EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
I’m sorry. (interpretation ends) One; a Director of Corporate Priorities. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Tootoo: Mr. Chairman, I know they had, under Deputy Minister, I’m looking at the Core Business in the business plan on B-8 and B-9, I think this is the part that falls under the Directorate.
It has Deputy Minister/Assistant Deputy Minister going up about $150,000, so I’m just wondering if that was what that increase was for.
Hon. Paul Okalik: Sorry, I’m just trying to figure out which one is which. I know, in the Directorate, it’s the Director of Corporate Services for now.
My colleague is referring to page B-6 which I mentioned is the Policy Analysts for DMEEL, or what we call DMEEL, Deputy Ministers Committee on Environment, Economy and Land.
So that’s one additional PY in there that is mentioned as an increase in B-8. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I think maybe that’s where some of the confusion is coming from and maybe just a suggestion to the minister and his staff.
In the business plan, it has, in the first few pages, Executive and then it goes to Statistics, Policy, Planning and Evaluation, and then Intergovernmental Affairs.
I’m just wondering if part of the confusion on where to ask certain questions is because we’re flipping back and forth through the business plan.
Would they commit to trying to match up those numbers with the format that’s followed under the main estimates to eliminate confusion for next year?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) We often produce these with Finance, so the departments will talk to each other. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
One of the things I know is, in here, it says to provide “administrative support to the Utility Rate Review Council.”
Just looking at the amounts here, there was $185,000 budgeted for them last year and it’s gone down to $117,000 this year.
Does that mean that there’s going to be less requests coming from the Power Corporation, the Qulliq Energy Corporation, for them to look at in the next year?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) As you are probably aware, we went through a general rate review last year with the Power Corporation and we don’t anticipate another general rate review this coming year, so that’s why the figure is a little lower this year. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
In the business plan, it says, Deputy Minister/Assistant Deputy Minister last year was $705,000 and this year, it’s $851,000, and then if you follow the numbers through, it goes back down to $847,000 and stays static there.
In the Communications area, it was $858,000 for the 2007-08 year, $909,000 for this coming fiscal year, and then it drops to $902,000 for the following two years.
The Cabinet Registrar is $255,000 for the 2007-08 year, and then it goes up to $314,000 and then back down to $310,000.
I’m just wondering if I could just get an idea of, it seems to get these ups and downs there in the numbers, how they arrive at that?
Chairman (Mr. Evyagotailak): Thank you, Mr. Tootoo.
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) These are salary dollars, so they go up and down. Sometimes, it’s the workload that dictates the amounts, so each year varies on some of these positions. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Tootoo: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Also under here, I believe it’s the Senior Personnel Secretariat.
Could I just get a confirmation of that before I ask the question and get told that it has to get asked on another page?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) My deputy is the Secretariat to the Senior Personnel Secretariat and I work with other Deputies from Finance and HR when we’re doing our meetings. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I’m just wondering, why is there only $5,000 there for the Senior Personnel Secretariat?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) It’s for purchasing materials for the meetings and we don’t hire staff; we work with current deputies to deliberate over senior personnel matters. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
In the Communications, and I know each other department has probably a quite amount of money in there; it’s just under $1 million.
I’m just wondering if we could get an idea of how those dollars are going to be planned to be spent.
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Just a minute.
I’m sorry (interpretation ends) but we’re trying to go through our B plans.
We’re at B-4 but we’re trying to find the B pages of the rest of it. (interpretation) I’m sorry.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) I don’t have a complete breakdown at this time of all of the positions but there’s $438,000 for salaries set out. I don’t have all of the PYs at this time. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I was looking at B-8 in the business plan under Executive. It says, Communications, $909,000.
I was just looking for an idea of the breakdown of what that’s from. If the Premier doesn’t have that with him, I would like to get it in the near future from him.
Could he commit to that?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) We’re just going over our estimates and I don’t have those right now but I commit to provide the details on this particular line item. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I have a question with respect to the URRC review that is currently going on with respect to the Fuel Stabilization Rider that was imposed with your recommendation, I assume, by the Cabinet on November 23.
