EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Do members agree that the report of the standing committee be received and adopted by the House?
I give notice that on Tuesday, March 1, 2005 that I will move...I am sorry.
Speaker (interpretation): I think you are moving ahead of us.
You will have to wait until we go down to Item 16.
Item 15: Tabled Documents
Tabled Document 065 – 2(2): Letter to the Information and Privacy Commissioner and her Response
In November, I posed several written questions in this House.
I was concerned by the level of transparency in some responses.
I wrote a letter to our Information and Privacy Commissioner to clarify the detailed information that can be expected with respect to Government of Nunavut contracts.
I would like to table my written letter to the commissioner and her response.
Tabled Document 066 – 2(2): List of Capital Needs for the Hamlet of Grise Fiord
Members of this House have constantly supported hamlet consultations for the purpose of buildings for Five Year Capital Plans for our government.
The list of capital plans’ needs that I am tabling was generated by Hamlet of Grise Fiord.
I urge my colleagues and the Cabinet to consider this list carefully when determining capital priorities in the communities.
Tabled Document 067 – 2(2): Future of the Nanisivik Mine Site
Mr. Speaker, I would like to table a visit that I received from the Minister of Economic Development and Transportation this summer regarding the future of the Nanisivik mine site.
Please hand them over to our Mr. Clerk.
Tabled Document 068 – 2(2): Return to Oral Question 005 – 2(2) DNA Testing
I am tabling a Return to Oral Questions 5-2(2) that was filed at the Clerk’s Office.
Tabled Document 069 – 2(2): Qulliq Energy Corporation Third Annual Report for the Year Ended March 31, 2004
I wish to table the following document; the Qulliq Energy Corporation’s third annual report for the year ending March 31, 2004.
Speaker (interpretation): Please pass the documents to our Clerk.
Tabled Document 070 – 2(2): Government of Nunavut Petroleum Products Specifications
I wish to table the following document; Government of Nunavut Petroleum Products Specifications.
Tabled Document 071 – 2(2): Letter to Tagak Curley in Regards to Bad Gasoline in Rankin Inlet
I would like to table a document which I received on February 14, 2005 from Simon Kowmuk in regards to the bad gas.
His outboard motor broke down and he will not be able to operate it this year.
Please forward them to the Clerk.
Item 16: Notices of Motions
Motion 009 – 2(2): Appointment of the Languages Commissioner – Notice
It stated Item 14 after this ... (interpretation ends) ... I give notice that on Tuesday, March 1, 2005 I will move the following motions: I moved, seconded by the Honourable Member for Kugluktuk, that Mr. Johnny Pujjuut Kusugak be appointed as the Languages Commissioner for Nunavut for a term of four years.
At the appropriate time, I will seek unanimous consent to deal with my motion today.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Netser.
I am getting tired of getting up and down. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent from the Assembly to deal with my motion today.
Speaker (interpretation): Member is seeking unanimous consent to deal with his motion.
Item 18: Motions
Motion 009 – 2(2): Appointment of Languages Commissioner of Nunavut
Mr. Netser (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) Whereas section 18 (1) of the Official Languages Act provides for an appointment of a Languages Commissioner by the Commissioner of Nunavut on the recommendation by the Legislative Assembly by way of resolution;
And whereas the Office of the Languages Commissioner is vacant; and whereas the Legislative Assembly is of the opinion that the appointment of the Languages Commissioner should now be made;
Now therefore I move, seconded by the Honourable Member of Kugluktuk, that Johnny Pujjuut Kusugak be appointed by the Commissioner of Nunavut as the Languages Commissioner of Nunavut for a term of four years.
I am going ahead of myself.
I support the motion and I would like to thank the Standing Committee for appointing Johnny Pujjuut Kusugak.
He is present here with his wife and they are from Rankin Inlet and I am in full support of this appointment.
And I asked him if he would consider applying, and first of all, I like to say thank you to him and his wife that they used to baby sit our son, and they are very good babysitters.
They were taught in Inuktitut and people were very happy to have Johnny Kusugak because he is capable of teaching Inuktitut.
Speaker (interpretation): Comments.
Speaker (interpretation): Welcome, Mr. Kusugak.
Mr. Pujjuut Kusugak welcome.
