EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
I am curious, when she’s gathering that information, if she can provide some information on what it costs the Government of Nunavut to prepare this profile report and if the separate report exists, how much that cost us.
Hon. Levinia Brown (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I am very sensitive to his questions and I would like to thank him for them.
I will look into that and we will find out the answer together.
Question 179 – 2(2): Update on the Pimmaqsarvik Service Contract
Last week, I had asked a question in regard to the Pimmaqsarvik service contract, and she said that she was going to look into it.
My question is: have you looked into the service contract yet?
I have looked into that and I will not be able to talk about the service contract because they are at the negotiation stage.
Therefore, I can’t divulge the information.
Question 180 – 2(2): Octane Additive in Gasoline Fuel
Yesterday, we heard that they will be putting an additional additive in the fuel, an octane addition to the Kivalliq fuel supply.
With this new initiative, a lot of people will be expecting a remedy.
I, myself, don’t really believe it will make any improvements.
What is the reason for the octane additive?
Why do they have the octane additive in the Keewatin region fuel supply?
The reason why they have to put in this additive is that last winter there were complaints from communities about their fuel.
We did an investigation on the fuel to find out what was wrong with it and the through the research we found out the problem. When they put in an octane additive, it was a lot cleaner for the spark plugs.
They wanted to put the additive there.
Doesn’t it occur to you, we were not informed about the lack of an octane additive there, but about the fuel being dirty?
I believe we don’t need to put the octane additive there. I am not too sure if it is going to improve the fuel in our region.
It seems like we will be wasting money in dealing with that.
And it seems we are just misleading the hunters. We want to be trusted and we want to make sure that octane additive is going to improve the fuel supply.
I do want to ask the minister again, on the quality of fuel, why don’t we look for additives aimed to clean the fuel?
My colleague’s comments are exactly the same as what we have been dealing with, with Shell Canada.
One of the things that I could tell you they found during the research is that the spark plugs are a lot cleaner when the octane has been added to the fuel.
The improvement we are trying is that after we’ve added the octane additive, we found the spark plugs were a lot cleaner and the engines were running a lot smoother.
There were fewer problems with the spark plugs.
What is kasuktautinnguat?
I apologize to my colleague if he didn’t understand that term.
In our dialect, we say kasuktautinnguat for spark plugs.
I don’t know what you call spark plugs in your dialect.
We use kasuktautinnguat.
Speaker (interpretation): Just a moment, Mr. Alagalak.
Please wait for me to acknowledge you to rise.
Your last supplementary, Mr. Alagalak.
Mr. Alagalak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Since we are the descendents of Ugjualuk, we call them baataliiq.
I know that it will be obvious later. Perhaps, in the upcoming spring when the weather is warming up, the engines will start a lot faster without the octane.
I don’t believe the build up in the spark plugs is going to change, but I would like to tell you again that I am sure some of it will not change.
What about the soot build up? When can we expect to see some kind of cleaning solution for soot build-up in our spark plugs?
When can we expect to see you consider that?
I was trying to inform my colleague that the problem we are encountering now is not going to cost the government any further because Shell Canada is going to pay the transportation.
I forgot to reply to my colleague that way.
The additive for the fuel tanks is to improve the quality of the fuel and also to improve the build-up in the spark plugs.
After they completed the research, they were saying that the snow literally turned black before the octane additive was added.
Once the octane additive had been put in there, there were no black marks on the snow from the muffler of the ski-doos.
Question 181 – 2(2): Bad Fuel Concern
Mr. Kattuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to direct my question to the minister responsible for petroleum products.
Listening to the comments that were made in regard to the bad gasoline, we now know that there have been some snowmobile or vehicle breakdowns.
This is a concern of the communities in the Baffin and the Kivalliq.
Hunters rely on snowmobiles and outboard motors to go hunting, as they don’t have dog teams anymore.
