EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
As you and my colleagues will be aware, I have serious concerns that our education system is not adequately preparing our high school graduates for continuing in post-secondary education.
Can the minister clearly identify what changes or reforms are being considered to ensure that our graduates have the necessary knowledge and skills to enter and succeed in post-secondary education after graduation?
It’s very important to have grade 12 graduates and it’s also very important to continue post-secondary education because we would like to hire Nunavummiut, we would like to hire post-secondary graduates, and there are more employment opportunities for those graduates.
We have to work together on education and we have to work together so that there are more graduated students entering into post-secondary education.
We have to work together to make sure that the students do their homework and make sure our students attend school on a daily basis, and provide some kind of support to the parents when they seek more support.
When the students go to school, they do tests. For example, the last year’s achievements, the teachers work on what the students need to learn more and what the subjects they need to be assisted on. With the assistance from the principal, they do a checkup on the student for the upcoming school year, what the student needs to be taught and what the student requires.
I would like to thank the minister for her response. (interpretation ends) Can the minister explain why Nunavut’s curriculum has moved away from a system that focused on the three Rs, which I spoke about last week, which ensured that the students had the essential skills in reading, writing, and arithmetic, and how, under Nunavut’s new education system, students are expected to achieve these basic skill levels?
I would like to thank the member for remembering the three Rs. It has been a few weeks since I spoke to the deputy minister in regard to this issue and we discussed the topic of what else needs to be looked at.
We also discussed reading, writing, and arithmetic.
We spoke about the three Rs and we’re now in the reviewing stages.
I thank the minister for the response. Thank you for telling me that your department will be looking at the three Rs.
I recognize that great efforts have been made to include a Nunavut-specific cultural component into the curriculum and that this component for grades 10, 11, and 12 is a requirement to graduate. Can the minister explain how this curriculum requirement for Nunavut graduates will benefit them in their pursuit of higher education in Winnipeg, Ottawa, Edmonton, or elsewhere in the south?
As we are aware, anyone who knows and is proud of where they come from, it really helps the individual with furthering their education.
With that good foundation, they’re apt to learn. We had to look at that during the development of the legislation and it was the request by Inuit to include the Inuktitut language.
Yes, they benefit. When the students leave, they know and feel comfortable about themselves. It helps the students more and lets us remember that other subjects have to be learned, such as other curriculum.
If the student wants to graduate and go to further education, they can only graduate if they gain the required credits.
It benefits the students. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 441 – 3(3): Career Guidance for High School Students (Elliott)
My questions are directed to the Minister of Education.
Mr. Speaker, as you will recall from your days in the Education portfolio, the implementation of Nunavut’s new Education Act resulted in the creation of several new positions, including student support assistants and language specialists, as well as 43 community school counsellors, one for every school in Nunavut.
One critical role that school counsellors can play is to assist students in career planning guidance and to ensure that they are taking the appropriate courses so that when they graduate, they will have the basic skills necessary to enter the post-secondary field of their choice.
Can the minister update this House on how many of those school counsellor positions are currently filled in Nunavut schools?
These school counsellors in the schools were all here in Iqaluit to take some training so they can take upgrading in order to help the students.
I will check to see exactly how many counsellors there are and I’ll answer your question later on once I get the information. I will get a number as soon as I find out.
Mr. Elliott: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the minister clarify which entity has the responsibility for hiring school counsellors for each school?
Is it the district education authority, the Department of Education, or the Department of Human Resources?
With respect to prospective staff members within the school system, the DEA is involved in the hiring process for school positions.
Section 89(1)(d) of the Education Act includes the “individuals who perform the functions of school community counsellors.”
Can the minister confirm that one of those functions is to provide career planning and guidance to students?
The guidance counsellors have different responsibilities within the school.
If a student needs further help, then they go and help them.
They also work, looking at what they would like to do in the future when they have grades 10, 11, and 12. It also includes guidance counselling. That’s what they deal with as the guidance counsellors.
In February, during our Committee of the Whole debate on the main estimates for the Department of Education, there was some discussion of the Career and Program Planning Program. Can the minister provide an update on how this program will support students in planning for their careers and what role student guidance counsellors have in delivering it?
When they’re at the higher grades, it gets important that the students are prepared for graduation.
When they’re finishing grade 12, they are assisted. Whether they want to go to school or take counselling, they don’t have different guidance.
Teachers also help out. They usually know their students and what they like to do, so they can guide them to where they want to go in further education.
They are not dealt with by one counsellor; the preparation for their graduation is supported by different groups.
Written Question 019 – 3(3): NAC Courses to Support Early Childhood Education (Ugyuk)
Ms. Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) Many of our communities need more support to provide adequate daycare services.
My written question is related to early childhood education courses delivered by Nunavut Arctic College.