Motion 007 – 2(2): Tabled Document 053 – 2(2) Referred to Committee of the Whole
Mr. Speaker, I move seconded by the Honourable Member for Cambridge Bay, that Tabled Document 053 – 2(2) be referred to Committee of the Whole.
To the motion, I would like to elaborate why that motion should not go ahead.
When we are going to discuss that matter I would like to elaborate why I am requesting my position for this.
The reason why I am opposing this motion is that in the news release they deal with one individual person for a previous employee who was employed by Government of Nunavut.
When we are going to deal with this issue about an individual, I believe that we won’t be able to respond because we are dealing with one fired person.
Also, I would like to state that we are still deliberating on it at the Government of Nunavut and the individual who was working for the Government of Nunavut are still working together. We still haven’t come to conclusion yet, but we are still working on the conclusion.
I believe that there is going to be some kind of negative impact on the negotiations and the discussions from the Government of Nunavut and that individual.
If there was a question to be posed in regards to Human Resources of Government.
If there happens to be any questions we can respond to those questions.
We will also be discussing this further, this motion to move 52-2(2) tabled document, we will have the same report in the House and our Human Resources report and how we deal with disciplinary actions and we start to deal with during the Committee of the Whole, when we are being asked questions.
Yes, the Nunavut government’s public servants have Public Service Act to abide by.
Also we have to abide by that, Article 23 of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement because they supercede the Act.
We have to abide by the Nunavut Land Claims Agreements and we also have a human rights policy and we have to abide by that Act.
Also if there were any concerns or if they wanted to get information they can go through Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
If there is going to be any questions in regards to an individual there is that Human Rights Act and also the Union and the Government have an agreement, the Public Service Agreement, and we have to abide by that agreement.
For that reason the Department of Human Resources try to give support to various departments of the Government.
Also as the Human Resources department, we don’t work alone, we work with all the other departments and we make decisions along with assistance and the support of the department when we are doing hiring.
Also the Public Service of the Nunavut Government or the casual (if there are casual employees) if they work by the hour or if they work for an hour or if there were any problems occurring and if they happen to be discharged from their job they can also appeal that to through the Public Service Act.
Also through Nunavut Land Claims Agreement, it states that there should be a number of Inuit Beneficiaries working in the Government services.
Because this was an agreement for that reason, I will be opposing the motion that’s on the floor right now.
I urge all Members not to support that because there will be another report on it that will be coming in.
Speaker (interpretation): Comments to the motion.
The mover will have final comments.
It seems very funny that some people automatically assume that something is about something that it isn’t.
I want to assure all Members of this House that I know perfectly well the guidelines and privacy issues in regards to certain individual cases.
This motion moving the document to the Committee of the Whole, I ask the minister a general policy question and he could not answer it.
When I get a written response, my questioning on this will be in regard to policy in general and not about any specific case whatsoever.
I know that that’s something that the government is dealing with right now, possibly before the courts or whatever; I know that that’s something that can’t be asked about.
But I urge all Members to support this motion because I have some important questions that I would like to get clarified on general government policy, hiring policy and practices that I think everyone in Nunavut has a right to know and we need to make sure that it’s clear in the eyes of ourselves and Nunavutmiut.
I again urge all Members to support the motion.
The mover of the motion has had his last reply.
Would you like to vote on the motion now?
The question is being called.
All those in favour, please raise your hands.
All those opposed to the motion, please raise your hands.
I don’t believe I should make a comment as to whether I should be supporting or not supporting, but I will elaborate on it, and I believe that this is being dealt with through the courts.
So therefore, I will be in support of the members who oppose this motion. So I am in support of opposing this.
There was a tie, and there was a tie between the Members.
All those members who abstained?
Motions. Item 19.
Bill 8 – Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act 2005-2006 – First Reading
I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for South Baffin, that Bill 8.
Appropriation, Operations and Maintenance Act 2005-06 be read for the first time, and attached to this Bill are the Main Estimates and Business Plans.
All those in favour of the motion, please raise your hands.
Abstained.
Bill 8 has had its first reading.
While I have the opportunity while the teachers are in here I would like to go to Item 6. Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery.
I would like unanimous consent to go back to Item 6, Mr. Speaker.