The Fuel Stabilization Rider requested by QEC, Qulliq Energy, was put into the electricity rate system as of November 1, 2007.
Subsequently, the URRC was asked to review that particular imposition. Could the minister indicate to the committee exactly what the status of the review is at this time?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) From what I understand, the URRC has completed the review and has set the rate after their review. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Could the minister tell us exactly when, the rate that has been imposed as of November 1, 2007 which would last until October 2008, will the announcement be made to the public on that?
We have already experienced some pretty hefty electricity rates throughout Nunavut. (interpretation) I would like to know when they’re going to be making a public announcement. (interpretation ends) Thank you.
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) I think we announced the interim rate in November of last year to be effective and the review is taking place. I’ll check with my colleagues when the rate may be published. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Last fall, I did ask a question of whether or not the imposition of… whether it be the Fuel Stabilization Rider or not, or the base rate, when they are increased, it is important that there be a transparent way of announcing them to the public, instead of just relying on the Gazette, which was done, and not many households read the Nunavut Gazette.
It’s really the responsibility of the minister responsible. In this case, you, as the Premier, have the responsibility for the Utility Rate Review Council.
You must make it public and explain to the public why you approved an extension of the rate that expired at the end of October 31, 2007.
It was done very discreetly and quietly, despite the fact that I did ask before October, actually on the day of Halloween, whether or not the increase was going to continue and the Minister responsible for Energy said, “No, there were no plans.”
I believe that statement was misleading and the correct version should be stated in this House during this session.
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) I think my role is to appoint the URRC members and they’re independent of government. They do their reviews very well and thoroughly, and they have actually reduced proposed rates in the past.
So I have been very impressed with their work and I appreciate their good work, and will continue to support them in their efforts in trying to make sure that the rates that are set are fair and that they’re on actual costs incurred, and the fuel rider is based on the fuel price.
So that’s why it’s been an interim measure for now until they have reviewed it.
So I will make sure that the House is fully aware of the rate that has been approved by the URRC. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
What I’m getting at, and I’m not at all questioning how great the work is that the URRC members are doing, is I think they should be asked to do work and review rate proposals before they are approved by Cabinet.
The Cabinet approved and extended the Fuel Stabilization Rider that existed in 2007, and the Cabinet approved this without any announcement to the public.
The minister and other ministers must be transparent and explain to the public why the extension was imposed with the Fuel Stabilization Rider and subsequently asking the URRC, in my view, to say whether they agree with the Cabinet or not because that’s exactly what they’re doing now.
They may not even change any of the proposals that the Cabinet had already approved, so that’s all I’m getting at.
You must be transparent. The Premier has a responsibility to the public. Somehow, if you’re not directly responsible for announcements, and I believe you are still responsible as a Premier, you could ask the minister responsible or whoever to make the public announcement soon.
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) Yes, my Power Minister is right here and I’ll make sure that he announces at the appropriate time.
As I said, we had to put in an interim rate so that the amount of time that the new fuel is used and paid for is paid over a longer period as opposed to a shorter period of time by our clients.
If we were to just set the rate today as opposed to last November, our clients would be paying almost double of what they would normally pay.
So that’s why it was set earlier because we knew the cost at that time; we had a pretty good idea.
The URRC will also continue to agree with that, even though we set it, and to see if it’s accurate and set a new rate if required. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Chairman, the reason is I’m concerned with those behind the scenes reviews that are going on without public input and without any public announcements.
When the public is asked to pay for fuel, I suppose the public is not really 100 percent sure whether they’re paying for the amount of fuel that is used in Nunavut for consumers or the amount of fuel purchased by Nunavut Power or QEC.
Maybe they’ll have a surplus as usual, but why should the Nunavut consumer be asked to pay for surplus fuel rather than the actual amount of fuel that is used?
Because of those, I think it’s really quite complex.