What should we tell our constituents, that they will have to wait patiently for the government to find a solution, or can they possibly get compensation?
Speaker (interpretation): The minister responsible for petroleum products, Minister Kilabuk.
At this time, we are working with Shell Canada.
I also made a comment earlier that we will be making an invitation to Shell Canada so that we can voice our concerns and also get some responses to our questions.
With that, we have not heard all the concerns from the communities.
Once we get the whole picture, I will make an announcement and also inform the member about what the government is going to be doing.
We have also been hearing that Shell Canada will be making an appearance in the House tomorrow.
I would like to ask the minister whether any mechanical experts will make an appearance in the House so that they can answer some of our questions regarding the mechanical aspects of this problem.
My question is, is he going to be extending an invitation to some mechanical experts to make an appearance?
We will not be inviting snowmobile dealers, for example, but what we are going to do is find out exactly what the problem is with our gasoline supply.
As I stated earlier, we are extending this invitation to this company so that we can get answers to some of the questions that we do have.
Question 182 – 2(2): Additional Octane Additives for Other Communities
I made comments about the gas and now I would like to direct my question to the minister responsible for petroleum products.
We’ve had the same problem in my riding.
We’re having snowmobile problems.
There have been breakdowns.
We’ve been using a lot of spark plugs because the gasoline is not good.
Are they going to be putting in additional additives to the gas in the Baffin?
Minister responsible for petroleum products, Mr. Kilabuk.
I would like to assure the members especially the members from the Baffin, that Shell representatives are going to be coming here.
I will be meeting with them in the morning while they’re in town.
I don’t have anything set up at this point, but once we have a meeting with the Shell Canada representatives, once they make an appearance, we’ll have a better idea of what the problem is.
We started voicing our problems the first time that we got the gasoline.
Why is it that we’re not going to get additional additives put in our gas supply?
We’ll have to go with the results that came out of the research that was done.
We are currently putting additional additives in the communities’ gas and we’ll be doing that until about the end of March.
We’ll be able to give you further information once we have a meeting with the Shell representatives.
I have four other names on my list.
Question 183 – 2(2): Obtaining Passport Photos in the Communities
I would like to direct my question to the minister responsible for immigration.
For the past 25 or 30 years it has become a bit of a tradition for residents of Pond Inlet, Arctic Bay, and Grise Fjord, to exchange visits with the community of Qanaaq in Greenland.
I represent the people of Resolute Bay and Grise Fiord and they have landed residents in Grise Fiord.
(interpretation ends) Since the 9/11 bombing of the twin towers in New York City, security measures around North America have changed.
Residents from these communities now need passports to travel to Greenland, and in order to get a passport they need specific photo identification.
They cannot get these photographs taken in their home communities, so they cannot get a passport and thus cannot travel to Greenland.
Can the minister update this House on what efforts his department has made to provide assistance or support to make the necessary photographs available to individuals in remote communities who wish to obtain a passport?
As minister for immigration, one of the issues that we have been dealing with in the past several months, and we’ve got a dozen active cases now underway with immigration, as well as passport issues through the office… .
The facility for passport photos is one of a national concern.
And indeed, one of the conversations that we’ve had with our federal partners concerns remote and rural parts of the country, including Nunavut.
Here in Iqaluit, for example, there is a licensed photographer who can do passport photos. And indeed, many offices in government, for example, for driver’s licences and other picture identifications have been facilitating those pictures.
However, when those pictures are taken, there are some concerns with the federal government as to the appropriateness of the pictures and photos.
We have been dealing with our colleague, the Hon. Nancy Karetak, our MP in Ottawa, to deal with some of those issues.
The short and quick answer is that quite a bit of logistic and administrative work is going on with passport photos.
If the member has constituents who have issues with passport photos, he should pass that information to me and then we will be able to help his constituents.
Speaker (interpretation): Your first supplementary, Mr. Barnabas
Even though we are from different countries, we are related as Inuit, especially since Qillaqsuaq came from Canada and moved to Greenland.
