EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Question 435 – 3(3): Review of the Government of Nunavut’s Surplus Disposal Policy (Curley)
My questions today are for the Minister of Community and Government Services.
Mr. Speaker, my questions should be very understandable because they’re on behalf of Nunavutmiut.
As the minister is aware, he has responsibility for the Government of Nunavut’s Surplus Disposal Policy.
Mr. Speaker, this policy has two parts. Part A deals with the disposal of fixed assets and Part B deals with the disposal of non-fixed assets, including office equipment, furnishings, and mobile equipment.
Part B of the Policy states in part, and I quote, “This policy is based on the following principles…that everyone has an equal chance to acquire items that have been declared surplus…” However, Mr. Speaker, the policy also creates an order of preference for the disposal of assets.
GN departments and agencies are at the top of this priority list and ordinary members of the general public are at the bottom of the list.
Can the minister explain this contradiction?
Minister responsible for Community and Government Services; Minister Kusugak.
Good afternoon, Dino. I am very happy to see you in the Gallery.
Mr. Speaker, the policy was drafted specifically to ensure that prior to any government infrastructure being disposed of, such as old office buildings, facilities, or even old vehicles… .
For example, I know that some hamlets express interest, especially if it is an office building.
The hamlets are among the first bodies that are consulted. The government tends to have internal notifications to its departments to see if there is any interest. If no department expresses interest, the hamlets are usually the next in line for an expression of interest.
Sometimes other organizations are consulted, such as the search and rescue societies, and asked for an expression of interest.
When none of these parties express an interest, it is put out for public tender for anyone to bid upon.
That is generally how this process is laid out step by step for disposal of government assets.
Hopefully that is understandable to my colleague.
Mr. Curley (interpretation): Thank you. Yes, I understood the response provided by the minister.
Part of what I talked about was the last place status of the public. There are several layers listed here and my reasoning was based on my reading of the policy.
It states that (interpretation ends) “everyone has an equal chance to acquire items that have been declared surplus,” but there is a contradiction, as I indicated, because there are at least five institutions and organizations that have preference.
So my next question is this: will the minister commit to changing his department’s Surplus Disposal Policy so that ordinary members of the general public have an equal opportunity to bid for surplus assets, yes or no?
I’ll look into it further.
The minister indicated he will look into it. The minister may want to indicate that he will actually review and change the policy.
Number two, the Nunavut Housing Corporation and the territorial power corporation are exempted from the provisions of the government’s Surplus Disposal Policy.
Can the minister clearly explain why these Crown corporations are not subject to this policy?
Minister responsible for Community and Government Services Minister Kusugak.
I’ll take that question as notice
The question has been taken as notice. Moving on.
Question 436 – 3(3): Nunavut’s Arctic Council Priorities (Elliott)
I want to take this opportunity to congratulate Minister Aglukkaq on this well-deserved appointment.
This weekend, I had the opportunity to attend her consultations as she begins to develop priorities for Canada’s upcoming two-year chairmanship of the Arctic Council, which begins next May.
One of the four pillars of Canada’s Northern Strategy is to “promote social and economic development.”
Can the Premier advise the House what recommendations the Government of Nunavut has made to the federal government in this area?
Minister responsible for Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs, Madam Premier
First of all, I would also like to congratulate Leona Aglukkaq. She’s now the Chair of the Arctic Council.
We recently had a meeting with Ms. Aglukkaq and I am happy to announce that she invited us to this meeting to gather our thoughts on the issue as residents of Nunavut and our priorities and issues of importance. I am also quite happy that she invited all of the elected Members of this House and everyone was provided an opportunity to voice their thoughts on the matter.
During this time, I also had the opportunity to meet Ms. Aglukkaq personally to speak about the issues I spoke to.
Although it wasn’t comprehensive, we spoke about other matters, such as oil spills and the need to have the proper (interpretation ends) oil spill prevention, (interpretation) if I were to say it in English. This continues to be a source of concern for Nunavut, especially as our waters are being used by more ships as well as being explored by oil drilling companies. More ships are starting to use our waters as well.
Another issue we spoke about was with respect to the climate change that is causing challenges as the Arctic warms up and the ice is melting faster, which is resulting in our waters being opened up. Ship traffic will increase as more of our arctic waters open up.
The people of Nunavut, including the wildlife, as well as our marine mammals, require protection, which I stressed was one of the most important issues we face.
