EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
So this is basically recognizing the fact that the Nunavut Housing Corporation and Community and Government Services are the two largest contracting authorities within government.
As such, we can share resources and share best practices, and that was the intent of that appointment.
We have regular corporate executive committee meetings. Ms. Lausman, as the CGS deputy minister, has attended a number of those.
We’ve had separate meetings as well just to discuss ways that we can combine resources and make best use of our combined resources.
I’m just wondering if Mr. Barriault could expand on what are some of the best practices from other departments that his corporation has now adopted by having Ms. Lausman on the committee.
More than anything, the benefits that we are gaining through this closer working tie is basically to synchronize our activities.
So we are looking at means of being able to share inspection services, for example, and also trying to better coordinate some of the mandatory inspections on our work sites.
For example, electrical inspections and boiler inspections are done through the Safety Division of Community and Government Services.
We are trying to synchronize a bit better what our contractor schedules are to ensure that scheduling of their limited resources as well for these inspections can be best laid out to accommodate our needs as well as their needs.
In some cases, as I believe I noted earlier, we have obtained the services of Community and Government Services to provide some tendering for us where we have been short in capacity in the district offices.
The minister had mentioned some of the possible changes to the structuring of the Nunavut Housing Corporation. They are looking at different options and he alluded to the fact that the status quo might stay the same.
He said that these matters are before cabinet.
Could he tell us when cabinet would be making a decision as to what changes would be coming?
I don’t want to keep correcting the hon. member.
I say that status quo remains one of the options; there may be ten options.
So it will take tremendous will to make any changes. There will have to be passionate will by my colleagues to carry on with the status quo.
All of them have to be put on the table and it’s something that I will do.
I indicated early during last week that the scheduling is one that is delaying some of these decisions.
The cabinet will consider which route that it wishes to pursue in terms of the corporate governance structure once we are freed up with some of the events that are happening.
In regard to NNI bonuses given out to companies that were doing construction in the communities, how closely were these monitored and followed up on before payments were actually made for their participation in the NNI?
I think we have to understand that the NNI Policy, as it is currently structured, has created a number of very clear obligations of the contractor.
Once you buy into that, you are obligated to honour those provisions.
Therefore, the bonus system is one of them and I’ll let Mr. Barriault explain exactly how that works.
I can’t really comment on what may have occurred in terms of evaluating NNI bonuses and penalties in the past, only that since I have been here as president, there is a requirement that the contract obligations are followed as described in the NNI appendix to the contracts as well as to the general conditions.
Part of that process involves obtaining from contractors evidence of what they are claiming.
So, generally, NNI bonuses are available to contractors who can demonstrate that they have exceeded the contractually required Inuit content.
There are also provisions within the policies for penalties to be issued when these commitments are not met.
So these are evaluated using documented, substantiated numbers.
Could the minister commit to providing us at some later date a breakdown in terms of… ? I know, in conversations, we’ve already had the labour costs.
I would really like to know how much of the money that went to labour is actually staying in Nunavut.
By the breakdown, I was hoping if I could get the costs of the apprentices and what they were paid as opposed to then the breakdown of what southern hires were paid.
If I remember correctly… but I guess I will ask this as a question. The flights in and out of the communities, the hotels, and the per diems are all lumped under labour? Is that correct?
Again that question begs a question to me. Does he want the information before the Affordable Housing Initiative and the SIP units are completed or after they are completed?
I would think that once they are completed, it will be a lot more accurate, to be honest with you.
When talking about the expenditures, the unqualified Nunavut housing statement of expenditures by the auditor, in terms of expenditures, summarized the figures as follows: labour, $84,252,000; materials, $104,590,000.
I find it completely shocking to have that amount of labour costs, so something must be going on.
I would think the majority of these involve imported labour.
For that reason, my concern needs to be clarified, whether he wants that information after the units of the Affordable Housing Initiative are completed or does he want it for the previous years.
Again I don’t want to overburden the Nunavut Housing Corporation, but let’s just go with the Nunavut Housing Trust from April 1, 2006 to February 2010.
