EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
I’ll have Ms. Cooper respond to that question.
Ms. Cooper: The decrease in the PYs towards Minerals was last year, it was expected that the department would take over the four geoscience positions that are now in the geoscience office, which is funded jointly between the GN and the federal government.
With the review of that program, it was decided to leave the four geoscience positions in the geoscience office so that we did not need the PY funding for that.
(interpretation ends) We’re at K-5.
Your department paid over $118,000 to a Toronto-based consulting company, Blackstone Corporation and Resource Management, in 2006-07 for the Nunavut Tourism renewal.
What recommendations did this review provide?
Yes, there was a Blackstone consultant that did a study for the tourism strategy and I believe I did go through that about a year and a half ago.
We reviewed it as a group again and decided that it did not totally meet our needs in Nunavut, and therefore wanted to get some more information.
We have looked into two different jurisdictions in Canada that had very good strategies come out within the last ten years and would like to review those strategies along with the Blackstone Consulting Firm and to then develop the strategy that would move forward with tourism.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Ms. Cooper. (interpretation ends) That sounds like a Bourne Ultimatum term, Blackstone.
Are there any further questions on K-5?
(interpretation) Total Economic Development. $23,060,000.
Chairman (interpretation): Turning to page K-6.
Total Transportation. $20,343,000.
Do members have questions on this page?
Mr. Aupaluktuq (interpretation): Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) Your department’s draft 2009-2010 business plan indicates that one of its priorities is to “Complete the next phase of studies for the Nunavut-Manitoba Road.”
When are these studies anticipated to be completed and what are the current cost estimates for this project?
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you very much, Mr. Aupaluktuq.
Minister Taptuna, can you try and answer the question?
Hon. Peter Taptuna (interpretation): Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) Mr. Kunuk will respond to that question.
Chairman (interpretation): Mr. Kunuk, can you try and answer the question.
Yes, we are still working on the Nunavut-Manitoba Road.
The road study has been completed in collaboration with the governments of Manitoba and Nunavut, as well as the Kivalliq Inuit Association.
It cost approximately $1 million for the first Crossroad Study.
The second study was also done in collaboration with Manitoba and Nunavut, and the business case cost is $50,000 for each of the two partners.
There are some delays on the Manitoba side and it’s causing the project to be on hold, but it will resume once that’s resolved.
I’m not exactly sure how much it will cost to do the next phase.
Are there any further questions for the Department of Economic Development and Transportation?
I have a question in regard to transportation.
In many communities, we have gravel airstrips and it becomes very dusty during the dry season, especially when the airplanes take off.
That’s especially the case in my community because our airstrip is right in the middle of town.
Once the plane takes off, the community is so dusty that even the residents can’t dry their meat outside anymore.
Some of the dust comes from the airstrip and the roads.
I know that you have tried various methods of dust control, such as putting water on the airstrip.
We have to change the gravel even before the year is over and it’s very expensive.
I was wondering if you have any chemicals or fuels to keep the dust down at the airport.
In Pangnirtung, we tried various ways to keep the dust down but it didn’t help too much. Are you going to keep the same methods or are you going to try something else?
Do you want to try and answer the question, Mr. Kunuk?
Yes, it’s true that in Pangnirtung, we have tried dust control.
Although we initially thought it was beneficial, as you just stated, it may actually not have been that beneficial.
With funding from the federal government, we want to do a study on other methods of dust control, which is in the works right now, in Pond Inlet and I can’t remember the name of the other community. But there are two other communities we want to study to see how we can suppress the dust.
Mr. Ningeongan, you can now ask questions.
In the 2009-2010 business plan, one of the department’s priorities talks about Nunavut’s small craft harbours.
I would like to ask the minister: how does the federal government have that set up and have they identified more small craft harbours for Nunavut?
The department has been looking at increasing the economic activities of these small communities and of course, small craft harbours are one of the major priorities of this department.
I believe six communities have been identified in the plans.
It’s just a matter of finalizing some issues with the Building Canada Fund, with DFO, who are in charge of small craft harbours.
