EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Tabled Document 022 – 3(3): Quttiktuq Annual Constituency Newsletter: 2009 Quttiktuq Times (Elliott)
Tabled Document 023 – 3(3): Quttiktuq Annual Constituency Newsletter: 2010 Quttiktuq Times (Elliott)
I have two tables and I’ll read them simultaneously.
I wish to table a copy of my 2009 annual constituency newsletter.
Mr. Speaker, my first constituency newsletter, called The Quttiktuq Times, focused on the issue of arctic sovereignty. Interestingly enough, this issue also dealt with the topic of food insecurity around the Food Mail Program.
And, Mr. Speaker, I wish to table a copy of my 2010 annual constituency newsletter. Mr. Speaker, my 2010 newsletter focused on the new Nutrition North Canada Program. It also introduced my constituents to a number of key stakeholders within the riding.
Tabled Document 024 – 3(3): 2009-2010 Corporate Plan for the Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission (Tootoo)
I rise as the Minister responsible also for the Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission.
I am pleased to be able to table the 2009-2010 Corporate Plan for the Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission.
Tabled Document 025 – 3(3): Federal/Provincial/Territorial Ministers Responsible for Emergency Management Conference in Toronto, January 2011 (Kusugak)
Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I am pleased to table the Federal/Provincial/Territorial Ministers Responsible for Emergency Management Conference in Toronto in January 2011.
Tabled Document 026 – 3(3): Environmental Rights Act Annual Report for the period January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010 (Shewchuk)
I am pleased to table the Environmental Rights Act Annual Report for the period January 1, 2010 to December 1, 2010.
Motion 003 – 3(3): Extended Adjournment – Notice (Ningeongan)
I give notice that on March 10, 2011, I will move the following motion:
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Rankin Inlet South and Whale Cove, that notwithstanding Rule 4, that when the House concludes its present sitting in Iqaluit, it shall be adjourned until May 31, 2011.
Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time, I will be seeking unanimous consent to deal with my motion today.
Notices of Motions. (interpretation ends) Item 16. (interpretation) Notices of Motions for First Reading of Bills.
There being none. (interpretation ends) Item 17. (interpretation) Motions.
Motion 003 – 3(3): Extended Adjournment (Ningeongan)
Further, that at any time prior to May 31, 2011, if the Speaker is satisfied, after consultation with the Executive Council and Members of the Legislative Assembly, that the public interest requires that the House should meet at an earlier time during adjournment, the Speaker may give notice and thereupon the House shall meet at the time stated in such notice and shall transact its business as if it had been duly adjourned to that time.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Member. The motion is in order.
(interpretation ends) Item 17. (interpretation) Motions. (interpretation ends) Item 18. (interpretation) First Reading of Bills. (interpretation ends) Item 19. (interpretation) Second Reading of Bills.
Bills 1, 4, and 5 with the Member for South Baffin in the Chair.
In accordance with the authority provided to me by motion 1 – 3(3), the Committee of the Whole will stay in session until it reports itself out.
Perhaps since we finished our orders of the day very quickly today, you can keep meeting until you want to have a short break and then continue.
We wish to continue with the review of Bill 1 and the review of Community and Government Services, followed by the Nunavut Housing Corporation, the Department of Justice, and then the Department of Finance.
Chairman: Are we in agreement to continue with the O&M budget for the Department of Community and Government Services?
Chairman: Are we agreed that Minister Kusugak and his staff go to the witness table?
Chairman: Sergeant-at-Arms, please assist the minister and his staff to the witness table.
For the record, minister, could you please introduce your staff.
To my left is Kathleen Lausman, Deputy Minister of the department, and to my right is Alma Power, Director of Finance for the department.
We were on J-5. Branch Summary. Community and Government Services.
I wish to welcome the minister and his officials.
It is pleasant to have this opportunity to review your plans and to direct our questions to you.
Within your department’s draft 2011-14 business plan, you indicate that one of your priorities for this upcoming year is to “Work closely and collaborate with Northern Employees Benefit Services and members of the GNWT on the draft legislative proposal to introduce pension plan legislation to regulate the NEBS pension plan for municipal employees in Nunavut and NWT.”
With the Standing Committee on Legislation reviewing proposed legislation and having received the proposal, what would be its purpose if it were to be passed and enacted as legislation?
Can you update the members as to when this legislative proposal will be introduced as a bill in this House so that we may vote on it?
I thank Mr. Tapardjuk for that very important question.
I believe it was last year when we started to debate the issue about updating the legislation and the members were all in support of revising the legislation.
The hamlets were also in support of the review of this legislation.
Currently, whenever we are working towards revising or updating legislation, we have to ensure that all of the required work is completed, such as the regulations and the contents of the legislation. As part of this process, we are working with the Department of Justice’s Legal Services Branch to detail out the needed revisions.
