EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Mr. Sammurtok: Mr. Speaker, the presence of heavy dust during the summer months can irritate respiratory diseases and is therefore a major health concern for Nunavut communities.
Can the minister indicate how his department is working with the Department of Health to monitor air quality in Nunavut communities?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Minister of Community and Government Services, the Hon. Tom Sammurtok.
Whenever there is a request from a community for air quality testing, we will work with the Department of Health.
However, if I may, in every NAM meeting that I have attended, we have also indicated to the membership that there are these different types of dust control methods that they may want to look at. Again, in the next few weeks, there will be another NAM meeting and I will be discussing this again with the membership.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Oral Questions. (interpretation) Member for Baker Lake, Mr. Mikkungwak.
Question 178 – 4(2): Search and Rescue (Mikkungwak)
As the minister will recall, I asked him questions during our spring sitting concerning the issue of search and rescue in Nunavut. At that time, the minister informed the Legislative Assembly that he and his department had been in talks with the federal government concerning funding levels for search and rescue.
Can the minister update the House today on the results of these discussions?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Minister of Community and Government Services, Mr. Tom Sammurtok.
Hon. Tom Sammurtok: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The member is correct.
We are still in dialogue with the federal government on this and we are in dialogue with other stakeholders as well.
The Department of Community and Government Services is responsible for administering the government’s Community Based Search and Rescue Contribution Policy, which expired in 2008.
It is also responsible for administering the Community Search and Rescue Organization Support Policy, which expired in 2010.
Can the minister tell us today when these important policies will be updated to reflect today’s needs in the area of search and rescue?
We are in the process of reviewing our protocols.
Mr. Mikkungwak (interpretation): Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) Under Nunavut’s Emergency Measures Act, the minister is required by law to table an annual report on emergency management in Nunavut, which includes support for search and rescue activities.
However, an annual report has not been tabled in the Legislative Assembly since 2012. Can the minister tell us today when he will be tabling the overdue annual reports?
We have discussed this in my department and I will be discussing it again further with my staff. Once that information is available, I’ll be very happy to share it with the member.
Question 179 – 4(2): Office of the Fire Marshal (Enook)
Mr. Enook (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister of Community and Government Services, whose department is responsible for the Office of the Fire Marshal.
As we are aware, the Office of the Fire Marshal has a total of eight positions, one of which is an assistant fire marshal position located in Pond Inlet.
In August of this year, the minister advised me by way of correspondence that he hoped to fill the vacant assistant fire marshal position in Pond Inlet by the end of September.
Can the minister confirm if this position has now been filled?
At this time, we are working on this issue within our department, but I can confirm to the member that this position will be filled.
Can the minister advise me when this position will be filled?
Speaker: Minister of Community and Government Services, the Hon. Sammurtok.
As the member stated, we were supposed to fill the position by the end of September, but we are a bit delayed on that. I cannot tell you what date the position will be filled.
Under the territorial Fire Prevention Act, the minister is required by law to table in the Legislative Assembly a copy of the fire marshal’s annual report.
This important publication contains information regarding such matters as investigations and fire prevention activities.
The 2012 annual report was tabled in the House on March 13, 2013.
Can the minister tell me today when he will be tabling the fire marshal’s 2013 annual report in the Legislative Assembly?
I can tell the member that we might be able to table that report during this session.
Question 180 – 4(2): Cabinet Priority-setting (Savikataaq)
Mr. Savikataaq (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I say “good day” to the people of Arviat.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Premier.
Last week, the cabinet held a priority-setting retreat in Whale Cove, and I would like to thank the Premier and his ministers for choosing a Kivalliq community in which they met.
Can the Premier update us today on what specific decisions were made by the cabinet at its recent retreat?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Premier of Nunavut, the Hon. Peter Taptuna.
I thank the member for Arviat for that question.
Mr. Speaker, we were welcomed into the small community of Whale Cove and we enjoyed our two days there.
It was one of the locations that we chose earlier on. Customary to the government, we try and have our retreats in a non-decentralized location and a smaller community.
Kivalliq, in the past, did not have some of these.
I’ve got to thank the people of Whale Cove. They’re exceptionally welcoming and we really appreciate that.
Mr. Speaker, we spoke in length about our mandate, the Sivumut Abluqta document. Throughout the discussions, we talked about where we stand or what stage we are at with the four priorities that we have previously approved through Full Caucus and the 25 action items were discussed.
We came up with more directives for the departments to adhere to leading up to the following year.
Earlier this year, the Commissioner’s Throne Speech announced that one of the cabinet priority’s was to undertake a comprehensive review of the GN’s programs and services to “determine what works well, what needs improvement and what should be discontinued.”
During our recent spring sitting, the Legislative Assembly was informed that the government would be “hiring an independent organization” to provide some “objectivity during the program review.”
