EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
That tells a bit, but there business plan on page G-23, priorities, complete the Adult Learning Strategy, Trades Training Strategy, Mines Training Strategy, I simply refer to them as a trades centre.
Complete a feasibility study in Nunavut cultural school, I take it that means to folk school or what ever it is, but it’s under the Business Plan that have been crafted from Nunavut Arctic College.
And it also states a complete feasibility study in Nunavut’s trade group, I hope the minister not speak on both sides of his mouth, that his trying to please everybody, Nunavut Arctic College should be doing this and that, and I say to the minister, Arctic College is more than enough to deal with their implementing their 75 recommendations that are being developed and approved by the Minister.
So why not establish more qualified groups out there to look into that, to see whether there not they might find that they will get the best advise and options for the people of Nunavut?
Hon. Ed Picco: I can say Mr. Chairman I’m not trying to talk on both sides of my mouth at the same time, all I can tell you, the members, the Business Plan for Nunavut Arctic College has never been a process that we would actually table, so I don’t know what Business Plan the members talking about.
The Business Plan for the Nunavut Arctic College has not been tabled, wouldn’t form part of his working papers, what he’s looking at has to be the Department of Education’s Business Plans, which of course has been tabled with their budget.
Unless he can specifically show me where his talking about, but there is no debate with the member on the importance of moving forward on the cultural school, as I said earlier that’s something that we concur with.
The direction given by the Caucus in Arviat, in the end of September, the discussions with me and Minister Tapardjuk have argued to move it forward.
And again that’s the process that we’re moving toward.
Mr. Curley: Thank you. I appreciate the minister’s comments, it’s not a 100 percent clear if all the adult programs including Arctic College all related, but they appear to be all related, maybe there is a division, but it’s not clear to us whether they are actually divided.
My understanding is Arctic College has some involvement in assessing trades facilities or trades group.
It could also be that there looking at models for cultural school, if not then it should be quite clear that it’s not their job or that it’s not their responsibility.
But in terms of the establishing or amending Education Act to allow for the minister more involved, is that possible or is that in a work area as sort of a gentleman’s arrangement, that the Nunavut Minister of Education would, from time to time, look over the shoulders of the Arctic College chairman of the Board and the president.
Is that how it is going to work?
May I remind you that your time is up, now let us let the Minister answer it.
The member mentioned the “Education Act”, and I think he is referring to the “Public Colleges Act”, and the member’s correct.
This Act has not changed, to the best of my knowledge, going back to at least 1988, when it came forward from the Government of the Northwest Territories.
I do not remember any amendments from 1995 to 1999 and now from 1999 to 2004.
So I would suggest that that is something we would look at in consultation with the college itself, as well as with the different aspects that run under that act which would include the employees, the Federation of Nunavut Teachers, The Nunavut Employees Union, and so on.
So that’s something that the Government would look at.
Chairman: (interpretation) Thank you Mr. Minister.
Peter Kattuk.
I think when you’re a learning person, I think you have to look at maybe two lives or something like that.
Yourself and your family, but sometimes it is very hard to prepare them at the same time.
So I think we need the Nunavut-made legislation on adult learning, because it is sometimes really hard for one person to look after the family and try to learn what he wants to learn.
You mentioned consultation about the Nunavut Union.
So I think that something has to be done with the Nunavummiut, just to find out what I want they to see and how some learning persons in the communities were somewhere else in Nunavut.
I have heard a comment that, when we were in various governments, I think everybody has to go to Fort Smith in order to learn something that they want to learn.
It is a comment that I think we should have a consultation with Nunavummiut communities.
What I want to see, I think, there is a slate of people that want to learn and look after their families.
So I think it is a comment that maybe it is a response that is it a good idea or it could be done.
Is it possible to have a consultation with the Nunavummiut communities for Nunavummiut Education on adult learning.
Chairman: Thank you. That was a comment.
Do you want to make a short comment on that Mr. Minister?
I think that would be a good process under the legislation that would come before.
That’s it Peter.
Mr. Curley: Yes, I have one more comment question.
In view of the particular experiences we are having with the Nunavut Arctic College issues that concerned the public as well as the programs, as well as the need to have more expanded, if all possible, or establishments that need to trade facilities and cultural school requirement.
Would the minister be in support of a more consultative process with all of these matters?
It’s been agreed as a fact that we need to hear directly, as well, from the general public as well as the students and teachers who may be timid about coming forward through the political process.
Mr. Curley: So the minister would be in support of either a Special Committee or a Committees at the legislature traveling with him and that he would be willing to participate either as a witness, if that were to be introduced during this Session or sometime in the future?
Under the legislation that we have in the Assembly, there is an enabling legislation that allows the different Standing Committees to choose and task among themselves what direction they go in.
