EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
That’s what the carryover means, that if we have some left over from the previous fiscal year, we move it onto the new fiscal year to complete what we said we would have completed with respect to the design and planning of these projects.
And we will continue with the community consultations if they have not been completed.
I will have more information on that in my statements about the design of these facilities not only for Arctic Bay but for Taloyoak and Repulse Bay.
Question 049 – 3(2): Cases of H1N1 and Protection of Nurses (Rumbolt)
In light of the fact that there are now 96 cases of the H1N1 virus in the communities, it’s possible that some of our health care workers are coming in contact with this virus.
Is your department doing anything to protect the workers in the communities?
We announce new information as it comes in. Our medical staff, particularly Sandy MacDonald, who is the Director of Medical Affairs, work closely with the nurses, especially if it involves hazardous work.
Plans are being prepared to make sure that if health workers are overworked, there are contingency plans for replacement workers, even from outlying communities if there are none in a particular community. We don’t want the nurses to be working by themselves or working themselves ragged and that’s why we prefer replacements.
We also inform our health care professionals on the appropriate measures for protection and advise them to follow the directions. We prefer not to have our workers at risk.
Mr. Rumbolt: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the minister for his answer.
In light of the fact that the cases are almost doubling every day, does your department have a plan in place in the event that our health care workers, municipal workers, and school teachers get infected?
It could almost bring a community to a standstill. Does your department have any kind of long-term plan in place in case this happens?
After Dr. Sobol appeared before the Committee of the Whole, Mr. Speaker, as he stated, we have a pandemic influenza plan that was prepared for avian flu and we have been following that for the swine flu.
We also have a federal pandemic influenza plan to follow if it becomes more serious. We have plans that have been made available and they are just ready to go if they need to start implementing them in the communities, which I alluded to earlier.
Our federal Minister of Health and the Canada Health Council have some information available to health care workers. If we need more assistance with health professionals, they will provide assistance. I also spoke to the Minister of Health and she stated that all we have to do is inform her if we require additional resources, such as health professionals, nurses, and doctors.
Due to those reasons, our department is fully prepared to deal with this issue should we need to utilize more resources to battle this influenza here in Nunavut.
My next question would be: of the 96 new confirmed cases, how many of these cases are hospitalized?
With the new cases, starting yesterday through June 1, there were six people who were admitted to hospitals, especially in Edmonton.
There are still six patients with this flu virus and there are five of them who have gone home, so there is one individual still at the hospital.
I would also like to thank Mr. Rumbolt.
Question 050 – 3(2): Community Relations Regarding H1N1 Virus (Ningark)
I want to ask a few questions to the minister with respect to the swine flu as he is, no doubt, being kept informed by the chief medical officer and other health professionals, including his cabinet colleagues.
Perhaps local hamlets and the mayors can provide vocal support by being included in the loop if there’s an agreement from cabinet.
I wonder if this is being considered in light of the fact that the hamlets can play a larger role.
I would like to thank the member. I would like to make the member aware that the mayors are the leaders of the communities, including their hamlet councils.
Obviously, mayors need to be provided information in regard to the H1N1 virus, especially if it becomes a pandemic, seeing that it is spreading in the communities. It’s for that reason that I told our deputy minister and our medical team to ensure that mayors are included in the loop, not just MLAs and cabinet.
I gave specific instructions to consult with all the mayors in Nunavut by phone and correspondence, and that they are to be the first point of contact in the community.
I will also personally speak with the mayors to determine whether they need assistance because I would like to hear from each of them as to their situation.
It would be helpful if mayors were kept informed about the numbers of people infected within their communities. On the other hand, I suppose we have to listen to the minister’s directives.
It would be beneficial if the mayors were kept up to date on the number of people infected in the communities.
I couldn’t determine if it was a question, although his comment and train of thought is understandable.
We will discuss the issue with and advise the communities, especially in the smaller places, as the virus seems to be more readily spread.
So we will talk with the particular communities where we know the virus is surfacing and I believe our deputy minister already initiated contact with the mayors involved.
Just to cite an example as a Member of the Legislative Assembly, if an individual from one of my constituency communities died due to the H1N1 virus, I would be unable to dismiss that for a long time, especially if I didn’t inform my communities.
That is why I strongly urge that the mayors be informed of the urgency and to be continually updated.
Will the minister ensure that the mayors are kept informed about the spread of the virus in their communities?
As I stated earlier, we will be talking only with the affected communities initially, but I instructed my departmental staff to initiate contact with mayors.
I believe they are talking to the mayors concurrently as we speak and they will be kept updated on the number of cases and to enquire about any assistance they may require.
As I said, Dr. Sobol is going to send out press releases every afternoon to guarantee that the information link is available to the public.
So it’s obvious that we are keeping them informed about this.
