Nunavut Canada

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF

2nd Session 5th Assembly

HANSARD

Official Report

DAY 46

Monday, March 11, 2019

Pages 3109 – 3248

Iqaluit

Speaker: The Honourable Joe Enook, M.L.A.

Legislative Assembly of Nunavut

Speaker Hon. Joe Enook (Tununiq)

Hon. Mila Kamingoak Emiliano Qirngnuq (Quttiktuq) (Kugluktuk) (Netsilik) Deputy Premier; Minister of Economic Development and Transportation (Uqqummiut) (Aggu) (Gjoa Haven) Hon. Deputy Chair, Committee of the Whole (Rankin Inlet South) (Hudson Bay) Minister of Community and Deputy Chair, Committee of the Whole Government Services; Minister (Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu) of Human Resources Hon. (Arviat South) Hon. Adam Lightstone Premier; Minister of Executive and (Cambridge Bay) (Iqaluit-Manirajak) Intergovernmental Affairs; Minister of Minister of Justice; Minister responsible for Energy; Minister of Environment; Minister Labour; Minister responsible for the Qulliq responsible for Aboriginal Affairs; Energy Corporation (Arviat North-Whale Cove) Minister responsible for Seniors; Minister responsible for the Utility Rates Review Hon. George Hickes Simeon Mikkungwak Council (Iqaluit-Tasiluk) (Baker Lake) Deputy Speaker and Chair of Minister of Finance, Chair of the Financial Hon. Management Board; Minister of Health; the Committee of the Whole (Iqaluit-Sinaa) Minister responsible for Suicide Prevention; Government House Leader; Minister of Minister responsible for the Workers’ Safety (Pangnirtung) Family Services; Minister responsible for and Compensation Commission Homelessness; Minister responsible for Hon. Immigration; Minister responsible for the Hon. David Joanasie (Aivilik) Status of Women () Minister responsible for Minister of Culture and Heritage; Minister of Nunavut Arctic College; Education; Minister of Languages Minister responsible for the (Rankin Inlet North-Chesterfield Inlet) Nunavut Housing Corporation (Amittuq)

Officers Clerk John Quirke

Clerk Assistant Law Clerk Sergeant-at-Arms Hansard Production Stephen Innuksuk Michael Chandler Charlie Audlakiak Innirvik Support Services

Box 1200 Iqaluit, Nunavut, X0A 0H0 Tel (867) 975-5000 Fax (867) 975-5190 Toll-Free (877) 334-7266 Website: www.assembly.nu.ca

Table of Contents

Opening Prayer ...... 3109

Ministers’ Statements ...... 3109

Members’ Statements ...... 3113

Returns to Oral Questions ...... 3120

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery ...... 3122

Oral Questions ...... 3124

Tabling of Documents ...... 3151

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters ...... 3152

Report of the Committee of the Whole ...... 3246

Third Reading of Bills ...... 3246

Speaker’s Statement ...... 3247

Orders of the Day ...... 3248

A. Daily References

Monday, March 11, 2019 ...... 3109

B. Ministers’ Statements

200 – 5(2): Summer Student Employment Equity Program (Kusugak) ...... 3109

201 – 5(2): Inuugatta Inuktuuqta Conference (Joanasie) ...... 3110

202 – 5(2): Arctic Frontiers Emerging Leaders Program (Savikataaq) ...... 3111

203 – 5(2): Tobacco Reduction Programming in Communities (Hickes) ...... 3111

204 – 5(2): Development in Nunavut’s Mining Industry (Akeeagok) ...... 3112

C. Members’ Statements

305 – 5(2): Problems Associated with Nunavut’s High Birth Rate (Towtongie) ...... 3113

306 – 5(2): Igloolik Participants at Terence Tootoo Memorial Hockey Tournament (Quassa) .3114

307 – 5(2): Nunavut’s Poor School Attendance Rates (Main) ...... 3114

308 – 5(2): Gjoa Haven High School Graduates (Akoak) ...... 3115

309 – 5(2): Encouraging Young People Not to Give Up (Kaernerk) ...... 3115

310 – 5(2): Encouraging Supports for Youth (Keyootak) ...... 3116

311 – 5(2): Acknowledging Diane Moebis (Hickes) ...... 3117

312 – 5(2): Acknowledging Isaac Shooyook of Arctic Bay (Akeeagok) ...... 3117

313 – 5(2): 2019 Terence Tootoo Memorial Hockey Tournament (Kusugak) ...... 3118

314 – 5(2): Appreciation of Grandson (Ehaloak) ...... 3119

315 – 5(2): The Grizzlies Movie (Kamingoak) ...... 3119

D. Returns to Oral Questions

Return to Oral Question 313 – 5(2): Minimum Wage (Ehaloak) ...... 3120

Return to Oral Question 392 – 5(2): Alternate and Renewable Energy Projects (Ehaloak) ...... 3120

Return to Oral Question 393 – 5(2): Alternative and Renewable Energy Projects (Ehaloak) ...3121

Return to Oral Question 394 – 5(2): Vacant Positions in Baker Lake (Ehaloak) ...... 3121

E. Oral Questions

422 – 5(2): Uses for the Old Health Centre in Taloyoak (Qirngnuq) ...... 3124

423 – 5(2): Income Taxes (Mikkungwak) ...... 3126

424 – 5(2): Support for Nunavut Sivuniksavut (Nakashuk) ...... 3127

425 – 5(2): Support for Nunavut Sivuniksavut (Lightstone) ...... 3129

426 – 5(2): Support for Nunavut Sivuniksavut (Quassa) ...... 3131

427 – 5(2): Support for Nunavut Sivuniksavut (Kaernerk) ...... 3134

428 – 5(2): Increasing Benefits to Elders (Towtongie) ...... 3136

429 – 5(2): Gjoa Haven Test Fishery (Akoak) ...... 3137

430 – 5(2): Management of the Tammaativvik Boarding Home (Keyootak) ...... 3139

431 – 5(2): Airline Industry Regulation (Angnakak) ...... 3141

432 – 5(2): School Attendance in Nunavut Schools (Main) ...... 3143

433 – 5(2): Alcohol and Cannabis Harm Reduction (Kamingoak) ...... 3144

434 – 5(2): Supporting Individuals with Disabilities (Mikkungwak) ...... 3146

435 – 5(2): Converting Taloyoak’s Old Health Centre to a Homeless Shelter (Qirngnuq) ...... 3147

436 – 5(2): Senior Subsidy/Benefits to Elders (Towtongie) ...... 3148

437 – 5(2): School Attendance in Nunavut Schools (Lightstone) ...... 3150

F. Tabling of Documents

142 – 5(2): 2016-2017 Annual Report on Poverty Reduction (Sheutiapik) ...... 3151

143 – 5(2): Arctic Eider Duck Society Submission to the Canada Nature Fund (Rumbolt) ...... 3151

G. Bills

Bill 15 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2019-2020 – Executive and

Intergovernmental Affairs – Consideration in Committee ...... 3152

Bill 15 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2019-2020 – Legislative Assembly –

Consideration in Committee ...... 3213

Bill 16 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 3, 2018-2019 – Consideration in

Committee ...... 3217

Bill 17 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 1, 2019-2020 – Consideration in

Committee ...... 3222

Bill 18 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 1, 2018-2019 –

Consideration in Committee ...... 3230

Bill 15 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2019-2020 – Third Reading ...... 3246

Bill 16 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 3, 2018-2019 – Third Reading ...... 3246

Bill 17 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 1, 2019-2020 – Third Reading ...... 3247

Bill 18 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 1, 2018-2019 –

Third Reading ...... 3247

Monday, March 11, 2019 Nunavut Hansard 3109

Iqaluit, Nunavut (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, the Monday, March 11, 2019 Government of Nunavut is now Members Present: accepting applications from Nunavut Hon. David Akeeagok, Mr. Tony Akoak, students for summer work experience Ms. Pat Angnakak, Hon. Jeannie with our government departments and Ehaloak, Hon. Joe Enook, Hon. George public bodies. Hickes, Hon. David Joanasie, Mr. Joelie Kaernerk, Ms. Mila Kamingoak, Mr. Through the Summer Student Pauloosie Keyootak, Hon. Lorne Employment Equity Program, secondary Kusugak, Mr. Adam Lightstone, Mr. and post-secondary Nunavummiut John Main, Mr. Simeon Mikkungwak, students can gain meaningful work Ms. Margaret Nakashuk, Hon. Patterk experience and get on-the-job training in Netser, Mr. Emiliano Qirngnuq, Mr. the public service. Paul Quassa, Mr. Allan Rumbolt, Hon. Joe Savikataaq, Hon. Elisapee Mr. Speaker, this program promotes Sheutiapik, Ms. Cathy Towtongie. youth development, encourages continuous learning, and creates a pool >>House commenced at 10:00 of qualified employees for our government. Item 1: Opening Prayer Last year the Government of Nunavut Speaker (Hon. Joe Enook) hired a record 298 students, of which (interpretation): Mr. Quassa, can you say 241 were Nunavut students, in 23 the opening prayer, please. communities across our territory. Nunavut Inuit students represented 81 >>Prayer percent of summer hires.

Speaker (interpretation): Good morning, There are currently 266 indeterminate Premier and my colleagues. Good government employees who started their morning, Nunavummiut from careers as summer students, of which everywhere. Thank you, Mr. Quassa. 231, or 87 percent, are Nunavut Inuit. They are in various positions, such as We will now proceed with the orders of teachers, career development officers, the day. Ministers’ Statements. Minister income assistance workers, government of Human Resources, Minister Kusugak. liaison officers, deputy sheriffs, and management positions, to name a few. Item 2: Ministers’ Statements Mr. Speaker, I invite all my colleagues Minister’s Statement 200 – 5(2): to share this information with students in Summer Student Employment their own communities so we can make Equity Program (Kusugak) the 2019 program even more successful than last year’s. Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): Good morning, Mr. Speaker. Good Program information is available on the morning, people of Rankin Inlet and Government of Nunavut website or Nunavummiut. Let’s have a great day. contact your regional summer student

Monday, March 11, 2019 Nunavut Hansard 3110 coordinator at the following emails: language legislation. A decade ago we made the decision to elevate the status of • Kivalliq Inuktut in law while being respectful and [email protected] inclusive to all official language communities in our territory. As a • Kitikmeot Canadian jurisdiction, we have set an [email protected]. example that has yet to be reciprocated ca elsewhere, including at the national level. • Qikiqtaaluk [email protected] (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I u.ca strongly believe that strengthening the use of Inuktut is a shared responsibility, • Iqaluit which includes all of us as individuals [email protected] but also our families, communities, schools, businesses, and workplaces. I encourage all the students that qualify to apply. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as a government, we are also committed to building partnerships >>Applause that advance the goals and aspirations of Nunavummiut, including collaborating Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. with the three regional Inuit Ministers’ Statements. Minister of organizations and Nunavut Tunngavik, Culture and Heritage, Minister Joanasie. to ensure a collaborative, mutually supportive relationship on language Minister’s Statement 201 – 5(2): issues. Inuugatta Inuktuuqta Conference (Joanasie) Mr. Speaker, the second edition of the Hon. David Joanasie (interpretation): Inuugatta Inuktuuqta Conference will be Thank you and good morning, Mr. an opportunity to review recent best Speaker, members, and Nunavummiut. practices that support the protection, The people of Cape Dorset are in my revitalization, and promotion of our thoughts today. language. I am also very glad that it will bring Inuit organizations and Mr. Speaker, I will have the honour to government to work together in setting host the second edition of the Inuugatta goals and finding ways to stabilize and Inuktuuqta Conference from March 26 increase the number of Nunavummiut to 29, 2019 here in Iqaluit. The who learn and speak Inuktut daily over Department of Culture and Heritage, the next two decades. (interpretation) Nunavut Tunngavik, Inuit Let’s speak Inuktut. Thank you, Mr. Uqausinginnik Taiguusiliuqtiit, and the Speaker. Let’s have a great day. Office of the Languages Commissioner jointly organized the conference. >>Applause

Mr. Speaker, we are now into the 10th Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. year of passing and implementing our Ministers’ Statements. Premier of

Monday, March 11, 2019 Nunavut Hansard 3111

Nunavut, Premier Savikataaq. Food Security, Offshore Energy and Mineral Resource Prospects, and Arctic Minister’s Statement 202 – 5(2): Seaways. Arctic Frontiers Emerging Leaders Program (Savikataaq) The program mixes technical, social and cultural events with mentors from Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): academia, business, and the public sector Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I say “good to create an inspiring and educational day” to the people of Arviat. I hope you experience. have a good day. Mr. Speaker, the Government of (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I rise Nunavut is proud to facilitate today to share information with my opportunities such as this, and we are fellow members about the Arctic proud that Enooyaq represented Nunavut Frontiers Emerging Leaders 2019 so well. program. We encourage partnership and Arctic Frontiers is an annual program collaboration with our arctic and held in Tromsø, Norway that brings circumpolar neighbours. Sharing together approximately 30 young knowledge and best practices and professionals and Ph.D. students from finding common solutions to our around the world. This year the program challenges and opportunities helps ran from January 16 to 22. Nunavut at all levels. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, for the fifth year in a row, the Government of Nunavut has >>Applause partnered with Global Affairs Canada to provide an opportunity for one Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. participant from Nunavut to attend this Ministers’ Statements. Minister of program. This year Enooyaq Health, Minister Hickes. Sudlovenick was selected to attend as Nunavut’s representative. She is Minister’s Statement 203 – 5(2): currently attending the University of Tobacco Reduction Programming Prince Edward Island to complete her in Communities (Hickes) Masters of Science degree in veterinary medicine with a focus on pathology and Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. health of marine mammals in the Arctic, Speaker. Health continues to be specifically ringed seals in the Frobisher committed to promoting tobacco-free Bay region of Nunavut. lifestyles and protecting Nunavummiut from second-hand smoke. Our Tobacco The Arctic Frontiers 2019 theme was Reduction Program focuses on “Smart Arctic.” Areas of discussion preventing Nunavummiut from starting included The Power of Knowledge, to use tobacco, protecting them from Smart and Resilient Arctic Societies, second-hand smoke, and influencing Ocean Health – Blue Growth through attitudes around smoking so it is not Green Thinking, Arctic Seafood and considered the norm in our society.

Monday, March 11, 2019 Nunavut Hansard 3112

By hosting activities and developing • Arviat’s “Connecting Youth resources that specifically target youth, Through Threads: Sew Don’t Smoke young adults, and pregnant women, this Program”; program actively encourages and helps Nunavummiut who want to quit or • Baker Lake’s “Outdoor Basketball reduce their tobacco use. Health Stars” program; continues to conduct community outreach events to raise awareness on the • Coral Harbour’s “Women’s Sewing harms of tobacco use and to offer Group”; information on available supports. Training sessions support and empower • Whale Cove’s “Raising Healthy health staff with actionable knowledge, Babies in the Hood - Amauti Making capacity, and confidence to deliver Program”; tobacco control initiatives. • Cambridge Bay’s “Traditional Tool Mr. Speaker and members, Health also Making/Sewing Group/Amauti provides tobacco control training and Making Program”; and capacity building opportunities for health care providers, paraprofessionals, • Arctic Bay’s “Square Dancing” and the general public via interactive initiative. telehealth and in-person presentations. Since April of 2018 Health has provided Mr. Speaker and members, we must all approximately 40 training sessions to continue supporting our communities upwards of 400 people. with initiatives like these as we progress towards a tobacco-free society in Health recently partnered with the Nunavut. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Centre for Addiction and Mental Health to train wellness workers to facilitate the >>Applause “It’s Time - Inuit Smoking Cessation Toolkit.” Thirteen participants from Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. eight communities attended the two-day Ministers’ Statements. Minister of training here in Iqaluit with plans to Economic Development and facilitate the ‘quit smoking’ program in Transportation, Minister Akeeagok. their communities. Kugluktuk, Taloyoak, Resolute Bay, Iqaluit, and Minister’s Statement 204 – 5(2): Cambridge Bay are in the final stages of Development in Nunavut’s Mining their program planning process. Industry (Akeeagok) Meanwhile, Igloolik, Kugaaruk, and Arctic Bay have successfully held two to Hon. David Akeeagok (interpretation): three sessions each. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is with great pleasure that I congratulate Agnico Mr. Speaker and members, the success Eagle Mines Ltd. for pouring the first of our program is showcased by the gold bar from its Meliadine mine near various community-led tobacco control Rankin Inlet. The pour took place ahead initiatives taking place. Six communities of schedule on February 21. that receive funding include:

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This is Nunavut’s third active gold mine Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. in the territory. The other two are Members’ Statements. Member for Agnico Eagle’s Meadowbank mine and Rankin Inlet North-Chesterfield Inlet, TMAC Resources’ Hope Bay mine. Ms. Towtongie. Meliadine’s start of operations continues to demonstrate that responsible Item 3: Members’ Statements companies can explore in our territory, discover resources and bring them into Member’s Statement 305 – 5(2): production in a manner that benefits Problems Associated with Nunavummiut. Nunavut’s High Birth Rate (Towtongie) This exciting development added Ms. Towtongie (interpretation): Thank momentum to my attendance at the you, Mr. Speaker. I say “good morning” Prospectors and Developers Association to the people of Rankin Inlet North and Conference in Toronto earlier this week. Chesterfield Inlet. We have you in our At that conference I was able to meet hearts, people of Chesterfield Inlet. with many companies that are involved in our mining and exploration industry, Mr. Speaker, I rise today because we are along with my colleague Paul Quassa, producing a lot of babies in Nunavut. MLA for Aggu. I was proud to attend Over 1,100 babies a year are born, and this important conference shortly after since we have been sitting here for a learning that the Fraser Institute month, there have been 33 new births. improved Nunavut’s worldwide ranking for investor confidence from 26th to I would also like to say that having 15th. babies is good, but we’re not keeping up with services in Nunavut. What are they >>Applause going to do? We’re lacking housing, we’re lacking jobs, and if you look at the These companies are putting in the next 15 years, our young people today important work needed to find the next are having babies too young, and they Hope Bay or Meliadine. I stressed to don’t know how to be a parent and how these companies that Nunavut is open to be a wife or husband. for exploration and that the Government of Nunavut will help to bring forward All leaders in health and education have projects that benefit Nunavummiut. to be worried and concerned about this. We want to take good care of our young Mr. Speaker, our government is people. We are able to take good care of committed to diversifying and improving our young people, but when girls are economic opportunities to encourage having babies at a very young age, it’s community self-reliance. Mining and dangerous for their bodies. mineral exploration provides significant employment benefits in Nunavut and (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, we creates a positive impact on our have to face reality. With the high birth economy. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. rate, what are all of these newborns going to do within 15 to 20 years? As >>Applause leaders we have to consider housing

Monday, March 11, 2019 Nunavut Hansard 3114

shortages, we have to consider I would like my colleagues to join me in unemployment, economics. It will affect expressing our pride to all these players. Nunavut as a territory, and I believe as It is rare to see a Baffin team playing leaders, you are conscious enough to there. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. start dealing with this reality. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >>Applause

>>Applause Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Members’ Statements. Member for Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Arviat North-Whale Cove, Mr. Main. Members’ Statements. Member for Aggu, Mr. Quassa. Member’s Statement 307 – 5(2): Nunavut’s Poor School Attendance Member’s Statement 306 – 5(2): Rates (Main) Igloolik Participants at Terence Tootoo Memorial Hockey Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, Tournament (Quassa) Mr. Speaker. Good morning, colleagues and Premier. Mr. Quassa (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good morning to my Mr. Speaker, I rise this morning to speak fellow community members and about poor school attendance. This Nunavummiut. report was recently presented by the Department of Education. Looking at it, This morning I spoke about the major it’s really regretful to see these numbers. hockey tournament in Rankin Inlet, the In all of Nunavut, the school attendance Terence Tootoo Memorial Cup, which is rate is 70 percent. For example, if there finishing today and teams are probably are ten students in a class, three students going back home. I would just like to are absent every day. express my pride that for the very first time there was a team from the Baffin It is really unfortunate that students region from my community competing. I don’t even go into the classroom, and would like to say their names, and I’m here we are paying over $200 million a very proud of our hockey players in our year to set up schools, to have a community. They are: welcoming environment, to have elders involved, using Inuktitut, we feed them, Sam Ijjangiaq, Jerome Nutarakittuq, and we provide them with recreation and Jayko Ijjangiaq, Leonard Okkumaluk, sports activities, but no, there are Jamey Kadluk, Brandon Kripanik, students who don’t go to school. They Brandon Kripanik, John Mark Ijjangiaq, don’t benefit from the $200 million that Travis Kunnuk, Mathew Alorut, Andrew we pay, which is really worrisome. Aqqiaruq, Adrian Arnauyumayuq, Solomon Qattalik, Thomas As the people of Arviat, we have lost out Attagutalukutuk, and their coach, who on a school because of absenteeism. also works for me, Edward (Ted) They have cut back on our teachers Attagutaluk. because of absenteeism, but these children are the most affected by this.

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They could have learned something and show their pride. All too often nobody they don’t learn anything. They could goes to Gjoa Haven. It doesn’t seem to have been hanging out and playing with be in their thoughts. I always ask them if their friends, but they don’t do that. they can go to the community. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We are already losing people who could potentially work in the future. Parents >>Applause are a part of it, but we have to look at the community as a whole. As community Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. members and as MLAs, I think we have Members’ Statements. Member Amittuq, to voice this further. We are paying Mr. Kaernerk. money for it, and if the people of Nunavut are going to have a good future, Member’s Statement 309 – 5(2): we’re going to have to keep talking Encouraging Young People Not to about this. Give Up (Kaernerk)

I will have questions to the Minister of Mr. Kaernerk (interpretation): Thank Education at the appropriate time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good morning, my you, Mr. Speaker. colleagues, especially the people of Amittuq, and particularly my wife. >>Applause Mr. Speaker, I rise today to encourage Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. our young people to keep trying. I was Members’ Statements. Member for elected here so I can represent young Netsilik. I made a mistake. I apologize. people. Member for Gjoa Haven, Mr. Akoak. We go through different things in our Member’s Statement 308 – 5(2): Gjoa lives and even though challenges seem Haven High School Graduates to come up more than others, our (Akoak) learning will never stop, learning in Mr. Akoak (interpretation): Thank you, schools and learning in life. Whenever Mr. Speaker. Good morning, colleagues. we make a mistake in our lives, it I say “good morning” to my constituents sometimes seems impossible to get in Gjoa Haven. To my family who are through, but don’t give up. It is just watching the proceedings and my something that you can learn from. I children and grandchildren, I love you. always remember things that we encounter, things that we go through, I rise this morning to speak on behalf of and the mistakes that we make, if we our youth. The government makes learn from them, they can help our lives. statements that it supports students going to school. We have been told by our elders and the government that young people are our On May 30 there will be nine students future. In the future someone will sit in that will be graduating from grade 12. the Amittuq seat that is much more able Anybody from the government is than I am. I rise on behalf of the young welcome to come to Gjoa Haven and to people. Learning will never end. Keep

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trying. Sometimes it seems impossible to no matter who they are. I’m really rise up again on your own and you have thankful for that because we have been nothing to do and it gets boring. Even gone from home for a long time. As though your mind is at work, try to do colleagues, we distract each other from something. Visit our elders. They are the worrying, and work together to resolve ones who can give you something to do. issues. They will help you settle. In particular at home, I express my On behalf of young people, I will have deepest appreciation and thankfulness to questions to the Minister of Arctic my wife, as she has kept our home College at the appropriate time regarding running and supervising our children on Nunavut Sivuniksavut students. Thank my long trip away. She also keeps me you, Mr. Speaker. informed about our house and that it is safe and not worrisome. I will be going >>Applause home to my wife, so I wish to voice my thanks to her. Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Members’ Statements. Member for Mr. Speaker, I also want to mention our Uqqummiut, Mr. Keyootak. youth as we need to be more conscientious of their emerging needs, Member’s Statement 310 – 5(2): and I personally know this as I have Encouraging Supports for Youth lived as an orphan. There are orphans (Keyootak) amongst us who are homeless and no Mr. Keyootak (interpretation): Thank parental guidance as they have no father you, Mr. Speaker. First of all, before I or mother. They have no one to turn to. make my statement, I say “good At least they are not aware as to whom morning” to the people of Clyde River they can turn to, so this means we should and Qikiqtarjuaq, as well as to everyone be always keep them in consideration. watching the proceedings, and to my colleagues here. When youth orphans are in this situation, they are the ones we should love the I rise today to express my gratitude to most. There are many orphans with no everyone here because we are away from place to go, with no relatives to talk to or our families for a very long time and ask for advice, as they lost their fathers everyone helps me with patience. When and mothers when they were too young. you are on a board or a committee, it’s When they live in that scenario, too like we become family when we are many residents compound their away from our homes for so long. problems by automatically categorizing them as criminals while it is the >>Applause traumatization they have suffered that makes them be perceived as such. An Hon. Member: Hear, hear! Therefore as leaders let’s ensure we Mr. Keyootak (interpretation): It is always keep them in mind. Thank you, great to do this with people who seem to Mr. Speaker. be our family members are colleagues,

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>>Applause her that work very hard every day across our departments and communities to Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. serve Nunavummiut and advance the Members’ Statements. Member for work in this Assembly. Iqaluit-Tasiluk, Mr. Hickes. With that, I would like to thank Diane Member’s Statement 311 – 5(2): for her many years of service to the Acknowledging Diane Moebis Government of Nunavut, and I wish her (Hickes) and Cal all the best in their new Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. adventure. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker. I would like to take this opportunity to formally acknowledge >>Applause and thank Ms. Diane Moebis, who retired last week after 17 years with the Speaker: Thank you. On behalf of this Government of Nunavut. House and on behalf of Nunavummiut, we applaud you for the service you have Mr. Speaker, during her time with us, given to Nunavut and Nunavummiut, Diane helped move forward many and may you and your family be blessed important finance and HR initiatives. in whatever you do. (interpretation) She spent seven years in expenditure Thank you. management and another ten years as the lead of the GN’s collective bargaining >>Applause with both the NEU and the NTA. Members’ Statements. Member for Mr. Speaker, most recently Diane Quttiktuq, Mr. Akeeagok. worked within the Department of Finance to modernize and digitize our Member’s Statement 312 – 5(2): exit surveys, which has led to an Acknowledging Isaac Shooyook of exponential increase in the amount of Arctic Bay (Akeeagok) people providing the GN with important feedback. Hon. David Akeeagok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I say “good Mr. Speaker, she was the lead in morning” to the fine residents of Grise conducting the employee engagement Fiord, Resolute Bay, and Arctic Bay. I survey, which solicited feedback from am ecstatic that once the session is over, almost 2,000 employees. Diane was also I will be able to see my constituents in instrumental in the revitalization of the the High Arctic once an opportunity to long-term service award ceremonies in do so arrives. our communities and here in Iqaluit to recognize the contribution of GN Mr. Speaker, on Friday I was unable to employees. attend the apology (interpretation ends) Prime Minister Trudeau (interpretation) Mr. Speaker, Diane is a great example of announced to all Nunavummiut. He the professional, knowledgeable and started off with the TB epidemic, but he dedicated employees that make up the also mentioned the other cumulative GN. I know there are many more like colonial practices such as the dog

Monday, March 11, 2019 Nunavut Hansard 3118 slaughters and sovereignty practices of immense pride in Isaac Shooyook. relocating Inuit within his apology. Due Thank you, Mr. Speaker. to these additional practices also being the focus of the apology, I was very >>Applause happy to hear those included as I happened to watch a televised repeat of Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. the apology. Members’ Statements. Member for Rankin Inlet South, Mr. Kusugak. I also want to acknowledge a predecessor in this House, Isaac Member’s Statement 313 – 5(2): 2019 Shooyook, as he was affected by all Terence Tootoo Memorial Hockey three of the aforementioned colonial Tournament (Kusugak) events in Canada, which were labelled as a dark stage in Canadian history. He Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): suffered the loss of his dogs, was sent Good morning, Mr. Speaker. Thank you south for TB treatment, and he was also for the opportunity to speak. relocated elsewhere. Because of his experience, I want to publicly pay tribute Mr. Speaker, Rankin Inlet was very busy to him as he was also able to get elected this weekend. Rankin Inlet is probably into this House, and he was very the most obsessed Nunavut community dedicated in voicing what Inuit really when it comes to hockey. They are very wanted. passionate about it.

He is still one of the biggest advocates of This weekend they held the Terence Inuit, as he is working on Inuit Tootoo Memorial Cup. It was great. Qaujimajatuqangit values by always Every community in the Kivalliq was talking about them, speaking publicly on represented and Igloolik residents were the local radio in Arctic Bay via also there. I would have loved to have telephone conversations or citizens band been there to hear the discussions about radio. He is generally on the local radio how it went and how Igloolik came and daily, speaking on issues. Many played very well. It was good to see that Nunavummiut would benefit from they enjoyed their time. hearing his sage advice and experiences in how Inuit traditionally practised social Anytime we see a gathering of people, cohesion, social rules, and in living and there are always people behind the working together. scenes who aren’t paid to volunteer and support the work they do to make these I wanted to voice my immense pride in tournaments and events happen in him, as he is also my mother-in-law’s communities. brother and I want to honour his undying passion and encourage him to continue Mr. Speaker, in conclusion, the Rankin his contributions as he is the Inlet Canucks came in second yesterday embodiment of a resilient Inuk who went and the winners were the Rankin Inlet through tremendous hardships which he Miners. Congratulations to them. Come used towards a better style of living. again next year for the tournament in With that being said, I want to voice my Rankin Inlet. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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>>Applause Grizzlies, which is based on a true story from Kugluktuk. Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Members’ Statements. Member for Mr. Speaker, the movie finally aired for Cambridge Bay, Ms. Ehaloak. the first time in Kugluktuk last Thursday and was a huge hit. The audience felt Member’s Statement 314 – 5(2): every emotion and let me tell you there Appreciation of Grandson wasn’t a dry eye in the house. I am (Ehaloak) pleased that the cast and crew could be Hon. Jeannie Ehaloak (interpretation): present for the big screening in Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation Kugluktuk. They got a standing ovation ends) Good morning to my colleagues. when the movie was over. Good morning to Cambridge Bay and all Nunavummiut. Mr. Speaker, I, too, was part of the Grizzly movement and a proud member Mr. Speaker, I rise today with pride to of the athletics association. A large part congratulate a young man who has made of who I am today is because of the a difference in my life since the day he Grizzlies. Mr. Speaker, many of us can was born. say that being part of the Grizzlies had an enormous positive impact on our Mr. Speaker, this individual will be lives. We learned so much and I feel it completing his first year in the has made us realize who and where we Environmental Tech Program, my want to be in our lives. grandson Calvin. I’m proud of you. Mr. Speaker, the teachers and coaches of I would also like to congratulate all of the day were so dedicated to our well- the students who are graduating this being and keeping us in school that they spring from high school and those who have become part of the community of are completing their post-secondary Kugluktuk. We always welcome them education. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. home when they visit and will continue to do so. >>Applause Mr. Speaker, I would especially like to Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. welcome home Russ Shepherd, who was Members’ Statements. Member for one of the key founders of the Grizzlies. Kugluktuk, Ms. Kamingoak. I know Russ is full of emotions, but I would like to say to him, “I know you Member’s Statement 315 – 5(2): The will enjoy every minute of being back Grizzlies Movie (Kamingoak) home in Kugluktuk. I can honestly say that ‘thank you’ will never be enough, Ms. Kamingoak: Koana, Mr. Speaker. but I do thank you from the bottom of Good morning, Kuglukturmiut and my heart for everything you have done Nunavummiut. and continue to do.”

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share my Mr. Speaker, the movie The Grizzlies pride in the success of the movie The will be airing here in Iqaluit tonight at

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the Astro Theatre, and I encourage The department is planning on everyone to go see it. The movie has consulting with Nunavummiut and been nominated for a number of awards, businesses in the territory on what the winning the Best Narrative Feature at the minimum wage should be via a survey in Palm Springs International Film Festival the spring. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. and the Director’s Guild of Canada award for Best Direction in a Feature Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Film. The Grizzlies has recently been Returns to Oral Questions. Minister nominated for Best Feature Film by the responsible for the Qulliq Energy Writers Guild of Canada. Koana, Mr. Corporation, Minister Ehaloak. Speaker. Return to Oral Question 392 – 5(2): >>Applause Alternate and Renewable Energy Projects (Ehaloak) Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Members’ Statements. Returns to Oral Hon. Jeannie Ehaloak (interpretation): Questions. Minister of Justice, Minister Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation Ehaloak. ends) On March 5, 2019 a question was asked by Mr. Allan Rumbolt, MLA for Item 4: Returns to Oral Questions Hudson Bay, Question 392 – 5(2).

Return to Oral Question 313 – 5(2): Question: Minimum Wage (Ehaloak) Can the minister confirm when the Hon. Jeannie Ehaloak (interpretation): tender for the project was issued? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) On February 21, 2019 a question Response: was asked by Mr. Allan Rumbolt, MLA for Hudson Bay, Question 313 – 5(2). The tender has not been issued. The The question was: project has been approved for fiscal year 2019-2020 with an expected duration of “…by law the minister is required under two years. The Qulliq Energy the Labour Standards Act to table an Corporation’s engineering department annual report in the Legislative has started working on the tender Assembly on the minimum wage in process and it will be issued once Nunavut. However, a report has not been finalized. tabled since March of 2017 during the previous Assembly. Why is this Question: requirement not currently being met?” Can the minister indicate what the Mr. Speaker, the 2017-18 annual report minimum local labour content will be tabled in the Legislative requirements will be for the Qulliq Assembly during the 2019 spring sitting. Energy Corporation’s district heating The delay in tabling these reports is due project in Sanikiluaq? Can she indicate if to an ongoing analysis in preparation of the project will provide opportunities for possible increases in the minimum wage. local residents to gain specialized

Monday, March 11, 2019 Nunavut Hansard 3121 training during the construction phase? My response:

Response: The project has been approved for fiscal year 2019-2020 with expected duration The direct heating system project in of two years. The Qulliq Energy Sanikiluaq will follow the Nunavummi Corporation’s engineering department Nangminiqaqtunik Ikajuuti, which is the has started working on the tender NNI Policy, and the bid evaluation will process and it will be issued once follow policy requirements. There are no finalized. plans for any additional specialized training. Question:

Question: Can the minister indicate what the minimum local labour content Can the minister clarify how many requirement will be for the Qulliq buildings in Sanikiluaq will benefit from Energy Corporation’s district heating this project? project in Taloyoak and can she indicate if the project will also provide Response: opportunities for local residents to gain training and apprenticeship hours during The Qulliq Energy Corporation plans to the construction phase? connect Nuiyak School and Paatsaali High School to the corporation’s direct Response: heating system. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The district heating system project in Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Taloyoak will follow the Nunavummi Returns to Oral Questions. Minister Nangminiqaqtunik Ikajuuti, which is the responsible for the Qulliq Energy NNI Policy, and the bid evaluation will Corporation, Minister Ehaloak. follow NNI Policy requirements. There are no plans for any additional Return to Oral Question 393 – 5(2): specialized training. Thank you, Mr. Alternative and Renewable Energy Speaker. Projects (Ehaloak) Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Hon. Jeannie Ehaloak (interpretation): Returns to Oral Questions. Minister Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation responsible for the Qulliq Energy ends) On March 5, 2019 a question was Corporation, Minister Ehaloak. asked by Mr. Emiliano Qirngnuq, MLA for Netsilik, No. 393 – 5(2). Return to Oral Question 394 – 5(2): Vacant Positions in Baker Lake Question: (Ehaloak) Hon. Jeannie Ehaloak (interpretation): Can the minister indicate when the Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation tender for the Taloyoak project will be ends) On March 5, 2019, asked by Mr. issued? Simeon Mikkungwak, MLA for Baker Lake, Question 394 – 5(2).

