EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
If the DEAs apply, we can review the requests.
For example, in Cape Dorset there’s a special needs bus.
The DEAs can request a special needs bus.
In regard to the question I just posed, even if there was just one student, would a bus be approved?
If the DEA believes it needs the bus… . How many communities have special needs buses?
I also thank you for that question, my colleague.
To date there are five communities with special needs buses, although I mentioned just one community.
In Taloyoak they have a special needs bus with 18 seats and wheelchair access.
Whale Cove also has a special needs bus, as well as Clyde River, Hall Beach, and Cape Dorset, which I mentioned before.
Those are the five communities.
In regard to your community, if there is just one student with disability and if there was a community request for a special needs bus, we can look into that.
Of course the DEAs are not doctors or nurses. How does your department approve community requests for these kinds of requirements?
If the local nurses support such a request, would that help?
If the DEAs just make an application, would you look into it or do you need a letter of support from social services or health professionals such as nurses and doctors? Would it be easier for the community to be allocated a special needs bus?
I’m asking these questions so that the communities will know the process.
For example, the principal would automatically know if there was a student who is on wheelchair.
That principal can encourage or tell the DEA that they have to request a special needs bus.
We expect to get requests from the DEA after the principal tells the DEA about their need.
Moving on to another topic, I believe I asked this question yesterday in regard to page G-4 in English, IT infrastructure, perhaps for computers.
Looking at the substantiation sheets, you’re requesting $800,000 every year up to 2021-22.
Why are you proposing that? Do you have any reasons? Computer systems are always upgrading.
Do we expect this to be like that forever, literally?
I know that IT infrastructure is very useful in the schools. We have over 4,000 (interpretation ends) Internet-capable devices (interpretation) in all the schools.
We know that the IT infrastructure, for example, can be used for three to five years and it depends on the computer manufacturer as well. It can go below or beyond the lifecycle. Annually many of the schools need to change their IT infrastructure depending on the level of obsolete equipment used by our schools.
Yes, it may be ongoing.
This computer-related work isn’t just for the Department of Education but for all of government as a whole.
Yes, I can agree with our requests to update computer systems.
You were absolutely correct that computer-related technology changes every year.
This is what I expect this item will be for.
The only thing that is not upgrading is my brain.
I just want to get clarification because of constant changes in computer technology.
I know that CGS has an IT policy.
You also have a policy on the disposal of replaced equipment.
As you said, there are over 4,000 Internet-capable devices. With so that many pieces of computer hardware, what do you do with them?
I believe some computers are still useful by the time they’re disposed of. Some of them are replaced just because they’re considered obsolete.
What is your process of disposing of these assets?
I do know that you have a policy on this.
It is the responsibility of CGS for the disposal of assets. We cannot dispose of our assets, so the Department of CGS takes the surplus.
Before we dispose of assets to the Department of CGS, our deputy minister signs them off.
The Department of CGS is given the assets that are to be disposed of and they would consult with our department if we have any assets that are surplus.
CGS does the disposal, not our department, whether it is computers or other assets.
Mr. Chairman, if you and the minister can agree, I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Community and Government Services. Who receives the surplus computers once they’re handed over?
Hon. Paul Quassa (interpretation): I don’t mind at all in referring my colleague’s question to the Minister of Community and Government Services.
Maybe he will give you a better response.
Mr. Savikataaq, are you prepared to answer the question? Mr. Savikataaq.
Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Savikataaq, answer the question, please.
We do dispose of electronic and computer surplus from the departments.
I made a Minister’s Statement earlier that we have been shipping many old computers and bulk paper down with arrangements with Canadian North.
When we receive any computer from any department, the first thing we do is clean all the data off it because there are security issues. That’s the very first thing we do.
When a computer is surplused to CGS from any department, we go through it thoroughly and clean it and make sure there is no data, and then we dispose of it.
We ship some down south and I believe there might be a program where we can give computers out to organizations and non-profit agencies that want computers.
I assure the member that before any computer leaves CGS, it is wiped clean of any government data.
I also thank you and Minister Quassa for allowing me to use that procedure so that Minister Savikataaq could respond.
I would like to ask this question about the computers in schools, the computers which are still operational but are determined to be obsolete by CGS.
Minister Savikataaq indicated that there are non-profit organizations that can use these outdated computers.
How would they learn about these available computers?
How would the communities or groups be made aware of the available computer hardware?
To this point, as I indicated earlier, there are 4,000 Internet-capable devices that will be surplused by schools.
For example, Iqaluit, Whale Cove, and Pangnirtung have identified that they want to dispose items. As I indicated earlier, they are given to Community and Government Services and then that department makes the decision of how they’re going to dispose of those assets or where they go.
We’re not only talking about the desktop computers; we’re also talking about printers, mice, mouse... . I don’t know what they’re called in Inuktitut, the physical little mouse.
