EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
So, it is just a brief thing and I just want to clarify what my colleague is saying that not everyone is academically inclined.
I am not at all indicating that that person is not smart or stupid.
Those individuals just have different strengths and different skills and are just as smart as anyone else.
I have got people calling me to say some of the smartest people they know have little or no education.
You know, we have to have a system that is adaptable to identify and capitalize on the strengths of the people who are within that system and I think that is what I really point out in that comment.
The other thing that I forgot to mention, I cannot believe that I forgot to mention it.
Identifying problems within the system and there is something that I have spoken on a number of times in this House in the past is, look at assessment testing.
If we do not know how, in the system that we use is the Alberta system.
Granted, not all of the students take the Alberta system, but for those that go through the English first language program and as the Minister had indicated in this House it is the Alberta tests that they take and have to pass.
Well, let us use that test, and then, for example, in the college are they prepared to provide it and do it for free?
It would have been no cost at all to our cash crop Department of Education or the Government.
You know and why not, it is maybe, we should not have to be worried about the results, you know, that they are not going to be exactly what we want them to be.
But at least, you know the kinds of arguments made for it, well, this is not appropriate, that is not appropriate for this reason or that reason.
But at least it gives us an indication as to where we are and like I said, we have to do that, so we know where we are at.
And that is in certain segments throughout our system, it is the Alberta system, it follows right from Kindergarten to Grade 12.
And so those are tests or no tests, it is, Mr. Chairman, they are just to assess basic mathematics skills and math is numbers, it does not matter what language you are speaking and basic language arts or basic language arts skills, reading and writing skills.
So I think, even though an argument can be made that this is not going to give us the results we want because of different factors, but at least it gives us an indication.
And I think we should not be afraid to do that.
Like I said, by hiding and by not facing and looking at it, we’re not acknowledging that that problem is there.
Those results can be used as a management tool by the department to help identify, the results aren’t what we want here, they’re at this level, some of them may be higher, I don’t know, but if they’re not, how come, what could be causing that.
And be able to hopefully break down an area where we could identify where some of these problems are and then try to tackle and solve them instead of just trying to go out there now and without really knowing, we’re just trying to go out and do everything we can that we have the money to deal with.
I think that those kinds of results could help target more effectively the resources, the scarce resources that the department has.
Chairperson (interpretation): I have no one on my list at this point.
Are there any further general comments?
Minister Kilabuk, do you have any comments?
Just before we go on to the question period, I wanted to clarify something Mr. Chairman, if it’s alright with you, I’d like to clarify a couple of things.
I don’t have anyone else on my list for general comments. You can go ahead.
I would like to clarify a couple of things.
We know that we’ve heard comments within the last couple of years from the parents that they have a concern why their students or their children couldn’t enter the university level, post secondary education.
They were questioning why the students didn’t have enough credits to attend university.
Mr. Chairman, you heard in the House when there was a question raised, sometimes the students are graduating grade 12 without acquiring the required credits; that is not true.
The students who finish grade 12 finish everything that they need to learn in high school.
It’s up to the student, after they graduate from high school, there are different courses that they can take in school and the credits that they need are up to 100 percent.
They require the necessary credits to attend university.
When the student decides which subject to take in university, if they don’t have those credits for that particular program that they want to take, that’s why they are not able to attend if they don’t have the credits.
And if they’re going to be going to university, or college, the subjects that they decide might be the area where they don’t have the credit, the high school graduation diplomas that they receive is up to academic standards.
Although they have finished grade 12 in high school, the subjects that they take in university might not have the necessary credits to attend the university.
The Department of Education is open to everything.
It was mentioned that we are keeping things from the public.
That is not the case at all.
We’re very open to the general public and we have worked with our staff and different organizations and interest groups in education and I just want to clarify that we’re not hiding anything.
We’re keeping everything out in the open.
Perhaps we’ll take a ten minute break.
>>Committee recessed at 17:30 p.m. and resumed at 17:45 p.m.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you. We have a quorum.