(interpretation ends) People living in the High Arctic maintain Canadian sovereignty every single day of their lives, but they are one group of Canadians who having the most difficulty in getting Canadian passports.
Will the minister commit to presenting their case to the federal government?
We are always raising the issues on a regular basis, with the federal government, of the unique nature of Nunavut. Indeed, in the last several months, issues around sovereignty, especially with the island between Greenland and North Ellesmere Island.
Canadians have to cross the border and realize that post 9-11, it is a different world.
Many of the members here have traveled internationally and laws and rules and regulations, even in our domestic airports, have changed.
Those rules are Canadian in nature and that is why we believe there has to be some type of recognition of the unique factors, when it comes to passport issues and photos, with our federal partners.
So, I agree with the member. I will be in communications with our federal friends to ensure that these issues are taken care of in the strongest possible way for Nunavumiut.
The minister stated that he will be able to help individuals who are trying to obtain passports.
What is the minister going to do for the High Arctic residents who are looking forward to this year’s exchange trip?
I am representing Arctic Bay, Resolute Bay, Grise Fiord, and Pond Inlet.
Would the minister commit to sending a photographer up to those communities so that residents applying for passports can have the appropriate photographs taken?
The member has raised an interesting topic and that’s the one of passports.
The issuance of passports for Nunavummiut has been a chronic problem because of the way our territory is structured.
For example, many of our residents were not born in Nunavut, they were actually born in Winnipeg, because mothers have to be flown out of the territory and have babies in Ottawa, in some cases. A lot of residents were born in Montreal because of that procedure, in Winnipeg, and Yellowknife.
So, they get birth certificates and so on for the passports, that’s one issue.
If all of the information is collated, meaning all of the information requested by the federal government is available, and the only issue is the photograph, that’s something that we can help facilitate.
So, that’s why I am suggesting to the member: if he would give me the names, then we can look at each individual and see what the issues are. Is it because they don’t have identification, do they have the birth certificates, are all of the accompanying documents ready?
As well, if this exchange is going forward in three weeks’ time and we haven’t got that information, it’s going to be very difficult to expedite, to speed up, the process to get them their passports, because that has to be cleared by federal officials; it’s out of our hands as a Nunavut government.
If someone is doing international travel and they know the travel is happening in April, then they should be applying for their passport several months in advance because it is a long process and because all of the information has to be authenticated and looked over.
So, that’s quickly on that issue.
If the member would give me the names of the people who are seeking their passports, but also recognizing that time is of the essence here, then that’s important.
Question 184 – 2(2): Deferred Pay System – Implementation of P2K
Just prior to the new year, all employees got a message indicating that they are going to be implementing a new pay system, the P2K system, and that the employees were going to be receiving, at the end of December, an advance equal to whatever their regular pay is.
I am just wondering if the minister could indicate whether that system has been implemented, if P2K is up and running or not.
There was a notice sent out to employees.
It was not to all employees; it was only to the Nunavut Employees’ Union employees.
The teachers and the casual system are on a different pay system already.
In order to implement the P2K system, we needed to integrate how salaries are paid to employees, for all of the employees, teachers and casuals.
So, after December, the deferred system was implemented and work is underway now to implement the P2K system with all employees on the one system.
With that announcement and the switch to the system and the way that the advance was calculated, I have received a number concerns from employees who live in staff housing.
I recall when I used to live in staff housing, my rent would be deducted on the first and second pay of the period and the rare occasion when there was a third pay period of the month we would always look forward to it, because that cheque was much larger.
It didn’t have any rent deducted from it.
Was that taken into account when they were calculating what the loans were going to be, the advances or loans or whatever were given to the employees for that third pay period?
Before we implemented the deferred pay system, we had numerous meetings with the union as to how we would implement those changes to ensure that all those types of issues were addressed.
