EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Can you clarify why NavCanada didn’t want the Nunavut Association of Municipalities to be involved in negotiations?
The Nunavut Government is the contractor, and because of that, and because NavCanada contracted us, the only people that they wanted to talk to was us.
After you make your response say thank you so our operator will know that you’re done.
Mr. Peterson: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Mr. Kunuk for answering.
It would probably be helpful if that information could be communicated to the Nunavut Association of Municipalities so they can bring it up for discussion amongst themselves.
I’m sure it will come up with the Nunavut Association AGM in Cambridge Bay in May.
This isn’t something new.
I remember years ago having the same conversations when I was with the Nunavut Association of Municipalities, with the minister at the time, about being involved in negotiations and NavCanada was not very cooperative. Our argument was that municipalities had more detailed information on what the costs were at the municipal level because municipalities are actually running the operations. They have the detailed information.
They can share that information with NavCanada and with the Government of Nunavut. That’s why we felt it was important for municipalities to be involved in negotiations. For some reason NavCanada vehemently objects to that, and I think that’s a slap in the face to the municipalities in Nunavut when they do that.
Just further down the page, Mr. Chairman, page K-14, Transport Canada ACAP, third party funding from Transportation Canada to purchase specific heavy equipment and accessories for three Nunavut airports.
I don’t see anything budgeted for this coming fiscal year. Is there a reason why?
In 2007-08, we’ll be seeing some numbers slotted in there again.
We’ll find out exactly how much money we’ll be using around April to June.
We will go back to K-4. (interpretation ends) Economic Development and Transportation. Department Summary.
Total Operations and Maintenance. $46,080,000. (interpretation) Do you agree?
Do you agree that the Department of Economic Development and Transportation is completed?
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. I would like to thank the minister.
I would also like to thank my officials for coming here and I would also like to thank the Members of the Legislative Assembly.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Minister. Thank you.
I would like to ask Minister Akesuk to say his opening comments for the Nunavut Housing Corporation. Mr. Akesuk.
I’ve got to get my other briefing book. It’s upstairs. Somebody is coming down in one minute.
Chairman: Mr. Akesuk, let this be a reminder to you to have that material with you at the start of your next appearance.
Before we get that part of the work ready...I’m sorry. Minister Akesuk.
Bill 12 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2006-07 – Review in Committee – Nunavut Housing Corporation
I’m very pleased to be able to meet with you and the Members of the Legislative Assembly on Housing and Development 2006 Business Plan and Main Estimates.
Mr. Chairman, we hope that 20 new public...Mr. Chairman, let me just rephrase myself.
Mr. Chairman, we will continue to work closely with our federal and provincial counterparts to ensure that Nunavut gets its fair share for 2006 and the future.
To achieve this, Mr. Chairman, I wrote to the Honourable Diane Finley, the new Federal Minister responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation requesting a meeting in Ottawa by the end of the month.
I explained our housing crisis and the need to move quickly.
Also, Mr. Chairman, our senior officials met with CMHC General Manager for the Prairies and Territories here in Iqaluit last week and had earnest and candid discussions regarding our relationship with the federal parties responsible for housing and how we can advance our housing agenda.
Mr. Chairman, I remain hopeful that at some point in the future, I will be able to advise members of positive steps forward with respect to an implementation plan to address our housing crisis.
During 2005, we developed several new programs and policies to fulfill our commitment to Pinasuaqtavut. We introduced two new homeownership programs: the Material Assistance Program and the Seniors and Disabled Persons Preventative Maintenance Program. As well, Mr. Chairman, we refreshed the Nunavut Down Payment Assistance Program.
We introduced several major policy changes in staff housing to promote market development and homeownership.
Mr. Chairman, to provide more and better service, we increased the NHC staffing complement to adequately implement the staff housing policy and to assist and mentor local housing organizations.
In our continuing effort to assist local housing organizations, Mr. Chairman, we developed, through a task force made up of the NHC, LHOs, and the Departments of Finance, and Human Resources, a completely rebuilt funding formula for local housing organizations.
This formula is currently undergoing review and will be presented to the LHO chairpersons and managers for their input and approval at a meeting on March 25 and 26, 2006.
Mr. Chairman, we have finalized the “Building Connections in Nunavut” community consultation process. We are currently producing a comprehensive report on these consultations and we will circulate it to members as soon as it is available.
Mr. Chairman, 2006 will be a year of finalization, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of these new and exciting changes. We will ensure that our programs and policies meet and exceed the needs of Nunavummiut. If we find that some parts of these initiatives need adjustment, then we will do so.
Fiscal year 2006-07, Government of Nunavut funding to the Nunavut Housing Corporation will increase by $5,481,000 from the main estimates of 2005-06.
This amount is made of increases in funding to Local Housing Organizations of $2,935,000, which represents 54 percent of the total increase.