I ask that the questions be entered into the record as read.
Broken down by community, what Nunavut Arctic College courses have been delivered to provide education and training to daycare operators and early childhood educators from the 2004-05 fiscal year through to 2012-13 (to date) fiscal year?
What considerations need to be met in order for NAC to decide to deliver community-based courses in early childhood education?
Broken down by community, what Nunavut Arctic College courses are being planned to provide education and training to daycare operators and early childhood educators for the remainder of the 2012-13 fiscal year and the 2013-14 fiscal year?
Speaker: Do members agree that the questions be entered into the record as read?
Speaker: And so they shall be.
Tabled Document 244 – 3(3): Draft Plebiscites Act (Speaker)
Tabled Document 245 – 3(3): Public Consultation Materials on the Draft Plebiscites Act (Speaker)
Members, I have two documents to table today, the first one being the Proposed New Plebiscites Act and the second is the Election Nunavut’s Public Consultation Materials on the Draft Plebiscites Act. Thank you.
Tabled Document 246 – 3(3): Interim Financial Report (Unaudited) March 31, 2012 (Peterson)
Hon. Keith Peterson: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to table the Interim Financial Report (Unaudited) for March 31, 2012.
Tabled Document 247 – 3(3): Procurement Activity Report, Fiscal Year 2011-2012 (Kusugak)
Tabled Document 248 – 3(3): Contract Activity Report, Fiscal Year 2011-2012 (Kusugak)
Tabled Document 249 – 3(3): Lease Activity Report, Fiscal Year 2011-2012 (Kusugak)
Hon. Lorne Kusugak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to table the three following documents:
The Procurement Activity Report for the Fiscal Year 2011-12.
I would like to point out to the Assembly that this report has a correction page on the inside of the cover page.
The error is only in the English version; they only made a mistake in English.
Mr. Speaker, I also want to table the Contract Activity Report for the Fiscal Year 2011-12.
While I’m at it, Mr. Speaker, I would like to table the Lease Activity Report for the Fiscal Year 2011-12.
Tabled Document 250 – 3(3): Correspondence Concerning Return to Written Question 18 – 3(3) (Enook)
Mr. Enook (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table a copy of my July 10, 2012 correspondence to the Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation concerning the minister’s incomplete responses to my recent written questions.
I still have not had the courtesy of a reply to my letter, and I will continue to pursue this issue with the minister. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Minister responsible for the Liquor Licensing Board, Minister Shewchuk.
Tabled Document 251 – 3(3): Annual Report 2008-2009, Nunavut Liquor Licensing Board (Shewchuk)
Tabled Document 252 – 3(3): Annual Report 2009-2010, Nunavut Liquor Licensing Board (Shewchuk)
Tabled Document 253 – 3(3): Annual Report 2010-2011, Nunavut Liquor Licensing Board (Shewchuk)
Tabled Document 254 – 3(3): Annual Report 2011-2012, Nunavut Liquor Licensing Board (Shewchuk)
Hon. Daniel Shewchuk: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to table four documents today, that is, the Nunavut Liquor Licensing Board’s 2008-09, 2009-2010, 2010-11, and 2011-12 annual reports. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Speaker: Thank you, Minister Shewchuk, for tabling those four documents.
Tabled Document 255 – 3(3): Articles Concerning Arctic Search and Rescue (Elliott)
Mr. Elliott: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table a collection of three recent articles concerning the issue of arctic search and rescue, one of which was written by our colleague, the Hon. Member for Akulliq. I urge all members to review these with care.
Tabled Document 256 – 3(3): Towards a Representative Public Service, Statistics as of March 31, 2012 (Ell)
Tabled Document 257 – 3(3): Towards a Representative Public Service, Statistics as of June 30, 2012 (Ell)
Hon. Monica Ell (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I am pleased to table two documents: Towards a Representative Public Service, Statistics as of March 31, 2012; and the other one, as of June 30, 2012.
Tabled Document 258 – 3(3): Executive Summary of the Draft Nunavut Land Use Plan and the Baffin Island Community Consultation Schedule (Tapardjuk)
Mr. Tapardjuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Further to my Member’s Statement earlier today, I wish to table today a copy of the Executive Summary of the Nunavut Planning Commission’s Draft Nunavut Land Use Plan and the Baffin Island community consultation schedule.
I encourage all Nunavummiut to learn more about this important document and participate in the consultations when the Nunavut Planning Commission visits their community. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Item 13. Tabling of Documents. A heavy table today.
Bill 45 – An Act Respecting Constituency Names and Superannuation of Certain Independent Officers of the Legislative Assembly – Notice
Mr. Elliott: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Wednesday, October 31, 2012, I will move that Bill 45, An Act Respecting Constituency Names and Superannuation of Certain Independent Officers of the Legislative Assembly, be read for the first time.