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Question: Returns to Oral Questions. Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. Member for How many employment opportunities Iqaluit-Tasiluk, Mr. Hickes. are currently vacant at the Baker Lake headquarters? Item 5: Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery Response: Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. There are nine positions vacant at the Speaker. As I mentioned in my Baker Lake Qulliq Energy Corporation’s member’s statement earlier, I headquarters: supply chain manager, acknowledged the 17 years of service enterprise systems specialist, revenue that Diane Moebis has contributed to the manager, Inuit Employment Plan development of the Territory of coordinator, junior information Nunavut. I would also like to take this technology generalist, project accountant this time to thank her husband, Cal (assets and inventory), senior enterprise Clark. Both of them obviously are systems specialist, manager of Inuit constituents of mine here in Iqaluit and Employment Plan, and manager of are leaving shortly, or from what I information technology. understand, on a well-deserved retirement trip. Mr. Speaker, some of the vacant positions are already being utilized as I would also like to take this time to internship opportunities. The Qulliq thank Cal specifically. I had the pleasure Energy Corporation currently has two of working with him for a couple of Inuit acting in these positions through years before my term of office here [developmental] internal transfer started. I would have to say he was assignments. instrumental just through different dialogues and different political Developmental internal transfer discussions on raising my awareness on assignments provide individuals with the how I felt I could contribute here in this opportunity to gain the necessary House, and he was a champion of mine. experience and training they need to I would like to think that he very much enter the position indeterminately. helped me decide when I was going to run. I had the inkling, but he helped push Currently there are [developmental] me over the edge. internal transfer assignments in place for the manager of Inuit Employment Plan I would like to take this time to thank and the manager of information both of them and welcome Cal Clark and technology. In addition, the position of Diane Moebis to this House. I would like Inuit Employment Plan coordinator is to take this time to also acknowledge being held for an individual who that their children are here working, completes the Sivuliqtiksat internship contributing through Iqaluit to Nunavut program, which is currently being and I would like to thank them as well advertised. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. for their service. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker (interpretation): Thank you.

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>>Applause Member for Aggu, Mr. Quassa.

Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Mr. Quassa (interpretation): Thank you, Welcome to the gallery. Recognition of Mr. Speaker. Although she was already Visitors in the Gallery. Member for recognized, I would like to recognize Rankin Inlet North-Chesterfield Inlet, Manitok Thompson. She is a role model. Ms. Towtongie. She has been a very good representative. When she lived in Ottawa, she was the Ms. Towtongie (interpretation): Thank voice of the Inuit in Ottawa and you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to Nunavut. I am very proud of her and I recognize my dear older sister, Manitok also welcome her husband, Tom, and her Thompson. She has been a role model. grandchild. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. She has been a minister in the House of both the Northwest Territories and >>Applause Nunavut. Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. You must know that Manitok is not Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. afraid of anybody nor is she scared. She Member for Iqaluit-Sinaa, Ms. was telling me what to do when I got Sheutiapik. elected and I was thinking of her as Saddam Hussein… Hon. Elisapee Sheutiapik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. >>Laughter Speaker. Although they were already recognized, I am always very proud of …who was menacing. Manitok. Even though she is living down south, she is still the voice of However, I’m also very thankful. She is Nunavut. She sews road kill. How an excellent seamstress and I’m wearing skilful! what she has made. Her grandchild, Leanne Vicky Thompson, and her >>Laughter husband, Tom Thompson, I recognize them all and I am very glad that they’re As well, her husband, Tom, here for a little while on their way to (interpretation ends) welcome. Clyde River tomorrow. (interpretation) He was a very good boss when I worked for a little bit with the You must know that my older sister is a newly formed Nunavut government. He minister. I have three older sisters who taught me well. Thank you and are ministers, and Manitok teaches at the welcome, Tom. Thank you, Mr. Larga Baffin in Ottawa. Thank you, my Chairman. sister, Manitok Thompson. >>Applause >>Applause Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Welcome to the gallery. Recognition of Welcome to the gallery, everyone. Visitors in the Gallery. Member for Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. Aivilik, Mr. Netser.

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Hon. Patterk Netser (interpretation): Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. I Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good morning. have no more names on my list. Although they were already recognized, I would also like to welcome these If you will allow me, I want to tell individuals. Manitok on behalf of Baffin residents that I and the MLAs representing the My older brother-in-law, Tom Baffin region wish to offer our thanks to Thompson, it seems like yesterday that you as you provide a tremendous service he retired, but it has been 12 years to the patients from the Baffin region. already and this is his first trip back to We note your dedication and wish to Nunavut after his retirement. I want to thank you for providing that for our welcome my older brother-in-law and residents. Thank you. his wife, Manitok, with whom I speak with frequently. >>Applause

Also, her granddaughter had leukemia All visitors in the gallery, welcome to while still a child, but her grandmother your Legislative Assembly of Nunavut spent every day with her in Winnipeg and always feel welcome. and she would pray for her. Today it is obvious that her granddaughter Oral Questions. Member for Netsilik, overcame her sickness and is now Mr. Qirngnuq. healthy and here with us today. Item 6: Oral Questions When Manitok goes anywhere, she Question 422 – 5(2): Uses for the Old offers advice about resiliency and to not Health Centre in Taloyoak give up, to pray for guidance as prayer (Qirngnuq) has a role and she tends to offer that Mr. Qirngnuq (interpretation): Thank advice continually. When people you, Mr. Speaker. I say “good morning” continue to hear encouragement, hope to my fellow residents of Kugaaruk and and belief can arrive. the people of Taloyoak, as well as all of my colleagues here in the House. I am truly proud of my sister-in-law Manitok, as she breathes life into what (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I she does. She works with people who are would like to direct my question to the sick, and it is obvious that she is blessing Minister of Community and Government the lives of the people and her blessings Services. will continue to grow. Mr. Speaker, the minister may recall that I would like to welcome the whole in 2017 and again in 2018 I asked family here, and once you go to Clyde questions regarding the future use of the River, please send my regards to David old health centre building in Taloyoak. Iqaqrialu. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the minister confirm whether or not this building has been released by the >>Applause Department of Health as a surplus building and, if so, what is the current Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. status of the building? (interpretation)

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Minister Kusugak.

Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): Minister of Community and Government Thank you, Mr. Speaker. With regard to Services, Minister Kusugak. the old health centre my colleague is referring to, it requires a release from the Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): government. Once the release is official, Good morning, Mr. Speaker. I also thank the hamlet will have the right of first my colleague for that question. When a refusal of the facility if they want to government building is no longer in use, acquire it. They will be informed of the such as the old health centre he is status of the old health centre to referring to, it has to be released by the determine whether they wish to acquire Department of Health. When the release it and they will have first dibs on the form is completed, then we query other chance to get the facility by either departments to see if they would be able stating their wish to approve it or not, to use the building. Once it has gone Mr. Speaker. Thank you. through that, I will inform my colleague when the building would be released by Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. the department. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Your final supplementary, Mr. Qirngnuq. Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Your first supplementary, Mr. Qirngnuq. Mr. Qirngnuq (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. For the benefit of the Mr. Qirngnuq (interpretation): Thank listening audience, (interpretation ends) you, Mr. Speaker. I know I will Mr. Speaker, it seems that the process to understand this situation later, but in surplus the old health centre in Taloyoak order to ensure I am completely is taking some time. understood by speakers of other dialects, I will ask this question again in English. Will the minister commit to directing his officials to looking into the status of the (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, the old health centre in Taloyoak and Hamlet of Taloyoak has indicated on a informing the municipality whether or number of occasions that it is interested not they can have the building? in using the building. One suggestion (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. was to use it as a space for elders and youth to meet and hold activities. A Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. more recent suggestion is to use it as an Minister Kusugak. emergency shelter. Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): Can the minister confirm whether there Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When wanting have been any discussions with the a facility, one wants to see this process Hamlet of Taloyoak for them to be able expedited in declaring facilities surplus to take over the use of the building? and with buildings being abandoned. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I will ask my officials in charge of this process to see if there is any way to Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. expedite this process to get the surplus

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declaration. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. announcements come forward from the federal government, there is often Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. dialogue with Department of Finance Oral Questions. Member for Baker Lake, officials on how to work with Mr. Mikkungwak. community members, GLOs, and economic development officers of that Question 423 – 5(2): Income Taxes sort. (Mikkungwak) Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you, Mr. Mr. Speaker, I don’t know the level of Speaker. My questions are for the operational detail on exactly how those Minister of Finance and they concern a communications transpire or what great topic for a Monday morning sitting suggestions are actually made. That’s of the House: income taxes. pretty operational level. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >>Laughter Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. As the minister will be aware, Your first supplementary, Mr. information published by the Canada Mikkungwak. Revenue Agency indicates that for the most recent tax year available, there Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you, Mr. were a total of 21,620 income tax returns Speaker. I think the minister had a brief filed by Nunavut residents, of which glance on my first supplementary here. approximately 2,320 returns were filed by elders aged 60 or older. Can the minister indicate how the Department of Finance is working with Mr. Speaker, last year the Canada the Department of Executive and Revenue Agency announced its plan to Intergovernmental Affairs to provide open permanent offices in each of the information and training to government three territorial capitals and expand the liaison officers to allow them to provide Community Volunteer Income Tax income tax-related assistance to elders, Program. especially unilingual elders? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, can the minister indicate how his department is working with the Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Canada Revenue Agency to identify Minister Hickes. volunteers in Nunavut communities, including Baker Lake, to assist elders, Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. especially unilingual elders, with filing Speaker. I appreciate the member their income tax returns? Thank you, Mr. bringing up the role of the GLO. It’s a Speaker. very important role in all of our communities. When you’re looking at Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. providing government services and Minister of Finance, Minister Hickes. information to our residents, it’s a great point of contact. I appreciate the Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Department of Executive and Speaker. When these types of Intergovernmental Affairs on how they

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work with the coordination from all our Ms. Nakashuk (interpretation): Thank departments. you, Mr. Speaker. Good morning, my colleagues. I also say “good morning” to Again, at an operational level of how the people of Pangnirtung. often or what exactly that training contains, I just don’t have that level of This morning I would like to direct my detail. I do know that there are training question to the Minister of Family opportunities for the GLOs through the Services. Department of EIA on a number of different government programs, not just Mr. Speaker, last week as we reviewed in regard to CRA assistance, but I do the 2019-2020 budget for the know that there is training provided. Department of Family Services, Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I was disturbed to note that even greater income assistance Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. benefits are being provided to young Your final supplementary, Mr. single people over the age of 18 who are Mikkungwak. not working while at the same time funding allocated for career development Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you, Mr. initiatives to get more Nunavummiut Speaker. As the Member for Netsilik working has been decreased and in the reminded us recently, it bears repeating case of funding for Nunavut that Nunavut Inuit are tax-paying Sivuniksavut, completely eliminated. Canadians. As with the rest of the country, the deadline here for filing Can the minister clarify why her income tax returns is at the end of April, department puts greater emphasis on so it is important that employers issue supporting individuals who are not T4s in timely manner. Can the minister working instead of supporting confirm that the Government of Nunavut individuals who are learning the skills has now issued the 2018 T4s for all of its they need to be able to work? employees? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Minister of Finance, Minister Hickes. Minister of Family Services, Minister Sheutiapik. Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To my knowledge, yes. Thank Hon. Elisapee Sheutiapik you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank you for that Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. question. (interpretation ends) The Oral Questions. Member for Income Assistance Program was Pangnirtung, Ms. Nakashuk. increased last year and we’re just following through on the income support Question 424 – 5(2): Support for increase that’s for any adults over the Nunavut Sivuniksavut (Nakashuk) age of 18. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. funding for NS and the reason is because Your first supplementary, Ms. a letter was written to the Premier on not Nakashuk. so much why the funding was stopped but that they’re requesting more funding. Ms. Nakashuk (interpretation): Thank The previous government had committed you, Mr. Speaker. She didn’t respond to to funding NS for three years at part of my question. As we are aware, $175,000 a year. The commitment was the Nunavut Sivuniksavut program for three years and that was it. The educates and prepares Inuit youth for decision was made at the cabinet level careers in Nunavut. We need more Inuit that the funding criteria we had did not graduates. Our public service has just fit the funding request that was made. over 50 percent Inuit representation, far We have to abide by the Financial from the 85 percent it should be. Many Administration Manual and this did not Nunavut Sivuniksavut graduates fit. currently work in the civil service, both territorial and federal governments, as As the members know, last year Family well as in private business. This program Services had a deficit of, I think it was, is helping our government achieve its $1.2 million. This year they’re having Inuit employment goals. another deficit again of $1.1 million or $1.2 million, and that’s where the My question for the minister is: funding was coming from, the funding (interpretation ends) can the minister source for NS. Family Services has to clarify what consideration has been concentrate their efforts on given to providing funding to Nunavut Nunavummiut who really, truly need the Sivuniksavut and what specific reasons help in order to get them more led to the decision not to renew its employable. funding for 2019-2020? (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As one of the members stated last week there, NS graduates generally are Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. employable and they get good jobs here Minister Sheutiapik. in the government or with industry or with the federal government. Mr. Hon. Elisapee Sheutiapik Speaker, we have people here in (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Nunavut who truly need that help. They Speaker. I also thank her for that can’t go to NS. They need help in order question. The (interpretation ends) to get them employable at the bottom Premier (interpretation) would like to level. We have lots of Nunavummiut respond to that question. Thank you, Mr. who need to be helped that may be Speaker. employable and we only have so much money and resources. Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Premier, can you respond to that Mr. Speaker, we do fund NS indirectly. question? Premier Savikataaq. From FANS they get over a million dollars a year for tuition, for their books, Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. and also now for their residence because Speaker. I would like to talk about the NS owns a residence now and therefore

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when the students get funding to help to, but will the minister or the cabinet them for their rent, then it comes off commit to reconsidering the decision there too. regarding the funding of Nunavut Sivuniksavut and update this House on This was a decision that was made. It the results of the deliberations made in wasn’t made lightly. There was a lot of the spring sitting? (interpretation) Thank debate on it, and I just want to speak to you, Mr. Speaker. the fact that we feel that we have to help Nunavummiut that are here, that are a Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. lower level in terms of their opportunity Minister Sheutiapik. to get a job. We are concentrating our efforts on the Nunavummiut here at the Hon. Elisapee Sheutiapik lower end. (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank you for the We haven’t forgotten NS and it’s a good question. Obviously it has affected program. It is a good program. It was in things. We get letters and if they had the news there last week, some of the requested money from somewhere else, stuff they do, and I agree it’s a good they could be considered as well. Thank program. It just did not fit on the funding you, Mr. Speaker. formula for Family Services. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Oral Questions. Member for Iqaluit- Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Manirajak, Mr. Lightstone. Your final supplementary, Ms. Nakashuk. Question 425 – 5(2): Support for Nunavut Sivuniksavut Ms. Nakashuk (interpretation): Thank (Lightstone) you, Mr. Speaker. I recognize that a key Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. component of the Department of Family Speaker. Today my questions are for the Services is to provide support and Minister of Education. assistance to Nunavut’s most vulnerable. In my previous member’s statement I (interpretation ends) I recognize that a recognized the contributions that key component of the Department of Nunavut Sivuniksavut has made to our Family Services’ mandate is to provide territory and expressed concern over the support and assistance to Nunavut’s government’s decision to end its most vulnerable. However, providing contributions. support so that Nunavut residents can improve their ability to find employment As an alumni himself, I assume that the is also the department’s mandate. minister can appreciate the life-changing Supporting Nunavummiut to develop benefits that Nunavut Sivuniksavut their ability to work and to be productive provides to all that attend. plays an important role in preventing them from being vulnerable. Mr. Speaker, it is due to the contributions from the Government of I’m not sure who I should be asking this Nunavut, Nunavut Tunngavik

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Incorporated, our regional Inuit Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. organizations, and including the federal Minister Joanasie. government that NS has been able to expand its programming to now accept Hon. David Joanasie (interpretation): over 40 first year students. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) As far as I understand, the funding My question to the minister is: does the that was provided to Nunavut minister recognize the importance of Sivuniksavut, when Family Services was these contributions to Nunavut created, that contribution moved from Sivuniksavut? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. the Department of Education to Family Services. As the Premier had indicated, Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. it was a three-year commitment at the Minister of Education, Minister time and that has ended. Joanasie. We have those established partnerships Hon. David Joanasie (interpretation): with outside organizations that the Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank member had indicated. Those are him for his question. As cabinet, we ongoing and through our department, made the decision. Although we know they have specific, targeted groups. The that Nunavut Sivuniksavut is a good University of Prince Edward Island help program and it has affected many us offer the certificate in educational people, right now the funding agreement leadership for our principals and through Family Services has ended. teachers in our schools, and Encounters Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Canada, these are important core programs for students in the schools too Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. that are Nunavummiut, so we are Your first supplementary, Mr. ongoing with those contributions with Lightstone. them. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Speaker. I thank the minister for that Your final supplementary, Mr. response. I just wanted to explain that I Lightstone. wasn’t asking about the cabinet’s decision; I was asking about the Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. minister’s stance on the contributions Speaker. I would like to remind the that NS receives. minister that the Department of Education’s core business under I’ll move on to my next question. Why is advanced education includes adult it that the minister finds it necessary to learning, which is responsible for adult provide grants and contributions to programs that support equality of programs and organizations outside of opportunity and encourages adult Nunavut, such as the University of PEI, literacy, numeracy, and essential Frontier College, National Arts Centre, employability skills, all of which Encounters with Canada, and Nunavut Sivuniksavut does. TakingITGlobal and not Nunavut Sivuniksavut? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the minister for bringing up the

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transfer to Family Services, as I was of discussion this morning, which is about to remind the minister of so that Nunavut Sivuniksavut. the original contribution to NS began in 2011 under the Department of Today the government is faced with Education. For some unknown reason, tremendous challenges trying to the contribution was transferred to the implement (interpretation ends) Article Department of Family Services. 23 (interpretation) to fulfill their obligations. We often hear the Mr. Speaker, considering that the government announcing they want to Department of Family Services has hire more Inuit employees, which is a recently determined that the contribution legal obligation of this government. to NS no longer meets the parameters of the targeted training initiatives, I believe As my colleague, Ms. Nakashuk, so that the transfer from the Department of clearly pointed out, our goal is to have Education to the Department of Family 85 percent of the public service filled by Services may have been a mistake. Inuit as a representative level. With that as the target, does the (interpretation Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask: will the ends) Premier (interpretation) agree that minister commit to create a program to the Nunavut Sivuniksavut Program has fund adult learning initiatives that produced graduates who have support quality of opportunity such as contributed towards this government Nunavut Sivuniksavut? Thank you, Mr. coming closer to that target listed in Speaker. Article 23?

Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. We already have multiple workers who Minister Joanasie. are graduates of this program called Nunavut Sivuniksavut, and we have had Hon. David Joanasie: Thank you, Mr. several (interpretation ends) deputy Speaker. We will be looking at our ministers (interpretation) and even a grants and contributions programs that minister who is a graduate, several we currently offer and see where there ADMs, as well as (interpretation ends) are opportunities for partnerships that we policy analysts, (interpretation) and this currently don’t have through the comprises many examples of exactly department. I’ll leave it at that. Thank what this government needs. you, Mr. Speaker. Does the Premier support the fact that Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Nunavut Sivuniksavut graduates have Oral Questions. Member for Aggu, Mr. contributed greatly towards this legal Quassa. obligation? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 426 – 5(2): Support for Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Nunavut Sivuniksavut (Quassa) , Mr. Savikataaq.

Mr. Quassa (interpretation): Thank you, Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): Mr. Speaker. This morning my question Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, Nunavut is for the Premier regarding the subject Sivuniksavut, or NS, graduates have

Monday, March 11, 2019 Nunavut Hansard 3132 been hired by the government, private program started, I was there and I businesses, and the federal government. remember when it started. Up to now I agree that they have learned a great there have been 500 graduates. They are deal and we have supported them since from Nunavut and you know that they’re 2012 to 2018. Through FANS we have all from Nunavut. provided over $5 million to Nunavut Sivuniksavut. We express that we want to support people from Nunavut and the I do agree with the assertion that our government always says it wants to target is 85 percent, and further, we support people from Nunavut, even work with (interpretation ends) Family when they’re outside of Nunavut. Now Services (interpretation) towards trying this government seems to think of people to reach this target by encouraging from Nunavut, when they’re outside of income support clientele who can’t get Nunavut, as non-Nunavut people. We employment to use the (interpretation fully support Nunavut Sivuniksavut ends) G.R.E.A.T program because we know they will help us in the (interpretation) to work towards gainful future a great deal. employment. When they finish this G.R.E.A.T program, now we have a Can the Premier reconsider the decision (interpretation ends) G.R.E.A.T. 2.0, that was made and support Nunavut (interpretation) which is the next level Sivuniksavut? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. program designed last year. Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. The government funds are now being Premier Savikataaq. expended on Nunavummiut for enhancing their chances of getting Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): government positions and further, to be Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Our able to work at any position locally. government supports people who want Additionally, Nunavut Sivuniksavut to continue their education in Nunavut or receives funding from the (interpretation outside of Nunavut. If our youth are ends) Makigiaqta Corporation. interested in furthering their education (interpretation) This funding stems from through Nunavut Sivuniksavut, the NTI lawsuit and an agreement was universities, or colleges, inside or reached with the federal government to outside of Nunavut, after they complete train Inuit towards government grade 12, we support their further positions. They ought to be using only education and we encourage them to Inuit money from this fund as NS does continue their education. If they continue get funding already from (interpretation their education, then it will be easier to ends) Makigiaqta Corporation. get a job. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Your final supplementary, Mr. Quassa. Your first supplementary, Mr. Quassa. Mr. Quassa (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Quassa (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’ll ask my final question Mr. Speaker. Since 1985, when the in English.

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(interpretation ends) Can the Premier We the government are here to help all commit to refunding the Nunavut Nunavummiut, whether they’re in the Sivuniksavut program? It is a tool that territory or out of the territory. As I this government can use. There are so stated earlier here, we want many tools out there that this Nunavummiut to be educated and we are government seems to ignore, tools that doing our best to make them educated, this government can start living up to the whether they’re going to Nunavut obligations under the Nunavut Land Sivuniksavut, a university down south, Claims Agreement. Certainly this is one college down south, Arctic College in of the tools that I believe this Nunavut. I encourage young government can certainly use. Nunavummiut to further their education. I have always said that education is the As I said, my last question is: can the key for us Nunavummiut to be more Premier commit to relooking at funding employable, which means better the Nunavut Sivuniksavut program? It standard of living, which means creates a very important program for generally that things are better. Nunavummiut by Nunavummiut. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The funding source, where it was coming from, was a three-year Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. commitment and it wasn’t following (interpretation ends) Premier Savikataaq. FAM. Mr. Speaker, when you find that there’s something not being followed Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. and you continue making that mistake, Speaker. The member is right that we it’s not right. We’re here to correct stuff have many different tools we use to and make sure that when there’s a make Nunavummiut more employable funding request, it follows the guidelines and advance in their careers. I talked and manuals that are there. I’m not about some of the programs that FANS saying this is rigid. If they wanted to funds in terms of trying to get the people send another request to another that are not ready or can’t get into department like Education, they’re free college or university, the more to do it, but the way it was funded was vulnerable people. not following the Financial Administration Manual. I agree that Nunavut Sivuniksavut’s students are more employable. A lot of I encourage all Nunavummiut to get the students that are doing very well in further education and we will fund them. school go take that program, so they We will help them to get educated. We already have a head start. They may want them to be employable. We want to have been able to go straight to reach our target on Article 23 of 85 university. There are other students that percent and we’re trying our best to do either didn’t finish grade 12 or just that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. barely finished grade 12 and they need help to go to the next step to make them Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. more employable. Some of the people of Oral Questions. Member for Amittuq, Nunavut have barriers that they need in Mr. Kaernerk. order to advance their education.

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Question 427 – 5(2): Support for to provide more Nunavummiut with this Nunavut Sivuniksavut (Kaernerk) type of training by using Nunavut Sivuniksavut graduates to run this type Mr. Kaernerk (interpretation): Thank of training? Thank you, Mr. Speaker you, Mr. Speaker. Good morning, my colleagues and people of Amittuq. Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Minister responsible for Nunavut Arctic Earlier I was one of the members College, Minister Netser. speaking about the need to further encourage our youth, and I will be Hon. Patterk Netser (interpretation): directing my question today to the Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good morning. Minister responsible for Nunavut Arctic In speaking about Nunavut Sivuniksavut College. where students travel down to Ottawa to receive an education, they are usually I, too, am using students as the subject of assisted with funding from the my question to ask about the Nunavut Department of Family Services. Sivuniksavut program. The graduates Unfortunately Arctic College isn’t return, and as my colleague from Aggu responsible for that, Mr. Speaker. Thank stated, they are offered employment you. opportunities in the government. Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Mr. Speaker, this relates to what the Your first supplementary, Mr. Kaernerk. minister wanted to work towards, as he made a report during our standing Mr. Kaernerk (interpretation): Thank committee review and mentioned that you, Mr. Speaker. That is so unfortunate $561,000 was set aside for this program there is no vision. that prepares our youth for employment. As well, for providing more information Yes, I would ask you reconsider that on this program and I am only idea, to use existing resources, as this referencing them here as I want to be can provide tremendous benefits to both clear where I am coming from. our income support clients and these graduates. It will show our youth who Why can’t Nunavut Sivuniksavut receive haven’t gone down south that gainful a part of this funding? Although the employment is possible with further agreement has expired, the graduates education. This would allow them to who do return can provide further become intrigued about post-secondary training for the clientele under the courses and they would become G.R.E.A.T. program through Arctic encouraged seeing other youth who College. succeeded as potential role models.

As our Premier just alluded to, we want I want to see more use of existing to make our youth employable as this is resources in our immediate future, already being provided. I wonder if we especially initiatives that further can tie it into providing further education encourage our youth to pursue further using Arctic College facilities. Has this education. Let me point out a few more ever come under consideration in trying facts. There were eight graduates all

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together from Hall Beach for the NS youth-on-youth training and provide program, and 33 students from Igloolik actual experiences that they went have graduated from this program. through. They can show that this is how the other youth can also succeed in This is an area that requires stronger pursuing further education. commitment from Arctic College as well as by the Department of Family There is a budget line item consisting of Services. Can you meet with your $561,000, which is quite a nice amount. ministerial colleague of Family Services I believe this line item could assist us in to see how we can utilize this type of that, as you stated courses commence in peer-to-peer training to provide positive the fall or winter up to spring. I would encouragement to our youth in Nunavut? like further understanding if the Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Department of Education, the Department of Family Services, and Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Arctic College can initiate discussions of Minister Netser. this nature to see if there is any way to get more clients employed by using NS Hon. Patterk Netser (interpretation): graduates. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Arctic College provides training beginning in the fall. Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. We are open to any further training Minister Netser. possibilities involving Nunavut Sivuniksavut graduates, as they are also Hon. Patterk Netser (interpretation): able to get other educational Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That fund he opportunities under Arctic College. We mentioned of $561,000 is specific to a are open to them taking courses, Mr. particular activity and is allocated Speaker. Thank you. towards that. During the standing committee review by members, they Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. approved the future budget Your final supplementary, Mr. Kaernerk. appropriations.

Mr. Kaernerk (interpretation): Thank Now he is asking that we change the you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I heard the fact agreed to direction that was approved your department is open to ideas as I within this budget line item. Now he think more youth peer training would asks if we can change this item. We provide actual encouragement or even can’t change items that are already just a pilot project where you hire the approved here, Mr. Speaker. Thank you. graduating Nunavut Sivuniksavut students to teach their local peers. What Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. I meant here is youth seeing successfully Oral Questions. Member for Rankin educated youth they can emulate and Inlet North-Whale Cove, Ms. copy since they are our future. Towtongie.

Now, an exciting result would be that our current NS graduates who return to their communities could then provide

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Question 428 – 5(2): Increasing 2015. There was an increase from $175 Benefits to Elders (Towtongie) to $200 a month. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Ms. Towtongie (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Minister of Family Services. Your first supplementary, Ms. Towtongie. Now the concern I have relates to our elders within Nunavut. They aren’t able Ms. Towtongie (interpretation): Thank to get employment nor do they attend you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, was a bit educational courses. Whenever any confused when you said Whale Cove. month ends, the federal government Thank you for the correction. sends their pension cheques. I feel compassion towards our elders, as do my I’m sorry, but I’ll be speaking English. colleagues. That much I understand. (interpretation ends) The senior citizen benefit program, there are a lot of low- When they look at personal items, they income seniors in Nunavut. The have a hard time purchasing guaranteed federal income supplement, snowmobiles or ATVs. The monthly my questions is: would the minister allocation that they get was going to be herself be able to buy $200 worth of reviewed to see if this amount could be groceries in a whole month? One bag is increased. I want to ask where this about $200 if you go to the Northern in review is at. They were talking between Iqaluit, Rankin Inlet, and Cambridge the territorial government and the federal Bay. government about elders funding. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. How did the justification for the increase of $200 come into existence, especially Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. when you’re dealing with the Before we proceed to the minister, the Government of Canada in increasing it? question was from the Member for Was the northern residency considered? Rankin Inlet North-Chesterfield Inlet. I Thank you, Mr. Speaker. apologize for saying Whale Cove earlier. Minister of Family Services, Minister Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Sheutiapik. Minister Sheutiapik.

Hon. Elisapee Sheutiapik Hon. Elisapee Sheutiapik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you for the question. I Speaker. I thank the member for her also support elders. I was raised by question. The Government of Nunavut elders. provides a (interpretation ends) supplement (interpretation) for elders in (interpretation ends) The Department of additional assistance. This isn’t the only Family Services, with federal funding, pot of money for elders. Thank you, Mr. has the Senior Citizen Supplementary Speaker. Benefit, which is what you’re asking about. That was reviewed on April 1, Speaker (interpretation): Thank you.

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Your final supplementary, Ms. that. Towtongie. The $25 increase was based on the Ms. Towtongie: Thank you, Mr. consumer price index, which was Chairman…Mr. Speaker. Why do I keep January 2015 and was reflected on the calling you Mr. Chairman? June 15 payment. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >>Laughter Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In response to Oral Questions. Member for Gjoa that answer, the minister did not answer Haven, Mr. Akoak. me. If I was negotiating with the Government of Canada, because it’s a Question 429 – 5(2): Gjoa Haven Test co-managed payment program with the Fishery (Akoak) federal government and it’s included on the monthly Old Age Security cheque, I Mr. Akoak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. would look at the cost of living in My questions are for the Minister of Nunavut per region. Let’s look at the Environment. High Arctic. Let’s look at southern Baffin, Keewatin, and Kitikmeot and As the minister is aware, the Gjoa Haven calculate the cost of living for those Hunters and Trappers Association has regions. been working with a number of partners as part of the Towards a Sustainable With the benefit of $200, if you’re living Fishery for Nunavummiut initiative to in Arctic Bay, I’m wondering: what is explore the feasibility of a commercial the differentiation analysis of fishery for the community. implementing $200 from the Nunavut supplementary citizens’ benefit? Mr. Speaker, this is not a new idea. As the minister will be aware, his Also, from the Government of Canada, department has published a number of what is the analysis for actually… ? If excellent community-specific reports as we can increase the federal government part of the Nunavut Coastal Resource supplementary benefit, then it would Inventory project. The report for Gjoa more reflect the cost of living in Haven indicates that test fisheries have Nunavut for senior citizens and our been going on since the 1970s. elders. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it is my understanding that Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. the Department of Environment has been Minister Sheutiapik. part of the Towards a Sustainable Fishery for Nunavummiut initiative. Hon. Elisapee Sheutiapik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Mr. Speaker, can the minister describe Speaker. Thank you for the question. what support his department has been (interpretation ends) You asked three providing for the current Gjoa Haven questions and when I stand up, I tend to test fishery? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. usually answer one. I just want to clarify

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Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. with Gjoa Haven’s Hunters and Trappers Minister of Environment, Minister Association, I have been informed that Savikataaq. the hunters and trappers organization’s current facility, which is used to process Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. meat and fish products, is several Speaker. I don’t have the specifics on decades old. I’m told that the building is that file on exactly what support has from the 1960s and is in urgent need of been given by the Department of replacement. Environment to Gjoa Haven there, but we support any fisheries initiatives, test Can the minister indicate if the current fisheries, and like the member said, I test fishery project in Gjoa Haven may guess they have been testing it for a long lead to the government making capital time, so they must know the results by investments in the community to now, I would think. modernize the hunters and trappers organization’s facilities and The way it works is if there’s a test infrastructure? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. fishery, the Department of Fisheries is also part of the equation there. If there’s Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. an established commercial quota that is Minister Savikataaq. on the books on Schedule 5, then they do test fisheries to see if that information is Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. still valid and, if it is, it’s usually a three- Speaker. If the fisheries turns out to be a year test fishery and then the Department viable project or venture, I guess you of Fisheries and Oceans can move that might call it that, if there’s enough fish back into a commercial quota for that and there’s a place to sell the fish, then area or that lake. the best option would be for the hunters and trappers organization there to talk I can’t talk specifically exactly how we with the economic development officer in the Department of Environment are to come up with a business plan in terms funding the Gjoa Haven project there, of the facilities that are needed, the but we’re here to help any community market that is needed. They could be that’s interested in going into helped out with the market. We’re there commercial fisheries as long as it’s to help too, but for the business end of it, viable. That’s what they do the test an economic development officer would fisheries for. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. be the key person to talk to and we will be part of that equation too. Thank you, Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Mr. Speaker. Your first supplementary, Mr. Akoak. Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Mr. Akoak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Your final supplementary, Mr. Akoak. The government is always looking for jobs for every community in Nunavut Mr. Akoak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. and this is one way of getting jobs to the Last week my colleague from communities. Uqqummiut asked the Minister of Economic Development and Mr. Speaker, in discussing this issue Transportation some questions about the

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status of a test fishery project in his Speaker: I would rather do that. constituency that was being partially (interpretation) Thank you. Oral funded by the Department of Economic Questions. Member for Uqqummiut, Mr. Development and Transportation. Keyootak.

Mr. Speaker, I share my colleague’s Question 430 – 5(2): Management of concern that it does not seem to make the Tammaativvik Boarding Home sense that the government’s fisheries (Keyootak) division, which focuses on economic Mr. Keyootak (interpretation): Thank development of the sector, is not located you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the in the department that focuses on Minister of Health. economic development. Mr. Speaker, we all know that the Mr. Speaker, I’m asking the Minister of Tammaativvik Boarding Home is used Environment to commit to raising this by patients from the Baffin region. The issue with the Premier of Nunavut, who contractors have been changed and there has the authority to make changes to the has been a turnover. government’s organizational structure. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we know that the boarding home here in Iqaluit is utilized by the Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. whole Baffin region. Almost every Minister Savikataaq. single one of them are Inuit who stay at the boarding home. Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The history between fisheries Mr. Speaker, since the change in the being with Economic Development and contractors, could you give us an update Environment or different names that as to how it’s running now and if there Environment has in the past, it has gone have been any changes or back and forth a few times. I completely improvements? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. understand both members’ point of view and I’ve had many discussions with the Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Premier on this, just mostly in the head. Minister of Health, Minister Hickes. Generally I don’t talk to myself, but I’ll take the member’s comments to Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. consideration and it is something that we Speaker. I thank the member for raising are considering for the member’s benefit this question. Mr. Speaker, over the last there. We are looking at where this number of months and years we have would fit better because, like he said, it been working steadily with the contract has gone both ways in the past ten years provider here in Iqaluit at the or so and we will be looking at it again. Tammaativvik Boarding Home. I’ll take the member’s comments to the Premier and the Premier will have a look With progress made incrementally over at it. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. that period of time and, as the member highlights, there was a recent change in >>Laughter the subcontract entity of that contract, I can say that we do continue to struggle

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with the overcrowding there. Like the provide services. member mentioned, we are servicing a large region of the territory to bring Can the officials in charge of this current medical patients down here to Iqaluit. contract provide a bit more direction from the Department of Health and can Other than that, I’m not aware of any they push to have frontline employees recent major concerns that have been who are Inuit? Many medical patients brought to my attention. Thank you, Mr. are still unilingual Inuit and they should Speaker. be provided service in their own language. Can your department work Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. with the contractor to provide these Your first supplementary, Mr. Keyootak. services? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Keyootak (interpretation): Thank Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank the Minister Hickes. minister for that response. Mr. Speaker, currently quite a number of our Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. constituents stay at the boarding home Speaker. This is the first I have been when they travel down for medical made aware of this concern. I know my purposes, and some of them tend to officials are watching closely on the express any concerns they may have to proceedings and I can assure the member us, their elected representatives, as Inuit. that they will follow up in due haste, Mr. This applies to residents of the Baffin Speaker. Thank you. region in particular. Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. To date I have received several Your final supplementary, Mr. complaints from medical patients who Keyootak. have come to me since the termination of the contract with the previous Mr. Keyootak (interpretation): Thank contractor and with the new contractor in you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank the place. This government keeps stating minister for saying that he will follow up that Inuktitut and Inuit culture has to be with the issue. recognized and respected, especially within facilities that many Inuit travel to. Mr. Speaker, I want to ask this next question to the minister. As I stated just There should be at a minimum written a moment ago, Inuit ought to be signs in Inuktitut and a person able to provided services in Inuktitut, but due to speak in Inuktitut, and more services in the lack of Inuit staff, they have nobody Inuktitut. From what I have heard, not capable of speaking the language at one of the receptionists or the drivers is Tammaativvik. an Inuk since the contract was terminated. We all know that many of As well, this other complaint should be the medical patients are most often again a priority. In listening to the unilingual and are not able to speak or patients who travel down for medical read English, and here we have non- reasons, they have complained that the Inuktitut speaking drivers attempting to elderly don’t receive any preferential

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treatment when they require more officials do watch these proceedings and assistance and this includes the disabled. this will be a note of conversation with This applies to patients who have just the contractor at their next meeting. received treatment or surgery which Thank you, Mr. Speaker. causes them to be physically incapacitated when they arrive at Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Tammaativvik. They should be the Members, please note that the time for priority here. Post-surgical patients and question period has expired. Ms. the elderly should be prioritized. Angnakak.

