EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
On May 6, 2015, the federal government issued a news release announcing the ratification of the 2014-15 Canada-Nunavut General Agreement on the Promotion of French and Inuit Languages.
The news release indicated that under this agreement, the federal government would provide $2,725,000 to promote the French and Inuit languages in Nunavut.
Members look forward to receiving detailed information on how the department intends to distribute this fund within the territory.
Mr. Chairman, the Department of Culture and Heritage is responsible for the development and delivery of the government’s archaeology, archives policies, programs and services, and for providing grants and contributions to assist community-based heritage initiatives within the territory.
Mr. Chairman, the standing committee is aware that a significant number of Nunavut’s cultural artefacts are still in storage in other jurisdictions across Canada. While the standing committee recognizes that memorandums of understanding are signed to store Nunavut’s heritage artefacts, it also recognizes that millions of dollars are spent annually to finance this temporary solution.
On November 19, 2015, the governments of Manitoba and Nunavut issued a joint news release announcing the extension of their five-year memorandum of understanding. Under this memorandum, the Government of Nunavut has agreed to house thousands of pieces of fine art from Nunavut at the Winnipeg Art Gallery, which will develop special programming and educational opportunities through the display of this artwork.
According to the November 19, 2015 news release, each government will provide up to $500,000 to support the research, documentation, and exhibition of this artwork.
Members look forward to receiving ongoing updates on how the department intends to work with the Winnipeg Art Gallery to ensure that Nunavummiut will remain involved in the operation of this exhibit.
Mr. Chairman, the standing committee recognizes that the department has a number of programs, initiatives, and services to support elders and youth in Nunavut.
Members encourage the department to ensure that its programs and services related to elders and youth provide an opportunity for these two important sectors to collaborate and address pressing social issues such as suicide or elder abuse.
Mr. Chairman, the department is responsible for coordinating the development of the governments Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit initiatives and providing administrative support to the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Katimajiit. The department is also responsible for coordinating the interdepartmental Tuttarviit Committee.
Mr. Chairman, the department’s draft 2016-19 business plan indicates that one of its goals for the 2016-17 fiscal year is to “Arrange for an appointed IQ Katimajiit member to travel to communities to share Inuusiliriniq.”
The standing committee encourages the department to explore more opportunities that will allow the government and Nunavummiut to access the expertise of the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Katimajiit.
The standing committee encourages the minister to ensure that the annual reports of the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Katimajiit are tabled in a timely manner to ensure that the recommendations of this committee are provided to the recipient departments and agencies at the earliest opportunity.
Mr. Chairman, that concludes my opening comments on the proposed 2016-17 Main Estimates and 2016-19 Business Plan of the Department of Culture and Heritage.
Chairman (interpretation): General comments. (interpretation ends) I see or hear none.
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 F-4.
Culture and Heritage. Branch Summary. Directorate.
Total Operations and Maintenance, to be Voted. $5, 275,000. Agreed?
I will be basing my question on the minister’s opening comments.
I believe we are on page F-5, Official Languages.
Although it’s in English, I’ll try to translate it into Inuktitut.
It says, “Culture and Heritage holds a leadership role within the Government of Nunavut for the preservation, development, and enhancement of Nunavut’s culture, heritage, and languages for Nunavummiut.”
That is on page 1 on your opening comments.
Let me base my question on languages.
In the main estimates on page F-9, Summary of Grants and Contributions, you stated, “…the preservation, development, and enhancement of Nunavut’s culture, heritage, and languages…” On page F-9, Inuit Language Promotion and Protection, it is $100,000.
Why is there a reduction of $85,000, even though you said that you’re seriously working on it and that it’s very important? There’s quite a bit of money that has been reduced.
Give me an opportunity to find out which official can respond to the issue he’s taking about.
Sorry. Please repeat your question for clarity on page F-9.
Mr. Enook (interpretation): Mr. Chairman, in the minister’s opening comments on page 1, it states, “Culture and Heritage holds a leadership role within the Government of Nunavut for the preservation, development, and enhancement of Nunavut’s culture, heritage, and languages for Nunavummiut.”
My question is on page F-9.
Since you have the leadership role for the preservation, development, and enhancement of our languages under Official Languages, Inuit Language Promotion and Protection, the budget line item has a reduction of $85,000, even though you said that you hold the leadership role.
Perhaps we will see it later on, but why is there a reduction, even though you hold the leadership role on that?
Ms. Adla will respond to that question.
Ms. Adla.