At the same time, the Premier, as the Chairman of the Executive Council, has rubber stamped the Minister of QEC’s proposal to extend the Fuel Stabilization Rider without any review.
That is not funny; that is deceiving the public and I don’t want to be part of that deception.
I understand that the member is concerned about the URRC process and everything.
However, in this House, the member should be very careful when he chooses his words. If the member wants to say that someone is deceiving, then that connotation means a lot and that’s not the case because the minister doesn’t deceive.
What happens is: the Power Corporation looks at their costs on an annual basis for the purchase of fuel. If the purchase of fuel goes up a certain amount, then the Power Corporation, under legislation, that means law, under regulation, and that means regulations, is entitled and allowed to apply for a rider.
When they apply for a rider and they come to the minister and say, “We want X number of dollars,” and then that goes to the URRC. The Premier doesn’t rubber stamp it. The minister doesn’t rubber stamp it.
It goes to an independent body of Nunavummiut who will look at it. As the URRC, they then look at what’s been proposed by the QEC, they publish it in the newspaper, and then they send out documentation to stakeholders if they want to have an input on that process. That’s the process.
There’s no deception. There’s no rubber stamping.
The verbiage and the vocabulary; the words being used by the member, by Mr. Curley, are incorrect and I would ask that he would maybe change that record because there is no deception and he knows the process.
So I’m offended by the rhetoric of the member and I would ask that he would take back that word of deception, “deceive.”
To the Point of Order.
Mr. Curley: Mr. Chairman, I think the minister knows very well that on October 31, 2007, I asked the minister and he can read that, and that should be part of the review of the Point of Order. That’s why I’m alluding to that reference without explaining; the minister knows very well that I asked questions on that date. Will he be imposing, during this winter’s consumption, a very difficult period for the consumers; will he be increasing any fuel or electricity rates?
And, he unequivocally said, no, he will not impose any imposition of fuel increases.
Mr. Chairman, I believe that he had already presented a request from QEC to extend the fuel rider that expired on the same day that I asked the question.
He did not tell the public, and that’s why I’m using the word “deception” because he had asked the Cabinet and the Cabinet approved imposition as of November 1, which was to last for the whole year until October 31, 2008.
He did not make it public. Now, the URRC is reviewing it backwards.
The rate imposed on November 1 was applied and it’s in the system right now, which has been going on for three months.
So that is part of the Point of Order and I refuse to withdraw that because he has not addressed the October 31 comments that I made.
Chairman: Order.
Mr. Curley, your words are unfortunate and I ask that you withdraw your comments.
Mr. Curley: Mr. Chairman, could you repeat exactly which comments I am to withdraw?
Chairman: Mr. Curley, “deceive.”
Mr. Curley: Mr. Chairman, I used the word “deception” because I believe when the public policy statement inferred when it’s not correct, I fail to understand how it could be correct.
So I’ll withdraw my statement but I still believe that the minister did not provide accurate information to the Assembly, and he should review my statements and his response in October because all I asked him was to be fair to the public and he has not been fair or transparent with the public.
You had removed your words.
Mr. Curley: Mr. Chairman, so that the minister will have time to review the comments, I would like to report progress.
I would like to thank the Premier and his staff.
Orders of the Day for February 29:
Members, this House stands adjourned until Friday, and I’m sure that during the term of this government, this will be the only time I say February 29, at ten o’clock in the morning.
