EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Mr. Speaker, we allocated $1,868,000 in our budget and we expect that to be mostly expended in the current 2015-16 fiscal year.
Each community that wishes to apply to this fund is limited to $30,000 per annum.
This is, indeed, one program that could provide more benefits and we rarely hear about it. In particular, smaller communities that have few employment opportunities could conceivably see more benefits out of that program.
I wonder if the limit can be increased for smaller communities with few job prospects.
This program could provide more benefits to unemployed people.
I would like to ask the minister if she can look into this matter further.
Hon. Monica Ell-Kanayuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank my colleague for that question as there often is a demand for information on that program.
With respect to the expenditures, if we look back at 2014-15 figures, the amount was substantially lower, totalling $254,000. In this current and ending fiscal year 2015-16, these amounts were increased.
In the past, it was spent mostly on community freezers in the communities.
We made some changes to allow it to be spent on other things besides community freezers.
We recently added maintenance expenses to the community freezers. To ensure the fund is spent completely, some of the funds have been earmarked for jobs that can provide benefits for the communities. If communities wish to apply for these workers, they can submit an application for this kind of assistance.
To cite some examples, the communities that have really taken advantage of this fund are Sanikiluaq, Arviat, Arctic Bay, Cape Dorset, Pond Inlet, Qikiqtarjuaq, Rankin Inlet, and Resolute Bay. They have also applied for funding to maintain their facilities.
With the changes to the criteria, more communities have started to apply for this funding.
However, even with that, the funds still end up with a surplus as communities are just starting to learn about the purpose of this fund. We totally expect future increases in the numbers of communities taking advantage of this fund and that we may need to review the amount down the road.
It is quite clear that our country food is the most nutritious and beneficial to our bodies. Further, all the imported foodstuffs from the south is increasingly more expensive.
I would like to know if a study can be undertaken to provide more assistance to our harvesters in the communities to lower the numbers of people on income support. It seems obvious that if country food was more available, then it would benefit both this government and our residents. I wish to know: can this be a focus of a study in the future?
We work in conjunction with this group called the (interpretation ends) Nunavut Harvester Support Working Group (interpretation) on a five-year plan for Nunavut.
This group is always searching for providing assistance to our harvesters and of the need to have nutritious and healthy country foods. They work on these issues. We are a part of this group.
With respect to the question the member raised, we will review that and how it is used. We are just starting to understand the purposes and the funds that we have earmarked in this program are underutilized.
In the new fiscal year, when the fund is restocked and with communities more aware of this initiative, we expect more applications from the communities.
One requirement is that the communities have to identify their future plans and purpose for the funds. We will conduct a review after we understand the breadth of the use of these funds.
Question 259 – 4(3): Departmental Vacancies (Enook)
My questions will be directed to the Minister of Community and Government Services.
The minister is well aware of this issue and I have raised it many times about vacant positions in Pond Inlet, particularly regarding the assistant fire marshal position based in Pond Inlet.
Today, in researching the vacant positions, I noted that this position is still vacant.
Mr. Speaker, let me ask first of all: why can’t the department fill this position?
That assistant fire marshal position in Pond Inlet was advertised and we are in the interview process.
HR would have a better understanding since HR is in charge of hiring workers, but we are doing our best to fill that position as quickly as possible.
The government’s most recent quarterly employment report indicates that a total of ten positions in the department’s Pond Inlet office are vacant.
However, as of today, the only departmental position in Pond Inlet that is being advertised on the government’s website is for a regional project manager.
Can the minister assure me that his department will start advertising for and filling its vacant positions in Pond Inlet?
I can’t give him a confirmed date.
As I informed the member, the hiring process is done with HR. It’s not only HR; all departments work with HR for hiring and advertising.
I can’t give specific reasons on why the jobs are not advertised yet, but our goal is to advertise them as soon as possible. We will work with HR to make sure that the jobs not only in Pond Inlet but anywhere are advertised and filled as soon as possible.
I know that there are empty staff housing units in Pond Inlet and I keep saying that in the House.
However, the job advertisement for the position of regional project manager indicates that no staff housing is available.
Let me ask the minister: can he clarify whether this is because there are no units available in Pond Inlet or is it because his department did not request a unit to be allocated to this position?
Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I apologize for calling you the Chair.
You are Mr. Speaker.
I can’t answer the specifics on that job there, but at times, a job could be or will be advertised without housing if we are hopeful to get a local resident to get the job.
As for specifically for why the job is advertised without housing, I can’t give the member a reason right now.
For the vacant staff houses, that will have to be an issue that he brings up with the Nunavut Housing Corporation, and I know he has on many occasions. I can’t speak about all the vacant staff housing units in Pond Inlet, but even if they are vacant, I know that if they are assigned to a specific job, then we don’t have access to them and that’s just the way it is.