Speaker (interpretation): The member is unanimous consent to go back to Item 6, Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery.
Mr. Barnabas (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and also my colleagues for allowing me to go back to Item 6.
I am very proud to recognize even though they come from a very small community of Grise Fiord.
First, I would like to acknowledge (interpretation ends) Mr. Brian Manning, Principal of Qammaqtalik school, (interpretation): and also Tracy McNiven, principal in training.
Although I recognized my wife the other day, I’d like to recognize her again and also my granddaughter who is adopted.
She wanted to come here and see what goes on in the House.
I would like to recognize Darla Rose Evyagotailak.
I didn’t vote to recognize people in the Gallery.
I raised my hand for a Point of Order.
There was unanimous consent to go back to Item 6.
There was a Point of Order.
My Point of Order is I believe the Minister responsible for Human Resources did a couple of things against the rules.
He assumed I was going to ask questions on a certain individual case and another question.
As I indicated and I believe he misled the House by telling everyone in here that including yourself, Mr. Speaker, saying that this is an issue for the courts.
He doesn’t know what my questions are in government policies.
The government policies are not before the courts.
That is what my questioning was on that particular document.
So I believe the Minister from his guidance from his fellow Cabinet colleagues has misled the House with that information; that statement he made to the Motion.
Mr. Speaker, (interpretation ends) we have moved onto other business at this time so the Point of Order is out of order.
So I would like to get a ruling on that matter.
Speaker (interpretation): We have House Rules.
I don’t see a Point of Order.
I apologize, I am sorry.
Mr. Curley: I also have a Point of Order.
I believe that the member and the minister imputed some allegations that might come out of the tabled document.
We are dealing with something that is a secret, we are dealing with a document that is being tabled, Mr. Speaker, and I believe you have the responsibility to ensure that what is reputed by the minister is not something that we are planning to deal with; the allegation is something about court cases and what not that’s not put in.
So I believe that your ruling is challenging and it should be referred to the legal advisor.
Speaker (interpretation): I will look into this further before I go back to Mr. Curley’s point of order.
We were on Item 18.
Bill 8 – Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, 2005-06 – Second Reading
Hon. Leona Aglukkaq: I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Rankin Inlet South and Whale Cove, that Bill 8. Appropriations, Operations and Maintenance Act 2005-06 be read for the second time.
This Bill authorizes the Government of Nunavut to make operations and maintenance expenditures for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2006.
Speaker (interpretation): Motion is in order.
The motion is carried.  Bill 8 has had second reading and accordingly the Bill stands referred to Committee of the Whole.
Speaker (interpretation): The Bill has been read for the second time. Bill 8 has had second reading. Second Reading of Bills.
Item 21. Consideration of Committee of the Whole and Other Matters.
Tabled Document 52-2 (2). Mr. Tootoo.
Motion 010 – 2(2): Adjournment for the Day
Pursuant to Rule 46, seconded by the Member of Cambridge Bay, I move that the House adjourn early for the day.
Speaker (interpretation): There is a motion on the floor and the item is non-debatable.
Item 24. Mr. Clerk.
Orders of the Day for Monday, February 28th.
We will reconvene on Monday, February 28, 2005 at 1:30 p.m.