To reiterate, I have instructed my staff to include the mayors on the list of people who will be kept informed in regard to H1N1 cases.
I have already discussed the issue with the members whose constituency communities are impacted by this influenza.
Question 051 – 3(2): Two Percent Nunavut Payroll Tax (Schell)
My question is for the Minister of Finance and it’s in regard to the 2 percent Nunavut Payroll Tax that is basically there, I think, to penalize southern workers who do not make their residency here in Nunavut.
The 2 percent is supposed to be refunded back to the workers in Nunavut by way of a tax credit. It’s supposed to be given back to residents who pay the 2 percent when they file their taxes on that previous year.
The problem is that the 2 percent can amount to as much as $3,000 or more. The tax credit is supposed to be refunded.
Refunding this money back to our residents is a 2 percent cost of living on the NU479 tax form and this has a refund limit of $1,200.
Can the minister commit to reviewing this tax credit issue to ensure that the residents who pay more than $1,200 get their money back?
This can easily be accomplished by adding a space on the actual amount of the payroll tax paid in a given year and then have the tax credit reflecting the number regardless of the amount. The credit should reflect dollar for dollar back to the resident workers of our great territory.
I thank Mr. Schell for asking that question.
Mr. Speaker, it was one of the things that we inherited from the Government of the Northwest Territories days. It was originally set up to tax transient workers of the mining companies.
I believe, Mr. Speaker, anyone who is making $60,000 or less is not affected by the payroll tax, they will get all of their money back.
I don’t think he answered my question. I realize that, but I want to know if you’re going to look at it so that we get all of the money for the people who make more than $60,000.
Hon. Keith Peterson: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank Mr. Schell for that question.
I pay my share of payroll tax as well, so of course, there might be a little incentive in that for me.
We have no problem, Mr. Speaker, as the Department of Finance to take a look at these things. I can’t guarantee or commit that there will be any changes, but we certainly do, on an ongoing and continuous basis, review tax matters that affect Nunavummiut.
Thank you, Mr. Schell. (interpretation) Oral Questions. Member for Pangnirtung, Mr. Komoartok.
Question 052 – 3(2): Pangnirtung Swimming Pool (Komoartok)
I will direct my question to the Minister of Community and Government Services.
Last year, as members may recall, our community experienced a flood that almost destroyed the bridge and we were in the territorial news constantly.
I think that we also made the national news at that time.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the minister this question.
For the last three or four years, the hamlet council has reallocated their budget surpluses to a fund specifically for the construction of a swimming pool. None of these funds emanated from the capital projects the members approve here in the House. The funds have been accumulated from the hamlet’s budget surpluses.
We were grateful for financial support of $25,000 which was given to us by the Government of Nunavut when we initiated the idea of building a local swimming pool.
To date, we have continued our local fundraising for this cause, although it is a slow process. Over the last few years, the hamlet hasn’t had any surplus from their budget to complete the planning phase.
However, last year, we almost completed our fundraising but I knew that the hamlet didn’t have as much money as in previous years. Further, I believe that this project is ready to go. I think that the feasibility study and other plans have been completed, although there may still be some items to be finalized.
But as you know, we want to increase the number of activities geared towards youth and we are always searching for more activities. This year, I wrote to the minister and enclosed a letter of support from the hamlet, stating that the only thing that was holding us back was the lack of operations and maintenance dollars for the swimming pool and whether we could get funds for that.
Young people, not only in Pangnirtung but in most communities, turn towards abusive behaviour if they don’t have recreational activities to while away their time and this facility would be fully utilized.
In Pangnirtung, at this time of the year when the ice has gone from the river, they try to go swimming in one of the sheltered areas away from the strong currents. Last year, if any of these youth had been caught by the flood, we would have suffered some casualties.
For safety reasons, we would like to ask the minister if he could provide financial support and to correspond with the community on whether this is possible.
Minister of Community and Government Services, Mr. Lorne Kusugak.
As in most communities, pools that we have constructed are in dire need of repair and others are unusable, while others are primed for construction, such as the one in Pangnirtung. The officials from my department are looking into this matter.
We are working closely with the Department of CLEY to find out what kind of improvements we can make in renovating pools.
Some of them are easy to repair, some communities don’t have any pools at all, and some need renovation.
Working together with the Department of CLEY, we are currently looking at the pros and cons to see where we can make improvements.
In Pangnirtung, we have given financial support for the pool in the past and looked at how we best to make this work so that the pool can become available. Swimming pool activities are very beneficial to youth and children as it gives them an opportunity to learn how to swim. Whenever an emergency occurs in the water, your swimming ability can determine your fate.
We are also going to be working with the Hamlet of Pangnirtung and the other departments to have the pool available for use this summer.