Back to where we left off on 9-5, Directorate and Main Estimates.
Main Estimates, 2003-2004.
We are trying to use the page numbers. 9-5, Education Branch Summary.
Education Branch Summary Directorate.
Page 9-5, Total Operations and Maintenance, $886,000, agreed?
Mr. Nutarak (interpretation): On the top, Compensation and Benefits, it has increased since last year, where and why did it increase?
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you, Nutarak.
The increase this year from last year is $720,000. That increase is in the area of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit inclusion.
Okay, 9-5, Total Operations and Maintenance, $886,000, Havioyak.
If you could stop me if I am saying something different from this area in Directorate.
I talked about it earlier; maybe it is someplace else, maybe in Policy Budgets, two different Policies that might be mentioned here.
I will just read the line here.
Minister’s mandate includes Legislative Planning the development of Legislation Policy, and we have another Policy and Planning on this side.
I am not sure which one to ask, but I just want to ask here about the policies that you have and an agreement with the McGill University.
I am not sure where to ask it.
I talked about an agreement in the three year period, that I have to wait three years to reapply.
I am just wondering why this is I know last year I asked why is it this way?
Can we to renegotiate this area?
Can you update me on that, if it is in this area that is, you can correct me again if it is someplace else here.
It is not here within this Directorate, but it is under the criteria for attending post-secondary education.
So, we can get into that as we reach the figures listed in the main estimates.
Mr. Havioyak: Where did you say that it was, point this out please?
We will give this to the Association of Universities perhaps but I will outline the specific provision later on.
We will write a letter outlining this issue to McGill University.
What I mean is, we have written them about this matter and have relayed our intent to review this agreement.
Mr. Anawak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
The Minister stated that there is an increase of 116 thousand dollars in the compensation and benefits area.
He stated too that it is for inclusion of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit.
Is it just in his departmental headquarters or is this for all of Nunavut or outside of that?
I would appreciate some clarification.
It’s to do with our department here in Iqaluit in respect to the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit.
It’s within the department.
Mr. Chairman, in the department’s business plan and I’m not going to ask a question on that but there is all kinds of information on the overview of the education levels, more people out there have more education now then they did over 10 years ago or whatever.
Enrolment rates and high school graduation rates and things like that, but there is absolutely no mention or reference at all in there to the assessment of students, assessment of teachers or programs and this record is in the strategic planning and development area, it talks about objectives and standards of all the programs and services that the Minister is responsible for.
I’m just wondering if the Minister could let us know what efforts are being done in the areas of assessment.
To the Member’s question about assessments and reviewing our practices.
I could give him a little bit of information on what the practices are.
The grade 12 testing that we do and we pick out some students at random and do testing on them in our work environment but it’s just random testing.
We have worked with someone here in Iqaluit to deal with resolving these issues. We had a meeting with certain individuals and we have had to work together on the testing procedures to be used and how we’re going to do a testing procedure.
We’re not refusing assessment testing but we just want to know the purpose of this testing and whether to use the same testing procedures throughout Nunavut.
Mr. Nutarak (interpretation): Mr. Chairman, I move that we report progress.
The motion is carried and is not debatable.
Chairperson (interpretation): Mr. Speaker, your Committee has been considering Bill 24, Bill 30 and would like to report that Bill 24 is ready for third reading.
I move that the report of the Committee of the Whole be concurred with.
Item 23. Orders of the Day. Mr. Quirke.
Orders of the Day for Friday, March 14th:
Minister’s Statement 126 - 1(6)
This House stands adjourned until Friday, March 14th, 10:00 a.m.
