EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Of the two ministers mentioned primarily by the member, the minister for energy is one, and the other, Mr. Simailak, I am sure, is planning to attend that symposium.
I am sure those two ministers will be available, if it’s possible.
I would like to tell the organizers that I do want to attend that symposium if I can be presented with an invitation letter.
I would like to thank the Premier.
If you want to get more information, you can ask for Ellie; she is the secretary-treasurer.
Her phone number is 867-645-2817.
You may call her anytime.
I am sure that you will be receiving your invitation.
I said Charlie Panigoniak: I should have stated that he has changed his name to Charlie Funnygoniak.
I did not hear a question, I apologize, but that was a very good point.
I, too, want to attend that entertainment part.
Question 301 – 2(2): Assistance to the Communities on Economic Development
I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Economic Development and Transportation, Minister Simailak.
We just heard recently from the Panniqtuuq member about the Cumberland Sound fisheries and how fishermen could not go fishing because of poor ice conditions.
On a related issue, my community has experienced economic hardship when the local HTO was not given any assistance in the marketing and sale of fish, caribou, and muktuk.
What is your department doing to assist the hunters?
Speaker (interpretation): The Minister of Economic Development and Transportation, Mr. Simailak.  Hon. David Simailak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
We have already been asked this at the department and our officials are now considering this, as to how we can provide assistance and support.
The smaller communities that are not decentralized are poorer than the decentralized communities.
The smaller communities don’t really have the resources to do things for themselves.
Will they have to make a request or an application, for example, if the HTO is going to be provided with support in fisheries and the marketing of fish?
I will have to discuss this matter with my colleague, the Minister of Environment.
We will have to work together in regard to this issue.
We still have not completely finalized this issue.
In regard to your question, we are still considering how we can resolve this issue.
Will the minister table the results after this is resolved, so that Nunavutmiut will know?
Once I have those document ready, once we resolve this, I will be able to table that information to the communities.
We know today that hunters usually don’t carry any insurance, even though they lose their equipment.
Just recently, the Panniqtuuq turbot fishermen lost their equipment.
Will your department be providing some form of assistance and support to those individuals?
Hon. David Simailak (interpretation): We are still considering this issue with the Department of Environment and the department of economic development.
We are discussing this matter now, as to how we can resolve this.
Question 302 – 2(2): Allocation of New Positions to Communities
Earlier, in a response to one of my other colleagues’ questions, the minister indicated that we’re going to have 13 new teachers put into the schools across Nunavut, based on need.
My question to the minister is, does the department know where those teachers are going to be going, specifically, yet?
The 13 new positions will be allocated based on need.
Those needs will be ascertained and determined based on the school alone.
So, no, at this time, I’m not in a position to say where or in what community the positions would be allocated.
I know that they are in different phases in changing the formula funding for the schools.
Earlier in this sitting, the minister had indicated that the dates in which they count the enrollment come from the previous year.
In my mind, that’s passed already.
So, is he indicating that the department hasn’t, yet, an idea where these positions are needed: is that correct?
What I’m saying is that the 13 new positions… . Again, the budget has to be passed first.
It’s very difficult to allocate a position when there are no positions until the budget is passed.
As soon as the budget is passed, and I’m saying April 1, then the Department of Education has already looked across the spectrum to see where the most needs are.
Then, those schools and DEAs would be consulted to see how the positions could be staffed.
Again, on top of the 13 teaching positions, there are 40 new program specialist positions that would also be put into the classrooms and into communities. So, what you would try to do is balance both of those off so you can actually address the most pressing needs of our schools and of the DEAs, based on their requests, and then in consultation of and facilitated by the enrollments.
Is the minister saying that they just came up with this figure of 13 new teachers out of the blue without having a clue where they were going to go, that they just needed these teachers?
There must be some methodology as to how they came up with that number. I’m surprised that the department has no indication of where those positions are going to be going.
I would like to ask the minister exactly: when his budget has been approved informally in this House, when are they are going to start looking at assessing the needs and what enrollment dates are they going to use to determine what the need is and where those positions will go?
First of all, the member has been around a long time.
He knows the process.
Each member, each department, and he’s seen the budget back in January and had an opportunity to review it in standing committee… .
Mr. Speaker, then we did the debate here for six days.
I’m repeating exactly what I said a week ago during the budget debate: I’m saying the same thing: this is a good news budget for our schools. There are over 80 new positions that will go directly into the programming side of our schools.
What I’m saying about the 13 teacher positions is that there will be a combination of those positions based on whatever the greatest need is, on what school has the greatest need.
How we came up with the 13 teaching positions was, when we were looking at the formula, we had to structure what we have available in money.