And the last time we talked about this, I committed to actually investigate some of these small craft harbours in other jurisdictions of Canada for the simple reason that we want long-lasting, long-term small craft harbours for these communities rather than just floating docks, which, in our view and in the committee’s view, is just short-term.
So we are looking to make a trip, which has been confirmed, down to another jurisdiction within Canada to actually investigate and try and come up with an actual plan for some of these small craft harbours.
Minister Ningeongan, I mean Mr. Ningeongan, you have another question.
It was fun being the minister for a moment there.
I would like to ask the minister another question. He stated that there are six communities that were identified to receive small craft harbours.
Can he tell me which communities he was referring to?
I surely can.
It’s Qikiqtarjuaq, Clyde River, and Pond Inlet in the Qikiqtaaluk region; in the Kivalliq, Repulse Bay and Chesterfield Inlet; and in the Kitikmeot, Kugaaruk.
Someone has their hand up.
I think the minister should know the history of the issue I’m going to be asking him.
Mr. Minister, your department’s draft 2009-2010 business plan indicates that one of its priorities is to continue work on the Bathurst Inlet port and road or an alternative to improve resupply options in the Kitikmeot region.
What is the current status of this issue?
Minister Taptuna, if you want to try and answer the question.
This department has always supported the Bathurst Inlet road and port.
We know that it will drive up economic activities through more exploration within the region, mining development, and whatnot, anything that is related to economics, and of course, the potential of lower costs of fuel supplies to the smaller communities within the Kitikmeot region.
At this time, the work is ongoing. As you know, a Kitikmeot corporation, with its partner, Nunasi Logistics, are joint partners in moving the file forward on the Bathurst Inlet road and port.
In regard to the food mail, which is a big issue that’s coming up here in the next little while, I think they’re trying to eliminate individuals from getting food mail in the north.
I understand that you have hired a couple of consultants here in the north to try to find a way of improving the food mail system.
We were over at Canadian North last night and apparently, the food mail contract went for tender in the west and Canadian North was not even allowed by Canada Post to bid on it.
So I’ve got a strange feeling that Canada Post is trying monopolize on some of this stuff.
I’m wondering what the government’s thought is on Canada Post continuing to monitor or to be the ones involved in bringing out this program when they seem to be favouring certain airlines.
Chairman: Very good question, Mr. Schell.
I believe the contract that was issued was for the Kivalliq, it was not the western area, but it’s a good question.
I really don’t have the detailed information on what’s happened there, but the department will try and assist these other government departments that are going to be working on this file regarding the Food Mail Program.
At this time, I can’t comment on what’s happened there within a privately owned commercial airline and Canada Post.
Chairman: I thought that we were in a capitalist system, not a communist system, where it’s a free market with a free market government.
But it sounds like one of its agencies is running a communist regime according to Canadian North.
Anyways, any further questions?
I guess my question is: not for him to make a comment as to why Canadian North didn’t get it, but have they thought of doing it a different way other than Canada Post, which just basically receives a 2.5 percent fee for doing absolutely nothing?
As far as I’m concerned, if you have a problem with your food mail, you might as well not even bother trying to put a claim in. So my question is: have you looked at other alternatives other than Canada Post for this program?
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Schell. (interpretation ends) It is a federal program, but maybe the minister can enlighten Mr. Schell and our colleagues of any efforts by his department to lobby the federal government for changes.
Of course, the department will try and assist any way it can.
This federal program does affect our people up north and after the report is done, I’m sure there’s going to be some implementation taking place to actually carry out the recommendations that were made.
If there’s an opportunity or a request for the department to help out in this, surely we will; this affects all our people up north.
Are there any more questions for Transportation (interpretation ends) under K-6?
(interpretation) Total Operations and Maintenance. $20,343,000.
We have concluded the department.
The total operations and maintenance for the Department of Economic Development and Transportation for this year will be $54,055,000.
Chairman (interpretation): The Department of Economic Development and Transportation is concluded. I thank you.
If the minister has any closing remarks, I give him the floor.
Again, I would like to thank the committee members for taking the time to review and come up with some very good questions for the benefit of all Nunavummiut.