>>House adjourned at 17:59
Friday, February 29, 2008
Pages 3119 – 3171
Opening Prayer 3119
Ministers’ Statements 3119
Members’ Statements 3122
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 3132
Oral Questions 3133
Tabling of Documents 3150
Second Reading of Bills 3150
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 3151
Report of the Committee of the Whole 3170
Orders of the Day 3170
Friday, February 29, 2008 3119
147 – 2(4): Enactment of Family Abuse Intervention Act (Okalik) 3119
148 – 2(4): Pilot Project – Winter Test Fishery in Repulse Bay (Netser) 3120
149 – 2(4): Inuit Health Summit – Kuujjuaq (Aglukkaq) 3121
346 – 2(4): Member’s Apology to the House and Constituents (Simailak) 3122
347 – 2(4): Hudson Bay Quest (Alagalak) 3123
348 – 2(4): Alcohol Education in Kugluktuk (Evyagotailak) 3124
349 – 2(4): Praise for Repulse Bay’s RCMP Communication with Community (Mapsalak) 3125
350 – 2(4): Aboriginal Financial Officers Association (Peterson) 3126
351 – 2(4): Recognition of Tara Tootoo Fotheringham (Brown) 3127
352 – 2(4): Implementation of Family Abuse Intervention Act (Tapardjuk) 3128
353 – 2(4): “ED” Act and “ED” Department (Picco) 3129
354 – 2(4): Radio Collared Seal Hunting Story (Kattuk) 3130
355 – 2(4): Gratitude to Employees of CGS, QEC, and Ministers (Curley) 3131
356 – 2(4): Gratitude to Ministers, Mayor of Grise Fiord, RCMP and Teachers (Barnabas) 3132
439 – 2(4): Community Awareness of Family Abuse Intervention Act (Alagalak) 3133
440 – 2(4): Application Process for Outpost Camps (Mapsalak) 3135
441 – 2(4): Update on Nakasuk School Repairs (Tootoo) 3137
442 – 2(4): Strategies for Clean Up of Metal Waste Dumps (Peterson) 3138
443 – 2(4): Status of the Appointment of the President of the Nunavut Development Corporation (Curley) 3141
444 – 2(4): Payment for Justice of the Peace (Kattuk) 3143
445 – 2(4): Government Support for a Nunavut Ombudsman (Arreak) 3144
446 – 2(4): Contingency Fund Included in Main Estimates (Tootoo) 3146
447 – 2(4): Wildlife Officers’ Powers to Search (Kattuk) 3149
187 – 2(4): Photographs of Metal Waste Dump in Cambridge Bay (Peterson) 3150
Bill 27 – An Act to Amend the Land Titles Act – Second Reading 3150
Bill 23 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2008-2009 – Consideration in Committee – Executive & Intergovernmental Affairs 3151
Speaker (Hon. Peter Kilabuk)(interpretation): Good morning. I would like to ask Mr. Evyagotailak to say the opening prayer.
My colleagues, today is Friday, so I wanted to wish all our family who we left behind in our community well. I miss my granddaughter, Alison, very much, so I say “hello” to her if she is watching the proceedings.
I also would like to go see my family and my grandchildren during the weekend.
Minister’s Statement 147 – 2(4): Enactment of Family Abuse Intervention Act (Okalik)
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Good morning, Mr. Speaker.
The Family Abuse Intervention Act will come into force tomorrow, on Saturday, March 1, 2008.
Mr. Speaker, all Members of the Assembly, if you remember, unanimously supported your motion on November 30, 2005 to reduce and eliminate domestic violence in Nunavut.
Since making that commitment, we have shown united resolve to reduce the incidence of violence and other abuse in our families by supporting the Family Abuse Intervention Act (FAIA).
The legislation was passed in November 2006 and this Assembly allocated a budget of $1.8 million in October 2007.
Over the past several months, Community Justice Outreach Workers have been hired and trained to help coordinate their community’s prevention and intervention activities.
Community members and RCMP officers have been trained to help Nunavummiut apply for Emergency Protection Orders and Community Intervention Orders. Justices of the Peace have been trained to apply the Act.
We are now ready for full implementation.
As of tomorrow, Nunavummiut who are experiencing abuse may apply for these orders and will be supporting families to build a better community.
Mr. Speaker, this Act is designed to be community driven, with effective orders which are consistent with Inuit values.
It includes opportunities for counselling for both victims and abusers.
The Act provides the tools and resources for communities to prevent abuse at its roots, and for the communities to heal from within.