From what I understand, after consultations with the union, they were in agreement with the implementation method of the new system.
There are still some concerns.
A couple of e-mails have been distributed to me and the member himself and to one other individual that I do recall.
I don’t know if it’s an issue on how the rent is calculated on an annual basis, I would have to get back to the members on that. I don’t have that level of detail of rent deductions for employees and what pay period and what happens on a third pay period in a month.
I will have to get back to the member on that.
I recall that when I was in staff housing, that was the case.
I guess in the event then, that when the minister looks into it, it appears that was something that was not taken into consideration when calculating people’s advances or loans or whatever you want to call it, that live in staff housing, will arrangements be made to ensure that they get credited for that portion?
The member states that when he was in staff housing, we were in a different system.
We were under a different program.
We didn’t have the P2K system in place.
We didn’t have the deferred pay system in place.
The way I understand how rent deductions were done, because I was an administrator in the past, it was divided based on 26.088 pay periods in one year.
What I said was, in terms of how they calculated the deductions of the pay under the new system, I would have to get back because the old method was based on dividing the pay by 26.088.
To answer the member’s questions, I will have to get back to him on how they determined that, whether it’s 26 pays or 25 pays or the same system.
I will have to confirm that and get back to the member.
I guess that if it is determined that was the case for people who live in staff housing throughout the territory, that the rent deduction wasn’t taken into consideration in the loan or advance or whatever… . My question was if that is the case, will the minister commit to reimbursing those employees for whatever that amount is.
I gave my response previously to this and I will not respond to a hypothetical question on what may have happened or may not have happened.
What I committed to the member was I will look into how the calculations are made. But I refuse to answer a hypothetical question and to respond and commit to what he is suggesting at this point in time until I have had the opportunity to determine myself how our administrative staff actually determines the deduction methods under this new system.
Keep in mind the deferred system has been in place with teachers and casuals for a long time.
The only individuals that were not under the deferred system were any NEU employees.
So, there are teachers in staff housing units that have to get their rent deductions.
So I imagine, my assumption would be that they would be in the same shoes. So whatever that method is, I can get back to the member and report back.
Back to the orders of the day, Item 7, Written Questions.
Written Question 025 – 2(2): Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Programs and Costs
My written question is for the Minister of Health.
It is concerning drug and rehabilitation programs and costs.
How many drug and alcohol treatment facilities are there in Nunavut?
How many Nunavut clients were sent to the Nats’ejee K’eh Treatment Centre in Hay River, NWT, in 2003-2004?
What was the cost per day for a Nunavut client at the Nats’ejee K’eh Treatment Centre in Hay River, NWT?
On average, what is the overall cost per Nunavut client to participate in and complete a treatment program at the Nats’ejee K’eh Treatment Centre in Hay River, NWT?
How many Nunavut clients were referred to other out-of-territory drug and/or alcohol treatment facilities in 2003-2004? Where are these facilities located?
How many Nunavut clients in 2003-2004 participated in and completed drug and/or alcohol treatment programs?
Of these clients, how many were under the age of 18?
Of these clients, how many were 18 years of age or older?
What is the average cost to have a client participate in an out-of-territory treatment program?
What were the overall costs for out-of-territory treatment programs in 2003-2004?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Written Questions.
Tabled Document 078 – 2(2): Arctic Bay Reallocation of Capital Fund
Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned during Member’s statements, I indicated that I have received letters from the Minister Responsible for Community and Government Services during the last 8 months.
At this time, I would like to table those documents that the Minister received.
Please forward your tabled documents to the Clerk.
Tabling of Documents, Mr. Arreak.
Tabled Document 079 – 2(2): Letter HTO Request for Fish Plant
I would like to table documents from the Clyde River HTO requesting assistance to start a fishing plant.
Tabling of Documents, Mr. Netser.