This department will follow up on some of the questions and recommendations that were made by the committee.
Thank you again, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Minister Taptuna. (interpretation ends) I made reference to Bourne Ultimatum by accident.
It’s actually Treadstone not Blackstone, so my apologies for that company that I confused it with.
It just sounded very similar.
I believe that concludes the Department of Economic Development and Transportation.
Do members agree that we can proceed to another department?
Chairman (interpretation): We have concluded this department and I would like to thank the officials for making an appearance.
We can now begin with the Department of Health and Social Services.
Minister Curley, do you have opening comments that you would like to make?
Minister Curley, you can now proceed with your opening comments.
Bill 01 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2009-2010 – Health and Social Services – Consideration in Committee
I am pleased to appear before the committee at this time.
Mr. Chairman, we would like to present the 2009-2010 Main Estimates and Business Plan of the Department of Health and Social Services.
Today, Mr. Chairman, I would like to provide you with the highlights and priorities of the department’s operation and maintenance budget for this coming fiscal year.
The department is committed to ensuring that the vision and the guiding principles outlined in Tamapta: Building Our Future Together are embedded in the department’s strategic and operational priorities for 2009-2010 with specific emphasis on the following: (1) improve health through prevention; (2) address social concerns at their roots; (3) help those at risk in our communities; and (4) improve education and training outcomes.
Prevention is key in the implementation of the Public Health Strategy which focuses on promoting and maintaining healthy lifestyles in all of Nunavut’s communities.
The strategy is a five-year community focused plan to improve the health of Nunavutmiut by building knowledge, capacity, and accountability at the community level with a particular attention to healthy children and stronger families and addiction reduction.
Addressing social issues at their roots and helping those at risk in our communities is being addressed with the department’s increased emphasis on initiatives that serve the most vulnerable in Nunavut.
This is accomplished through the increased funding for family violence shelters and the establishment of a Territorial Mental Health and Addictions Division.
There is also increased funding for the Pairijait Tigumivik Society in the Baffin region to provide quality personal care services to the elderly residents at the elders home facility.
Addressing financial accountability concerns remains a priority for the department.
Mr. Chairman, the 2009-2010 operations and maintenance budget for the department is a product of difficult decisions during which the department had to balance financial reality with the health and social service needs of Nunavutmiut.
But I can assure the members that we remain committed to supporting and sustaining an effective and efficient publicly funded health care and social services system without a reduction in quality of care.
Mr. Chairman, we have seen a continued pattern of rapid growth in expenditures in the health care sector across Canada.
Our health care system is not immune to these trends, especially in the area of airfare.
We are facing significant challenges and costs in such areas as airfare, agency nurses, which is very expensive, medical technology, out-of-territory facility in-patient rates, which is a necessity when you live up here, and residential care, which again is very expensive. There are some cases where Nunavutmiut have to stay in the southern institutions and again, the operational costs for those are very expensive.
Mr. Chairman, although the department has slowed its three-year growth rate from 28 percent in 2006-07 to 26 percent in 2007-08, this level of growth is not sustainable over the long term in Nunavut.
We remain confident that through our plans to further integrate our investments in public health and preventative care now, we can help offset the high cost of primary health care in the future.
Mr. Chairman, we note that the funding for the Non-Insured Health Benefits Program, which is specifically for aboriginal people, that the department administers on behalf of Health Canada has been transferred from the Vote 1 funding line to the Vote 4 funding line since funds are directly linked to a contribution agreement with Health Canada.
Members will note this transfer as a decrease in the Vote 1 budget under the Health Insurance Branch.
Mr. Chairman, the proposed 2009-2010 operations and maintenance budget totals $258,192,000.
This is an increase of $10,395,000 over our 2008-09 revised main estimates of $247,797,000.
Some of the major changes in this proposed budget are as follows:
Compensation & Benefits
Our staff makes our health care system work and strategic investments have been made in health human resources.
We will require $3.8 million in 2009-2010 mainly due to regular salary increases as per the collective agreement.
Residential Care Contracts
Additional funding of $2.5 million is allocated for the increased number of mental health and social services clients requiring specialized residential care services as well as for the rate increases in residential care contracts.
