EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
At that point in time, this police program was very unclear if it applied to Inuit and to the north.
During that time, questions were asked and we have been assured now that the Inuit communities and Nunavut will be part of that program.
We have yet to access any funding in Nunavut, but we are working with the RCMP to put initiatives together to access that funding and use this for Inuit programs and recruiting of Inuit in Nunavut.
Earlier this week, the federal Minister of Public Safety announced that the federal government will “maintain funding for policing agreements with First Nation and Inuit communities under the First Nations Policing Program” for the next five years.
Can the minister clarify if Nunavut will be a part of these agreements?
I can assure the member that it’s my understanding that Inuit and Nunavut will now be part of the program and have access to funds under the program.
As before, it was very unclear, but after discussions and now that they have recognized Inuit in a press release in their program, yes, I believe the funding will be eligible to Nunavut.
In January of this year, a national “Summit on the Economics of Policing” was held.
Can the minister indicate if our government participated in this meeting and can he update us on what the meeting accomplished?
Again I thank Mr. Tapardjuk for the question.
To my knowledge, I’m unsure whether or not we participated in this meeting, but I will find that information out and get back to the member.
I will be expecting a further response to my question.
In September of last year, the three territorial ministers met in Whitehorse to “discuss justice and public safety issues of particular concern to the North.”
Following this meeting, the ministers participated in a “Symposium on Policing in Northern and Remote Canada.”
Can the minister update the House today on what specific initiatives have been undertaken by his department as a result of these events?
Hon. Daniel Shewchuk: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again I thank Mr. Tapardjuk for the question.
He’s absolutely right. Last September, I did attend the northern policing conference in Whitehorse, Yukon, along with my colleagues from the Yukon and the Northwest Territories.
There were also other representatives there from Alaska, Greenland, and northern Europe.
We shared very similar challenges that we have and some have more than others.
For instance, in Nunavut, I think we’re fortunate that we have RCMP that are located in every community in Nunavut, as in the Northwest Territories, there are many communities that do not have that such service and are remotely policed by other communities.
I think the main message that we all came out of that conference with, though, is that in policing, community involvement needs to be taking place, that priorities in communities are set by the communities and set for the police to ensure that those priorities are met, and that we have safe and secure communities.
I also think that this is being addressed. As Mr. Tapardjuk has asked, a new initiative through the RCMP in Nunavut and our shared directional statement is that all senior officers in all communities are now required, in their policing plan, to involve hamlets and councils in setting priorities for each community on an annual basis.
So we have moved forward in that sense and we will continue working with communities in ensuring that the police are doing their job as best as they can and they’re communicating with communities.
Question 542 – 3(3): Slumping Situation in Pond Inlet (Enook)
Mr. Enook: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation) My questions are for the Minister of Community and Government Services.
Mr. Speaker, as the Minister of Community and Government Services is aware, municipal authorities in Pond Inlet have raised concerns regarding the slumping situation that is facing the community.
Given the history of landslides in the Pond Inlet area, the community is concerned that another event is at risk of occurring, which could result in serious damage to property or even the loss of life.
It is my understanding that the minister’s department issued a request for proposals last year to perform a full geological survey of the area.
I thank the minister for taking this action. Can the minister confirm if the survey has been completed and the results shared with the appropriate municipal authorities in Pond Inlet?
I thank Mr. Enook for asking the question.
We wouldn’t like to have that landslide happening again in Pond Inlet, but the geotechnical report that the member is talking about was done in January.
What we have said was that we did a report on the geological survey of that area and some recommendations were provided, which is what we are working on.
I know that the minister stated what has been happening.
Can the minister confirm if the survey has been completed and is there any information that can be provided to the people of Pond Inlet?
For example, we’re not just looking for whether there’s going to be seismic activity, but there are going to be some measurements done and the geological survey will be done.
We will be doing some surveys just in case there’s seismic activity. So those are the things that we are planning to do to allay those concerns.
We will be putting in markers to make sure that the people know that these are the areas where we will be conducting the survey.
I thank the minister for informing me that markers will be put in.
There’s a lot of housing above and below that area.
I appreciate the minister’s willingness to having his department work with the Nunavut Housing Corporation and the Pond Inlet Housing Association on this issue. Can the minister advise me when the next meeting between these parties will take place?
There will be meetings from time to time between the hamlet, the housing corporation, and our staff.
We want to ensure that there’s no danger posed to the residents of Pond Inlet.
We will also provide information to the public about what we have been doing.
This is my last question. Mr. Speaker, this is a danger for the people of Pond Inlet. It’s hard to tell what’s going to happen in the future.
