EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
We are working closely with a few of the mining companies regarding mining activity. With the mining companies that are looking at developing a mine site, we also talk about the regulatory process.
At times they do request meetings with our department if they’re interested in developing a mine site up here.
Our land can be explored.
We are working on what is available and where the diamonds or gold are.
There is mineral exploration in Nunavut to find out what is available out there. We also negotiate with our counterparts to see what is available should there be a training program set up here.
We also do promotional work to make sure that the information is out there.
The minister read in her Minister’s Statement that a mineral production of $567 million was produced last year.
Mr. Speaker, there are always some Nunavummiut who don’t support mining in Nunavut anywhere or at any time.
How has the department addressed their concerns?
Sometimes we don’t always have the same mindset.
That is why we have the regulatory process. When someone wants to do some kind of mining activity in Nunavut, as I said, they have to go through the regulatory process. One such board is the Nunavut Impact Review Board and at that time they can identify why they would like to start an activity up here.
I read in her Minister’s Statement, it says that these mining projects go through an Inuit Impact and Benefit Agreement that had been negotiated.
I’m wondering if the minister can tell us if the department enters into their own negotiations with active mining companies in Nunavut and, if so, what benefits have arisen for Nunavummiut due to these negotiations.
In the historical past negotiations on this matter included representatives from our government, but the process is changing, as I have stated in the past in response to questions on this issue related to what is called the development partnership agreement.
However, the primary focus was on tax breaks for the companies that seem to take advantage of this process to get a bigger profit and it revolved mainly around mining exploration projects.
Today we are still contemplating changes to this process to see how best to ensure that our goals are met. When mining companies are profitable, they do not need a tax break.
We aren’t interested in providing reimbursements as the companies are already operating at a profit.
What we were looking at was to apply the tax break to the junior exploration companies as well as emerging mines just starting out and how best to offer more support to the smaller companies.
We also provide assistance through (interpretation ends) mine training (interpretation) for workers.
Question 488 – 4(3): GN Office Closures (Okalik)
Mr. Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I would like to ask the Premier about the issue of closure of government offices as the winter is coming before us.
This year there were a couple of instances where it was questionable whether to leave that call to the human resources department here in Iqaluit, for example, in a storm where I couldn’t even see across the street.
Everything was pretty much shut down except the GN. A few employees made the treacherous trip to their office just to learn five minutes later that the government offices were actually closing.
About a month later I could see across the bay and the government offices were then closed.
I think there’s a need to move this section of the department to Community and Government Services, where they work with all local governments and they also do search and rescue.
They’re experts in working in the field of potential hazards of our weather.
Can the Premier please explore the possibility of moving the call for closing government offices due to weather to Government Services?
Absolutely the number one priority of this government is to keep people safe, our employees and our residents.
Mr. Speaker, I will certainly look into it. In the past I do know that the closure of the city was based upon discussions with the city officials, but I’ll certainly look into that.
Question 489 – 4(3): Establishment of an Independent Public Service (Okalik)
Mr. Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) It’s a good day where I can take in some more questions to my colleagues.
(interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) My question is for the Minister of Finance, who is responsible for the Public Service Act.
During the recent spring sitting of the Legislative Assembly, a clear majority of elected Members of the Legislative Assembly voted in favour of establishing an independent public service commission, which would bring all government human resource functions and responsibilities back to where they belong under one roof.
Although the minister voted against this motion when it was introduced back in June, he did tell the House earlier this week that his department is, and I quote, “hard at work on reviewing the public service commission concept.”
That is good to hear, Mr. Speaker.
Does the minister’s response mean that this government is going to respect the will of the House and implement this recommendation?
It’s good to see the former minister and former Premier so eager to improve the public service.
As he knows, we have been dealing with issues since 1999 in trying to improve the HR department. In fact I think as I mentioned in my answer to Ms. Angnakak the other day, the OAG reports and various other reports indicated there were serious issues with the department and that’s why we actually moved to restructure the government.
It was done publicly. It was done here in the House, three budget addresses, and Full Caucus meetings. I put everything on the table.