>>House adjourned at 15:31 and Committee resumed at 15:57
I would like to thank you again for being here.
What is the wish of the committee this afternoon?
We wish to continue with the review of Bill 41, Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2013-2014, and the Nunavut Housing Corporation, followed by the departments of Health and Social Services and Economic Development and Transportation.
Does the committee agree to continue with our review of the Nunavut Housing Corporation?
Do you agree to bring in Minister Taptuna and his witnesses?
Thank you. We will now continue with our review.
On my right is Mr. Alain Barriault, President of the Nunavut Housing Corporation, and on my immediate left is Lori Kimball, Chief Financial Officer.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Minister Taptuna. Welcome, Mr. Barriault and Ms. Kimball.
We’re on page J-3. (interpretation ends) Nunavut Housing Corporation. Branch Summary. Nunavut Housing Corporation.
Total Capital Expenditures. $28,841,000. (interpretation) Those people who wanted to ask questions included Mr. Enook and he didn’t get his response on Friday. If you have any questions, Mr. Enook.
Mr. Enook (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Good afternoon, Mr. Minister and your officials.
I would like to start out with staff housing construction in the amount of $5 million.
The question I had on Friday, Mr. Chairman, was that $5 million is going to be used for staff housing units. I think I was going to ask where it’s going to be.
Where are those staff houses going to be located or constructed?
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Enook. Minister Taptuna.
Mr. Chairman, the staff housing units aren’t allocated yet. At this time, we’re discussing and meeting with Human Resources. We are partners in determining where these units are going to be going and we’re meeting with them tomorrow.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Minister Taptuna. Do you have any more questions? Mr. Enook.
The $5 million is a huge amount of money. The question that I had or whether I was thinking about it or not. If I hadn’t asked the question, I will ask the question again.
You need $5 million for constructing staff housing. How do you figure it out without knowing where they’re going to be constructed?
How can you figure out you need $5 million for staff housing even if you don’t know where they’re going to be constructed?
Hon. Peter Taptuna: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Although $5 million is a fair amount, we do need a bigger budget than that. The housing demands, the housing needs are rampant in Nunavut, including staff housing.
At this time, we’re using our best estimates, as we have always used. It’s approximately three duplexes for that amount. At this time, we’re doing that to work with Human Resources to get the best value for that small amount of money to provide staff housing.
Maybe I just don’t understand it. When I first became a member, I said that money has to be spent properly and they have to spend the money wisely because it’s public funds.
The only thing that I cannot understand, Mr. Chairman, is the housing corporation does not know where those staff houses will be built. How do you know which departments might be built public housing for which departments?
For instance, let’s just guess $5 million. Somebody has to make me believe that the $5 million is an accurate number. To date, I have not had any understanding of where that $5 million came from because they don’t know yet.
There is nothing written of where the staff houses will be built, although they are going to meet tomorrow.
It doesn’t say what staff housing are going to be built and which departments they will be built for. There is nothing in there. There is nothing written.
The concern that I have, Mr. Chairman, is this and I will use Pond Inlet as an example.
In Pond Inlet, there is a lot of staff housing that has never been used.
Are we just going to build staff housing for the sake of building them in other communities?
Since we got Nunavut, those houses in Pond Inlet have not been occupied. Is that how the department estimates that amount of money and which department it is going to be used for?
I still don’t understand exactly where that $5 million is going to be used to build staff housing. I just don’t want to agree to something where I don’t know where the location is going to be.
Could somebody give me a little bit of information on that?
Mr. Chairman, to meet the needs of staff housing in Nunavut, we need 907 units. With this small amount, we’re talking about three duplexes or two five-plexes.
That’s a very small impact on the total needs.
We’re taking recommendations from committee members on how to maximize the value for that small budget.
We have been working with Human Resources and looking at other options, as recommended, to either buy or renovate some older units out there, to maximize the amount that we’re allocated.
At this time, we’re taking a good look with Human Resources to try and come up with the best value for that small budget.
Maybe if I ask this question, I will get a good response.
Wouldn’t it be better if the Department of Human Resources first states whether we need staff housing here and here?
Wouldn’t it be better like that?
As I have indicated the need for 907 units, it’s very difficult to come up with an immediate allocation for that budget, but as recommended, we’re looking at other various ways of maximizing that $5 million.
As I indicated, we do have a needs assessment done and we’re looking at the GN employment positions with Human Resources to maximize that again.
There are 25 communities and the need is just so huge. To get the 907 units needed, we will need a huge budget, which we don’t have.
We’re trying to, again, maximize the budget that we’re allotted.
Mr. Enook (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I thank the minister for his response.