Once the work has been completed and we are ready to present it, the proposed bill will be submitted to the Committee of the Whole for review.
I don’t have anybody else on my list here.
We will go to Branch Summary.
Chairman: We will move on to J-6. Community and Government Services. Branch Summary.
Government Services. Total Operations and Maintenance, to be Voted. $71,371,000.
For this department, just for clarification, are these dollars that go into paying for the operations and maintenance of all of our government buildings across the territory?
That is correct, Mr. Elliott.
Again, I think this goes hand in hand with some of the community support that’s going out in terms of paying fuel for hamlet buildings but also paying fuel and whatnot for schools and other government buildings across the territory.
Do you foresee a possible supplementary appropriation in terms of the cost of fuel going up in the future with this or are you pretty comfortable with the O&M budget as it is?
It’s hard to anticipate things like that.
We try to budget our fuel prices adequately.
If we find that there is a drastic change in it by June and July, then we would have to do changes, but we don’t anticipate that to happen at this time.
Also, one of the supplementary appropriation bills that we just passed last week included increases because of the potential increase in power rates and the rider that’s going on there.
Are those same dollar figures put into this part of the budget as well or is that something that hasn’t been included in it?
Hon. Lorne Kusugak: No, we will wait and do that next year, Mr. Chairman.
On page J-6 under (interpretation ends) Contract Services, (interpretation) it seems there is quite a big increase.
Why has that increased?
Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): Yes, this is for information technology that I mentioned yesterday and it’s for doing contract work on improving our Internet services.
In terms of the government buildings that we have scattered across the decentralized communities, I think there are 11 of them, I’m not sure.
My understanding is that in 2019, the leases and the payments from the federal government will run out on those.
I’m assuming it is run through the O&M in terms of a lease type of project. Is it your department that would be negotiating anything after that?
Hon. Lorne Kusugak: Yes, Mr. Chairman, we would be, but not alone.
We would be working with the Department of Finance, I believe, when those negotiations would start.
Again looking into the future, when do you foresee that happening?
Is it happening after 2014 and that’s why it’s not a priority in the business plan?
Chairman: Mr. Elliott, while we’re basically dealing with the current budget here and you’re talking about 10 years from now, if the minister wants to answer that, go ahead, Minister Kusugak.
Hon. Lorne Kusugak: Yes, I think that’s when we will be dealing with it at that time, when we’re closer to that date.
Total Operations and Maintenance, to be Voted. $71,371,000.
Chairman: We will move on to J-7. Branch Summary. Community and Government Services.
Protection Services. Mr. Rumbolt.
With regard to J-7 and on J-11, it says that the community search and rescue organization is $500,000.
What are these dollars used for?
Hon. Lorne Kusugak: Those are geared towards training and working with municipal search and rescue committees.
Is part of this funding used in the actual search and rescues that are done in communities?
Hon. Lorne Kusugak: Mr. Chairman, no, they’re not.
They’re used more for training workshops and things like that.
For actual search and rescues, where do these dollars come from within your budget?
Hon. Lorne Kusugak: They’re included in J-7, $203,000.
Actually there is only a $50,000 budget for search and rescue, Mr. Chairman, but it’s included in that line item.
Can the minister tell us how much of that budget was used last year?
Hon. Lorne Kusugak: Yes, all of the $50,000 was used.
Can the minister tell us how much he went over in that budget?
We went over it in 2011 here. The total base rescue to January 31 of this year was $33,937.
Do you feel that the $50,000 is sufficient in this department?
Hon. Lorne Kusugak: It’s definitely not.
I wish it would be, but it’s not.
It fluctuates every year and it’s not adequate, Mr. Chairman.
So based on history, I’m assuming it has a history of being over-budget each year.
I’m wondering why more dollars aren’t allocated towards that line item.
Hon. Lorne Kusugak: Mr. Chairman, a number of factors come in.
We have restraints and we have to work within our budgets, so we try to keep it as close to $50,000 as possible.
Unfortunately it goes over and we try to make ends meet from other areas, Mr. Chairman.
So when this budget gets overrun, are there ever times when you cut back emergency services or protection services to the communities when needed, or are they provided and you just go over the budget?
Hon. Lorne Kusugak: Mr. Chairman, we have never turned away a search and we have always funded where we are required to fund.
One of the things I would like to add, Mr. Chairman, is we are working right now within emergency services to put together the statistics on search and rescues and the peaks and valleys. It will give us a lot of more detail in terms of how we’re going to budget this department or this section of it. We’re working on that kind of stuff.
We’re also working towards preventative and prevention for search and rescue.
We’re putting cost into purchasing, such as last year, I believe we purchased a bunch of SPOT equipment and we have purchased a bunch of other search and rescue equipment to minimize the costs. So we’re doing those, Mr. Chairman.
