EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Is the minister going to review this to make it better.
Yes, as a matter of fact, that is what the department has been doing with the advisory group and the department has also done extensive consultation to date regarding the need for improvements to the program.
I'll say within the next 6 months you will continue to see improvements made as a result of recommendations by the working group.
Question 067 - 1(5): Certificate Diploma Program Review
The education system needs to be improved.
There are a lot of dropouts in Nunavut.
There are students that are receiving financial assistance that is not enough to keep them going.
Mr. Speaker, we encourage people to take on jobs.
We have been encouraging bilingual people to apply for positions in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, my question is, is the Department of Education going to be conducting a review of this.
I'd like to thank the member for his question.
The Department of Education is working on reviewing the certificate and diploma programs and this has been done for a while now, since January 2000.
There's a panel that is working on reviewing the certificates and diploma programs, Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
After the committee has provided recommendations to the minister, will his plan involve the Inuit Employment Plan.
We will be dealing with this in the Committee of the Whole.
If the member does not mind, I could respond to those questions during the Committee of the Whole, if it's okay with the member.
Question 068 - 1(3): Akitsiraq Law School Name Change
I have a question directed to the Minister of Justice regarding an earlier statement.
I asked the question at an earlier date regarding what Akitsiraq means, it's the law school that is called Akitsiraq law school.
Perhaps I was just misunderstanding the meaning.
I think the title should be changed so that the people of Nunavut are able to understand the meaning because I find it very hard to understand the meaning of Akitsiraq.
Are you willing to change it to something else that everyone can understand.
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The people of Nunavut know the title or the name of the law school.
They are able to understand, I think if we just leave it the way it is, people will eventually understand what it means.
It's means an area near Cape Dorset, where a group of elders would get together and deal with disputes and pass judgement on offenders.
That's what it means.
The word Akitsiraq, I think it's a written error.
Akitsiraq, I think they were trying to say Atsiraq.
Akitsiraq, doesn't make sense.
I think there's a typing error or an error in the written version of the title.
Hon. Paul Okalik: (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
If I change it now Mr. Speaker, I think people will get confused because it is recognized now as a title or the name of the law school.
I am not going to change it now but later on in the year we can look at it again, Mr. Speaker.
Communities like Kugaaruk which used to be Pelly Bay for many years and Qikiqtarjuaq used to be Broughton Island, now they will have their real names back.
I think, regarding the term that I just talked about, it'll be easier to change it now before too many people get used to that term.
That is why I asked this question.
The minister has said that he’ll be looking into this some time in the future.
I will wait for that time and then I will be in support of it.
Speaker: There is no question, just a comment.
Question 069 - 1(3): Inuit Traditional Regions
My time finally came.
I will direct my question to the Premier regarding the training programs for job placement due to decentralization.
I was wondering if he can consider if it is hard to transfer staff to another community especially when they are taking their training courses, have you ever considered using traditional Inuit regions.
For example the Aivilik region includes Repulse Bay, Igloolik and Hall Beach.
When they are saying these communities are part of the Baffin region, it does not make sense.
It doesn't reflect the other communities we have, in Inuit terms we have Nattilik.
Yes, we do have Kitikmeot but the Nattilik region in a traditional sense is separate.
I was wondering if government could start using these Inuit regions for staffing, for decentralization.
Yes, we are representing all the communities of Nunavut, and these job opportunities have to be available to all the Nunavut regions.
We would like to see individuals from those decentralized communities hired but the job opportunities are made available and open to all the Nunavut residents.
Mr. Speaker, we are in support of keeping job opportunities available to all the Nunavut residents.
That wasn't what my concern is.
My question is, some people would like to work in a different community but they are strange to the community and they don't know anybody.
I was wondering if the government ever considered these aspects for that very reason.
What I'm trying to say is that rather than using the government regions, I was wondering if we can utilize the Inuit regions like Tunnuniqsiurmiut, Igloolikmiut, and also Amittuqmiut and Ivalikmiut.
I was wondering if you could consider these regions for training purposes and job opportunities if you can start using these Inuit regions for decentralized jobs.
If you can remember it was in Pond Inlet, that we enjoyed very much, Elijah Erkloo who is sitting over there has been very instrumental in working on decentralization and they welcome the decentralized programs.
The communities are in support of that and they will welcome workers from other communities and regions.
We're very pleased to see that and we would like to see that happen again. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Just a reminder to the members again that first question you preamble.
Your sups, get to the question.
We have three minutes left and we have members that are just chomping at the bit to get into questioning. Mr. Arvaluk.
I don't know if they can respond to my question.
What I'm trying to say is that Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit, Inuit knowledge like the Inuit regions that are adjacent to each other, in the past there were traditional regions, where Inuit of similar cultures, dialects were in a particular region.
My question is, can you take that into consideration for job opportunities and training.
Yes, I hear you.
Although we have regions in Nunavut we also have relatives.
I have relatives in the High Arctic and Cape Dorset and Taloyoak.
Even though we may come from different communities, we do have relations in other regions.
We have not looked at the regions in view of job opportunities and training, especially in the decentralized communities.
Question 070 - 1(5): Meetings Regarding Manitoba Power Grid
Uqaqti, I'm pleased to hear the Minister responsible for the Power Corporation make numerous references to Baker Lake about employment opportunities.
One of the facts that he wasn't aware of or he might have been aware of is there are fifteen jobs that were filled in Baker Lake by local people.
There were over a hundred and seven applicants and they were good applicants.
I know there is a housing crisis in Iqaluit, and if they can't staff positions here I'd be only too happy to accept another fifty or sixty or a hundred jobs in Baker Lake from the capital.
So, my question today Mr. Speaker, is to the Minister responsible for the Power Corporation. We have Mr. Jack Wilkes and a representative from Manitoba Hydro here and I was talking to him last night, but getting straight to the question here.