Ms. Adla (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Regarding the issue that he is talking about, $285,000, as you can see, there was a reduction in, as it’s called in English, (interpretation ends) Archaeology and Palaeontology Research Support, (interpretation) because they requested inadequate funds.
That is why we increased that and we transferred it to another line item. We re-profiled it to (interpretation ends) Official Languages’ contribution (interpretation) and that is where you can see an increase of $465,000.
Perhaps we do not understand each other.
On page F-9 of the main estimates, at the very top, just before the figure, it says, “Inuit Language Promotion and Protection” in the amount of $100,000.
In the last fiscal year, it was $185,000.
The minister’s opening comments said that the department “holds a leadership role for the preservation…” Even though the opening comments state that, why is there a huge reduction in that line item?
In the opening comments, the minister stated what he believes in, but when the main estimates come out, there is a reduction of $85,000.
I would like Ms. Adla to respond to that.
I’m sorry I didn’t understand you the first time.
The (interpretation ends) Inuit Language Promotion and Protection (interpretation) funding every year is $100,000 and it was increased by $85,000. I’m not sure where we got the increase from.
However, we were requested more money than we had, so we increased it. We didn’t increase it again for the coming year because we have to see what else we need to consider. Once we find out what else we need, we will probably need to increase it again.
Do I understand that there was an increase of $85,000 that was just a one-time increase for one fiscal year? I just don’t understand what the $85,000 was used for because I don’t believe you told us.
As my official stated, there were more requests for money than we expected.
It was at $100,000 and it has been returned to $100,000, but last year, there were more requests than usual. It is for that.
Do I understand correctly that if there are many more requests than the $100,000, it would no longer be at that amount? The requests might be below that figure or it might be higher if there are more requests than planned for, just as it happened in 2015-16. Am I correct to understand it that way?
This number might not be true.
That’s what I understand. It’s a figure that you put down just because you need to put a number there.
It could be a lot less or a lot more depending on the requests you receive or none of it could be spent if nobody requests money from it or it can be as high as $500,000 if there are many requests.
Is there a limit that you say that you will never go above or below?
Hon. Johnny Mike (interpretation): I would like Ms. Adla to respond to that question.
The Department of Culture and Heritage gets many requests and if we get more requests than we have in the budget and there’s a surplus elsewhere, then we ask FMB for more money.
That’s what we did last year in 2015-16.
Is this done internally in your office? Have you decided within your office what the maximum amount in contributions you will allow for, no matter how many requests you get?
The acting deputy minister will respond.
Mr. Cloutier (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) The entire Department of Culture and Heritage has a fixed amount of grants and contributions.
As the minister mentioned in his opening remarks, that’s slightly over $7 million.
We do have various grants and contributions programs for official languages, but also elders and youth, heritage, arts, and so on.
Some programs are over-subscribed and some of our programs are under-subscribed.
That means that for some programs, we receive less applications, so we don’t fully expend all the amounts that we have already budgeted in those programs.
What we try to do internally is when we receive more applications for a specific program, internally with the divisions, we try to see if there is a possibility to reallocate some of the funds between programs.
As for a maximum, we do not exceed the total budget of grants and contributions that we have within the department. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Enook (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) My question is: where do you stop?
Last year, you stopped at $185,000.
My question is: was that an internal decision where you have a fixed number that says, “Okay, at this amount, we will stop.”? What is it for this year?
You must have an inside number that you say, “Whoa, no more.” Last year, apparently, it was $185,000. I am wondering if you have a fixed number that is not showing on here that would tell you, “No more under this.” (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Cloutier will respond to that.
Mr. Cloutier (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) We go by the Financial Administration Manual that sets the rules with respect to grants and contributions.
As much as possible, we try to not go over budget. We work within the budget allocated for grants and contributions within the department.
There is a limit established already by FAM. I believe that’s $25,000.
If that would exceed, that’s when we can decide internally to move some funds. If it would exceed that amount, then we will need to seek approval from FMB before we can transfer the funds. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Enook (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) I take it that this number, the $100,000, can be any number as long as the financial guideline or whatever it’s called allows it to happen.
It can be $500,000. It can be $10,000.
If there are no applications, it can be $10,000 rather than $100,000.
It can go either way. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I know we will try to abide by the budget of $100,000.
We have to see how many requests we get.
In 2015-16, we had to use $185,000 for that budget line item, even though it started at $100,000.
It will just follow what requests we get from out there. It all depends on that.
Even though I’m an acting minister, that’s what happened before and it can happen again, and I know it will not go to $500,000.