This includes $1,783,000 for increases in power costs and $1,152,000 for increases in fuel costs.
Other increases include an increase of $2,118,000 to staff housing.
This is made up of $1,396,000 for additional short-term leases in Iqaluit, $550,000 for additional staffing and $172,000 for increased fuel costs.
An increase of $428,000 for general administration and maintenance is also proposed. This is made of up $98,000 for Nunavut Employees Union collective agreement impact and $330,000 for additional staffing.
Mr. Chairman, in the spirit of fiscal responsibility, the Nunavut Housing Corporation has also realigned spending slightly by $294,000 to ensure a balanced budget. This amount is made up of a decrease in the NHC training fund of $286,000 and miscellaneous expenses of $8,000.
This amount is offset by increased travel for the new Maintenance Officers at $100,000, a transfer of $169,000 to Local Housing Organization funding to cover CMHC funding reductions and an increase of $25,000 in Local Housing Organization forced growth funding for 2006-07.
Mr. Chairman, in all other material respects the main estimates for the Nunavut Housing Corporation remains unchanged from last year.
I would be pleased to answer any questions you may have regarding the Nunavut Housing Corporation’s 2006-07-business plan and main estimates.
Chairman: Thank you, Minister. Do you have witnesses you would like to bring to the table?
Chairman: Sergeant-at-Arms, could you escort the witnesses in, please.
For the record, Minister, please introduce your witnesses.
With me, on my right, is my President, Mr. Peter Scott, and to my left is Chris D’Arcy, our Executive Director of Corporate Services, and Chief Financial Officer.
Does of the chair of the standing committee have any comments?
If I start to read too fast, remind me to slow down.
The committee has reviewed the 2006-07 Main Estimates and Business Plan of the Nunavut Housing Corporation and had the opportunity to meet with the responsible minister in January.
Members have noted that the deadline for applications under the new Materials Assistance Program has passed.
Members would wish to know how many applications were received by the NHC, what communities applicants were from, how many applicants met the program’s criteria, and how the corporation determined which eligible applicants would be approved for the program this year.
The committee urges the minister to meet with his new counterpart at an early opportunity.
There are encouraging signals that the new federal government does recognize the unique challenges and opportunities facing Nunavut and the north.
It is incumbent upon our ministers to make well-substantiated cases to Ottawa when it comes to such areas as federal investment in social housing. After the First Ministers Meeting in Kelowna, Members were hopeful that federal funding would be forthcoming to meaningfully address our housing crisis.
Members remain concerned by the condition of homes that social housing tenants may be purchasing under the Tenant to Owner Program.
Members are also concerned that tenants may not know the actual condition of the unit and may not be able to access timely home inspections prior to purchasing the unit.
Members encourage the corporation to ensure that tenants are supplied with relevant information with respect to the costs of maintaining their unit and any renovations that may need to be done as the homeowner.
Members noted that one of the corporation’s stated priorities in its business plan for 2006-07 is to implement and monitor the new funding formula for local housing organizations.
Members recognize that due to the reality of the budget process some of last year’s priorities are recorded as completed prior to actual completion.
However, members have been vocal supporters of increasing the resources available to LHOs and would wish to review the new funding formula after it is completed.
The standing committee noted that petitions for more housing units have been circulated in more than one community.
Members have heard many stories of people sleeping outside because they have nowhere to go. There are limited resources for housing construction.
However, members urge the minister to work with his colleagues to review every option, including the construction of homeless shelters.
Members noted that there are multiple references to a Nunavut Housing Strategy in the corporation’s business plan.
Members urge the minister to table this document in a timely fashion.
The issue of staff housing is a complex one.
The standing committee recognizes that the corporation is attempting to balance competing needs for one of the most limited resources in Nunavut: housing.
Members agree with the long-term goals of the corporation’s new Staff Housing Policy: however, concern exists that the new policy may not be the best way to achieve those goals.
The current practice does not encourage homeownership or participation in the private rental market by GN employees and the long-term GN leases may be partially responsible for the sluggish growth of that market.
The standing committee noted that one of the corporation’s priorities for 2006-07 is to monitor the impact of the new staff housing rent increases and the demand for the rental assistance program.
The committee fully supports the corporation in this initiative. Further, members urge the corporation to ensure that a detailed process is in place to measure the results of the new policy in terms of its impact on employee recruitment and retention, and the expansion of the private housing market.
Members are concerned that the current practice for determining the number of staff housing units required in each community is inadequate.
Members would wish to see the cost of new staff housing units for new PYs to be funded through the hiring department to more accurately reflect the actual cost to the GN of new positions.
Further, where current infrastructure that includes staff housing units, such as health centres, are being replaced, committee members believe that the new projects should include plans and an adequate budget to replace those units.
