EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
We’re at the discussion stage on whether we need to extend it or not. The target date is 2017, but as I stated before, we’re at the discussion stage and we’re discussing options on how to save costs.
We’re reviewing all of these aspects for the new proposed school in Coral Harbour.
According to my understanding, the community of Coral Harbour would like to get a new school because the existing school is very old and they believe it’s contaminated.
Therefore, the community was requesting a new school.
Can the minister commit to providing a new school to be constructed without delay in that community?
At this time, we’re looking at different options and I’m sure that the DEA is consulted.
Not just in Coral Harbour, but for the proposed new schools, the plans have not been changed and the target dates are still there.
We’re just reviewing the proposed school for Coral Harbour.
Yes, it’s true that the school in Coral Harbour was constructed in 1979 and it was last renovated in 2007.
It’s evident that the school is at 90 percent capacity when there’s a capacity of 335 students for the school and there are currently 301 students.
For that reason, we still have that planned for 2017, as I stated before.
Question 011 – 4(3): Office of the Ethics Officer (Angnakak)  Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
A couple of months ago, the new disclosure of wrongdoing provisions in the Public Service Act came into force and our new ethics officer assumed his duties.
I know that the Minister of Finance will not be interfering in the ethics officer’s day-to-day work, but I am hopeful that he is getting updates on the status of the new office.
Can the minister indicate the volume of enquiries and formal complaints that the new ethics officer has been receiving in the first two months of his office’s existence?
Mr. Speaker, I think that during the lead-up to the opening of the office and the announcement of Mr. Jeffrey Schnoor, I think a lot of people thought that the flood gates would be open. I encourage people to go through the regular process if they have an issue and report it to their supervisor or report it up the chain of command and, if it became necessary, then go to the ethics officer for him to consider their concern.
Mr. Speaker, as of today, I don’t have an update on the volume of complaints he has received.
In April of this year, Government of Nunavut employees received information from the government concerning how to contact the ethics officer to report alleged cases of wrongdoing.
I applaud the government for doing this.
However, I have heard directly from a number of constituents, especially non-unionized employees, that they have been discouraged from contacting the ethics officer.
For the record, can the minister clarify what jurisdiction the ethics officer has to review cases involving employee discipline or performance management?
Hon. Keith Peterson: Mr. Speaker, I again thank Ms. Angnakak for the question.
Mr. Speaker, most employees in the Government Nunavut are represented by unions. They’re free to take their concern to their union. Non-unionized employees, of course, can contact our labour relations people in our Human Resources Division.
As I said earlier and many times over the last year, the ethics officer is more concerned with reporting of wrongdoing. I’m not sure if it’s a personal matter with an employee. It would be best to discuss with their union representitive or contact our labour relations people.
Can the minister indicate how many formal recommendations the new ethics officer has made to date?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) The Hon. Minister of Finance, Mr. Peterson.  Hon. Keith Peterson: Mr. Speaker, the office only opened on April 1, so we’ve had two months to operate so far.
Mr. Speaker, I’m not aware if he has made any recommendations to date.
Question 012 – 4(3): Staff Housing Vacancy in Iqaluit (Hickes)  Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, as we all know, a number of positions that are advertised within the Government of Nunavut that have housing units assigned to them, that housing unit isn’t assigned until such time as the position is filled.
How many units are currently vacant in Iqaluit due to positions they are allocated to not being filled?
Mr. Speaker, as to how many units are vacant for Iqaluit specifically, although I don’t have that information readily in front me, I will be providing the member with that information.
I know my officials are listening to his question, so I will be able to provide that information, although I don’t have it readily available with me.
I’ll look forward to getting that information from the minister.
Mr. Speaker, current employees of the Government of Nunavut have a couple of different options available to them.
One is to apply for housing even if their position does not have a housing unit assigned to them and another is moves of convienance to try and get into more fitting accomodations.
How many applications of move of convienience or for housing from current GN employees are there outstanding?
I can also tell the member that I don’t have that information, but HR is responsible, working with the Nunavut Housing Corporation in regard to vacant units due to unfilled positions.