So, I was allocated X number of dollars, like every other minister in the House.
Let’s say it was $10 million.
Within that $10 million framework for the Department of Education, we’ve already done some announcements.
For example, we know that we have the rebate done for the coop and that cost us money there, a 5 percent increase into income support, that has to come out of the $10 million.
Then you look at the other issues around the department. Nunavut Arctic College had to get its money back, and so on and so forth.
So, when you actually come down to the schools side, K-12, because that’s what the member is asking about, it would be like $4 or $5 million.
So, now you look at what is the most pressing need brought forward by DEAs, and those needs, how do you fix those within the $4 or $5 million, whatever the allocation that you have as a budget.
And that’s how we come up with the 80 positions: the child psychologist position, all of the new counsellor positions that have never been there before, the 40 special needs positions, the 13 teacher positions.
So, for the member to make a statement like we don’t know where we got this, it came out of the air… . I mean, it doesn’t give credence to the whole process that members and ministers and the standing committee have to go through to allocate those positions.
So, what I am saying, and I will say it again, is that all of the positions would be allocated based on where the greatest need is.
I am not arguing that this is a good news story, but in any planning, and the minister is correct, I have been around for a while and I know they don’t just come up with numbers, but they must have an idea of where those teachers are going to go.
There are other things that need to be taken into consideration around that.
The school year is coming to a close soon, and they are going to be starting recruiting new teachers.
They need to know the setup of their classrooms.
They are not going to know; they don’t have an idea right now where that need is.
Those communities that are going to be getting these additional teachers, they have to make sure that there’s housing available, they have to plan their classroom sizes and allocation of students around that.
So, I think they do have an idea of where they are going, or they should have by now.
My question that the minister didn’t respond to in the last question was, what date of enrollments is the department going to use in determining where the need is for these specific teachers?
Under the collective agreement that our teachers have in place, and specifically on the 13 teaching positions, under the collective agreement with the Federation of Nunavut Teachers, which is a legal contract, the teachers have to give 60 days’ notice if they are going to renew their contract, 60 days from the last teaching day for the students.
So, up to that point, I don’t know how many teachers would be returning to school.
For example, in a community where you have, let’s say, five local Inuit teachers in the community, what if they don’t renew their contract?
Does that mean if I can’t find five local teachers in the community, do I have to bring in ten other non-aboriginal teachers and try to house them?
So, all of those factors have to be taken into account, like the member has said.
The budget has not really gone through the House.
I am not able to advertise the positions.
However, it will be based on need.
Right now, as the member has indicated, each regional operation, for example QSO for the Qikiqtaaluk region, KSO for the Kivalliq and Kitikmeot regions, they are looking at each school based on the September 30 enrollments, as the member has said, based on the needs brought forward by the DEA and each individual principal how I allocate those positions.
Mr. Speaker, as the member has just said, maybe there’s no housing available, but we have 40 extra positions that would actually go into the classrooms to help out in issues like that.
So, we would be able to fund those positions.
Question 303 – 2(2): DEA Input on the Education Act
I finally remembered the question that I was supposed to ask to the Minister of Education. (interpretation ends) Can you tell us what part of the year Ms. Thompson will be traveling to our communities to consult with the district education authorities?
It’s my understanding that a schedule has been put together, as well as the logistic and the administrative issues, around the consultations on the Education Act, with our DEAs in the community consultation tours.
It is my understanding that they will start as soon as the budget… . April 1.
They would go into, probably, early- to middle May, because after that time a lot of our communities’ people are out enjoying the spring.
They would pick up steam again this fall, coming in August, September, and so on.
Again, I believe that we are going to be able to meet our time frame of bringing the new Education Act into the House by 2006.
Question 304 – 2(2): Documents on the Folk School
In our Arviat caucus retreat we briefly talked about the folk school.
Can the minister provide some documents to this House on the status of the folk school as previously discussed?
Hon. Ed Picco: Coming out of the deliberations of the caucus in Arviat, I have been working with my colleague, the Minister of CLEY, on the issues around the folk school.
At the present time we have had discussions, there has been some work, in the public, looking at what the process for the folk school would be: what it would take on, what combination of academics as well as pre-vocational training, and incorporating traditional skills, Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit, within the folk school itself.
So, that is the work that has occurred to date.
Will the minister be inviting some of the regular members and his officials?
Will he be inviting the CLEY minister to Greenland to talk about the folk school?
Yes, I think the plan would be, then… . The CLEY minister and I have talked talk about this.
At some time we would hope to be in the position, after April 1, to have an opportunity to go to Greenland, in consultation with the members, to look at the folk school that they have set up over there.
Some of the members have already been there in the past.
So, that is something that we would do.