The Standing Committee on Education, for example, would like to follow-up on some of suggestions that Mr. Kattuk had, and then they have that right.
And then the Committee, under legislation, also has the right to call witnesses, which may include me as the Minister of Education, and so on.
So no, I think there’s always a good opportunity for debate within Nunavut itself, and I think the member has the opportunity and the vehicle to be able to carry out his suggestion.
We are on page G-11, I am sorry.
Total Operations and Maintenance. $23,852,000, (interpretation) Do you agree?
Chairman: Thank you. Go to G-4.
Education Department Summary.
Total Operations and Maintenance. $174,224,000, (interpretation) Do you agree?
Chairman: Are you agreed that Department of Education is concluded?
Do you have any comments, Mr. Minister?
I would like to thank the members for these two weeks of going to the Department of Education’s budget, and I wanted to say, very quickly, that I think this is probably one of the best budgets I have seen in any Department in the Assembly, and I mean that in all sincerity.
There’s over 40 new positions for programs to support teachers, five percent increase in income support, there’s a rebate, for the first time ever, to Co-op members so that they can actually keep that money and not take it off their income support, there’s over 40 other positions going directly into our schools.
So I think it’s a good news budget.
I would not want to sit here with a bad budget if it took two weeks to get the good budget in.
So I would like to take this opportunity to thank the members and the staff, Ms. Hine and Mr. Clendenning and their staff, Janet and all of the other people over at the Sivumut Building who have been tuning in on a daily basis, have done yeoman service on the Department of Education’s budget.
So with that, thank you, and thank you to the members.
Chairman: Thank you. (interpretation) Did you want to say something, Mr. Alagalak?
Mr. Alagalak: No.
Chairman: Thank you, so much Mr. Minister and your staff.
I think we are going for a 25 minute break and we will see you in 25 minutes.
>>Committee recessed at 18:24 and resumed at 18:59
I would like to ask Minister Kilabuk for the Department of Community and Government Services to make his opening remarks.
Hon. Peter Kilabuk (interpretation): I am pleased to provide you with the comments on the 2005/06 main estimates.
Our budget of just under $154 million and staff in 6 regional and decentralized offices and in Iqaluit.
Community and Government Services responsibilities impact the day-to-day activities of Nunavut communities and all other departments within the Government of Nunavut.
Community and Government Services emphasizes community support - one stop for communities for a range of services, funding and training.
My department is working to improve technical services related to capital infrastructure, information technology and in other areas.
It has increased emphasis on protection services including fire, EMO, and building inspection.
We are improving capital planning, project management, program delivery and provision of technical services in a financially efficient way.
Mr. Chairman, this budget demonstrates a firm financial commitment to supporting municipalities.
An additional $4 million will be provided under the municipal operating assistance program in 2005/06.
Combined with the increase provided 2 years ago, this represents a 30 percent increase in municipal operating grant base payments over three years.
Community and Government Services is also undertaking revisions to the water and sewage subsidy program this fiscal year and has increased the funding in this area by $500,000, particularly to address the increased costs of mechanical treatment facilities.
The department, in collaboration with Nunavut’s municipalities is making changes to the program to increase flexibility and expenditure allowances within the program to maximize communities’ abilities to manage their individual programs.
Mr. Chairman, last year, the department, tabled the Nunavut Fire Strategy that laid out a vision and a progressive plan to reduce the fire losses across the territory.
Last year, $1 million was allocated to the Strategy.
This year, the government will be allocating an additional $2 million to the Fire Prevention Strategy targeted towards fire fighting training, loss control training, equipment improvements and public awareness.
Government is again providing core funding support for the MTO which assists that organization in obtaining funding from other partners.
Over the past year MTO programs have attracted 660 participants and provided over 5,000 training days to all levels of municipal staff.
Mr. Chairman, this year will see the rollout of a major infrastructure funding initiative, in cooperation with Canada under the strategic infrastructure fund and the Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund.
The funding from Canada is matched by Nunavut and will allow us to address priority needs in communities.
In addition, on February 1, Canada announced a major new funding program from the gasoline Tax which is for community infrastructure.
To ensure these funds are used to address the priority needs of communities, the Nunavut Association of Municipalities will join the Government of Nunavut in forming the Community Infrastructure Planning Committee.
The Nunavut Association of Municipalities will also work with Canada and the Government of Nunavut on establishing an Infrastructure Technical Planning Secretariat.
Mr. Chairman, due to the impact of global climate change and escalating oil prices, the need to manage and conserve our energy has never been more evident than it is today.
In response to this need, we will be implementing an Energy Management Program throughout the Government of Nunavut.