I will be able to provide that information to the member. As human resources is responsible for that, I don’t have the figure or the number with me right now.
I thank the minister for that and I’ll look forward to that information as well.
Mr. Speaker, there are currently a number of long-term GN employees and some lifelong residents of Iqaluit that have applied for housing associated with their GN employment. In some cases, they have been waiting for years. This can create hardships among familial units and sometimes the feeling of disparity between brand-new GN employees and lifelong residents.
How are the priorities for these applications for housing reviewed and prioritized?
Hon. George Kuksuk (interpretation): Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I again thank the member for that excellent question.
Mr. Speaker, when staff housing units are going to be allocated, there are various ways. I want the member to understand fully that we have different priority settings for health professionals and teachers.
Looking at priority hiring, that’s how they allocate housing units and there are different classes.
I’ll provide the information to the member once I get it.
However, if it’s a teacher and if it’s a health professional, including others, they are prioritized. I’ll provide that to the member, although it might not be today, but while I’m still in town.
Question 013 – 4(3): Assistance for Homeowners (Keyootak)
Mr. Speaker, we all know that in some of the communities, there are quite a number of homeowners, especially in the smaller communities. Maintaining a home creates a hardship on the homeowners.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation what subsidies are provided for people who would like to renovate their homes.
I also thank the member for that question with regard to homeowners.
The housing corporation provides a variety of programs specific to homeowners, be it repair or subsidies. There are a variety of programs made available to the homeowners. You can also call the 1-800 number that is made available and it is serviced by Inuktitut-speaking employees.
I hope I answered your question, Mr. Speaker.
One of my constituents has been concerned about the Nunavut Housing Corporation and the subsidies or programs that are provided to homeowners.
When you have to renovate or repair your home, you have to find a contractor who will do the work and it’s very hard to find a contractor in the smaller communities.
Usually, the local housing authorities have all the workers available in the community working for them.
Is it possible for the local housing authorities’ employees to be able to repair private homes?
I again thank the member for the question.
With respect to what he is asking, smaller communities do have a difficult time with a lack of contractors and no one is actively working in this area. It is harder to get services in smaller communities. It is better in bigger communities and not as much as an issue.
I am aware that we struggle with smaller communities and those without contractors have to be helped.
We are trying to help the private homeowners to get a contractor set up locally, to fly in and set up a contractor in that community if we could provide a benefit or subsidy of some sort to help them financially.
You could contact the 1-800 number. Mr. Speaker, I will mention those numbers after our meeting and we can help communities short of contractors and help private homeowners to find a contractor to do that kind of work.
We can help a local business with a contractor that we hire as NHC to work with a community.
Written Question 001 – 4(3): Administration and Enforcement of the Workers’ Compensation Act (Mikkungwak)
Mr. Mikkungwak (interpretation): Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) My written questions today are for the Minister responsible for the Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission.
Mr. Speaker, ensuring that workers in Nunavut are safe is an important issue, which is why I am asking this question today.
Within the meaning of section 134 of the Workers’ Compensation Act, what were the results of each inspection conducted by the Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission between January 1, 2013 and May 31, 2015 within the municipality of Baker Lake and at the Meadowbank mine site?
Within the meaning of section 135 of the Workers’ Compensation Act, what were the results of each search conducted by the Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission between January 1, 2013 and May 31, 2015 within the municipality of Baker Lake and at the Meadowbank mine site?
Within the meaning of section 141 of the Workers’ Compensation Act, what penalties were paid between January 1, 2013 and May 31, 2015 by entities located within the municipality of Baker Lake and at the Meadowbank mine site?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) The member has asked that the written question be entered into the record as read. Do members agree?
Speaker: There is agreement. Written Questions. (interpretation) Member for Arviat, Mr. Savikataaq.
Written Question 002 – 4(3): Expenditures and Activities under the Strategic Investments Program (Savikataaq)
My written question today is for the Minister of Economic Development and [Transportation].
Mr. Speaker, one of the Government of Nunavut’s stated priorities has been to measure and evaluate the results of the millions of dollars it spends each year on grants and contributions.