Can the Premier update us today on what organization has been selected to perform this work?
At this time, there’s no decision made on that yet, which company we’re retaining to help us out on this, but internally, with EIA, including Finance, we’re reviewing some of these documents.
When I say “documents,” we’re looking at some of the contribution agreements that we do have within the government and also programs.
The ones that we could do internally at this time, it’s going to be comprehensive reviews, and for some of the programs, it is going to take some time, but the ones that we’re focusing on right now are the ones that can just be done in a short period of time.
Those are the ones that we’re focusing on now, but going into the future, we will certainly be looking for outside assistance to help us do the reviews on programs.
The current Legislative Assembly has almost completed one-quarter of its term of office.
Can the Premier indicate when a report from the government’s program review initiative will be tabled in the Legislative Assembly for our consideration?
The work is ongoing. As soon as all the implications and reviews have been completed, we will certainly be in a position to table the initiatives that the member has asked for.
Question 181 – 4(2): Homeowner Fuel Rebate Program (Hickes)
Almost a year ago, I asked the Minister of Finance a question regarding the homeowner fuel rebate.
I believe it was my very first question in this government.
Consequently, the next week, he announced the approval and re-initiation of that program.
At this point, with some interest, I noted the Minister’s Statement from Minister Sammurtok that the fuel prices were going to remain the same, which, as I’m sure we’re all aware, are still some of the highest in Canada.
My initial question to the Minister of Finance would be: how many residents of Nunavut participated in the Homeowner Fuel Rebate Program last year and how much was budgeted for it?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Minister of Finance, the Hon. Keith Peterson.
It was very good that we were able to assist the homeowners of Nunavut. There was good uptake.
We anticipated as many as 2,000 homeowners would participate in that program. I haven’t had time to get the actual numbers for you, but it was a good update. I believe we paid out as much as $600,000, in that area.
As we are all aware in here, $600,000 sounds like a lot of money, but in the overall government expenditures, it’s not really that much.
I can state from the feedback that I’ve gotten from a number of constituents that that amount that was allocated was very greatly appreciated.
Mr. Speaker, my next question to the Minister of Finance is: is this program going to be continued in the upcoming fiscal year?
Just to follow up on my first answer, there were payments to over 1,200 households. I haven’t had discussions with my colleagues about offering a fuel rebate this year.
It appears to be a mild winter in Iqaluit so far.
I can’t say the same about Cambridge Bay or the barge that has been frozen out in Cambridge Bay. Ice has been on the bay for three or four weeks.
Of course, we will review this and see if our fiscal parameters allow it and I’ll, of course, discuss it with my cabinet colleagues.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Your final supplementary, Mr. Hickes.
I thank the minister for that response, although if he can keep with past practices and have an announcement next week that the program will be continued to keep the trend continuing, I would very greatly appreciate it.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Minister of Finance. (interpretation) Sorry.
Question 182 – 4(2): Appointment of Ethics Officer (Angnakak)
I think we will keep the finance minister busy this question period.
My question, of course, is for the Minister of Finance once again.
As the minister will recall, I have asked him a number of questions in this House concerning the appointment of Nunavut’s first ethics officer under Part 6 of the new Public Service Act.
Mr. Speaker, the government recently issued a request for proposals to fill the position on a standing offer basis.
The closing date for applications was October 17, 2014, and I note that the government’s RFP indicated that the successful applicant will assume his or her responsibilities on January 5, 2015.
Can the minister indicate how many applications have been received to fill the role of Nunavut’s first ethics officer?
As I have indicated in previous answers to Ms. Angnakak on this issue, we did say that the ethics officer would be in place by April [1], 2015.
I can’t tell her at this time how many applications were received, but I assure you that it remains our commitment to have that officer in place by April 1, 2015.
Mr. Speaker, the government’s request for proposals indicates that the ethics officer “need not live in Iqaluit or Nunavut.”
Can the minister indicate what steps will be taken to ensure that employees can easily communicate with the ethics officer in the event that he or she resides outside of the territory?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Minister of Finance, the Hon. Keith Peterson
We anticipate that the ethics officer will operate in a similar capacity as the integrity officer for the Legislative Assembly.
I don’t want to tell the MLAs and the public how the office will be set up.
We want the person who is selected to work with the Department of Finance to set up a system that will be easily accessible to all our employees.
It is too early to say how the operation will function, but again, it is something we value very highly and it is something that is long overdue. We will ensure that it is up in a way that is easily accessible to our employees.
Thank you to the minister for his answer.
Mr. Speaker, the government’s request for proposals indicates that the “purpose of the Ethics Officer is to facilitate the disclosure and investigation of significant and serious matters in or relating to departments, public agencies or offices that an employee believes may be unlawful, dangerous to the public or injurious to the public interest.”
As the MLA for Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu, I have many constituents who work in the public service.