>>House adjourned at 17:59 p.m.  Nunavut Canada
Friday March 14, 2003
Pages 2685 - 2727
Opening Prayer 2685
Ministers’ Statements 2685
Members’ Statements 2687
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 2692
Oral Questions 2692
Ruled Out of Order 2709
Revert to Item 5: Recognition of Visitors to the Gallery 2711
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 2712
Report of Committee of the Whole 2725
Order of the Day 2725
Friday March 14, 2003 2685
128 – 1(6): Laura Ulluriaq Gauthier Scholarship – 2002/03 (Picco) 2685
129 – 1(6): Workshop on “Best Practices in Suicide Prevention and the Evaluation of Suicide Prevention Programs in the Arctic” (Okalik) 2686
421 – 1(6): Wind Direction of Flags (Nutarak) 2687
422 – 1(6): Kugluktuk Residents 65th Wedding Anniversary (Havioyak) 2687
423 – 1(6): Childhood Recollections (Iqaqrialu) 2688
424 – 1(6): HTO Assistance for Operations and Maintenance (Alakannuark) 2689
425 – 1(6): Open and Accountable Government for the Inuit of Nunavut (Anawak) 2689
426 – 1(6): Going Home Today (Irtqittuq) 2690
427 – 1(6): Long Term Care Facility for Rankin Inlet (Thompson) 2690
428 – 1(6): Space Shuttle Disaster (Picco) 2691
418 – 1(6): Treating and Referring Igloolik Patients (Irqittuq) 2692
419 – 1(6): Decision to Move PPD Position to Baker Lake (Anawak) 2695
420 – 1(6): Street Lights – Responsible for Payments (Iqaqrialu) 2698
421 – 1(6): Utilize Outpost Camps for Young Offenders (Havioyak) 2700
422 – 1(6): Consider Baker Lake for a Small Detox/Rehab Centre (McLean) 2703
423 – 1(6): Increase HTO Funding (Alakannuark) 2707
424 – 1(6): Barriers between Human Resources (Nutarak) 2709
425 – 1(6): Authority of Community Justice Committees (Anawak) 2709
Speaker (Mr. O’Brien): I will say the opening prayer this morning.
Speaker: Before we start today, I know at times there are Members on both sides who have meetings prior to the House sitting and rush trying to get in here.
I would ask that you be a little more considerate when the Mace is coming in and not block the Mace carrier, the Sergeant-at-Arms.
And Mr. Picco, you are a regular offender in that area so I would ask you to be careful so that we don’t have to trip over you or give you a hip check to get you out of the way.
Minister’s Statement 128 – 1(6): Laura Ulluriaq Gauthier Scholarship – 2002/03
Mr. Speaker, first of all, I would like to say that I do understand the auspices of the Mace and respect the declaration that the Mace deserves and I apologize to you Mr. Speaker, and the Sergeant-at-Arms if I have interfered with the procession of the daily entrances of yourself and your staff for the opening of the assembly and I will try to make sure that I am not blocking the entrance way to the immediate left of the table.
I beg your indulgence on those occurrences and to the Members of the House.
Mr. Speaker, today is a very good day.
Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to announce today on behalf of the Nunavut Power Corporation the award of the 2002/2003 Laura Gauthier scholarship.
This year’s scholarship is awarded to three individuals from Nunavut who are studying in the south.
Janine Kalluq from Arviat
Jenine Bodner of Qamanittuaq
Fauna Kingdon of Iqaluit
Mr. Speaker as you will remember, the Laura Ulluriaq Gauthier scholarship was established by the Power Corporation in memory of Laura Gauthier’s significant contribution in the creation of Nunavut Power Corporation and is awarded annually to eligible applicants.
Mr. Speaker, this year’s recipients were selected by an independent group of volunteers and were chosen for their volunteer and leadership contributions to their communities, academic performance, career goals, and role model qualities.
They represent the best of Nunavut youth today and Nunavut Power is proud to help these young people continue their studies to endure and enrich Nunavut as we move forward in the years to come.
Minister’s Statement 129 – 1(6): Workshop on “Best Practices in Suicide Prevention and the Evaluation of Suicide Prevention Programs in the Arctic”
Mr. Speaker, all of the regions of the Inuit homelands share common suicide profile – a very high rate of suicide among young men and women.
The commonality of this “Inuit suicide profile” from Greenland across Arctic Canada and into Alaska would seem to indicate that Inuit across the Arctic have suffered similar types of stress.