Since there is that dollar figure of $84,252,000, if I could have the minister commit to provide the committee with a breakdown of what dollar amount went to apprentices, which I’m assuming are the majority of the northern hire, and the imported labour, as the minister has another dollar value, and what was broken down for flights.
The other one would be per diems, if they could be broken down that way.
Yes, just for this Nunavut Housing Trust.
Hon. Tagak Curley: Mr. Chairman, we certainly can try to provide the best information possible, but to actually commit to breaking them down, really, with the accounting jobs that are really getting quite complicated and resources that are limited right now, it’s really, in my view, redundant to try and break what the auditors have already stated over-commitment.
Therefore, I think we need to move on to try and correct the challenges we have.
They have been identified and they have been responded to.
Recommendations from the auditor are really quite extensive. They continue to monitor some of the changes that they recommended, whether, in fact, they are working or not.
These are the priorities that I would like to spend time with to try and dig into them further to break them down, perhaps even to local labour content, which the member doesn’t want. He really boggles my mind.
So we will do our part in providing additional information. Whether or not we would do it in the language he wants in detail, I am not prepared to make that commitment in full, but we will try to honour as much as we can with the information we have.
I wish to make some closing comments on behalf of the Regular Members’ Caucus as the Co-Chair.
I think that it is very obvious that members have many more questions on the issues surrounding the $60 million shortfall in the Nunavut Housing Trust, not to mention the $50 million shortfall in the Affordable Housing Initiative.
We are still looking for clear answers as to why the accounting firm staff did not travel to Nunavut in the course of its work and why they did not attempt to interview former executives and employees of the Nunavut Housing Corporation, who made many of the decisions that lead us down the path to the situation that we find ourselves here today.
When the House reconvenes for the winter sitting in February, these documents will still be on the order paper.
Mr. Chairman, I am also hopeful that the next few months will provide time for the Nunavut Housing Corporation to develop a concrete and detailed action plan to address the recommendations in the review report.
I would hope that the minister will table this on the first day of our winter sitting.
I think we have concluded our Committee of the Whole meeting here.
I think a lot of contributions have been suggested by members. This is a real challenging situation, one of which, I think, has been assessed from every angle.
No doubt, we have, from the government side, the corporate staff as well as the finance department’s colleagues, particularly Keith Peterson’s department, is also having advisory as well as an oversight through our budgeting process as it continues to be implemented.
I can honestly say to you that we appreciate the comments that have been made and where we are obligated to provide more information, we will do so.
I think, in some cases, we are ahead in some areas, but it is not for me to determine whether it is sufficient or not.
In time, I think we will demonstrate, with the help of the auditors as well as the oversight that currently exists, that we will get this corporate situation to where it should be.
I want to thank you, Mr. Chairman, for giving me an opportunity to have a say in here.
Chairman: Thank you. I would also like to thank you and your officials there for answering some tough questions which some of the members have brought forward.
I would like to move a motion to report progress.
Your committee has been considering Bills 44, 45, and 46, and Tabled Documents 207 – 3(2), 209 – 3(2), 210 – 3(2), and 212 – 3(2), and would like to report that Bills 44, 45, and 46 are immediately ready for third reading.
Bill 44 – An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act – Third Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Rankin Inlet South and Whale Cove, that Bill 44, An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act, be read for the third time.
Bill 45 – An Act to Amend the Labour Standards Act (Minimum Wage) – Third Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Rankin Inlet South and Whale Cove, that Bill 45, An Act to Amend the Labour Standards Act (Minimum Wage), be read for the third time.
Bill 46 – An Act to Amend the Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Property Tax Relief Act – Third Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Rankin Inlet South and Whale Cove, that Bill 46, An Act to Amend the Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Property Tax Relief Act, be read for the third time.
Before we proceed further, Mr. Clerk, will you ascertain if the Commissioner of Nunavut is prepared to enter the Chambers to give ascent to bills.