With the introduction of the SPOT devices last year, are you tracking how many times they have actually been signed out of the communities by hunters and if any hunters actually used them to aid in search and rescue?
Hon. Lorne Kusugak: Thank you Mr. Chairman.
We aren’t specifically doing that, but we are working with the municipalities and they are keeping track of what equipment is being used, how often and when. If they have been activated, we would track that part of it, Mr. Chairman.
Do you have any idea on the number of times they were activated in the past year?
Hon. Lorne Kusugak: Yes, we do, Mr. Chairman.
Unfortunately we don’t have… do we have it here? I don’t think we have that detail but we do have it available. Unfortunately it is not here, but I would be more than happy to share it with my colleagues once we get it, Mr. Chairman.
Several years ago, a Nunavut-wide search and rescue society was formed, but it’s my understanding that the society has been inactive. Can the minister or his officials clarify what hurdles are preventing this society from being more active?
Hon. Lorne Kusugak: I think it’s a number of issues, Mr. Chairman. I think it takes a lot out of the volunteers.
Search and rescue is all volunteer-based and with a combination of turnover of search and rescue members and chairs of municipalities and the drive from some municipalities for funding, it takes a lot of work to do it.
I think it’s a combination of all parties not doing an active enough role to make it continue.
Yesterday I spoke to this issue and I want to return to that remark.
If the communities were able to be provided more funds and resources, then they would be able to run that program with better local control and decisions on what equipment is required.
Furthermore, I believe that we have an official who can train people in the communities with respect to search and rescue exercises. Another option, Mr. Chairman, is the usage of transponders, such as the SPOT devices or something similar. If these were being utilized, it would allow for quicker searches and rescues.
With these transponders in our digital age, it is very easy to look up their position. I personally have one of those transponders, so I know it can work.
Due to these reasons, can we not use these funds to build Qamutiit that can be used by the local people or even to purchase snowmobiles and boats? Can this be looked into?
I know we are not talking about capital items, Mr. Chairman, but what I’m trying to state is that we have to look at the long term and whether we ought to be preparing a strategy to provide these types of equipment for the search and rescue teams. I would like to see something set up to provide the equipment.
As we were discussing the matter of block funding yesterday with respect to larger pieces of equipment, I would like to know if this can also be considered for providing equipment to the smaller communities that may not be able to raise enough funds to purchase equipment.
Regarding the issue of search and rescue, that responsibility is held by the municipalities and they work in conjunction with our Protection Services Division.
Many times, the squads go out in weather most people have no business being out in, in order to search for and rescue stranded hunters. It is solely due to their commitment to providing assistance to their fellow human beings.
Many times, the SAR team brings back people who may never have returned if we didn’t have these volunteers. It’s quite obvious that they have saved many hunters who may not have survived otherwise.
Additionally, some teams would have spent more time searching, but due to the lack of equipment, they are unable to do more than their equipment allows.
With that being the case, my own perspective on this issue, along with my officials, is that we should be looking at establishing a fund that caters to these search and rescue teams’ needs. The teams would then be able to concentrate solely on the rescue, to initiate searches earlier, and they would be able to spend more time on the rescue and less time on the logistical challenges.
Yes, this and other related issues are being considered to see how we can provide assistance and locate funds for the SAR teams as well as for logistical operations.
The hamlets have many ways to resolve these issues and based on the needs, they have undertaken various ways of operating these teams.
Some communities are quite adept at funding proposals, fundraising, and others have set aside funds for their SAR teams, such as purchasing snowmobiles, sleds, and other equipment needed to conduct these searches. Some have borrowed from various funds to purchase the equipment, while others have had successful requests for funding from various foundations.
We are hoping that this winter or in the next few months, we will have a detailed plan outlining the options that can assist these SAR teams to conduct their services. We could then work towards developing protocol related to equipment purchases.
Yes, I concur with the member’s comments on this issue.
The question I raised was based on the reason that some SAR teams have sent requests in the past several years to various departments, such as the Department of Environment, to be able to use their equipment, such as boats and other equipment owned by the conservation officers.
Most conservation officers have all of this equipment. The RCMP also tends to have equipment that could be used. However, most of the time, these agencies don’t want to be liable for any accidents that may occur during their search.
Liability is often used as the reason why their equipment cannot be used. That is why I asked about local resources which are in the hamlets but are just sitting pretty.
The reason why I believe that the SAR teams should have their own equipment is because the existing agencies are unable to lend them this equipment. There should be a SAR contact that can provide assistance.
I would like to see it set up in this manner so that there would be fewer obstacles they would run into.
Chairman: That’s just a comment, but if you want to comment on it, Minister Kusugak.
Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): Yes, it may just be a comment but we will include your suggestion when we are looking at the issues surrounding this matter. If we can use it to further our work, we will inform you of any updates.