We first try to fill jobs without staff housing, if need be, if there’s no staff housing and if the job can’t be filled, then if the reason is because there’s no staff housing, then we can request for staff housing.
I can’t talk to the specific job that the member is talking about, but I will certainly get back to him as to why it’s advertised without housing.
Mr. Johnny Mike.
Hon. Johnny Mike (interpretation): I would like to ask if we can return to Item 5, Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery.
Speaker (interpretation): The Member for Pangnirtung would like to go back Item 5.
I don’t hear any nays. Mr. Mike, proceed.
There is a visitor here in the gallery I would like to recognize and that is Daniel Shewchuk, Interim Chair of the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board.
Item 13. (interpretation) Tabling of Documents. (interpretation ends) The Hon. Minister of Environment, Mr. Mike.
Tabled Document 092 – 4(3): Nunavut Food Security Coalition Annual Report 2014-2015 (Mike)
I rise today as Minister of Family Services.
Do I understand correctly that we are on (interpretation ends) Tabling of Documents?
I want it known that I’m not rising as Minister of Environment but as Acting Minister of Family Services.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased today to table the Nunavut Food Security Coalition Annual Report 2014-15 in the House.
I apologize for not addressing your portfolio properly.
(interpretation ends) Tabling of Documents. Hon. Premier of Nunavut, Mr. Taptuna.
Tabled Document 093 – 4(3): Department of Education Annual Report 2012-2013 (Quassa)
I am pleased to table the Department of Education Annual Report 2012-13.
Tabling of Documents. (interpretation ends) Hon. Acting Minister of Family Services, Mr. Mike.
Tabled Document 094 – 4(3): Department of Family Services’ Update to the Standing Committee on Social Wellness on the Auditor General of Canada (OAG) 2014 Follow-up Review on Child and Family Services (Mike)
I am pleased to table the Department of Family Services’ Update to the Standing Committee on Social Wellness on the Auditor General of Canada (OAG) 2014 Follow-up Review on Child and Family Services.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Tabling of Documents. (interpretation) I have no more names on my list.
We will move on. Item 14. (interpretation ends) Notices of Motions.
Notices of Motions for First of Reading of Bills.
The Hon. Minister of Health, Ms. Ell-Kanayuk.
Bill 14 – Public Health Act – Notice
I give notice that on Friday, March 11, 2016, that Bill 14, Public Health Act, be read for the first time.
[Consideration in] Committee of the Whole on Bills and Other Matters. Bills 10, 11, 12, and 13 and Tabled Documents 73 – 4(2), 116 – 4(2), 140 – 4(2), 149 – 4(2), and 70 – 4(3) with Mr. Enook in the Chair.
>>House recessed at 14:51 and Committee resumed at 15:13
Chairman (Mr. Enook)(interpretation): Good afternoon, Nunavummiut watching the televised proceedings and listening to the radio broadcast.
Mr. Chairman, we wish to continue with the review of the 2016-17 Main Estimates of the Department of Finance, then Economic Development and Transportation.
If time permits, we will proceed to Nunavut Arctic College, followed by the Department of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs.
Chairman (interpretation): As we will be dealing with the Department of Finance, do you agree to bring in the Minister of Finance’s witnesses?
Minister Peterson, please introduce the officials that are with you at the witness table. Minister Peterson.
To my right is Chris D’Arcy, the Deputy Minister of Finance, and to my left is Christine Bens, Director of Corporate Services. In the gallery, I have Peter Tumilty, Assistant Deputy Minister, and Alma Power, another Assistant Deputy Minister.
Welcome to the House, Mr. D’Arcy and Ms. Bens. I will also welcome the other officials if they are required at the witness table.
We can now proceed. During our meeting yesterday, we stopped on page C-4.
We completed the standing committee’s opening comments. I have also stated that if you have any questions to the opening comments, I remind you that everything that is included in the minister’s opening comments is covered under different pages. If you have detailed questions, you can ask them under the appropriate pages.
At this time, I would like to ask if there are any general comments.
Let’s move on to review the pages. We will start with page C-4. I will be reading the Inuktitut version.
Directorate. Total Operations and Maintenance, to be Voted. Mr. Akoak.
Before you start, Mr. Akoak, if you have any questions or comments, please raise your hand ahead of time so that I can list your names.
Ministers and staff, good afternoon.
On page 22 of your business plan, Priorities (2015-16), your department’s draft 2016-19 business plan indicates that it is working with the Department of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs on the government’s operational audit.
“Phase 1 of the audit was completed in November 2015, and Phase 2 will begin once Phase 1 results have been analysed.”
How does your department’s work differ from that of the Department of EIA?
Hon. Keith Peterson: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I thank Mr. Akoak for the question.
The Department of Finance and the Department of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs are actually working on the operational audit together, so it’s a team effort.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Minister. Mr. Akoak.