Members are concerned that the housing demands of the ever-expanding GN workforce are placing an unfair burden on the corporation’s limited resources.
The committee noted that the corporation might construct more condominiums for purchase by Government of Nunavut staff.
Members do not believe that it should be the corporation’s role to construct condominiums and compete with the private market.
Mr. Chairman, members appreciate the openness that the corporation continues to display when responding to questions from the committee. However, members are concerned that the minister has not yet tabled the corporation’s response to the April 2005 Letter of Expectation. Members urge the minister to table this during the current sitting of the House.
Before we proceed, I would like to remind members of the following: according to Rule 77(1), you have 10 minutes to speak and according to Rule 77(2), subject to the discretion of the Chair, a member may speak more than once to a matter under discussion, but not until every member wishing to speak has spoken.
I suggest to members that wherever possible, you ask your detailed questions during the page-by-page review of the departmental estimates and you will discover that there are not a lot of pages that deal with operations and maintenance, however, the individual information item pages will be open for questions.
I think we are going to take a short break after our general comments.
It’s getting tiring here.
I would like to welcome the minister.
I think you minister, and your officials, should be the most welcomed here because you provide the housing. If it weren’t for you, when there was hardly enough snow this winter for igloos, you provide us with housing. We had heard the thickest snow we have is two inches. (interpretation ends) That’s not very much for making snow houses.
(interpretation) During our general comments, I know that we are going to talk about our lack of funding for social housing and also, although we construct social housing, we still have a shortage of housing, but there’s a long waiting list.
If we try to count all of the people in the waiting list, there are numerous now within seven or eight years on the waiting list. We have seven or eight year waiting list to date.
In the past, we lacked housing, but it’s very critical now.
In the past, the individuals started waiting for their houses when they were 16 or 17 years old, and now they have three or four children still living at their parents.
So it’s getting a bit too much. It’s almost impossible to live a healthy life under one roof with all those people living in those units and I understand this because I’m sure you have heard this from all over the place.
But I would like you to monitor or consider if you can construct more and better units so that it would be easier to get the estimates for the maintenance costs and one issue back in 1962, we lived in matchbox homes and we used to order matchbox houses…(interpretation ends)…the biggest houses in the world that the family in Coral Harbour, at that time, received a few of those.
They were so excited to receive those matchboxes and they were a very simple construction, this two-by-three lumber with three-inch plywood, and painted.
And they were satisfactory to those families, very much so. (interpretation) Back then, but nowadays, although we have to follow the building codes, (interpretation ends) I think they’re going overboard.
In my own judgment and opinion I have looked at the building codes, I think we’ve been going overboard providing so professionally materials that could be avoided, making the costs down. (interpretation) It’s very expensive to get material.
I think that’s what we are going after now, the most expensive material. I think you have to be cautious. (interpretation ends) We have been used by outside materials suppliers. I know we’ve been used; being recommended to use that kind of materials.
They are expensive. They are much, much more expensive than what we can get away with and still adhere to the building codes.
(interpretation) I have been considering this because I have been constructing my unit. (interpretation ends) We are meeting those codes by using simpler, cheaper materials. (interpretation) I have been considering this very seriously.
I’m very pleased to deal with your department but there is so small amount of funding the housing corporation (interpretation ends) they are managing the best that they can to manage what they can have in money.
(interpretation) So, I’ll conclude with that for now and I’ll probably have more questions later on.
I don’t think there are any other general comments, so we’ll move on to L-6.
As we go through the page the majority of the pages are information items, but we’ll go through page by page.
We’ll start off on L-6. Questions from page L-6.
I don’t think there’s any.
Aren’t we going to vote on these page by page, Mr. Chairman?
They are information pages so L-6, L-7, L-8, L-9, L-10, and L-11 are information items; they don’t require approval.
When we go to L-4, we’ll approve it.
So we’ll just go through the pages for information.
Mr. Alagalak, are you finished?
I welcome the minister and his staff.
The minister is starting to become a very familiar face. I’ve seen you before somewhere.
On page L-19 of the business plan, on the priorities in 2006-07 to finalize the mid to long-term implementation plan for 10-Year Inuit Housing Action Plan, could the minister update us on the status of that plan and how it’s been received in Ottawa?
Hon. Olayuk Akesuk: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation) We’ve been working with our new federal government.
We’ll have to discuss this further, along with Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated; we’ll have to meet with our federal counterpart to make sure how we can go ahead with this.
We haven’t had the opportunity to meet with the Minister of Canada Mortgage & Housing Corporation.
After the session I will want to meet with her and discuss this Ten-Year Inuit Housing Strategy. I have to discuss this in the upcoming months with my federal counterpart.
I don’t think it’s any secret, in Nunavut, across the north, or in Ottawa that we have a housing crisis up here and that it was discussed at the First Ministers and the National Aboriginal Leaders’ Meeting in Kelowna, British Columbia on November 24 and 25 of last year; that’s only a few months ago.