This is disconcerting to many Inuit. Motion 032 – 5(2): Extension of Could you also include that in your Question Period (Angnakak) review? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Speaker. Pursuant to Rule 39(7), I move, Minister Hickes. seconded by the member for Manirajak, that the time allotted for oral questions Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. be extended. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker. I thank the member for raising that issue with me. Like I had mentioned Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. earlier, one of the issues that we do deal The motion is in order and it is not with at the boarding home here in Iqaluit debatable. All those in favour of the is how frequently it’s used. It’s a very motion, please raise your hand. Thank busy facility. Any time there are flight you. Opposed. The motion is carried and delays, it can create some serious question period has been extended for challenges in organization of allocation another 30 minutes starting now. of rooms and services. Oral Questions. Member for Iqaluit- They do have limited rooms that are Niaqunnguu, Ms. Angnakak. available for elders and people with mobility issues. They work very hard to Question 431 – 5(2): Airline Industry make sure that those rooms are allocated Regulation (Angnakak) to people who need that extra level of service. Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the When somebody is in a room that may Minister of Economic Development and not have mobility issues in a room that is Transportation. designed for that, they are requested to give up that room to an elder or to As you will recall, both of us somebody with disability issues, and I participated in the important televised like to think that our human nature is hearing that was held in this Chamber in respect for our fellow people that January of 2016 concerning the somebody who is able to move around codeshare agreements that were then in would relinquish that room to an elder. place between the three major airlines in Nunavut. That being said, like I said earlier, my

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As you will also recall, one of the issues regarding federal regulation of airline that I raised during the televised hearing fares and tariffs? Thank you, Mr. was the idea of the federal government Speaker. establishing some type of “Essential Air Services Program” and this would Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. subsidize the high cost of air travel in the Minister Akeeagok. north, especially to our most remote communities like Grise Fiord. Hon. David Akeeagok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation My question for the minister is ends) The current federal regulation is straightforward: what is the Government one that we have to live by, very similar of Nunavut’s current position on this to on merger. The current regulations issue? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. allow for these, and we provide input into that process. For the regulations Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. themselves too, federal regulations, it is Minister of Economic Development and exactly the same. It is federal legislation Transportation, Minister Akeeagok. and regulation, and it is something that I have committed to working with my Hon. David Akeeagok: Thank you, Mr. federal colleague in terms of how to help Speaker. For essential services, we are in terms of our airline industry in looking into this, but we don’t have a Nunavut. (interpretation) Thank you, firm position on it yet. As we currently Mr. Speaker. are going through the request for proposals on this, it is still on the Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. emphasis that it is a free market system Your final supplementary, Ms. for the airlines. (interpretation) Thank Angnakak. you, Mr. Speaker. Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Speaker. I’m not sure what that response Your first supplementary, Ms. was. It wasn’t very clear, but I’m going Angnakak. to go to my next and last question. What discussions has the minister had with his Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. federal counterpart regarding the Speaker. From the minister’s response it regulation of the airline industry in the appears to me that perhaps it’s not north? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. something that’s going to be taken seriously. Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Minister Akeeagok. Mr. Speaker, it appears clear that we will not get a clear answer to the question of Hon. David Akeeagok: Thank you, Mr. whether or not the Government of Speaker. I hope I’ll be clearer and I Nunavut supports or opposes the thought I was clearly responding to the proposed merger between First Air and questions. Canadian North, so I’m going to ask a different question. What is the As of today, I have not had any formal Government of Nunavut’s position discussions with my federal counterpart

Monday, March 11, 2019 Nunavut Hansard 3143 on these particular regulations. Hon. David Joanasie (interpretation): (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I thank the member for his Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. question. I think it’s everybody. I mean a Oral Questions. Member for Arviat child, any Nunavummiuq kid who is North-Whale Cove, Mr. Main. eligible to go to our schools, as parents, as the school, our department, as leaders, Question 432 – 5(2): School I think we all have a role to play in that. Attendance in Nunavut Schools We all have a responsibility and that’s (Main) where the saying comes from where they Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, say, “It takes a whole community to Mr. Speaker. I rise to direct my question raise a child.” to the Minister of Education. In terms of what we try to do from the Poor attendance is something we all Department of Education, we do want to know is improper. This seems to be the allow for a safe and conducive gist of many issues as poor attendance environment for our children to be able continues to dog us here in Nunavut. to learn. That’s where, I think, for me, and I think Nunavummiut can harp on (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I was this, is we need to go to the root of copied on a recent piece of wanting Nunavummiut, our children to correspondence from the Minister of go to school. There’s a value to it. Education and in that piece of There’s a drive to go to school. I think correspondence the minister talked about that’s where the root problem exists and education as a Nunavut-wide challenge. I think we all have a role to play to I am particularly concerned about my address that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. constituency, but it’s the whole territory. It seems, unfortunately, in Nunavut we Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. have developed a culture of non- Your first supplementary, Mr. Main. attendance. Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, My first question for the minister in Mr. Speaker. Thank you, minister. terms of trying to change this culture or (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, change things: when we look at one there’s a close link that was actually student, for example, who does not highlighted to me by a teacher. There’s a attend school, who is responsible? Is the close link between unemployment and school responsible? Is the DEA non-attendance when it comes to responsible? Are the parents children. I’m not talking about child responsible? Who holds the employment. When the parents are responsibility for non-attending unemployed, there’s a higher risk of students? (interpretation) Thank you, non-attendance in their children. Mr. Speaker. Can the minister please explain what his Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. department does to work with the Minister of Education, Minister Department of Family Services Joanasie. specifically on the issue of non-

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attendance? (interpretation) Thank you, attendance? (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker.

Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Minister Joanasie. Minister Joanasie.

Hon. David Joanasie: Thank you, Mr. Hon. David Joanasie: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I was ready for the member to Speaker. I thank the member for his suggest we put in time clocks for question. Through our Education Act we students in schools… report on an annual basis what our attendance rates are in our schools. With >>Laughter that, we have recognized how low attendances are a huge challenge for our …but on a serious note, as far as staff and for the students to succeed. attendance for students, the only part That’s one area that we have committed where we play a role with Family to work on for a Nunavut-wide Services is when the student receives registration and attendance policy in income assistance. That is the only area partnership with our DEAs. where we work together on. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think, since there is a space for students to be a representative, a student rep on Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. DEAs, they can play a large role in Your final supplementary, Mr. Main. helping us raise the attendance rates across the territory. Thank you, Mr. Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, Speaker. Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I thank the minister for his response, but I Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. do wish that more work was being done Oral Questions. Member for Kugluktuk, with Family Services to try to coordinate Ms. Kamingoak. on these issues. There is a close link there. Question 433 – 5(2): Alcohol and Cannabis Harm Reduction Mr. Speaker, my last question is (Kamingoak) regarding this annual report from the Ms. Kamingoak: Koana, Mr. Speaker. I Department of Education. The would like to direct my question to the attendance rates are listed on page 60 at Minister of Finance. the back of the report. Reading through the report, there is not a lot in there on Mr. Speaker, Nunavut’s Liquor Act the issue of attendance even though, provides for social responsibility from my understanding, it is one of the campaigns with funds from the Liquor largest issues facing the education Revolving Fund. system in Nunavut. I was interested to note that in both Will the minister commit to ensuring prohibited communities, as my colleague that the next edition of this annual report from Arviat pointed out, and in contains a section specifically on unrestricted communities, which

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Kugluktuk has recently become, there includes posters, videos, promotional are no alcohol education committees to items, a Facebook page, and website all provide information and material aimed geared towards promoting the safe use of at reducing the harms associated with alcohol while reducing harms associated alcohol consumption. with alcohol use. According to the Nunavut Liquor Commission’s annual Can the minister clarify, for those report, outreach activities occurred in communities without alcohol education seven communities in 2017-18. committees, what social responsibility campaigns are being undertaken to Can the minister clarify which provide community members with communities will be benefitting from information or materials relating to the “Let’s Be Aware” outreach activities in harms of alcohol consumption to the upcoming year and whether those residents? Koana, Mr. Speaker. activities will include safe use and harm reduction information relating to the use Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. of cannabis as well as alcohol use? Minister of Finance, Minister Hickes. Koana, Mr. Speaker.

Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Speaker. In communities where there is Minister Hickes. no alcohol education committee currently in place, any community can Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. move forward and either create one Speaker. I don’t have the list today of where there isn’t one or re-create if there which communities we’re rolling out to was one in the past. next.

That being said, whenever there is not an I will say in the second part of the alcohol education committee in a member’s question that cannabis is community, materials are sent to the being integrated into the education hamlet to disperse and to work with system, and we are looking forward to community members. Also, there are having the information packages being opportunities for community wellness sent out in the near future to all coordinators and groups to work on communities across the territory. Thank different programming; applications or you, Mr. Speaker. proposals to deal with specific programs or projects that they want to initiate in Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. their community. Thank you, Mr. Your final supplementary, Ms. Speaker. Kamingoak.

Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Ms. Kamingoak: Koana, Mr. Speaker. I Your first supplementary, Ms. feel that much more could be done to Kamingoak. explore ways to teach our youth about safe partying and to make them more Ms. Kamingoak: Koana, Mr. Speaker. I aware of the harms of alcohol use and am ‘aware’ of the “Let’s Be cannabis use. Our education system Aware/Ujjiqsuqta” program which could play a big role in addressing

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alcohol use and cannabis use. department assists individuals with disabilities to ensure that they receive all Will the minister commit to working the benefits to which they are entitled? with his counterpart in the Department Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. of Education to develop a school-based teaching module that teachers can use to Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. teach students about the harms of Minister of Family Services, Minister alcohol and drug use as well as the Sheutiapik. concepts of safe and responsible consumption? Koana, Mr. Speaker. Hon. Elisapee Sheutiapik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Speaker. I also thank the member for his Minister Hickes. good question. A lot of the individuals with disabilities were probably not Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. treated properly in the past, but I can say Speaker. One of the things we work on today that it is improving. There are with our Liquor and Cannabis more people with disabilities who are Commission is educational approaching the (interpretation ends) opportunities. Some of the materials are Nunavummi Disabilities programmed to youth. Makinnasuaqtiit Society. (interpretation) We have looked at income assistance I can definitely have my officials contact reform in terms of the monthly their counterparts in the Department of allocation that they receive and also Education and see how we can make that funded under (interpretation ends) information more widely available to our Career Development. (interpretation) students. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Oral Questions. Member for Baker Lake, Your first supplementary, Mr. Mr. Mikkungwak. Mikkungwak.

Question 434 – 5(2): Supporting Mr. Mikkungwak: Mr. Speaker, I Individuals with Disabilities recognize that to be eligible for certain (Mikkungwak) disability benefits, a doctor has to sign Mr. Mikkungwak (interpretation): off on a number of forms and these Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. My forms have to be submitted to different question is directed to the Minister of federal and territorial departments to Family Services. access different benefits.

Mr. Speaker, I recognize that there are a Can the minister clarify which staff in number of different services for which offices at the community level can individuals with disabilities. However, at assist individuals with disabilities to get times it seems as if those services are not the appropriate forms filled out, signed well coordinated. and sent off to the appropriate departments? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the minister clarify how her

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Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Question 435 – 5(2): Converting Minister Sheutiapik. Taloyoak’s Old Health Centre to a Homeless Shelter (Qirngnuq) Hon. Elisapee Sheutiapik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Mr. Qirngnuq (interpretation): Thank Speaker. Clearly (interpretation ends) you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I our social workers, social assistants would like to direct my question to the (interpretation) provide assistance to Minister responsible for Homelessness. those individuals, (interpretation ends) but I will get confirmation if there is a Mr. Speaker, the old health centre dedicated individual. (interpretation) building in Taloyoak has remained Thank you, Mr. Speaker. empty for some time. The Hamlet of Taloyoak has expressed an interest in Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. acquiring the building to use as a Your final supplementary, Mr. homeless shelter. Mikkungwak. Can the minister confirm whether she Mr. Mikkungwak: Mr. Speaker, it can has received correspondence from the be very frustrating knowing that there mayor of Taloyoak requesting her are benefits available which would help assistance in establishing emergency make a person’s life more comfortable shelter apartments in the old health but are difficult to access. Such benefits centre? (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. as disability tax credits or housing Speaker. subsidies to renovate a home require specific documentation to be submitted. Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Minister responsible for Homelessness, Will the minister commit to ensuring Minister Sheutiapik. that there are staff available in every Nunavut community who are trained and Hon. Elisapee Sheutiapik aware of how to provide support to (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. individuals with disabilities? Thank you, Speaker. Yes, I have a copy of the Mr. Speaker. correspondence. We have said that we look at opportunities for the smaller Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. communities and wish to support them, Minister Sheutiapik. but that old building isn’t ours and we await the response on the building itself. Hon. Elisapee Sheutiapik We will work with them. Thank you, (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Mr. Speaker. Speaker. I agree with what he has asked for. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Your first supplementary, Mr. Qirngnuq. Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Oral Questions. Member for Netsilik, Mr. Qirngnuq: Thank you, Mr. Mr. Qirngnuq. Speaker. I appreciate that it is up to the community to take the steps to address issues such as homelessness. However, it

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is important that our government Speaker. (interpretation ends) I will provides assistance and support to make commit to work with my colleague here sure that good intentions turn into real and our staff and the municipality to see solutions. what could be done. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the minister clarify whether she has had any discussions with her colleague, Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. the Minister of Community and Oral Questions. Member for Rankin Government Services, to facilitate the Inlet North-Chesterfield Inlet, Ms. transfer of the old health centre to the Towtongie. Municipality of Taloyoak in order that it can be established as a homeless shelter? Question 436 – 5(2): Senior (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Subsidy/Benefits to Elders (Towtongie) Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Ms. Towtongie (interpretation): Thank Minister Sheutiapik. you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Family Services. Hon. Elisapee Sheutiapik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. I was a bit dismayed when she Speaker. I also thank you for the responded that this is already being used question. In terms of discussions on the for income assistance. In English it is issue, I haven’t spoken with my called the (interpretation ends) consumer colleague. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. tax index.

Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation) I worry about children Your final supplementary, Mr. suffering from hunger, as we so often Qirngnuq. mention. Nonetheless, there are many elders who are suffering from hunger, Mr. Qirngnuq: Thank you, Mr. primarily widows and widowers in the Speaker. I am sure that the community north. However, it is largely hidden. of Taloyoak is not alone in trying to help its homeless residents be safe, This incremental $25 increase was comfortable, and secure. implemented for Nunavut as part of this federal assistance fund from the Will the minister commit to working Government of Nunavut portion. The with the municipality to ensure that monthly amount was originally at $175, Taloyoak’s old health centre can be set which has increased to $200. up as an emergency homeless shelter in the near future? (interpretation) Thank With respect to the (interpretation ends) you, Mr. Speaker. consumer tax index, (interpretation) where does it come from? Does it come Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. from the Government of Nunavut or Minister Sheutiapik. Canada? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Hon. Elisapee Sheutiapik Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Minister of Family Services, Minister

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Sheutiapik. Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Your final supplementary, Ms. Hon. Elisapee Sheutiapik Towtongie. (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister of Finance wants Ms. Towtongie (interpretation): Thank to respond to that question. Thank you, you, Mr. Speaker. In looking at Canada Mr. Speaker. as a whole and if you are following the rates set federally, I want to ask the Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. minister if she personally is aware or Minister of Finance, can you respond to knows if this amount is suitable for the that question? Minister Hickes. cost of living in the north. We live in the north and don’t have the luxury of living Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. in the south, and our elders don’t have Speaker. The senior subsidy is provided the administrative planning ability since through Family Services out of our they rarely had employment territorial budget. Thank you, Mr. opportunities. Speaker. Now, I keep asking where this rate Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. comes from. Can we increase the Your first supplementary, Ms. amount of funding for our elders in Towtongie. Nunavut so they can at least survive without added funds? Thank you, Mr. Ms. Towtongie: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker. I don’t know which minister to ask my question; I believe, the minister Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. of family and income support. Minister Sheutiapik.

I’m questioning the analysis for the Hon. Elisapee Sheutiapik Nunavut senior benefits program is (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. following the consumer tax index. Are Speaker. As I stated earlier, that rate we following the Canadian Consumer came from a 2015 study of the monthly Tax Index or do we have our own assistance funding, but we can always Nunavut consumer tax index when we conduct another review to determine if calculated the rise from $175 by $25? we need to increase this amount. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Many of the factors related to social Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. services have set rates for food, clothing Minister of Family Services, Minister allowances, as well as the average Sheutiapik. (interpretation ends) food basket (interpretation) costs that resulted in the Hon. Elisapee Sheutiapik increase under (interpretation ends) (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. income reform. (interpretation) Further, Speaker. We follow the (interpretation regarding the volunteers who look after ends) federal index. (interpretation) foster children, it is another rate we want Thank you, Mr. Speaker. to see increased, as I have heard suggestions about that. These are the

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programs we want to review. Thank you, question. The attendance rates in our Mr. Speaker. territory are quite of a serious concern and I share them with the members. I Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. think we need to work on this moving Oral Questions. Member for Iqaluit- forward. Manirajak, Mr. Lightstone. As for whether or not we considered it Question 437 – 5(2): School with the upcoming amendments to the Attendance in Nunavut Schools Education Act, we have not done so, but (Lightstone) those revisions are still to come. Thank Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker. My questions again are for the Minister of Education. Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Your first supplementary, Mr. I would like to follow up on my Lightstone. colleague Mr. Main’s concerns over the rate of truancy, the rates of low Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. attendance in our territory. Speaker. Once again, I’m quite concerned over our attendance rates and Mr. Speaker, high school education is I do believe that our government needs the basic minimum requirement for most to do something to ensure that our high of our jobs in the territory. school students are attending and are getting the education required to lead a Mr. Speaker, over the recent years a successful life. number of jurisdictions in Canada and the United States have moved towards Mr. Speaker, I do believe that truancy implementing truancy into their law is required, but I do not believe that Education Acts and are making it is a decision that can be easily made education attendance compulsory. by the government, as to this day, there is still clear memory of the residential Mr. Speaker, Ontario’s Education Act school era, and I do believe that if we are defines truancy as intentional, to move in that direction, it should be a unjustified absence and it makes it decision made by Nunavummiut. illegal. I would like to put forward a request to I would like to enquire if the minister the minister if the minister would be has considered including truancy into the willing to commit to working with upcoming Education Act. Thank you, Elections Nunavut in creating a Mr. Speaker. plebiscite at the upcoming election in the fall to ask Nunavummiut if they would Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. be in favour of the government enacting Minister of Education, Minister a truancy law. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Joanasie. Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Hon. David Joanasie: Thank you, Mr. Minister Joanasie. Speaker. I thank the member for his

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Hon. David Joanasie: Thank you, Mr. changes, we will want to hear from Speaker. Attendance, there are figures Nunavut of course. With that, whether that we posted in our annual report this we go on that path, we will give sitting. It shows 30 percent or more Nunavummiut the opportunity but also times as a total where students are not let them know what course of action we attending. I think we need to hit it home would like to take with attendance. to Nunavummiut in a sense where when Thank you, Mr. Speaker. our children, when our students are attending, it’s a win-win-win-win Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. situation. It’s not just a win for the My colleagues, please note that the parent, it’s not just a win for the DEA, extended time for question period has it’s not just a win for the government, expired and it can’t be extended further. but it’s a win for the child. I think that’s We will now proceed with the orders of where we need to hit the mark that when the day. Written Questions. Returns to they attend school, it’s good for Written Questions. Replies to Opening everyone. Address. Petitions. Responses to Petitions. Reports of Standing and On his question about whether or not Special Committees on Bills and Other we’re doing a Nunavut-wide plebiscite, I Matters. Tabling of Documents. Minister think we need to think this through even of Family Services, Minister Sheutiapik. more before we get to that point, but we can have that discussion internally and Item 13: Tabling of Documents see if it’s feasible. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Tabled Document 142 – 5(2): 2016- 2017 Annual Report on Poverty Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Reduction (Sheutiapik) Your final supplementary, Mr. Lightstone. Hon. Elisapee Sheutiapik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise to table the 2016-17 Speaker. I thank the minister for his Annual Report for Poverty Reduction. response. I would like to follow up with Thank you, Mr. Speaker. another request. I would like to ask the minister to commit to follow up with his Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. department internally, but further to Tabling of Documents. Member for commit to coming back to the Assembly Hudson Bay, Mr. Rumbolt. with the findings of the department as soon as the spring or the fall sitting. Tabled Document 143 – 5(2): Arctic Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Eider Duck Society Submission to the Canada Nature Fund Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (Rumbolt) Minister Joanasie. Mr. Rumbolt: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table today a copy of the Arctic Hon. David Joanasie: Thank you, Mr. Eider Society’s submission to the federal Speaker. If we’re going to do some government’s Canada Nature Fund, as serious policy changes or legislative well as my letter of support for the

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proposal. The society’s submission is Committee of the Whole we have the titled “Conservation and Protection of following items to deal with: Bills 13, the Belcher Islands.” 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, and 21. What is the wish of the committee? Mr. Main. Mr. Speaker, the society has been working closely with the Municipality of Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, Sanikiluaq and the hunters and trappers Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) The association on this project, and I wish of the committee is to continue encourage all members, especially the with the review of Bill 15 and the 2019- Minister of Environment, to review this 2020 Main Estimates of the Department information with care. Thank you, Mr. of Executive and Intergovernmental Speaker. Affairs, followed by the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut. We would then Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. proceed to review the Supplementary Tabling of Documents. Notices of Bills 16, 17, and 18 and, if time permits, Motions. Notices of Motions for First we will then review Bills 13, 21, and 20. Reading of Bills. Motions. First Reading (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. of Bills. Second Reading of Bills. Chairman. Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters. Bills Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Main. Are 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, and 21 with Mr. we in agreement that we first deal with Rumbolt in the Chair. Bill 15?

In accordance with the authority Some Members: Agreed. provided to me by Motion 17 – 5(2), the committee will stay in session until it Bill 15 – Appropriation (Operations & reports itself out. Maintenance) Act, 2019-2020 – Executive and Intergovernmental However, before we proceed to the Affairs – Consideration in Committee of the Whole, we will now Committee take a break and return at 2:00 p.m. and proceed with the Committee of the Chairman: Thank you. I would now Whole. like to ask Minister Savikataaq: do you have officials that you would like to Sergeant-at-Arms. appear before the committee? Minister Savikataaq. >>House recessed at 12:40 and Committee resumed at 14:00 Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes. Thank you. Item 19: Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Chairman: Thank you. Does the Matters committee agree for the officials to enter the Chambers? Chairman (Mr. Rumbolt): Good afternoon, members. I would like to call Some Members: Agreed. the committee meeting to order. In

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Chairman: Thank you. Sergeant-at- business from EIA to the new Arms, could you please escort the Department of Human Resources (HR) witnesses in. will generate a loss of 33 PYs and will change EIA’s current main estimates by Thank you. For the record, Premier approximately $8.5 million (consisting Savikataaq, if you could please introduce of salaries and operation and your officials and then continue on into maintenance costs). your opening comments. Premier Savikataaq. Following the transfer to HR, EIA will count four lines of core business: Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. To my left is the DM of EIA, 1. The Directorate Division provides Kathy Okpik, and to my right is Director overall management and of Corporate Services Les Hickey. coordination of activities for the executive branch, access to Thank you Mr. Chairman. I welcome the information and government-wide opportunity to present the 2019-2020 communications. main estimates for the Department of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs 2. The Strategic Planning Division (EIA) and the 2019-2020 business plan. advices cabinet on business plans, strategies, policies, and legislation As a central department providing and participates in the collection support to cabinet, EIA acts as the statistical information, such as the executive branch of government and recent Nunavut Inuit Labour Force leads the coordination of Turaaqtavut’s Analysis. The division also develops implementation by working closely with and supports initiatives tied to the all government departments and implementation of Article 23 in agencies. Nunavut.

EIA also ensures Government of 3. The Intergovernmental Affairs Nunavut (GN) priorities and interests Division leads the management and continue to be at the forefront of policy the development of strategies, discussions and are represented at the policies, and initiatives related to national and international levels. international, federal, provincial and territorial relations. It provides I am pleased to report the department’s support to each of Nunavut’s current main estimates for the 2019- communities via the government 2020 fiscal year is a total of liaison officers network and $19,064,000. This amount consists of coordinates matters related to approximately $14.25 million for Nunavut’s seniors. This fiscal year salaries and benefits, $365,000 for grants the GN will continue to provide and contributions, and $4.7 million for $150,000 in funding to the Nunavut operations and maintenance. Seniors’ Society.

In 2019 the transfer of Sivumuaqatigiit 4. Finally, the Devolution Secretariat is and the Public Service Training lines of responsible for the devolution

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process of transferring control over During the minister’s recent appearance Nunavut’s public (Crown) lands and before the standing committee, members resources to the Government of took the opportunity to raise a number of Nunavut. issues and concerns.

Mr. Chairman, thank you for the In 2015 the previous government opportunity to present EIA’s awarded a contract for its “operational departmental main estimates and audit” initiative. The government’s business plan. 2015-16 annual report on procurement activities indicates that the value of the I welcome comments from the members contract awarded to the consulting and look forward to answering your company that was engaged to perform questions. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. this work was $340,000. On March 16, 2016 the Summary Report on Phase I of Chairman: Thank you, Minister the Operational Audit was tabled in the Savikataaq. Does the chair of the Legislative Assembly. The standing standing committee have any opening committee continues to urge the comments? Mr. Main, please go ahead. government to ensure that the final report from the operational audit is Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, tabled in the Legislative Assembly at the Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) I am earliest opportunity. pleased to provide opening comments on behalf of the Standing Committee on The department’s draft 2019-2022 Oversight of Government Operations business plan indicates that it “…takes and Public Accounts on its review of the part in Nunavut Implementation Panel proposed 2019-2020 Main Estimates and meetings, which are held four times a 2019-2022 Business Plan of the year, to discuss implementation Department of Executive and activities occurring within the Intergovernmental Affairs. government.” However, given the infrequency with which annual reports The department’s approved 2018-19 for the Nunavut Implementation Panel operations and maintenance budget, as are publicly released, the standing introduced in the Legislative Assembly, committee encourages the minister to was $27,886,000. The department’s provide periodic updates in the proposed 2019-2020 operations and Legislative Assembly on its activities maintenance budget is $19,064,000. The and initiatives. total number of positions in the department is decreasing from 139.0 person years in the 2018-19 fiscal year The department’s proposed budget for to 106.0 person years in the 2019-2020 the Government Liaison Officer fiscal year. These changes reflect the Program for the 2019-2020 fiscal year is transfer of a number of positions to the $3,649,000. During the Legislative newly re-established, and some would Assembly’s consideration of the say resuscitated, Department of Human department’s 2018-19 main estimates, Resources. the standing committee raised a number of concerns and questions regarding the

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effectiveness of the Government Liaison The department’s draft 2019-2022 Officer Program and publicly questioned business plan also indicates that “The the need to locate government liaison Government of Nunavut is finalizing its officers in decentralized communities implementation plans with the and regional centres. However, the Ghotelnene K’odtineh Dene and extent to which the government has Athabasca Dene overlapping treaties, acted on these concerns is unclear. and related Nunavut Agreement amendments. A reference question is On March 13, 2017 the government’s currently before the Nunavut Court of strategic framework for addressing the Justice on whether or not the needs of seniors was tabled in the Government of Nunavut’s consent is Legislative Assembly. The department’s required for Nunavut Agreement draft 2019-2022 business plan indicates amendments and the two Dene treaties.” that one of its priorities for the 2019- It is the standing committee’s 2020 fiscal year is to “Collaborate with understanding that a reference question departments on the development of a of this nature would be submitted under comprehensive Senior’s Strategy aimed the provisions of the territorial Legal at their needs for care.” The Questions Act. The standing committee department’s proposed 2019-2020 main urges the government to make public its estimates include $150,000 in proposed submission to the court. contribution funding for the Nunavut Seniors’ Society. Given the significant The department’s proposed 2019-2020 amount of funding provided to the main estimates indicate that the society by the government, members Devolution Secretariat has a budget of encourage the minister to table the $2,255,000 and 10.0 positions. Although society’s annual reports in the the department’s proposed 2019-2022 Legislative Assembly. business plan indicates that “Tri-partite negotiations have made progress towards The department’s draft 2019-2022 [a devolution] agreement-in-principle,” business plan indicates that “It is the standing committee continues to urge anticipated that a new formalized the government to publicly clarify the Federal-Provincial-Territorial number of federal positions that are Indigenous engagement structure will be envisioned to be transferred to the established in the near future.” The territorial public service as part of the importance of achieving greater clarity devolution process. It is also important in this sphere can be illustrated by recent to be mindful that the transfer of developments concerning efforts to significant numbers of federal positions eliminate tuberculosis in Nunavut and and personnel may not necessarily have other parts of the country. Although the a positive impact on the territorial goal of eliminating tuberculosis is one government’s efforts to achieve a fully with which all parties unanimously and representative workforce. strongly agree, the lines of accountability with respect to how Mr. Chairman, that concludes my parties expend public funds and opening comments on the proposed resources have become increasingly 2019-2020 Main Estimates and 2019- blurred. 2022 Business Plan of the Department of

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Executive and Intergovernmental questions? Ms. Angnakak. Affairs. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Ms. Angnakak: Thank you and good afternoon. I don’t have very many Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Main. questions in this area, but I do want to Before we continue, I would like to know more about the access to remind members that I will give each of information budget. It seems to have you 10 minutes to speak on each page decreased and I would like to know why. and ask your questions if you so wish. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Also, this department has six branches, so I will ask you to keep your detailed Chairman: Thank you, Ms. Angnakak. questions for the particular branch we’re Minister Savikataaq. working on at the time and let’s not get ahead of ourselves. I will also now open Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. the floor for general comments and Chairman. The compensation and please keep your comments brief. Are benefits portion of it went down. Thank there any general comments? Mr. Main. you, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, Chairman: Thank you, Minister Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) I’m Savikataaq. Ms. Angnakak. clearly interested in the devolution file and I have been doing some reading on Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. the subject, trying to better educate Chairman. Can the Premier explain: is myself. One thing that I don’t currently that because of less staff or what? Why understand is why the federal did that happen? Thank you, Mr. government refuses to put offshore oil Chairman. and gas on the table in terms of those negotiations. If we’re talking about Chairman: Thank you, Ms. Angnakak. devolution and Nunavut having control Minister Savikataaq. over its resources, I think it would make sense for that to include the offshore. Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Whether resources are developed or we Chairman. It’s to do with staff turnover. choose not to develop them, it should be The pay levels that we have with the our decision as a territory and it government are usually 1 to 6, and when shouldn’t be the federal government’s the experienced staff is gone and you decision. That’s something that I would hire staff at the lower level, then their be interested in seeing more clarity on in salary is smaller. That’s why there is a terms of this file and the budget going difference. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. forward. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you, Minister Savikataaq. Ms. Angnakak. Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Main. If there are no more general comments, we Ms. Angnakak: Thank you. Maybe just will move on. We will start on page B-4. for me to understand a little better, how Executive and Intergovernmental many staff do you have in the Affairs. Directorate. Are there any department that are looking after access

Monday, March 11, 2019 Nunavut Hansard 3157 to information, and are those staff also managing that for the whole responsible for working with all the government. There must be some kind of other departments? Thank you, Mr. negative impact in some way when Chairman. you’re short by one staff. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you, Ms. Angnakak. Minister Savikataaq. Chairman: Thank you, Ms. Angnakak. The minister did state he was managing. Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Minister Savikataaq. Chairman. We have two staff, but one is vacant right now and we work with all of Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. the departments as we’re the central Chairman. The reason why we are agency in terms of access to information. managing is it seems like there are only Thank you, Mr. Chairman. two PYs there, but there is an ATIPP coordinator in each department and EIA Chairman: Thank you, Minister works with that ATIPP coordinator from Savikataaq. Ms. Angnakak. that department. If the request comes to that department, then we work with that Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. ATIPP coordinator for that department. Chairman. With the vacancy, what kind Thank you, Mr. Chairman. of impact has that had on being able to fulfill the requirements under the access Chairman: Thank you, Minister to information program? Thank you, Mr. Savikataaq. Ms. Angnakak. Chairman. Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. Chairman: Thank you, Ms. Angnakak. Chairman. Okay, that makes more sense. Minister Savikataaq. I was going to say one person for the whole government would be… . Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The job that needs to be done I would like to know if the minister can is still getting done. The position that is tell us or the Premier can tell us the filled is the manager position and the number of submissions into this program vacant one is the advisor’s position. and also, what kind of feedback does the We’re still fulfilling our requirements department get from either the other under that. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. departments or from outside, what kind of feedback on the program in how it’s Chairman: Thank you, Minister run? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Savikataaq. Ms. Angnakak. Chairman: Thank you, Ms. Angnakak. Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr… . I Minister Savikataaq. was waiting for my light. Sorry. Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It just makes Chairman. The amount of requests that me wonder because there is a lot of are being asked for ATIPP is growing paper involved sometimes with some of every year. That’s why we have added a these applications. One person is new PY so we can keep up with the

Monday, March 11, 2019 Nunavut Hansard 3158 demands. As for the numbers, it has to an implementation plan of some kind. be tallied up yet, but it’s huge. The I’m wondering: is there an number of requests is huge and only implementation plan and, if there is, will growing. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. it be tabled in the House? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you, Minister Savikataaq. Ms. Angnakak. Chairman: Thank you, Ms. Angnakak. Minister Savikataaq. Ms. Angnakak: Thank you. I was wondering if the Premier can provide Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. maybe his position on whether or not Chairman. We do have an people are just more interested in finding implementation plan for Turaaqtavut out information or maybe it’s because and it’s very detailed. We can table like people are not happy with how a service an overarching one that’s not as quite as has been provided. Why does he think or detailed. We can do that. Thank you, Mr. what’s the department’s position? We’re Chairman. not supposed to say “he,” “you,” and everything, so I’m trying to be very Chairman: Thank you, Minister cognizant of that, but I would really like Savikataaq. Ms. Angnakak. No, you’re to know what the thoughts are behind done? Okay. Thank you. Mr. Main. those numbers growing. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have a question that my Chairman: Thank you, Ms. Angnakak. colleague was just asking about, the Minister Savikataaq. Turaaqtavut mandate, where we are at now and if the implementation plan is Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. going to be tabled in the House. Chairman. The requests are quite varied. I can’t say because they don’t have to Now, in the NWT what they have on say why they want an ATIPP. It could be their website (interpretation ends) is for if they want to find out some called a mandate tracker. They have a information as to how privacy breach website called a mandate tracker and it was done or the media might have a lists all the different “achievables” and media request or an employee who has a where they have achieved progress and grievance might have a request. They’re where they have fallen short. Is the quite varied. When you put in an ATIPP department considering setting up request, you don’t have to put a reason something like that for Turaaqtavut? in why. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you, Minister Savikataaq. Ms. Angnakak. Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Main. Minister Savikataaq. Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I’m going to go on to Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. something else. Turaaqtavut, the Chairman. We can look at something mandate of the government, has to have like that. I’m aware that they do have

Monday, March 11, 2019 Nunavut Hansard 3159 that and we can look at that. I’m not Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, going to say we’re going to do it, but we Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) I can definitely look at it. Thank you, Mr. guess I have a suggestion for the Chairman. government. Maybe they can incorporate it. When the puts out communication Chairman: Thank you, Minister releases, it’s all on the same letterhead, it Savikataaq. Mr. Main. all has the same, I would say, ho-hum kind of appearance. Even when it is Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, something quite exciting or newsworthy, Mr. Chairman. Yes, I believe it would be it’s all on the same, standard, boilerplate beneficial so that Nunavummiut clearly letterhead and there are never any understand what is contained in pictures. You see news releases that Turaaqtavut. come out from other organizations. They have pictures or they will have links. (interpretation ends) It says here that They have like an online video file. That there’s going to be a review done in this is just a suggestion in terms of things we year in terms of the GN branding could use to try to improve the program. Is this just a statutory thing or messaging from the government. is it just a regular update or are there issues with the GN brand at the I have a question about this. On page 3 moment? (interpretation) Thank you, in the priorities, one of the priorities Mr. Chairman. from this current year was support government-wide efforts to develop Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Main. infrastructure and economy. It says here, Minister Savikataaq. “The department has established a Deputy Ministers committee to lead and Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. coordinate government efforts…” I Chairman. We’re always looking at stuff guess just a clarification on the status. Is to see if we can do stuff better, but if this there anybody on that deputy ministers is one here, it says here that an official committee who resides outside of communication review is similar to an Iqaluit? (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. audit. It’s a systematic review of how the Chairman. government communicates in order to assess communication, scopes, realities, Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Main. and efficiencies, both strategically and Minister Savikataaq. operational. It’s just to see if what we’re doing is working or if we can just make Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. it a little bit better. It’s not a big change Chairman. Just to go back to his in direction. It’s just to make sure that comment about making it more exciting, we’re doing the best we can. Thank you, we can look at that right now. We have a Mr. Chairman. different colour swirl for each department. That’s our big splash, I Chairman: Thank you, Minister guess, and we can look at trying to just Savikataaq. Mr. Main. spice it up a bit.