Another matter which has continued to be a priority for this government not just here in Nunavut but in other territories as well is the challenges associated with suicide prevention. Again, I stressed that this is one of our foremost challenges.
I also asked whether or not any best practices are readily available or alternatively, pooling our resources that we can share.
There were various matters we discussed related to health and social services, which the Minister of H&SS also voiced, as these were topics of importance to this government.
These were the topics we discussed ever since she started her position in the federal government and that she consulted us about. (interpretation ends) I would say that these are preliminary areas that we have voiced our opinion and I’m sure that there will be other explorations as to what the other priorities are.
On October 18, 2011, I asked questions in the House concerning the issue of search and rescue in the north and the role of the Arctic Council.
On June 27, 2012, the three territorial Premiers issued a communiqué following a meeting of the Northern Premiers’ Forum.
In their communiqué, the Premiers stated that, and I quote, “improvements to Canada’s Arctic search and rescue capabilities North of 60 are necessary to prepare for the increased pressures of resource development activity and growing air and marine traffic, and to demonstrate Arctic sovereignty.”
Can the Premier advise the House what actions the Government of Nunavut has undertaken to address this priority with the federal government?
The search and rescue issue is very important and a priority in our territory.
The land-based search and rescue efforts in Nunavut are led by the RCMP, in cooperation with the communities, as well as our municipal and territorial government departments collectively.
Most search and rescue incidents in the north involve ground searches.
I guess the specific question about Nunavut’s search and rescue capabilities are best directed to the Minister of Community and Government Services, of which his department is working very hard in continuing on that issue.
That being said, Nunavut has long been concerned about a lack of resources for air and sea search and rescue in the north.
These efforts are assisted by the Canadian Forces and Canadian Coast Guard.
I think the coordination centre, of course, for this is in Trenton, which is many miles away from our arctic location. I continue to raise this concern with the federal government and with representatives of the Canadian Armed Forces when they come up here to brief us on their activities in the Arctic.
In my meetings with the federal officials, I have raised this issue and I will continue to raise that as well.
In its response to the questions that I asked last October, the government indicated that one of the specific priorities that it wants to see addressed in the next Agreement on Cooperation on Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue in the Arctic is “consideration of the addition of a small, dedicated northern search and rescue contingent stationed in Nunavut.”
Can the Premier advise the House if she has raised this specific issue directly with the federal government and, if so, what has been the federal response?
This area, once again, was also a topic of discussion with the northern premiers, and I have also brought up the issue with a number of federal ministers over the last year, such as Minister Aglukkaq, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, the Hon. John Baird, and Minister of Infrastructure, Hon. Minister Lebel, during his consultation this past July.
Although there have been no specific commitments yet from the Government of Canada, we continue to press the federal officials on this issue.
It’s good to see the Government of Nunavut working towards that.
I know, in terms of Resolute Bay, we have pushed continually with the whole government approach that the federal government takes in terms of DND there and the Polar Continental Shelf Program. I think search and rescue assets in Resolute Bay would be an excellent addition and welcomed by the community.
My final question, Mr. Speaker, is the Government of Nunavut has also stated that one of its other priorities in this area is “improved communications, including allocation of bandwidth for emergency response.”
Can the Premier update the House on recent developments in this area?
Improvement of communications is very important, especially for emergency responses.
When we had a glitch in that satellite communications system, we had to look through it.
From what I understand, CGS and the community government are working together to look at how they can improve the communications system, including for emergency responses. They would be an excellent department to ask if you want to get an update because the minister responsible places this as a high priority.
Question 437 – 3(3): Lack of Daycare Spaces in Nunavut (Ugyuk)
I would like to say “good day” to my mother, who is in Yellowknife, and I love her.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I would like to direct my questions to the Minister of Education.
Mr. Speaker, there continues to be lack of daycare spaces available across Nunavut. This service is an important one, not only to provide early childhood education to our children, but to support parents and families who wish to participate in a working economy or improve their level of education and training.
Last week, I asked the minister a question about the number of daycares operating in Nunavut. While we are waiting for the information to be provided, as committed by the Minister of Education, I would like to ask the Minister of Education to describe what criteria must be met in order to open a daycare facility.
Minister responsible for the Department of Environment, Minister Aariak.
In regard to the education committees, part of their responsibility is to take care of the preschool programs and daycare services.
Those are available under the Education Act.