Your department’s draft 2016-19 business plan indicates that the second phase of the external review will take place between January of 2016 and October of 2016.
The government’s 2017-18 main estimates and business plan will be introduced in February or March of 2017, and the next general election will take place in October of 2017.
How does the government plan to incorporate the results of the operational audit into its 2017-18 budget?
Mr. Chairman, the departments are currently analyzing phase 1 of the operational audit and we will be commencing phase 2 fairly shortly, but we’re analyzing the recommendations in phase 1 to see what will be incorporated into the development of our main estimates next year.
Your 2014 Budget Address announced that the government would “review processes this year for monitoring grants and contributions to ensure that we receive good value from these agreements.”
Your department’s draft 2016-19 business plan indicates that one of its priorities for the 2016-17 fiscal year is to “Complete Phase 2 of the audit of departmental grants and contributions.” It also indicates that phase 1 of the audit will be completed by the end of fiscal year 2015-16.
To what extent is this audit addressing the issue of value for money from the government’s grants and contributions spending?
Hon. Keith Peterson: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I thank Mr. Akoak for his question.
Mr. Chairman, the debt component has been completed. Internal Audit Services has contacted departments and we will be looking at some other grants and contributions programs for further audit to see how we can make some improvements.
How does the government currently measure and evaluate the effectiveness of its grants and contributions expenditures?
Mr. Chairman, the government sets the objectives of the different grants and contributions programs.
If individual departments are responsible for receiving business proposals or business cases from applicants, then they must be considered against the criteria and objectives set out in the grants and contributions programs, and then they would, of course, make the decision.
There would be a grants and contributions agreement with a number of conditions in the agreement. Of course, the recipient will either agree or not agree, but if they agree, then they must comply with the terms and conditions.
It would be the responsibility of the departments and department heads to ensure that the recipients comply with those terms, conditions, and objectives set out in their business case to ensure that we got, as we say, “value for money.”
On average, how many audits does the government perform each year on grants and contributions recipients?
The Department of Finance itself normally would not conduct audits on individual grants and contributions applications.
This particular project is a special project of the two departments. It would be the responsibility of the department responsible for that particular grant and contribution program to ensure that the recipients are complying.
For example, if they asked us to come in and do a compliance audit or a performance audit, we could do that on the program. If there are issues with the client themselves, the department could request us to engage in other types of audits.
There are so many grants and contributions programs out there that we just don’t have enough people to go out and audit grants and contributions. We have many other areas of the government we also are responsible for auditing.
I think we only have 10 auditors in Internal Audit Services, so you can imagine the volume of work they would have if they had to audit everything. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Before I go to the next member, if you brought your mobile phones or other electrical devices, please put them on silent mode or turn them off completely.
We are on page C-4. Following my list of names, Mr. Mikkungwak.
Welcome to the minister and officials.
My first question here would be, you tabled the government’s new Human Resource Strategy in the Legislative Assembly on November 4, 2014.
How is your department monitoring the implementation of the strategy?
The GN’s human resource development strategy is government-wide strategy, but there are two departments responsible for ensuring oversight and that would be our department and also EIA.
We were developing the programs and criteria the first couple of years.
Now we’re into the third year and the departments are responsible for implementing those recommendations. Of course, as we continue on, EIA and Finance will monitor oversight.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Minister Peterson. Mr. Mikkungwak.
What does the government consider to be a realistic timeline for achieving 85 percent Inuit employment in the Government of Nunavut across all occupational categories?
I thank Mr. Mikkungwak for the question. I don’t know if I have an answer for that.
I was reading through the Auditor General of Canada’s report the other day on human resource capacity of the Government of Nunavut from 2010. The Auditor General at the time… . Madam Sheila Fraser is a very nice lady; I hope she’s enjoying retirement.
She wrote in her report, “Employable population. Presently, Nunavut has a population of about 32,000 people. However, about 42 percent of the population is either under 18 years of age or over 65 years of age and therefore most are not available for Government employment.
Of the remaining population, some are students in post-secondary schools and others are employed elsewhere in the territory or are already working for the Government.
In addition, throughout the territory there is a lot of competition for skilled beneficiaries to work in the private sector, at other levels of government, and in Inuit organizations. As a result, the Government of Nunavut needs to compete for skilled beneficiaries.” Then she goes on to talk about low graduation rates.
The Government of Nunavut, in our mandate, Sivumut Abluqta, has made education a top priority.
The Minister of Education is working very hard in that area.
What has to happen, I believe and I’m sure all of us here agree, is we have to get our young people into school and keep them in school right through to grade 12, graduation, and then into colleges, universities, or trade schools.
Hopefully they will graduate and then they have the skill sets and education that could make them move into these jobs that are available in the Government of Nunavut.