As for the DMC, no, there’s no one

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outside of Iqaluit because all the DM concerns heard. Thank you, Mr. positions are here in Iqaluit. Thank you, Chairman. Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you, Minister Chairman: Thank you, Minister Savikataaq. Mr. Main. Savikataaq, but I think what you meant to say and what you said were two Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, different things. Could you repeat your Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) I answer, please. understand that yes, they don’t just represent their own community, but we Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. have to realize that at the end of the day, Chairman. The member asked if there every employee is just human; they’re were any members for the DMC that are only human. When you have the most out of Iqaluit. The answer is no because powerful bureaucrats for each all the DMs are located here in Iqaluit, department living in one community, so there are none outside of Iqaluit. and in most cases their families are Thank you, Mr. Chairman. living in one community, I don’t think it’s unreasonable to expect that they Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Main. would either consciously or unconsciously favour certain projects Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, toward certain communities. I don’t Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) I know if it’s possible for people to thank the minister. I would like to flag compensate for that internally. that as an issue of concern. I think, from a territory-wide perspective, it’s I’m wondering if the minister has unfortunate that there aren’t any deputy considered any changes to the makeup of minister positions that are located this committee or putting in any outside of Iqaluit. Given that all the DM measures to compensate for this. What I positions for the whole government are see is it’s a built-in bias, and that’s not a located here, how are regional or slight against the deputy ministers. It’s community level concerns incorporated simply, in my mind, a recognition that into the work at the Deputy Ministers we care about what we know the most Committee? (interpretation) Thank you, and what you know the most is the place Mr. Chairman. you live, right? I would like to make it clear that I’m not… . Nothing against Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Main. any of the deputy ministers at a personal Minister Savikataaq. level or a professional level; it’s just the system and how that bias or unevenness Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. can be corrected. (interpretation) Thank Chairman. The DMs don’t just make you, Mr. Chairman. their decisions or what they want to talk about in a vacuum. They rely on their Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Main. managers, the regional managers, the Minister Savikataaq. regional directors, directors, and it all filters up to the DM. That’s how the Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. communities would have their voices or Chairman. All the DMs or positions are

Monday, March 11, 2019 Nunavut Hansard 3161 located here, it’s correct, but not all the was they had an initiative where if any DMs are from Iqaluit. There are DMs of the DMs wanted to go work in the that have lived in small communities or smaller communities for, I believe it outlying communities or other was, two weeks, and then they went and communities, however you want to look did their job out of that community for at it, and then they get the job and they two weeks, whichever community that come here. We do have some that have they chose. That was one way of getting the communities’ perspective and there the DMs to see the outlying, smaller are meetings that they have like communities’ challenges and their conference calls and stuff, so they get lifestyle and that. That was done in the the information from the outlying last government. Thank you, Mr. communities. Chairman.

Another way is here. All of you, you’re Chairman: Thank you, Minister all MLAs and you’re here in the House Savikataaq. Mr. Main. to voice your concerns to the minister, and then that concern is passed on down Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, to the DM. That’s the system we have Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) Will right here. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. that be done during this government? (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman: Thank you, Minister Chairman. Savikataaq. Mr. Main. Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Main. Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, Minister Savikataaq. Mr. Chairman. Thank you, minister. (interpretation ends) That’s precisely Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. what I’m trying to do here is I’m trying Chairman. We can look at it around to voice this concern to try to see if operational requirements, but definitely things can be changed. Will the minister we can look at it again and see how well consider looking into this issue and it was received and look into doing it possibly incorporating changes into this again because we don’t want the DMs to very important committee going operate in a vacuum. They should hear forward? (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. and there’s not much substitute for Chairman. seeing and feeling what’s out there. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Main. Minister Savikataaq. Chairman: Thank you, Minister Savikataaq. I think it was a couple of Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. years ago that a DM did go to my Chairman. A deputy minister’s job is community for a period of two weeks very demanding within the department and I think it’s quite the eye-opener for and all the senior managers or upper them to see what life is like in our management is here, so I can’t see that smaller communities. working out very well. Moving on, Mr. Mikkungwak. One thing that the last government did

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Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you, Mr. Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Like my colleagues, I’ll refer Mikkungwak. Minister Savikataaq. to the business plan on page 2, the very last bottom one there, Communications. Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): It’s quite a bit of a drop on the amount. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. When we What accounts for that? In my opinion it send out communications as a should have never dropped because not government, we use Nunavut’s official all Nunavummiut have access to languages. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. computers. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you, Minister Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Savikataaq. Mr. Mikkungwak. Mikkungwak. Minister Savikataaq. Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you, Mr. Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The next one touches upon Chairman. The drop is mostly to do with what my two colleagues brought up: compensation because we have a 25 Turaaqtavut. It was encouraging to read percent vacancy rate there right now. the minister’s comment in the press We’re anticipating our service contracts regarding Turaaqtavut, and one of the to go down and we have adjusted the key priorities in there is elders within O&M budget to reflect those. Thank our territory. you, Mr. Chairman. As the minister is well aware and other Chairman: Thank you, Minister ministers are well aware and other Savikataaq. Mr. Mikkungwak. MLAs here, I have been pushing to get the Martha Taliruq Centre reopened. Mr. Mikkungwak (interpretation): Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. Listening to the minister’s press release On occasion we surf online to check out regarding Turaaqtavut, “Implement a the news websites, to see what our comprehensive communications plan to government is doing as well as future realize the goals of Turaaqtavut, with projects scheduled for construction and measurable benchmarks, timelines and to read up on news, updates, and issues specific deliverables.” that spur people to visit the House to listen in to our proceedings. My question to that is: seeing that the Nonetheless, people voice their concerns centre I’m referring to reflects elders, and priorities they face that day by will that be one of the key priorities phoning into the radio phone-in shows. under Turaaqtavut? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. With the majority of our population in Nunavut still comprised of Inuit, how Chairman: Thank you, Mr. will the government’s public outreach Mikkungwak. Minister Savikataaq. efforts reach our voting constituents, or will this not make any appreciable Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. difference in the quality as the priority is Chairman. One of the mandates we have to have it in all official languages of for Turaaqtavut is to give elders care Nunavut? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. and it’s not community-specific. It’s just

Monday, March 11, 2019 Nunavut Hansard 3163 to give better care to our elders and I I would like further clarification on page think the biggest concern that… . I don’t 4 of your business plan, third bullet, know if it’s the biggest concern, but which states, (interpretation ends) what we wanted to do the most was start “Initiate a thorough review of GN bringing our elders home from the south communications tools including the that have to go south because we can’t Government of Nunavut website, the GN properly care for them. branding program, and the Visual Identity Program.” (interpretation) What I’m kind of overstepping my boundaries do you envision there? Thank you, Mr. because the health department is in Chairman. charge of that, but in terms of Turaaqtavut, I think we meant that we Chairman: Thank you, Mr. just want to give better care for our Mikkungwak. Ms. Angnakak asked that elders here in Nunavut. That means both very same question a little while ago. If trying to bring the elders home and there is anything the minister wants to providing better care for the ones here add and he says he doesn’t, so Mr. within Nunavut. If you have specific Mikkungwak, if you could choose a concerns like that, then that would be different question, please. better answered by the health minister. Mr. Mikkungwak (interpretation): As for the reasons why it’s the way it is Okay. I will now ask about the one right right now, I know there were issues for above that, (interpretation ends) the the building there. I have heard the “Social Media Policy.” Now I have a exchange between you and the health question regarding that. Why is the minister, and it would be a better battle Department of EIA posting on Facebook between you and the health minister and when the Government of Nunavut has not me because I’m not in charge of their own webpage established with all Health. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. official languages, and you don’t have all official languages in social media? Chairman: Thank you, Minister Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Savikataaq. Mr. Mikkungwak. Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Mr. Mikkungwak (interpretation): Mikkungwak. Minister Savikataaq. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. I’m basing my statement on the elders, Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. not the Department of Health. I’m Chairman. We have a Facebook page, reiterating my statement that the that’s correct, and it’s when you want to building in Baker Lake was created with get your message out and communicate, elders in mind. I’m just putting an you go with what’s being used the most emphasis on that. In Baker Lake at that right now. We have an official website time we had the largest population of and we have that too. I’m not sure elders in Nunavut. That’s why we started exactly if you can… .To be honest, I setting up those establishments and it don’t have a personal Facebook, so I was the first one built in Nunavut. I’m don’t know if you can post stuff in just reiterating that. syllabics or not. I’m kind of ignorant in that sense there, but we want to

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communicate with most Nunavummiut Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. with the most efficient tool that we have. Chairman. I would like to continue with Thank you, Mr. Chairman. my colleague Mr. Mikkungwak’s theme on social media. I would like to Chairman: Thank you, Minister commend the Premier on your social Savikataaq. Mr. Mikkungwak. media presence. That’s a striking difference between yourself and the Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you, Mr. Premier from the Fourth Assembly. It Chairman. I have used it from time to has been noted by me and my time, copy and paste and whatnot, but I constituents that they feel they hear your do believe, when they are being posted, message clearly on Facebook. I want to they are posted by EIA staff. If they are commend you for that and hope that you going to utilize the social media page, remain active in that area. can the minister not ensure that anything that is going on the social media page I would like to begin my line of reflects the four official languages in questioning related to the senior Nunavut? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. management secretariat. I have seen the senior management handbook on the GN Chairman: Thank you, Mr. website, but it appears that the document Mikkungwak. Minister Savikataaq. is quite outdated and the tables reference 2010 information. I was wondering if Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. there has been any updates since then Chairman. I think, if we had to do that in and, if so, what. Thank you, Mr. four official languages, it would be so Chairman. time-consuming. I’m not sure how much time we would have to actually get our Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Lightstone. message out. We want to get our Minister Savikataaq. message out as quickly and as efficiently as possible. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. If the member can just clarify Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Savikataaq. because I’m not sure if he’s talking Mr. Mikkungwak. about the HR manual or what it is. We’re just a little confused here. If he Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you, Mr. can just clarify so that we can Chairman. (interpretation) Well, we set understand. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. up the policies and the legislation, and they were passed by this House to be Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Lightstone. used. It was to respect the people of Nunavut and we have to abide by it. Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. Some cannot read in English alone, and Chairman. I was referencing the Senior the majority of the population are Inuit. Managers’ Handbook that is on the That’s just a comment, Chairman. Thank Department of Finance’s website. Thank you. you, Mr. Chairman.

Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Lightstone. Mikkungwak. Mr. Lightstone. Minister Savikataaq.

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Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. to be approved by the Minister Chairman. As the member just stated, responsible for the Senior Personnel it’s on the Department of Finance’s Secretariat and the Minister responsible website, so that question would have to for EIA. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. go to Finance. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Lightstone. Minister Savikataaq. Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Main. Sorry. Mr. Lightstone. Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Just a little clarification here, Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. all the senior managers under the PSC, Chairman. I was asking the questions to and there is a PSC committee, but as the Minister of EIA as the minister is EIA we’re not involved in that. We don’t responsible for the Senior Personnel approve the policies of the PSC. Thank Secretariat, which I’m assuming sets up you, Mr. Chairman. all of the guidelines and policies in the Senior Managers’ Handbook, which is Chairman: Thank you, Minister why I was trying to ask the minister that Savikataaq. Mr. Main. Gee, I did it question. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. again. Sorry.

Chairman: Thank you. Minister >>Laughter Savikataaq. Mr. Lightstone. I apologize. Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. As the Premier I’m Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. responsible for the DMs, but all the Chairman. I will direct my senior ADMs are under the public service manager handbook questions to the authority, or PSA. I think it’s PSA. minister responsible, so I’ll leave those They’re not directly under the Premier. questions for another time. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like to stick on the Senior Chairman: Thank you, Minister Personnel Secretariat topic, though. I Savikataaq. Mr. Lightstone. was quite surprised when the Minister of Finance indicated that the senior Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. management bonuses were not tied to Chairman. I’ll rephrase my question. As financial performance of their budgets. the Minister responsible for the Senior Looking at the Hansard of May 28, Personnel Secretariat, which includes all 2014, I would like to quote a question senior managers in the GN that are Mr. Savikataaq had asked of the Premier excluded from the collective agreement, of the day. “Can the Premier explain the all of the policies that apply to those government’s methodology for individuals are set out in the Senior determining the amount of performance Managers’ Handbook. bonus payments that are awarded to senior management?” Thank you, Mr. I’m curious if all of those policies listed Chairman. in the Senior Managers’ Handbook have

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Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Lightstone. had indicated that bonuses are based on Minister Savikataaq. good work and going above and beyond, but I would like to know a bit more, Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. specifically the methodology of how the Chairman. The bonus and merits are two bonuses are determined. different things but dealt with at the same time. The bonus is if they’re doing Does the Senior Personnel Secretariat good work above and beyond what is get together once a year and decide that normal, and the merit is there is no the government is going to pay out system for them to get a raise every year. $800,000 and each department is going For the union workers, you go steps 1, 2, to pay out a certain percentage of that? 3, 4, 5, and 6. There is nothing like that That’s the kind of answers that I’m built in like that to senior managers. looking for. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. There are the two. Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Lightstone. To go back to the comment if the DM Minister Savikataaq. should get bonuses only if they stay within their budget, then the poor DM of Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Health would never ever get a bonus, Chairman. It’s formula-based and I’ll ever, and same with maybe Family just go a step back. For the DMs, it’s at Services. There are just certain things the privy of the Premier, but the budget-wise with certain departments ministers actually do sign off and the that are beyond their control. ministers decide on the formula on what the DM should get. Anyone below that, The communities want more services, performance appraisals are done and the MLAs are demanding more services, then it’s decided by their manager, but if and we’re trying to do more with the you want it in more detail, if I can ask same resources that we have. We’re Ms. Okpik just to elaborate on that just doing our best to stay within budget, but to make it more clearer on the process. there are certain departments that have a Thank you, Mr. Chairman. tough time doing that. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you. Ms. Okpik.

Chairman: Thank you, Minister Ms. Okpik (interpretation): Thank you. Savikataaq. Mr. Lightstone. In terms of merit and bonus, they are two separate items. For deputy ministers, Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. the (interpretation ends) Senior Chairman. I understand the difference Personnel Secretariat (interpretation) is between the bonus and the merit, so I’ll responsible and there is clarity in terms stick to the bonuses for now. of the actual percentage amounts. (interpretation ends) There’s an actual Looking at a recent article, in 2017-18 percentage of their salary that’s there was a considerable amount of determined and approved by the SPS bonuses paid out, which is why I’m kind before that process takes place. There’s a of curious how these bonuses are self-assessment included. Typically a decided upon. I understand the minister deputy minister will have to look at their

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mandate letter, they will have to look at and all their leave credits are followed the business plan, and there are specific up with every year. That’s how it’s Turaaqtavut objectives that they need to typically done. report into after their self-assessment. For example, it’s March now, so as the I know, typically, assessments have secretary to the Senior Personnel been, we have been told, no longer than Secretariat, I’ll start to get a list of who 10 pages. You will have any deputy are the current directors, who are the submit a 10- to 20-page self-assessment current ADMs. There are certain depending on how big their department provisions. For example, anybody who is, and then the recommendations; started employment after October would there’s interaction between the Premier not be eligible. We often look at even and the ministers on the assessments, so prorating. If they have only been within that’s done at the SPS level. the position for nine months, then we might prorate their performance merit, With respect to directors and assistant for example. deputy ministers, again, there’s a percentage outlined. Typically it’s 5 Directors and ADMs don’t have an percent…in the past and I can only instant mechanism for salary increases, speak to the past. In the last few years it but it can go the other way. If you have a has been 5 percent of the department’s director or an ADM that the deputy salary that enables… . If you have, let’s minister feels hasn’t been performing, say, 15 senior managers that are ADM you can actually make the request not to and directors, then 5 percent of their have a merit or a bonus allocated. It’s combined salaries is what you would not automatic. I have seen instances look at. There is a cap and in any given where merit and bonus have not been year, so last year, for example, the senior given to individuals. (interpretation) and merit couldn’t go over 7 percent of Thank you. their salary. It’s a combination. Chairman: Thank you, Ms. Okpik. Mr. Sometimes when you often look if a Lightstone. person has more salary, like a lower salary, you might give them more in a Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. salary increase than you would on the Chairman. Thank you, Ms. Okpik, for bonus piece. Let’s say you might do 5 that information. It seems like regular percent of salary and a 2 percent, but it MLAs have been trying to get this never goes over that 7 percent and it information since the minister brought it never goes over that salary cap that’s up in 2014. I would like to ask why this determined by the SPS every year. isn’t public knowledge and why can’t this information be found on EIA’s A few things have to take place. Of website, for example. Thank you, Mr. course there needs to be a positive Chairman. performance appraisal. Their staff that report to them also have to have Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Lightstone. completed performance appraisals. You Minister Savikataaq. have to make sure that their leave forms

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Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman: Thank you, Minister Chairman. Like Ms. Okpik just said, it’s Savikataaq. Mr. Lightstone. not a guarantee. They may get bonus and merit and they may not. It depends on Mr. Lightstone. Thank you, Mr. their work performance and their Chairman. I’ll move on to my next line evaluations. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. of questioning. The minister had indicated that deputy heads provide a Chairman: Thank you, Minister self-performance review. I was Savikataaq. Mr. Lightstone. wondering if the minister would be able to expand on that and specifically how Mr. Lightstone. Thank you, Mr. the deputy head’s performance bonus is Chairman. I thank the minister for that decided upon. The minister stated that response. I would like to ask the minister the ministers decide on their own deputy to commit to making this information minister’s bonus and then the Premier public and posting this information on gives approval. I do believe that it’s EIA’s website so the public knows how something that should be expanded on. the government determines performance That’s more information that we regular bonuses. The minister can even include MLAs should know. Thank you, Mr. that phrase that it is not guaranteed and Chairman. that it’s up to the Senior Personnel Secretariat or whoever. I would really Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Lightstone. like to request the minister to commit to Minister Savikataaq. making this public knowledge. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I’m not sure exactly what he Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Lightstone. wants, but the DMs, like Ms. Okpik said, Minister Savikataaq. do a self-evaluation in terms of the mandate and the business plan to see Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. where the department is in terms of Chairman. We can look at it in terms of those two, and then it’s looked at. I’m what we could put on there. There are not sure exactly what else he wants. If he privacy issues here, so you would never can his just clarify his point. Thank you, put individual persons on there. It is so Mr. Chairman. varied, but we can put in a general thing of how bonuses and merits are Chairman: Thank you, Minister calculated, but it doesn’t mean that Savikataaq. Mr. Lightstone. anyone’s going to get them because it’s not a guarantee. It would be pretty Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. vague. If bonuses and merits are going to Chairman. To rephrase, in a few months’ be given, we could put the guidelines on time the Premier will receive a number in terms of a percentage of a salary, it of self-assessments, I’m assuming, and can only be a maximum of this. I’m not then shortly after the Premier will going to commit to anything. We can receive recommendations from ministers look at it. It’s quite more complicated on how much bonus to be paid out to than just posting this stuff. Thank you, each deputy minister. That seems like a Mr. Chairman. very vague and high-level description of

Monday, March 11, 2019 Nunavut Hansard 3169 the process. I was asking to see if the Minister Savikataaq. minister could expand on that and give us more detail than was already Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. provided. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman. Every government looks at the mandate and see how they’re going Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Lightstone. on the mandate and that would be one Minister Savikataaq. gauge of judging the government and judging each department on their share Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. of what they have to do, Turaaqtavut, Chairman. I don’t think I can provide but in question period that’s almost an any more details than Ms. Okpik said. evaluation at times too. She was quite detailed in her explanation of how the bonus and merits work. I The ministers do what they need to do can’t elaborate any more on the process. and I would say that if the minister is not Thank you, Mr. Chairman. performing to the satisfaction of certain people, then they will pick up on that. Chairman: Thank you, minister. Mr. The ministers work hard and they try to Lightstone. get their mandate done, plus doing all the day-to-day stuff to keep the lights on Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. in their department. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I’ll move on to my next topic. Chairman. I was wondering if there was a performance evaluation mechanism in Chairman: Thank you, Minister place for ministers. Thank you, Mr. Savikataaq. Mr. Lightstone. Chairman. Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Lightstone. Chairman. It’s clear that’s the Premier’s Minister Savikataaq. prerogative when setting or distributing portfolios and the Premier has obviously Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. shown that, but in follow-up to that, I Chairman. Yes, there is, you guys, the would like to ask if the minister is MLAs. All the ministers and the Premier satisfied with the cabinet’s ability to work at the pleasure of the Legislative provide answers so far in question Assembly. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. period. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Lightstone. Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Lightstone. Minister Savikataaq. Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. A quick question. It sounds to Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. me that the minister has not set any sort Chairman. When the ministers are of framework for determining and questioned in question period, they may judging the performance of his cabinet. not have the detailed information that is Is that correct? Thank you, Mr. required at times and, if they don’t, then Chairman. they say, “I don’t have that level of detail and I’ll get back to you.” Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Lightstone.

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We have staff that do all the detailed Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. stuff and sometimes the detailed stuff on Chairman. My next question, I certain things don’t get filtered up right understand that ministers have a very away, unless it’s an ongoing issue or high demand for duty travel and home some issue that’s going to be very travel. Excluding personal situations, is political, but we don’t hear about a lot of the minister satisfied that when the the day-to-day stuff because that’s what ministers are in town, they put in an all the bureaucrats are there to do. equal amount of time in the office They’re there to work and get the job running their departments? Thank you, done. If there are any issues, they Mr. Chairman. normally flag it up and it comes up to the top there. They do the best they can Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Lightstone. with the information that they have. I don’t know what this has to do with Thank you, Mr. Chairman. EIA’s budget, but Minister Savikataaq, if you want to reply, please go ahead. Chairman: Thank you, Minister Savikataaq. Mr. Lightstone. Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. All the ministers have a job to Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. do and they’re there to do the job. I Chairman. My next question is: is the stated earlier that all of us in cabinet minister satisfied that each minister has work at the pleasure of the Legislative put in an equal amount of work in Assembly and we’re there to try to get a maintaining their portfolios? Thank you, job done and we’re doing it to get the Mr. Chairman. job done. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Lightstone. Chairman: Thank you, Minister Minister Savikataaq. Savikataaq. We are on Directorate. Total Operations and Maintenance, to be Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Voted. $3,473,000. Sorry. Mr. Kaernerk. Chairman. I’m not sure where the member is going on that, but the Mr. Kaernerk: Thank you, Mr. ministers do work hard. If there are any Chairman. I just have a few questions issues that come up, then I’m there with here. On March 16, 2016 a report was my staff to work with the ministers if tabled in the Legislative Assembly on there are any issues or any hard times the first phase of the operational audit of that they’re having. We work as a team Government of Nunavut programs, on the second floor there and if there are which began in the year of 2015. On any issues that come up and if we can March 15, 2018 the Legislative help, then we’re there to help all the Assembly was informed by the Premier ministers. We work as a team and we do that phase 2 of the operational audit is our best to get the job that we have been almost completed. given to do. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. As of today what is the status of phase 2 Chairman: Thank you, Minister of the operational audit, and will you Savikataaq. Mr. Lightstone. commit to tabling it in the legislative, the final report on its findings and

Monday, March 11, 2019 Nunavut Hansard 3171 recommendations? (interpretation) Mr. Kaernerk (interpretation): Thank Thank you, Mr. Chairman. you, Mr. Chairman. I’m not quite clear, but perhaps you will have the same Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Kaernerk. response, so I’ll ask from the other side. Minister Savikataaq. Which specific programs have had their proposed budgets or staffing levels Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. decreased for the 2019-2020 specifically Chairman. To the best of my knowledge, as a direct result of the operational phase 2 is done and there are no tabling audit? Have you looked into that? That requirements, and I believe it is still will be my last question. Thank you, Mr. being analyzed and looked at. I’m not Chairman. sure if there are any recommendations that are forthcoming right now. Thank Chairman: Thank you. Minister you, Mr. Chairman. Savikataaq.

Chairman: Thank you, Minister Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): Savikataaq. Mr. Kaernerk. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This past audit of the previous government was Mr. Kaernerk: Thank you, Mr. not focused only on the financial Chairman. It would be nice to know of aspects, and I believe it was more the operations of the government even if specific to the government’s operations it’s not tabled in the legislative, but I’ll and duties. move on to my next question. The audit looked at whether the Which Government of Nunavut programs work efficiently or required programs have their proposed budgets or further massaging, and further, whether staffing levels increased for the 2019- the best practices are being followed or 2020 fiscal year as a direct result of the whether it needs to be completely operational audit? (interpretation) Thank altered. This was generically how it was you, Mr. Chairman. audited. The financial aspects were not the priority. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Kaernerk. Minister Savikataaq. Chairman: Thank you, Minister Savikataaq. Again, we’re on Directorate. Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Total Operations and Maintenance, to be Chairman. It’s hard to answer that one, Voted. $3,473,000. Agreed? but other than the Legislative Assembly, we’re the last ones there, so you have Some Members: Agreed. approved all the budgets with their increases or decreases for the year 2019- Chairman: Thank you. Page B-5. 2020. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Strategic Planning. I will remind members to get your hands up right Chairman: Thank you, Minister away and don’t wait ‘til the last minute, Savikataaq. Mr. Kaernerk. please. We will start off with Ms. Kamingoak.

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Ms. Kamingoak: Thank you, Mr. Chairman: Thank you, Minister Chairman. Welcome, minister and your Savikataaq. Ms. Kamingoak. officials. Ms. Kamingoak: Thank you, Mr. On May 4, 2015 a settlement agreement Chairman. As of today, which minister was signed in relation to Nunavut currently sits on the Makigiaqta Inuit Tunngavik Incorporated’s 2006 lawsuit Training Corporation’s Board of against the Government of Canada Directors? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. concerning its implementation of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement. The Chairman: Thank you. Minister settlement agreement provided in part Savikataaq. that the Government of Canada will complete a new Nunavut Inuit labour Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. force analysis in close consultation with Chairman. We’re just getting the new NTI and the Government of Nunavut. two board members on there. It used to The Nunavut Labour Force Analysis be the Premier through EIA because the report was publicly released in October Inuit employment training was there and 2018. What specific actions is the the Minister of Arctic College, which government taking in response to the was David Joanasie. Both of these findings of this report? Thank you, Mr. ministers are being replaced by the Chairman. Minister of Arctic College, Minister Netser, and the new Minister of Human Chairman: Thank you, Ms. Kamingoak. Resources, Minister Kusugak. Thank If your telephone is close to your you, Mr. Chairman. microphone, if you can move it farther away, please; it’s affecting the system. Chairman: Thank you, Minister Thank you. Minister Savikataaq. Savikataaq. Ms. Kamingoak.

Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Ms. Kamingoak: Thank you. What Chairman. Each department has an Inuit specific initiatives is the Makigiaqta employment plan now and the Inuit Training Corporation currently government has an overall Inuit undertaking? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. employment plan. We’re doing training specifically to try to get Inuit to “go up Chairman: Thank you. Minister the ladder.” Savikataaq.

On a side note of that, as part of that Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. lawsuit settlement there, the Makigiaqta Chairman. The list is long and there are corporation was developed and they’re lots of projects that they are doing, but there to give out training funds to make they’re a corporation on their own and as Inuit more employable both for the the GN, we have two board members, as government and industry, but it was I stated. They’re their own entity and targeted mostly to government. The GN they take applications in to fund projects has two seats on the Makigiaqta board of that will enhance education or directors. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. employability levels of Inuit, specifically for Inuit. The Makigiaqta corporation

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has the final say on which projects they House, they generally produce it in one fund. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. language, but when the government is tabling a document, we produce it in Chairman: Thank you, Minister four languages. Savikataaq. Mr. Quassa. However, we will consider what the Mr. Quassa (interpretation): Thank you, member said. I may be forgetting a part Mr. Chairman. Welcome. I would first of the question. Perhaps the member can like to say I really heard the minister ask the question again. I’m sorry. Thank earlier when he mentioned the English you, Mr. Chairman. language, but that all the other languages, including Inuktitut and Chairman: Thank you, Minister French, are (interpretation ends) time- Savikataaq. I want to remind the consuming (interpretation) to include. It members that Communications goes is really disheartening to hear the under Directorate and we already passed Premier say that about the other that page. Let’s move on to Strategic languages that are important in Nunavut. Planning. Mr. Quassa. The Premier shouldn’t say they are too onerous because it is part of the Mr. Quassa (interpretation): Thank you, government’s responsibility. Mr. Chairman. I believe I’m in the right page under priorities for 2018-19 under The first statement I would like to make Strategic Planning on page 5. That is is that you work with the departments of what I based my question on. It states Justice and Culture and Heritage to here in 2018-19 that they would work ensure that Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit and with the departments of Justice and (interpretation ends) Inuit societal values Culture and Heritage regarding Inuit (interpretation) are incorporated into Qaujimajatuqangit and Inuit societal legislation and policies. What has been values within legislation and policy. In done to date to include these within the 2019-2020 on page 7, it says the same government’s legislation and policies? thing; it has not been changed. That is Thank you, Mr. Chairman. why I was asking the question. What new things is he going to be pushing as Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Quassa. Premier of Nunavut? Thank you, Mr. Minister Savikataaq. Chairman.

Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Quassa. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like Minister Savikataaq. to address what he heard that he dislikes. When we do public service Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): announcements, all of the official Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We work languages of Nunavut are used. I was with the Department of Justice and the referring to Facebook where we only put Department of Culture and Heritage, as things down in English, and people are well as all other government appreciative of it. departments. If we are looking at an Act or producing a new bill, we make sure Whenever MLAs table documents in the that we are following what is called in

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English (interpretation ends) Inuit Savikataaq. Before I go on to the next societal values. (interpretation) It is name on my list, we will take a 10- always being utilized to make sure it minute break. Thank you. aligns with (interpretation ends) Inuit societal values (interpretation) or Inuit >>Committee recessed at 15:22 and Qaujimajatuqangit. We try to make sure resumed at 15:36 the (interpretation ends) policies (interpretation) apply to those. When Chairman: I would like to call the departments are setting up policies, they committee meeting back to order. We’re make sure that those are followed. still on Strategic Planning. I understand, Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Minister Savikataaq, you wanted to make a comment before we proceed, so Chairman: Thank you, Minister please go ahead. Minister Savikataaq. Savikataaq. Mr. Quassa. Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Mr. Quassa (interpretation): Thank you, Chairman. I would just like to make a Mr. Chairman. The main reason I was correction or clarification. The Premier’s asking what new programs you are Facebook page is in all four official pushing is the fact that you need to be languages. As I stated earlier, I more apparent. It’s very obvious that it personally don’t have one, but it’s in all needs to be more apparent. We always four languages. Thank you, Mr. say as members that there are still many Chairman. people who speak only in Inuktitut. Thinking along those lines, when laws Chairman: Thank you, Minister are not really following Inuit societal Savikataaq, for that clarification. Next values, that’s when I address them on my list for questions, Ms. Towtongie. because they should be followed. Please go ahead.

Will there be any new programs created Ms. Towtongie: Thank you, Mr. in 2019-2020? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Your department’s proposed Chairman. 2019-2022 business plan indicates on page 11 that it “takes part in Nunavut Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Quassa. Implementation Panel meetings, which Minister Savikataaq. are held four times a year, to discuss implementation activities…within the Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): government.” Thank you, Mr. Chairman. When there’s a new legislative proposal, we try to The most recent annual report that was include Inuit societal values right at the publicly released by the Nunavut beginning and as the bill is being worked Implementation Panel was in the year on, they’re included right at the 2012-13, about six years ago, and this beginning. The different departments report was reported in Parliament in have IQ coordinators and we include February of 2018. them. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. As of today, who are the members of the Chairman: Thank you, Minister Nunavut Implementation Panel and what

Monday, March 11, 2019 Nunavut Hansard 3175 specific work is the panel currently Chairman: Thank you, Minister undertaking? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Savikataaq. Ms. Towtongie.

Chairman: Thank you, Ms. Towtongie. Ms. Towtongie: Thank you, Mr. Minister Savikataaq. Chairman. My final question is with regard to page 6, second bullet, and it Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. says, “Develop a compendium of Chairman. The last most recent ones are sources of financial, technical and the staff members: Ms. Kathy Okpik, marketing assistance and place the Mr. Steve Pinksen, Ms. Sheila Kolola, information on the…website for and legal people. Thank you, Mr. Nunavut-based small scale businesses to Chairman. Lawyers. seek support to expand their business operations.” Chairman: Thank you, Minister Savikataaq. Ms. Towtongie. My question is with regard to intellectual property rights. I see a lot of products Ms. Towtongie: Thank you, Mr. that should have been Nunavut or Chairman. My other question was: what Nunavik-specific like ulu or amautik. specific work is the panel currently Has that been considered? Is it on this doing? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. website? My final question. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you, Ms. Towtongie. Minister Savikataaq. Chairman: Thank you, Ms. Towtongie. Minister Savikataaq. Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mostly on Articles 23 and 24. Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman. That’s just to support business in terms of statistical data that Chairman: Thank you. Ms. Towtongie. they can use. In terms of intellectual property, the bureau of statistics would Ms. Towtongie: Thank you, Mr. not be involved in that. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The department’s proposed Chairman. 2019-2020 main estimates indicate that the budget for the bureau of statistics is Chairman: Thank you, Minister projected to fall from $782,000 to Savikataaq. Mr. Mikkungwak. $577,000. That’s a decrease of approximately 26 percent. What Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you, Mr. accounts for this change? Thank you, Chairman. I’m going to be referring to Mr. Chairman. the same bullet on page 6, small-scale businesses. On the status it says, “…83 Chairman: Thank you, Ms. Towtongie. sources of opportunities for funding…” Minister Savikataaq. Is that across the board from government? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Vacancies account for this. Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mikkungwak. Minister Savikataaq.