I would extend an invitation to the members, if they would like to accompany us at that time, to Greenland.
The Standing Committee on Education has its own budget of this House that could be provided for such a reason.
I think that is usually what has happened in the past.
So, I would invite the Standing Committee on Education and the chair and the members to come with me and Mr. Tapardjuk, sometime in April, when we schedule the folk school visit to Greenland.
They talked about Iglulik being the ideal location for the folk school.
Has the minister made a commitment that Iglulik would be the location for the folk school?
Some people talked about having Coral Harbour and Baker Lake, some people have talked about Whale Cove.
I kind of agree with Mr. Barnabas that probably Apex would be the best place for a folk school.
We haven’t come to a determination.
That would be part of the RFP process on the folk school.
The member is correct, Iglulik does lend itself well to a facility like this.
Indeed, we actually have opportunities for infrastructure on the ground in Iglulik.
So, that is something that will come out of the recommendations of the RFP.
After the meeting in Greenland and after looking at the folk school in Greenland, will the minister be tabling the minutes from that meeting?
Minister Tapardjuk has told me that he’s taken two cassette recorder decks and an MP3 player to make sure that all recordings and minutes are taken there.
Seriously, I would suggest that the Standing Committee on Education will receive a formal invitation to go to Greenland.
We haven’t worked out the logistics or the dates and times yet.
I will make that known to the members in writing.
At the same time, the RFP information should be available some time this spring.
In combination with all of that, I would bring that information to the House, probably, this fall.
I would extend an invitation to the member, Mr. Barnabas, if he is interested in coming.
I’m sure that there is an opportunity within Mr. Barnabas’s budget to be able to come with us.
Motion 013 – 2(2): Referral of the 2004 Annual Report of the Chief Electoral Officer of Nunavut to COW – Notice
I give notice on Friday, March 18, 2005, I will move the following motion:
Now therefore I move, seconded by the Honorable Member for Netsilik, that the Annual Report of the Chief Electoral Officer of Nunavut be referred to the Committee of the Whole and the Chief Electoral Officer of Nunavut be invited to appear before the Committee of the Whole.
Motion 014 – 2(2): Extended Adjournment – Notice
I give notice that on Friday 18, 2005, I will move the following motion;
I move, seconded by the Honorable Member for Netsilik that notwithstanding Rule 4, that when the house concludes this presenting sitting in Iqaluit it shall be adjourned until April 26, 2005.
Motion 015 – 2(2): Recommendation for Re-allocation of $500,000 in Deleted Funding – Notice
I give notice that on Friday, March 18, 2005, I will move the following motion;
Now therefore I move, seconded by the Honorable Member for Rankin Inlet North, that the Legislative Assembly recommend that the Government of Nunavut bring forward a supplementary appropriation act during the spring sitting of the house to reallocate the $500 thousand that has been deleting from the 2005/06 main estimates for the Department of Community and Government Services and that the funding be primarily directed towards contributions to community based search and rescue organizations for local priorities.
Motion 016 – 2(2): Reinstatement of Private Accommodation Rate under NIHB – Notice
Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Friday March 18, 2005, I will move the following motion;
I move, seconded by the Honorable Member for Quttiktuq that the Legislative Assembly call on the Government of Nunavut to make every effort to lobby the Federal Government for the immediate reinstatement for the private accommodation rate provided under the non-insured health benefits program immediately, prior to October 2004.
Notices of Motions for First Reading of Bills. Orders of the Day.
Motions. Mr. Tootoo.
Motion 012 – 2(2): Standing Committee Hearing and Consultations on Nunavut Arctic College
WHEREAS institutions of learning play a fundamental role in helping Nunavummiut gain the skills necessary for achieving meaningful employment;
AND WHEREAS Nunavut Arctic College, which was recently established in order that learning and higher education opportunities be available to northerners in their own territory;
AND WHEREAS the Legislative Assembly has approved millions of dollars for their operations of Nunavut Arctic College;
AND WHEREAS the Department of Education’s External Review of Nunavut Arctic College and the report of the Auditor General of Canada have identified a number of leadership accountabilities in financial management and operational deficiencies;
AND WHEREAS the Legislative Assembly affirms that the Government of Nunavut is expected to act decisively in addressing these immediate challenges;
AND WHEREAS it is desirable for members of the public to have the opportunity to express their views, concerns and ideas on the education needs and aspirations of their communities, and the opportunity for Nunavut Arctic College to meet them;
THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the Honourable Member for Arviat that the Standing Committee on Health and Education holds such hearings and consultations that it deems appropriate for the long-term role, operations, and effectiveness of Nunavut Arctic College;
AND FURTHER I MOVE that the Committee report its findings to the House at the earliest opportunity.