I just don’t want the minister to make a mistake. I know that there needs to be staff housing.
We could all agree as members, but the problem that some of us members have is when you walk around in my community, there are lots of staff housing that have never been used before, and they tell us that this is staff housing.
They have to be utilized. I know there’s $5 million for staff housing, but how do I know that this amount of money is going to end up the same as in Pond Inlet?
Are we going to be building staff housing and not have them occupied like in Pond Inlet?
That’s why we’re working closely with the human resources department to determine the best allocation of resources to actually locate where we’re going to be building these staff units.
There are six units that are vacant at this time, but these vacant units do tie in with a position, and there is a requirement to keep the staff units available for some of these positions that are going into some of these communities.
I will probably have more questions on the staff housing units.
Can I ask another question on J-5?
On the same page, J-5, under Homeownership Programs, I think there’s $2 million in Qikiqtaaluk –various.
What’s the difference between that amount and the $500,000 above it for the Homeownership Program - HOTRP?
I’ll have my president respond to that question.
The HOTRP program is the Heating Oil Tank Replacement Program.
That’s a targeted program with a specific number of years of life in the program. As well, we have miscellaneous homeownership programs and those encompass the other entire portfolio of homeownership programs, from the Nunavut Down Payment Assistance Program, the Home Repair Program, etcetera. We have a number of smaller programs that fall within that category and those are allocated based on need, so they’re not broken down by individual programs.
I thank the minister and his officials for that information.
I thought that $2 million was for homeownership programs that you can apply to.
Do they usually use up all that amount of money, the $2 million? For instance, they just replaced the foundations in July for people with homeownership, and the $2 million will be used for other things rather than foundations.
At this time, the application process is ongoing.
Mr. Chairman, I would like my financial officer to respond to that question in detail.
Year to date, we have spent $1.4 million.
We have allocated the majority of the homeownership monies that we received this year towards projects, but they haven’t necessarily been spent yet in terms of the actual cash out the door. We do have commitments. One of the challenges, though, is finding contractors available in the communities to administer all of these programs.
I had wanted to speak on Friday, right? So my name is still on that list. Yes, I was so focused when my friend, Mr. Curley, spoke about the importance of rental review, but I had a nightmare about the rental review with no ceiling.
So I don’t have any more questions, okay?
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Ningark. Ms. Ugyuk.
I also thank the minister as, ever since I started in 2010, he is the fourth minister holding the NHC portfolio and I tend to ask the same questions about the construction of housing units. I appreciate his responses. I hope that you will remain as the Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation, Mr. Taptuna.
I also am grateful for his work as he provides good support for the members.
(interpretation ends) As the minister is aware, I am concerned about the issue of adequate staff housing in our communities for frontline workers, such as nurses and teachers.
Can the minister or his officials indicate how many new staff housing units will be constructed in Taloyoak and Gjoa Haven during the next fiscal year?
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Ms. Ugyuk. Minister Taptuna.
Hon. Peter Taptuna: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I thank the committee member for that question. Mr. Chairman, right at this time, there’s a five-plex being constructed in Taloyoak and so is that in Gjoa Haven for staff units.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Minister Taptuna. Anything else? Ms. Ugyuk.
Ms. Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) How does the Nunavut Housing Corporation work with the departments of Human Resources, Education, and Health and Social Services to determine the number of new staff housing units that are required in each community?
Hon. Peter Taptuna: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. As I indicated earlier, the need for 907 units is a huge task for the departments to work with.
With this small budget, we’re trying to figure out ways, including consultations with Education, the human resources department, including Finance, to find ways to maximize and allocate those staff housing to the most… .
Everything is based on the availability of lots in certain communities and the positions that are required for these communities.
Ms. Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) I have raised issues concerning overcrowding in existing staff housing units. Can the minister or his officials explain the process by which it works with other departments to resolve these situations?
Hon. Peter Taptuna: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We’re not aware of overcrowding in some of these staff units, but as I indicated earlier, we’re trying to find ways to either buy some of these homes or renovate some of the existing homes to, again, maximize the best use for our budget.
We have never heard of any overcrowding in staff units.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Minister Taptuna. Ms. Ugyuk.
I would like to thank the minister for his responses. (interpretation ends) Can the minister or his officials indicate how many new staff housing units have been constructed in Gjoa Haven and Taloyoak over the last three years?
I’ll have the president, Mr. Barriault, respond to that question.
I’m just looking through one of our spreadsheets for summary in the Kitikmeot.
Actually, I guess, these are more current year. For Gjoa Haven, five units and Taloyoak was the other.
Pardon me. In Taloyoak, there’s a five-plex that has currently been awarded and the materials are on site, but I believe the work will be starting this spring.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Barriault.
Anything else? Ms. Ugyuk.