EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
I know the privatization of corrections is a touchy subject every where in the world but it’s happening more and more in Southern Canada and the United States and it’s working out to be pretty positive.
What I’m basically saying is if somebody came to you with a letter saying I’m going to need a 100 thousand dollar bank loan, would you support this initiative?
Hon. Paul Okalik: Yes, each one would have to be looked at on a case by case basis.
Each applicant would have to be reviewed, but yes.
Chairperson (interpretation): Okay, Mr. Havioyak.
It’s good to see the communities, if you have all these, four of them.
How are you promoting it across Nunavut?
When I say that, you want a group or individual from that community, how are you promoting it in each community that there is such a program that’s available that an individual or group could take advantage of it?
In the last year we had to do a review of how we’re going to operate outpost camps and we now have a clear idea of what we want to do.
We want to hire a supervisor dedicated for outpost camps.
We want to start moving on this.
So, hopefully with your help, each one of you, we’ll locate your constituents and see if there’s any potential out there in your own communities.
We’d love to see more outpost camp programs put in place.
We’ll try to do a promotion perhaps in the near future.
I have two more names but before we go on, we’ll have a ten minute coffee break.
>>Committee recessed at 3.05 p.m. and resumed at 3.27 p.m.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you. We’re on page 5-14.
Page 5 – 14 and 5-15 are both the same page in relation to community justice and corrections.
I have two names on my list.
This is in regards to the Community Justice and Corrections estimates.
Under Community Justice and Corrections it increased by 1 million 208 thousand dollars and that’s quite a substantial increase under the Compensation and Benefits.
We’re trying to get probation officers in the communities and we’re going to be trying to decrease the number of inmates.
So we are going to increase the number of probation officers and that’s why there’s a substantial increase.
Like I said earlier, we’re also looking at an employee that will be responsible for the Corrections Outpost Camps and we have also re-profiled some of the numbers that are under the RCMP Law Enforcement Division.
Those are in total the increases under this line item.
Now, that we’ve got an additional number of Law Enforcement Officers at the community level, I’m sure that some communities that still do not have facilities like jails.
At the community level there might not be enough facilities to match the number of officers.
There are also the probation officers like the Premier mentioned.
I am wondering if there are enough places for the probationers to conduct their community service.
I’m sure that there are enough facilities at the community level.
I think that they can also rent office space.
I was talking about probation officers who could help the offenders and help with the community services or other orders that are made by the courts.
The offenders report to the probation officer and the probation officer is there to give the types of services that are needed at the community level.
That’s alternative community justice that we’re trying to practice instead of sending people to the correctional centres.
Mr. Iqaqrialu (interpretation): I’m not opposed to the community alternative justice system.
My question is in regards to the victims.
I’m more concerned about the victims and the offenders staying in the community.
Is that not going to create a problem?
All the orders that are made at the courts factor all that in.
If it’s going to be a danger to the community and to the victim then they are incarcerated and sent to the correctional centres.
But the alternative justice system, as we all know, there are quite a lot of people who are incarcerated and then get into more legal problems at the end of the day.
If we look at the 26 Nunavut communities are there now going to be probation officers in each of those communities?
We have eight communities now and there are going to be an additional 10 this year.
There is a training requirement for the employees.
We don’t have one in every community at this time and we’re utilizing the social services department to provide those types of services.
Our goal is to put in probation officers in each of the Nunavut communities.
I have one other name on my list.
My question, and some of it has been responded to by the minister already, is about the services that are provided by the officers and there will now be two RCMP officers in each of the communities.
Do we have three now that will be probation officers?
In total, there will be seven.
Five will be probation officers, one will be the responsible for the outpost camps, and one will be working with the community RCMP detachments.
Altogether there are seven positions.
Ms. Williams (interpretation): Thank you very much for that information and I’m very happy about that.
Our communities require that type of service.
The elders that the minister mentioned sit on the Justice Committee and they are the ones who give advice on Inuit traditions and knowledge but they are paid a pittance for their time.
Chairperson (interpretation): I wasn’t making those gestures at you.
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): I am sorry; I did not hear the question.
Could she repeat it, Mr. Chairman?
The Elders’ Justice Committee that the Premier was alluding to, usually end up being the probation officers and I’m very pleased that we are looking at providing probation officers in each of the Nunavut communities.
For that we are grateful.
Again another question on page 5-15, 2001-2002 there was 630 thousand and they’re still the same numbers for this year.
Contributions for committee justice initiatives, has the number remained the same because they have not had additional responsibilities placed on them?
Why is there no increase or decrease in the number for this year?
If you recall last year there was a 100 thousand increase and if there has to be another increase we will review it.
We just increased it last year, so we’re leaving it the same number this year.
Chairperson (interpretation): Anything else, Ms. Williams.