We want to see improvements completed before the end of summer, perhaps this spring, but we would prefer to hear back from the minister at his earliest convenience as we would like to open it soon.
The response was adequate, but I solicit the minister to inform the hamlet council as soon as possible as to when the improvements will be completed.
We tried to open it last year but we kept running into obstacles, although we were told that there was very little left to do. We don’t want to see this occurring again and end up wasting another year.
Usually, there are many obstacles we face when dealing with swimming pools, such as hot water piping, light fixtures, and other challenges that we come across that cause delays.
As soon as it is possible, we will look into the improvements and deliberate on a plan of action with the community of Pangnirtung as well as other communities that currently have pools which we must operate and maintain.
However, my response to the member is yes, I assure him that this work will be done prior to the end of summer and our department is currently working on this issue.
Question 053 – 3(2): Funding Arrangement for Disabilities Society (Elliott)
My questions are directed to the Minister of Health and Social Services and it’s in response to his letter to the standing committee.
During one of our standing committee meetings, there were certain issues that were brought up and he ended up responding to that, so thank you very much.
He mentions about the contribution agreement with the Nunavut Disabilities Society and the $90,000, and I had raised questions about this before.
He mentions that Health and Social Services has not received a work plan and a budget from them yet.
Is this common or unusual? At what point do they usually receive the work plan and the budget for the new fiscal year?
Speaker: Thank you. Minister of Health and Social Services, Hon. Tagak Curley.
I think we all know that the Nunavut Disabilities Society was experiencing staffing issues, so the work plan ended up not being completed. However, the Nunavut Disabilities Society gets financial contributions from Nunavut Tunngavik for their work plan.
I believe your question is in relation to whether or not it’s normal to have a work plan and budget completed. What I can state as a response is if you have staffing issues, it’s impossible to complete a work plan.
We are not overly concerned.
The fund is not large and if they have insufficient staff to divert to make a work plan, then it wouldn’t be completed. I’m not familiar with the reason why the work plan wasn’t completed because we haven’t tried to find out what the issues are.
The deadline of March 31 for the submission of this work plan is due to the fact that it’s the end of the fiscal year for the government and I’m sure that’s the case. I believe that they’re in this predicament due to lack of employees.
I thank the member for that response.
I have done reporting before for different organizations and whatnot, and I know you have been mentioning the fiscal year-end and I understand how that works.
To receive additional funding, you have to put in a work plan or request a proposal of some sort.
Obviously, according to your letter, that hasn’t been received yet.
Has there been a final report for the 2008-09 fiscal year?
I know that for most government organizations and when you’re applying for funding, the deadline is April 30, so that deadline has passed.
Could you confirm whether a final report has been received from that organization?
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Elliott. Minister Curley.
I don’t have that information, but I’ll make sure that I get all of the information and keep the member updated.
Mr. Elliott: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thanks again to the minister for that commitment; I’m going to have to get an extra book to start writing these down.
We talked about the departmental contact information for complaints.
During the Committee of the Whole, as I was reviewing the Hansard for that, I wasn’t here on that day, I know that it was mentioned that there is a territorial person that’s situated in Cambridge Bay and there’s also a person in the Baffin region as well.
Your letter indicates that you would be providing us with information as to the guidelines for contact information and whatnot.
I’m wondering if you could give me a timeline as to when we can expect that information to come.
Hon. Tagak Curley: Thank you. (interpretation) As I stated, once we have the contact information and before the end of this session on June 18, I’ll make sure that I table the information in the House.
Back in March 26, there were a lot of questions and issues around the client service coordinator and it’s nice that we’re getting the answers to these now.
I tabled Document 25 – 3(1), it was a model consent form. At that time, the minister was saying that he wanted us to communicate directly with him on certain issues and to address it through him.
And I had tabled that document so that I could actually ask him the question to see whether his department, the Department of Health and Social Services, will actually accept that as a consent form to release private information to individuals.
I did get a brief glimpse of that, but I’m not overly concerned of whether or not we have to follow it. Medical records are very private and there are also privacy rights to consider.
To date, we have not agreed to it.
Please note that question period is now over.
Tabled Document 023 – 3(2): 2008 Tobacco Control Act Annual Report (Curley)
I am pleased to table the Chief Medical Officer of Health’s Tobacco Control Act Annual Report for 2008.
Hon. Lorne Kusugak.
Tabled Document 024 – 3(2): Office of the Fire Marshal 2007 Annual Report (Kusugak)
Office of the Fire Marshal 2007 Annual Report
Bill 02 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 1, 2009-2010 – First Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Iqaluit Centre, that Bill 2, Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 1, 2009-2010, be read for the first time.
The motion is carried and it has received first reading.
Bill 04 – An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act – First Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Iqaluit Centre, that Bill 4, An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act, be read for the first time.