Although unionized employees have a formal grievance process that they can use to raise concerns, excluded employees lack a clear process for resolving workplace disputes.
Will the minister commit to ensuring that Nunavut’s new ethics officer is asked to review the government’s current system for workplace conflict resolution and to make recommendations for any necessary changes?
I’m not sure if I understood all that, but again, the ethics officer is a position that is going to facilitate employees being able to contact the ethics officer to investigate issues of wrongdoing. We do have a very comprehensive outline in the Public Service Act. The new ethics officer will, when either he or she begins, work with our Department of Finance on a process.
We hope that this does not result in frivolous or irrelevant accusations of wrongdoing.
Everybody in the public service understands that if you see issues of wrongdoing, you should take them immediately to your supervisor. It is the deputy head in every department who is responsible for ensuring overall operational management and presidents of territorial corporations. It is their duty to ensure that employees are treated fair.
If there is wrongdoing in a department, they should deal with that.
Don’t feel that just because there is an ethics officer that you should bypass the established processes that is already in place, whether it is excluded or NEU employees or NTA employees.
Question 183 – 4(2): Fuel Price Announcement (Hickes)
Earlier when I was asking questions to the Minister of Finance, I was alluding to the Minister’s Statement made today by Minister Sammurtok from Community and Government Services.
Mr. Speaker, in the Minister’s Statement, he talks about a number of operational efficiencies and cost-saving measures to cost out the costs has taken place. Would the minister be able to describe to the House what type of operational efficiencies and cost-saving measures were done to keep the fuel prices remaining as they are?
There has been a number of… . I don’t know whether to call them a minor system that has been placed. However, we find that with the newer tanks and the way the distribution system is set up now, we have been able to keep the costs down in acquiring and distribution of fuel right across Nunavut. (interpretation) Thank you.
Recently, I was invited to attend QIA’s AGM here in Iqaluit. One of the concerns brought forward to my attention, not that it’s an unknown by anyone in Nunavut, is the cost of fuel.
Some of the examples that were provided, for some of the boaters who go out hunting to feed their families and their communities, it can cost up to $500 or more to fuel their boat.
This increase is the cost of providing healthy food to our residents almost to a point where it’s not feasible for a lot of people or not affordable for a lot of people.
I’m just wondering if some of these examples that the minister just provided, he said small measures… .
I’m wondering if there is a possibility of major measures that can be taking place to help decrease fuel costs to our residents. Is his department working on anything in that regard?
We are always looking for ways to reduce costs, particularly in acquiring fuel.
One of the methods we do is that when we go out and buy the fuel, we try and get it at the most economical price. Also, we are providing training to our fuel contractors to ensure that things are operating most cost effectively and efficiently in all of our communities.
I thank the minister for that response, which leads into my next question.
Mr. Speaker, when he talks about the different fuel delivery services that are available in communities across Nunavut, the fuel supply contracts or the fuel delivery contracts differ from community to community.
When he talks about efficiencies within his department, what type of efficiencies can be identified through these fuel delivery contracts to make them more economical to alleviate some of the cost pressures on his department for providing fuel?
We find that with the newer fuel trucks, the discharging and distribution system is a lot more efficient. We have been improving our fuel distribution pumps in many of our communities, which leads to a more efficient fuel delivery system throughout Nunavut.
I have no more names on my list. (interpretation ends) We will proceed to Item 7.
Return to Written Question 002 – 4(2): Implementation of the Nunavut Suicide Prevention Strategy Action Plan (Clerk)
I am tabling the return to written question number 2 that was asked during the June 2014 sitting of the legislature.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Item 9.
Response to Petition 001 – 4(2): Cape Dorset Power Plant Capacity (Clerk)
I am tabling the response to Petition No. 1 that was filed with the Clerk’s Office by the Minister responsible for the Qulliq Energy Corporation.
Hon. Quassa.
*See Appendix for full text of Return to Written Question 2 – 4(2) and Response to Petition 1 – 4(2).
Tabled Document 033 – 4(2): Response to Report 1 – 4(2): Report on the Review of the 2013 Reports of the Auditor General of Canada to the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut on Education in Nunavut and Safety of Schools and Childcare Facilities in Nunavut (Quassa)
I would like to say that I am thinking of the people of Igloolik even though we’re out here.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to table the Response to Report 1 – 4(2): Report on the Review of the 2013 Reports of the Auditor of Canada to the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut on Education in Nunavut and Safety of Schools and Childcare Facilities in Nunavut.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Tabling of Documents. Hon. Okalik.