Ms. Williams (interpretation): The 100 thousand, I don’t see it here, I don’t see that 100 thousand increase that you were referring to.
It just shows the past year so it seems like there has been no increase.
If you had seen the previous year’s figures, there would have been over a 100 thousand dollar increase in the figures.
It’s just seems to be staying the same number as last year.
I have another person on my list.
It’s on page 5-16.
Could the minister tell me about the Inuit policing agreement, the community council agreement and the difference between these two line items?
Chairperson (interpretation): Which page are you on?
We’re on 5-15.
We’ll get there once we’ve completed this page.
Page 5-14 and 5-15 we are now dealing with this and we will get into the information sheets afterwards.
Mr. Arvaluk (interpretation): For my information, I thought we were dealing with 5-14 and the information for this page is on 5-15, 5-16 and 5-17. I thought that was information for the pages that we’re dealing with at this time.
If I am mistaken, I will wait until the next page.
Page 5-14, 5-15 are the pages that we are dealing with and after this has been agreed to then we’ll then move on to the details.
Community Justice and Corrections, page 5-14.
Total operations and maintenance 13 million 562 thousand.
Chairperson (interpretation): Page 5-16.
Mr. Arvaluk (interpretation): I would like to know on page 5-16 about the difference between the Inuit policing agreement and the community constable agreement.
The Inuit policing agreement is to encourage and promote Inuit policing and that’s the money that we get from the federal government.
The other is the community constable agreement, which is to provide bylaw officers at the community level.
And again that’s funded by the federal government.
What about the two RCMP in Coral Harbour.
Who pays their expenses?
They are part of the community constable agreement.
Mr. Arvaluk (interpretation): How many hours a week do they work, the total number of hours in a week?
There are a different number of hours in the communities.
The monies are used to pay for their salary but administered at the community level, we give financial support but I can’t tell the member how many hours they work in a week as that is the community’s responsibility.
Mr. Arvaluk (interpretation): In Coral Harbour they used to have one RCMP member and they had constables to give them support.
Now that we have a new law do we now have to have two RCMP or is there still only one in Coral Harbour?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): There are now two in Coral Harbour.
Chairperson (interpretation): Mr. Arvaluk.  Mr. Arvaluk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Now that there are two members, from what I know it’s a pilot project.
Is it going to become permanent solution to have two members and if it’s going to become permanent, is it going to stay this way in Coral Harbour?
I can’t respond to your question.
It is the responsibility of the hamlet council, we just give them financial assistance and it’s at the discretion of the hamlet council Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Since this the first time that I have heard about the hamlet being responsible for the RCMP, since they wear RCMP uniforms, I assumed that they are paid for out of their funds.
I thought that I understood for the past two years since this was first initiated as a pilot project, we haven’t been told yet if this program is going to be a permanent solution and whether it’s going to fit in at the community level.
What is going to be a situation?
Are you going to keep it as a pilot project or is that going to be a permanent solution?
It was a pilot project and it’s still like that today but it has been beneficial at the community level and that’s why it’s still ongoing and we’re not going to stop a program that has benefits for the community.
Mr. Arvaluk (interpretation): From what I understand, could the minister tell me, these people cannot incarcerate anybody because of insurance issues?
Is that the case Mr. Minister?
Incarcerating people is the responsibility of the RCMP, and yes it’s true, it’s for safety reasons, if they are not properly trained and should anything happen to one of our personnel, the Hamlet Councils may be liable.
I have one other name.
I just want to get some clarification on legal interpreters’ training.
It states that in 2001/2002 there was some money set aside for legal interpreter training, but there is nothing for 2002/2003.
Has the program been taken out or will it not continue?
Chairperson (interpretation): Mr. Minister
The legal interpreting training is funding provided to meet the needs of the court and it was one time funding.
This money was put together and transferred, there’s 105 thousand for training and another amount was put together.
You stated that the money was transferred, where was it transferred to?
It’s one time funding from the federal government and another amount from the Government of Nunavut so it’s money that is consolidated, put into one.
I need to get more clarification, I can’t understand where it’s being transferred from, or to.
Was money taken out of here or decreased?
I can’t respond.
The money is from the federal government and it was money that was provided to us at the creation of Nunavut.
There has been some additional funding provided afterwards.
We want this program to continue but we are still seeking funds for this program to proceed.
I think my colleague is trying to ask, as it was 190 thousand and the minister said it was 105 thousand.
He is trying to ask where the money was transferred.
I think the minister is able to respond that it is under 5 – 17, Nunavut Training.
If he could refer to that, it is just some clarification for the member.
Chairperson (interpretation): Details, 5-16.
On the same page, just as a supplementary to the member’s question; there has been a decrease in the training for interpreters and Justices of the Peace.
It has decreased by 269 thousand.
Is this because there are fewer students?
The federal government recognized that there needs to be training and with that, funds were provided.