For me to sit here and tell you a reasonable time or 85 percent, I can’t put a figure on it.
Would your department have the information when I ask about the 85 percent Inuit employment in the levels of government, whether it be intermediate, senior management, or middle management? Would your department be able to obtain that information and provide it to the members?
Mr. Chairman, that information is posted every quarter in what we call the “TRPS report” on the Government of Nunavut website.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Minister. Mr. Mikkungwak.
I guess my follow-up to that would be: seeing that your department oversees employment and hiring practices, do you feel there is one department leading in the Inuit employment hiring within the Government of Nunavut?
Do you feel that one department may be leading or going over that 85 percent mark?
Mr. Chairman, I don’t like to shirk my responsibilities here, but it would be the executive and intergovernmental affairs department that would have that kind of information.
I don’t know if we have that information available here at our table.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Minister Peterson. Again, I would like to remind the members that Tabled Documents 73 – 4 (2), 116 – 4(2), 140 – 4(2), and 70 – 4(3) are all those regarding human resources and have been tabled because we’re going to be dealing with them next week. The human resources minister will be making an appearance at that time.
If you would save your questions for that time, I would appreciate it. At that time, they will have all the relevant documentation in front of them, so I’m reminding the members.
Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for the reminder.
I’ll move on here.
Your department’s 2015-18 business plan indicates that human resource audits of the Qulliq Energy Corporation and the Department of Health were scheduled for completion in the fall of 2015.
What findings have these audits determined to date and when will the results of these audits be tabled in the Legislative Assembly?
Mr. Chairman, we haven’t been able to complete those audits yet.
As you’re probably aware, we had some disruptions that interfered in at least one of them. We’re hopeful to get those completed.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Minister. Mr. Mikkungwak, any further questions?
I guess this would be my last question.
Will any new human resource audits of the Government of Nunavut departments or Crown agencies be undertaken in the 2016-17 fiscal year?
We’re on page C-4.
Mr. Shooyook (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. If I am starting to confuse the issue, please stop me.
I believe we are on page Ti-4 of the Inuktitut version.
I would like to ask this question to the minister, but first I want to welcome the minister and his officials to the Legislative Assembly.
In October 2015, your department issued an RFP for developing a Nunavut-wide strategy on the responsible use of alcohol.
The purpose, as stated, was to develop a socially responsible strategy to raise awareness and to educate Nunavummiut, which I believe is part of that mandate, and that is to be implemented once the beer and wine store is in place, that there will be a component dealing with social issues.
It states that a company will be contracted to provide this service to prepare the strategy once the store is opened.
What is the actual purpose of this statement?
Is it to provide assistance to residents?
Can you explain the purpose of this statement?
Hon. Keith Peterson: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I thank Mr. Shooyook for the question.
Mr. Chairman, yes, that’s correct. The company’s name is Context, C-o-n-t-e-x-t. It’s a two-year contract and they come with a lot of experience.
They have begun the work, I believe, a couple of months ago.
In fact, in Cambridge Bay, I believe they were there about a month ago consulting with people, so they have been going around.
Yes, the push in our department has been to use funds from the revolving fund of the Nunavut Liquor Commission to develop a social responsibility program to educate people about the responsible use of alcohol and alcohol being hard stuff, beer, or wine, and that will be ongoing.
It’s not a treatment program. It’s just talking to people about the dangers of alcohol.
For example, if you’re a pregnant mother, it’s not recommended.
Well, it’s totally not recommended that you drink while you’re pregnant because that could lead to fetal alcohol spectrum disorder symptoms.
If you drink too much, maybe you might get in trouble with the police and things like that.
That’s all about educating people about the dangers of alcohol. Don’t binge drink. That causes problems as well.
Mr. Shooyook (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I also thank the minister for providing an answer I wanted to understand and for being prepared.
Actually, with respect to the education aspect of this strategy, in my mind, it will be a useful tool to ensure socially responsible drinking is taught, so thank you for that.
What about this other matter I want to ask about, whether or not the local alcohol education committees would have a role in this strategy?
In June of 2015, the government’s new Iqaluit Beer and Wine Store Regulations were published in Part II of the Nunavut Gazette.
What is the government’s current timeline for opening this store?
Is it already in progress or is it still in the planning stages?
This is an area I wish to get a complete understanding of, so if you can accommodate me with a response.
I thank Mr. Shooyook for his question.
Mr. Chairman, there are 14 alcohol education committees in different communities across Nunavut.
They don’t have a direct role in the development or implementation of the social responsibility program, but we will be working with them. We will provide them with materials that they can use.
They do provide us with good feedback from their communities that the Nunavut Liquor Commission uses to assist the completion of orders in the communities.
We had a meeting here in Iqaluit last October.
The chairperson and mayors for 14 AECs were here in Iqaluit, so they provided us with a lot of good feedback.