EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) As I said, I meet with the Integrity Commissioner annually to see and examine if everything’s going okay.
So far, there has been no issue. It’s been I don’t know how many years this House has been sitting and so far, there has been no issue to report on.
I’ll always consult with my colleagues and make sure everything is okay.
I would just like to confirm, and I’m not asking the Premier on any of his things, but I know, as I said, he can and has, as I believe he indicated, set additional guidelines for his ministers and that specific section in the Act says that only he can request a review on there.
So from his response, I would assume that the Premier is issuing those additional guidelines as the one responsible for them being adhered to, as he indicated, since the beginning, that he has never asked the Integrity Commissioner to review anything in regard to the additional requirements that he has established for his ministers.
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) Some of my colleagues have spouses working in the government and we try and avoid any potential for conflict, any perception. So we have set guidelines, I have insisted on guidelines, to manage their portfolios accordingly through the Office of the Integrity Commissioner.
We have clearly set standards to avoid any perception or potential violations of the Integrity Act.
So that’s what we have put in place as soon as they were assuming their new duties in different portfolios.
I have insisted on those and those have taken place, and as I said, I meet annually with the Integrity Commissioner to make sure that those things are being followed through. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I’m glad to hear in his comments that he wants to make sure that there are no conflicts of interest with his ministers anywhere and as he indicated, they are very thorough on that.
Can he indicate if he has asked or received an opinion from the Integrity Commissioner in regard to... have there been any exceptions made to the additional requirements that he has set for his ministers?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I don’t know what exceptions there would be.
I insist that there be no potential or perceived conflict, and if they have spouses working in various departments, that there be clear standards in place for another minister to assume those responsibilities in the event of any potential conflict.
I haven’t seen any exemption or exception to date.
My ministers have been very cooperative and have done very well in informing me of any potential and working with the Integrity Commissioner to date on these matters. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Return to Written Question 013 – 2(4): Appeals under NNI Policy (Clerk)
Return to Written Question 014 – 2(4): Attendance and Graduation Rates in the Kitikmeot (Clerk)
*See Appendix for full text of Returns to Written Questions 13 – 2(4), 14 – 2(4), and 15 – 2(4) filed with the Clerk.
Return to Written Question 015 – 2(4): Disclosure and Withdrawals under the Integrity Act (Clerk)
On behalf of the minister responsible for this sitting of the Fourth Session of the Second Legislative Assembly, I am tabling Returns to Written Questions 13 – 2(4), 14 – 2(4), and 15 – 2(4).
Tabled Document 271 – 2(4): Ministerial Meeting Report – Council of the Federation, July 16-18, 2008 from Dept. of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs (Okalik)
I am pleased to table the following document: the Council of Federation Meeting in Quebec City, July 16 to 18, 2008.
Can we have that document brought forward to the table, please.
Tabled Document 272 – 2(4): Citations for Commissioner’s Awards 2008 to Residents of Baker Lake (Simailak)
I wish to table today the citations for this year’s Commissioner’s Awards to residents of Baker Lake.
Tabled Document 273 – 2(4): Integrity Commissioner Annual Report April 1, 2007 to March 31, 2008 (Speaker)
Tabled Document 274 – 2(4): Statutory Requirements for Tabling of Reports and Other Documents in the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut – September 2008 (Speaker)
Members, I wish to table today the 2007-2008 Annual Report of the Integrity Commissioner of Nunavut to the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut.
I also wish to table today the document Statutory Requirements for Tabling of Reports and Other Documents in the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut.
This listing is current to September 3, 2008.
Tabled Document 275 – 2(4): Return to Oral Question 548 – 2(4) Monitoring and Enforcement of NNI Policy and Return to Oral Question 601 – 2(4) Summer Student Employment Equity Program in Baker Lake (Clerk)
On behalf of the minister responsible, I am tabling Returns to Oral Questions 548 – 2(4) and 601 – 2(4).