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Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. in your business plan, which states, Chairman. I’m just going to have to “Participate in the review of human guess that I guess there are 83 different resources policies and programs to sources of funding available for small increase Inuit employment at all levels businesses within all the departments of the public service.” I’m just asking: within the GN. Thank you, Mr. do job postings go out, including deputy Chairman. minister jobs? I’m asking if any job postings go out in Nunavut. Thank you, Chairman: Thank you, Minister Mr. Chairman. Savikataaq. Mr. Mikkungwak. Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Akoak. Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you, Mr. Minister Savikataaq. Chairman. I thank the minister for his response. On that light, if it’s across the Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Government of Nunavut, what is the Chairman. Yes, some DM jobs are benchmark to be identified as small- posted in Nunavut. Thank you. scale business when each and every government department has their own Chairman: Thank you, Minister criteria and their own different policy for Savikataaq. Mr. Akoak. funding sources? What do you deem as the benchmark for small-scale Mr. Akoak: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. businesses? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. If you do not find anybody suitable in Nunavut, do you go south at all? Thank Chairman: Thank you, Mr. you, Mr. Chairman. Mikkungwak. Minister Savikataaq. Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Akoak. Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Minister Savikataaq. Chairman. The member would be better suited to ask that question to Economic Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Development in terms of what’s deemed Chairman. Yes, we look within Nunavut as small business and what’s deemed a and if we get a firm to help us in finding medium business or big business. This is a suitable employee, they still work just funding sources and I think that 83 within Nunavut with the HR department might even involve federal government to try to find a suitable Nunavut person funding and Inuit org funding sources to fill the job. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. that businesses have, but the bureau of statistics does not define what a small Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Akoak. business is. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Akoak: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you, Minister How successful are you in finding Savikataaq. Mr. Akoak. people within Nunavut? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Akoak: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Good afternoon, minister and staff. Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Akoak. Minister Savikataaq. My question is on the bottom of page 5

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Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. elaborate on that a little bit, Mr. Chairman. It really depends on how Chairman. Thank you. specialized the job requirement is for that DM and which department it is, so Chairman: Thank you, Minister it’s not an overall, blanket statement. Savikataaq. Ms. Okpik. Sometimes we’re successful in finding someone from Nunavut. If we need a Ms. Okpik (interpretation): Thank you. specialized person who has certain Regarding the airfare survey that knowledge and skills and if we can’t researches travel costs, the travel fare is find it within Nunavut, then we look to surveyed for all the communities from a the south, but we make all efforts to find hub. For instance, we used the hubs of a suitable person within Nunavut. Thank Iqaluit, Rankin Inlet, and Cambridge you, Mr. Chairman. Bay as they are destination hubs for points south. For example, we estimate Chairman: Thank you, Minister the costs from Kugluktuk and Savikataaq. Mr. Akoak. Cambridge Bay with a southern location such as Edmonton. They conduct an Mr. Akoak: Thank you. My next line of airfare survey on all routes to determine questioning has to do with airfares how much the costs of air travel are from within Nunavut. each point of origin.

At the bottom of page 6, the last bullet Further, for every community, they also under status it says, “Collection of conduct the nutritious foods costs. They airfare prices started in January 2018. use a list of essentials to purchase a food The survey covers travels between basket to determine the costs of those Nunavut communities…” When you say items in a particular community and “Nunavut communities,” what all you compare it to other communities. There say is “…from Iqaluit, Rankin Inlet, and are different surveys and cost of living Cambridge Bay to major out-of-province information that help to determine the destinations such as Ottawa, parameters they need to consider in Yellowknife, Montreal and Winnipeg.” order to provide assistance in that community, and they use the prices My question to that is: do you do found in the food basket surveys to surveys from smaller communities, not estimate the overall amounts. just the regional ones? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We would use that information to look at the benefits and other costs the Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Akoak. government accrues. Those would be Minister Savikataaq. under the bureau. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I’m not sure why it’s written Chairman: Thank you, Ms. Okpik. Mr. like that, but it’s between the major Akoak. centres where most of the traffic is. That’s what I’m going to presume it is, Mr. Akoak (interpretation): Thank you, but if I can get Ms. Okpik to just Mr. Chairman. These smaller

Monday, March 11, 2019 Nunavut Hansard 3178 communities are sometimes forgotten, in prices. Therefore I wonder if the and food prices and airfares are very airfare survey will continue. Thank you, expensive. From Gjoa Haven to Mr. Chairman. Yellowknife, (interpretation ends) one way is $2,000. (interpretation) The food Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Main. is very expensive. I don’t want you to Minister Savikataaq. forget small communities. I am asking you to consider the small communities. Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): That’s just a comment. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The tender is Koana, Mr. Chairman. out for (interpretation ends) duty and medical travel. (interpretation) Once the Chairman: Thank you. Minister contract is finalized, perhaps that can be Savikataaq. looked at again. We’re not going to see a major change right now. Once the Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. contract is completed, we can revisit Chairman. I just want to go back to… . I that. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. was just listening to the member and I’m reading it here myself. I think it is just Chairman: Thank you, Minister the interpretation here. The survey Savikataaq. Mr. Main. covers travel between Nunavut communities and from Iqaluit, Rankin Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, Inlet, and Cambridge Bay, which fly out Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) Just of territory. I think that’s the way it’s to clarify, the airfare survey work is not worded. It is to cover there. going to continue in this next fiscal year? (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. As for the member there about the high Chairman. cost food, yes, we have the GLOs do food pricing baskets so many times a Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Main. year so that we have an understanding of Minister Savikataaq. the food costs in all the communities. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. No, I’m saying that we’re Chairman: Thank you, Minister waiting for the contract to be finalized Savikataaq. Mr. Main. and then we can look at doing it again, and we might do it again if there’s a Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, merger and stuff like that. There are Mr. Chairman. To supplement my factors that come into play that might colleague’s comments about the airfare force us to do it again just to see what survey, I would like to know if the the difference is. Thank you, Mr. airfare survey going to continue in 2019- Chairman. 2020. It doesn’t make any indication on here. Chairman: Thank you, Minister Savikataaq. Mr. Main. The possibility of the merger between First Air and Canadian North is of a Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, major concern that it would cause rises Mr. Chairman. I would appreciate

Monday, March 11, 2019 Nunavut Hansard 3179 having the airfare survey continue, Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. considering what he spoke about. Chairman. I don’t have that level of detail here, but I can just go out on a (interpretation ends) Under this business limb a bit and say stuff like with the registry item here on page 6, it’s not a tourism stuff, Economic Development priority in this next fiscal year going and [Transportation] would have the forward. It says that they’re outfitters, the hotels, the bed and “…harmonized into a comprehensive breakfasts. I would say that they would business registry.” Well, the business have all that stuff in, I don’t know if it registry will only be valuable if it’s would be a directory, but a pamphlet or continually updated and refreshed. I that information would be readily would just like a little bit of clarification available for them because they do on that. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. license them. Chairman. As for the other part, I don’t have that Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Main. level of detail right here with me. Thank Minister Savikataaq. you, Mr. Chairman.

Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman: Thank you, Minister Chairman. There are certain projects that Savikataaq. Mr. Main. we do and then we look at it and see if it’s a worthwhile project, I guess. For Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, some of the stuff like the NNI Registry, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) NTI is in charge of that and they send us Okay, this comprehensive business a list of who all the NNI registered registry, just a comment on the business companies are. That is updated all the registry, it would seem to me that if you time, but is not our list. We don’t make have, let’s say, 25 businesses operating the list, but that’s just one component out of the same post office box and the where the list comes to us. Thank you, same phone number, that might raise Mr. Chairman. some flags for people.

Chairman: Thank you, Minister Within the NNI Registry, for example, if Savikataaq. Mr. Main, please go ahead. we’re trying to talk about separating paper companies from real companies, I Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, think that’s something that needs to be Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) addressed in our territory because it Where it says here on page 6, “These plays into our contracting processes and will be updated and harmonized into a it ends up being that real, physically comprehensive business registry,” where Inuit-owned and operated companies are will that business registry be available? put on the same level playing field as a (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. paper company that’s there simply to Chairman. take advantage of contracting procedures that have been put in place to benefit the Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Main. real Inuit companies. It’s something we Minister Savikataaq. have to address and I would be interested. That’s part of the reason why

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I was asking where this comprehensive talking about here in the term of the business registry was available. I would main estimates here? (interpretation) be interested to see that information. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

(interpretation) This will be my last Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Main. question. (interpretation ends) On page 7 Minister Savikataaq. it mentions “…a survey of key leadership positions in Nunavut using Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. gender lens in order to reveal the extent Chairman. The departments and to which governance systems in the divisions are always asking for these territory are gendered.” (interpretation) I stats from the bureau of statistics too. would like to know exactly what that is, That’s why we have it there and we how it operates and how it affects the compile it and it’s used to make programs that are brought out by the decisions there. government. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I’m not sure if I fully understood exactly Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Main. what the member…if he can just Minister Savikataaq. rephrase his question, please. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation) In reading it, Chairman: Thank you, Minister what we’re trying to do here is look at Savikataaq. Mr. Main. the number of female employees we have and if it’s reflective to their jobs. Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) It’s (interpretation ends) In the union going to be a survey of leadership workers there are lots of females. The positions using a gender lens and it’s just majority of the workers are females. The not clear to me, I guess, what the Inuk male is the minority in the union purpose of this survey is, “to reveal the work there. We’re just looking at it to extent to which governance see if there are any barriers in upper systems…are gendered.” The minister management. I’m going out on a limb a mentioned that females are the majority bit here again, but just looking to see in the civil service. I just wanted more how we can accommodate more gender specifics around this survey and what’s equality. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. the point of the survey, what is the end goal of conducting this survey. Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Main. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Main. Thank you for allowing me to jump in Minister Savikataaq. again. Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Specifically when it comes to gender Chairman. I’ll read what it says here. equality and looking at leadership The Department for Women and Gender positions, what specific actions are we Equality has been contracted for

Monday, March 11, 2019 Nunavut Hansard 3181 collaboration in analyzing variables to Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, explain the gender leadership patterns Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) that are identified during the survey. Thank you, minister. It’s not clear to me Thank you, Mr. Chairman. whether this is just looking at Nunavut government job vacancies or if it Chairman: Thank you, Minister includes the private sector, but if it does Savikataaq. Mr. Main. include the private sector, I would highly recommend that the bureau collect Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, information from the mining industry. At Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) Meliadine, for example, there are Maybe I’ll look at Hansard and try to hundreds of jobs coming online in the understand that. next two to three years, literally hundreds. On page 8, the last bullet, the last priority for this fiscal year mentions the Unfortunately it has been quite Nunavut job vacancy database. I have disappointing so far in terms of action on never heard of that database, so if the the mine training front. We don’t seem minister could explain where this to be, as a government, up to speed yet. database is made available. Is it internal? I think this is maybe, if it does include Is it on the web? (interpretation) Thank the private sector employment, it’s an you, Mr. Chairman. opportunity for direction to come from the top, from EIA in terms of “Look, we Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Main. need to get up to speed on this industry Minister Savikataaq. in Nunavut.” (interpretation) That was just a comment. Thank you, Mr. Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman. Let me read to see where it’s done. “The department collects data on Chairman: Thank you. Was there a job vacancies advertised for both the question there? I wasn’t quite… . It was public and private agencies to provide just a comment? Okay. Moving on, Mr. information on job demands in the Kaernerk. territory. Among others, the job vacancy database provides statistical data on Mr. Kaernerk (interpretation): Thank numbers and types of job positions that you, Mr. Chairman. Going back to page are on offer as well as job vacancy 7, for 2019-2020, near the bottom of the locations.” page, it has to do with elders, Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit and Inuit societal I guess the departments would use that. values within legislation and policies. It’s not clear whether it’s like a public Are there elder advisors with the database or not, but the departments Department of Justice and the would use that in order to help them in Department of Culture and Heritage? their plans for employment plans. Thank That’s my first question. Thank you, Mr. you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman.

Chairman: Thank you, Minister Chairman: Thank you. Minister Savikataaq. Mr. Main. Savikataaq.

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Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): Qaujimajatuqangit coordinators. I can’t Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Each of the say at this time if they are indeed elders, departments have what are called in but all departments have an IQ English (interpretation ends) IQ coordinator. The Department of coordinators. (interpretation) All Education has an elders committee as departments have Inuit well as the Department of Culture and Qaujimajatuqangit coordinators. Thank Heritage. It’s obvious that we do work you, Mr. Chairman. with those committees. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you, Minister Savikataaq. Mr. Kaernerk. Chairman: Thank you, Minister Savikataaq. We are on Strategic Mr. Kaernerk (interpretation): Thank Planning. Total Operations and you. Are some of these positions filled Maintenance, to be Voted. $2,660,000. by elders? Agreed?

I want to note the use of Inuit Some Members: Agreed. Qaujimajatuqangit and Inuit societal values within the government system. I Chairman: Thank you. Turning to B-6. would think it would make more sense if Nunavut Cabinet. Any questions? Mr. the departments had elders who know Angnakak. our culture, customs, and law. That would work in terms of the Turaaqtavut Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. mandate as a goal. Chairman. I would like to speak and ask about the ministers’ home travel I would like to see the departments allowances. I know this is a policy and it having elders in the system to promote relates to home travel. I think, in the Inuit employment. There are only 10 past, it was misinterpreted and more days until the Department of misunderstood, but even so, as the new Human Resources is in place. I would Premier you put your foot down on a consider this a priority in terms of our couple of ministers that had and were elders. If we could get clarity, it would accessing these funds. This was due to help the Turaaqtavut mandate and help the fact that the funds were to cover increase elder employment in all travel expenses for ministers. government departments. That’s my final comment regarding our elders. I quote from an interview that the Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Premier did with CBC last November in minister, who is sitting over there. I’m that the “policy states home travel done. expenses can only be reimbursed to ministers ‘who reside in a community Chairman: Thank you. Minister other than Iqaluit or Apex.’” I realize Savikataaq. that there may have been some confusion over how the policy was read, Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): but at the end of the day the Premier put Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The his foot down and you made a ruling. departments have Inuit That was it.

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I would like to ask the Premier if one or Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. both of these ministers have paid these Chairman. There is a phrase or policy public funds back to the pot. Thank you, that comes to defence in legal stuff quite Mr. Chairman. a few times. It’s called officially induced error, when you are told by someone Chairman: Thank you, Ms. Angnakak. above you that “This is okay” and it Minister Savikataaq. turns out it’s not, but generally if that person was told by an official that it was Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. okay to do that, then they are not guilty Chairman. I did not ask for the ministers of that offence. Thank you, Mr. to pay back their home travel portion, as Chairman. they were following the rules that were given to them by the interpretation of the Chairman: Thank you, Minister Premier of the day. Thank you, Mr. Savikataaq. Ms. Angnakak. Chairman. Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. Chairman: Thank you, Minister Chairman. Even with that explanation, I Savikataaq. Ms. Angnakak. know that there are staff that have been paid and it was okay to be paid by Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. somebody superior to them, and then it Chairman. I realize this is kind of a turned out it wasn’t right and their wages contentious thing and it’s really not were garnished. It just doesn’t look about going after anybody. It’s really the good. It is a really bad image on this principle of it. government to have something like that happen. That’s just a comment. That’s it. I know that you put your foot down Thank you. obviously because you saw it was the wrong thing and, if it was a wrong thing, Chairman: Thank you. Moving on, Mr. it makes me think, “Well, why didn’t Lightstone. you go that step further and say, ‘This is wrong. You accessed funds that you Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. weren’t supposed to. You should pay Chairman. I would like to follow up on this back’?” If any staff member across Ms. Angnakak’s questions and Nunavut was over paid by even $5, you comments. In the CBC article that Ms. are told to pay it back and you don’t Angnakak was referencing, the reporter even have a choice. had referenced that the policies related to ministers’ home travel were set in the When a minister accesses funds that they government’s ministerial handbook. I shouldn’t have, I’m just wondering why was wondering if the minister would be you wouldn’t want them to pay it back able to tell us what this handbook is and because it is public money. Thank you, whether or not it’s a public document. Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Chairman: Thank you, Ms. Angnakak. Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Lightstone. Minister Savikataaq. Minister Savikataaq.

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Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman: Thank you, Minister Chairman. It’s not posted anywhere, but Savikataaq. Mr. Lightstone. I believe the reporter back then did have a copy of the ministerial manual. Thank Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman. The minister had indicated that there were a few other policies that Chairman: Thank you, Minister the minister is looking at amending or Savikataaq. Mr. Lightstone. had amended. I would like to enquire: what else other than the travel policy has Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. the minister amended? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The next question for the Chairman. minister is: for the benefit of transparency and the policies which the Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Lightstone. minister or the Premier, I guess, dictates Minister Savikataaq. or interprets, does the minister believe that the public has the right to know the Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. contents of this ministerial procedures Chairman. It’s not so much amended, handbook/manual? Thank you, Mr. but some amendments will be made, Chairman. same with the ministerial housing allowance, the salaries for the EAs, Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Lightstone. salaries for the secretaries. We’re Minister Savikataaq. looking at the whole thing just to make sure that it’s easy to understand, not Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. there for misinterpretation. We’re Chairman. Since I took over the looking at the whole manual and we’re Premiership, I highlighted a few areas just about done. Thank you, Mr. where this manual could be tightened up. Chairman. Under my direction, I would ask them to review this manual. The review is just Chairman: Thank you, Minister about done and there are going to be Savikataaq. Mr. Lightstone. changes so that it is way clearer. Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. Ministers have to sign stuff and date it Chairman. I would like to return to my for certain benefits that they get. For first question. In the attempt at example, if they want ministerial home increasing government transparency and travel, they have to prove and it will be accountability, would the minister agree clearer that the ministerial home travel is that it would be in the public’s best for ministers who do not reside in Iqaluit interest if the policies and all the or Apex. information included in this ministerial handbook were to be made public? We’re just about done it and it will go to Thank you, Mr. Chairman. cabinet for approval in the very near future. The document that we’re looking Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Lightstone. at right now is changing to make it Minister Savikataaq. clearer and to the best of our abilities, no grey areas. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

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Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. access to the document through an Chairman. Like I said, we’re looking at ATIPP request. The government didn’t this. Another twist to this, I guess, is that just hand it over with a smile on their the indemnity review that they had, I faces. They technically were forced to know there was some talk and some give it up. I would like to ask again: in question on whether the ministerial favour of increasing government benefit should be looked at or taken over transparency and accountability, does by the MSB. We’re waiting to see what the minister believe that ministerial the recommendations are going to come benefits, policies, and roles should be out of that too. We’re working on this made public? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. manual and it may come up that it may be administered under the MSB. We Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Lightstone. don’t know yet, but we will look at the Minister Savikataaq. recommendations that come out of the indemnity commission. Thank you, Mr. Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman. I would like to state again that it is public. All the expenses that we Chairman: Thank you, Minister as ministers; our salaries, our benefits Savikataaq. Mr. Lightstone. are all tabled every year. Once the newer version of this ministerial manual is Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. approved, I can give one to every MLA. Chairman. I understand that there is a Thank you, Mr. Chairman. review undergoing, but I would like to return to my question. Does the minister Chairman: Thank you, Minister believe in increasing government Savikataaq. Mr. Lightstone. transparency and accountability that this document should be made public? Thank Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman. I fully understand that ministerial indemnities, salaries, and Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Lightstone. benefits are tabled annually, but the Minister Savikataaq. public still doesn’t know the rules and policies surrounding them, which is why Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. I myself think that if the government Chairman. It’s not advertised anywhere. were truly to be transparent and It’s not on the website, but the reporter accountable, it would release that did have a copy and he didn’t get it information to the public. It would post illegally. It is available. It’s just that we it on its own website and not force don’t advertise it. Thank you, Mr. members of the public to ATIPP this Chairman. information.

Chairman: Thank you, Minister I personally believe that this ministerial Savikataaq. Mr. Lightstone. procedures manual/handbook should be publically shared, it should be on the Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. government’s website, and the public Chairman. I would just like to reference should know what benefits our ministers that CBC article. The reporter did gain are receiving. I would like to request the

Monday, March 11, 2019 Nunavut Hansard 3186 minister to commit to sharing the current current benefits package with the general policies and procedures manual for public? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. ministers as it now for the public to see. Will he commit to doing so? Thank you, Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Lightstone. Mr. Chairman. Minister Savikataaq.

Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Lightstone. Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Minister Savikataaq. Chairman. All our salaries, all our indemnities, all our benefits, all of that is Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. tabled every year for every minister. It’s Chairman. I’m not sure what advantage tabled and anything tabled is public of sharing the current ministerial information. procedures manual is as it’s being changed very shortly. There are sections I just don’t see the point in giving this that are going to be changed. when it has been changing. My guess is within even a month or two it will be I told the member just a few minutes ago changed, and I have no problem giving that once we have the new one approved the new approved copy to all the MLAs. by cabinet, I committed to giving every It seems pointless to put something out MLA a copy and they can table it. They there that is going to be changed. I can do whatever they choose to do with disagree with the member saying that the that document. Thank you, Mr. public doesn’t know how much; they do. Chairman. Everything is tabled. All the MLAs, all Chairman: Thank you, Minister the ministers, all their indemnities, all Savikataaq. Mr. Lightstone. their benefits, all of that is tabled every year. The public knows every public Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. fund we get because that document is Chairman. Right now as it stands, the tabled by the Legislative Assembly. ministers, including the current minister, Thank you, Mr. Chairman. are receiving public funds that pay for salaries and benefits. As it sits now, that Chairman: Thank you, Minister information is not public. The rules Savikataaq. Mr. Lightstone. surrounding all of that information are not public. Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I fully understand that the In other jurisdictions in Canada they’re final salary dollars and benefits are completely open and transparent in that tabled, but again, the public doesn’t respect and they share all the rules know the rules and policies surrounding surrounding ministerial benefits and them. The general public doesn’t know regular members’ benefits, which we do. what kind of benefits ministers get I don’t understand why the government outside of salaries. I do not think that is a is reluctant to share the current very accountable or transparent way to ministerial benefit package with the run a government. general public. I will ask the minister: why is the minister reluctant to share the That’s why I believe that the policies,

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whether they’re in place now or they’re anything tabled is a public document. going to be changed at a later date, it’s Thank you, Mr. Chairman. irrelevant what our ministers and cabinet are receiving today. The rules Chairman: Thank you, Minister surrounding those benefits should be Savikataaq. I think you have used about made public, which is why I believe that six minutes of your time so far asking the current policies should be made basically the same question. If you don’t public as well. have a different question, we will move on to a different member. You’re getting One last time, in the favour of a the same answer each time. Do you have transparent and accountable government, a different question or are you going to will the minister commit to sharing leave it at that? Mr. Lightstone. publicly on the website the current ministerial manual? Thank you, Mr. Mr. Lightstone: One last question and Chairman. it’s not the same question. My question is: what is the minister hiding? Thank Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Lightstone. you, Mr. Chairman. Minister Savikataaq. Chairman: Thank you. Minister Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Savikataaq. Chairman. I don’t know how I can state this anymore clearer that all our benefits Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. and every pay we get is public. It’s Chairman. There’s nothing to hide. All tabled here in this House and they have the benefits are, like I said for the same access to all the tabled documents. If thing, all tabled. All our benefits are people want to read it, they can read the tabled. Any ministerial benefit that any tabled documents. It’s public. Any minister gets is tabled and anything public funds that are used for us tabled is a public document. Thank you, ministers, for us MLAs, they all know it. Mr. Chairman. It’s all tabled. Chairman: Thank you. I think you I told the member here again, once we stated that was your last question, so we approve the new ministerial manual, I will move on. Mr. Main. will give every MLA a copy of it, but I don’t see the point of doing an exercise Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, that is, in my opinion, futile because Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) I’m we’re changing this anyway. In my interested in the topic of conflict. opinion, we’re changing it for the better Ministers have quite a lot of power and so there’s less chance of any that is given to them by the Legislative miscommunication or misinterpretation. Assembly, and at the cabinet table decisions are made and I’m interested in All my benefits are tabled. I get housing what the definition of a conflict of allowance here. It’s tabled. My home interest is. What definition is used by the travel is tabled. My northern allowance cabinet? I guess that’s my first question. is tabled. Everything is tabled for all of (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. us here. We all know that it’s tabled and Chairman.

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Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Main. a senior manager in any government Minister Savikataaq. departments, public agency, or statutory body for which the Minister is Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. responsible, acting appointments are to Chairman. I’ll read off the soon-to-be be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. revised ministerial manual. Guidelines, “The conflict of interest provision of the Ministers are reminded of the potential Integrity Act applies to all Members of conflict of interest that may occur if a the Legislative Assembly, including spouse or a dependent child of the Ministers. Ministers must uphold the Minister holds or enters into a contract, highest ethical standards so that public including a contract of employment with confidence and the trust in their integrity any department or agency of the and impartiality of government are Government of Nunavut for which the maintained and enhanced. Minister is responsible. In the event that such situation occurs, the Minister may Ministers have an obligation to perform utilize the method outlined in section 19 their official duties and arrange their of the Integrity Act to get a ruling from private affairs in a manner that will bear the Integrity Commissioner on the closest public scrutiny. This obligation is condition under which such a not fully discharged merely by acting relationship would not represent a within the law. conflict of interest.”

Ministers must avoid conflict of interest, That’s what it says there. Mr. Chairman, the appearance of conflict of interest every cabinet meeting, before the situations that have the potential to meeting, there is a section for declaring a involve conflict of interest, and conflict. If any minister sees that there Ministers must declare a conflict of will be a conflict in the agenda or even a interest at the point and the time it perceived conflict, then the practice is becomes apparent.” for that minister to declare conflict at the meeting. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And it goes on, “Ministers shall not engage in any other employment or in Chairman: Thank you, Minister the practice of a profession, engage in Savikataaq. Mr. Main. the management of a business carried on by a corporation, carry on business Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, through a partnerships or sole Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) proprietorship, or hold an office or Thank you for that information. It will directorship unless holding the office or be interesting once we get copies of that directorship is one of the Minister’s handbook. duties as a Minister, or the office or the directorship is in a social club, religious A couple of things I just wanted to organization, or political party. follow up on. I guess I just ask: on average, how often are these conflicts Ministers must declare and take the being declared? I’m not looking for a necessary steps to avoid conflict of number. Is it something you see interest. If any member of their family is regularly, once in a long while, or pretty

Monday, March 11, 2019 Nunavut Hansard 3189 much every meeting? How would the in front of me of who a family member minister characterize the use of conflict? is, but if there are any ministers that (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. have any siblings or children working Chairman. for their department, that is declared and brought to the attention of the Integrity Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Main. Commissioner. Thank you, Mr. Minister Savikataaq. Chairman.

Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman: Thank you, Minister Chairman. They are not that common Savikataaq. Mr. Main. but the places they occur the most are in cabinet meetings if there is a direct Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, appointment or any policies that affect Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) The the minister, the minister declares a second thing I wanted to ask about is conflict and leaves the room, and when lobbying from business or other special we’re finished dealing with that issue, interest groups. I know a lot of other then they come back to the meeting. jurisdictions have lobbying registries Thank you, Mr. Chairman. where, if ministers are approached by business owners, for example, if they sit Chairman: Thank you, Minister down and have a meeting with them, it Savikataaq. Mr. Main. would be recorded and publicly made available. We don’t have a lobbying Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, registry right now in Nunavut, but I’m Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) interested: is there any type of reporting Okay, so not that often, but the conflicts process that happens within cabinet? happen and they are declared, which is reassuring. Let’s say, for example, we will use airlines. If a certain minister is asked to If the minister could clarify, he dinner by the owners of an airline mentioned when he was talking about company, for example… . I’m just using the conflict section when he was reading that as an example; I don’t have any it out, it mentioned family member. information to that regard. Let’s say it’s Does that definition of family member a busing company and they want to set just mean people who live in your up bus routes on the new Nunavut household or does it mean your siblings? highway that has just been built and they Does it mean your children? I’m just ask the minister to a big, fancy dinner. interested in how it’s defined. It’s blending personal life and business (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. life. Is there any requirement to declare Chairman. these types of activities or meetings? (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Main. Chairman. Minister Savikataaq. Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Main. Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Minister Savikataaq. Chairman. There’s an actual definition of family members. I don’t have it here Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr.

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Chairman. To the best of my knowledge, Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. we don’t have an actual policy on Chairman. That does happen as long as lobbying, but we use common sense. For it’s not singling out everyone and I can example, with the airline procurement come up with an example. Last year at out right now, we gave direction to all the mining symposium the minister of the ministers that if you’re invited to a the day with ED&T met with every paid supper or a paid breakfast, no, you mining company. As long as you’re can’t do that. We just use common sense consistent, we booked half an hour for it, in that. We don’t have an actual policy every mining company was there, and or law saying not to, but if we think we sat down and we talked one on one there’s going to be a conflict, then each and we did that to everyone. That was a minister deals with it on a case-by-case very good, productive meeting and we basis. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. do stuff like that. It’s when you start singling out or favouring someone else is Chairman: Thank you, Minister where you have an issue, but the Savikataaq. Mr. Main. government does talk to businesses and industries. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) I Chairman: Thank you, Minister think that it could be a win-win for our Savikataaq. Mr. Main. government if we figure out some way to set this up because I personally want Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, the government to be connected to Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) business interests. We want the Would the minister commit to looking government to know what’s happening into this in this fiscal year? It’s not on on the ground and know where jobs are any of the priorities and I’m not talking coming from and what the issues are. about setting up a full-blown lobbyist We don’t want to firewall ourselves off registry like they have in Ottawa, but from, let’s say, mining companies or some sort of regular reporting, “This transportation companies. We want to minister met with these companies.” I have that dialogue in place but at the don’t know. same time safeguard against undue influence. Maybe it would be something that would be tabled twice or year or something. It I’m just wondering: has there been any could be of benefit and I think it would thought put into what type of reporting maybe give the cabinet a piece or mind or framework would be needed to set or the ability to take on these meetings something like this up? Again, I’ll just without worrying or without… . Do you reiterate that it’s not necessarily a bad know what I’m saying? With the thing when business leaders are talking appearance of conflict, the minister to government leaders, in my opinion. could say, “Well, yes, I had this meeting (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. with company X, but that’s going on to Chairman. my list of meetings which will be tabled, so I’m not hiding anything.” It’s all Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Main. about balancing the different priorities. Minister Savikataaq.

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(interpretation) I’m trying to ask if he Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you, Mr. can look into this. That’s my final Chairman. On that front, what would question. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. you consider duty travel? Ever since the Fifth Assembly we got elected, we’re Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Main. almost reaching two years now. I’ll use Minister Savikataaq. Baker Lake as an example. The other day I did an invitation to a cabinet Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): minister, but prior to that, since we got Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes, we can elected to now, we have seen one cabinet look into it. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. minister come to our community. Is that what you would consider duty travel? Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mikkungwak. Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you, Mr. Mikkungwak. Minister Savikataaq. Chairman. My line of questioning will be on your travel and transportation Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. budget. As MLAs, we travel and I do Chairman. Yes, that would be part of understand the Premier and cabinet also duty travel. For myself, duty travel for take on extra travel. When you look at me would be going to the First travel and transportation, my first Ministers’ Meeting or going to a COP question will be this: how much of that meeting, stuff like that. What he’s budget is allotted for federal-provincial- describing would be duty travel in his territorial meetings? Thank you, Mr. definition. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you, Minister Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Savikataaq. Mr. Mikkungwak. Mikkungwak. Minister Savikataaq. Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you, Mr. Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. One thing that I would like to Chairman. Just to clarify, the travel ask is, seeing that this year marks 20 portion here is just for ministerial home years for the signing of the Nunavut travel. What the member is talking about Land Claims Agreement, and I’ve had is departmental staff travel, which each constituents of mine and I’m pretty sure department has their own travel budget every other MLA from outside of the for FPTs and any other meetings. This capital has heard this, it should be travel is for home travel and duty travel, brought up and it should be taken into but I couldn’t tell you exactly how much consideration. is spent on FPTs. It’s a budget and it’s their travel budget. Thank you, Mr. When there are celebrations occurring, Chairman. our communities are lucky if we put something together during the Chairman: Thank you, Minister celebration, even if it’s after the fact. I Savikataaq. Mr. Mikkungwak. can understand that, but maybe one thing that could be taken into consideration is maybe you have eight or nine cabinet

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ministers, designate one or two to go particular minister for a particular event, join celebrations in these one, two, or they are fully welcome to write the three communities and this other minister and ask that minister. Thank minister do these other three. It’s just you, Mr. Chairman. something to think about, but I know it’s not listed in your budget, but people out Chairman: Thank you. Mr. there in our communities do see that. Mikkungwak.

For example, in Iqaluit, Nunavut Day, Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you, Mr. you’ve got the Premier, the NTI Chairman. Last question, even though I president, and you’ve got all the other have time allotted still, what amount are MLAs from Iqaluit participating, but in we looking at for each community, if these other communities they’re very any amounts? As the minister indicates, lucky if they get money to put some kind there will be an amount given to each of a festivity. That’s why I wanted to community for the festivities. What find out regarding travel and amount? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. transportation. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Mikkungwak. Minister Savikataaq. Chairman: Thank you. I didn’t hear a question in there, Mr. Mikkungwak. Was Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. there a question or was that just a Chairman. I’m just going off my comment? Mr. Mikkungwak. memory because we’re just working on the plan right now, but I think the plan is Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you, Mr. $5,000 for Iqaluit, $2,500 for the Chairman. Seeing that this year is a decentralized communities, and $1,500, special year, would that be taken into I think, for the rest of the other consideration, yes or no? Thank you. communities. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Chairman: Thank you. That was a Chairman: Thank you. Ms. Towtongie. question. Minister Savikataaq. Ms. Towtongie: Thank you, Mr. Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Just an observation when the Chairman. Just for clarification, to go Premier was going through the conflict back there, it’s 20 years that Nunavut of interest, I thought the conflict of has been in existence, not 20 years of the interest was too wide for Nunavut. land claims agreement. It’s the 20-year Nunavut is such a small territory. When anniversary for Nunavut. We are he mentioned family members could be working with the hamlets and we are involved in a perceived conflict of going to fund all the hamlets a bit of interest and conflict of interest, in money to help in their celebrations of the Nunavut we have a very huge housing 20-year anniversary of Nunavut. shortage. We often have people living in our homes that are not family members. As for each minister, they can decide which communities they want to go to This is just a comment. I would like to and if a community wants to invite a see the conflict of interest guidelines

Monday, March 11, 2019 Nunavut Hansard 3193 tightened to say not just people who are Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Quassa. family members but whoever resides within the household. That’s the danger Mr. Quassa (interpretation): With that, in Nunavut because if somebody resides have you heard whether they are in a minister’s house or the Premier’s reviewing the matter or do you anticipate house or my house and starts to get getting a deputy commissioner in the access to FANS or other government near future even though the federal grants and contributions, that’s a election is coming up pretty soon? potential conflict of interest. That’s just That’s my question. Thank you, Mr. my comment, Mr. Chairman, and thank Chairman. you. Final. Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Quassa. Chairman: Thank you. We will take Minister Savikataaq. that as a comment. We are on page B-6. Nunavut Cabinet. Total Operations and Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): Maintenance, to be Voted. $4,310,000. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. No, we still Agreed? haven’t received a response yet from the Prime Minister. Thank you, Mr. Some Members: Agreed. Chairman.

Chairman: Thank you. Going to B-7. Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Quassa. Commissioner of Nunavut. Mr. Quassa. Mr. Quassa (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Quassa (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. There has to be a deputy Mr. Chairman. I’m not exactly sure how commissioner. Have you been pushing long we’ve had a very capable for it? Since he hasn’t had any response Commissioner and we’ve had prior from the federal government, is he just Commissioners, but since we’ve had the waiting for a response or is he pushing new Commissioner, we haven’t them for a response? Thank you, Mr. appointed a deputy commissioner. I Chairman. know that the Commissioner and the deputy are appointed by the federal Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Quassa. government. Have we submitted a name Minister Savikataaq. to the Prime Minister for the Deputy Commissioner of Nunavut? Thank you, Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We do know that there’s a requirement for a deputy Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Quassa. commissioner. I did write a letter and Minister Savikataaq. submitted a name. We’re still waiting for a response. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes, we have Chairman: Thank you. We are on B-7. submitted a name to the Prime Minister Commissioner of Nunavut. Total for the deputy commissioner. Thank Operations and Maintenance, to be you, Mr. Chairman. Voted. $295,000. Agreed?