(interpretation ends) For this reason, Mr. Speaker, my department has brought together suicide prevention specialists from Greenland, Nunavik, the Northwest Territories and Alaska to meet with their counterparts here in Nunavut to learn from each others experiences, to discuss how we can evaluate different types of suicide prevention programs to determine whether they are effective in reducing suicide, and to build a network of suicide prevention specialists across Inuit homelands.
This workshop is being held here in Iqaluit today and tomorrow, and the Honourable Ed. Picco will address the workshop participants this afternoon to encourage cooperation between all circumpolar regions.
We urgently need to learn from each other the kinds of suicide prevention measures that have been employed in other parts of the Arctic, and whether or not they have been found to be effective.
Suicide prevention programs must be imbedded in a larger body of mental health programs.
Nunavummiut require both regular access to mental health professionals and a range of programs that support good mental health in our communities and in particular among young people.
(interpretation) Mr. Speaker, this workshop is precisely the kind of circumpolar cooperation that the Government of Nunavut is eager to foster and support cooperation in which we share experiences, learn from each other, and build lasting networks that will support all of us in the years to come.
It is though practical, solution oriented efforts such as this workshop that we can cooperate to build a better future for us all and of course our children.
Speaker: Ministers’ Statements. Are there any further Ministers’ Statements?
If not, we’ll move onto Item 3.
Member’s Statement 421 – 1(6): Wind Direction of Flags
Since today is Friday, we usually mention something that is funny.
The weather is sometimes windy and this is normal. But usually after a big blow, the weather becomes nice and clear.
As Inuit, we don’t enjoy being outside during the strong winds but on the other hand; the flag seems to dance outside trying to get attention.
There are two types of people, one with feelings and one without.
The flags are like that literally.
Inuit are happy when the flags relax as this means that the weather is calm, but the flags seem saddened and I wanted to talk about the difference between these opposites.
I wanted to make that statement in the House.
Member’s Statement 422 – 1(6): Kugluktuk Residents 65th Wedding Anniversary
Today I will be talking about a joyous event.
Hopefully the weather is good in Kugluktuk today.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge and congratulate two residents of Kugluktuk who have accomplished something that many of us can only hope for.
Mr. Speaker, 65 years ago today, Bobby Klengenberg and Lily Angnahiak were married in the St. Andrews Anglican church in Kugluktuk.
At the time the church was just establishing itself in the north, and several couples were married at the same ceremony.
One of the couples getting married on March 15th, 1938 was Bob and Lily.
Bob was 21 and Lily was a little younger.
Mr. Speaker, 65 years is a wonderfully long time.
This weekend Bobby and Lily’s children, Helen Klengenberg, Gloria Klengenberg, Isaac Klengenberg, Ida Kavkatoak, Stanley Klengenberg and Douglas Klengenberg will be joining their parents to celebrate this achievement.
And of course, Mr. Speaker, they will be joined by many grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.
I am sure it will be quite a celebration.
Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me and stand in congratulating to Bob and Lily Klengenberg on their 65th wedding anniversary.
Member’s Statement 423 – 1(6): Childhood Recollections
I seem to always be talking about substantive issues in this legislature.
For once, I am going to make a statement about a lighter matter.
Mr. Speaker, I wish to share a childhood reflection from my memory.
My father and I were on a dog team for a fishing trip, and the dog breath was visible due to the intense cold, with the sun shining and the weather was clear and cold.
It was not all that cold.
It was a memorable experience tagging along with my father on a dog team trip, and as we were going downhill from the lake, the qamutik was quite comfortable, what with the caribou fur on top of our supplies and the tarp which served as a windbreak.
As I was comfortably lying on the top, just watching the scenery pass by, I was chewing on a piece of frozen char.
I was just chewing on the fish without using my knife and this is quite a memorable experience that my father shared with me and it stands out clearly in my mind.
In those days, we had absolutely no worries about anything.
There was no stress as we were at home, with enough food to last the week and it felt like we were all alone on the land, our parents and the family.