Motion 043 – 2(4): Appointment of Integrity Commissioner – Notice (Mapsalak)
I give notice that on Thursday, September 11, 2008, I will move the following motion:
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the Honourable Member for Hudson Bay, that the Legislative Assembly recommend to the Commissioner of Nunavut that Mr. Norman Pickell be appointed as Integrity Commissioner, effective this day.
Bill 36 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 4, 2007-2008 – Notice
I give notice that on Thursday, September 11, 2008, that Bill 36, Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 4, 2007-2008, be read for the first time.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Notices of Motions for First Reading of Bills.
Bill 37 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 4, 2007-2008 – Notice
I give notice that on Thursday, September 11, 2008, that Bill 37, Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, No. 4, 2007-2008, be read for the first time.
Bill 38 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 2, 2008-2009 – Notice
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Thursday, September 11, 2008, that Bill 38, Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 2, 2008-2009, be read for the first time.
Bill 39 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 2, 2008-2009 – Notice
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Thursday, September 11, 2008, that Bill 39, Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, No. 2, 2008-2009, be read for the first time.
Bill 40 – An Act to Amend the Revolving Fund Act – Notice
Hon. Levinia Brown (interpretation): I, too, Mr. Speaker, would like to give notice. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Thursday, September 11, 2008, that Bill 40, An Act to Amend the Revolving Fund Act, be read for the first time.
Bill 41 – Forgiveness of Debts Act 2008-2009 – Notice
I give notice that on Thursday, September 11, 2008, that Bill 41, Forgiveness of Debts Act 2008-2009, be read for the first time.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Minister. (interpretation ends) Notices of Motions for First Reading of Bills.
Bill 42 – Miscellaneous Justice Statutes Amendment Act 2008 – Notice
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I give notice that on Thursday, September 11, 2008, that Bill 42, Miscellaneous Justice Statutes Amendment Act 2008, be read for the first time. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Bill 43 – Write-off of Assets and Debts Act 2008-2009 – Notice
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Thursday, September 11, 2008, that Bill 43, Write-off of Assets and Debts Act 2008-2009, be read for the first time.
Motion 043 – 2(4): Appointment of Integrity Commissioner (Mapsalak)
WHEREAS section 24 of the Integrity Act provides that the Integrity Commissioner is appointed by the Commissioner of Nunavut on the recommendation of the Legislative Assembly to hold office for a term of five years during good behaviour;
AND WHEREAS this position is currently filled on an acting basis;
AND WHEREAS the Legislative Assembly’s Standing Committee Ajauqtiit has undertaken a merit-based selection process for this position;
AND WHEREAS the Legislative Assembly is prepared to recommend a permanent appointment to this position;
I am pleased to take this opportunity to speak to the motion that is before the House today.
As the members will recall, when former Integrity Commissioner Robert Stanbury retired, Mr. David Jones was appointed to serve as Acting Integrity Commissioner until such time as the standing committee had the opportunity to conduct a merit-based selection process for a new Integrity Commissioner.
In June of this year, the Standing Committee Ajauqtiit established a selection subcommittee to interview applicants for the position of Integrity Commissioner.
A total of 42 applications were received from across Canada.
All of the five applicants who were selected for an interview are practicing lawyers.
The standing committee was of the view that a legal background is essential for a position of this nature.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all applicants for having taken the time to apply for this important position.
The standing committee determined that Mr. Norman Pickell presented the best combination of experience and personal qualities.
We were particularly impressed with his background as a deputy judge and as a practice reviewer for the Law Society of Upper Canada.
As members may have noted from his official biography, Norman lives and works in a small Ontario community about the size of Iqaluit.
We believe that his residency in Ontario will help to ensure that he is clearly seen by Nunavummiut to be free from any potential conflicts of interest with respect to our territory and Legislative Assembly.
However, his personal background will help him to fully understand and appreciate the challenges facing us as MLAs, given that we all represent communities that are small by national standards.