The department’s responses to my written questions will help us to achieve this goal.
The Government of Nunavut’s 2012-13 (Tabled Document 34 – 4(1)) and 2013-14 (Tabled Document 44 – 4(2)) annual reports on grants and contributions identify recipients of funding under the Department of Economic Development and Transportation’s Strategic Investments Program.
Recipients are categorized as “municipal governments,” “non-profit organizations,” or “businesses.”
As of June 1, 2015, the electronic versions of the Department of Economic Development and Transportation’s Strategic Investments Program Policy that are available to the general public on its website (http://www.gov.nu.ca/sites/default/files/strategic_investments_program_policy.pdf and http://gov.nu.ca/sites/default/files/files/SIP_Policy_eng.pdf) indicate that the policy expired on March 31, 2011.
As of June 2, 2015, what is the date of expiry of the Department of Economic Development and Transportation’s current Strategic Investments Program Policy?
At which URL can the Department of Economic Development and Transportation’s current Strategic Investments Program Policy be located?
With respect to contributions made to “businesses” under the Strategic Investments Program during the 2012-13 and 2013-14 fiscal years, as listed in Tabled Documents 34 – 4(1) and 44 – 4(2),
Which contributions were made through the Nunavut Equity Investment Fund?
Which contributions were made through the Nunavut Economic Foundations Fund?
Within the meaning of the “Eligible Activities” sections of the Strategic Investments Program Guidelines – Nunavut Equity Investments Fund (Schedule A) and the Strategic Investments Program Guidelines – Nunavut Economic Foundations Fund (Schedule B), what was the purpose of each contribution made to “businesses” during the 2012-13 and 2013-14 fiscal years?
Within the meaning of the “Program Monitoring and Evaluation” sections of the Strategic Investments Program Guidelines – Nunavut Equity Investments Fund (Schedule A) and the Strategic Investments Program Guidelines – Nunavut Economic Foundations Fund (Schedule B), what have been the results of each contribution made to “businesses” during the 2012-13 and 2013-14 fiscal years?
The Strategic Investments Program Policy provides that the Minister of Economic Development and Transportation “will table annually in the Legislative Assembly a summary of contributions detailing the amount of each contribution, the investment being supported, [the] name of the recipient and community.”
As of June 2, 2015, what is the status of the preparation of the Minister of Economic Development and Transportation’s annual reports for the 2012-13 and 2013-14 fiscal years under this provision of the Strategic Investments Program Policy?
Written Questions. (interpretation) Member Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu, Ms. Angnakak.
Written Question 003 – 4(3): Administration and Enforcement of the Tobacco Tax Act (Hickes)  Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
My written question today is for the Minister of Finance.
Mr. Speaker, earlier this year, the Legislative Assembly approved amendments to the Tobacco Tax Act.
At that time, MLAs recommended that the minister begin the practice of tabling an annual report on the administration of the legislation.
Since no annual report has been tabled, the requested information will be obtained through other means.
Broken down by product type and community, what volume of tobacco was sold in Nunavut by registered tobacco retail dealers during the 2012-13, 2013-14, and 2014-15 fiscal years?
Broken down by product type and community, what amount of tobacco taxes were collected by the Government of Nunavut during the 2012-13, 2013-14, and 2014-15 fiscal years?
What percentage of tobacco tax revenues raised during the 2012-13, 2013-14, and 2014-15 fiscal years were allocated for smoking prevention and cessation programs?
Within the meaning of section 5 of the Tobacco Tax Act, broken down by community, how many import permits were issued during the 2012-13, 2013-14, and 2014-15 fiscal years?
Within the meaning of section 7 of the Tobacco Tax Act, broken down by community, what were the results of inspections conducted during the 2012-13, 2013-14, and 2014-15 fiscal years?
As of June 1, 2015, within the meaning of section 22 of the Tobacco Tax Act, broken down by community, what entities are registered tobacco retail dealers?
Within the meaning of section 22.1 of the Tobacco Tax Act, how many refusals were made during the 2012-13, 2013-14, and 2014-15 fiscal years?