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Some Members: Agreed. Chairman: Thank you, Minister Savikataaq. Mr. Main. Chairman: Thank you. Moving on. Intergovernmental Affairs. B-8. Are Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, there any questions? Mr. Main. Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) I understand that it’s before the court, but Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, I’m trying to get information regarding Mr. Chairman. I brought this issue up this in terms of what the government’s earlier (interpretation ends) in terms of submission was. Will the government be the reference question that’s currently making public its submission in this before the Nunavut Court of Justice with matter? (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. regard to the two Dene treaties and Chairman. whether the GN’s consent is required. I’m just interested: when did the GN Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Main. make its submission in the court and at Minister Savikataaq. what stage is the court proceeding? (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman. Due to confidentiality issues, no, we will not be; we are not allowed Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Main. to. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Minister Savikataaq. Chairman: Thank you, Minister Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Savikataaq. Mr. Main. Chairman. I don’t remember the exact date, but it was the fall. It might have Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, been in October or November of 2018 Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) I’m when we made our submission to the not sure if he can answer this or not, but courts. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. what other parties, if any, have intervened or are seeking to intervene in Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Main. this matter? (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) At Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Main. what stage is the proceeding as of today? Minister Savikataaq. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I know there have been Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Main. motions filed, but I can’t even answer Minister Savikataaq. that question to members. I can’t answer that. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I’m sure the member is fully Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Main. aware that it’s in the court process, so I can’t comment on it at all. It’s in the Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, court’s hands right now. Thank you, Mr. Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) In Chairman. terms of the priorities that are listed here,

Monday, March 11, 2019 Nunavut Hansard 3195 it mentions “strategic partnerships with the “formalized Federal-Provincial- Inuit organizations…to advance the Territorial Indigenous engagement goals and aspirations of Nunavummiut.” structure.” Good luck, translators, with One of the key partners in a lot of things that one. (interpretation) That’s is Nunavut Tunngavik. definitely a government term.

We can read between the lines if we read (interpretation ends) Getting back to the the headlines and news stories, but my relationship with NTI, on what specific understanding is that there’s supposed to issues do the Government of Nunavut be a cooperation protocol in place with and NTI currently have disagreements? NTI. When do we expect to have a new (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. protocol in place with Nunavut Chairman. Tunngavik? (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Main. Minister Savikataaq. Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Main. Minister Savikataaq. Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I think it’s quite public that Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. NTI and the Department of Education Chairman. We’re working on that right aren’t seeing eye to eye on Ed. Act now. When I met with the NTI board, I amendments. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. informed them that we’re coming up with a new working relationship Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Main. protocol, not just with NTI but with the Inuit orgs because the Inuit orgs are Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, doing more and more. We have to have a Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) Are working procedure or a system not only there any other areas of disagreement? through NTI but with the Inuit orgs too (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. so that we don’t always have to Chairman. communicate through NTI. They will be kept informed, but the three regional Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Main. Inuit organizations are doing more and Minister Savikataaq. more, so this protocol is going to include them too and they are aware of it. Thank Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman. I would say there is, yes. The Inuit employment plans, Article 23 that Chairman: Thank you, Minister we are not at 85 percent yet, and the Savikataaq. Mr. Main. language of instruction. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) I Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Main. was looking through the business plan and it doesn’t say anything specifically Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, with regard to a protocol with NTI. If Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) I it’s going to be under the larger protocol wish we had a better relationship with or larger work that’s being done, this is NTI. As a new MLA, I don’t really

Monday, March 11, 2019 Nunavut Hansard 3196 know, I guess I didn’t really understand there, I guess. We will have to work on how this relationship was until I got into it because the land claims agreement is a it. It has been a disappointment for me contract and we have obligations to meet personally seeing opportunities for under the land claims agreement and we collaboration and cooperation being will work with them to meet our missed. Nunavut is such a small territory obligations. Some are harder than others and it’s frustrating when we have and I must admit that Article 23, we’re organizations butting heads. having a tough time getting to 85 percent. Understanding that of course yes, disagreements are inevitable and we All I can say is that we’re committed to can’t always agree on everything, even working with them, but we still have to in this House, but what can we do repair get a job done here in Nunavut to this relationship? Like I said, I think it provide the services for Nunavummiut. would be in the best interest of Nunavut Thank you, Mr. Chairman. to have a good working relationship with NTI. In terms of the work that’s going to Chairman: Thank you, Minister be done in this year, do we anticipate Savikataaq. Mr. Main. any strengthening of that relationship? Do we need marriage counselling, or is it Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, do we need somebody to intervene and Mr. Chairman. Thank you, minister. to sit the two parties down at the table (interpretation ends) I guess I’ll just together and hash out some of these request that the next time that a relationship issues? (interpretation) meeting… . The minister mentioned Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Article 23 and that 85 percent target. I would be really interested to hear NTI’s Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Main. position and/or support for a Minister Savikataaq. decentralization initiative because the past 20 years have shown that Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. decentralized offices do perform better Chairman. I think it would be wrong to than centralized offices in terms of Inuit say that we don’t have a good working employment. It’s something I have been relationship. We work very closely with pushing and I will continue pushing them on all issues. We see eye to eye on towards, but I just request that the some issues, for example, on devolution minister, when the conversation does talks. They are part of the devolution turn to Article 23, that decentralization team and it’s working very well. be included in that conversation with NTI. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. It’s just in a few things, and I have met Chairman. the NTI board, I have met with the NTI president, and I have always told them Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Main. that my door is always open to anytime Minister Savikataaq. they want to meet. We have an open relationship and we communicate with Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. them. It’s on certain stuff that we don’t Chairman. We have never talked about see eye to eye and that’s neither here nor decentralization, to the best of my

Monday, March 11, 2019 Nunavut Hansard 3197 recollection anyway, but if the member If there are certain jobs that can’t be wants to request a meeting with them to filled in a community, what training or talk about decentralization, I mean every education has to be put into the Inuit in member is welcome to make a meeting the communities in order to fill that job? request to them. I think they’re just more We are working on that and trying to fill concerned about getting to the 85 in the gaps so that Inuit in the smaller percent target. I have never heard them communities can get the jobs that are talk about where this 85 percent has to there in the decentralized communities. I be located. They just talked about that understand that in the non-decentralized we have to get to that 85 percent. Thank communities, yes, government jobs are you, Mr. Chairman. very limited and in decentralized communities we’re doing what we can to Chairman: Thank you, Minister try to get the people in those Savikataaq. Mr. Main. communities trained to get the jobs that are there. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) I Chairman: Thank you. Next name on think it would mean a lot more if the my list, Mr. Keyootak. minister put it on the agenda instead of me as a regular member trying to meet Mr. Keyootak (interpretation): Thank with NTI on something like this. I don’t you, Mr. Chairman. I’m going to seek have very much clout and my office is clarification in terms of the smaller, non- on the first floor, so I don’t even know if decentralized communities that are left they would want a meeting with me, to behind and there’s lack of employment be honest. opportunities. In the smaller communities there are high rates of I guess I will request again that the next unemployment and there are no time the minister is sitting down or if employment opportunities. How many there’s a meeting around Article 23 that vacant positions are there in any of these decentralization be included as an communities? Thank you, Mr. agenda item or included as part of the Chairman. discussions. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Keyootak. Minister Savikataaq. Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Main. Minister Savikataaq. Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I don’t think Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. we understand that question clearly. Chairman. Yes, there’s no harm in We’re wondering whether he’s asking bringing it up. I agree with the member about the GLOs. I would like to know there and we can bring it up, but one of what he’s asking about, Mr. Chairman. the things we’re doing here too as a government is getting more details on all Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Keyootak. the communities on what talents are out there and what training would be Mr. Keyootak (interpretation): Thank needed. you, Mr. Chairman. We hear that some

Monday, March 11, 2019 Nunavut Hansard 3198 decentralized communities are said to will be paying this amount now, so the have high rates of unemployment and transfer has happened. We transferred there are many vacant housing units. To $252,000 to CGS for the office lease. date, how many positions in There is a decrease of $100,000 for decentralized communities remain overall travel and transportation. There vacant? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. is a slight increase of $12,000 for the (interpretation ends) compensation Chairman: Thank you. Minister levels (interpretation) for employee Savikataaq. salaries. Their salaries increase annually. There is a $35,000 reduction on travel Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): and transportation. Thank you, Mr. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We don’t Chairman. have this current information. There are numerous departments that are in some Chairman: Thank you, Minister of the decentralized communities. With Savikataaq. Next is Mr. Qirngnuq. respect to how many positions are filled or are vacant at the community level, we Mr. Qirngnuq (interpretation): Thank don’t have that detailed information. We you, Mr. Chairman. I would like to can try to find out and ask the welcome the minister and his officials. departments individually for a response. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I just want to make a supplement to the Member for Uqqummiut’s question. I Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Keyootak. would just like a little more clarification on a part of his questioning. What are Mr. Keyootak (interpretation): Thank the duties of the government liaison you, Mr. Chairman. I also thank the officers in the communities? I just want minister for his response. We will be a little more clarification, hence my looking forward to that detailed question. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. information. Chairman: Thank you. Minister Turning to another topic, in the 2018-19 Savikataaq. main estimates for the government liaison office, the funding was Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): $4,024,000 in 2018-19 and in the main Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The GLOs in estimates for fiscal year 2019-2020, it’s the communities are employed under $3,649,000. It has decreased by about 10 EIA. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. percent. What is the reason for this decrease? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Qirngnuq.

Chairman: Thank you. Minister Mr. Qirngnuq (interpretation): Thank Savikataaq. you, Mr. Chairman. What duties do the GLOs have in our smaller communities? Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The decrease has to do with the office lease. The Chairman: Thank you. Minister funding has been transferred to CGS that Savikataaq.

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Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): Chairman: Thank you. Minister Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The GLOs Savikataaq. provide information to the communities and provide direction and assistance to Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): people looking for information about the Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I also thank government. They are the main contact the member for that clarification. When person in the community for the a GLO position opens, it’s an open government. competition and anyone can apply from anywhere in Nunavut if they qualify for If people want to submit complaints to the position, but almost all GLOs are the government, the GLOs are also an from the particular community that they avenue they can take. For the non- serve. For example, if we look at Arviat, decentralized communities, GLOs when that position opens, the applicants provide assistance for the departments are from the community. An employee is and people requesting services of those selected from the pool of applicants in departments. As of last year, the GLOs the community. Thank you, Mr. help people with filing their income Chairman. taxes. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you, Minister Chairman: Thank you, Minister Savikataaq. Mr. Qirngnuq. Savikataaq. Mr. Qirngnuq. Mr. Qirngnuq (interpretation): Thank Mr. Qirngnuq (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. When they are you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you for the successful in retaining that particular clarification. Are these GLOs hired in position, is there already office space for the communities from the communities them or are they going to be working out they work for or from outside? Thank of their homes? Where is their you, Mr. Chairman. workplace? I hope I was clear, Mr. Chairman. Thank you. Chairman: Thank you. Minister Savikataaq. Chairman: Thank you. Minister Savikataaq. Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I didn’t quite Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): hear his question. I’m sorry, but if he Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The GLOs all could repeat his question, Mr. Chairman. have offices. They are not working out of their homes. They work in an office. Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Qirngnuq. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Qirngnuq (interpretation): Thank Chairman: Thank you. It’s my you, Mr. Chairman. Are the GLOs hired understanding that you find office space locally or do they come from another before you advertise for a job. Mr. community to perform their work in the Qirngnuq. community? I hope I was understandable, Mr. Chairman. Thank Mr. Qirngnuq (interpretation): Thank you. you, Mr. Chairman. In communities

Monday, March 11, 2019 Nunavut Hansard 3200 where there are GLOs, how many days a Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. month do they work in the smaller Chairman. So that I don’t take time communities? Thank you, Mr. reading it, if you can just point out Chairman. which bullet it is, please. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you. Minister Savikataaq. Chairman: Thank you. Ms. Kamingoak, if you could clarify, please. Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. From my Ms. Kamingoak: Thank you. It’s under understanding, they work (interpretation your Priorities (2019-20), page 13, third ends) Monday to Friday (interpretation) bullet. Thank you. throughout the year, but sometimes they go on holiday or go on sick leave or they Chairman: Thank you. Minister go on medical leave. However, they Savikataaq. have to work from Monday to Friday. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It is to work with the elders Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Qirngnuq. so that we know what facilities or what services the elders should get. As EIA is Mr. Qirngnuq (interpretation): Thank the seniors’ advocacy voice, we don’t you, Mr. Chairman. All those employees provide the services, but we’re here to are also providing information to the take the concerns and pass them on to community. They also inform Health, which has the file for taking care community members if there’s new of seniors in Nunavut. Thank you, Mr. information that they need to know. I Chairman. understand that they have office space already before they’re hired. This is just Chairman: Thank you. Ms. Kamingoak. a comment now, not a question. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Ms. Kamingoak: Thank you. Thank you for clarifying that. Your department’s Chairman: Thank you. Ms. Kamingoak. draft 2019-2020 main estimates include $150,000 in proposed contribution Ms. Kamingoak: Thank you, Mr. funding for the Nunavut Seniors’ Chairman. On page 13 of your business Society. What specific initiatives will the plan, third bullet, it states, “Establish a society and your department be working process to incorporate advice of local on during the 2019-2020 fiscal year? Elders in government service delivery at Thank you, Mr. Chairman. the community level.” I’m wondering if you could elaborate more on what that Chairman: Thank you, Ms. Kamingoak. means. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Minister Savikataaq.

Chairman: Thank you. Minister Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Savikataaq. Chairman. That’s funding that we give to the Nunavut Seniors’ Society and it’s for Nunavut-wide and they come up with

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their strategies and its core funding so Chairman: Thank you, Minister that they can function. I have met with Savikataaq. Mr. Lightstone. them and we’re looking at… . As one of the things as advocacy in the House I Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. was questioned, and I said I will look at Chairman. As the Minister of Executive updating the seniors’ handbook, which and Intergovernmental Affairs, the was quite popular from the last minister is also responsible for government and that’s one of the things indigenous affairs. I was just curious that we as an advocacy group for seniors why the division had recently changed is going to do, but it’s not related to the the name from “Indigenous Affairs” to Nunavut Seniors’ Society. Thank you, “Aboriginal Affairs.” I was aware that Mr. Chairman. for a number of years, governments around Canada and the world have been Chairman: Thank you, Minister moving away from the “aboriginal” Savikataaq. Ms. Kamingoak. term. That’s my question. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Ms. Kamingoak: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Moving on, is the Chairman: Thank you. Minister government currently reviewing the Savikataaq. issue of harmonizing the age at which residents are considered to be seniors for Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. the purpose of eligibility for certain Chairman. To the best of my government programs and services? understanding here, it has always been Thank you, Mr. Chairman. “aboriginal,” but we are working to the word “indigenous,” so it wasn’t Chairman: Thank you. Minister changed, but we can see it being Savikataaq. changed. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Lightstone. Chairman. That’s another question that I did get in the House, and it’s quite Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. different here. I think for most of the Chairman. I just want to point out in the Government of Nunavut programs, a main estimates, last year it actually was senior is defined as 60 years old. The “Indigenous” and this year it was federal government and a lot of their changed to “Aboriginal.” I just wanted programs is 65. For NTI, it’s 55. For this to point that out. I do believe it would be Nunavut Seniors’ Society, I was quite beneficial if the government were to shocked when they said their definition move towards using the term of a senior is 50. It’s all over the place “indigenous.” Thank you, Mr. Chairman. and I think most of the Nunavut programs, a senior is defined as 60 years Chairman: I think that was a comment. old. I could be wrong, but I think most I’ll leave it at that. Mr. Quassa. Nunavut programs, a senior is 60. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Quassa (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I believe we’re at Intergovernmental Affairs. There is an

Monday, March 11, 2019 Nunavut Hansard 3202 agreement with Manitoba. Well, they Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Quassa. were going to sign an (interpretation ends) overlap agreement. (interpretation) Mr. Quassa (interpretation): Thank you, My first question is regarding the fact Mr. Chairman. To use an example, are that the Government of Nunavut was GLOs in the communities able to told not to be involved when the become board members of Inuit agreement is signed. What’s the status of organizations? Thank you, Mr. that? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman.

Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Quassa. Chairman: Thank you. Minister Minister Savikataaq. Savikataaq.

Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Member John Thank you, Mr. Chairman. To my Main asked about that earlier and my knowledge, they can become involved in response was that it’s in the courts right that, but they have a responsibility. If now. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. they went to attend a meeting during their work time, they would have to Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Quassa. identify it. There are no rules in place that the GLOs can’t become a part of a Mr. Quassa (interpretation): Thank you, board of directors for an organization. Mr. Chairman. Well, it’s obvious that as Thank you, Mr. Chairman. the people of Nunavut, we believe that the Government of Nunavut should be Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Quassa. involved. Mr. Quassa (interpretation): Thank you, Moving on to something else, with the Mr. Chairman. Yes, it’s understandable government liaison officers, is there a that Inuit organizations represent only policy on where they can’t and can be Inuit and you repeatedly say that the involved? For example, as members, we government represents everyone. It’s can’t be members of other boards. That’s probably okay if GLOs became board my first question. Is there a policy in members of Inuit organizations. Is there place on where GLOs should not be no conflict there? Thank you, Mr. involved? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman.

Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Quassa. Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Quassa. Minister Savikataaq. Minister Savikataaq.

Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. To my Thank you, Mr. Chairman. If they knowledge, there is no policy in place. became a board member, they would However, if they became involved in still have to work full time Monday to something else, they have to declare Friday and perform their duties in their where they are involved. Thank you, Mr. office. They would not be able to work Chairman. on board member duties in their office. It’s only after hours that they would be

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on the board. It seems obvious that some job done, and we have to work with the GLOs are members of hamlet councils funding agencies. or the DEAs or the HTOs, but they would have to declare if they became If there are going to be different pots of members of any board. Thank you, Mr. money that are going through, for Chairman. example, for ITK, if it is application based, then we have to apply to get the Chairman: Thank you, Minister funds. It’s something new and we are Savikataaq. Mr. Quassa. learning more and adjusting to it if we have to. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Quassa (interpretation): Thank you. I also thank you for clarifying that. I’ll Chairman: Thank you, Minister switch to English. Savikataaq. Mr. Quassa.

(interpretation ends) Your department’s Mr. Quassa (interpretation): Thank you, draft 2019-2022 business plan indicates Mr. Chairman. This will be my final on page 12 that “It is anticipated that a question. (interpretation ends) Which new formalized Federal-Provincial- organizations are involved in this Territorial Indigenous engagement initiative? (interpretation) Thank you, structure will be established in the near Mr. Chairman. future.” As of today, what is the status of this initiative, and can you describe the Chairman: Thank you. Minister structure that is being established? Savikataaq. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Right now it’s just ITK and Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Quassa. that’s the only example we have right Minister Savikataaq. now where federal funds are flowing through ITK to Inuit Nunangat. Right Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. now that’s the only organization that we Chairman. This is in the very are dealing with in terms of federal preliminary stages and I can elaborate on funding. If there’s federal funding that this a bit. goes through NTI, then we would be dealing with them. It’s whoever has the The federal government seems to be federal funding that we would deal with going more and more into a Crown- so we can get the federal funding as a indigenous relationship. An example of service provider. Thank you, Mr. that would be ITK getting the TB Chairman. elimination funding. If that’s the way the government is going, then we have to Chairman: Thank you. Ms. Angnakak. adjust to how the federal government is going. We have to figure how we’re Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. going to fit in and get the funding that Chairman. I don’t have very many we need because we’re the service questions in this area, except I do want provider. We know the issues, we know to know a little bit about the service the challenges, we know how to get the contracts of a little over a million

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dollars, $1.8 million. If the minister can contracts within the Department of elaborate a little bit on what those Executive and Intergovernmental service contracts are for. Thank you, Mr. Affairs. I don’t have that full listing. I Chairman. would have to go branch by branch to advise you of which contracts are for Chairman: Thank you, Ms. Angnakak. what; the elders’ society contract for Minister Savikataaq. example. We have contracts for Arctic Inspiration and different organizations, Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. and through devolution as well, the Chairman. I don’t know if we’re on the leases as well too, and housing leases for page here, but we have our service ministers as well. It’s a combination of contracts at $423,000 for 2019-2020. all across the department. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you. Ms. Angnakak. Chairman: Thank you. I think the $1.8 Ms. Angnakak: Thank you. I might be million you’re talking about is a total of on the wrong page. I’m on B-11. Am I all six branches put together. Each allowed to ask a question under that branch has a service contract amount in budget at this time? Thank you, Mr. it and that’s where that number is Chairman. coming from. Ms. Angnakak.

Chairman: Please go ahead, Ms. Ms. Angnakak: Thank you. Okay, that Angnakak. explains it a bit more. Do you have any contracts that you have standing Ms. Angnakak: Thank you. Under B-11 agreements with that you use every year it says “Service contracts,” if you can for the same thing? Are we having the look at that page. I’m just wondering same contractors up every year? Thank what that’s for. Thank you, Mr. you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you, Ms. Angnakak. Chairman: Thank you. Ms. Angnakak. Minister Savikataaq. Minister Savikataaq. Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes, we do use standing offer Chairman. Yes, that is up in B-11. It’s agreements. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. the total contracts at $1.8 million, and if I can get Ms. Okpik to elaborate on that Chairman: Thank you. Ms. Angnakak. more, Mr. Chairman. Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. Chairman: Thank you, Minister Chairman. I’m just curious: how often Savikataaq. Ms. Okpik are these standing offer agreements renewed? Let’s say you do a call-out so Ms. Okpik (interpretation): Thank you, different people can put in their bids… . Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) I’m not an expert on this all goes, but I That’s the total amount for all the know a standing offer is something that

Monday, March 11, 2019 Nunavut Hansard 3205 you can go back to for a certain set of aboriginal content can apply for the years. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. grants and contributions from this funding source. Thank you, Mr. Chairman: Thank you, Ms. Angnakak. Chairman. Minister Savikataaq. Chairman: Thank you. We’re on Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Intergovernmental Affairs. Total Chairman. We work with CGS on this Operations and Maintenance, to be and it depends on what the RFP is Voted. $6,071,000. Agreed? requesting. It’s so varied that I can’t come up with a specific answer. Thank Some Members: Agreed. you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you. Page B-9. Chairman: Thank you. Ms. Angnakak. Devolution Secretariat. Any questions? Ms. Angnakak. Ms. Angnakak: Thank you. Just another question in terms of the summary of Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. grants and contributions you have here Chairman. I have often wondered about for Aboriginal and Circumpolar Affairs devolution; in reality, how realistic it is grants. Can you elaborate on what that for us. I know there are certain portions is? It was $65,000 and now this year the that are being negotiated now and it estimate is at $80,000. What is that seems to be under a cloud of secrecy going to be used for and why the most of the time, but perhaps the increase? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Premier can give us an update on where things stand in regard to how far along Chairman: Thank you, Ms. Angnakak. this file is going. Are we going to see Minister Savikataaq. devolution within the next few months or years? Where are we when it comes to Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. this file? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman. That’s for anyone who wants to apply that has aboriginal and soon-to- Chairman: Thank you, Ms. Angnakak. be indigenous content to it. Thank you, Minister Savikataaq. Mr. Chairman. Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman: Thank you. Ms. Angnakak. Chairman. The member is correct in terms of there’s not much I can say Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. because we’re in negotiations, but I can Chairman. I didn’t understand his reply. talk about it high level. We’re still Thank you, Mr. Chairman. negotiating and hoping to have an AIP signed. The federal government would Chairman: Thank you. Minister like to have one signed before the Savikataaq, if you could clarify your federal election. I’ve had meetings with answer, please. Minister LeBlanc and I made it clear that in order for us to agree to devolution, it Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. has to be a good deal for Nunavut. Chairman. Anything that has arctic and Whatever deal we come to, it’s forever;

Monday, March 11, 2019 Nunavut Hansard 3206 it’s from here on. We’re still negotiating Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. and the goal is to have an AIP signed. Chairman. There’s so little I can talk, Thank you, Mr. Chairman. actually, about devolution. Once the AIP is signed, we can talk about it more, but Chairman: Thank you, Minister I can say that they have been advising us Savikataaq. Ms. Angnakak. on stuff that they feel they could have done better. That’s about all I can say. Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman. The Yukon government was the first to sign their devolution Chairman: Thank you, Minister agreement and then the NWT. What has Savikataaq. Ms. Angnakak. the Nunavut government learned from those negotiations? We always learn Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. from each other. We look at what each Chairman. I understand. I wonder, other is doing. What are some of the though, if the minister can tell us: points where you say, “You know what? approximately how many federal We’re not going to go down. We’re positions does the GN want to see going to do ours differently.”? Thank transferred to this government? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. you, Mr. Chairman.

Chairman: Thank you, Ms. Angnakak. Chairman: Thank you, Ms. Angnakak. Minister Savikataaq. Minister Savikataaq.

Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Our staff work closely with Chairman. That’s part of the negotiations the Northwest Territories just for that, to too, so I can’t even say how many would get pointers on “Okay, this is good, this be transferred over. It’s part of the is bad. Don’t go there. This is okay.” We negotiations. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. work with them to try to get the best deal we can. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you, Minister Savikataaq. Ms. Angnakak. Chairman: Thank you, Minister Savikataaq. Ms. Angnakak. Ms. Angnakak: Maybe I can’t get an answer to this too, but I do want to ask: Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. is it all federal positions? You say you Chairman. Is there anything specific that can’t say how many, but does it mean the minister can tell us, “This is what that the Government of Nunavut is not Yukon did and this is what the NWT interested in all positions? If you are, did,” or didn’t do that we’re going to be then it would be the number of federal doing or not doing, the contrast, or are positions here in Nunavut currently. Just we just following along kind of what by your answer, is there a possibility they’re doing? Thank you, Mr. then that not all positions are going to be Chairman. transferred over? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you, Ms. Angnakak. Minister Savikataaq. Chairman: Thank you, Ms. Angnakak.

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Minister Savikataaq. Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. If the member is asking about Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. federal positions that are beneficiaries, Chairman. It’s not that simple because we don’t have that information. Thank there are some positions that are shared. you, Mr. Chairman. That’s why we’re still negotiating on the number of positions to come over, but Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Main. we want to make sure the number of positions that come over is adequate for Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, the extra responsibilities that we will be Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) The taking on. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. budget for devolution this year is $2.2 million. What’s the cumulative Chairman: Thank you, Minister investment that has been put into Savikataaq. Ms. Angnakak. devolution negotiations so far? I know they started years and years ago and here Ms. Angnakak: Thank you. This is my we are putting $2 million into this again. assumption. When the federal staff are transferred over, there are a lot of federal At the same time we’re telling employees that are in federal housing. organizations looking for money, let’s I’m assuming they would all be say, $175,000, we’re telling them that transferred over, but just for we don’t have the money, or building confirmation. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. public housing, we don’t have enough money for that. Chairman: Thank you, Ms. Angnakak. Minister Savikataaq. I’m not looking to the last decimal point, but in terms of how much we have Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. invested to date. (interpretation) Thank Chairman. Part of the negotiation is the you, Mr. Chairman. lease on staff housing. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Main. Devolution has been on the go for many Chairman: Thank you. Keep trying. Ms. years, so I’m not sure if the minister is Angnakak. going to have that information in front of him. Minister Savikataaq. >>Laughter Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Ms. Angnakak: I will keep trying. How Chairman. The Chairman is right. It has about this question: how many been going on for a long time, so we beneficiaries are in government positions would not have that information in front that you’re looking at? Thank you, Mr. of us. We’re dealing with the budget Chairman. right now. It has been going on for a long time and it kind of slowed down for Chairman: Thank you, Ms. Angnakak. a while, so we can’t even use this Minister Savikataaq. amount and times it by the number of years. That’s beyond the information that we have. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

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Chairman: Thank you, Minister Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Main. Savikataaq. Mr. Main. Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) It’s Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) The kind of my concern that we don’t have minister or Premier mentioned that the any leverage over the federal federal government would like an government and we’re relying on their agreement in principle before the federal mandate and their agenda. election. That sounds like a little bit of leverage on our part given that we know I guess I’ll get specific about this they want an agreement in principle, but because you mentioned the NWT I can’t think of too many other ways in devolution deal. It has been five years which Nunavut has leverage at the since they signed their deal and when negotiating table. We’re not an equal they signed their deal, offshore oil and party to the federal government. We’re gas was not included. It said right in the heavily dependent on them for funding. deal, “Within 60 days of signing this agreement, negotiations will start to In terms of how the negotiations would work towards that offshore oil and gas go, just on a very high level, the party management for the NWT.” Five years that has more power and more leverage later and it has not even started. That’s is going to get a better deal, generally my understanding from the media. speaking. In terms of the power dynamic that’s at the table with the Government Nunavut’s current negotiations don’t of Canada and NTI, what leverage do we include offshore oil and gas. Can the have over government in these minister confirm that? (interpretation) negotiations? (interpretation) Thank you, Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Main. Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Main. Minister Savikataaq. Minister Savikataaq. Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. That’s part of the negotiation Chairman. I’m not sure what leverage and we believe that it should be part of that we have other than they would like it. Like I said, it’s negotiation. The to see an AIP signed and I have said that member says they have all the money we would like to see one signed too, but and all the clout, but we have to agree to we’re not signing one at all cost. I’m the deal. If the deal is not beneficial for pretty sure that on their mandate, they Nunavut, we’re not obligated to take the have strict limits from their cabinet to deal. This is negotiations. Thank you, the negotiators on what they can Mr. Chairman. negotiate. We’re hopeful that they will come to the negotiation table with a Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Main. good, fair deal for Nunavut. As the member knows, when you negotiate, Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, both sides have to give and take a bit. Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) In Thank you, Mr. Chairman. terms of that offshore oil and gas matter,

Monday, March 11, 2019 Nunavut Hansard 3209 it sounds like the Nunavut government negotiations. I’m sorry, but there is so would like that to be a part of the little I can comment on, on this negotiations but it currently isn’t. I devolution. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. would like confirmation of where it currently sits at the negotiating table Chairman: Thank you, Minister with regard to offshore oil and gas Savikataaq. Mr. Main. specifically. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) I Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Main. feel that this offshore oil and gas should Minister Savikataaq. be part of any devolution negotiations and, if it’s not, then we should not sign Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. because the NWT example seems to Chairman. My answers will have to be illustrate that, as the minister mentioned, very close to the member, Ms. once you sign the deal, you’re locked Angnakak, asked. I can’t talk about that; into it. it’s part of the negotiations. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It hasn’t worked out very well for the NWT in that regard, and we have Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Main. arguably more oil and gas reserves than they do, if you look at the High Arctic Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, reserves. Whether we want to develop Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) I them or whether we want to leave them guess it must be a part of the in the ground, it should be our decision negotiations if the minister can’t talk and not the federal government. We about it because, if it wasn’t part of should not be subject to things like their negotiations, I would imagine you would moratorium. be able to confirm that this is something that is not being discussed in the There is a whole bunch of reasons why it negotiations, which are in the business should be part of what I feel would be a plan here. In terms of how many items good deal for Nunavut because, if we go or how many items are outstanding as out and sign an AIP, an agreement in you make progress towards an principle, without offshore oil and gas as agreement in principle, as per page 15 of part of that, then we’re going right into the business plan, how many agenda another set of negotiations after this one. items are on the meeting agenda? Who knows how many more millions of (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. dollars we have to put into that before Chairman. we see a deal.

Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Main. My question to the minister is: in terms Minister Savikataaq. of the direction that he gives to the negotiating team, has the negotiating Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. team been directed to walk away from Chairman. I still can’t comment on how the table in terms of offshore oil and gas many items are even on there. These are being a part of the agreement? negotiations. They are confidential

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(interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Main. Chairman. Minister Savikataaq.

Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Main. Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Minister Savikataaq. Chairman. The regular members would be able to see that if and when an AIP is Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. signed. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman. When an offer has been made, the offer would be taken to Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Main. cabinet and cabinet would make a decision on the AIP. Thank you, Mr. Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, Chairman. Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) I don’t think that’s acceptable. We are Chairman: Thank you, Minister working in a consensus model of Savikataaq. Mr. Main. government. This is an agreement that is going to be in place for decades. At this Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, point we’re being provided very little Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) At information on what would even be in this point I guess my question is: when that agreement. I don’t think that that is would the rest of the Assembly receive a model that fits with our consensus information about the contents of an model of government. Maybe it fits with agreement in principle? It sounds like a party system like they have in Yukon, there is very little information that can where the ruling party… . be discussed at this point, so we don’t even know if offshore oil and gas, for Under our consensus model, I would ask example, is on the table or off the table. that the minister reconsider this and take Last I heard, it wasn’t even part of the this to cabinet and consider seriously negotiations and that was the federal what the best way to deal with the government’s position. devolution agreement in principle is in terms of “Yes, we want the best deal for When would regular members of the Nunavut and yes, we want everybody on Assembly hear about an agreement in board with it,” because we risk… . I just principle? Would we have any chance to can see some risk associated with the provide input, following the consensus signing of an AIP. (interpretation) Will model of government such as what we’re the Premier consider discussing this with doing right now, where we are provided cabinet? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. a chance to put input into something like the O&M budget for the government? Chairman: Thank you. Minister This is not even a budget. The Savikataaq. devolution agreement in principle is something that stretches decades into the Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. future. I’m curious as to how the input Chairman. Any kinds of negotiations are and suggestions from the non-cabinet confidential. When we’re negotiating Members of the Legislative Assembly with the NEU, those are confidential too would be incorporated. (interpretation) until an agreement is signed. This is just Thank you, Mr. Chairman. the same thing.

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Cabinet will make the ultimate decision Mr. Quassa (interpretation): Thank you, of whether to sign this AIP or not. It will Mr. Chairman. On the same topic, I’ll be a cabinet decision. Just like when you ask my first question in English. negotiate with a union, it’s the (interpretation ends) My first question of government that’s obligated to negotiate course is… . Out of ignorance, I guess, and the mandate is there to negotiate I’m going to be asking a question on the with the union. Regular members are not jurisdiction of our Nunavut territory. Is privy to the negotiations of the union the jurisdiction of the Nunavut territory workers too. the same thing as the Nunavut Settlement Area? (interpretation) That’s Negotiations are confidential and my first question. Thank you, Mr. whether it’s this devolution deal or the Chairman. Denesuline land claims, they’re confidential. Some of the stuff, we’re not Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Quassa. even privy to that information too Minister Savikataaq. because of confidentiality clauses. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I’m not sure I understand the Chairman: Thank you, Minister member’s question clearly, but our Savikataaq. Mr. Main. Nunavut government governs within Nunavut. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) I Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Quassa. understand the confidentiality. There are ways to get around that. It could be Mr. Quassa (interpretation): Thank you, shared with regular members. We could Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) I all sign non-disclosure agreements. think we all know that we govern within Those are legally binding ways to get the Nunavut territory, but my question around issues of confidentiality. is, I don’t know if he ever has seen the jurisdictions or where the exact I guess I’ll just say at this point that I’m boundary of the Nunavut Settlement disappointed to hear that there’s no Area is. (interpretation) Do you know it? consideration given to the majority of Thank you, Mr. Chairman. members in this House in terms of an agreement of this magnitude. This is not Chairman: Thank you. From what I’m a union contract we’re talking about. gathering from his question, does the This is something very fundamental to boundary exceed beyond the land out the future of Nunavut. It would be, I into the oceans? It’s that type of thing think, very beneficial for us to be able to that he’s asking. Minister Savikataaq. debate and discuss the issues associated with such an agreement. (interpretation) Hon. Joe Savikataaq: I’ll try my best to That’s just a comment. Thank you, Mr. answer this with trying to see where he’s Chairman. going.

Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Quassa. We govern within Nunavut, but we don’t govern the resources on Crown land or

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Inuit-owned land. We provide a service devolution, because we want to take within Nunavut. We have certain laws more responsibilities that the within Nunavut that are applicable to government doesn’t currently have, we only Nunavut, but we don’t have can’t negotiate forever, but there has to authority to manage the resources within be a set deadline where we would reach Nunavut. We don’t have authority to an agreement. We’re going to be using manage offshore like for the fisheries. $2 million this year. Are we going to be That’s the federal government and the spending that amount every year for the lands management is the federal next ten years? I think the Government government. of Nunavut has to be more aggressive in negotiating with the federal government. I’m a bit confused on exactly what the member wants. Thank you, Mr. (interpretation ends) That’s the next step Chairman. of us getting Nunavut and getting our Nunavut government. That’s the next Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Quassa. step, which is devolution, and I think we cannot just let it roll and roll and roll and Mr. Quassa (interpretation): Thank you, say, “Let it roll.” Mr. Chairman. The reason why I asked that question is because the institutions >>Laughter of public government are the ones that administer within the boundaries of (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Nunavut and those IPGs, for example, Chairman. the wildlife management board, water board, and so on are at arm’s length Chairman: Thank you. I think that was from the Government of Nunavut. For just a comment; I didn’t see a question example, if they are going to make there. We are on Intergovernmental wildlife regulations, they would go Affairs…no, sorry. We’re on Devolution through the wildlife management board. Secretariat. Total Operations and Maintenance, to be Voted. $2,255,000. The reason why I brought that up is that Agreed? those IPGs can administer throughout the (interpretation ends) Nunavut Some Members: Agreed. Settlement Area. (interpretation) Our Chairman hit the nail on the head with Chairman: Thank you. Please go back the gist of my question. The to page B-3. Department of Executive (interpretation ends) Nunavut Settlement and Intergovernmental Affairs. Total Area (interpretation) extends to Hudson Operations and Maintenance, to be Bay about 50 miles out and from eastern Voted. $19,064,000. Agreed? Baffin, it is a little farther down. That’s why I was asking that question. With Some Members: Agreed. devolution negotiations, I assume that the jurisdiction of Nunavut would be Chairman: Do members agree that we followed. That’s that. have concluded the Department of Executive and Intergovernmental Lastly I would like to say that with Affairs?

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Some Members: Agreed. >>Committee recessed at 18:02 and committee resumed at 18:16 Chairman: Thank you. Minister Savikataaq, do you have any closing Bill 15 – Appropriation (Operations & comments? Please go ahead. Maintenance) Act, 2019-2020 – Legislative Assembly – Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Consideration in Committee Chairman. I thank my staff that are here and the staff that put a lot of work into Chairman: Good evening, members. my briefing binder here so I could better Welcome back. I would like to call the answer your questions. committee meeting back to order. The next department we have to deal with is I’m sorry that I couldn’t give the the budget for the Legislative Assembly. members any more information on I will begin by asking Deputy Speaker anything to do with negotiations because Mikkungwak if he has officials he would I can’t, but it’s good to have this to appear before the committee. Mr. exchange and ideas come in. We will Mikkungwak. look into every idea that you brought us. Any issues that I said that we will get Deputy Speaker (Mr. Mikkungwak): back to you, we will get back on you. Yes. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. There’s nothing wrong with constructive criticism and ideas on how we might be Chairman: Thank you, Mr. able to service Nunavummiut. Mikkungwak. Sergeant-at-Arms, could you please escort the witnesses in. I will I thank everyone for their time and for ask Mr. Mikkungwak not to be too Mr. Chairman there. He had it bang on nervous up there. It’s his first time in how long it would take to do this. appearing before the Committee of the Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Whole.

>>Laughter I will now ask Mr. Mikkungwak if he could introduce his witnesses and then >>Applause proceed into his opening comments. Mr. Mikkungwak. Chairman: Thank you. We still got three minutes. Deputy Speaker (interpretation): Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. On my On behalf of the committee, I would like right is Mr. John Quirke, Clerk of the to thank you as minister and your staff Legislative Assembly, and on my left is for being here to answer our questions. Mr. Marc Rose, Director of Corporate With that, I’ll ask the Sergeant-at-Arms Services. if he could please escort the witnesses out. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. As you know, Speaker Enook is unable Before we go to our next department, we to be with us this afternoon. will take a 10-minute break. Thank you. As Deputy Speaker, I am pleased to

Monday, March 11, 2019 Nunavut Hansard 3214 appear before you today to present the The independent commission, which is 2019-2020 Main Estimates and 2019- chaired by the Hon. Justice Johnson of 2022 Business Plan of the Office of the the Nunavut Court of Justice, is in the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut. process of finalizing its report, which the Speaker will be formally tabling in the (interpretation ends) The Legislative House during our upcoming spring Assembly’s proposed 2019-2020 main sitting. estimates reflect the financial and human resources required for the operation of Mr. Chairman, as you know, two of our our institution, as well as the offices of core parliamentary outreach programs our independent officers, including are the Speaker’s Youth Parliament and Elections Nunavut. the Speaker’s Mace Tour, both of which occur on a biennial basis. (interpretation) I am pleased to note that we are not requesting a budget increase Our Seventh Youth Parliament was for the 2019-2020 fiscal year. successfully held at the end of November of last year, and I am pleased Mr. Chairman, during our recent fall to announce today that the Speaker is sitting, the Speaker took the opportunity very much looking forward to this year’s to welcome the recent decision of the Mace Tour, which will involve visits and Canadian Radio-television and community events in the beautiful Telecommunications Commission to communities of Sanikiluaq, Chesterfield renew the mandatory distribution order Inlet, and Whale Cove. for the broadcast services of the Nunavut and Northwest Territories legislatures. Mr. Chairman, that concludes my opening comments. I would like to thank (interpretation ends) Mr. Chairman, the all of my colleagues for their support. renewal, which has been granted without Thank you, Mr. Chairman. an expiry date, ensures that residents of both territories will continue to be able Chairman: Thank you, Mr. to view the proceedings of this Mikkungwak, for recognizing my legislature on both cable and direct-to- community as being beautiful. home satellite services. We will go to page A-4. Assembly The Legislative Assembly’s work to Operations. Are there any questions? upgrade its broadcasting system is Mr. Qirngnuq. underway, with a request for proposals scheduled to close later this month. Mr. Qirngnuq (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Welcome, Deputy As members will recall, an Independent Speaker and your officials. Commission to Review Members’ Indemnities, Allowances, Expenses and I have a question on the opening Benefits was established in the fall of comments. First I want to read this in 2018 under section 37 of the Legislative English, (interpretation ends) “…the Assembly and Executive Council Act. recent decision of the Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission to

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renew the mandatory distribution order Assembly Operations. Total Operations for the broadcast services of the Nunavut and Maintenance. Mr. Lightstone. and Northwest Territories legislatures…the renewal which has Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. been granted without an expiry date...” Chairman. I would not want to pass up (interpretation) What are your thoughts an opportunity to ask Mr. Mikkungwak a on this? question.

There are times in this House when we A number of Assemblies across Canada can’t understand each other’s dialects. I have moved towards broadcasting their would like our constituents to clearly proceedings through such media as understand what we are saying, but YouTube or even archiving question sometimes it’s impossible. Regarding period on their websites. I am grateful my own Nattilik dialect, there are that our Assembly works so hard to capable interpreters available. I’m broadcast our live proceedings, but saying that this individual can be an unfortunately many of my constituents interpreter, but I don’t know if this or many Nunavummiut do not have the individual is able to understand luxury to watch our proceedings live. Inuinnaqtun or another dialect. My question is how this can be considered With the fibre optics project looming, I for the future, as it not only applies to was curious if our Assembly would be this House; it will be used in the future. moving towards that direction of That’s my question, Mr. Chairman. providing our proceedings on demand. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Mikkungwak. Mikkungwak.

Deputy Speaker (interpretation): Thank Deputy Speaker: Thank you, Mr. you very much, Mr. Chairman. I also Chairman. I thank the member for his thank our colleague for his question. In question. I would like to defer the terms of all Nunavummiut and the question to my official, Mr. Rose. Thank people we represent, the ones who watch you, Mr. Chairman. TV, we’re happy that we no longer have to seek renewal, which doesn’t have an Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Rose, please expiry date. go ahead.

For the second part of his question, I can Mr. Rose: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I say that in terms of his Nattilik dialect, thank the member for the question. Right we understand. I can say that if he feels now we’re in the process of collecting that we need a certain translator here for enough content and getting it digitized to him, we could certainly provide the host locally on our external website, and opportunity for that translator to give it a then to be able to move it towards a try. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. platform such as YouTube or Facebook or some other media platform would Chairman: Thank you. We are on require some extra processing to

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bookmark so that it could be easily future. I don’t think it’s much of a navigated for any user. That would take question, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Mr. some additional work, so it’s not a thing Chairman. that we’re looking at doing for, let’s say, this immediate fiscal year, but in the Chairman: Thank you. I think that was short term we are hoping to get to a comment. We will leave it at that. providing that content on other We’re doing Assembly Operations. platforms. Thank you. Total Operations and Maintenance, to be Voted. $9,706,000. Agreed? Chairman: Mr. Quassa. Some Members: Agreed. Mr. Quassa (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Like my fellow Chairman: Thank you. Page A-5. colleague, I also want to ask the Expenditures on Behalf of Members. (interpretation ends) Deputy Speaker. Any questions? If not, Total Operations (interpretation) In this beautiful and Maintenance, to be Voted. legislature that we have been using since $12,316,000. Agreed? we started, I recall some other legislatures have gone to different Some Members: Agreed. locations like the one in the NWT. I wonder whether you have given thought Chairman: Thank you. Page A-6. to whether we could sit outside of the Independent Officers of the Legislative Chamber at least once. Has there been Assembly. Are there any questions? If any thought on that? Thank you, Mr. not, Total Operations and Maintenance, Chairman. to be Voted. $5,073,000. Agreed?

Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Some Members: Agreed. Mikkungwak. Chairman: Go to page A-3. Office of Deputy Speaker (interpretation): Thank the Legislative Assembly. Total you very much, Mr. Chairman. With Operations and Maintenance, to be respect to my colleague’s question, that Voted. $27,095,000. Agreed? hasn’t been considered to date. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. Some Members: Agreed.

Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Quassa. Chairman: Thank you. Do members agree that we have concluded the Office Mr. Quassa (interpretation): Thank you, of the Legislative Assembly? Mr. Chairman. I think it would be great for Nunavummiut outside of Iqaluit to Some Members: Agreed. witness the proceedings. We claim to say that this House represents the whole Chairman: Thank you. Mr. territory. I would think that we should Mikkungwak, any closing comments? meet in another community at some Please go ahead. point, not now, but I would like our Deputy Speaker to consider it for the

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Deputy Speaker (interpretation): Thank Some Members: Agreed. you very much, Mr. Chairman. I also thank my colleagues for approving the Chairman: Thank you. Clause 4. budget for the Legislative Assembly. Agreed?

I would also like to reiterate to Some Members: Agreed. Nunavummiut that when you’re in Iqaluit, you are always welcome to your Chairman: Clause 5. Agreed? Legislative Assembly. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. Some Members: Agreed.

>>Applause Chairman: Clause 6. Agreed?

Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Some Members: Agreed. Mikkungwak, for being here for us. Sergeant-at-Arms, could you please Chairman: Do members agree to Bill 15 escort the witnesses out. as a whole?

I will ask members to go Bill 15 in the Some Members: Agreed. binder that’s below your desk. It’s the white binder. Go to the legislation binder Chairman: Thank you. Do members and it’s tab 15, where you should find agree, pursuant to Rule 62(2), that Bill Bill 15. 15 can be placed on the orders of the day for third reading? Thank you. Bill 15, Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, Some Members: Agreed. 2019-2020. Clause 1. Agreed? Chairman: Thank you. We will now Some Members: Agreed. take a 10-minute break and prepare for Bill 16. Thank you. Chairman: Clause 2. Agreed? >>Committee recessed at 18:34 and Some Members: Agreed. resumed at 18:53

Chairman: Clause 3. Agreed? Bill 16 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. Some Members: Agreed. 3, 2018-2019 – Consideration in Committee Chairman: Go to Schedule on page 2. Schedule. Amounts Appropriated for the Chairman: Good evening, members. I Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 2020. would like to call the committee meeting Vote 1: Operations and Maintenance. back to order. We are first going to deal Total Appropriation. I’ll try to get this with Bill 16 and I will first ask Minister number right the first time. Hickes: do you have officials that you $1,735,462,000. Agreed? would like to appear before the committee? Minister Hickes.

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Hon. George Hickes: Yes, please, Mr. undertake the necessary repairs and get Chairman. services back up and running.

Chairman: Thank you. Does the Rather than initiate a special warrant for committee agree to let the witnesses in this emergency repair, the departments the Chamber? of Community and Government Services and Justice identified and used internal Some Members: Agreed. funds, with the intent of returning to the Legislative Assembly through a request Chairman: Thank you. Sergeant-at- to replenish these funds through Arms, could you please escort the supplementary appropriation. Thank witnesses in. you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you. For the record, Mr. Hickes, Chairman: Thank you, Minister Hickes. if you could please introduce your I’ll ask members to go to page 4 of Bill officials and then go into your opening 16. It is Supplementary Appropriation comments. Minister Hickes. (Capital) No. 3, 2018-2019. Justice. We have been through this bill in committee Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. and a lot of our questions got answered Chairman and members. With me today at that time, but I’ll still give you an is not a stranger to this House, Mr. Jeff opportunity if there are any additional Chown, Deputy Minister of Finance. questions any members have on this bills. Are there any questions? Mr. Main. Thank you again, Mr. Chairman and members. I appear before you today to Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, present Bill 16, Supplementary Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) I’m Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 3, just interested in the process by which 2018-2019. Through this bill, the departments can identify and use internal government is seeking $471,000 in funds for things like this in terms of how supplementary capital funding in 2018- it’s determined whether internal funds 19. are sufficient or whether there’s this internal surplus and whether a Mr. Chairman and members, on June 20, supplementary appropriation is indeed 2018 a major disturbance occurred at the needed. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Baffin Correctional Centre’s medium- Chairman. security living unit. As a result of damages to the facility, security systems Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Main. and equipment, the Department of Minister Hickes. Justice closed the unit for more than 30 days, transferring 40 individuals to a Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. facility in Ontario. Chairman. With your indulgence, I would request Mr. Chown to give a full Mr. Chairman and members, the response, but I will say this: at the time, Department of Justice and the in hindsight, we probably likely would Department of Community and have used a special warrant in normal Government Services acted swiftly to circumstances. Mr. Chown would be

Monday, March 11, 2019 Nunavut Hansard 3219 able to provide detail with regard to the department did have funds in the member’s question on the process itself. preplanning pot and although they do Thank you, Mr. Chairman. have several projects lined up within that pot, in theory, if members were to say no Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Chown. to them, those preplanning studies could be delayed and put on hold until funds Mr. Chown: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. were appropriated at a future date. There’s a Financial Administration Manual directive on budget transfers The decision at the time, for expediency, that speaks specifically to the rules was to take funds out of that planning around capital transfers and what’s pot and come back to the Assembly with required if a department wishes to move the hopes of receiving a replenishment money into a new project or between of those funds. Thank you, Mr. projects. The directive has various steps, Chairman. including notifications, as members are likely aware, to the various standing Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Chown. Mr. committees with respect to those Main. projects. Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, Whether it’s appropriate to take funds Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) I out of an existing project to fund a realize you don’t have folks from Justice shortfall versus coming forward for up there with you, but in terms of doing supplementary appropriation would our due diligence here, this is an depend on the individual circumstances. expenditure that resulted after a major The department would not generally take disturbance. In hindsight, one could have funding out of a project that was going seen that major disturbance coming if to require those ongoing funds and there were a growing number of couldn’t do without them were the incidents or unrest at the BCC. Assembly to say no because, obviously, we would not want to presuppose the It mentions here in the information item will of the Assembly. provided with this supp that the “Repairs have since been completed on the Generally when a department is looking severely compromised Baffin Correction to find funds internally, it’s from a Centre…” and it mentions “…reducing project that is going to be lapsing the risk of future incidents of this funding or an area where they could nature.” adjust their plans accordingly if the project was not resupplied. In this In terms of due diligence and making particular case the department did take sure that we are not just… . When it says funding out of their preplanning pot. to reduce the “risk of future incidents of this nature,” does that mean that this As the minister noted, in hindsight, I funding actually upgraded the facility probably would have recommended a past the condition it was in prior to the special warrant for a situation like this. It riot? Was it brought up to a higher is permitted and certainly would have standard than it was previously? been justified. At the time the

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(interpretation) Thank you, Mr. living conditions other than the security Chairman. of the inmates at the facility?

Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Main. I do realize it’s a bit beyond the scope of Minister Hickes. this bill, but if, for example, another half a million dollars is needed to offer Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. temporary exercise space, my question Chairman. I believe this came up during would be: why wasn’t that a part of this the standing committee to a certain supplementary appropriation? degree, but not so much upgraded but it identified where the intrusion was and I realize I’m pushing the boundaries of took mitigation measures so that that what is in this sup, but is there sufficient specific access would not be available to programming being offered right now to inmates. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. prevent further expenditures along this line in terms of a major disturbance? Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Main. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Main. I will Maybe just a little bit more information allow this question, but again, you are on that intrusion: how was there an going beyond the scope of this bill. intrusion into the centre and how did that Minister Hickes. contribute to the major disturbance? My understanding is that it was inmates Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. within the facility largely caused by Chairman. In general, I would say, and unrest or lack of programming within the some of us have done tours of the facility that caused the riot. facility and realized one of the issues (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. that has been identified through the Chairman. Auditor General reports and other reports that the lack of programming at Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Main. the facility is an issue, which is why Minister Hickes. through the budget process we have approved a capital project to create a Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. new expansion for more medium and Chairman. Basically in a nutshell the high security needs with defined inmates accessed the ceiling area of the programming space available within that room. That wasn’t foreseen, I guess, if project. you want to call it that. In these repairs that is now not possible. Thank you, Mr. That being said, to address the member’s Chairman. question, these funds were needed to bring the facility back into use. It wasn’t Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Main. to improve or to expand on anything. It was strictly just to get the building Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, usable again so that we could repatriate Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) Has the inmates that we had sent out of there been any improvement made to the territory. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

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Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Main. department. Thank you.

Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, Chairman: Thank you, Minister Hickes. Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) One I have no further names on my list. We final question. It mentions here the need are at Total Department. Not Previously to assure safety of the staff and that’s Authorized. $471,000. Agreed? part of the reason why this was taken on. I’m assuming that conditions at the BCC Some Members: Agreed. are now good enough to ensure the safety of the staff, but making Chairman: Go to page 2 of the bill. assumptions is a dangerous thing to do. I Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) would just like to clarify as much as the No. 3, 2018-2019. Schedule 1. Capital. minister is able to provide that Capital Appropriation. $471,000. conditions are indeed safe for the staff Agreed? working at the centre. (interpretation) That’s my last question. Thank you, Mr. Some Members: Agreed. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you. I will now ask Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Main. members to go to Bill 16 in the white Minister Hickes. binders that we were using previously, the legislation binder. Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Without going through the Thank you. We’re on Bill 16, exercise of bringing in another witness Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) to the table, I’ll do my best to answer the Act, No. 3, 2018-2019. Clause 1. member’s question. Agreed?

We have, through numerous discussions Some Members: Agreed. in this House and studies, brought to light that there are safety concerns at the Chairman: Clause 2. Agreed? BCC facility that we currently use. That is, again, why we have taken a step to Some Members: Agreed. initiate the capital process for a new building. Chairman: Clause 3. Agreed?

That being said, these fixes or Some Members: Agreed. renovations or updates, I guess, from the riot incident met the needed threshold Chairman: Go to the Schedule on page for the safety of the staff. 2. Schedule. Supplementary Amounts Appropriated for the Fiscal Year Ending It’s a high-risk occupation. I can’t sit March 31, 2019. Vote 2: Capital. Total here and claim that there’s never going Supplementary Appropriation. $471,000. to be another incident of this nature, but Agreed? at least a duplicating of this incident should not be duplicated exactly because Some Members: Agreed. of the mitigation measures taken by the

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Chairman: Thank you. Clause 4. Bill 17 – Supplementary Agreed? Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 1, 2019-2020 – Consideration in Some Members: Agreed. Committee

Chairman: Clause 5. Agreed? Chairman: Thank you. We will now move on to Bill 17. I will ask Minister Some Members: Agreed. Hickes to go into his opening comments. Minister Hickes. Chairman: Clause 6. Agreed? Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Some Members: Agreed. Chairman and members. I appear before you today to present Bill 17, Chairman: Clause 7. Agreed? Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 1, 2019-2020. This bill seeks Some Members: Agreed. $2,791,000 in supplementary capital funding in 2019-2020 to advance three Chairman: Thank you. We will now important projects as follows: move on. Minister Hickes, do you have any closing comments? • $1.35 million to the Department of Health to develop plans for long- Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. term care services in Nunavut. This Chairman. I just want to thank the is among our priorities in members for their concern over this Turaaqtavut. incident. We have already allocated $500,000 Just on behalf of the Department of to early planning in 2018-19 through Justice’s standpoint, I appreciate the the Department of Community and moving forward of the next phase in Government Services’ capital correctional facilities here in the planning envelope. territory. Mr. Chairman and members, with I would just like to thank the staff to this additional funding we will create help prepare me for my appearance. a distinct project in the capital plan Thank you. under the Department of Health and will continue our work on this Chairman: Thank you, Minister Hickes. complex issue. This represents an I forgot one step before I went to the important step in improving in- minister’s closing comments, so we will territory care for our elders. do that now. Do members agree, pursuant to Rule 62(2), that Bill 16 can • Also, $950,000 for the Department be placed on the orders of the day for of Community and Government third reading? Services to cover a projected budget shortfall in the Rankin Inlet Arena Some Members: Agreed. construction project.

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This project was awarded in 2017 Minister Hickes. with a construction bid of $23.7 million, $1.7 million over the initial Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. construction estimate but still within Chairman. Just to give a little bit of the overall $25 million budgeted for history, this project has been on the the project. This meant there was business case request pile for some time. little room to cover change orders It has become apparent that the existing and other unforeseen costs. As the system is critical, a little bit more critical project has progressed, it has become than was anticipated during the reviews evident that additional funds will be of the different business cases. It has required to complete it. come to this point where it’s for the health and safety and to keep proper • In addition, $491,000 for the records within the corrections system Department of Justice to conduct a and justice information. We do have to planning study and develop a move forward. It wasn’t expected to be business case to replace the existing this critical, but due to the nature of how Courts Information System and the the current software is working, this is a Corrections Operational necessary step. Thank you, Mr. Management System, two important Chairman. IT systems that are outdated. Chairman: Thank you, Minister Hickes. Mr. Chairman and members, the Total Department. Not Previously requested funding is necessary for these Authorized. $491,000. Agreed? projects to move forward and cannot be funded from within existing Some Members: Agreed. appropriations. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you. Go to page 5. Health. Capital. Not Previously Chairman: Thank you, Minister Hickes. Authorized. Any questions? Mr. Main. We will go to page 4 of Bill 17, Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, No. 1, 2019-2020. Justice. $491,000. Mr. Chairman. From what I understand, Any questions? Total Department. Mr. the planning for this will be under a P3 Main. project. The government has a policy about P3 projects. If I remember Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, correctly, I believe the largest P3 project Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) I in Nunavut was the Iqaluit airport. Have wonder why this wasn’t originally you learned anything from the previous included in the capital estimates for this P3 project? Are there any regrets on department. This should have been what was done? something that was identified during the capital planning process, I believe. Looking at the project and looking at the (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. future, are they going to be making any Chairman. changes for the next P3 project? There is a bunch of debt that will have to be paid Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Main. in the coming years. I would like to

Monday, March 11, 2019 Nunavut Hansard 3224 know if that will be a part of future Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Main. I considerations for the next time around. think that will be part of all the Thank you, Mr. Chairman. preplanning study which way they want to build the new unit. Minister Hickes. Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Main. Minister Hickes. Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes and like it mentions in Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. the documentation, it’s a value for Chairman. It’s a little early for that. The money review. Fee for service is also model hasn’t been decided yet. P3 is one one thing being looked at, even going so of the options and I would be very far as for us to use our capital budget to presumptive to use that as segue into build the facility. That’s all part of this what we’re going to do. These are review process. Thank you, Mr. strictly preplanning dollars to look at Chairman. what options become available to us and to make sure that we’re meeting the Chairman: Thank you, Minister Hickes. clinical needs that the facilities and the Mr. Main. design meet the clinical needs of the residents. Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) It With regard to lessons learned from P3, says here, it mentions different size of it would probably be a topic for another facilities. In terms of economies of scale, day to the Minister of Community and I guess I just want confirmation that that Government Services. Thank you, Mr. will be part of this planning. Chairman. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you, Minister Hickes. Mr. Main. Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Main. Minister Hickes. Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) It Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. does say public-private partnership right Chairman. Yes. Thank you. in here. Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Main. In terms of the models of delivery, it says, “identify models of delivery.” Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, What are the different models? A P3 Mr. Chairman. The project is described would be one model. What are the other here very well. When do you anticipate models that are still on the table? It this planning to finish? Thank you, Mr. seems, reading this information, that the Chairman. government is leaning heavily towards a P3 model already, but if there are other Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Main. models still on the table, what are they? Minister Hickes. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Within this fiscal year we

Monday, March 11, 2019 Nunavut Hansard 3225 want to make sure that we have worked all of us and all Nunavummiut. We with the Department of Health to realize this is a high priority. That’s why identify the needs of what type of we have taken the step of putting this facilities that we need across the proposal forward. Thank you, Mr. territory. We are looking for the business Chairman. case and substantiation back to the FMB in the upcoming fall. Thank you, Mr. Chairman: Thank you, Minister Hickes. Chairman. Ms. Angnakak.

Chairman: Thank you. Ms. Angnakak. Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It’s not a question; I just want Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. to say that I’m getting concerned about Chairman. Within the business case of a how long this is taking because by the little over $1.3 million, you have it time you get to all this information that broken down in different parts of where you’re trying… . I realize you have to the money is going to be going. For find out this information, but the years example, one is a design-build RFP. I are going to go past and I’m concerned guess my question is: how are you about that. I am, because we can take a working with CGS on this? It says this is long time and we study everything to for Health, so why is not CGS part of death that we can’t seem to move until this? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. so much is done.

Chairman: Thank you, Ms. Angnakak. On the flip side, I understand why Minister Hickes. nobody wants to waste money, but sometimes we could be a little too Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. extreme too that we don’t move. We Chairman. With all capital projects, CGS don’t go anywhere; we just stay there. It is involved all the way through. It’s a takes so long and before we know it, we Department of Health capital request, so will be into five or six years from now that’s why it’s under Health. Thank you. when we’re finally starting to build. I really want to voice my concern about Chairman: Thank you, Minister Hickes. that and I want to see if we could try to Ms. Angnakak. build this building as soon as possible without waiting so long. Thank you, Mr. Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. That’s just comment. Chairman. When it comes to who is driving the boat, is it Health or CGS on Chairman: Thank you, Ms. Angnakak. I this project? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. have no other names on my list. Minister, I’m sorry. It was a comment Chairman: Thank you. Minister Hickes. and I didn’t think you would want to reply. Minister Hickes, go ahead. Hon. George Hickes: If I could say there are two rudders to the boat, I Hon. George Hickes: I do want to reply would say there are two rudders to the and I thank the Chair for allowing me. boat. They will be working very closely together, but I think the ultimate driver is I think the way we’re doing this shows

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that this is such a serious matter that I know that the Department of CGS has we’re trying to squeeze every timeline agreed to provide us a list of ongoing we can out of it. We could have easily capital projects and which ones are on sat back and waited until the Partnership budget and which ones are over. That is BC report came out and then put this good to know, but in terms of the forward either through a supplementary application of the NNI Policy and the or even waiting for the next capital bid, there was a $5 million bid cycle. I think the urgency shown by this adjustment that was allowed to this. In government is proving by taking this terms of the different factors that play step of how serious we want to move into the government exceeding a class forward with these projects. “A” estimate by over $5 million, I would be interested to hear the minister’s This is potentially hundreds of millions thoughts. (interpretation) Thank you, of dollars that we’re looking at across Mr. Chairman. the territory in the long term, so we want to make sure we’re doing our due Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Main. diligence, like the member said, but Minister Hickes. we’re definitely not going to be dragging our heals on this. Thank you, Mr. Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman. I have often brought forward similar concerns in the past and current. Chairman: Thank you, Minister Hickes. When we look at getting our estimates Health. Capital. Total Department. Not done on any project, I would have to say Previously Authorized. $1,350,000. that, in a lot of ways, it was very Agreed? accurate. The lowest per-dollar bid that came in was very bang on to what the Some Members: Agreed. class “A” estimate was.

Chairman: Thank you. Page 6. When we get into discussions on bid Community and Government Services. adjustments through the NNI Capital. $950,000. Mr. Main. procurement process, I firmly believe that that’s a long discussion and I think Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, there are better venues than today to talk Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) This about that broad of an impact on our project here is quite the interesting case procurement side of things outside of study in contract management and/or this individual project, Mr. Chairman. execution of capital contracts. Just Thank you. looking at the briefing material here, if this was a class “A” estimate of $20.3 Chairman: Thank you, Minister Hickes. million, and here we are two years Mr. Main. later… . This was two years ago, and here we are and it turns out the total cost Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, is going to be $25.9 million. We have Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) I overshot that class “A” estimate by over guess, yes, there will be a time for that $5 million. It’s interesting. It’s discussion, but there was a contingency concerning. built into this contract as well and that

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has been blown through too. Going (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. forward, is there going to be a larger Chairman. amount included for contingencies when we look at major construction contracts Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Main. like this? (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Minister Hickes. Chairman. Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Main. Chairman. When you’re looking at Inuit Minister Hickes. participation in these projects, the costing to it is borne by the contractor. Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Any time they have increased numbers Chairman. I don’t anticipate the practice of local employment, it saves them of the level of contingency on a money, which in turn has potential to percentage basis per contract changing. make them more profit margin. To me, typically those contingencies are adequate to do any change orders or any With regard to setting parameters, that’s additional work. Like the member said standard practice with Community and during the very first part of his preamble, Government Services on their this is a very interesting and in some contracting. I can’t speak to specifics on ways unique case. Thank you, Mr. why this one was 40 percent and others Chairman. are 20 percent. Typically one thing it will have an impact is the amount of Chairman: Thank you, Minister Hickes. projects going on in the community or Mr. Main. even in a small region where you’ve got a few communities together, where you Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, have limited workforce opportunities. To Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) It me, that would be one of the only mentions here in the briefing note that mitigating factors in establishing Inuit historically Rankin Inlet has achieved employment numbers. Thank you. reasonably high Inuit labour outcomes. It mentions that this has a 40 percent Inuit Chairman: Thank you, Minister Hickes. labour target, which is a good thing, but Mr. Main. I don’t understand why that 40 percent Inuit labour target wasn’t built into the Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, class “A” estimate in the first place. If Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) Rankin Inlet has a historically high Inuit What was the Inuit employment level employment rate, shouldn’t that have that was built into that class “A” been in the class “A”? construction cost estimate of $20.3 million? (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Maybe I’m getting too detailed here and Chairman. maybe the Minister of CGS would be able to answer better, but I just don’t Chairman: Thank you. Minister Hickes. see… . I guess my question is: does the class “A” estimate come with an Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. assumption of bare minimum Inuit Chairman. I do appreciate the member’s employment, let’s say, 15 percent? desire for detail, but these questions are

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more appropriate during the capital dollar value of the lowest bidder, was planning process on the project itself. To bang on. I don’t believe the error was me, it doesn’t have any bearing on the made in the estimates, regardless of what supplementary appropriation. Thank the Inuit content was. There are a you, Mr. Chairman. number of different factors that go into when you do your estimate: the material Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Main, if you costs, labour costs, local and imported, could stick to the principle of the bill, weather. All kinds of conditions can please. Mr. Main. have an impact on it.

Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, When it comes down to the $5 million Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) I you mentioned, we’re here looking for would respectfully disagree. I would $950,000, which is over the $25 million argue that this is entirely within the budget approved for this project, so it’s scope of this bill. You’re coming to us not over $5 million; it’s over $950,000. and we’re being asked to approve an That’s not to be argumentative, Mr. additional million dollars and the reason Chairman. that we’re being asked to approve this is because the government has overshot When we look at the capital planning their class “A” construction cost process, we always do our best to give as estimate of $20.3 million. You have accurate of an estimate as possible, but overshot that by over $5 million. you can’t always control the market conditions. We have all seen examples One of the factors which are listed in through our personal or professional here, reading between the lines or from lives where you think it’s going to cost my understanding, the contractors say, something and then you go to a “If you want more Inuit employment, contractor and you can be very close or it’s going to cost you more.” That is you can be very far depending upon how where I am coming from, just to try to busy those contractors are it seems explain myself why I’m interested in sometimes. what the class “A” estimate included, what Inuit labour requirement was built To me, there are a number of different into that class “A” estimate. factors that go into these class “A” (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. estimates, and I do want to acknowledge Chairman. the staff at CGS who I think were very accurate with this one. Thank you, Mr. Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Main. Chairman. Minister Hickes. Chairman: Thank you, Minister Hickes. Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Mr. Main. Chairman. I do appreciate the member’s line of questioning. Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) I I do have to go back to an earlier thank the minister for his response. It is response that I gave that the class “A” an interesting topic. It says here that “As estimate, if you would have taken a for this class ‘A’ estimate being

Monday, March 11, 2019 Nunavut Hansard 3229 accurate, the cost estimate was $20.3 Some Members: Agreed. million. There were eight bids received and the lowest was $21.7 million.” The Chairman: Thank you. Go to Bill 17 in lowest bid was over a million dollars off your legislative binder. what the class “A” estimate was. Thank you. Bill 17, Supplementary I understand there are some variants in Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 1, there that are built in and you can’t 2019-2020. Clause 1. Agreed? estimate down to the last dollar as to what it’s going to cost, but as for the Some Members: Agreed. bigger discussion, I think, that we need to have, it’s regarding understanding Chairman: Clause 2. Agreed? what benefit is actually flowing from the increased costs that are coming from the Some Members: Agreed. new NNI Policy. Chairman: Clause 3. Agreed? If we’re paying for more Inuit labour, okay. If we’re paying for actual Inuit Some Members: Agreed. companies to gain business and build up their assets, okay, but if we’re paying Chairman: Go to Schedule on page 2. just because a certain business has a Schedule. Supplementary Amounts business arrangement with somebody to Appropriated for the Fiscal Year Ending get them an NNI or NTI certificate, then March 31, 2020. Vote 2: Capital. Total that’s a real question mark for me. Supplementary Appropriation. (interpretation) That’s just a comment. $2,791,000. Agreed? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Some Members: Agreed. Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Lightstone. Chairman: Thank you. Clause 4. Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. Agreed? Chairman. Mr. Main covered my questions. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Some Members: Agreed.

Chairman: Thank you. We are on Chairman: Clause 5. Agreed? Community and Government Services. Total Department. Not Previously Some Members: Agreed. Authorized. $950,000. Agreed? Chairman: Clause 6. Agreed? Some Members: Agreed. Some Members: Agreed. Chairman: Thank you. Go back to page 2. Supplementary Appropriation Chairman: Clause 7. Agreed? (Capital) No. 1, 2019-2020. Schedule 1. Capital. Capital Appropriation. Some Members: Agreed. $2,791,000. Agreed? Chairman: Do members agree to Bill 17

Monday, March 11, 2019 Nunavut Hansard 3230 as a whole? and various hospital and physicians contracts; Some Members: Agreed. • $5.5 million to the Department of Chairman: Thank you. Do members Justice to address projected cost agree, pursuant to Rule 62(2), that Bill overruns within the Law 17 can be placed on the orders of the day Enforcement and Corrections for third reading? Agreed? branches; and

Some Members: Agreed. • $1,165,000 to the Department of Family Services to address projected Chairman: Thank you. Minister Hickes, cost overruns within the Children do you have any brief closing comments and Family Services Branch. on Bill 17? Minister Hickes. Mr. Chairman and members, this Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. supplementary appropriation would Chairman. I appreciate the dialogue and increase our government’s total I’m looking forward to continuing some appropriation for 2018-19 to about $1.71 of those discussions down the road. billion, an increase of about 2.8 percent Thank you, Mr. Chairman. over the initial budget this Assembly approved last June. This increase is Bill 18 – Supplementary generally in line with those of previous Appropriation (Operations & years. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Maintenance) Act, No. 1, 2018- 2019 – Consideration in Chairman: Thank you, Minister Hickes. Committee We are on Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) No. 1, Chairman: Thank you. Members, we 2018-2019. Family Services on page 4. will move on to Bill 18. I will ask Are there any questions? Ms. Angnakak. Minister Hickes: do you have opening comments for Bill 18? Please go ahead. Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Just in regard to the Family Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Services, the money here is for Chairman. Mr. Chairman and members, residential care services. Is that in or out I appear before you today to present Bill of territory? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 18, Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, No. Chairman: Thank you, Ms. Angnakak. 1, 2018-2019. Through this bill, the Minister Hickes. government is seeking to increase its overall appropriation by $46,665,000 as Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. follows: Chairman. That’s a very good question. I thought I was prepared for just about • $40 million to the Department of everything. Health to address cost overruns in various programs, including medical Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It is a mix. travel, mental health and treatment, The majority is out of territory.