As members will recall, the appointment of Mr. Pickell as our Acting Integrity Commissioner was announced on July 18 of this year. This appointment was made by our Management and Services Board following a recommendation made by me as Chair of the Standing Committee Ajauqtiit.
I am pleased that the House is now in a position to recommend a permanent appointment, and I look forward to the support of all members for this motion.
All those opposed. There being none.
Congratulations, Mr. Pickell.
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): Mr. Speaker, I request consent of this Assembly to waive the two-day notice requirement to allow for first reading of Bill 36, Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 4, 2007-2008.
The minister is seeking unanimous consent to waive Rule 62(1) to allow for first reading of Bill 36.
Please proceed, Annuraaqatik Minister.
Bill 36 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 4, 2007-2008 – First Reading
I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Quttiktuq, that Bill 36, Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 4, 2007-2008, be read for the first time.
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): Mr. Speaker, I request consent of this Assembly to waive the two-day notice requirement to allow for first reading of Bill 37, Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, No. 4, 2007-2008.
The minister is seeking consent to waive Rule 62(1) so that Bill 37 can have first reading today.
Bill 37 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 4, 2007-2008 – First Reading
I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Nattilik, that Bill 37, Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, No. 4, 2007-2008, be read for the first time.
(interpretation ends) First Reading of Bills.
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): Mr. Speaker, I request consent of this Assembly to waive the two-day notice requirement to allow for first reading of Bill 38, Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 2, 2008-2009.
The minister is seeking consent to waive Rule 62 (1) so that Bill 38 can have first reading today.
Bill 38 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 2, 2008-2009 – First Reading
I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Iqaluit East, that Bill 38, Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No2. 2008-2009, be read for the first time.
I request consent of this Assembly to waive the two-day notice requirement to allow for the first reading of Bill 39, Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, No.2, 2008-2009.
The minister is seeking consent to waive Rule 62(1) so that Bill 39 can have first reading today.
Bill 39 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No.2, 2008-2009 – First Reading
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Iqaluit West that Bill 39, Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, No. 2, 2008-2009, be read for the first time.
If there are no more, Item 18. (interpretation ends) Second Reading of Bills.
I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Quttiktuq, that Bill 36, Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 4, 2007-2008, be read for the first time, Mr. Speaker.
Bill 36 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 4, 2007-2008 – Second Reading
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): I apologize, Mr. Speaker, if I may reiterate.
I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Quttiktuq, that Bill 36, Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 4, 2007-2008, be read for the second time.
I had made a mistake in my first comments; this is for second reading, Mr. Speaker.
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): Mr. Speaker, this bill makes supplementary appropriations for the Government of Nunavut to defray the capital expenses of the Government of Nunavut for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2008.
Bill 37 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 4, 2007-2008 – Second Reading
I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Nattilik, that Bill 37, Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, No. 4, 2007-2008, be read for the second time.
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): Mr. Speaker, this bill makes supplementary appropriations for the Government of Nunavut to defray the operations and maintenance expenses of the Government of Nunavut for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2008.
During my previous statement as well as in my line of questioning to the Minister of Community Government and Services, I was trying to understand why the funding that had been included in the previous year’s capital budget was removed.
Now, the minister wishes to plan for this in March...
Mr. Arvaluk (interpretation): I’m not asking questions and I believe that a Point of Order has been raised.
Speaker (interpretation): This is to the principle of the bill, which is the supplementary appropriation for operations and maintenance.
The Point of Order has been rescinded.
Bill 37 has had second reading and is placed in the Committee of the Whole.
Bill 38 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 2, 2008-2009 – Second Reading
I move, seconded by the Honourable Member of Iqaluit East, that Bill 38, Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 2, 2008-2009, be read for the second time.
Mr. Speaker, this bill makes supplementary appropriations for the Government of Nunavut to defray the capital expenses of the Government of Nunavut for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2009.