Bill 35 – Licensed Practical Nurses Act – Assent
Bill 37 – Tobacco Damages and Health Care Costs Recovery Act – Assent
Bill 38 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2011-2012 – Assent
Bill 39 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, No. 3, 2009-2010 – Assent
Bill 40 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, No. 3, 2010-2011 – Assent
Bill 41 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 3, 2010-2011 – Assent
Bill 42 – Forgiveness of Debts Act, 2010, No. 2 – Assent
Bill 43 – Write-Off of Assets Act, 2010-2011 – Assent
Bill 44 – An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act – Assent
Bill 45 – An Act to Amend the Labour Standards Act (Minimum Wage) – Assent
Bill 46 – An Act to Amend the Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Property Tax Relief Act – Assent
Commissioner Edna Elias (interpretation): As Commissioner of Nunavut, I am pleased to give assent to the following bills: (interpretation ends)
Bill 35, Licensed Practical Nurses Act;
Bill 37, Tobacco Damages and Health Care Costs Recovery Act;
Bill 38, Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2011-2012;
Bill 39, Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, No. 3, 2009-2010;
Bill 40, Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, No. 3, 2010-2011;
Bill 41, Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 3, 2010-2011;
Bill 42, Forgiveness of Debts Act, 2010, No. 2;
Bill 43, Write-Off of Assets Act, 2010-2011;
Bill 44, An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act;
Bill 45, An Act to Amend the Labour Standards Act (Minimum Wage); and
Bill 46, An Act to Amend the Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Property Tax Relief Act.
(interpretation) As you conclude your work here and prepare to return to your families and communities, I wish you all a safe journey home. If I don’t see you before you leave, I would like to thank you and wish you a very Merry Christmas and keep in mind the spirit and intent of the Christmas season.
Speaker (interpretation): Please be seated. (interpretation ends) Thank you, Commissioner. Item 22.
A reminder that there is a meeting of the Full Caucus tomorrow morning at nine o’clock.
Orders of the Day for February 22, 2011:
Petitions  Responses to Petitions
In accordance with the authority provided to me by Motion 30 – 3(2), this House stands adjourned until Tuesday, February 22, 2011, at 1:30 p.m.
>>House adjourned at 18:16
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Pages 3043 – 3049
Speaker: The Honourable Paul Okalik, M.L.A. Legislative Assembly of Nunavut
Opening Prayer 3043
Notices of Motions 3043
Notices of Motions for First Reading of Bills 3044
Motions 3044
First Reading of Bills 3045
Second Reading of Bills 3045
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 3046
Report of the Committee of the Whole 3048
Third Reading of Bills 3048
Assent to Bills 3049
Thursday, November 4, 2010 3043
032 – 3(2): Appointment of the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly – Notice (Elliott) 3043
033 – 3(2): Appointment to the Executive Council – Notice (Curley) 3043
032 – 3(2): Appointment of the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly (Elliott) 3044
033 – 3(2): Appointment to the Executive Council (Curley) 3045
Bill 51 – An Act to Amend the Nunavut Elections Act – Notice 3044
Bill 51 – An Act to Amend the Nunavut Elections Act – First Reading 3045
Bill 51 – An Act to Amend the Nunavut Elections Act – Second Reading 3046
Bill 51 – An Act to Amend the Nunavut Elections Act – Consideration in Committee 3046
Bill 51 – An Act to Amend the Nunavut Elections Act – Third Reading 3048
Bill 51 – An Act to Amend the Nunavut Elections Act – Assent 3049
Honourable Eva Aariak, Honourable James Arreak, Mr. Moses Aupaluktuq, Honourable Tagak Curley, Mr. Ron Elliott, Mr. Adamee Komoartok, Honourable Lorne Kusugak, Mr. John Ningark, Mr. Johnny Ningeongan, Honourable Paul Okalik, Honourable Keith Peterson, Mr. Allan Rumbolt, Mr. Fred Schell, Honourable Daniel Shewchuk, Mr. Louis Tapardjuk, Honourable Peter Taptuna, Honourable Hunter Tootoo, Ms. Jeannie Ugyuk.
Deputy Speaker (Mr. Ningeongan) (interpretation): … (inaudible) … I would like to ask Mr. Curley to say the opening prayer.
I seek unanimous consent that we proceed directly to Item 14 of the order paper.
Deputy Speaker: Do members agree that we proceed directly to Item 14 on the order paper?
We will proceed to Item 14.