Following my list of names, Mr. Okalik.
I don’t have too many questions for this department, but I have a main one. In your business plan on page 70, it mentions Taiguusiliuqtiit. Can you give us an update on the Inuit Uqausinginnik Taiguusiliuqtiit?
They were having some difficulties in the beginning.
Can you give us an update on them?
Hon. Johnny Mike (interpretation): Thank you to my colleague for asking that question.
Mr. Cloutier (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) The Inuit Uqausinginnik Taiguusiliuqtiit is a public agency. It functions and operates at arm’s length from the government as of 2011.
It has, at this point, five employees, including the executive director, a linguist, terminologist, the communications specialist, and someone that helps them with the financial and HR issues.
They have eight positions in total. Three are currently vacant, but they’re under the process of being advertised or should shortly be advertised.
They have a number of priorities, including working with GN departments and public agencies with respect to terminology development to provide them assistance in finding the terms in Inuktitut or Inuinnaqtun. They also work on developing language assessment tools, as well as one of their top priories with respect to the writing system.
Recently, in February, they held a major conference with interpreters/translators that was well attended and well covered as well by the media.
This is part of their ongoing work to consult with Nunavummiut with important issues such as the writing system and standardization. (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
So that branch is starting up, I guess. We haven’t really seen them in the news or not a whole lot from them.
Maybe we will see more of them as they get settled in this coming year. I would like to hear more from them this year to see what they have put together.
In our business plan for 2016-17, the Inuit Uqausinginnik Taiguusiliuqtiit’s main job would be to “create an Inuktut synthetic voice based on the Greenlandic Martha synthesizer training program.”
That is one of the improvements that they are trying to make for 2016-17.
I agree with you that the Inuit Uqausinginnik Taiguusiliuqtiit needs to do more development along the lines of the Department of Culture and Heritage.
I will have other questions, but I will leave it at that for now.
I didn’t hear a question. Following my list of names, Ms. Angnakak.
I’m looking at page 73 of the business plan under Priorities (2016-17). The first bullet says, “Update the Uqausivut Plan for 2016-17…” I’m wondering how you’re going to provide oversight to the implementation of this plan.
Chairman (interpretation): Her question is on page 73 of the business plan, (interpretation ends) Priorities (2016-17), (interpretation) under the first bullet regarding languages.
I will refer this question to the Acting Deputy Minister, Mr. Cloutier.
Mr. Cloutier (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) Under the Official Languages Act and the Inuit Language Protection Act, the Minister of Languages has a mandate to coordinate the overall implementation, including the implementation of language obligations, policies, and programs by GN departments, including monitoring the results achieved.
With the Uqausivut Plan that was approved and tabled in 2012, there are a number of priorities that have been identified. We have a couple of mechanisms that we use to coordinate the work by various GN departments and public agencies.
The first one is the funding we receive from Canada under the Canada-Nunavut General Agreement on the Promotion of French and Inuit Languages where they provide some funding with respect to French that is allocated to GN departments to deliver programs and services in French.
The Department of Culture and Heritage centrally administers those funds on behalf of the GN and we do regular follow-ups with departments to ensure that they are expending those funds and also doing the implementation activities that they said they would do.
Since 2013-14, we also have an internal Inuit Language Implementation Fund that is part of the business plan and the main estimates. That is another mechanism we use with respect to Inuktitut/Inuktut (the Inuit language).
We work with departments to implement the Uqausivut Plan.
For some of the activities, the departments need some additional resources, so we identify those projects and activities that are in accordance or in line with the Uqausivut Plan, and then we coordinate the implementation process and monitor the results achieved that way. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
With respect to the reports that you mentioned that were tabled during the March 2015 sitting or the 2010-11 and 2011-12 reports on the administration of the Inuit Language Protection Act, they did not include specific information on the government’s to implement the Uqausivut Plan.
In fact, the government has not tabled the progress update on its work to implement the Uqausivut Plan since it was tabled on October 30, 2012.
Will the minister commit to tabling a progress report on the implementation of the Uqausivut Plan during the 2016 winter sitting?
I would like to remind you that we have interpreters and you should make sure you are not talking too fast.
Hon. Johnny Mike (interpretation): I can say yes to her last question.
The government’s Uqausivut Plan also indicates that “The Minister will regularly monitor the performance of government departments and public agencies in implementing their language obligations, and will initiate periodic reviews or audits of their compliance.
Based on this information, the Minister will prepare an annual progress report and table it in the Legislative Assembly.”
