EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Mr. Chairman, on here we have core funding for the Nunavut Arts and Crafts Association, I am just wondering, what, by providing this funding to the Nunavut Arts and Crafts Association is this the only funding program in which the department provides any support to carvers and artists throughout the territory.
Hon. Olayuk Akesuk (interpretation): Thank you, Speaker.
Mr. Chairman, I accidentally called you Mr. Speaker.
The 150 thousand is given to the Nunavut Arts and Crafts Association.
It is a contribution made to core funding of the Nunavut Arts and Crafts Association.
The 150 thousand is used to deliver services to artists in Nunavut and this money is given to them and they receive 250 thousand dollars from another organization besides that.
Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank the minister for that answer and also ask if this is the only funding or support that the department provides to carvers and artists throughout the territory.
Hon. Olayuk Akesuk: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
We also have programs for small business funds and we fund artists with their tools and we also have grants to small businesses also so that is the other one that we provide for small business and carvers.
I know earlier this week it was brought up in the House about looking for providing assistance for locating and making soapstone more readily and easily accessible to the carvers.
Does the department also provide any assistance to carvers and artists in assisting them to market the products that they produce.
We also provide funds under the business development fund to support carvers and crafts people on how they could promote their products and market their products.
Mr. Chairman is there a strategy that the department has or is working with whether it be the Nunavut Arts and Crafts Association or other organizations within Nunavut that they have or are developing specifically towards marketing.
The Nunavut Arts and Crafts Association also promote products of arts and crafts and they do promote it for marketing.
In the beginning I talked about tourism, looking at capitalizing on the attention on Nunavut right now but does the department have a strategy when it comes to marketing of arts and crafts and other goods from within Nunavut whether it be national, international markets.
The Nunavut Development Corporation is also working on promotions.
They have an office in Toronto and they are able to market crafts outside of Canada.
We're on 11-13, 11-14. Mr. Arvaluk.
The 1 million 963 thousand dollars for 2001-2002 main estimates and for 2000 and 2001.
The amount hasn’t changed, community economic development officers contribution to hamlets.
Why hasn't it been increased.
The amount, it's a contribution to hamlets to hire community economic development officers.
The question I asked was, for the year 2000-2001, and the 2001-2002, the amount that is put into this program hasn't changed.
Why hasn't it been changed.
The agreements were amended recently and the amount has increased from prior years.
Mr. Arvaluk (interpretation): The collective agreements are negotiated between the Government of Nunavut and the union.
They decide on how much money will be provided to that program and if there was an increase in benefits, would that increase this amount.
Perhaps I could get the Deputy Minister to respond.
Yes, that's right, the funding was increased in the middle of last year when the department introduced its new policy on program partnerships.
That raised the amount of funding made available to each hamlet to 80 thousand dollars per community.
That increase was introduced in the middle of last year raising the revised estimates from last year to 1.963 so that's why that estimate is the same as this year’s estimate.
That one did not answer me either.
Mr. Chairman, what I'm asking is, there are negotiations right now.
In the event of an increase in those salaries, because you have an agreement with the hamlet and the government, respecting the employees, will they also be adjusted accordingly.
To respond to the member’s question.
When I was visiting the communities, this was a concern that was brought to me.
They were concerned that the 80 thousand was too small.
This is a concern that has been brought up and I am sure it will be raised again.
It will probably be brought up at the mayors’ meeting in Rankin Inlet and we will look into this.
When the economic development officers were removed and replaced them with the community economic development officers, I think their average salary was something like 76 thousand or 77 thousand for economic development officers from the government and when the agreement was reached between the government and the communities the contribution was about 80 thousand.
Under the agreement in the overhead cost or administration costs given to the hamlet that does not leave very much for the community economic development officer.
In fact, the salaries dropped.
Will there be also review or is there a discussion when the municipalities meet with your department on that.
Yes, during the Nunavut Association of Municipalities meeting in Rankin Inlet we will further discuss this concern.
Chairperson (interpretation): Are you done Mr. Arvaluk.
When Mr. Arvaluk talked about 1 million 963 thousand and he said 19 hundred 63 afterwards.
When he is going through each page, I want to instruct him to say the numbers properly.
Chairperson (interpretation): Good point. 11-14. 11-14. 11-15. 11-15.
Mr. Arvaluk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. A real quick question on the business development fund.
These are administered directly from the headquarters and I understand the way it is being explained here.
How is this administered and how does the community find out how they are eligible for this business development fund.
Your question is clear.
Although we did not want to mention regions but the three regions of Nunavut now have regional superintendents, Kitikmeot has Steve Hanna and Keewatin Brock Jenkins and Baffin Region, Duncan Cunningham.