I don’t think it was just a comment but a very useful suggestion and it will assist us when looking at these issues.
I agree with your assessment and we will deal with it.
As a supplementary to the previous question, Taloyoak wants the (interpretation ends) search and rescue society (interpretation) that was in place before. They miss that society because it was really beneficial to the community. Just to let you know that we want the search and rescue society back.
Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): Thank you for your comment.
We will keep that in mind. Also, we will inform everyone on the status of the society. We know the importance of that society.
Ms. Ugyuk (interpretation): Also, when we’re talking about search and rescue, we have to get a search and rescue plane from Ontario. There is a closer search and rescue plane in the Northwest Territories. Why can’t we use that one instead?
Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): Yes, it is quite delayed when you request a search and rescue plane from down south because it takes quite a while for it to reach us.
We have been working with the Department of National Defence on how we can improve these search and rescue airline services. The only difficulty we have is not being able to know how it will turn out down the road.
We understand and hear the concerns.
We will take a 20-minute break and return here in 20 minutes.
Chairman: I would like to bring the committee meeting to order.
We’re on J-7. Branch Summary. Community and Government Services.
Protection Services. Mr. Ningark.
Under the branch summary of Protection Services, search and rescue assistance is listed as one of the critical roles. The term “critical role” is very important. In fact, immediately after that and I’ll read, “The Protection Services branch is responsible for provision of such critical roles as search and rescue assistance…” and others like emergency preparedness, building safety and fire prevention, and so on, but search and rescue is the top critical role, top in this section.
Like my other colleagues from other communities, I think search and rescue is very important in our communities. (interpretation) Mr. Chairman, I believe it is one of the priorities, if not the top priority.
We have to provide adequate funding, assistance, and support as it continues to be treated more like an afterthought because the funding is so low.
Based on the written report, providing rescue services is a very valuable service. It is treated as one of the most valuable and critical roles, so we must give it proper weight when we are considering our priorities.
If we are to believe the written report, it is a critical role.
It must be a critical role, but we are not funding it as a critical role. It’s evident that we have to provide more funding.
Yes, it is a critical service.
All of the items we are reviewing are critical services.
Search and rescue is very important, especially when people’s equipment break down.
We are currently reviewing all past incidents to evaluate the types of services most required, what extenuating factors are involved, the usual types of incidents that require a rescue, and identify all of the issues related to this field.
Once all of the details have been fleshed out, we can start to identify what requires funding and establish a budget.
We are working to establish criteria for this issue.
Yes, this service is a critical one, and I would like to express my thanks to people involved in the search and rescue teams in the communities. Should they be listening in, I would like to express our gratitude towards the people who provide this service that is large since they do their utmost to fulfill their responsibilities.
Their importance is exactly the reason why we need to provide adequate support to the search and rescue teams.
I don’t have any other names on my list here. Branch Summary.
Community and Government Services. Protection Services. Total Operations and Maintenance, to be Voted. $5,606,000.
Chairman: We will move on to J-8. Community and Government Services. Branch Summary.
Capital Planning and Technical Services. Mr. Rumbolt.
Your department’s proposed budget for building maintenance is increasing by over $1 million, from $23,799,000 to $25.1 million. What accounts for this increase?
It’s all based on new infrastructure, Mr. Chairman.
I wonder if the minister can expand a little bit on whether it is money that’s going to the communities so that they can buy their own infrastructure or if it is just for repairs to the infrastructure they presently have.
Hon. Lorne Kusugak: Yes, it’s just for GN infrastructure, as the communities are funded through their funding formula.
Community and Government.
I would like to ask a question in this area. In Taloyoak, they are constructing a hamlet office, but the furniture and equipment didn’t arrive last fall.
When can we expect to see the furniture and equipment arrive to the community for the new facility that is to open this coming spring?
The furniture for the hamlet office is to arrive when the ship arrives.
Total Operations and Maintenance, to be Voted. $33,671,000.
Chairman: Go back to page J-3. Department Summary. Community and Government Services.
Detail of Expenditures. Total Operations and Maintenance, to be Voted. $184,698,000.
Chairman: Is the committee in agreement that the Department of Community and Government Services is concluded?
Chairman: I would like to thank the minister and his staff for appearing before us.
First of all, I wish to thank all of the staff working at the Department of Community and Government Services.
We have a multitude of employees in our department and various responsibilities stemming from our relationships with the hamlets. Thank you all for your tireless work.
I would also like to express my gratitude to my officials who were here for this review. I thank you and our support staff sitting in the Gallery.
We appreciate your hard work as we work towards servicing our communities’ needs and we hope to continue to move forward to meet their needs.
To my colleagues, thank you for the issues you raised, including your recommendations to improve our emergency services and in particular, with respect to search and rescue. We want to inform you that we will not just take note of your recommendations, but we will work towards implementing them and dealing with the issues as they arise.