Bill 38 has had second reading and is placed in the Committee of the Whole.
Bill 39 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 2, 2008-2009 – Second Reading
I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Nanulik, that Bill 39, Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, No. 2, 2008-2009, be read for the second time.
Mr. Speaker, this bill makes supplementary appropriations for the Government of Nunavut to defray the operations and maintenance expenses of the Government of Nunavut for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2009.
Bill 39 has had second reading and is placed in the Committee of the Whole.
There being no more, Item 19.
Motion 044 – 2(4): Adjournment for the Day (Tootoo)
Pursuant to Rule 46, I move, seconded by Honourable Member for Cambridge Bay, that the House adjourn early for the day.
The motion is in order. All those in favour, raise your hand, please.
Opposed. The motion is approved.
We will now proceed to Item 22. Orders of the Day.
A reminder that there’s a meeting of the Standing Committee Ajauqtiit at 4:15 in Tuktu Room.
Also, a reminder of the meeting tomorrow morning at nine o’clock of the Standing Committee on Health and Education in the Tuktu Room, followed by the meeting of the Regular Caucus at 10:30 with the Minister of Finance in the Nanuq Room.
Orders of the Day for September 10:
Speaker: Thank you. Before we adjourn, I would like to read the following communication that has been received from the Commissioner of Nunavut. It’s dated September 3, 2008.
Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise that I recommend to the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut the passage of the following bills during the Fourth Session of the Second Legislative Assembly:
Bill 36, Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 4, 2007-2008
Bill 37, Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, No. 4, 2007-2008
Bill 38, Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 2, 2008-2009
Bill 39, Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, No. 2, 2008-2009
Sincerely, signed Ann Meekitjuk-Hanson, Commissioner of Nunavut.
This House stands adjourned until Wednesday, September 10, at 1:30 p.m.
>>House adjourned at 15:51
Appendix – September 9, 2008
Return to Written Question 013 – 2(4): Appeals under the NNI Policy
Asked of: Hon. Patterk Netser, Minister of Economic Development and Transportation
Date: May 26, 2008
As of July 21, 2008, the members of the NNI Appeals Board are:
Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated
Commissioner: John Ningark
Alternate Commissioner: not yet named
Commissioner: Robert Long
Alternate Commissioner: Allan Lahure
Government of Nunavut
Commissioner: James Cummings
Alternate Commissioner: Barry Cornthwaite
The Nunavummi Nangminiqaqtunik Ikajuuti Secretariat Contracting Appeals Board was formally established within the Department of Economic Development and Transportation in 2004.
As such our records commence in the 2004-05 fiscal year.
Prior to that management of the NNI Policy was under the former Department of Public Works and Services.
Annual reports have been prepared for all years between 2004-05 and 2007-08.
The annual reports have been submitted to the Government of Nunavut and to NTI.
The Contracting Appeals Board’s annual reports for 2004-05 through 2007-08 will be tabled in the September 2008 session of the Legislative Assembly.
In order to provide necessary details to subsequent parts of the present written question, the annual reports for 2004-05 through 2007-08 are attached to this response.
Moreover, as set out in the NNI Policy, these reports are available to the public and can be obtained from the Department of Economic Development & Transportation.
No appeals have been directed to the GN Contracting Authorities under section 18.11 of the NNI Policy.
Section 18.11 of the NNI Policy sets out how challenges are to be handled by Contracting Authorities.
Challenges are not the same as appeals under the NNI Policy.
Before a business can initiate an appeal it must first go through the challenge process set out in section 18.11.
The Contracting Appeals Board is not, however, involved at that stage and the NNI Policy does not require that information on challenges be included in the annual reporting.
Regardless of the outcome of a challenge to a contracting decision, an unsuccessful bidder retains the right to have its appeal heard by the Contracting Appeals Board.