These are the people you can ask if you needed further information on the funding contributions, they're available.
Under community initiative programs, it's very beneficial especially in Coral Harbour because we're a non-decentralized community.
If this community initiative program can be used for anything, it can be used to for economic development strategies. Perhaps what I'm trying to say, is Mr. Chairman, that the department of Transportation is responsible for access roads either to the recreational or hunting grounds.
Perhaps if they can include that under this line item where they can include the recreational fishing areas, perhaps if you can work with the Department of Transportation when they start negotiating with the federal government to include that with the department.
Mr. Arvaluk's comment is very interesting.
If I wanted to build a bridge from Cape Dorset to Greenland, I could perhaps use this but I'm just joking.
Yes, we have to work with the other departments such as Mr. Anawak's Department of Transportation and when they build access roads, we can encourage the ones going to the recreational camping grounds or fishing grounds.
We could work together with the other departments.
As a department on our own, we can't work on it alone but we would get better benefits with the co-operation of other departments.
Chairperson (interpretation): Do you have any additional questions.
Page 11-15.
Mr. McLean: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I just got a question under community initiative programs, I had another one.
I hate to bring up regional issues.
The CIP is a great program in my region.
I think everybody utilizes it and uses it well.
Out of the sum in the Kivalliq, how much is just a regional program of the 1.2 million dollars.
The contribution funding for three regions, 25% is for the regions and 74% is contributed to the communities.
The 25% for the regions, who determines where that's spent and what on.
For grants that are applied for by the hamlets in the three regions, as I mentioned, the three superintendents decide where the 74% goes to, through the approval of applications.
I'm going to have two questions.
In regards to the business development fund the 559 thousand and also in the community initiative programs, the 2 million 715 thousand, looking at these two.
What's the difference between the two, it seems like they're geared towards the same, the first ones are contributions of up to 5 thousand dollars, under contributions you have 2 million is also under grants and contributions, so I was wondering if you could clarify that for me.
This 859 thousand is geared towards private businesses, like for example in your community the Aaruja Development Corporation can try to obtain funding from there and the community initiative program is for economic development in the communities.
Mr. Iqaqrialu (interpretation): Do I understand that this 5 thousand can be given out as a small grant and 2 million 715 thousand is for the larger projects.
Hon. Olayuk Akesuk (interpretation): Yes, this 2 million 715 thousand dollars is allocated to the communities and the figure varies from 2.715 and it's quite different from 859 thousand, this is for community business development fund, and this 2.715 million dollars is for communities’ initiatives.
Chairperson (interpretation): Page 11-15.
Page 11-16.
Mr. Arvaluk: This community organized hunt, contribution to assist the transportation costs of organized hunts that are eligible for communities.
These hunts are conducted for example, if the animals are too far I suppose, when the caribou is too far etc. Throughout these pages I did not see the things that I talked to the minister about, that is specialized hunting skills that are acquired by very few people in each community.
I will just make an example, in Cape Dorset that very few people will go boating in January and February, very few people, only a couple, in Igloolik, down in the floe ice and hunt walrus, and the floating ice etc. etc.
Those kinds of things, because it's these specialized hunting skills acquired by these individuals, that they’re the only ones who go hunting for the whole community all the time.
But because there is no contribution for their gas and things like that, that they cannot continue to do this, there is a cost restriction.
Is there any thought by Sustainable Development to include these people who feed the communities, to offset those high costs.
Mr. Arvaluk's comments are very interesting and it's very clear that each community has specialized hunters that community benefits from and at times they go hunting right in the middle of winter time.
They are distributing the meat in the communities, especially if they went hunting in the wintertime in Igloolik, the hunter can try and be reimbursed the money he used to go out hunting from the wildlife officers.
They can go and obtain application forms to get their money back or reimbursed especially in the communities where it was a very specialized hunt and that the community benefits from.
Mr. Arvaluk (interpretation): The HTOs or the hunters or wildlife officers, do they all know what the minister was talking about.
Hon. Olayuk Akesuk (interpretation): Yes, the wildlife officers are knowledgeable about this.
Ms. Williams (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Chairman, just to make an addition to Mr. Arvaluk's comments.
If it weren’t for the specialized hunters, especially when they're the main hunters for the community, the government would be spending a lot more in things like income support.
So therefore, I would suggest that the government make available more funding because the whole community would have to buy more steaks and chickens at the community level.
Because the specialized hunters, if they're not hunting for the community, the community ends up buying groceries from the stores rather than supplementing them from the country food.
In the High Arctic, the population of the Peary caribou was declining.
Grise Fiord and the community of Resolute Bay have used this.
They transported caribou meat to these two communities and also this is part of the harvesters support program review.