Motion 032 – 3(2): Appointment of the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly – Notice (Elliott)
I give notice that on Monday, November 8, 2010, I will move the following motion:
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the Hon. Member from Nattilik, that Paul Okalik, Member of Iqaluit West, do take the Chair of this House as Speaker.
At the appropriate time, I will seek unanimous consent to deal with my motion today. Thank you.
Deputy Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Elliott.
Motion 033 – 3(2): Appointment to the Executive Council – Notice (Curley)
Hon. Tagak Curley: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Monday, November 8, 2010, I will move the following motion:
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the Hon. Member for Amittuq, that the Legislative Assembly recommends to the Commissioner of Nunavut that James Arreak, Member for Uqqummiut, be appointed to the Executive Council of Nunavut.
At the appropriate time, Mr. Speaker, I will seek unanimous consent to deal with my motion today.
Deputy Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Curley.
Bill 51 – An Act to Amend the Nunavut Elections Act – Notice
I give notice that on Monday, November 8, 2010, I will move that Bill 51, An Act to Amend the Nunavut Elections Act, be read for the first time.
Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time, I will seek consent to waive Rule 62(1) so that Bill 51 can be read for the first time today.
Motion 032 – 3(2): Appointment of the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly (Elliott)
WHEREAS the Office of the Speaker is vacant;
AND WHEREAS the Deputy Speaker has been exercising the powers and performing the duties of the Speaker;
AND WHEREAS the Legislative Assembly is prepared to appoint a new Speaker;
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the Hon. Member for Nattilik, that Paul Okalik, Member for Iqaluit West, do take the Chair of this House as Speaker.
Motions. Pardon me.
I ask the mover and the seconder of the motion to escort the Speaker, please.
Speaker (Hon. Paul Okalik)(interpretation): Thank you, my colleagues.
It is pretty scary.
First of all, I would like to thank the person who nominated me, Member for Quttiktuq, Mr. Elliott.
Thank you for nominating me so that I could be the Speaker of the House. I would also like to thank my colleagues for having confidence in me as the Speaker.
Following our orders of the day, the first item is Motions.
Motion 033 – 3(2): Appointment to the Executive Council (Curley)
WHEREAS section 60 of the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act provides that there shall be an Executive Council of Nunavut composed of persons appointed by the Commissioner of Nunavut on the recommendation of the Legislative Assembly;
AND WHEREAS the House is prepared to recommend an appointment;
I seek the consent of this House to waive Rule 62(1) so that Bill 51, An Act to Amend the Nunavut Elections Act, can be read for the first time today.
We are on (interpretation ends) Item 17.
First Reading of Bills. The member is seeking consent to waive Rule 62(1) so that Bill 51 can be read today for the first time.
Speaker: Mr. Elliott, you may proceed.
Bill 51 – An Act to Amend the Nunavut Elections Act – First Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Iqaluit Centre, that Bill 51, An Act to Amend the Nunavut Elections Act, be read for the first time.
I seek the consent of this House to waive Rule 62(1) so that Bill 51, An Act to Amend the Nunavut Elections Act, can be read for the second time today.
The member is seeking consent to waive Rule 62(1) so that Bill 51 can be read for the second time.
Bill 51 – An Act to Amend the Nunavut Elections Act – Second Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Iqaluit Centre, that Bill 51, An Act to Amend the Nunavut Elections Act, be read for the second time.
Speaker: Thank you. Mr. Elliott.
Mr. Elliott: Sorry, Mr. Speaker. This bill amends the Nunavut Elections Act to provide a boundaries commission with the authority to determine the time and means of publication of public notices of its public hearings.
I think we are all learning some rules today. The motion is in order.
I would now like to recognize Mr. Elliott once again.
I seek unanimous consent of the House to waive Rule 67(2) and have Bill 51 moved into the Committee of the Whole.
The member is seeking unanimous consent. Are there any nays?
There are none. Bill 51 is immediately referred to Committee of the Whole.
Committee of the Whole.
Bill 51, Tabled Documents 207 – 3(2), 209 – 3(2), 210 – 3(2), and 212 – 3(2) with Mr. Schell as Chair.