Sometimes when we just hear things, we can’t envision what’s going to happen. I believe that Pond Inlet would very much appreciate the opportunity to host the minister in the community so that he could review this situation in person.
Would the minister accept my invitation to visit Pond Inlet in the near future?
When the mayors were meeting this morning, they stated that they would like me to go to their hockey arena while I can still skate, but I told them that I would go as soon as I can. The other member asked me to go and play baseball.
I will try to come in between those requests of communities. I know this is a very serious issue and as soon as I have free time before the end of the summer, I will certainly try to come up to Pond Inlet.
Question 543 – 3(3): Status of New Municipal Funding Formula (Ningeongan)
Mr. Ningeongan: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation) I would really like to go to Pond Inlet too.
(interpretation ends) My questions are for the Minister of Community and Government Services.
In his Budget Address of last week, the Minister of Finance announced that the government is introducing a new municipal funding formula which will result in an additional $4.2 million flowing to hamlets in the next fiscal year. Can the Minister of Community and Government Services outline the major changes to the current municipal funding formula?
The municipal funding formula hasn’t changed for a number of years. There are a number of decisions made and they changed according to the population of the community, operational costs, and infrastructure. There were some changes in how this area is funded and it’s determined by population.
They are now within the municipal funding formula.
Mr. Ningeongan: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation) I also thank the minister for his response. (interpretation ends) The version of the government’s current Municipal Funding Program Policy which is available on the GN’s website indicates that it expired on June 30, 2012. Can the minister indicate when the new policy will be made available?
As soon as I get the information, I’ll let my colleagues know about this.
In his opening comments to the Committee of the Whole last week, the Minister of Community and Government Services indicated that the new municipal funding formula “has been developed in close consultation with all Nunavut municipalities” and is “a result of the municipal funding review.” Would the minister commit to tabling a copy of the final report of the municipal funding review in the Legislative Assembly?
I have no issue with that as soon as it becomes table-able.
Any additional dollars that are provided to municipal governments for the delivery of frontline services will be much welcomed. If my math is correct, an increase of $4.2 million works out to an average of $168,000 per community. Can the minister indicate how the additional $4.2 million will be divided between Nunavut’s communities?
Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): Mr. Speaker, there are different funding formulas for the communities.
It’s difficult to say and I will get the information and get back to you.
Question 544 – 3(3): Sanikiluaq School Windows Replacement (Rumbolt)
It seems we’re testing Minister Kusugak’s knowledge in his departments today.
Mr. Speaker, my questions are also for the Minister of Community and Government Services.
Mr. Speaker, I recently noted a tender in the paper which was requesting for proposals to remove and replace the windows at Nuiyak School in Sanikiluaq. The RFP closed on February 22 of 2013. Can the minister provide an update on the status of this request for proposals and when he expects to award the contract?
Hon. Lorne Kusugak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Our department is currently preparing the award letter to the successful component at this time.
As the minister and his colleagues may recall, I raised this issue last October during our review of the government’s capital budget for the Department of Education. At that time, the Minister of Education’s officials indicated that the window replacement project had been ongoing for a number of years and that work was ongoing with CGS to get it done. This is not the first RFP issued for this project.
Can the minister clearly explain what kinds of challenges his department is facing in getting this job done? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
There are always a number of challenges when work is being done on major infrastructure throughout the territory. We have to work with our client departments and find out what, in particular, needs to be repaired at any given time. So there are a number of challenges, not limited to location, when things do break down, and when they do need replacing.
The materials for these much needed repairs have been in our community for over two years now. Can the minister indicate when he anticipates the window replacement work will be completed on this project?
We’re hopeful that the windows will be completed before the fall.
Question 545 – 3(3): Crime Prevention Initiatives (Oshutapik)
As the minister will recall, I raised the issue of crime prevention at our sitting of June 6, 2012.
Yesterday, the minister announced that his department has partnered with the Ilisaqsivik Society in Clyde River to develop radio programming aimed at youth.
Can the minister provide further detail on how the participants in this initiative will be selected?
I thank the member for his question on the process of the selection of the youth who are going to participate.
I do not have that information of how that’s going to be done at this moment, but I will commit to getting back to the member on that.
I do believe, though, that there will be canvassing going on through the regions and community justice committees will be involved in each community in the communities that are involved.
I don’t think it’s going to be youth from every community in Nunavut, but there will be representation of each region.
Can the minister indicate when the radio programming is expected to be broadcast across all of Nunavut’s communities?
I can’t give any definite dates.
I do know that the workshop is coming up here from March 26 to 28 in Clyde River.