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Thank you, Mr. Chairman. territory. It is demand-driven. Most of them are for youth. I just don’t have that Chairman: Thank you, Minister Hickes. level of detail, Mr. Chairman. Some of Ms. Angnakak. these dollars are for residential care and some of it was impacted through the Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. Office of the Public Guardian as well. Chairman. I would like to know a bit There’s kind of a blend in there, Mr. more about that. Is this across southern Chairman. Thank you. Canada or is it mainly in one area? Where are we sending our children to Chairman: Thank you, Minister Hickes. out of territory? Thank you, Mr. Ms. Angnakak. Chairman. Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. Chairman: Thank you, Ms. Angnakak. Chairman. I probably won’t get an Minister Hickes. answer to this, but I am curious about the residential care facility that we have Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. here for adolescents. Is some of this Chairman. This is a shortfall in that line money going to that, and are we item where there are multi-millions of investing here in Nunavut to the facility dollars that were spent at different areas here? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. of the country for residential care. This money specifically into this isn’t to a Chairman: Thank you, Ms. Angnakak. specific residential care; it’s an Minister Hickes. overarching budget. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Again, this is a very small Chairman: Thank you, Minister Hickes. component of an overall pot of money. Ms. Angnakak. How those monies get allocated, this isn’t specifically for one project or Ms. Angnakak: Thank you. According another. It’s numerous cases that have to this, it says, “Residential care services caused the budget line to go over its are demand-driven and higher than allocated amount and they weren’t able anticipated client needs lead to higher to fund it from within, hence we’re here than expected costs.” I’m wondering: for supplementary appropriation. Thank does that mean that we’re sending more you. children down south or what? It’s related directly to that, it says here, so I’m just Chairman: Thank you, Minister Hickes. trying to get a better understanding of it. Mr. Quassa. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Quassa (interpretation): Thank you, Chairman: Thank you, Ms. Angnakak. Mr. Chairman. I would like to get more Minister Hickes. information on what is written here. It’s written in English, so I’ll speak English. Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Again, when it’s residential (interpretation ends) “The department’s care, the majority is outside of the recent and ongoing income assistance

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reforms; continued training requirements to get sick.” “No, it’s September and we across the department have reduced the can’t send anyone else out anymore.” availability of services.” The other one We have to follow the needs of our of course is “There’s also a projected residents. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. deficit of $336,200 within Corporate Management and Career Development.” Chairman: Thank you. We are on Total Department for Family Services. Not This $1,165,000 is not just going to go Previously Authorized. $1,165,000. Mr. to children and family services coverage Lightstone. on residential care services. The reasoning of course is also due to those Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. two factors that I just mentioned. Chairman, for recognizing me. I would (interpretation) Those two main factors like to follow up on Ms. Angnakak’s seem to be the reasons why they are questions and on the need for increased making the request. Thank you, Mr. residential care services. At what point Chairman. did the Department of Family Services come to the realization that they were Chairman: Thank you. Minister Hickes. coming up to a budget shortfall in this area? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I guess the main impact that Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Lightstone. those two factors have is typically there Minister Hickes. have been surpluses available, which they would have been able to access. Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Because of some of the changes in Chairman. From what information I benefits to income support as an have, it was around November that it example, those surpluses are no longer was brought to the attention of my available. Again, with the projected deputy minister that there would be a budget amounts, they are accurate to a shortfall. Thank you. point where those surpluses didn’t exist anymore, where they weren’t able to Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Lightstone. access funds out of there. I’m not sure why they even mentioned that to a Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. certain degree other than the $323,000 Chairman. That was a number of months that was available to offset some of the ago. I would like to enquire: what are the costs incurred. specific cost drivers here? Now, the minister has identified that this is mostly In general, again, like I brought up with due to out-of-territory residential care the colleague beside you, we are treatment. I’m curious: how much do working towards a more actual-based these out-of-territory residential care budget process. These are tools that we facilities charge? Are these for children? may run into this a little bit more as with Are these for elders? I’m looking for needs-driven budget lines, we can some of the specifics there in the cost forecast as best we can, but we can’t drivers that lead to this increase in stop people. We can’t say, “No, it’s expenditure. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. August now and no one else is allowed

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Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Lightstone. Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Minister Hickes. Chairman. We’re looking at the residential budgets and expenditures of Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. over $40 million. To me, when we’re Chairman. The member is probably not going over 3 percent from a needs- going to be too happy with my response, driven budget line, I don’t think this is but for one, I don’t have that level of an extraordinary occurrence. Thank you, detail. In addition to that, there are a Mr. Chairman. number of different categories across the board. That would be, again, a better Chairman: Thank you, Minister Hickes. question for another venue on where the Mr. Lightstone. cost pressures are on this overall budget line itself. Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Once again I thank the Again, going back to a response to an minister for that response. It’s good to earlier comment, when we’re talking know that this is only a small percentage needs-driven resources that are being in comparison to the actual budget. It used, it can be difficult to forecast. would be beneficial if that information Whether it be children, residential care was provided to us so we didn’t have to in the territory, or outside, there are seek it out. That’s just a comment. different levels of care in addition. Is it Thank you, Mr. Chairman. disabled that is cost driving? There are a number of different factors. I just don’t Chairman: Thank you. We are on Total have that level of information, Mr. Department. Not Previously Authorized. Chairman. Thank you. $1,165,000. Agreed?

Chairman: Thank you, Minister Hickes. Some Members: Agreed. Mr. Lightstone. Chairman: Thank you. Page 5. Justice. Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. Operations and Maintenance. Not Chairman. I thank the minister for the Previously Authorized. $4 million… . response, but I’m going to have to Whoops. Sorry. Total Law Enforcement. respectfully disagree. I do believe that $4,500,000. Ms. Angnakak. now is the appropriate venue to ask these questions. I would like to know how Ms. Angnakak: Thank you. I would like much analysis was done to verify this to ask a question on the second bullet of request. I would like to have some sort this page, supplementary appropriation. of comfort in knowing that the It says that “$1 million out of this appropriate measures were taken when funding is for correctional facilities reviewing this information. Thank you, overage on permanent staff overtime and Mr. Chairman. casual salaries.” If you look in the business plan under Corrections, they’re Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Lightstone. going down by a million or just about. Minister Hickes. I’m just wondering, here in one sense you’re asking for more money, but when it comes to the budget where you’re

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asking for lower than last year. Thank bit even more of an awkward scenario you, Mr. Chairman. where we don’t have enough members servicing our communities, according to Chairman: Thank you, Ms. Angnakak. what the RCMP does want to have. We’re not to the line item for Corrections yet. We’re doing Law In addition, we’re even limiting that Enforcement. The Corrections part is a because we’re paying for members that million dollars. We’re doing the $4.5 aren’t even in the territory anymore million, if you can see where I’m because they’re on extended leave. coming from. On page 5, the first section There have been discussions with the is Law Enforcement, $4.5 million. If you Department of Justice. The member was don’t have a question there, I can go to a party to some of those discussions the next member. Mr. Main. when we had high-level discussions with the RCMP hierarchy here in the Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, territory. Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) Here in terms of driving the costs up, it There’s no definitive answer to that mentions at the bottom of the first page other than the amount of calls that are on the briefing note, it mentions the increasing in some communities are far increase of members on long-term leave, exceeding normal, historic numbers. which has increased quite dramatically That, I would say, would be a high from an average of 0.65 over fiscal year contributing factor. Just the level of calls 2013-14 to 14.5 over fiscal year 2017- that are coming through, the amount of 18. It is important to understand why we time that members have to be on duty have more and more RCMP members definitely has a factor in that. Thank who are on long-term leave. What are you, Mr. Chairman. the factors that are driving this? (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman: Thank you, Minister Hickes. Chairman. Mr. Main.

Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Main. Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, Minister Hickes. Mr. Chairman. Those three are said to be the factors in the $4.5 million overrun. Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. For (interpretation ends) the Chairman. I thank the member for the administration cost, overtime, additional question. We recently had a presentation costs, (interpretation) can we get a by the RCMP where they went over a breakdown of the costs of those three number of the statistics across the factors? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. territory in addition to some of the requests that they have put forward in Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Main. the past for additional staffing. Minister Hickes.

When we look at staffing for members Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. that are on extended leave, those costs Chairman. We don’t have it broken are incurred still by the Government of down that way. This is a contracted Nunavut. It puts us, even to me, a little service. When these additional costs

Monday, March 11, 2019 Nunavut Hansard 3235 come in through the RCMP, these are in the community so that the corrections over and above what normal costs have side or the policing side wouldn’t be as been incurred. We just do not have it needed through alcohol education or broken down to that level. Thank you, different health programs as far as Mr. Chairman. healthy living habits and things like that. It’s finding that balance. Chairman: Thank you, Minister Hickes. Mr. Main. It’s just like any department that puts forward a business case for increased Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, PYs. There are justifications for and Mr. Chairman. That’s unfortunate. limits to what we can and can’t do. That’s a rather large amount, $4.5 There are times where a business case million. We would like to understand could come forward to add PYs or a how much each of them costs, and this a project to a department that will save concern when you have to pay for money in the long term, but we don’t overtime. have the money right now to do it. We have to phase these things in and take a However, we were informed when we look seriously at how we can do things, had the presentation, the RCMP said but they are looked at and analyzed. they had put in a request to our Thank you, Mr. Chairman. government for additional officers for the communities, but they were not Chairman: Thank you. Any other approved in past years. Even though questions on Law Enforcement? Mr. their request for an increase was refused, Quassa. perhaps the past government didn’t approve this, so we end up paying extra Mr. Quassa (interpretation): Thank you, for overtime. They should have thought Mr. Chairman. I just want to comment. about spending less money at the time, It’s probably not a question, but there is but now we have to pay a huge amount. a large $40 million contract. We definitely need the police, but they’re Presently, if they put in a request for not the only police force in Canada. We additional officers, this will have to be have to start thinking about having our considered carefully. Will that also be own police force. We have Arctic considered? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. College and we have learning institutions. Perhaps it would cost less if Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Main. we had our own police force in Nunavut. Minister Hickes. Even though Northern Quebec is a small population, they have their own police Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. force. As Nunavummiut, I don’t think Chairman. Whenever the business case the government has ever considered that. from Justice comes forward through their discussions with the RCMP However, we contract them for a huge headquarters, it is always discussed. I amount and we keep asking them as think, as we see the need on policing communities to be visible, like walking more and more, we have always tried to on the streets. We never see them in find a balance of providing the services person, and we spend a huge amount of

Monday, March 11, 2019 Nunavut Hansard 3236 money from our government and we decrease when it comes to Corrections, never see them in the community in yet we’re asking for another million person. They don’t get involved in dollars and this is due to shortfall and activities within the community. I know also in the MLA information item it does they’re doing their job, but they are not talk about overtime. I just want to know: visible in the communities. We keep is this due to overtime alone, or how are talking about that. we doing with staffing?

Since that amount of money is being I know before that the overtime problem spent on them, let’s tell them to get was due to the lack of enough staff. Staff involved in the communities. Perhaps that were there had to do double shifts they would spend less on overtime if and that. Not everybody wants to work they engaged with the people in the at corrections. Just in general, how are communities. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. things going? Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Chairman: Thank you. I’ll take that as a Chairman: Thank you, Ms. Angnakak. comment. Ms. Towtongie. Minister Hickes.

Ms. Towtongie: Thank you, Mr. Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I just want clarification. I do Chairman. I will note that the overtime know that on reserves in Canada, they situation within Justice has been get funding for First Nations policing. improving. The majority of these funds Does Nunavut get that same funding? I are due to the incident that we talked just need clarification on that, Mr. about earlier where we had to relocate a Chairman. bunch of inmates to another facility and increased costs associated with that. Chairman: Thank you. Minister Hickes. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Chairman: Thank you. Any other Chairman. No. Thank you, Mr. questions? Mr. Lightstone. Chairman. Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. Chairman: Thank you. Total Law Chairman. Just a few quick questions Enforcement. $4,500,000. Agreed? relating to the overtime. First is: do relief staff receive overtime? Thank you, Mr. Some Members: Agreed. Chairman.

Chairman: Thank you. Next line item is Chairman: Thank you. Minister Hickes. Corrections for $1 million. Any questions? Ms. Angnakak. Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. No, they don’t. Ms. Angnakak: Thank you. Now I’m at the proper place. I do apologize; I was Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Lightstone. ahead of everybody. Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. I noticed that in the budget there’s a Chairman. It indicates that the

Monday, March 11, 2019 Nunavut Hansard 3237 correctional facilities have 57 vacancies additional dollars to cover the overtime and 185 relief workers. I’m curious: with in casual usage. Out of curiosity, to date, that many relief workers, how is it that how much overtime and additional they’re still incurring overtime? Thank casual staffing hours have been required you, Mr. Chairman. for the correctional facilities? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you. Minister Hickes. Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Lightstone. Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Minister Hickes. Chairman. To meet the minimum operational requirements, you’ve got to Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. remember that those are the total number Chairman. I don’t have that direct of relief workers that have been information, but I will say and reiterate employed over a year. There are a lot of that the majority of this $1 million people coming and going. With the expenditure was due to the riot or the training associated with that as well too, incident that was at the BCC that it increases the cost. Thank you, Mr. initiated… . The monies associated with Chairman. this are inmate transfers and the staffing associated with having inmates sent out Chairman: Thank you, Minister Hickes. of our territory for a month. Thank you, Mr. Lightstone. Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. Chairman: Thank you, Minister Hickes. Chairman. As of today, how many relief Total Corrections. $1 million. Agreed? staff are currently still on the payroll? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Some Members: Agreed.

Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Lightstone. Chairman: Thank you. Total Minister Hickes. Department. Not Previously Authorized. $5,500,000. Agreed? Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Just with the needs required Some Members: Agreed. for staffing needs, the numbers would probably be fairly similar. They can Chairman: Thank you. Go to page 6. change, I’m sure, on a day-to-day or at Health. $40 million. Any questions? least a week-to-week basis for an exact None? number, but the ratio to vacancies and relief workers is approximately what it is >>Laughter there, the 185. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Main.

Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Lightstone. Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I think we have to ask Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. questions. That’s our duty. That is a Chairman. In relation to the correctional rather large amount. facilities, there’s a need for a million

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(interpretation ends) In the briefing note Chairman. it mentions that scheduled and medevac medical travel volumes have increased Chairman: Thank you, Minister Hickes. over the same period last year. Mr. Main. Medevacs are tied to a bunch of different issues, including availability of staff in Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, communities. Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) In terms of the mental health line, are we Does the department watch for patterns talking about all of these all at once, Mr. within its use of medevacs? For Chairman? I guess I should clarify first. example, if they see a pattern of regular Is this all on the same page? medevacs out of certain communities, do (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. they monitor those patterns and then Chairman. allocate additional staff or resources to those communities to try to mitigate Chairman: Thank you. Yes, you can go that? (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. ahead with your question. That’s fine. I Chairman. didn’t quite hear what you said; if you could repeat, please. Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Main. Minister Hickes. Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) I Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. just wanted to clarify that we’re talking Chairman. To a degree, yes. We do have about all of this all at once. gaps in our stats. Each health centre provides data. With turnover, the In terms mental health contracts, on the accuracy is sometimes in question, one hand it’s good to see that we’re where we are looking at improvements spending $20 million or are forecasted to in our data collection so that we can get on this. I think it has been a long time a better understanding or a more that mental health was neglected or we accurate understanding of how things were under-spending in this area. progress. It mentions on the second page of the The member is very correct in stating briefing note, “Rapid referral to that staffing in some health centres has specialized institutions can be seen as a an impact on the amount of medical life-saving measure in many cases.” We transportation needs, whether that be do see people getting the help they need medevac or through scheduled medical when they do leave the territory, but the travel. It is something that we are gap seems to be when they come home, cognizant of and not just taking steps in whether they’re living in poverty or in our whole medical travel review. With an overcrowded house, when they come the model of care review, we keep home, it mentions on the first page here saying there are all these reviews going that if they are dual-diagnosed, they on, and I am looking forward to making required highly specialized clinical staff. progress on this file specifically, in The next step would be to provide that addition to a couple of our other budget highly specialized clinical staff closer to pressure lines. Thank you, Mr. home.

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In terms of what the picture is across the there were 17 mental health positions territory in availability of mental health that were approved to increase staff, if the minister could update us with availability of mental health workers and what the plan is to fill that gap with professionals across the territory. At the these patients. (interpretation) Thank last question I got, I believe only four or you, Mr. Chairman. five of them were filled indeterminately.

Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Main. That’s something we need to really focus Minister Hickes. on with our recruiting, working with the new Department of Human Resources to Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. help assist us in outlining where some of Chairman. I appreciate the question. It’s those barriers in recruitment are, a very good one. The member draws especially on the retention side of things. attention to the aftercare portion of a lot I know we have been making steps with of the mental health treatment. The orientation programs and things of that resources that we have in the nature to help educate new employees communities are lacking. We have a when they come onboard so they know number of positions that have been what to expect, but admittedly, we do approved in previous years for mental need to do a better job and we’re health positions, psychiatric nurses, and working towards that. Thank you, Mr. so forth where we do have difficulties Chairman. filling them. We have to rely upon casual contracts or agencies, which Chairman: Thank you, Minister Hickes. doesn’t bring that consistency of care, or Mr. Main. has the potential to even re-traumatize people to have to go over their stories Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, with different people all the time. Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) Moving on to health care service One of the things that we’re looking at delivery staffing, I just have a question obviously is working on solidifying about this information that’s provided to some of those positions, but also when us here. The very last bullet under health we look at the pillars for addictions and care delivery staffing, it says that trauma treatment strategy of bringing “Health service delivery requirements do more resources to the community from a not allow for staff vacancies in service wellness standpoint as well as having delivery operations.” regional on-the-land programs of that sort and even so far as an institution that I’m just curious about how, when the I’m hoping I’m going to hear an health department is looking at announcement on in the coming weeks budgeting their annual amount for health from the federal government of care service delivery staffing, at the last partnership opportunities. bullet it says, “…do not allow for staff vacancies in service delivery,” and the It’s a recognized gap and we are first bullet says that “Indeterminate working at closing those gaps where we support staff vacancies are projected to can make some headway. Again, I be over 50 percent.” Just a little bit of believe it was last year or two years ago clarification in terms of the budgeting

Monday, March 11, 2019 Nunavut Hansard 3240 process. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman. With our forecasts that we’re looking at, these are give or take; these Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Main. are estimates. Based on that $158 Minister Hickes. million, it’s approximately $9 million for agency nursing, $48 million, almost $49 Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. million for casuals, and we even have Chairman. When we set our budget line anticipated overtime at regular pay of for compensation and benefits, it’s using about $9 million forecasted. There is our health centre staff complement of also standby pay brought into there and what it should be, then, like the member the permanent salary portion of mentioned, typically we’re at about a 50 approximately $83 million. Thank you, percent vacancy rate. We don’t have a Mr. Chairman. choice. We need to provide that level of service. That’s where casual nurses, Chairman: Thank you, Minister Hickes. agency nurses, and those types of factors Mr. Main. come into play and they are at increased cost, so it puts a lot of pressure on that Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, budget line. It’s more expensive to have Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) an agency nurse in a health centre than it Thank you for the breakdown. From is to have an indeterminate nurse in a where I’m living, this is the very top health centre. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. priority. This is “mission critical,” to quote from later in the briefing note, is Chairman: Thank you, Minister Hickes. being able to have enough nurses in the Mr. Main. communities. At this point it’s very frustrating for the staff and for residents Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, in communities. We’re not asking for the Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) If stars; we’re asking for access to nurses we look at the overall number for health and we’re asking for health centres to be care service delivery staffing for this open without closures due to staffing year, which is forecasted at $158 issues. million, how does that number break down in terms of indeterminate, casual, It mentions in here the overtime shifts and agency? That’s a big number, and and the different factors. Is the my understanding is those are the three department looking at scheduling or types of staff that the department has. experimenting, or maybe they’re already Roughly how much is going towards doing it; putting staff on the night shift agency, how much is going towards where you constantly have nurses being casual, and how much is indeterminate? called in? Are there any night shift (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. positions? I’m thinking specifically for Chairman. communities outside of Iqaluit, which are different. (interpretation) Thank you, Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Main. Mr. Chairman. Minister Hickes. Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Main. I think that idea was floated around a few

Monday, March 11, 2019 Nunavut Hansard 3241 years ago with a previous government 2018-19, but for 2019-2020, I think it’s too, and I don’t know what became of it. worth asking whether we can expect to Minister Hickes. see a similar supp coming to us in a year’s time. I think it’s clear that there Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. needs to be some changes made to the Chairman. I appreciate that question way that budgets are put together for from the member and the comment from Health. (interpretation) That’s my final the Chair. That topic has been around for one. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. a little while. We even got a proposal from one of our health centres. A group Chairman: Thank you. Minister Hickes. of staff submitted a proposal to us to do a pilot or to see what would work. We Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. do have to make sure that we’re… . We Chairman. Again, I do appreciate the have to work with the nurses union as member’s comments along that line well on that, but I am very optimistic because we have taken some steps this that for sure this one health centre will year. We requested an extra $38 million move forward. I would like to see how this year compared to last, $14 million of this plays out. that going directly to medical travel, another $11 million going to out-of- I have talked about it with staff territory hospitals and physicians, which previously of looking at peak hours at is also another line of large concern in the very least of when, if you’ve got a this supplementary appropriation. Are slow time in the afternoon, do you need we dealing with all of them all at once? all two or three nurses on staff at that No, but I feel we are moving in the right time when people could be getting some direction. rest in anticipation. Like I said, we do have to explore all of this information With the staffing side of things, I’m with the staff and with the union optimistic that we can make some especially to make sure that we’re not further improvements not just on our requesting or requiring outside of normal recruitment but on our retention. It work hours without their contribution or seems that’s where there’s even more collaboration, I think is the word I’m focus that needs to be provided. I’m looking for. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. going to have to say it’s a process, as I’m sure the member realizes, but I think Chairman: Thank you, Minister Hickes. we’re taking some steps in the right Mr. Main. direction. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, Chairman: Thank you, Minister Hickes. Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) This Ms. Angnakak. supplementary appropriation is an annual thing for the Department of Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. Health. I know we’ve had discussions Chairman. I don’t have a lot of over trying to deal with that and trying to questions, but I do want to ask about the budget better for the actual costs that are increases to hospital and physician going to be incurred. I know it’s outside treatment contracts and the physician the scope of this bill because this is services contracts. Is it because the

Monday, March 11, 2019 Nunavut Hansard 3242 facilities and the service delivery are us the same amount we would pay them getting more expensive or is it because for the same treatment in their we have more Nunavummiut needing jurisdiction. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. this kind of help? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you, Minister Hickes. Mr. Lightstone. Chairman: Thank you, Ms. Angnakak. Minister Hickes. Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I don’t have questions Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. relating to the health care programs. My Chairman. The latter more. Thank you. questions are for the additional service contracts which were not initially Chairman: Thank you. Ms. Angnakak. budgeted for. My first question is related to transient employee staff housing. My Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. first question is: are these transient staff Chairman. When it comes to paying the that are in staff housing in Nunavut fees for these services, does Nunavut Housing Corporation units or does the pay a higher price than other Department of Health seek their own jurisdictions so that Nunavummiut can accommodations? Thank you, Mr. be seen quicker? Across Canada I Chairman. understand there are long waits sometimes for services that we can get Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. pretty quickly when somebody gets sent Chairman. Through an MOU with the down south. Is this the case? Thank you, Nunavut Housing Corporation, we Mr. Chairman. utilize their services. Thank you.

Chairman: Thank you, Ms. Angnakak. Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Lightstone. Minister Hickes. Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. What are the details of this Chairman. The member is very correct. MOU? Does the Department of Health We do. In a lot of cases with a lot of pay the same rates that are set out in the specialties, our patients, our residents do GN Staff Housing Policy? How many get seen a lot faster than even residents units does the Department of Health of the jurisdiction they’re going to. utilize for transient employees? Thank That’s just through shared services you, Mr. Chairman. agreements. It doesn’t cost any more. Reciprocal billing, other than Quebec, Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Lightstone. participates in… . If you’re going to get Minister Hickes. a certain procedure in BC, it’s going to cost the same as it is in Newfoundland. Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. They set price standards for different Chairman. Through the MOU with the types of treatments and through Nunavut Housing Corporation, we reciprocal billing agreements, other basically utilize their services to locate jurisdictions, if somebody from outside units, to arrange leasing. The rates sought out health services here, they pay themselves are established in

Monday, March 11, 2019 Nunavut Hansard 3243 conjunction with the union and they but I will allow this question for now. would be prorated. Sometimes a staff Minister Hickes. member might be here for three months, but they might come partway through a Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. month and leave for a period of time and Chairman. Across the entire territory come back. It’s pretty complicated to get there are 62 units. Thank you, Mr. into how exactly it’s all structured, but Chairman. the rates themselves are established in collaboration with the union. Thank you. Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Lightstone.

Chairman: Thank you, Minister Hickes. Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. Mr. Lightstone. Chairman. Thank you for the response. I’ll move on to my next topic and that’s Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. the human resource software and the Chairman. My next question is: were leave and attendance system. I was these transient staff housing units wondering if the minister may be able to included in the response to my written expand on that. I thought that was an question on GN staff housing initiative that the Department of Finance utilization? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. was working on and I would just like to hear more about it. Thank you, Mr. Chairman: Thank you. Minister Hickes. Chairman.

Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Lightstone. Chairman. I’m not sure; I would have to Minister Hickes. check. Because they are transient units, they might not have been caught up in Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. the data collection. If there was Chairman. Yes, until the human resource somebody in it, maybe it would have. If software is up and running, this is they were vacant at the time, maybe it something to keep the lights on, I guess wouldn’t have. I would have to confirm we will say. At least we’ve got some with my officials, Mr. Chairman. If the data and tracking ability to be able to member would follow up with me with report on. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. the document, we could sit down and go over it. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Lightstone.

Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Lightstone. Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. In relation to this leave and Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. attendance software, I’m not very Chairman. How many transient staff familiar with the licensing of IT housing units does the Department of software, but $450,000 seems like a Health have and how much is spent on it large amount. I would like to enquire annually? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. how the department negotiated that with the Saba company. Thank you, Mr. Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Lightstone. Chairman. Mr. Lightstone, I think you’re getting away from the principle of this bill here, Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Lightstone.

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Minister Hickes. counsellors, a lot of communities would like to work with the counsellors there. Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Has there been any co-partnership with Chairman. I don’t have that level of that community in terms of Inuit detail with me today, Mr. Chairman. My counsellors with mental health? Thank apologies. you, Mr. Chairman.

Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Lightstone. Chairman: Thank you, Ms. Towtongie. Your type of question is beyond the Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. scope of this bill, but Minister Hickes, if Chairman. Is this the same software that you want to entertain the question, the Qulliq Energy Corporation uses for please do so. their leave and attendance system? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I will. With the counsellors Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Lightstone. that come out of Clyde River from the Minister Hickes. Ilisaqsivik Society, we have been utilizing them across the territory, Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. especially in this region, but we have Chairman. I looked upon my wall of been partnering up with our mobile advisors there and nobody knows. Thank trauma response team. you, Mr. Chairman. In a perfect world, I would like to see an Chairman: Thank you. Ms. Towtongie. Inuk counsellor in every community working with the clinical counselling so Ms. Towtongie: Thank you, Mr. that they can share each other’s skills. I Chairman. (interpretation) To my left, think, when you’ve got a holistically the Member for Uqqummiut, spoke trained counsellor with a clinically about having mental health specialists trained counsellor working conjunction who have a different culture and together, you’re going to see a lot more lifestyle. Communities are starting to success. I will leave it at that, Mr. request the Clyde River counsellors. Chairman. Thank you. (interpretation ends) My question is… . A lot of communities, with regard to Chairman: Thank you, Minister Hickes. mental health and operations and Health. Operations and Maintenance. maintenance of the Clyde River Total Department. Not Previously counsellors, we’re talking about $9 Authorized. $40 million. Agreed? million for nurses, agency nurses, $48 million, and standby pay, $83 million. Some Members: Agreed.

Instead of mental health, I think a lot of Chairman: Thank you. Go back to page Inuit have gone through trauma after 2. Supplementary Appropriation trauma. We’re dealing with mental (Operations and Maintenance) No. 1, health by professionals that do not have 2018-2019. Schedule 1. Operations and our culture, our language, and I’m Maintenance. Operations and wondering with the Clyde River Maintenance Appropriation.

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$46,665,000. Agreed? Some Members: Agreed.

Some Members: Agreed. Chairman: Thank you. Do members agree to Bill 18 as a whole? Chairman: Thank you. Members, go to Bill 18 in your legislative binder. Some Members: Agreed.

Thank you. Bill 18, Supplementary Chairman: Thank you. Do members Appropriation (Operations and agree, pursuant to Rule 62(2), that Bill Maintenance) Act, No. 1, 2018-2019. 18 can be placed on the orders of the day Clause 1. Agreed? for third reading? Agreed?

Some Members: Agreed. Some Members: Agreed.

Chairman: Clause 2. Agreed? Chairman: Minister Hickes, do you have any closing comments? Please go Some Members: Agreed. ahead.

Chairman: Clause 3. Agreed? Hon. George Hickes: I’ll keep it very short, Mr. Chairman and members. I Some Members: Agreed. appreciate all the assistance in these.

Chairman: Go to the Schedule on page I would also like to thank my wall of 2. Schedule. Supplementary Amounts advisors, as I called them moments ago, Appropriated for the Fiscal Year March on keeping myself and Mr. Chown 31, 2019. Vote 1: Operations and educated so that he was able to assist me Maintenance. Total Appropriation. where I didn’t have the detailed $46,665,000. Agreed? response. I’m sure officials are keeping track of some of the responses that I Some Members: Agreed. gave where I did commit to the member from Iqaluit-Manirajak. I look forward Chairman: Thank you. Clause 4. to sitting down with you with the written Agreed? response and seeing how we capture that data. Some Members: Agreed. I would like to thank members for their Chairman: Clause 5. Agreed? diligence, and I’m hoping that next year, if I’m sitting at this table with a Some Members: Agreed. supplementary appropriation, it’s nowhere near this number. Thank you, Chairman: Clause 6. Agreed? Mr. Chairman.

Some Members: Agreed. Chairman: Thank you, Minister Hickes. On behalf of the committee, I thank you Chairman: Is everybody falling asleep? and your staff for being here today to Clause 7. Agreed? answer the questions from members.

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With that, Sergeant-at-Arms, if you Item 21: Third Reading of Bills could please escort the witnesses out. What is the wish of the committee? Mr. Bill 15 – Appropriation (Operations & Akoak. Maintenance) Act, 2019-2020 – Third Reading Mr. Akoak: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move a motion to report progress. Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Speaker. I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Arviat South, that Bill 15, Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Akoak. We Appropriation (Operations and have a motion on the floor to report Maintenance) Act, 2019-2020, be read progress and the motion is not debatable. for the third time. Thank you, Mr. All those in favour of the motion. Thank Speaker. you. Opposed. The motion is carried. I will now rise to report progress to the Deputy Speaker (interpretation): Thank Speaker. you very much. (interpretation ends) The motion is in order. All those in favour, Deputy Speaker (interpretation): Report (interpretation) please raise your hand. of the Committee of the Whole. Mr. (interpretation ends) The motion is Rumbolt. carried and the bill is ready for… .

Item 20: Report of the Committee of (interpretation) Third Reading of Bills. the Whole Minister Hickes.

Mr. Rumbolt: Thank you, Mr. New Hon. George Hickes: Thank you again, Speaker, for now. Mr. Speaker, your Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the committee has been considering Bills 15, Hon. Member for Arviat South, that the 16, 17, and 18 and would like to report following bills, Bill 16, Supplementary progress. I would also like to report that Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 3, Bills 15, 16, 17, and 18 are immediately 2018-2019; Bill 17, Supplementary ready for third reading. Mr. Speaker, I Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 1, move that the Report of the Committee 2019-2020; Bill 18, Supplementary of the Whole be agreed to. Thank you, Appropriation (Operations and Mr. Speaker. Maintenance) Act, No. 1, 2019, be read for the third time. Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker (interpretation): Thank Speaker. you very much, Mr. Rumbolt. (interpretation ends) There is a motion Deputy Speaker (interpretation): Third on the floor. Is there a seconder? Mr. Reading of Bills. Minister Hickes. Kusugak. The motion is in order. All those in favour. All those opposed. The Bill 16 – Supplementary motion is carried. Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 3, 2018-2019 – Third Reading (interpretation) Third Reading of Bills. (interpretation ends) Minister of Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Finance, Mr. Hickes. Chairman. My apologies; I was

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following the wrong script, apparently. Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the Hon. Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Member for Arviat South, that Bill 18, Hon. Member for Arviat South, that Bill Supplementary Appropriation 16, Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, No. (Capital) Act, No. 3, 2018-2019, be read 1, 2018-2019, be read for the third time. for the third time. Thank you, Mr. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker. Deputy Speaker (interpretation): Thank Deputy Speaker (interpretation): Bill you very much. (interpretation ends) The 16. (interpretation ends) The motion is in motion is in order. All those in favour. order. All those in favour. Opposed. Opposed. The motion is carried and Bill 18 is ready for assent. >>Laughter Speaker’s Statement The motion is carried and the bill is ready for assent. (interpretation) Before I call for the Orders of the Day, I wish to take this (interpretation) Third Reading of Bills. opportunity to note that today marks Minister Hickes. another milestone in our legislature’s journey. Bill 17 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. (interpretation ends) Before I call for the 1, 2019-2020 – Third Reading Orders of the Day, I wish to take this opportunity to note that today marks Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. another milestone in our legislature’s Speaker. I move, seconded by the Hon. journey. Member for Arviat South, that Bill 17, Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) (interpretation) Although it has been a Act, No. 1, 2019-2020, be read for the long winter sitting and although we still third time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. have one more day to go, I am very pleased to note that today was the 750th Deputy Speaker (interpretation): Thank formal sitting day since April 1, 1999. you very much. The motion is in order. All those in favour. All those opposed. >>Applause The motion is carried. Bill 17 (interpretation ends) is ready for assent. (interpretation ends) Who knows how many of us will still be here when we (interpretation) Third Reading of Bills. reach the 1,000th! Minister Hickes. >>Laughter Bill 18 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & An Hon. Member: John Quirke. Maintenance) Act, No. 1, 2018- 2019 – Third Reading >>Laughter

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Deputy Speaker (interpretation): Item Matters 22. Orders of the Day. (interpretation • ends) Mr. Clerk. Bill 13 • Bill 20 Item 22: Orders of the Day • Bill 21 Clerk (Mr. Quirke): Thank you, Mr. 20. Report of the Committee of the Speaker. Orders of the Day for March 12: Whole 21. Third Reading of Bills 1. Prayer 22. Orders of the Day 2. Ministers’ Statements Thank you. 3. Members’ Statements 4. Returns to Oral Questions >>Applause

5. Recognition of Visitors in the Deputy Speaker (interpretation): Thank Gallery you very much. (interpretation ends) In accordance with the authority provided 6. Oral Questions to me by Motion 17 – 5(2), this House 7. Written Questions stands adjourned until Tuesday, March 12, at 10:00 a.m. 8. Returns to Written Questions 9. Replies to Opening Address (interpretation) Sergeant-at-Arms.

10. Petitions >>House adjourned at 20:46 11. Responses to Petitions 12. Reports of Standing and Special Committees on Bills and Other Matters 13. Tabling of Documents 14. Notices of Motions 15. Notices of Motions for First Reading of Bills 16. Motions 17. First Reading of Bills 18. Second Reading of Bills 19. Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other