Tabled Document 034 – 4(2): QEC Contract Activity Report 2011-2012 (Okalik)
Tabled Document 035 – 4(2): QEC Procurement Activity Report 2011-2012 (Okalik)
Tabled Document 036 – 4(2): QEC Leasing Activity Report 2011-2012 (Okalik)
Tabled Document 037 – 4(2): QEC Contract Activity Report 2012-2013 (Okalik)
Tabled Document 038 – 4(2): QEC Procurement Activity Report 2012-2013 (Okalik)
Tabled Document 039 – 4(2): QEC Leasing Activity Report 2012-2013 (Okalik)
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to table the following documents for the Qulliq Energy Corporation: the 2011-12 contract activity report, the 2011-12 activity report, and the 2011-12 leasing activity report. I would like to table those documents first.
On another matter, also from the Qulliq Energy Corporation are the procurement activity report for 2012-13 and the leasing activity report for 2012-13.
Hon. Ugyuk.
Tabled Document 040 – 4(2): Qulliit Nunavut Status of Women Council’s 2013-2014 Annual Report (Ugyuk)
Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to table the Qulliit Nunavut Status of Women Council’s 2013-14 Annual Report.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation) Tabling of Documents.
Motion 007 – 4(2): Appointments to Standing Committees – Notice (Hickes)
I give notice that on Thursday, October 23, 2014, I will move the following motion:
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the Hon. Member Aivilik, that the Member for Uqqummiut will be appointed to the Standing Committee on Legislation, the Standing Committee on Oversight of Government Operations and Public Accounts, and the Standing Committee on Community and Economic Development.
Speaker: The member is seeking unanimous consent… (interpretation) My apologies, I made an error.
Motion 008 – 4(2): Censure of the Member of the Legislative Assembly for South Baffin – Notice (Hickes)
I also give notice that on Thursday, October 23, 2014, I will move the following motion:
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the Hon. Member for Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu, that the Member of the Legislative Assembly for South Baffin be censured.
Notices of Motions for First Reading of Bills. Hon. Keith Peterson.
Bill 04 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 4, 2013-2014 – Notice
Bill 05 – Write-off of Assets Act, 2013-2014 – Notice
Bill 06 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 2, 2014-2015 – Notice
Bill 07 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 1, 2014-2015 – Notice
Bill 08 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2015-2016 – Notice
Bill 09 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 5, 2013-2014 – Notice
I give notice that on Thursday, October 23, 2014, that the following bills be read for the first time:
Bill 5, Write-off of Assets Act, 2013-2014;
Bill 9, Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 5, 2013-2014.
Bill 10 – An Act to Provide for an Assistant Chief Electoral Officer – Notice
Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Thursday, October 23, 2014, I will move that Bill 10, An Act to Provide for an Assistant Chief Electoral Officer, be read for the first time.
Motion 007 – 4(2): Appointments to Standing Committees (Hickes)
Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Speaker and my colleagues.
AND WHEREAS the suspension of the Member for Uqqummiut from sittings of the House and meetings of its caucuses and committees has been ended;
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the Hon. Member for Aivilik, that the Member for Uqqummiut be appointed to the Standing Committee on Legislation, the Standing Committee on Oversight of Government Operations and Public Accounts, and the Standing Committee on Community and Economic Development.
Item 17. (interpretation) I’m sorry. (interpretation ends) One more.
Motions. Mr. Hickes.
Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to deal with my other motion today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Motion 008 – 4(2): Censure of the Member of the Legislative Assembly for South Baffin (Hickes)
WHEREAS subsection 18(1)(c) of the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act provides that the Legislative Assembly has the power to discipline its members;
AND WHEREAS it is incumbent upon all Members of the Legislative Assembly to conduct themselves according to the highest standards of behaviour;
AND WHEREAS the Member for South Baffin pleaded guilty in the Provincial Court of Prince Edward Island on July 24, 2014 to charges related to impaired driving;
AND WHEREAS subsection 11(2) of the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act provides that the Legislative Assembly may determine what discipline is appropriate in such circumstances;
AND WHEREAS the Legislative Assembly wishes to affirm its strong opposition to impaired driving;
AND WHEREAS the Legislative Assembly acknowledges that the member has taken full responsibility for his actions, fulfilled the terms and conditions of the court’s judgment, and apologized to his constituents and colleagues;
Mr. Speaker, I request a recorded vote on this.
Mr. David Joanasie.
Mr. Joanasie (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon to everyone listening and watching the proceedings.
First of all, I want to use this opportunity to again apologize in a formal and public manner to this House, my colleagues, my constituents in Kimmirut and Cape Dorset, all Nunavummiut, and my entire family for my misconduct this summer and for breaking our Legislative Assembly’s Code of Conduct.
Mr. Speaker, I also want to extend my sincere apologies to the residents of Charlottetown and the Province of Prince Edward Island.
Mr. Speaker, the incident this summer which resulted in my pleading guilty to charges related to impaired driving was one of the lowest points of my life.
I have had a lot of time in which to reflect on my actions and my conduct, and I know that I have let many people down, including people who are very close to me.