We were seeking more funding and the federal government has provided 105 thousand for Nunavut training.
We would appreciate being provided further funding but it is run by the federal government.
Are there enough legal interpreters and Justice of the Peace trainees for the 105 thousand at present?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): No Mr. Chairman.
On page 5 – 17, Inuusirmut Aqqusiuqtiit Mediation Agreement.
Funding provided to run a one year pilot project in two communities.
What two communities are we talking about?
The two communities are Kugluktuk and Cape Dorset.
Those are the two communities.
The questions I was going to raise have already been answered, so I am done.
Details of Work Performed on Behalf of Third Parties.
Page 5 – 16.
Page 5 – 17.
Details of Work Performed.
Under the Inuusirmut Aqqusiuqtiit Mediation Agreement, the one year pilot project in two communities, funding provided to run a one year pilot project in two communities using Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit as a base model of mediation developed to deal with family law issues.
Can the minister elaborate on this 273 thousand because the pilot project is run in two communities?
Could he just elaborate on what’s being done?
Yes. I stated earlier that there’s a one year pilot project in Kugluktuk and Cape Dorset and Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit is the base model of the mediation development.
When a couple are going through a divorce instead of going through court it’s a way of mediation and there’s money provided from the federal government.
We expect that this will probably go ahead after the pilot project.
During general comments I stated that it’s important that we include Inuit traditions and how the Inuit used to deal with problems in the communities.
I’m wondering if this would go with that or is this provided so that you could implement it in communities.
Yes, this is to implement Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit and to deal with issues out of court when it is possible for people to do so out of court.
The individuals that are dealing with this, I think they should have a strong background on Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit if that’s the case.
Will these policies be used by the department once they are completed?
Yes, these are pilot projects and we’ll have to review the pilot project once completed to see if there are any changes that need to be made in the process.
So, we will use Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit to make sure it is incorporated insofar as it is applicable.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you for the response.
I appreciate his response as this affects a lot of people.
Will this project, would this be done only through the Department of Justice or will you be working with the Department of Education or other affected departments?
Will this be resolved for all Nunavummiut or will it have to be decided in court?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): The funding that is provided is under the Department of Justice in relation to family violence and we’ll review it again at a later date.
We’re on 5-17.
Details of work performed on behalf of third-parties.
Chairperson (interpretation): Page 5 – 18.
Distribution of Operations and Maintenance Budget.
Chairperson (interpretation): Okay. Move back to page 5 – 5.
Total operations and maintenance 44 million 199 thousand.
On the details of expenditures there is an increase of 6 million 924 thousand in the compensation and benefits.
What is that increase for?
When we first reviewed where the increases were, they were under policing.
Law Enforcement is 39% and the five probation officers, there are increases in different areas.
So I have just identified where the largest increases are.
Page 5 – 5.
Chairperson (interpretation): We are completed with the review of the Department of Justice Main Estimates and will proceed to Bill 10, An Act to Amend the Land Titles Act.
I would like to ask the minister if he will be inviting other officials to join him at the witness table.
Bill 10 – An Act to Amend the Land Titles Act – Consideration in Committee
I have on my left the Director of Land Titles, Gary Crow.
On my right is Nora Sanders my Deputy Minister.
I wonder if I could just go ahead with my opening remarks Mr. Chairman.
Chairperson (interpretation): Continue.
The Act was passed in the year 2000 and this bill is just to identify that it will be in force in August 2002.
So Bill 10 is to change the date that the bill will come into force and amend the act by including a provision that states that the Registrar of Land Titles shall not require evidence in a prescribed form and under the land titles act the signature for lease.
It’s a very short bill.
I was just identifying what the bill is.
I was just stating what I know about this personally.
Chairperson (interpretation): Mr. Minister I would like to welcome the individual on your left and feel welcome Mr. Crow, I think, and thank you for appearing before the committee and thanks to the minister for his opening comments.
The Chairperson for Standing Committee Ajauqtiit can make his opening comments.
Mr. Iqaqrialu (interpretation): I noted myself saying Itsivautaq just to follow what’s written.
Mr. Chairman the Standing Committee Ajauqtiit reviewed Bill 10, An Act to Amend the Land Titles Act with Minister Okalik on May 3, 2002.
Mr. Chairman this Bill is quite straightforward.
The Standing Committee understands that An Act to Amend the Land Titles Act was already passed in the House before with one set of amendments in November of 2000.
Bill 10 will change the coming into force date of fifteen days and amends the Act by adding the provision that states that the Registrar of Land Titles shall not require evidence in a prescribed form and that a person making a transfer, mortgage, special incumbent or lease before August 2002 is entitled to do so under section 53 of the Family Law Act.
Mr. Chairman the Standing Committee supported the Bill at the clause by clause stage of Standing Committee review.