Tabled Document 080 – 2(2): Kivalliq Mayors’ Support for Inuit Centre
Tabled Document 081 – 2(2): Letter from Minister Kilabuk on Bad Gasoline
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to table two resolutions that were passed at the resent Kivalliq mayors’ meeting, which was held in Chesterfield Inlet last month.
I urged the government to give these resolutions every consideration.
Mr. Speaker, I am tabling a letter that was written to me by the Minister of Community and Government Services.
This letter includes an analysis of the gasoline in Coral Harbour.
Tabled Document 082 – 2(2): “Aaqqiagarniq” Executive Summary of the External Review of Nunavut Arctic – October 28, 2004
I had an opportunity to converse through the office of the president of the college with Mr. Bob Leonard, who concurred with the tabling of Aaqqiagarniq, Executive Summary of the external review of Nunavut Arctic College, October 28, 2004.
Speaker (interpretation): Pass the documents to the Clerk.
Tabled Document 083 – 2(2): Nunavut Development Corporation 2005/06 Business Plans
Tabled Document 084 – 2(2): Nunavut Development Corporation Investment Guidelines
Tabled Document 085 – 2(2): Agricultural Products Marketing Act Annual Report 1999-2004
I would like to table three documents, (interpretation ends) The Nunavut Development Corporation 2005/06 Business Plan, the Nunavut Development Corporation Investment Guidelines and thirdly, the Agricultural Products Marketing Act Annual Reports for 1999-2004.
Tabled Document 086 – 2(2): Payment of Member Indemnity, Allowances and Expenses for Members of the 1st Assembly Year Ending March 31st, 2005
Pursuant to Section 36 of Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act, I wish to table the report on the payment of member indemnity, allowances and expenses for Members of the First Assembly for the fiscal year ending March 31st, 2005.
Tabled Document 087 – 2(2): Response to Petition 001 – 2(2) Rankin Inlet Elders Care Facility
Tabled Document 088 – 2(2): Response to Petition 002 – 2(2) Construction of a Mini Mall in Clyde River
I wish to table the responses to Petitions 001 – 2(2), and 002 – 2(2) that were filed with the Clerk’s Office.
Motion 011 – 2(2): Mid Term Leadership Review of the Executive Council of Nunavut
WHEREAS, it is incumbent on the Executive Council of Nunavut to account openly to the Legislative Assembly and Nunavummiut for its performance in developing, implementing and managing the policies, decisions and expenditures of the Government;
AND WHEREAS, the Second Legislative Assembly adopted, without opposition, Motion 8-2(1), Working Together for a Stronger Nunavut;
AND WHEREAS, this Motion stated in part that “the values of consensus, co-operation, accountability and respect must guide us in our deliberations”;
AND WHEREAS, this principle was acknowledged in the 2005 Budget Address, which stated that there are “responsibilities that flow from the public service to Cabinet, to you, the Members of the Legislative Assembly, and ultimately to Nunavummiut”;
AND WHEREAS, the Members of the Executive Council were sworn into office in March of 2004;
NOW THEREFORE I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Iqaluit Centre, that a Mid-Term Leadership Review of the Executive Council of Nunavut be held in the fall of 2006.
Any questions to the motion?
I will allow to the mover to speak 20 minutes to the motion.
I just want to make a brief comment to the motion because all Nunavummiut have expectations.
They view the Ministers and the Members of the Legislative Assembly are paying close attention to all the Members whether you are a Cabinet or Member.
And also, I would like to state that the Regular Members on this side work very hard and diligently to represent their communities and their constituencies in order to have an accountable government.
And to make sure the funding is adequate enough and to make sure where the programs and services that are provided by the government are adequate for the people, and also to make sure that the consumers are being taken care of, not just to take care of the fuel providers.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to state that the Cabinet Members, we are different from the federal government’s parliamentary system.
Their parliamentary system which have the Queen as their representative when they have a separate entity, it’s totally up to them to oust them or not.
But the Premier cannot fire a Minister.