And I think the information from this Ten-Year Nunavut Inuit Action Plan probably played a key and vital role in convincing the government at the time that we need some immediate help up here.
I wonder if the minister could comment on whether he, or the Premier, or any of his other colleagues have had any discussions with anyone in Ottawa to alert them to the housing crisis we do have up here and how very urgent it is that they should honour their commitments made at the Kelowna Agreement.
Me, myself, I haven’t had a chance to meet with any of my colleagues from the federal government. Once this session is over, what I will do is try to meet with them.
Like I said last week, I will be meeting with Minister Diane Finley on April 12 and that will be on our agenda, the 10-Year Housing Plan on the Kelowna issue.
I do believe our Premier has, with the other territorial colleagues, mentioned that to the Prime Minister. I, myself, as the Housing Minister, will certainly bring that up when I meet with Minister Diane Finley, the Federal Minister for Housing.
Mr. Peterson: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Could the minister commit to the House that when he does meet with his counterpart that he will mention to her or him that we have people in Iqaluit who are sleeping in cars or vehicles at - 50 degrees Celsius in the dead of winter and homeless people, and that the standing committee on the oversight for your department is recommending that the Nunavut Housing Corporation find funds to even construct homeless shelters.
That’s how serious things are up here. We don’t get a whole lot of attention for homelessness up here.
In our debate with the Minister responsible for Homelessness last week, the Homeless Minister, even though it’s not readily apparent, said we do have homeless people up here. We have people in the communities who need houses and there’s overcrowding. When they don’t have a house to live in, then they have to sleep in cars.
As my colleague, Mr. Alagalak said, this year there wasn’t enough snow to build an igloo. I’m sure he was making a strong point with that comment that we have a very serious and dire crisis on our hands here.
I’m fairly confident that you guys are making a strong case to Ottawa, but it just befuddles me as to how officials in Ottawa can turn a blind eye to what’s going on up here while they have more meetings, then more meetings, then more meetings, I don’t know what you guys can say to them.
I’m wondering if the minister could comment on when they are going to these meetings, how strongly you try to make the point that there is a crisis up here.
I know Minister Fontana was up here and he saw firsthand of what was going on and I don’t know what information he took back to Ottawa, but we had a change in government so I guess the new government has to take up the challenge in helping the Nunavut Housing Corporation.
If the minister could comment on that, Mr. Chairman, thank you.
The last federal-provincial-territorial meeting in Liverpool in Halifax, we had great support from the federal minister, along with my territorial and provincial colleagues that we are in need.
There are a lot of programs that we, as Inuit, don’t qualify for under the aboriginal programs. I think, myself, to make sure that we qualify for the programs that are on for Aboriginal peoples, that we have to send a strong message to the new federal government to make sure that they recognize us as Aboriginal people, and that we should qualify for these Aboriginal Programs.
Again, we made great progress with Minister Fontana, and with this new government I think we’re starting off from scratch, hopefully from a good scratch, that we’re recognized, as Aboriginal people, under aboriginal programs that we should, as Inuit, should qualify.
So I do believe there has been a lot of support from our provincial and territorial colleagues on the Inuit issue, and in the last communiqué that was sent out before we headed out, after the meeting, they mentioned Inuit.
Inuit was put in the communiqué, which was a really good sign of the support that we got from them.
So I think, as the Minister of Housing, we’ll all be promoting our territory, and promoting what we don’t have, how they should deliver the money, if they do have the money on a needs basis.
So I think that’s a thing that we can do. That’s the best we could do.
Hopefully this new government will recognize where we are with housing.
It has been a long afternoon and we still have a couple of hours left to go yet, so, we will break for 30 minutes.
I ask members to join me in the Nanuq Boardroom while the Clerk’s staff goes to the Tuktu Boardroom.
We’ll break for 30 minutes.
>>Committee recessed at 18:02 and resumed at 18:36
I’m not the only one who is tired.
We stopped for a rest while Mr. Peterson was speaking.
So we’ll return to Mr. Peterson.
On page L-22 of the business plan, under the priorities the department says, “Continued implementation of the revised Government of Nunavut staff housing policy and the development a leasehold attrition plan for Iqaluit during 2006 to be in effect by 2010.”
Could the minister expand a little bit on what they mean by leasehold attrition plan?
I’ll get Mr. Scott respond to Mr. Peterson’s question.
The intent there is over the next four or five years there are quite a number of different leases that will be coming up for expiration between now and the five-year limit for staff housing in Iqaluit. Attrition will phase out some of those leases and some of those we will be renewing based upon what our staffing requirements are at the time. That’s what the attrition plan means.
Mr. Peterson: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I thank the minister and Mr. Scott.