This increase will partially offset the one-time supplementary appropriation funds of $4.3 million provided during the 2008-09 fiscal year.
Igloolik and Gjoa Haven Long-term Care Facilities
Additional operating funding of $2.1 million is required for the Igloolik and Gjoa Haven long-term care facilities - mainly for additional staff.
Family Violence Shelters
Additional funding totalling approximately $1.4 million is needed to respond to evolving community needs with regard to family violence shelters.
An analysis is being undertaken to appropriately fund family violence shelters based on verified and substantiated client demand in communities.
Stanton Contract
Additional funding of $1.3 million is required to properly fund the specialized services provided to residents in the Kitikmeot region by the Stanton Territorial Health Authority.
An additional $2.5 million is needed for out-of-territory hospital billings mainly due to rising costs.
The provinces and territories have moved to a two-rate billing system for in-patient services for a more accurate cost recovery between jurisdictions.
As I said, the rates have gone up.
There is now one rate for intensive care unit beds and another rate for ward beds.
This increase will offset the one-time supplementary appropriation funds of $1.4 million provided during the 2008-09 fiscal year.
Rehabilitation Program
Additional funding of $807,000 is required for the rehabilitation program mainly to replace funding received from the federal Patient Wait Times Reduction Fund which ended on March 31, 2009.
Four positions previously funded by this fund continue to be needed to provide essential services to Nunavutmiut.
Funding is also required to establish a Baffin regional manager position for the rehabilitation program.
Mr. Chairman, in summary, my department is proposing additional funding in the amount of approximately $10.4 million over the 2008-09 revised main estimates in order to ensure quality health care and social services to all Nunavutmiut, especially children, families, and the most vulnerable.
I will leave it at that, Mr. Chairman.
I believe you made a mistake in your opening comments.
You were using the wrong term in Inuktitut to describe disabled persons and I apologize to them on your behalf.
The department has been concluded.
Mr. Ningeongan has his hand up.
As we have other commitments to attend to, I would like to recognize the clock and move to report progress.
We will be returning to the orders of the day, so I thank you all.
(interpretation ends) Item 22.
Just a reminder for all members that there is a meeting of the Full Caucus at three o’clock this afternoon in the Nanuq Boardroom.
Orders of the Day for June 8:
Bill 1  Report of the Committee of the Whole
This House stands adjourned until Monday, June 8, at 1:30 p.m.
>>House adjourned at 14:22
Monday, June 8, 2009
Pages 111 – 174
Members’ Statements 115
Oral Questions 117
Reports of Standing and Special Committees 129
Tabling of Documents 134
Notices of Motions 134
Notices of Motions for First Reading of Bills 135
Motions 135
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 141
Report of the Committee of the Whole 174
Orders of the Day 174
Monday, June 8, 2009 111
008 – 3(2): Renewal of NNI Registrations (Taptuna) 111
009 – 3(2): Update on the Nunavut Business Credit Corporation (Taptuna) 112
010 – 3(2): Nunavut Housing Trust Strategy Update (Tootoo) 112
011 – 3(2): Alberta Apprenticeship Award Recipients (Tapardjuk) 113
012 – 3(2): Nunavut at 10 – Song Competition (Tapardjuk) 114
013 – 3(2): Recognizing the Contribution of NHC’s Community Partners (Tootoo) 115
021 – 3(2): Importance of the Co-operative Movement to Nunavut’s Communities (Ningark) 115
022 – 3(2): Congratulations to Adrian Pameolik and Okpik Aglukkark (Shewchuk) 116
021 – 3(2): Status of Polar Bear Skin Sales (Rumbolt) 117
022 – 3(2): Hydroelectric Development in Iqaluit (Okalik) 118
023 – 3(2): Aviation Regulations for Landing in Communities (Schell) 120
024 – 3(2): Small Craft Harbours for Nunavut (Ningeongan) 121
025 – 3(2): Update on Housing Projects for Kugaaruk (Ningark) 123
026 – 3(2): Contracts and Procurements with Government of Nunavut (Okalik) 124
027 – 3(2): Condition Rating of Cape Dorset Health Centre (Schell) 124
028 – 3(2): NTEP Students in Kugaaruk (Ningark) 125