What comes out of that and timelines that we expect this radio program to go back to the regions and communities, I do not know the dates on that.
Can the minister describe how the RCMP and community justice committees will be involved in this initiative?
I can say that the RCMP and justice committees in all communities will be involved in ensuring that they assist and support the youth in communities in developing this program and this radio show.
It will come back to communities and ensuring that they give the support so that they can relay this information to all youth in all communities.
Mr. Oshutapik: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation) I thank the minister for his responses. (interpretation ends) One of the priorities in the Government of Nunavut’s Tamapta Action Plan is the development of a “comprehensive crime prevention strategy based on Inuit societal values and involving Nunavummiut in efforts to reduce the need for intervention by the justice system.”
Can the minister tell me when he will be tabling the government’s comprehensive crime prevention strategy in the Legislative Assembly?
Crime prevention is very [important] to us as a government and in Nunavut to all communities. I think one of the key things that we have to focus on is crime prevention. The RCMP is working on programs to educate all communities in Nunavut better.
We, as community justice, are initiating programs to develop crime prevention strategies and also community justice outreach workers involving the whole community, hamlets, and councils in this initiative too. Crime prevention is very important.
As far as when I can table the strategy, I cannot answer that question right now, Mr. Speaker.
Question 546 – 3(3): Status of Motor Vehicle Policy (Schell)
It may appear like we’re picking on the Minister of Community and Government Services due to the additional staff in the Gallery, but that’s not the case.
Having said that, my questions are for the Minister of Community and Government Services.
As the member is aware, I’ve had longstanding concerns regarding the Government of Nunavut’s Motor Vehicle Policy. The purpose of this policy is to ensure that all vehicles are used “only for the purpose of delivering government programs and services.”
Mr. Speaker, the Motor Vehicle Policy was most recently revised on April 21, 2010.
The policy is scheduled to expire on May 1, 2015. For the benefit of the listening public, can the minister summarize what changes were made to the policy in 2010?
I’ll have to get back to my colleague on it. I haven’t reviewed the Motor Vehicle Policy use in a while, Mr. Speaker.
Can the minister describe the process by which his department investigates alleged breaches of the Motor Vehicle Policy?
The Motor Vehicle Policy is one that is monitored by each department head.
So if there are people abusing the vehicle, if it’s in our department, then our department head would look into those allegations. If it is my colleague finance minister’s department, the head of their departments are responsible for monitoring the proper usage of the vehicle, Mr. Speaker.
Can the minister indicate how many investigations into abuse of government vehicles have been undertaken over the past year?
If he doesn’t have the figures from other departments, I would ask for his department.
I’m not copied on that kind of detail. I really don’t have a clue how many investigations or complaints there have been within the government if the vehicles have been abused or complained about.
Can the minister indicate, in his department, how many employees have been disciplined over the past year for violations of the Motor Vehicle Policy?
As I said earlier in our comments and I have said this time and again in previous discussions on the Motor Vehicle Policy, the policy is one that is administered through the departmental heads of each department.
They monitor the policy and they ensure that it’s being followed and, if it’s not, they have consequences to those.
It’s done by each department head and in their department, they don’t report to me on the final numbers and actions taken.
Question 547 – 3(3): Recent Power Outage in Resolute Bay (Elliott)
Recently, a power outage in Resolute Bay had the community without power for an extended period of time. With the community receiving water and sewage services through an utilidor system, when the power goes off, there is always a threat that if it’s off too long, the system will freeze and the community will be without these essential services.
Can the minister update the House on this power outage problem?
With respect to the member’s question, I was briefed about the power outage in Resolute Bay. At the time, we had to bring in another worker from an outlying community in order to work on the problem. That is what occasionally happens, as some employees are responsible for other communities, with three employees on rotation, one travelling from Iqaluit, one looking after the Kitikmeot, and one in the Kivalliq region.
That is generally the practice and this occurred in this situation.
Also, it’s my understanding that aging power lines and blizzards and strong winds added to this problem as well. Is the minister confident that the problem that occurred as a result has been rectified and the community will not be experiencing these threats in the future?
I can’t guarantee what will happen in the future to any of the power plants or anything like that. We can’t foresee the future, I can’t anyway, Mr. Speaker, but I am confident that when a power outage does happen in the community, we will make every effort to get to the community, as the linesmen are located in Iqaluit, Cambridge Bay, and Rankin Inlet.
In the past, the community was serviced by a linesman position in the community. With the number of power failures and the lack of service in all three of the High Arctic communities, which, in some instances, require charter flights to the communities and staff from other locations to fly in to do the repairs, has the QEC thought of re-establishing a regional linesman position in the High Arctic?