Those are the types of equipment that we’re talking about.
They’re usually handed over to CGS and then they’re the ones that dispose of those assets. Anything that is Internet-capable, chairs, and any other assets are given to CGS.
It’s their responsibility to dispose of surplus assets.
I also thank the minister. I’ll get more information from Community and Government Services.
Moving on to another subject, Minister Quassa, you received a letter from our committee dated October 20.
I now have a copy and thank you.
I have one question and possibly it’s very easy to respond to it, but it’s on page 3, if you have a copy of that letter.
Mr. Chairman, I don’t believe I got an Inuktitut copy and if I did, I didn’t see it.
At the top paragraph under small capital, it says it’s for unexpected items or emergency purposes. Mr. Chairman, I apologize if you don’t understand as I’m translating what I’m reading.
For 2017-18 small capital projects, it includes Kitikmeot, Kivalliq, and Qikiqtani and it has all the contents in there, only some of which I am saying out loud.
Why is it that there are no monies identified for each item? It indicates particular projects in the regions, but there are no monies identified.
I would like to know why the funds for each item are not there.
There’s no number at this point because once again we have to talk with Community and Government Services to identify a number.
We’re going to have to work with Community and Government Services to identify a number and that’s under the minor capital budget. We don’t have any concrete numbers at this time, so it’s not identified.
I’m not sure who to address for the last time, but the public out there is listening to us.
A playground was constructed in our community last spring, which parents were pleased about.
It has enabled children to have a place to go this past summer or when it’s windy and so the playground is very much welcomed in our community.
My first question is in regard to the state of our schools.
In Gjoa Haven, I’m not sure for how many years, but the school has been under renovation.
There’s $57 million that will be expended for this school in Gjoa Haven.
Wouldn’t it be better to build a new school entirely?
I hope my question was clear, Mr. Chairman.
I believe he’s talking about Gjoa Haven or maybe I misunderstood.
I do apologize, Mr. Chairman. I might have misunderstood it, but I would like the member to rephrase his question.
Please clarify your question, Mr. Qirngnuq.
In Gjoa Haven I think it has been a number of years that they have been renovating a school and it costs approximately $57 million to renovate that school. Wouldn’t it be better to construct a new school entirely instead of renovating a school for such a large amount?
In Gjoa Haven, if we can remember or recall, there are two schools that are referred to when we look at the $57 million for renovating. It was set as a multi-year project. There’s one school that was renovated.
Once that was completed, we renovated the other one.
We’re talking about the renovation of two schools and it’s a multi-year project.
It’s the high school and elementary school. It started in 2006 and it’s a multi-year project. The renovations have now been completed for both schools in Gjoa Heaven.
We’re talking about two schools.
I will ask my next question in English so that you can understand me the first time.
(interpretation ends) Information provided with the 2014-15 draft capital estimates in the Department of Community Government Services’ preplanning section under its initiation envelope funding included projects in Resolute Bay, Iqaluit’s French school, and Taloyoak. None of these projects have appeared on the five-year capital plan.
What is the status of those projects?
For 2017-18 we have identified preplanning priorities including, for example, the projects he just mentioned.
Arctic Bay, Iqaluit, Kugaaruk, and Taloyoak are being considered.
We still don’t have the numbers for those projects.
For 2017-18 Taloyoak was identified to put in an expansion to the school.
Right now Coral Harbour is in the preplanning stages.
We believe the business case should be completed by April 2017.
I hope I responded properly to the member, Mr. Chairman.
Yes, it is much clearer now.
Has the minister or our government considered expansion or upgrades to the schools?
Hopefully I was clear in my question.
I’m not sure which schools he’s talking about; I think it’s in his community.
Is the member asking about the projects we have identified or which projects should be added?
The projects we have identified such as for upgrades or for expansion are currently being reviewed.
I’m not sure which community he’s talking about or if it’s in his community.
If I misunderstood his question, he can restate it.
There are probably renovations or additions needed in any community and that’s what I’m trying to ask about.
We’re mainly looking at two communities, Taloyoak and Coral Harbour.
Those are the two communities we’re considering at this point.
Thanks for letting me ask questions again. I have just two or three questions.
The first one is, and I don’t know if this has been asked already: have any specific small capital projects been identified for 2017-18 and, if so, what are they and what will they cost?
Chairman (interpretation): He already responded to that question, but perhaps he can answer it again.
My response will be, for 2017-18, we have identified and the Department of Community and Government Services will be looking at the following:
In the Kitikmeot, in Taloyoak the Netsilik School oil tank replacement.
In the Kivalliq, the chairlift has to be replaced in Rankin Inlet at the Maani Ulujuk School.
In Baker Lake the Rachel school needs to be replaced and the middle school in Arviat.