When it comes to early childhood education programs, they need a licence under the Child Day Care Act to make sure that the children are in a safe environment. (interpretation ends) Licensing requirements, as an example, are staff ratios, space requirements, etcetera, that apply to early childhood education programs. They do not apply to the supervision or instruction of school aged children offered by a school delivering the education program in accordance with the Education Act.
The early childhood education program runs out of the school, is not part of the school program, and as such, still requires licensing under the Education Act.
DEAs must meet the Education Act requirements to provide early childhood education programs which promote the Inuit language and Inuit culture.
The Education Act is not intended to meet the daycare and learning needs of children aged zero to five, but it was not designated to include junior kindergarten. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Speaker: Thank you, Minister of Education.
I would like to thank the minister for her response. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, can the minister update this House on the status of her department’s review of the Child Day Care Act and whether the results of this review will change the criteria for opening community daycares?
At this time, these are the early childhood programs currently being reviewed.
Once the review has been completed, we will have a better idea as to whether we need to revise the Child Day Care Act. It is only after this review that this will be identified.
I would like to thank the minister for answering my question.
As I mentioned in my preamble, there are not enough daycare spaces available across Nunavut.
Can the minister update this House on how many daycare spaces are currently available across Nunavut?
Just last week, our colleague asked a question related to daycare services, and in order to provide a full response, I wanted to provide my response in writing.
That is still my intention at this time, so I will be providing a written response later on this week.
Ms. Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) There are specific requirements under Nunavut’s new Education Act to provide early childhood education programs in Nunavut communities.
Can the minister update this House on the challenges her department has faced in implementing this aspect of the legislation?
Currently, daycare facilities are one of our most urgent needs in all of Nunavut.
At this time, we don’t have enough daycare facilities.
This issue is still being researched and it will be included in my written response later on this week.
Question 438 – 3(3): Government of Nunavut Hiring Practices (Oshutapik)
Mr. Oshutapik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) My questions today are for the Minister of Human Resources.
In my Member’s Statement today, I spoke about the need for the government to have fair hiring practices and the need for the government to follow the Priority Hiring Policy.
Can the minister explain how the Department of Human Resources enforces the Priority Hiring Policy?
I also thank the member for asking that question and I will try to provide a response.
This issue you spoke to regarding the Priority Hiring Policy, the objective is to prioritize certain categories for positions within the government.
This prioritization is specifically for Inuit who are Nunavut land claims beneficiaries.
The beneficiaries, whom are Inuit, are part of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement and, if any beneficiary has applied for a government position, then they are supposed to be a priority. At least that is what is supposed to happen when positions are being filled.
With respect to the Priority Hiring Policy, it isn’t the sole responsibility of a single department. The cabinet follows this hiring policy and it has to be approved by cabinet.
Mr. Oshutapik: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation) I would like to thank the minister for responding to my question. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, can the minister clarify how the Department of Human Resources ensures that managers are not involved in hiring decisions involving their own relatives?
I’m not exactly sure about your question, but I believe you were talking about managers not being involved in hiring decisions involving their own relatives. It is usually referred to cabinet and goes through the approval process. Again, we have to look at each individual, directly look at the education level and experience, and so on.
In circumstances where an employee of the Government of Nunavut believes that the government’s hiring procedures have not been followed, what is the process for the employee to request that a formal investigation be undertaken?
Hon. Monica Ell (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Could the member clarify his question? There are a lot of jobs that are available within the government, so I would like to ask the member to clarify his question.
Speaker: Thank you, Minister Ell. Mr. Oshutapik, can you clarify your question for the minister, please.
Mr. Oshutapik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question was: if the government’s hiring procedures had not been followed, what is the process for the employee to request a formal investigation to be undertaken by your department?
A copy of the Priority Hiring Policy is available on the Internet for anyone and all the government employees have a copy about the government hiring procedures.
If those procedures have not been followed, our department would like to be informed.
Thank you for understanding my question. I was going to try and speak in French if you didn’t understand me.
(interpretation ends) According to information on the government’s website, which you talked about, the Department of Human Resources is currently developing a new directive for its Human Resources Manual concerning “Offences and Integrity Management.”
Can the minister clarify what this directive will address and can she indicate when it will be finalized?
To elaborate further on that policy, as I mentioned earlier in regard to having cabinet make a decision, in regard to direct appointments, priority hiring is to urge beneficiaries to get into the workforce.
In regard to your question, I will look into that and pass on the information to you.