There have probably been discussions and I’ll have my staff entertain the idea. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
That was my next question; I’ll put it out there to make sure it’s confirmed.
Could the minister commit to doing a cost analysis of the current practice of services in the High Arctic to determine if having a linesman or technical staff stationed in the High Arctic would be more cost effective and provide better services to the communities of Grise Fiord, Arctic Bay, and Resolute Bay?
I thank my colleague for those questions. I will ask my officials to explore the idea.
Question 548 – 3(3): Status of Rankin Inlet Correctional Healing Facility (Schell)
Earlier this year, the new Rankin Inlet Correctional Healing Facility was opened.
It is hoped that this much anticipated facility will help to address overcrowding at the Baffin Correctional Centre here in Iqaluit.
As of today, how many inmates have been transferred to the new prison in Rankin Inlet?
I didn’t catch the end of that question. I believe the question was: how many inmates do we have in the Rankin Inlet facility to date? I believe, presently, there are approximately 17 inmates in the facility.
Can the minister describe how his department determines which prisoners to transfer to the new facility in Rankin Inlet, and can he clarify if any prisoners whose home communities are in the Baffin have been transferred to the new facility in Rankin Inlet?
There is an assessment process that takes place before inmates are transferred to the new facility in Rankin Inlet.
There are basically three criteria and, that is, whether they’re medium- and low-risk offenders; the second criteria to be assessed is the programming needs of the offenders that are going to be needed over there and what’s offered over there; and the third criteria is if they are from the Kivalliq region. So those are the three criteria that are used.
As for if there are any Baffin offenders there, I don’t know that; I don’t have that information right now.
Speaker: Thank you, Minister Shewchuk, for answering both of those questions.
As of today, how many full-time positions have been filled at the new correctional facility in Rankin Inlet?
I believe there is a total of 45 allocated staff there, PYs, and I believe 37 of them are filled.
Who is the warden of the new correctional healing facility in Rankin Inlet?
The warden position at the Rankin Inlet healing facility is vacant at the present time.
I just would like to add onto this that we’re very happy to have this facility up and running. We got to open the doors in December.
We had a grand opening with the community and my fellow colleagues. The Premier and Minister Kusugak were with me at the end of January.
This facility is very unique. It is well accepted by the community.
What you can really notice there is the community involvement of Rankin Inlet and my hat goes off to the community for being a great partner in this endeavour.
Question 549 – 3(3): Government Liaison Officer Program (Elliott)
This is the second year that the communities have been serviced under the Government Liaison Officer program.
Could the minister provide an update on how this program is working to provide liaison services to residents on services offered by the Government of Nunavut?
The liaison officers serving both government and the Inuit are called GLOs. To date, it’s running smoothly.
We currently have 16 communities that have hired a GLO and several communities are in the process of hiring a person for the position.
As we continue reviewing the Government of Nunavut’s operations and maintenance budget for the 2013-14 fiscal year, it seems we’re being informed of some of the specific services offered by the GLOs in the communities.
For example, two days ago, during the review of the Department of Health, the minister mentioned that GLOs can assist residents with birth certificates. In questions raised to the minister last week on social insurance numbers, the House was informed that GLOs may be a possible option for service delivery in assisting with processing of applications.
I know that GLOs have a comprehensive job description for what their role is and what tasks they must perform. For constituents in the community, with all of these new responsibilities being added, sometimes it’s confusing as to what services the GLOs will provide. Is there a comprehensive list of services that GLOs provide?
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Elliott. Minister of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs, Madam Premier.
Hon. Eva Aariak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The position of the GLO is centrally important to the communities, especially in the field of communications and creating understanding between the parties.
Whenever a community resident has any questions or receives correspondence in a language they don’t comprehend, such as English correspondence, or if they require assistance to fill out forms or applications, they provide invaluable services.
Sometimes, even though the correspondence or material may not be from the Government of Nunavut, they provide this service simply to be of service to the elder.
Any communication task is included in their duties.
Further, each GLO follows their communities’ needs, as decentralized and non-decentralized communities are quite different. This is demonstrated by slightly different work duties within their job descriptions.
Mr. Elliott: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My next question is: are the government liaison officers provided with adequate training and resources needed to do their jobs? I ask this question, Mr. Speaker, because during my most recent visit to the constituencies of Grise Fiord and Resolute Bay, both GLOs were struggling to make the positions work.
In each community, they were provided with office space but did not have access to Internet, computer, and phone connection, all of which would be needed to provide the services discussed earlier. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.