Those are in the Kivalliq communities. In Rankin Inlet the exterior light needs to be replaced.
In the Baffin region, in Clyde River the outside door needs to be replaced. In Iqaluit at the Nakasuk School the chairlift needs to be replaced. In Hall Beach, Igloolik, Sanikiluaq, and Pangnirtung the mechanical controls for the boilers need to be replaced.
Those are the 2017-18 minor capital projects.
The one in Baker Lake is the Rachel Arngnammaktiq Elementary School.
The reason I ask when carpeting becomes damaged enough to replace is because, I think, over in Gjoa Haven at the elementary school there have been a few times in the past that the pipes burst and the carpet becomes damaged.
When do they become damaged enough so that you would have to replace them?
Those are under another line item under lifecycle. The budget would not be minor capital. It’s more under lifecycle replacement for the carpets.
I’m not sure exactly which community he is talking about.
Mr. Akoak: Okay, it would go under lifecycle renewal then.
$5 million in funding was allocated for lifecycle repairs in 2016-17. What I mentioned, over in the Gjoa Haven elementary school, the carpet has been wet a few times. Can that be put under that program?
As I stated earlier, it would be under lifecycle renewal and the budget would come from there.
We will be able to take a look at that again and I don’t think we had any requests from the school.
I’m not sure, but we can take a look at it again.
I can keep the Member for Gjoa Haven informed on the status and thank you for informing us about that.
Yes, there have been a few times that the pipe burst at the elementary school there. It would nice if you would look into it.
Mr. Alexander Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) Depending on the minister’s answer, I’ve got only one question.
When a community or school requests a renovation, what’s the procedure or process of making a request for renovation?
I have previously spoken to the issue of (interpretation ends) preplanning (interpretation) and determining its implementation.
That is the process with respect to the member’s question.
This preplanning process would identify the matter the member is asking about.
I assume he will go on to another question.
Going on to my other question now, I guess, has your department ever received a request for renovation at the Simon Alaittuq School in Rankin Inlet?
Actually at this point in time the request for renovation is being reviewed for SAS, as we call it, or Simon Alaittuq School.
If my colleague recalls the issues with the school, the foundation is shifting and it became noticeable as some of the classrooms were shifting around.
Renovations are currently being conducted on the Simon Alaittuq School in Rankin Inlet.
He states that they are working on it. (interpretation ends) It must be invisible if contractors are doing the work because I haven’t seen any construction being done at Simon Alaittuq School. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I’m not sure how to describe it in Inuktitut, perhaps it’s like there’s a rip in it, no.
Depending on how a building’s foundation starts to shift, moving the building to another site is being considered.
It may not be visible from the outside.
Yes, they should be working on it now.
I haven’t gone to see it personally.
Nevertheless, it has to be fixed and is in the process of having the cracks inside the building repaired.
It has come to my attention that the Simon Alaittuq School has been requesting for a number of years to get the school gym repaired.
To date they haven’t had a yes or no or any kind of an answer.
Would the minister direct his officials to look into that issue and get back to me on that issue?
We haven’t seen any request in writing to make those repairs nor have we received such a request from the district education authority.
I’ll get back to him on what might be done from the DEA side.
I have no more list on my names.
Total Capital Expenditures. $34,990,000. Agreed?
Education. Detail of Expenditures. Total Capital Expenditures. $34,990,000.
Chairman: Do members agree that we have concluded the Department of Education?
Do you have closing comments? Minister Quassa.
I just want to thank my colleagues.
There’s no question now that we can resume the work being done on the projects this upcoming fiscal year.
I also would like to thank my officials for always working hard in preparing the plans for these projects.
I am always proud of their tremendous knowledge in all things about education, whether it is assets or students. I thank them.
I look forward to the approved projects being done within the next fiscal year.
We will take a five-minute break before we review another department.
>>Committee recessed at 17:00 and resumed at 17:08
Bill 24 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2017-2018 – Nunavut Arctic College – Consideration in Committee
Chairman: I will call the meeting to order.
I would now like to ask the Minister responsible for Nunavut Arctic College if he has officials that he would like to appear before the committee.
To my right is Joe Adla Kunuk, President of Nunavut Arctic College, and to my left is Richard Paton, Manager of Capital Projects.
You can now proceed with your opening comments, Minister Quassa.
Good day, Mr. Chairman and my colleagues.
I am pleased to present to members today Nunavut Arctic College’s 2017-18 capital budget.
The college’s capital budget request for 2017-18 is $10,250,000, which encompasses one capital project and budgets for ongoing lifecycle and minor capital projects.
The Iqaluit Community Learning Centre/Campus is the sole capital project identified for 2017-18.
This capital project would see a considerable expansion of program space by building a new facility and renovating the existing Nunatta Campus to meet current and future program needs.
The new building will provide additional space for students and staff.