Within the meaning of section 22.1 of the Tobacco Tax Act, what were the circumstances of each refusal made during the 2012-13, 2013-14, and 2014-15 fiscal years?
Within the meaning of section 22.2 of the Tobacco Tax Act, how many cancellations or suspensions of a permit were made during the 2012-13, 2013-14, and 2014-15 fiscal years?
Within the meaning of section 22.2 of the Tobacco Tax Act, what were the circumstances of each cancellation or suspension of a permit made during the 2012-13, 2013-14, and 2014-15 fiscal years?
Within the meaning of sections 23, 23.1, 23.2, 24 and 25 of the Tobacco Tax Act, what offences and punishments were investigated and prosecuted during the 2012-13, 2013-14, and 2014-15 fiscal years?
What was the disposition of each matter referred to in question #10?
Speaker: There is agreement. Written Questions. (interpretation) Member for Iqaluit-Tasiluk, Mr. Hickes.
Written Question 004 – 4(3): Expenditures under Standing Offer Agreements (Hickes)  Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
My written question today is for the Minister of Community and Government Services.
Mr. Speaker, transparency in government contracting is very important, which is why I am posing this question today.
Broken down by department, Crown agency, territorial corporation, and vendor, what expenditures were incurred during the 2012-13, 2013-14, and 2014-15 fiscal years under standing offer agreements entered into on or after January 1, 2010?
What was the purpose of each expenditure referred to in question #1?
Which vendors and/or individuals employed or contracted by a vendor receiving payment from a Government of Nunavut department, Crown agency, or territorial corporation during the 2012-13, 2013-14, and 2014-15 fiscal years under a standing offer agreement were previously employed as members of the Nunavut public service on or before January 1, 2012?
What regulations, rules, guidelines, or other forms of formal written direction have been approved by either the Executive Council of Nunavut or the Financial Management Board with respect to the awarding of contracts or the making of payments under standing offer agreements by Government of Nunavut departments, Crown agencies, or territorial corporations to individuals who are former members of the Nunavut public service?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) The member has asked that the written question be entered into the record as read.
Some Members: Agreed.  Speaker: There is agreement.
I have no more names. (interpretation) Member for Rankin Inlet, Mr. Alexander Sammurtok.
Written Question 005 – 4(3): Administration and Enforcement of the Public Health Act (Sammurtok)
My written question today is for the Minister of Health.
Mr. Speaker, earlier this year, a boil water order was issued for Rankin Inlet, an experience which clearly illustrates the importance of strictly enforcing our territory’s Public Health Act to protect Nunavummiut.
Within the meaning of section 25 of the Public Health Act, what inspection and enforcement activities, broken down by applicable regulation and community, were undertaken by the Department of Health during the 2012-13, 2013-14, and 2014-15 fiscal years?
Within the meaning of section 23 of the Public Health Act, what prosecutions for alleged contraventions of the Act or regulations were undertaken during the 2012-13, 2013-14, and 2014-15 fiscal years?
What was the disposition of each matter referred to in question #2?
Speaker: There is agreement. I have no more names. (interpretation) Item 8. Petitions.
Item 9. (interpretation ends) Reports of Standing and Special Committees on Bills and Other Matters.
Item 10: Tabling of Documents  Tabled Document 001 – 4(3): Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated Annual Report on the State of Inuit Culture and Society 2011-2012, 2012-2013 (Taptuna)
Tabled Document 002 – 4(3): Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated Annual Report on the State of Inuit Culture and Society 2013-2014 (Taptuna)
Tabled Document 003 – 4(3): Nunavut Implementation Panel: Annual Report 2010-2011 (Taptuna)
Tabled Document 004 – 4(3): Correspondence to Bernard Valcourt dated May 8, 2015 (Taptuna)
I have four items to table.
The first one is Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated 2011-12 to 2012-13 and the 2013-14 Annual Report on the State of Inuit Culture and Society.
The other item, Nunavut Implementation Panel: 2010-2011 Annual Report on the Implementation of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement.