This is also being reviewed as to how we can better utilize it and whether we should increase it.
So it's under review at this time.
Under 11-16, we're on page 11-16, 45 thousand dollars is used in my other constituency community of Qikiqtarjuaq for the organized hunts in the community.
That's what it is stated for, am I right, Mr. Chairman.
Hon. Olayuk Akesuk (interpretation): Yes, these communities are not so close to the caribou hunting grounds and it's designed for the whole community, if the whole community is going to organize a caribou hunt.
Yes, this is a good program for our community but if the assistance was getting to be inadequate, could they apply for additional money.
Yes, when the funding is inadequate, then we'll have to look for other sources of funding from within our department so that we assist all communities.
Chairperson (interpretation): 11-16. 11-16. 11-17.
Just under the Nunavut Development Corporation, 3 million 215 thousand under the business plans.
Your department was going to go in to expand operations in a few communities. Can you give us some detail on what communities you will be expanding into this year.
Under this program 100 thousand dollars is assistance for expanding some programs for economic diversification and stability and 100 thousand dollars has been aside for the business sector.
Mr. McLean: Mr. Chairman just, the standing committee requested a few times that the communities that were not effected by decentralization that the Nunavut Development Corporation should take a more active role in trying to do some community capacity building in whatever it is, opening a tanning plant or another fish plant or things like that.
Is the department moving that way at all in this direction.
Under the Nunavut Development Corporation, we are working with them to help especially the smaller communities that do not benefit from decentralization.
We will visit the smaller communities who have not been able to get economic development under the decentralization.
Mr. McLean: The Business Development Corporation has some fixed assets now in place.
In order for it to expand and build an arts and crafts centre in another community or a couple of them over the next few years it is going to be quite a few capital dollars.
Has the department looked at trying to find some venture capital dollars for capital expansions for the Nunavut Development Corporation.
Under the capital estimates, under the program there is 500 thousand dollars, which is to expand some existing businesses, and we set aside 70 thousand dollars to assist businesses for expansion and diversification of their business.
What I am trying to get at here is if the Nunavut Development Corporation came forward with a business plan saying that they want to build a tanning factory or an arts and crafts facility or a couple of them in a couple of smaller communities or a fish plant and if it is going to cost 4 to 5 million dollars, we know that it is going to be very difficult for it to come out of the capital plans because the capital plan is pretty well set.
I know that other departments in the government like housing and education are a priority in the government.
Has the department looked at any other ways of accessing capital dollars through refinancing the assets they have in the development corporation or by looking for outside sources of funding.
Yes, I met with NDC representatives when they were here recently and I spoke to them to see if they can research to see where they can get more funding.
Their legislation will be reviewed this year to see if there's any need for amendments to the Act so they can be able to apply for other sources of funding.
Not just necessarily from the government but also from other business investment sectors.
So that they'll be able to access those funds as well.
So we'll be reviewing the Act that governs their board.
So the department is working with the Nunavut Development Corporation looking at finding ways for them to raise more capital for capital projects in the non-decentralized communities.
So the department is working with them for outside sources.
Does the Nunavut Development Corporation have the ability or the power in their mandate to borrow money for capital projects based on the assets they have now.
Hon. Olayuk Akesuk: Yes we are working with NDC to help non-decentralized communities. Until we change the legislation, they can't look for any money from elsewhere so, what we're going to do is we're going to work with them and try and change the legislation and make sure they're eligible to get more money or leverage from other organizations.
Thank you, very much, Mr. Speaker.
I think we're on 11-17, the Nunavut Business Credit Corporation, is there a credit corporation in Nunavut.
Those are the ones we discussed earlier on this afternoon.
The ones that are called the Nunavut Business Credit Corporation.
They have an office in Cape Dorset and yes, there is one like that.
So they’re working in Nunavut and does it provide money.
Hon. Olayuk Akesuk (interpretation): Yes, like I said before, we're trying our best to make sure that before I became the minister we wanted to be able to have easier access to make them more simple so this is the way we want them to operate.
The officials will be more available to the public.
Because there's a lot of people that want to start up their own business or have their own business and it’s very hard to acquire money from them because they probably figure that we cannot run our own business.
All they seem to do is set up roadblocks.
Because the Nunavummiut have not historically had any businesses, that's why it takes us a long time to try to start up our own business.
Enoki mentioned yesterday that there's always a problem getting funding that we require as a business, and he was right in saying that.
So I just want to make sure that there is less obstruction from getting funding from that corporation.
That it should be available to all of people of Nunavut and easy to access funds from.
We hear the member, and we are trying to make it simple for people to acquire money from the Nunavut Business Corporation, we're trying to make it a little bit simpler for people to acquire money from those corporations and make it more available.