029 – 3(2): Cold Weather Testing of Aircraft (Okalik) 126
030 – 3(2): Consult Kimmirut for New Runway (Schell) 128
031 – 3(2): Availability of Housing for Staff (Ningark) 129
001 – 3(2): Standing Committee Report on the Review of the 2008 Report of the Auditor General of Canada to the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut on the Nunavut Housing Corporation (Schell) 129
018 – 3(2): 2007-2008 Lease Activity Report (Kusugak) 134
019 – 3(2): Annual Report of the Integrity Commissioner Ending March 31, 2009 (Speaker) 134
020 – 3(2): Annual Report of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Nunavut Ending March 31, 2009 (Speaker) 134
004 – 3(2): Parliamentary Concurrence in the Passage of Nunavut’s Official Languages Act – Notice (Okalik) 134
004 – 3(2): Parliamentary Concurrence in the Passage of Nunavut’s Official Languages Act (Okalik) 135
Bill 02 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 1, 2009-2010 – Notice 135
Bill 04 – An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act – Notice 135
Bill 05 – Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2009 – Notice 135
Bill 01 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2009-2010 – Health and Social Services – Consideration in Committee 141
Bill 01 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2009-2010 – Community and Government Services – Consideration in Committee 171
Honourable Eva Aariak, Honourable James Arreak, Mr. Moses Aupaluktuq, Honourable Tagak Curley, Honourable Lorne Kusugak, Mr. John Ningark, Mr. Johnny Ningeongan, Mr. Paul Okalik, Honourable Keith Peterson, Mr. Allan Rumbolt, Mr. Fred Schell, Honourable Daniel Shewchuk, Honourable Louis Tapardjuk, Honourable Peter Taptuna, Honourable Hunter Tootoo.
Speaker (Hon. James Arreak)  (interpretation): Before we proceed, I would like to ask Mr. Curley to say the opening prayer.
Have a wonderful afternoon, Nunavummiut and the people of Qikiqtarjuaq.
Before we proceed, I wish to inform you that the Member for Quttiktuq, Mr. Elliott, will not be present at our proceedings today.
He is in Arctic Bay to attend a grade 12 graduation ceremony.
Going to the orders of the day. Item 2. Ministers’ Statements.
Minister’s Statement 008 – 3(2): Renewal of NNI Registrations (Taptuna)
Good afternoon to everybody.
Mr. Speaker, as Members of this House are aware, the Nunavummi Nangminiqaqtunik Ikajuuti, the NNI Policy, is one of the government’s main tools for economic development in attempting to leverage change to the structure of the Nunavut economy through government contracting.
One of the keys to the success of this policy is to encourage Nunavut businesses to apply for and annually renew their listing on the NNI registry.
I would like to clarify that this only applies to the Nunavut business directory maintained by the NNI Secretariat and not the Inuit firm registry maintained by Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated.
The NNI Secretariat has been encouraging Nunavut businesses to submit their renewal applications to ensure they continue to receive the benefit available through the NNI Policy.
Currently, the NNI registrations of many businesses will expire if they do not send in renewal forms by June 30.
These renewals are necessary to ensure that businesses continue to qualify as Nunavut businesses under the NNI Policy.
In order to ensure that no businesses are left out, the NNI Secretariat has sent letters and is running advertisements in newspapers and on cable TV reminding businesses to check their registrations and get them renewed if necessary.
The NNI Secretariat wants to ensure that the maximum number of Nunavut businesses are registered and are eligible to receive the NNI benefit when bidding on Government of Nunavut contracts. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Minister’s Statement 009 – 3(2): Update on the Nunavut Business Credit Corporation (Taptuna)
I rise today to provide the Members of this House with an update on the recent activities of the Nunavut Business Credit Corporation.
The move to Iqaluit by the corporation has been completed successfully and full lending services are being provided to the business community from the new premises.
The corporation is currently receiving and reviewing loan applications.