I ask that all members remain in their seats so that we can proceed immediately to Committee of the Whole.
(interpretation) Sergeant-at-Arms, if you could prepare for the witnesses.
We would like to commence with the review of Bill 51 and then report progress.
Bill 51 – An Act to Amend the Nunavut Elections Act – Consideration in Committee
I would like to ask the committee if they agree to bring the Speaker to the witness table.
Chairman: Sergeant-at-Arms, could you please escort the Speaker to the witness table.
Does the Speaker have any witnesses he would like to bring to the table?
For the record, could you please introduce your witness.
The official who will be accompanying me is well known and that is our Clerk, Mr. John Quirke.
You can go ahead with your opening comments.
I am pleased to have the opportunity to appear today before the Committee of the Whole on the occasion of its consideration of Bill 51, An Act to Amend the Nunavut Elections Act.
As members are aware, the Nunavut Electoral Boundaries Commission was established by the Legislative Assembly on October 25 of this year.
I am pleased to report that the boundaries commission has already begun its work.
All of our communities’ mayors have now received correspondence from the commission concerning its public hearings.
In order for the commission to undertake this work in most effective manner possible, we wish to provide the commission with appropriate flexibility to determine the time and means of public notices of its public hearings.
These amendments accomplished this goal.
If not, we will move on to Bill 51, An Act to Amend the Nunavut Elections Act.
Chairman: Is the committee agreed to Bill 51 as a whole?
Chairman: Pursuant to Rule 62(2), is the committee agreed that Bill 51 can immediately be placed on the orders of the day for third reading?
Chairman: Any closing comments, Mr. Speaker?
I am very pleased to see that everybody is saying yes to my requests. I am very pleased that this bill is concluded.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Sergeant-at-Arms.
You can now make your report.
Your committee has been considering Bill 51 and would like to report that Bill 51 is immediately ready for third reading.
Going to Item 21 in the Orders of the Day.
Bill 51 – An Act to Amend the Nunavut Elections Act – Third Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Iqaluit Centre, that Bill 51, An Act to Amend the Nunavut Elections Act, be read for the third time.
Mr. Clerk, will you please ascertain if the Commissioner of Nunavut is prepared to enter the Chambers and give assent to Bill 51.
Before our commissioner comes in, I want it noted by my colleagues that we are not following our usual procedures since we are holding a special sitting today.
The next sitting of the House will reconvene on February 22, 2011 according to what was presented yesterday by the Clerk.
We will have to wait for the Commissioner of Nunavut at this time. Thank you. My colleagues, our commissioner is not readily available.
We will take a brief break and you will be summoned by the bells once the commissioner is in.  Sergeant-at-Arms.
>>House recessed at 15:24 and resumed at 15:32
Speaker (interpretation): My colleagues, we are ascertaining the presence of our commissioner and the Clerk has been sent to inform her.
Prior to commencing this process, I wish to take this opportunity to first of all thank our interpreters.
They provide essential services and allow members to speak in either Inuktitut or English. We thank you for that service.
Once we have concluded our proceedings, members will be travelling home to their home communities.
I wish everyone a safe flight home as you return to your families.
Since it is quite obvious that we will not be having another session prior to Christmas, I want to take this opportunity to wish the members whom I will not be seeing again until our next session a very Merry Christmas.
Bill 51 – An Act to Amend the Nunavut Elections Act – Assent
Commissioner Edna Elias (interpretation): Members, I did not expect to see you again so soon. I forgot that the Leadership Forum had already been completed, so I thought that this would take longer and I had not expected such a short meeting.
However, I am pleased today to be present before you in the House. Sometimes it is quite compelling listening to the proceedings and one sometimes wants to visit the Chambers.
As the Commissioner of Nunavut, I am pleased and honoured to give assent to the following bill: (interpretation ends)
Bill 51, An Act to Amend the Nunavut Elections Act.
Members, as today was a special sitting, the Orders of the Day for February 22, 2011 that were read by the Clerk on November 1 still stand and do not need to be read again.
This House stands adjourned until that day. (interpretation) Have a wonderful day.
>>House adjourned at 15:36