The motion is carried and Bill 4 has received first reading.
Bill 05 – Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2009 – First Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Iqaluit Centre, that Bill 5, Miscellaneous Statutes Amendments Act, 2009, be read for the first time.
The motion carried and Bill 5 has received first reading.
Bill 02 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 1, 2009-2010 – Second Reading
I move, seconded by Hon. Member for Iqaluit Centre, that Bill 2, Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 1, 2009-2010, be read for the second time.
Mr. Speaker, this bill makes supplementary appropriations for the Government of Nunavut to defray the capital expenses of the Government of Nunavut for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2010.
Speaker: Thank you, Minister, for the bill.
I seek the consent of this House to waive the one-day notice requirement so that Bill 4, An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act, may be read for the second time today.
The minister is seeking consent to waive the one-day rule so that Bill 4 can have second reading.
Bill 04 – An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act – Second Reading
I move, seconded by Hon. Member for Iqaluit Centre, that Bill 4, An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act, be read for the second time.
Mr. Speaker, this bill amends the Income Tax Act to change three existing tax credits and to create two new tax credits.
The pension tax credit is being increased from $1,000 to $2,000.
The charitable donations tax credit is being amended to harmonize with the federal tax credit.
The textbook tax credit is being amended to harmonize with the federal tax credit.
A tax credit of $500 for volunteer firefighters is being created.
A new tax credit for the business training of employees is being created.
The motion is carried and Bill 4 is referred to the appropriate standing committee.
I seek the consent of this House to waive the one-day notice requirement so that Bill 5, Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2009, may be read for the second time today.
The minister is seeking consent to waive the one-day rule so that Bill 5 can have second reading today.
Bill 05 – Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2009 – Second Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Iqaluit Centre, that Bill 5, Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2009, be read for the second time.
Mr. Speaker, this bill corrects inconsistencies and errors in certain Acts of Nunavut and corrects references relating to the Northwest Territories.
All those in favour, raise your hand. Opposed.
I seek the unanimous consent of the House to waive Rule 67(2) and have Bill 5 moved into the Committee of the Whole.
The minister is seeking unanimous consent to have Bill 5 proceed directly into Committee of the Whole.
There are none. Bill 5 is referred to the Committee of the Whole.
Item 20. Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters. Bills 1, 2, and 5 with Mr. Ningeongan in the Chair.
Before we commence with Committee of the Whole, we will take a 20-minute break.
>>House recessed at 15:07 and Committee resumed at 15:37
Chairman (Mr. Ningeongan): I would like to call the committee meeting to order.
In Committee of the Whole, we have the following items to deal with: Bill 1, Bill 2, and Bill 5.
Mr. Elliott: Mr. Chairman, we wish to continue with Bill 1 and the review of the Department of Finance, followed by the Department of Human Resources, the Department of Justice, and the Nunavut Housing Corporation. Thank you.
Are we in agreement to continue with the main estimates for the Department of Finance?
Yesterday, both the minister and the standing committee’s opening comments were read.
I would like to ask Minister Peterson if he has witnesses he would like to bring to the table.
Hon. Keith Peterson: Mr. Chairman, yes, I do. Thank you.
Thank you. (interpretation ends) For the record, Minister Peterson, please introduce your witnesses.
Hon. Keith Peterson: Thank you, Mr. Chairman and the Committee of the Whole.
To my right is Peter Ma, Deputy Minister of Finance, and to my left is Chris D’Arcy, Assistant Deputy Minister of Finance.
Welcome. (interpretation ends) Before we proceed, I would like to remind members of the following: according to Rule 77(1), you have 10 minutes to speak, and according to Rule 77(2), subject to the discretion of the Chair, a member may speak more than once to a matter under discussion but not until every member wishing to speak has spoken.
Do members have any general comments in regard to the opening speech yesterday?
I believe it’s on page 2 of the minister’s opening comments, on top of the page, there is a program, the Harvesters Fuel Tax Rebate Program, on bullet number one.
On the fourth bullet, I think it is the harvesters WSCC, whatever that is.
Mr. Chairman, how active are these two programs in Nunavut? Do you get application forms from potential hunters? Do you have outpost camp programs?
How active are these two programs that I just mentioned?
The Harvesters Fuel Tax Rebate Program was a program that was announced in March of 2008 and it didn’t become active until October of 2008. To be clear for Mr. Ningark, it has been inactive because of the lateness of the program starting up.
The Harvesters Workers’ Safety and Compensation Program, that’s insurance through the Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission. It is compensation and safety for harvesters and it has been active.
Recognizing the inactivity of people applying for these programs because they are relatively new programs in the system, what are the criteria? Supposing someone from my community wanted to try and access the program, what are the criteria?
Do you have to be a serious hunter out camping for six months per se?