I mean we have also made it easier for people to ask us for money from the corporation and for the public to have access to these services and it will be made as simple as possible.
We'll probably know in the future whether it's simpler to apply for some funding from them.
Chairperson (interpretation): 11-17. 11-18. 11-19. 11-20.
Distribution of budget going back to 11-7.
Mr. Arvaluk (interpretation): Just a quick two comments Mr. Chairman, before we pass this, that I really feel I have to re-emphasize that the community initiative program must include tourism potential development in communities, including access roads etc.
Secondly, that specialized hunters must be included in the community hunt funding program, so that they can be more independent and have pride and recognition for what they do.
Yes, the comment from the member is welcomed and we will look into making sure that it is done.
Chairperson (interpretation): Total operations and maintenance, 8 million 236 thousand dollars.
Chairperson (interpretation): Opposed. Carried. Total expenditures, 31 million 36 thousand dollars.
Chairperson (interpretation): Opposed. Carried. 11-5, Sustainable Development, program summary, details of expenditures.
Total operations and maintenance, 31 million 532 thousand dollars.
Total expenditures, 34 million 332 thousand dollars.
Chairperson (interpretation): Opposed. Did I hear one opposed on the ministers’ side.
Thank you, Minster Olayuk Akesuk and your officials.
If you want to say your final comments.
I would like to thank Katherine Trumper and Jim Martin for being able to assist me with my appearance before the committee.
I would also like to thank Peter Ittinuar and Robert Connolly and I would like to thank the Members of the Legislative Assembly.
I would like to work with you as closely as we can and to be able to answer questions that you have asked in the future.
Chairperson (interpretation): If we can continue with the Department of Justice.
Ms. Williams (interpretation): I would like to move to the Department of Justice now, Mr. Chairman.
We can go to Bill 1, Appropriation Act, 2001-2002, Department of Justice.
Who would like to begin the opening comments.
I am sorry I was thinking about something else.
My department has been very busy and accomplished much over the past year.
Over the last couple of years, my department was spread out in different locations in Iqaluit.
This was awkward to work as a team on a daily basis.
Now the majority of our personnel are under one roof.
(interpretation ends) I am also pleased to advise the members that Legal Registries is no longer an orphan to Iqaluit.
Legal Registries made a successful move from Yellowknife to Iqaluit this fall with minimal service interruptions.
All of our program services are now located in Nunavut with an exception of the placement of some correctional inmates in the NWT when we do not have enough space within Nunavut facilities.
(interpretation) Over the last two years, it has been a learning experience for all of us in the Department of Justice.
We had to make adjustments and necessary changes according to the evolving and maturing government.
The budget for the Department of Justice has not seen major changes but there is some significant fine-tuning, based on the experience of the first couple of years.
In some areas, we have been able to place additional dollars in the budget in order to support government priorities.
In other places, we have been able to re-allocate funds from one area to another, to better reflect program needs and priorities.
Based on Inuuqatigiitiarniq, we are working to reform Justice programs to make sure they reflect the priorities of supporting healthy communities, encouraging self-reliance, and incorporating Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit.
We have tried to follow these priorities by increasing community- based initiatives, particularly in Corrections and Community Justice.
Teaching and learning is another of the important priorities of the Bathurst Mandate, and you will see our commitment to this objective demonstrated through the support we will be providing to Akitsiraq Law School.
Let me turn to specific areas where we have increased the Departmental budget with new funding.
Legal Aid
As you review the Main Estimates for Justice, you will see that there is an increase of 350 thousand dollars in the budget allocated for the Legal Services Board.
This Board is set up under its own legislation to operate independently from the government.
The Board administers the Legal Aid program ensuring that legal representation is provided for people who require it, and cannot afford to hire a lawyer themselves.
It also has responsibility for providing public education and information about the law to Nunavummiut.
Although the Legal Services Board is independent in making its decisions, its funding is all from government.
(interpretation) Government of Nunavut provides the funding, with some support provided by the Government of Canada under a cost shared agreement.
It is worth noting that the amount of federal funding has not increased in proportion to the demands on the program.
(interpretation ends) When the Nunavut Legal Services Board took over last July from the Government of the Northwest Territories, we immediately became aware of some shortcomings in the budget allocation.
There were three concerns: the overall expenditures related to services in Nunavut were projected to be higher than in our allocated budget; there had also been no increase to fees paid to lawyers for some time, and the fees were structured in a way that they did not encourage lawyers to be located within Nunavut; and a third and smaller item was that the previous Board had approved a small increase in the contribution to the Maliganik Tukisiniakvik clinic for Baffin, which required an adjustment to the contribution funding under the Board.