My question is: how many periodic reviews or audits of departmental compliance with the Uqausivut Plan have you completed since the fall of 2013?
I will refer this to Mr. Cloutier.
Mr. Cloutier (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) Since the tabling of the first Uqausivut Plan in October 2012 and with the ongoing administration of language funds to assist departments in implementing their language obligations under either the Canada-Nunavut agreement or the Inuit Language Implementation Fund, we do regular monitoring with departments.
We request information on their status of implementing their projects or their activities.
They do it on a quarterly basis through the variance report.
As we progress in the fiscal year after Christmas, we do monthly follow-ups with departments.
The information that we receive with the review, it’s an ongoing dialogue, ongoing communications with departments to ensure that the results are being there.
At the end of each fiscal year, we ask for a results-based report where the departments communicate to the Department of Culture and Heritage what they have achieved.
Just to give you an example, we collaborated with the Department of Health to provide medical terminology training workshops to medical interpreter clerks.
What we would expect at the end of the fiscal year is how many students, how many employees, how many medical interpreter clerks actually received the training. We get numbers.
We ask for the numbers of how many participants, how many employees and how many Nunavummiut actually benefit.
If it is about creating resources, another project is about developing language-learning resources like reading materials in Inuktitut.
There is an ongoing project with the Department of Education on one of their key initiatives about guided reading and literacy for life.
We get numbers of books and publications that they actually produce by the end of the fiscal year.
The minister’s progress report will include that level of details. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I was just interested when you talk about French language training among territorial public servants. How many people are participating in that and who are they in general?
Are they beneficiaries or non-beneficiaries or what and how many times per year?
Mr. Cloutier (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) I don’t have the numbers for the current fiscal year. If I remember correctly, and I don’t have the information right in front of me, but last year, we had about 40 students, GN employees who took part in the program.
There’s a good number of beneficiaries. I don’t have the exact number, but there’s a good interest from beneficiaries to take the training.
Actually, I think my colleague, the director of corporate services, has taken some training this fiscal year. There have also been other beneficiaries within our department.
For the current fiscal year, we have been trying to aim at frontline service providers or people who deal directly with the public so that they can say “hello” or “bonjour” over the phone or when welcoming people.
That’s a way for people to feel comfortable and welcome when they enter a GN office. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
How does one go about applying for training? If somebody out there is listening to us and they work for the GN, do you have to be an intermediate or is it open to anybody?
Mr. Cloutier (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) I guess the advertisement of the training is made through EIA, through Sivumuaqatigiit.
When an ad comes out, it goes to all GN employees, and then any GN employee that has an interest can subscribe or register to the course, pending, of course, their supervisor’s approval, just like for any training program.
Essentially, any GN employee can apply for the course. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I just want to go to F-5.
Under Materials and Supplies, there is a huge difference there. I’m wondering if you can just explain the big jump and why.
I will refer this to Ms. Adla.
I will have to look for it to respond to the question.
Hon. Johnny Mike (interpretation): I apologize.
I’ll refer this to Mr. Cloutier.
I’m sorry (interpretation ends) for going between the business plan and main estimates.
The difference between the main estimates for 2015-16 and 2016-17 in terms of materials and supplies is that under the Inuit Language Implementation Fund, when we work with key departments like Education, the Department of Education initially did not have much in terms of materials and supplies. (interpretation) I mean (interpretation ends) before, what we are expecting for things like the purchase of books and language learning resources, that is what is meant by this number. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I guess we will be talking to the Minister of Education again. I don’t have any further questions.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) We are on Branch Summary. Culture and Heritage.
I made my first mistake.
I also caused my colleague to make a mistake, so I apologize.
While we are here, their office exists to promote the Inuit language and they can issue directions to any department in our government.
To my knowledge, they have different contracts on airlines and financial services.
They can also make contracts on the Inuit language to implement them further.
I want to ask if they can promote them more in the offices in the future.
Culture and Heritage provides direction for Inuktut and other languages on these affairs, and I’m glad you asked that question.
Mr. Cloutier will expand on my response to his question.
Mr. Cloutier (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) That is a very good question.
Under the Inuit Language Protection Act, there is a provision to ensure that every contract awarded as a result of a call for proposals or otherwise, actually also that the third party service providers are bound by the provisions of the Inuit Language Protection Act, meaning ensuring that all the advertising, posters, customer services, and reception services are provided in the Inuit language.
Just to give you a couple of examples of what that means, for instance, recently, the Department of Culture and Heritage updated its Grants and Contributions Policy and it was approved a few months ago.