As part of this initiative, educational and training programs will be developed for government employees, schools, other institutions, plus building operators and managers.
A retrofit program is being created for upgrading existing government facilities and energy guidelines are being developed for use in the design of new facilities.
Mr. Chairman, my department’s Informatics Planning and Services is preparing a Strategic Information Services Plan that will help to support the government’s internal operations, improve the storage of data we maintain on behalf of Nunavummiut, and make better use of Internet technologies to improve services to remote communities.
Operations to initially benefit from this comprehensive approach has been the recent deployment of a powerful, more efficient and more accurate Human Resources and payroll system, ongoing improvements to the Income support system and a comprehensive review of the health information systems.
Mr. Chairman, over the next year, the Community and Government Services will implement new software for government purchasing and contract activity reporting.
This will improve the timeliness of ordering goods and services, allow government offices and employees to immediately know the order status, and speed delivery of goods and service to our Community and Government Services Clients, and will lead to more timely annual contract reporting.
Mr. Chairman, the Department of 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.
I am pleased that the budget before you is a positive step in addressing some of those challenges.
Mr. Chairman, this concludes my opening remarks, and I am now ready to respond to the Committee’s questions on the 2005/06 main estimates.
Sergeant-at-arms, can you escort the witnesses?
Thank you. (interpretation ends) For the record, minister, could you please introduce your witnesses?
To my immediate left is my Deputy Minister, Tom Rich, and Mike Rafter, planning and policy, he has appeared before us before.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. Welcome.
Does the Chairman of the Standing Committee on Infrastructure Housing and Economic Development have any comments?
Yes, I have comments.
Chairman: Please proceed, Mr. Curley.
I am pleased to provide you with comments of the Chairman of the Standing Committee on Infrastructure Housing and Economic Development.
The Committee has reviewed the 2005/2006 main estimates and business plan of the Department of Community and Government Services and had the opportunity to meet with the Minister in January.
Mr. Chairman, Members are concerned that recently announced federal funding from the Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund and the Gas Tax Initiative must be used for environmentally sustainable municipal infrastructure.
Mr. Chairman, members are aware that the most pressing need in Nunavut is for additional housing and urges the minister to continue communicating the urgency of this need to his federal counterparts.
Committee members would support further Nunavut-specific agreements with the federal government that are similar to the $20 million agreement that was signed under the Strategic Infrastructure Fund in January to provide housing in the territory.
Mr. Chairman, members recognize that running new sewage treatment infrastructure will require increases in operations and maintenance budget.
Members support the minister in his negotiations for federal funding for ongoing operations and maintenance costs related to new mechanical sewage treatment plants.
The Standing Committee was pleased to note that the recent Government of Nunavut news release announcing the creation of the Community Infrastructure Advisory Committee.
This Standing Committee has been a strong proponent of involving communities directly in the capital planning process.
Committee members hope that this Advisory Committee, which is made up of members of the Nunavut Association of Municipalities and Government of Nunavut departmental representatives will give communities a meaningful role in setting their own infrastructure priorities.
Mr. Chairman, members noted that one of the department’s priorities for 2005-06 is to adopt improved Municipal Operation Assistance Program and Water Sewage Subsidy Program formulas.
The Committee would like to remind all members that the review of these funding formulas for municipalities began prior to division and numerous reports have been produced by both the Government of the Northwest Territories before division and the Government of Nunavut after division.
Mr. Chairman, this Standing Committee has repeatedly recognized the fiscal pressure that many hamlets are under.
Once again, members urge the minister to implement improved funding formulas in a timely fashion.
Mr. Chairman, members noted that one of the department’s priorities for 2005-06 is to develop a framework for hamlets to begin the process of becoming municipal taxing authorities.
Members support the minister in a cautious approach to devolving responsibilities to hamlets to ensure that adequate resources in the form of trained staff, as well as funding, are in place.
Members believe that an adequate tax base as well as grassroots support for these initiatives are necessary conditions for their success.
Mr. Chairman, members remain concerned by the number of hamlets finding themselves in deficit situations.
Members recognize that the Minister has taken steps to assist hamlets in recovering from financial difficulties.
However, members urge the Minister to continue implementing safeguards to resolve hamlet financial difficulties before they become deficits.
Mr. Chairman, members are pleased that the Minister remains committed to increasing training opportunities for municipal employees.
Members appreciate the efforts made by the Municipal Training Organization to provide information on the organization’s activities.
The Committee encourages the Minister to continue working with his colleagues to ensure that municipal employees continue to receive training.
Mr. Chairman, Committee Members are concerned that the current gas supply is not meeting the quality standards that are necessary for our harsh climate.