In travelling to Nunavut’s many communities over the past few months, the department has been overwhelmed with support for the Family Abuse Intervention Act and enthusiasm for intervening in abusive relationships.
Individuals, families, and entire communities will be healthier as a result of community’s active participation in implementing the Act.
Thank you, members, for demonstrating your commitment to reducing abuse in our families.
Minister of Economic Development and Transportation, and also responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation, Minister Netser.
Minister’s Statement 148 – 2(4): Pilot Project – Winter Test Fishery in Repulse Bay (Netser)
Hon. Patterk Netser: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation) Good morning. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I would like to inform my colleagues today about an investment the territorial government is making in a project with the Arviq Hunters and Trappers Organization of Repulse Bay.
The Department of Economic Development and Transportation has approved a $32,000 contribution from the Small Communities Initiative Program for winter test fishery in Repulse Bay.
Mr. Speaker, the Arviq HTO will purchase a minimum of 10,000 pounds of arctic char from the local harvesters for further processing at the Kivalliq Arctic Foods in Rankin Inlet.
Mr. Speaker, depending on the success of this initiative, Kivalliq Arctic Foods is prepared to process a maximum of 20,000 pounds of arctic char before the end of the winter fishing season.
The government, in partnership with the Nunavut Development Corporation, completed a char marketing strategy in 2007 to develop additional markets for our arctic char products.
This pilot project will allow Kivalliq Arctic Foods to put the marketing strategy into action.
I congratulate the Arviq HTO on coordinating this pilot project, which will provide employment and income, precious income, to residents of their community.
Minister’s Statement 149 – 2(4): Inuit Health Summit – Kuujjuaq (Aglukkaq)
Hon. Leona Aglukkaq (interpretation): Good morning.
I rise today to inform my colleagues of the results of the Inuit Health Summit in Kuujjuaq on January 17, 2008.
This summit was organized by ITK.
It was an opportunity to meet with the federal Minister of Health, the Honourable Tony Clement, as well as representatives from other provincial and territorial governments and organizations from Inuit regions across Canada.
I was invited to participate, along with some of my key staff, to discuss the most pertinent health related issues we face as Inuit.
As this was the beginning of a future collaborative effort to address issues affecting Inuit nationally, we were able to identify the two most important issues to address first: namely, the need for Inuit health human resources and Inuit-specific health information.
(interpretation ends) I was able to share details of our Nursing Recruitment and Retention Strategy as well as the progress we have made in developing an Inuit workforce, which includes many different health related training programs we have initiated, initiatives such as:
The Health Careers Access Program offered through Nunavut Arctic College;
The Nursing Program;
The Maternal Care and Midwifery Program;
The Mental Health Program;
The Community Health Representative Program;
The Radiology Program (x-rays);
The Human Services Program (social work, A&D counselling)
As well as new programs from Home and Community Care, and Community Therapy Assistants
At the summit it was decided to initiate a broader Inuit Health Human Resources Strategy that would include the other Inuit regions.
Nunavut has a long-term strategy to train our own health workforce and I strongly believe we are seen by other jurisdictions as leaders in this initiative.
We will be carrying the momentum for the Inuit Health Summit to the broader Aboriginal Health Summit being held in Winnipeg this weekend, where we will have the chance to progress the initiatives we started in Kuujjuaq and develop action plans collectively to address the health human resource issues in Inuit communities.
I look forward to updating this House about the further progress we make.
If there are none, we will go on to Item 3.
Member’s Statement 346 – 2(4): Member’s Apology to the House and Constituents (Simailak)
I send my greetings to the residents of Qamani’tuaq.
I will be speaking in both Inuktitut and English if you don’t mind.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak directly to you, my colleagues and my constituents, on the matter of the Report of the Integrity Commissioner of Nunavut to the Legislative Assembly, which you formally tabled in the House last week.
Mr. Speaker, as you know the people of Qamani’tuaq are known for their plain speaking, and I want to be very clear today.