In the 2006-07 fiscal year three appeals were directed to the NNI Contracting Appeals Board under section 18.12 of the NNI Policy;
In 2007-08 no appeals were directed to the NNI Contracting Appeals Board;
And to date in 2008-09 no appeals have been received by the NNI Contracting Appeals Board.
Summaries of the three appeals from 2006-07 are provided in the attached annual report; the circumstances of the appeals are as follows:
Appeal 1 – Atiilu Real Estate & Property Management versus the Department of Community and Government Services (2006-07)
The Intent to Appeal was received by the Contracting Appeals Board on June 19, 2006, and the appeal proceeded to hearing on June 29, 2006.
Atiilu Real Estate & Property Management claimed that the Department of Community and Government Services erred in the application of the NNI Policy.
This appeal was dismissed under Section 18.21 (a), with recommendations for the contracting authority (CGS).
Details are provided in the attached 2006-07 annual report.
Appeal 2 – Nunavut Eastern Arctic Shipping versus the Department of Community and Government Services (2006-07)
The Intent to Appeal was received by the Contracting Appeals Board on May 1, 2006 and the appeal proceeded to hearing on August 31, 2006.
Nunavut Eastern Arctic Shipping claimed that the department of Community and Government Services erred in the application of the NNI Policy.
This appeal was dismissed under section 18.14.
The details are provided in the attached 2006-07 annual report.
Appeal 3 – Air Nunavut Ltd. versus the Department of Health and Social Services (2006-07)
The Intent to Appeal was received by the Contracting Appeals Board on September 28, 2006 and the appeal proceeded to hearing on October 11, 2006.
Air Nunavut Ltd. claimed that the Department of Health and Social Services erred in the application of the NNI Policy.
This appeal was allowed under Section 18.21 (b); the Board made recommendations in connection with the appeal, and Department of Health and Social Services provided responses to those recommendations.
Only one appeal, received during the 2006-07 fiscal year, was dismissed under section 18.14 of the NNI Policy.
Circumstances are as follows:
The Intent to Appeal was received by the Contracting Appeals Board on May 1, 2006, and the appeal proceeded to hearing on August 31, 2006.
This appeal was dismissed under Section 18.14 with no hearing, but administrative recommendations were provided for the NNI Review Committee, and can be found in the attached 2006-07 annual report.
From the fiscal year 2006-07 to the present there were two appeals heard as set out under section 18.17 of the NNI Policy: Atiilu Real Estate & Property Management versus Community and Government Services, and Air Nunavut Ltd. versus Health and Social Services.
The circumstances in each case are set out in the attached 2006-07 annual reports.
There was one appeal dismissed under section 18.21(a) of the NNI Policy: Atiilu Real Estate & Property Management versus Community and Government Services.
The circumstances are described in detail in the attached 2006-07 annual report.
From 2006-07 there was one appeal allowed under Section 18.21 (b): Air Nunavut Ltd. versus Health and Social Services.
The circumstances and categories of remedial actions are described in the attached 2006-07 annual report.
The NNI Secretariat’s Contracting Appeals Board was formally established in 2004.
During the 2004-05 fiscal year there were no cases in which a contracting authority did not accept the recommendations of the Board.
During the fiscal year 2005-06 no appeals were received by the NNI Contracting Appeals Board.
During the fiscal year 2006-07 there were two appeals in which the Contracting Appeals Board recommendations to the Contracting Authority were not accepted: Atiilu Real Estate & Property Management versus Community and Government Services, and Nunavut Eastern Arctic Shipping versus Department of Community and Government Services.
The reasons are provided in the attached 2006-07 annual report.
No appeals were received in 2007-08, and none have been received to date in 2008-09.
Return to Written Question 014 – 2(4): Attendance and Graduation Rates in the Kitikmeot
Date: May 27, 2008
1) The government defines, measures and tracks student attendance at Nunavut schools through an electronic database where attendance data is entered and forwarded to the Department of Education.
The data base contains:
The total number of possible days attended school for each month.