The Committee noted that officials of the PPD have indicated that standards for gas quality may change and that meetings are being held with the Canadian General Standards Board to reassess specifications.
Members will continue to monitor this situation closely and urge the Minister to make a timely decision with respect to compensation for affected residents.
Mr. Chairman, members were pleased with the recent announcement to postpone the transfer of the Petroleum Products Division to the Qulliq Fuel Corporation.
Mr. Chairman, members were concerned that the quality of petroleum products will not be enhanced by transferring the Petroleum Products Division to a new Qulliq Fuel Corporation.
Members are concerned that a Crown corporation would not allow the government adequate flexibility to act should further concerns arise with respect to fuel quality.
Mr. Chairman, members remain concerned that the 2005-06 Main Estimates includes a further $500,000 for the Qulliq Energy Corporation Transition Contribution.
Members are aware that this amount was used in 2004-05 to update the PPD computer systems, and to remediate storage sites and update financial systems.
Members believe that these are worthwhile projects and would like the Minister to table a detailed list of projects that will benefit from the $500 thousand that is budgeted for 2005/06.
Mr. Chairman, Members noted that the Minister intends to undertake a complete analysis of sealift delivery and client satisfaction in 2005/06.
Committee Members remain concerned that the new sealift contract for the Kivalliq has not benefited the region.
Members will continue to monitor this issue closely.
Mr. Chairman, Members have expressed concern regarding the loss of vital infrastructure to fire.
Members were pleased to note that the 2005/06 main estimates include $2 million for the implementation of the Fire Prevention Strategy.
However, Members would like to emphasize the importance of reporting annual fire loss statistics as required under the Fire Prevention Act.
Members further urge the Minister to table this report on an annual basis.
If there are any opening comments from the members.
Welcome to the Minister and Mr. Rich, and Mr. Rafter.
I don’t want to say too much but I would like to thank the Minister and his officials.
Since last year at this time when we met to go over the main estimates, there has been a substantial increase in a number of areas and in particular the MOAP, which I know a lot of mayors in Nunavut, like me were happy to see.
There is funding for the fire prevention strategy, the insurance program, that’s great stuff.
That’s going to help the municipalities.
I know there has been some continued discussions and work on the Water Sewage Subsidy Program.
That’s been a thorn in our sides as mayors over the years in most communities in Nunavut, and in particular in Cambridge Bay.
You guys have heard me harp on that for a while.
So I’m going to be interested in hearing how the improvements will help our community.
I know the hamlets are still struggling in a number of areas.
It seems that regardless of how much financial assistance or improvements we give to hamlets through the various programs, that the mayors and councils are still having problems with meeting the day to day needs and providing the basic services.
The municipalities have their annual general meeting Mr. Chairman, and every year, they come up with a number of resolutions that they want the Government of Nunavut and the Federal Government to look at and a number of other agencies.
I will be interested into hearing how the minister’s officials are addressing those resolutions to see if there’s been any progress from year to year.
I know many of those resolutions go back as far as 2000.
I guess they have worked some progress, I guess, if he has continued lobbying.
I know the Government of Nunavut through Community and Government Services, they are the coordinating department for resolutions from Nunavut Association of Municipalities and maybe some other departments that are involved.
So I know you had to work with your colleagues in Cabinet to make sure that their departments are following through on the resolutions that the mayors make at Nunavut Association of Municipalities.
I will be interested on how your negotiations went on the gas tax, with the new deal in Ottawa gets more details on that.
I know I asked you in the House, I think it was last week, about how that went.
When I was with Nunavut Association of Municipalities, we established what we think is a precedent for one percent of any infrastructure program or any federal program. The .75 percent, it was a reduction.
Usually, when it’s a precedent, you like to get an increase.
I know you were probably in tough against the big city mayors from down south, I know there’s 11 or 12 out there, they had it carved up among themselves for the transit systems down there and the cleaning up harbours and so on and so forth.
I don’t think they necessarily worry too much about this part of the north.
I will be interested in hearing how negotiations went and what plans you have to utilize that money.
I know I asked you about how you are going to stretch the dollars in the first five years.
I think in your presentation, you said that you are going to match funds with some of the other infrastructure programs.
As we all know, we have a huge infrastructure issue in Nunavut, it’s crippling us here.
I know, and we talked about it in the overall budget for the government, I think the Minister of Finance said in her budget speech that 89 percent of our budget goes to operations and maintenance, we only have 11 percent for capital.
We know we need more money in all areas, but the infrastructure is definitely something that we have to keep an eye on because it deteriorates and it’s going to cost us more anyways, so we have to work on all of that.
Mr. Curley (interpretation): I wanted to make another comment, just a minute, and one of the main comments that I wanted to make is in regards to the fuel or the quality of the fuel up here.