I would invite Mr. Okalik and Ms. Angnakak to table their information in the House so that we can examine here publicly what they have that makes them so sure that a public service commission is the way to go.
We have our information. Will they table their information?
Mr. Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) When the motion concerning the establishment of an independent public service commission was considered by the House back in June, the minister claimed that it would be too costly to do so.
Mr. Speaker, it is interesting to note that the total budget of Nunavut’s former Department of Human Resources, in its last full year of existence, was a little over $24 million.
By contrast the current budget for the Yukon Public Service Commission is roughly $17 million once you adjust for its centrally administered functions.
Will the minister concede that cost is not a real barrier to establishing an independent public service commission for Nunavut?
Hon. Keith Peterson: Mr. Speaker, I’m glad to see Mr. Okalik has done extensive research on all the jurisdictions in Canada and he’s settled on the public service commission.
Again I would invite him to table the information he has for us to examine.
He’s got the financial information; Ms. Angnakak’s got information. Table it so that we can all review it. Everybody is critical of the Government of Nunavut for having laws and models that are imported from elsewhere.
Why don’t we work on a made-in-Nunavut structure?
Mr. Okalik, table the information.
Mr. Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I look forward to tabling the budget for the Yukon Public Service Commission and showing the people of Nunavut that this is quite affordable and I would love to find ways to structure our own commission to our own needs and expectations.
We have heard enough as members of the grievances and the challenges our employees face under the current structure. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Hon. Keith Peterson: Mr. Speaker, I would love nothing more than to table all the information we have here, all the sensitive lawsuits and all the fact-finding meetings that our department goes through. I would love to go back to 1999 and bring it up to March 31, 2013 and clearly show there were more problems under the old structure than there are under the new structure.
Again I invite Mr. Okalik, table your information.
Tabled Document 199 – 4(3): FPT Report on the Annual Conference of Agriculture, July 20 to 22, 2016 (Ell-Kanayuk)
Today I am tabling the FPT report on the annual conference of federal, provincial, and territorial ministers of agriculture, July 20 to 22, 2016, in Calgary, Alberta.
Tabled Document 200 – 4(3): Rankin Inlet’s 2016 Integrated Community Sustainability Plan (Sammurtok, A)
Mr. Alexander Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) As I indicated in my Member’s Statement, the most recent integrated community sustainability plan for Rankin Inlet addressed important short-term infrastructure needs, including a number which relates to our elders.
The need of a 24-hour care facility in the community is clearly identified.
>>House recessed at 11:13 and Committee resumed at 11:27
Chairman (Mr. Akoak): Good morning.
Welcome, everyone and Nunavummiut.
Yesterday we had the opening comments from the minister.
Mr. Chairman, we wish to continue with Bill 24 and continue with the review of the capital estimates for the Department of Family Services, followed by the Department of Environment.
I would now like to ask the Minister of Family Services if he has officials that he would like to appear before the committee.
To my right is my Deputy Minister, Rebekah Williams, and one of the senior officials of the department is Sol Modesto-Vardy to my left.
We had the opening comments yesterday from the minister. We’re on page D-3.
Seeing none, we’re on Family Services.
Corporate Management. Total Capital Expenditures. $3,170,000.
Good morning, Minister Mike and your officials.
Mr. Chairman, in the English version, I think we’re on page D-3. Can I ask questions on page D-4?
I’ll start with that one.
I don’t have the Inuktitut as usual.
Just over $2 million is being requested for the case management system for children and family services.
I’ll call it that.
You want to spend just over $2 million.
Mr. Chairman, I will ask, according to your substantiation sheets, you’re expecting just over $2 million. If we approved it, then it would be $3.6 million.
How will that be dealt with once you get the system?
This electronic case management system is for children and family services, what information needs to be known and what work has been done.
The purpose for that item is for the electronic case management system
Can you recognize the Chair when you’re done?
It will be for the provision of family services.
Sorry I did not recognize you after I spoke.
(interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) To my understanding, this is going to be like a customized, off-the-shelf case management program utilized by Children and Family Services in order to track all active and dormant cases handled in Nunavut by the Department of Family Services. (interpretation) It will be used to manage by employees for children and family services that are provided.
It will be used for that.
Ever since I became an MLA, for three years I used to ask about the Motor Vehicle Information System to improve the vehicle identification system. I think the request from Family Services will be to make improvements, but we gave them money for three years.
People still wait up to a year for their driver’s licences and they have spent a huge amount of money, I think about $5 million, and they would ask for more money the following year.
I know you can’t answer on their behalf and I know we’re dealing with something different, but how do I know that you won’t be coming back year after year asking for more money?
Do you know that if it’s approved, you don’t have plans to ask for more money after that?
We need to improve the case management system in our office because they’re just using their own computers and they use vast amounts of paper for the case management system within their job.
That’s how it is at this time in order to make the case management system to improve so that it will be easier for Family Services workers to manage their caseloads. They will be able to get more information at hand, especially for children and family services. It will be very useful for case management.
Just recently last spring we finally filled a position for the case manager and it has really… . I’m sorry.
It’s the project manager/business analyst. That individual is working on the case management system to have the case management be more efficient.
I don’t really expect to see it ongoing, but once we’re starting to work on that and set up a case management system, that’s why we are requesting for this capital line item.
I don’t expect additional requests for capital estimates for this line item.
I know that it’s going to improve the case management for the whole Nunavut’s income support and family services.
So that I can have a clear understanding, I believe you’re starting to set up and implement an income support case management system.
Is it totally separate from the case management system we’re talking about now?
Yes, he understands correctly.
Perhaps I just didn’t see it, but you are requesting $425,000 for office improvements.
I probably just didn’t see the substantiation sheet. Which community will this be?
This $425,000 line item will be for renovation of the offices and for the elders facility renovation across Nunavut and they will set up a computer system.
So that we can have the same understanding, this $425,000 is separate from the one we were just talking about. That’s what this $425,000 will be used for.
Also in your opening comments on page 5, they will be utilizing $100,000 for computers in Clyde River, Qikiqtarjuaq, Kugaaruk, and Taloyoak “dependent on the availability of the Core Business Network through cooperation with the Department of Community and Government Services.”
What’s the status of it now? Is it better to not have it in there?
Hon. Johnny Mike (interpretation): The Department of Community and Government Services is responsible for installation and service and that’s what it is.
CGS has been working very well installing in the communities and they’re now using the service and I believe that the department will install this service.
If the Minister of CGS would like to supplement my response, you can allow him, Mr. Chairman.
Minister Savikataaq, are you prepared to answer the question?
No, at the current time I don’t have that information in front of me.
I’m not sure who to direct this question to; perhaps I’m just asking myself. This item is a little confusing, so wouldn’t it be better to take it out?
Once it’s cleared up, it can then be submitted again.
I’m not sure who should address this question. I know that as a lawmaker, we don’t always know all the details of what we approve.
Mr. Chairman, can I ask you for directions on this issue?
I also thank my colleague for making his comments.
As I stated earlier, they have been working on 2017-18 to install service during that fiscal year for Clyde River, Qikiqtarjuaq, Kugaaruk, and Taloyoak.
As I stated before, they have installed service in the past. There is no problem with the service that was installed in the past by CGS and I believe it will run very smoothly as far as we’re concerned.
There was no response to the question I asked about the $100,000.
I’ll leave it at that. I’ll consider this and then come back to it later on.
Let me first ask you, Mr. Chairman, if I can ask questions on D-3 and D-4 at the same time.
First of all we’re dealing with the 2017-18 draft capital estimates.
Under the small capital projects you have requested, you include small capital projects to carry renovations for elders facilities.
Is this funding for one or for how many elders facilities?
If I understand my colleague’s question correctly, if he’s talking about this $200,000 line item, it will be for Iqaluit, Arviat and Baker Lake.
It will be used for repairing and renovating elders facilities.