The committee looks forward to hearing about future plans such as compensation to spouses should a home be transferred in error or under fraudulent circumstances.
We also look forward to further initiatives to improve the land titles system in Nunavut.
The committee recommends the passage of the Bill to all members.
If there are no comments, Bill 10, we could review Bill 10.
August 19, how come the date is set for August 19?
We asked the employees when this should be in effect and they said it should be ready by August 19.
Mr. Iqaqrialu, Mr. Nutarak. Thank you.
Clause one, An Act to Amend the Land Titles Act.
Chairperson (interpretation): Clause two, the land titles act is amended by these sections.
Chairperson (interpretation): It is passed, now we can give it third reading.
I would like to thank the leader Paul Okalik and your officials, and thank you all, thank you very much for coming.
Do you agree that Bill 10 is ready for third reading?
Today we also have to deal with Sustainable Development.
He can go ahead with the Minister’s Opening remarks.
Chairperson (interpretation): Ms. Williams said we can get to the Minister of Sustainable Development’s opening remarks.
Mr. Akesuk, you can start your opening remarks.
I’m pleased to present to you the Department of Sustainable Development’s Main Estimates for 2002/2003 in the amount of 35 million, 452 thousand dollars.
Mr. Chairman our department continues to be ever mindful of the priorities and vision for Nunavut as outlined in the Bathurst Mandate.
Our commitment toward Inuit Employment, Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit and a decentralized government closer to the people of Nunavut has never been stronger.
Strategies such as the Naujaat Challenge to see organizations, partners, governments and all Nunavummiut working together to make a better Nunavut is critical to our future and the ongoing economic development of our territory.
(interpretation ends) Let me begin by saying that we have had our work cut out for us Mr. Chairman in bringing together a budget for 2002-2003 that would address all of the pressures, issues and challenges that face us this year and into our future.
As the Department of Sustainable Development, we must ensure that we manage the delicate balance between developing the economy and protecting the environment. We must ensure the health and safety of the wildlife of Nunavut while developing other areas of our economy, such as parks, tourist attractions and sport hunting.
While also respecting the environment, our mandate includes assisting with Nunavut’s development in industries where we essentially have untapped markets such as fishing and sealing within our surrounding waters and minerals, gasoline and oil, in our land.
(interpretation) In addition to all these challenges, Mr. Chairman, we are bound by our territorial legislation and the legislation of Canada and the world.
Much of this legislation need to be made current or further enhanced and in some cases even developed, to ensure our territory and our resources are sustained for many generations for the people of Nunavut.
(interpretation ends) We don’t have the luxury of doing only one thing in the Department of Sustainable Development, Mr. Chairman.
We have an extremely vast and diversified portfolio of programs and services.
Our mandate is broad yet we try to do everything asked of us as a department.
Given the current and future fiscal climate, we will continue to do the best we can within our capacity, although we will have to determine our priorities.
It has been a busy and productive time since the formation of this new government.
These past three years have laid the groundwork of 2002/2003 and beyond.
The fiscal year that we are embarking upon today will be one where a great number of plans and initiatives that we have been working towards will come together.
(interpretation) In the fall of 2002, I will table the Nunavut Wildlife Act.
This has been a huge undertaking over the past months and years, and the budget I am presenting today includes an amount of 650 thousand dollars to see this important piece of legislation completed.
In our ongoing commitment to be sensitive to the needs of non-decentralized communities, I am pleased to say Mr. Chairman; the budget I am presenting also incorporates a plan to have a Wildlife Officer in every community in Nunavut.
Our capacity to manage Nunavut parks and attractions will also be enhanced slightly through the addition of a Parks and Attraction Development Co-ordinator to be located in the community of Rankin Inlet.
With the finalization of the IIBA, we hope to be able to fulfill our responsibilities as laid out under the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement during this fiscal year.
This will see all of the capital projects that we have had to defer over the past years finally undertaken and communities benefiting from their completion.
(interpretation ends) Increased levels of funding have been budgeted for the department’s two Crown Corporations with the Nunavut Development Corporation and the Nunavut Business Credit Corporation to ensure these organizations have the core funding required to deliver their services.
Phase three of Nunavut’s Decentralization Plan is scheduled to take place this current budget year also, Mr. Chairman.
The Department of Sustainable Development has 30 positions targeted for decentralization.
Our 2002/2003 budget takes this movement of headquarters positions into account and the department is prepared to move on this important initiative as soon as the premier announces that we should proceed.
(interpretation) Proposed advancements in Nunavut’s mining, oil and gas industry continue to be pursued throughout this budget year.
Sustainable Development is a partner in the Bathurst Road and Port project, and is also the lead department for the GN response to the Nanisivik Mine closure.
A new joint agreement has been signed with the Geological Survey of Canada, INAC, and NTI to continue the joint Nunavut Geoscience Office until 2008.