>>House adjourned at 13:53  Nunavut Canada
Monday February 28, 2005
Pages 834 – 910
Opening Prayer 834
Ministers’ Statements 834
Members’ Statements 840
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 847
Oral Questions 848
Return to Item 5: Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 866
Tabled Documents 867
Notices of Motions 868
Notices of Motions for First Reading of Bills 868
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 869
Orders of the Day 909
Monday February 28, 2005 834
050 – 2(2): New Electricity Rates for Nunavut (Picco) 834
051 - 2(2): Field Officer Trainee Program (Akesuk) 836
052 – 2(2): Qulliq Energy Corporation Enhances Accountability (Picco) 836
053 – 2(2): 2004 Nunavut Literacy Prize (Tapardjuk) 838
054 – 2(2): Electricity Subsidy Changes (Aglukkaq) 838
110 – 2(2): Gasoline Supply in Sanikiluaq (Kattuk) 840
111 – 2(2): Gasoline Problems in Arviat (Alagalak) 841
112 – 2(2): Birthday Wish (Kilabuk) 842
113 – 2(2): Hamlet of Kugluktuk Efforts (Evyagotailak) 842
114 – 2(2): Social Worker (Barnabas) 843
115 – 2(2): Power Rate Increases (Curley) 843
116 – 2(2): Globe and Mail Article (Picco) 844
117 – 2(2): Alcohol and Drug Treatment in Cambridge Bay (Peterson) 844
118 – 2(2): Thank Individuals (Tootoo) 845
119 – 2(2): Airport Safety During a Power Outage (Netser) 846
120 – 2(2): Birthday Wish to Daughter (Brown) 846
121 – 2(2): Long Service Awards (Aglukkaq) 847
153 – 2(2): Plans for a New Office Building (Tootoo) 848
154 – 2(2): Airport Safety (Netser) 850
155 – 2(2): Social Worker (Barnabas) 851
156 – 2(2): Fuel Rate Rider Public Consultations (Curley) 852
157 – 2(2): Update on Gasoline Problems (Kattuk) 855
158 – 2(2): Update on the Workers’ Compensation Board (Peterson) 856
159 – 2(2): Plans for a New School (Arreak) 858
160 – 2(2): Attendance and Grievances in Government of Nunavut (Tootoo) 859
161 – 2(2): Arctic Bay and Nanisivik Access Road Funding (Barnabas) 861
162 – 2(2): Policy on Co-Pilot Requirement (Kattuk) 863
163 – 2(2): Bad Fuel Issue (Curley) 864
072 – 2(2): Utility Rates Review Council Report 2004 (Okalik) 867
073 – 2(2): KPMG Report – Medical Travel Review, Strategy and Recommendations (Brown) 868
074 – 2(2): Utility Rates Review Council Final Report (Picco) 868
075 – 2(2): Ministers Report to Utility Rates Review Council (Picco) 868
076 – 2(2): Nunavut Arctic College Annual Report (Picco) 868
011 – 2(2): Mid-term Review of the Executive Council of Nunavut – Notice (Curley) 868
Bill 13 – An Act to Amend the Wills Act – Notice 869
Bill 14 – Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act – Notice 869
Monday, February 28, 2005
Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Honourable Olayuk Akesuk, Mr. David Alagalak, Mr. James Arreak, Mr. Levi Barnabas, Honourable Levinia Brown, Mr. Tagak Curley, Mr. Joe Allan Evyagotailak, Mr. Peter Kattuk, Honourable Peter Kilabuk, Mr. Patterk Netser, Honourable Jobie Nutarak, Honourable Paul Okalik, Mr. Keith Peterson, Honourable Edward Picco, Honourable David Simailak, Honourable Louis Tapardjuk, Mr. Hunter Tootoo.
Minister’s Statement 050 – 2(2): New Electricity Rates for Nunavut
I am pleased to inform the members that I will shortly be tabling the final report of the Utility Rates Review Council, along with the initial report, my correspondence with the council and my resulting instructions to the Qulliq Energy Corporation, under the Utility Rates Review Council Act.
First, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Utility Rates Review Council members for their hard work and dedication during the public hearing process, the generation of rate recommendations and for the advice that they provided.
I would also like to thank the many Nunavutmiut for their presentations and advocacy, in particular members of the business community who took part in this process.
The members of the Utility Rates Review Council have provided a comprehensive discussion and analysis of the General Rate Application in front of them.
The items that I am about to highlight form a small part of the total report provided.
The Utility Rates Review Council says that Qulliq Energy Corporation needs $69.6 million to operate effectively in 2004-05.
However, the Utility Rates Review Council recognizes that changing rates to accommodate that level of increased revenue could cause a jolt to the Nunavut economy.
The Utility Rates Review Council takes the position that by recommending a 15 percent revenue increase to $64.5 million for Qulliq Energy Corporation in 2005-06, this change can be integrated into our economic system.
The increase falls short of what the Utility Rates Review Council recommends Qulliq Energy Corporation requires it to be financially independent in the short term, but it is the recommendation that I am prepared to accept, as I accept the supporting logic of the Utility Rates Review Council.
In order to achieve the 15 percent increase in revenue, all Nunavut residential and commercial rates will increase.
The fixed cost or service charges for residential customers and the base charge for commercial customers will remain unchanged.