With this $200,000 for Baker Lake to renovate the Martha Taliruq elders facility, what exactly will they be renovating?
This $30,000 will be used for Iqaluit, Baker Lake, and Arviat. Each community will be allocated $30,000 to purchase equipment, whether it is beds or furniture for the elders’ homes.
This $110,000 will be used to renovate Baker Lake’s elders’ home. It will be used for furniture, kitchen, and rooms, Mr. Chairman.
I went to go tour the elders’ home more than once and the Family Services headquarters have visited Baker Lake to tour the facility to find out what requires work.
I’m now asking, for example, about the future plans to expand the elders facility in Baker Lake. The bedrooms of the elders are very small. Do you have any plans to enlarge the bedrooms of the elders?
The issue that we’re discussing is $200,000 that is going to be used for what I just identified earlier.
It’s evident that this can be addressed for the future.
There is no capital plan, however, to do that at the moment.
I want to clarify that this is being addressed within the department.
The Children and Family Services Division is currently considering the plans that we are now discussing.
We’re now starting to get the programs and services transferred to the Department of Health.
I’m sure this process will proceed smoothly and that’s what I can say.
The $200,000 that we’re talking about is for improvements for three elders facilities.
Has the work started or when is the work scheduled to be started?
The work will start in 2017-18. The actual construction or renovations will start at that time at the elders facilities.
Some of the work will probably start in spring or summer and some of the work is done inside the buildings during winter.
The work on the Martha Taliruq Centre in Baker Lake will be done with people living there at the same time.
Can the minister explain when the actual work on the centre in Baker Lake will start?
It has been planned for 2017-18 to carry out all phases of the work.
This work will be done this year.
The $200,000 will be used to purchase a variety of equipment such as for hospital bedrooms and others.
Part of the plan is to improve and renovate the facilities.
This is what I mentioned about the work to make improvements.
The necessary renovations will be carried out this coming spring and summer.
We will come back Monday with the minister and his officials.
Speaker: Item 20. (interpretation) Report of the Committee of the Whole.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Premier Taptuna.
There are some reminders. First, there’s a reminder to all the members of the function at one o’clock with the Commissioner of Nunavut; also a meeting of the Regular Members’ Caucus at 3:30 this afternoon in the Nanuq Boardroom; on Saturday there’s a meeting of the Management and Services Board at eleven o’clock in the Tuktu Room; and on Monday morning at 9:00 is a meeting of the Full Caucus in the Nanuq Room.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) This House stands adjourned until Monday, October 31, at 1:30 p.m.
Monday, October 31, 2016
Pages 2704 – 2755
Opening Prayer 2704
Ministers’ Statements 2704
Members’ Statements 2707
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 2711
Oral Questions 2711
Revert to Item 5: Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 2735
Reports of Standing and Special Committees on Bills and Other Matters 2736
Tabling of Documents 2736
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 2737
Report of the Committee of the Whole 2754
Orders of the Day 2754
Monday, October 31, 2016 2704
193 – 4(3): Minister Absent from the House (Quassa) 2704
194 – 4(3): MEDITECH Electronic Health Records (Hickes) 2704
195 – 4(3): Quota Increase for Northern Shrimp (Savikataaq) 2705
196 – 4(3): Canada-Nunavut Job Grant (Mike) 2705
197 – 4(3): Community Transportation Initiatives Program (CTIP) (Ell-Kanayuk) 2706
198 – 4(3): Nunavut Devolution (Taptuna) 2706
365 – 4(3): Four-plex Fire in Rankin Inlet (Sammurtok, T) 2707
366 – 4(3): Community Access Roads (Qirngnuq) 2707
