyak: Okay, I will carry on.
Maybe I will try to use this as an example, where a community has a waiting list.
It can be clear if I use an example, I guess.
If I have a waiting list in Kugluktuk and let’s say 100 people are on the waiting list, I wanted a two or three bedroom, and in Pangnirtung they have 30 on the list.
Still, here in the Capital you are putting two houses in each community.
I am just wondering how you arrived at that?
Let us say, for example, if one community has a larger waiting list than the other does, how do you come up with the formula?
Maybe you can answer that question for me.
Mr. Chairman, the Members may recall that in the past the Minister did try to bring in a public housing program based on needs.
That was defined, whether it was waiting lists, or needs based on per person, or the average occupancy per house.
It left some communities without an allocation of units.
The decision was made this time to try to provide, consistent with this current year, to try to provide some housing to every community recognizing that there are some communities who have larger needs than others do.
So it’s time to, I guess, balance that out by doing something for every community instead of none for some and more for others.
And I would, I didn’t recognize David and your other staff.
(interpretation ends) I understand that you’re trying to get housing across Nunavut, but if there was a greater need, like I said I used Pangnirtung for example and Kugluktuk, we see there were some differences.
Let’s look at the future.
Let’s say you have right now two on two but let’s say that we have a greater need in that community, can we look at something like increasing one community, let’s say three houses for that community and one for the other. I’m just using this for an example.
I’m just trying to figure out how these things are done here, how you come up with numbers like this.
It’s clear what you said but is it possible that we can move the numbers for them.
Mr. Chairman, we can pretty well do anything you want I guess based on statistics that you have available. If the member wants us to consider doing something based on needs, we’re willing to do that.
But you have to recognize that there’s going to be some communities that are going to get more housing than others and some are going to get zero and so that’s why we put forward this formula based on what we think.
So, as I indicated earlier, making sure that every community has some units with the exception of Resolute because of the extenuating circumstances.
That will be taken into consideration in future year’s allocations.
And versus basing it on some priorities, you know waiting lists, or average occupancies or whatever the case may be.
Mr. Havioyak: Koanaqutit.
It’s clear; I understand where you’re coming from.
I just wanted to make sure that I got this issue.
I just wanted to raise this concern that came from my community.
Koana, for that.
I might be going too far and ma be I’ll wait until I get to the next question.
Chairperson (interpretation): We’re in general questions.
We haven’t started with the question on specific pages.
Just going back to something the minister mentioned earlier and I would like to comment. I think it’s good to see at least something happening and we all know that it’s not enough of the needs not only here in Iqaluit but everywhere in every community.
The committee isn’t coming anywhere close to meeting the needs that are out there, but at least there’s something going in there and I look forward to years when there are more than two going in there.
My question, I guess, is the minister had indicated earlier that they’re putting the duplexes into the communities and I’m just wondering if the communities, the local housing organizations have some input into that.
Or is it something that you know, it’s becoming something that that’s what every community needs.
Or they couldn’t basically help them into the type of units that went into their communities.
Hon. Kelvin Ng: The local housing authorities have had significant input towards what they wanted in the communities.
The fact is we’re finding in the current capital year that all tenders have come in consistently over budget and that is a trend throughout Nunavut not just for Housing Corporation tenders.
So I mean that’s one of the mitigating factors that I guess we have to take into consideration. That’s why the proposals now are costing based on duplexes for the next fiscal year.
If the communities are adamant that they want detached units then that may impact on delivery of the number of units for that community.
They may have to be put off until future years if the economies of scale aren’t there. And I know that this question was raised by Mr. McLean and others about the capital construction cost, some contractors are saying it’s cheaper to build the detached units or just as cheap for the detached units versus a duplex or multiplex unit, which may be legitimate in some cases and in some instances.
The main difference in the costing isn’t the actual construction and materials, the main difference is the land cost, because we do know that the duplex, the multiplex unit, you can get more efficiencies from land.