The new building will include enough space to accommodate over 250 students and approximately 37 staff.
It would create space for the community learning centre and for the development of the Centre of Excellence for Language and Culture at Nunatta Campus.
Nunavut Arctic College has successfully negotiated an agreement with the federal government in the amount of $10,744,000 and is actively seeking additional third party funding to minimize the impact on the Government of Nunavut related to this capital project.
For your information I’ll be speaking in English.
(interpretation ends) The college is pleased that the annual budget for ongoing lifecycle will continue to be $1 million in 2017-18 so that the college can continue to address its accumulated deferred lifecycle maintenance deficit.
The Government of Nunavut’s proposed five-year 2018-2022 capital plan has planned increases so that the annual ongoing lifecycle budget will reach $2 million.
Under the current plans for small capital, the college needs to continually address access to smart technology, including videoconferencing, broadband, SMART boards, and programming to be able to utilize the college’s information technology infrastructure to facilitate learning opportunities for students and communities.
As the college continues to assess the state of its facilities and make the necessary ongoing lifecycle investments and to build new incremental facilities, the college will be in an even better position to support the Government of Nunavut’s efforts aimed at post-secondary education.
(interpretation) Mr. Speaker, this concludes my opening comments. I would be pleased to answer questions from members.
Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to provide opening comments on behalf of the Standing Committee on Government Estimates and Operations as the Committee of the Whole begins its consideration of the proposed 2017-18 Capital Estimates for Nunavut Arctic College.
Mr. Chairman, Nunavut Arctic College’s proposed capital budget for 2017-18 is over $10 million, which will be allocated to one community-specific project as well as towards two minor capital projects for addressing upgrades and renovations to current facilities and small equipment needs.
Mr. Chairman, the status of Nunavut Arctic College’s Nunatta Campus in Iqaluit has been a concern with the North 40 campus building, also known as the Ukiivik Old Residence, becoming unserviceable as a result of a fire at the facility.
The standing committee notes that the current plan is to build a new campus building in Iqaluit, including a community learning centre.
It is further noted that the college will receive matched funding from the federal government’s Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investments Fund and will be undertaking a fundraising campaign to access additional funding contributions from the private sector and others towards the completion of this project.
Mr. Chairman, the standing committee notes that the college’s 2018-2022 five-year capital plan includes a mine training facility in Cambridge Bay in future years, although no funds are allocated for 2017-18.
This is part of an ongoing multiphase project for the Kitikmeot Nunavut Arctic College Campus which first appeared in the 2010-11 capital plan.
While committee members recognize that mine training is an ongoing need across Nunavut, it was noted that the Kivalliq trades training facility in Rankin Inlet already provides a number of training programs related to mining operations.
The committee would appreciate receiving further information regarding what programs will be offered at the new Kitikmeot facility and how this will impact course delivery options at the Kivalliq facility in Rankin Inlet. It has also been suggested that a number of individual communities would benefit from mine training infrastructure and programming in order to provide greater opportunity for local employment.
Mr. Chairman, that concludes my opening comments on the proposed 2017-18 Capital Estimates of Nunavut Arctic College.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you very much. (interpretation ends) The floor is now open for general comments. I have no members on my list for general comments.
We will now proceed to the page-by-page review of the departmental estimates starting on page M-3.
Nunavut Arctic College. Headquarters.
I’m trying to find M-3.
The first comment I do want to make is actually on your opening comments. You actually have 2016-17 capital estimates as the front part.
Maybe that was last year’s; it should be 2017-18.
Anyways I think this is an oversight.
When you talk about the capital project of the Nunatta Campus, the new building, is that going to have a daycare in that building?
The one that is going to be built in Iqaluit will not have a daycare.
Ms. Angnakak: Could we ask questions on M-4 as well?
I just wanted to check.
There are going to be approximately 37 staff for this new addition. Is that new staff or is that existing staff?
Yes, some are new and others are existing staff.
It’s a combination of both new positions and existing positions.
To add further to your first question, at this time we already have an existing daycare at Arctic College.
Well, you have a policy that if you build a new facility, it will include a daycare and that’s why I asked the question.
You indicated that some are existing positions and others are new positions.
Can you indicate how many are new positions?
The minister indicated earlier that there is already a daycare at the college.
I doubt I can provide an actual response on this issue as to which ones will be new and how many.
What I can speak to here is, as we stated, the new building can hold 250 students.
(interpretation ends) The Centre of Excellence for Language and Culture (interpretation) would be an important part of it. I know that there are going to be different programs that will be offered at that facility, but I can’t give you an exact figure at this time.
Once we have that information, we can provide it to you. I can’t tell you exactly which positions are new.
Again it indicates in your opening comments that you have received $10.7 million from the federal government and you are “actively seeking additional third party funding...” What will happen to this project if you can’t access additional third party funding?