Question 439 – 3(3): Allocation of Conservation Officers (Enook)
Good afternoon to the people of Pond Inlet and to my fellow Nunavummiut.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to direct my questions to the Minister of Environment, Hon. Arreak.
Mr. Speaker, as the minister will recall, I asked questions during the Committee of the Whole’s review of his department’s 2012-13 main estimates and business plan concerning how his department allocates conservation officers throughout the territory.
The minister indicated to me that his department “works closely with local hunters and trappers organizations. Once they have made a request, we review those requests to determine if they need additional renewable resource officers.”
Can the minister indicate if the Mittimatalik Hunters and Trappers Organization in Pond Inlet made a request for an additional conservation officer for our community?
I thank the member for asking the question on conservation officers.
At this time, we did not receive a request for additional conservation officers for Pond Inlet.
We work with the community conservation officers and keep monitoring them to make sure that they don’t get overloaded.
I’m replying with the same response as the spring session.
As the minister will also recall, I sent him correspondence on this issue in May of this year.
The response to me indicated that the minister had “instructed his officials to review the allocation of staff in association with the budget planning process.”
Can the minister indicate if this review has been completed and can he describe what changes, if any, have been made to the allocation of conservation officers for my community of Pond Inlet?
As per my previous response, the situation still remains much like it was this spring; the set number of conservation officers in the communities hasn’t changed. At this time, nothing is in the works to increase the number of conservation officers in the communities or even if we can get additional conservation officers.
Our staff monitors the community as to whether the conservation officer’s workload is sufficient for one officer or whether two conservation officers are required.
If the workload is sufficient for one conservation officer, the community retains the one officer.
If the workload requires two conservation officers, the community would have two conservation officers. Alternatively, communities can request additional conservation officers through a training program.
This has occurred in other communities.
Currently, the number of conservation officers hasn’t changed to date and we haven’t identified any further positions to be transferred to the community.
The minister knows this for a fact and his response to me also indicated that “the department, like all others, has a limited number of positions and resources. These are allocated among the department’s program areas in consideration of Government of Nunavut priorities, regional needs, community needs, legal obligations and many other factors.”
Can the minister explain the exact formula for how his department determines the allocation of conservation officers and, if not, will he commit to tabling it in the House before the end of the fall sitting?
Likewise, our department keeps monitoring the conservation officers in the communities to make sure that their workload is not going over and we monitor the communities to see if they need additional conservation officers or not.
In regard to his community of Pond Inlet, they currently have just one conservation officer.
However, the North Baffin manager position is currently vacant and this position is being dealt with. When was the end date?
Indeed, the position is being readied for filling.
However, at this time, with respect to the member’s request for the formula used, I don’t have the information handy. Once I am able or need to provide that information, I may provide that information directly to the member via written correspondence.
Mr. Enook: (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Perhaps I should preface my question to make it understandable. With respect to the consultant, the minister knows for a fact that this position he alluded to isn’t just for the community of Pond Inlet. It is a position for the entire Baffin region, with no ties to the community of Pond Inlet.
It is set as a regional position and he can’t include it as a position working for the community of Pond Inlet.
I want to raise this question: does the department have any written guidelines that are used to determine whether or not a community requires another conservation officer?
Hon. James Arreak (interpretation): Mr. Speaker, for various reasons, we monitor the conservation officers’ workload.
I can only respond the way I did. If the workload is sufficient enough for one conservation officer, then we have one conservation officer, but it depends on the workload and various other factors.
In the community of Pond Inlet, we have noticed and we know that one conservation officer is sufficient enough for the community.
We look at the community’s needs when we make a decision, whether we need to hire additional conservation officers or not.
Question 440 – 3(3): Status of Implementation of Nunavut’s Education Act (Ningeongan)
I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Education. I want my colleagues to know that I do not ask questions just because these questions are popping out. I have been asked to ask these questions on education and other topics.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, in my Member’s Statement last week, I spoke of our government’s opportunity to reform our education system in such a way as to offer our high school graduates the best chance of success in their future academic careers.
At this time, can the minister provide an update on what progress has been [made] in implementing the made-in-Nunavut Education Act which came into force in 2009?
First of all, I would like to say that as Nunavummiut, we are very pleased about hearing from Nunavummiut. We consulted with Nunavummiut first before we made Nunavut’s Education Act.
This Education Act came into force in July. To date, we are now working very hard to implement the provisions of this Act and we have not completely implemented all the provisions.
I will find out what the status is and I will explain further to my colleague.