It seemed like we were the only people in the Arctic, that is how isolated we were growing up in our generation.
The lifestyle was so leisurely that we did not even have to worry about choosing which clothes to wear when we woke up; unlike the multitude of choices we have today such as the formal wear that I am wearing.
I did not have a clue that I would one day be undertaking this type of complicated decision regarding just my clothing for the day like I am wearing here.
All I wore was Inuit clothing, with my caribou parka, my sealskin clothes, caribou kamiks and caribou skin covers for my feet.
I recall this quite fondly and I pass along this pleasant memory to share with my colleagues.
Members’ Statements?
Member’s Statement 424 – 1(6): HTO Assistance for Operations and Maintenance
This picture denotes a real Inuk hunter and today if you wish to see an example, you may look at this.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about hunting.
Today hunting still constitutes a major portion of our daily existence in my community of Kugaaruk.
In Nunavut, the elders want to pass along their accumulated knowledge about survival in our harsh environment.
A lot of elders enjoy going on the land, especially for overnight trips out on the land.
This week, two of my colleagues, Mr. Havioyak and Mr. Irqittuq spoke about the fact that HTO funding is inadequate in their communities for operations and maintenance.
I fully support this issue.
The HTOs represent the majority of the common Inuit in Nunavut, more so then other organizations and they look after many issues related to wildlife, Inuit culture and indeed our livelihood.
I have been informed by the Kugaaruk HTO via letter that the allocations from the territorial government are insufficient for contributing to their operations.
Mr. Speaker, the Kugaaruk HTO would like to receive further assistance for their operations, so I serve notice that I will posing questions to the appropriate Minister during question period on the matter of inadequate funding for HTOs.
Member’s Statement 425 – 1(6): Open and Accountable Government for the Inuit of Nunavut
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak to the issue that I raised in part, yesterday, but I am starting to become apprehensive about the entire decentralization process.
When we are talking about certain parts of Government, we promote open and transparent government which is accountable to and represents Inuit in Nunavut and to ensure that they deal with matters in an honest and fair manner.
However, I have been informed that some of the questions that I have raised would not be appropriate, and that I would be told to not make those comments.
If we are going to be a Government to properly represent the people out there and also to use Inuit customs, it would be inappropriate to keep secrets from the public out there.
If we are going to be open and accountable, and get reprimanded for it, it is something that I do not agree with, because of course, the beneficiaries out there and the people who wanted to create Nunavut, did not have an idea that we would have such a Government.
Today it seems that we are doing exactly the opposite of the spirit and intent used when we were creating Nunavut.
We have always stated that we would use the Inuit way.
They would be Nunavut friendly, and that we would use more Inuit customs.
If we are going to be reprimanded for making comments that are open and accountable, it is not right.
Is that the kind of Government that we are going to have?
Yesterday I did not make any comments that had anything to do with the details that were discussed when I was a Cabinet member. I only made comments on issues that were made public either through the media or by the people out there.
That is exactly what I did. I did not get into the details of the discussions that took place when I was a Cabinet member. This is something that is very important, to be accountable.
Are we going to be doing the opposite?
Member’s Statement 426 – 1(6): Going Home Today
I would like to inform the people in my riding that I will be going home today, and that I will not be able to be here on Monday.
If the people of Igloolik would like to make any comments, or to get a hold of me, they can get in touch with me on Monday.
I will be very pleased to see my family.
Member’s Statement 427 – 1(6): Long Term Care Facility for Rankin Inlet
I had put up my hand earlier in order to make a Members’ Statement.
On more than one occasion I have been told and my colleague, Ed Picco also knows about the issue that I would like to bring up.
This statement comes from elders in Rankin Inlet.
I was told to make comments on this issue in the House.
Since I have heard it more than once, as you probably know there is no long-term care facility for elders in Rankin Inlet.
There is one in Arviat, and also in Baker Lake.
We know that there are over 163 elders in Rankin Inlet.
That is a large elder population.
I just wanted to make those statements because of course this issue keeps coming up.