I will give each member 20 minutes to speak on the motion.
The motion before the House has been brought forward in the spirit of progress, in the spirit of moving forward, and the sprit of planning and preparing for our future.
When planning for the future, we as representatives of Nunavut, can’t afford to ignore the insights, observations, and concerns brought forward by our constituents.
As members, we are aware that Nunavut Arctic College is the only post-secondary educational institution in Nunavut.
Its programs are offered through campuses and community learning centres across the territory.
For many Nunavut residents accessing courses through Nunavut Arctic College is their only realistic opportunity for upgrading their level of education for developing skills to improve their employment opportunities, and for acquiring the necessary certifications to get the jobs that are becoming available.
No effort should be spared in ensuring that adult learning opportunities really are opportunities, and that they meet the needs of adult learners.
We know that the success of Nunavut Arctic College has been in question; this has to change.
We need a vision that reflects the goals and aspirations of Nunavummiut.
We need a plan that takes into account the challenges and difficulties experienced in our communities.
It’s important that we hear what these goals and aspirations are.
It’s important that we learn firsthand what kinds of challenges and difficulties exist on the frontlines.
We can learn from the best practices in other jurisdictions.
A measure of responsibility for future success rests with each and everyone of us.
Our Standing Committee on Health and Education has an oversight responsibility for the Department of Education.
Members of this Committee are ideally placed to hear directly from the public on issues relating to the role of Nunavut Arctic College.
Our government has stressed the importance of life-long learning in recognition of the fact that education in all its shapes and forms is a never-ending process.
Bringing Nunavut Arctic College up to the level that it can become will take time and effort.
I am pleased to note that the government has begun to address some of the 75 recommendations that have already been brought forward to improve the functioning of the College.
For our part, as Regular Members of the Legislative Assembly, it is important that we contribute to the process of improving Nunavut’s only institution of higher learning.
Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support this motion to allow the Standing Committee on Health and Education to contribute to the positive development and improvement of the effectiveness of Nunavut Arctic College.
Does the seconder, Mr. Alagalak have any comments?
I would like to speak in support of this motion.
Last week, a number of my colleagues, including the Minister of Education, gave their support to the idea of consulting with Nunavut communities to hear what Nunavutmiut felt about adult learning.
I was pleased to hear Members express their support for a consultative process to address this.
Mr. Speaker, we need to hear directly from the public, from stakeholders, from students and teachers, and from people working in the field of adult education about what works and what doesn’t.
Mr. Speaker, one of the roles of the Standing Committee on Health and Education is to provide support and direction on issues that relate to the mandate of the Department of Education.
The motion before us provides a good opportunity for the Committee to carry out its responsibility in this area.
I encourage all Members to support this motion.
Very briefly, I am in support of this motion after hearing some concern, but I would like to state that this motion doesn’t indicate or say we’re going to be fishing.
We are trying to identify what the shortages are in the regions.
Some things are available in some regions and some are not.
Those students who want to further their education don’t have any place to stay if they want to go to a different community.
We want to hear those concerns and we will be able to raise our concerns to committee and they will be able to say things where they wouldn’t normally to the government that we can be more open.
For that reason, for those people who are listening, the parents, the parents of young people and once they finish high school and if they are aspiring to go to Nunavut Arctic College, they will have that opportunity.
So, for that reason I am in full support of this motion.
I would like to encourage the students and the parents.
I want to give them an opportunity to voice their concerns on this. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I want a recorded vote on this motion.
Mr. Speaker, first of all, I want to thank the members for bringing forward the motion.
I think the motion is a result of the report that was commissioned by this minister.
Mr. Speaker, I am proud of Arctic College.
I’m proud to be an alumnus of the college, a person who worked with the college over 18 years ago.
I think the college has done some very good work.
What the external review report found and it was an external review was that there are issues at the college like any operation.
I think that this type of Standing Committee process is a good one.
I think it is a proactive move on behalf and for the Legislative Assembly.
I look forward to seeing the recommendations and the findings of the committee.
The only issue with the report that I would like to bring up with the findings is it concerns the Public Colleges Act.
The Public Colleges Act is actually the instrument that governs the college under legislation,
There was no mention of that in the motion, but I would ask at this time that the members also have an opportunity to look at the Public Colleges Act.
The Act hasn’t changed since 1998 and some of the issues around governance that the members have talked would be within the Act itself.
So, maybe that is something that the members would take on.
With that, I will be supporting the motion.
I look forward to the recommendation.
I believe that all members, as Mr. Tootoo and some of the others have said to support the motion.
I think it is a proactive move on behalf of the members.
I thank them for brining it forward.