367 – 4(3): Harvesting of Polar Bears (Mikkungwak) 2708
368 – 4(3): Happy Birthday to Grandchild (Sammurtok, A) 2709
369 – 4(3): Proper Nutrition for Medical Clients (Shooyook) 2709
370 – 4(3): Happy Birthday to Wife, Elizabeth (Quassa) 2709
371 – 4(3): Successful Suicide Prevention Conference (Hickes) 2710
372 – 4(3): Happy Birthday to Wife, Mary (Enook) 2710
373 – 4(3): Co-op Status in Iqaluit (Okalik) 2710
490 – 4(3): Proper Nutrition for Medical Clients (Shooyook) 2711
491 – 4(3): Nunavut Film Development Corporation (Angnakak) 2713
492 – 4(3): Net Metering Policy (Joanasie) 2715
493 – 4(3): Community Access Roads (Qirngnuq) 2716
494 – 4(3): Continuing Care in Nunavut (Sammurtok, A) 2717
495 – 4(3): Management of the Southern Hudson Bay Polar Bears (Rumbolt) 2719
496 – 4(3): Purchasing of Harp Sealskins (Okalik) 2721
497 – 4(3): Activities of the Qulliq Energy Corporation (Sammurtok, T) 2722
498 – 4(3): Storage for School Buses (Akoak) 2723
499 – 4(3): Polar Bear Hides at Fur Auction Houses (Keyootak) 2725
500 – 4(3): Harvesting Polar Bears (Mikkungwak) 2726
501 – 4(3): Departmental Vacancies (Enook) 2728
502 – 4(3): Foster Parenting (Mikkungwak) 2729
503 – 4(3): Status of New Power Station in Cape Dorset (Joanasie) 2731
504 – 4(3): Nunavut Association of Municipal Administrators (Angnakak) 2732
505 – 4(3): Consumer Protection Law in Nunavut (Okalik) 2734
015 – 4(3): Bill 14, Public Health Act (Sammurtok, T) 2736
201 – 4(3): Respectful Workplace Policy (Angnakak) 2736
202 – 4(3): Yukon Public Service Commission Main Estimates (Okalik) 2736
035 – 4(3): Extension of Question Period (Enook) 2727
Bill 24 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2017-2018 – Family Services – Consideration in Committee 2737
Bill 24 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2017-2018 – Environment – Consideration in Committee 2743
Speaker (Hon. George Qulaut) (interpretation): Mr. Keyootak, can you say the opening prayer, please.
Ministers’ Statements. (interpretation ends) The Hon. Government House Leader, Mr. Paul Quassa.
Minister’s Statement 193 – 4(3): Minister Absent from the House (Quassa)
I wish to inform my colleagues that the Hon. George Kuksuk will be absent from the House today, October 31 and November 1, 2016 to attend an FPT housing ministers’ meeting in Ottawa.
Minister’s Statement 194 – 4(3): MEDITECH Electronic Health Records (Hickes)
The Department of Health is continuing the implementation of the MEDITECH interoperable electronic health recordkeeping system to community health centres following the successful implementation in Arviat, Iqaluit, Cambridge Bay, and Rankin Inlet regional health centres.
In 2010 the interoperable electronic health record, or IEHR, was introduced at the three regional facilities to improve patient referrals, reduce the time to process for diagnostic imaging and testing, plus it provides timely patient information to doctors and nurses.
Mr. Speaker, the shift from paper to electronic records will provide our health care professionals with:
clinical reports, including referral notes from physicians;
diagnostic test results;
a patient’s prescription drug profile; and
immunization data.
Mr. Speaker, MEDITECH is a powerful interoperable electronic health recordkeeping system.
Currently nine communities have working access to MEDITECH.
The department plans to have MEDITECH in all communities by December of 2017.
Minister’s Statement 195 – 4(3): Quota Increase for Northern Shrimp (Savikataaq)
I am pleased to report that Nunavut has received a 1,084 tonne increase in quota for northern shrimp.
The increase is located in the Eastern Assessment Zone of the Davis Strait West management unit.
Mr. Speaker, this increase in Nunavut’s shrimp fishing allocations is reflective of the Government of Nunavut’s longstanding position that 100 percent of any fisheries quota increase in adjacent waters must go to Nunavut until we reach an equitable share of our adjacent resources.
This increase holds a current market value of approximately $5 million, increasing the total value of Nunavut’s shrimp resources to $43.5 million.