These modest increases will be the first rate changes in eight years for Nunavutmiut.
As the cost to residential customer is dictated by both rates and subsidies, Minister Aglukkaq will explain to you the combined impacts of these changes on residential customers.
Mr. Speaker, commercial customers will experience an increase of up to 16.5 percent on their monthly power bills.
Electricity costs for residential customers in social housing units will remain at 6 cents per kWh for the next year.
The new rates are effective April 1, 2005.
Mr. Speaker, as everyone is aware, the price of crude oil has increased and remained high for some time.
Qulliq Energy uses diesel fuel to generate power.
Its rates did not reflect the new costs on the world oil market.
The Utility Rates Review Council has taken this into consideration and has recommended a fuel rate rider which could be used in the event of future changes to fuel costs.
The Qulliq Energy Corporation will need to invest in new power plants, equipment and renovations.
It is one thing to spread the cost of these projects over a larger population base, such as we have in Iqaluit.
It is quite another to do so in a smaller community.
Consequently, the Utility Rates Review Council has asked the Qulliq Energy Corporation to develop and return with an equalization rider proposal to address the longer-term capital cost disparities between Nunavut communities.
I have asked the Qulliq Energy Corporation Board to do this and return their proposal to me within 90 days.
The Utility Rates Review Council provides an extensive series of possible reports and analysis which could lead to further rate reviews.
I appreciate the desire to have this additional information, but I also know the costs of such extensive reviews.
I have asked the Qulliq Energy Corporation board to solicit an independent costing of these reports.
While I can see significant changes and improvements in these last months at the Qulliq Energy Corporation, the Utility Rates Review Council is critical of the corporation and the information it provided during the process.
I acknowledge these weaknesses in the materials, but I can see the strength and capacity of Qulliq Energy Corporation growing through this process.
Mr. Speaker, this process has moved Qulliq Energy Corporation to strengthen its financial structures and enhance the corporation’s ability to maintain a reliable power generation system at the lowest possible price.
The Government of Nunavut’s response demonstrates our commitment to manage Nunavut’s energy needs today and into the future.
Minister’s Statement 051 - 2(2): Field Officer Trainee Program
Hon. Olayuk Akesuk (interpretation): Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce a new training initiative in my department that will directly support increased Inuit employment.
We have just established three full-time wildlife officer trainee positions, one in each region.
(interpretation ends) It is often a challenge finding qualified candidates for positions.
So, in addition to supporting secondary and post-secondary education, we are establishing these on-the-job training positions to further encourage young Inuit to enter the wildlife management field.
Through a combination of on-the-job training, formal courses and working with other experienced staff, these trainees will acquire the land and technical skills to fulfill the jobs of a wildlife officer.
At the completion of a three year program, they will be fully qualified for the full time permanent positions.
These positions are being staffed immediately.
Minister’s Statement 052 – 2(2): Qulliq Energy Corporation Enhances Accountability
I would like to talk about some of the Qulliq Energy Corporation’s enhancements to accountability.
I am pleased to inform the members that Qulliq Energy Corporation is taking several proactive steps to strengthen management structures and public accountability.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to announce in the House the appointment of chartered accountant Mr. Philip Clark to the board of directors.
Mr. Clark was a managing partner of McKay Landau Chartered Accountants here in Iqaluit for the past twelve years, and he has worked with businesses and municipalities across Nunavut.
The board has a number of Nunavutmiut with strong experience in business and management.
I have no doubt that Mr. Clark’s appointment will compliment the board’s experience with his accounting background.
In addition, Mr. Clark will chair the board’s audit committee, further define financial controls and procedures, and advise with the planning and performing of audits.
Mr. Speaker, I would also like to congratulate Qulliq Energy Corporation board of directors on the appointment of Cecilia White as manager of internal audits at Qulliq Energy Corporation.
Ms. White brings the experience as manager of an Iqaluit Chartered Bank and has been hired to work with the audit committee on quality enhancement within the corporation.
Qulliq Energy Corporation is making it easier for consumers to review their power bills.
A re-designed, bilingual monthly bill will be introduced in April 2005.
In addition to English and Inuktitut text on the front, there will be French and Innuinaqtun guides on the reverse.