The last item, as requested, the letter addressed to the Hon. Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development.
Tabled Document 005 – 4(3): Qulliq Energy Corporation Corporate Plan 2015-2019 (Peterson)
I am pleased to table the Qulliq Energy Corporation’s Corporate Plan 2015-19.
Hon. Member for Baker Lake, Mr. Simeon Mikkungwak.
Item 11: Notices of Motions  Motion 001 – 4(3): Extended Adjournment – Notice (Mikkungwak)
Mr. Mikkungwak (interpretation): Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I give notice that on Thursday, June 4, 2015, I will move the following motion:  I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Aggu, that pursuant to the provisions of Rule 3, that when the House concludes its present spring sitting, it shall be adjourned until October 21, 2015.
The Hon. Member for Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu, Ms. Pat Angnakak.
Motion 002 – 4(3): Referral of Tabled Document 149 – 4(2) to the Committee of the Whole – Notice (Angnakak)  Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I give notice that on Wednesday, October 21, 2015, I will move the following motion:
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the Hon. Member for Tununiq, that Tabled Document 49 – 4(2), Minister’s Annual Report on Poverty Reduction, be referred to the Committee of the Whole for consideration.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) For the record, it’s 149, not 49.
The Hon. Member for Tununiq, Mr. Joe Enook.
Motion 003 – 4(3): Referral of Tabled Document 107 – 4(2) to the Committee of the Whole – Notice (Enook)
I give notice that on Wednesday, October 21, 2015, I will move the following motion:  NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the Hon. Member for Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu, that Tabled Document 107 – 4(2), Agreement for the Management and Administration of Local Housing Organization Programs, be referred to the Committee of the Whole for consideration.
Item 12. (interpretation ends) Notices of Motions for First Reading of Bills.
Item 13: Motions  Mr. Mikkungwak (interpretation): Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I seek unanimous consent to deal with my motion today. (interpretation) Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.
Motion 001 – 4(3): Extended Adjournment (Mikkungwak)  Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Aggu, that pursuant to the provisions of Rule 3, when the House concludes its present spring sitting, it shall be adjourned until October 21, 2015.
Those in favour. (interpretation) Thank you. (interpretation ends) Opposed.
Motions. (interpretation) Member for Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu, Ms. Angnakak.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) The member is seeking unanimous consent to deal with her motion today.
Motion 002 – 4(3): Referral of Tabled Document 149 – 4(2) to the Committee of the Whole (Angnakak)
WHEREAS the Collaboration for Poverty Reduction Act received assent on May 16, 2013;
AND WHEREAS reducing poverty in Nunavut is a key priority for all Members of the Legislative Assembly;  AND WHEREAS section 11 of the Act requires the minister to table an annual report in the Legislative Assembly concerning the administration of the Act and related matters;
AND WHEREAS the first annual report under the Collaboration for Poverty Reduction Act has been tabled in the Legislative Assembly;
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the Hon. Member for Tununiq, that Tabled Document 149 – 4(2), Minister’s Annual Report on Poverty Reduction, be referred to the Committee of the Whole for consideration.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) The motion is in order. To the motion. Those in favour. (interpretation) Thank you. (interpretation ends) Opposed.
Motions. (interpretation) Member for Tununiq, Mr. Enook.
Speaker (interpretation): The Member for Tununiq is asking for unanimous consent to deal with his motion today.
I didn’t hear any nays. Please proceed.
Motion 003 – 4(3): Referral of Tabled Document 107 – 4(2) to the Committee of the Whole (Enook)  Mr. Enook (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker and my colleagues.
WHEREAS it is important that local housing organizations in Nunavut have clear roles, responsibilities, and authorities;  AND WHEREAS the governance relationship between the Nunavut Housing Corporation and local housing organizations has been an issue of concern to Members of the Legislative Assembly;
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the Hon. Member for Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu, that Tabled Document 107 – 4(2), Agreement for the Management and Administration of Local Housing Organization Programs, be referred to the Committee of the Whole for consideration.
Item 16. Orders of the Day. Mr. Clerk.