Has the minister set up any meetings between himself, Minister Salinger, and Minister Friezen in Manitoba to discuss extending the power grid into the Kivalliq.
I have not had an opportunity to schedule a meeting with the Minister Responsible, Mr. Salinger.
I did speak to Jack last night on this topic.
It's something that we are planning to do in the upcoming weeks.
I had hoped Mr. Speaker, by way of clarification, they were supposed to be having a trade mission to Nunavut this week by the Manitoba Government.
My understanding was I would have an opportunity then to speak to the minister responsible.
That has not taken place, I believe it was cancelled, we need to schedule another meeting.
That's good to know, I know we're all under time constraints, we're all very busy in our constituency travelling and he has a large portfolio.
Can the minister commit to arranging or setting up a meeting with these individuals from Manitoba in the immediate future.
Mr. Speaker it depends on your definition of what the immediate future is.
I would suggest, Mr. Speaker that we're in the middle of our budget session.
I'll be here like all the rest of the members.
I won't be going anywhere for the next three weeks, I will be home, here while doing the budget.
I would suggest Mr. Speaker probably early April that we would have the opportunity to schedule some meetings, for the minister responsible and myself.
That's great, on that, I hate to impose myself but could the minister invite myself and maybe some other Kivalliq MLAs along for this meeting if we can keep our interests all together on this one.
Mr. Speaker, I think protocol dictates usually when you are having ministerial meetings, that they specifically be with the minister responsible.
However, Mr. Speaker there have been exceptions on one occasion last year, I actually took some of the homeless people with me and Minister Thompson when we met with the Federal Minister responsible.
I believe yourself, Mr. Speaker, that you were in that meeting.
Mr. Speaker, I would be interested in having some people from the Keewatin, including Mr. Anawak, Mr. Arvaluk, Ms. Thompson, and of course Mr. McLean.
I know the Speaker would want to attend but we have to look at his busy schedule too.
I can't speak for him but I would be interested inviting members again, if the Manitoba people would concur.
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Picco, for the invite.
That's what I like to hear from the minister, that he's prepared to share the information and invite everyone with him.
I’m happy to hear that, I would also hope that he would invite the other interested members especially Mr. Arvaluk that represents Repulse Bay.
I don't want to give the impression that it's going to be some travelling road show.
Again, Mr. Speaker, any type of invitation that is made or meetings that are scheduled depend on the good will of both parties.
In this case Mr. Speaker, I believe that was the member’s final supplementary, question period is over.
Mr. Speaker, I will have an opportunity to review and revisit with the Manitoba people who they would like to see, if it's okay to bring X number of people, I would be open to that.
I'm sure Mr. Speaker, that the members would be open to an invitation, and Mr. Speaker you’re correct, the member is correct I did forget the member representing Repulse Bay and of course he would be invited too.
This is on the same subject, when he is going to initiate this meeting and we all show up and I'm sure the minister is going to lead this contingent, that he would also bring up the prospect of alternate sources of energy, hydro, wind, solar and stuff like that and discuss that with his counterpart.
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. McLean. I believe that was your final supplementary.
Mr. Speaker, I never said that we would actually travel somewhere.
I mean if I had a meeting I would probably invite the minister here to the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut and have him come here to the capital of Nunavut to discuss things.
Maybe Mr. Speaker I would ask to go to Rankin and meet there in that region.
Wherever Mr. Speaker, I will inform the members of that meeting.
At the same time Mr. Speaker, one of the issues that I spoke to Jack about last night from Manitoba Hydro, was alternative energy sources, specifically hydroelectric power and the opportunity to export the same.
You’ll notice that question period is now over.
Just before we proceed, on behalf of Mr. Kilabuk, I would like to recognize him, I missed him earlier, Mr. Tommy Evic, a former member of the divisional health board and a resident of Pangnirtung.
Speaker: Continuing with the Orders of the Day.
Written Questions. Written Questions.
Item 11. Petitions. Item 11.
Tabled Document 008 - 1(5): Pension Administration Report
Speaker: I have a document that I would like to table.
The Pension Administration Report for the year ending March 31, 2000, which is pursuant to the Nunavut Legislative Assembly Retiring Allowances Act.
Bill 1 Appropriation Act 2001-2002.
In accordance with the authority vested in me by Motion 002-1(5), the Committee of the Whole will stay in session until it reports itself out.
Mr. Iqaqrialu will be in the chair.
Before we proceed with Committee of the Whole, members will take a 15 minute break.
Lunch will be served upstairs in the Tuktu Room.
>>Assembly recessed at 11.49 a.m. and resumed at 12.45 p.m.
Chairperson (Mr. Iqaqrialu) (interpretation): Thank you, we have a quorum now and we can go back to Committee of the Whole.
I open the floor to the Committee of the Whole.
We were on page 9-8, for the capital spending in the Kitikmeot.
Who wants to start.
Can you continue with your speech Mr. Havioyak.
I just want to continue with the Education Capital items.
That is where we left off yesterday.
The member wishes to continue with the Appropriations Act 1, 2001-2002.
We are under the Department of Education, Capital Estimates on page 9-8.
I would like the committee members to know that under the information items for each of the government departments behind the Capital estimates are the appendices in 20.
You can take a look and see before we go on to the capital estimates.
Thank you. Mr. Kilabuk you can move to the witness stand.
Thank you, first of all as we are Chairpeople we have our own rules so you should recognize the Chairperson when you speak.
Can you introduce your witnesses, Minister.
My Deputy Minister, Mr. Moody will not be able to attend the Committee today.
He could not change his travel plans.
In his place on my left is Ian Rose, who works on legislation in the Department of Education.
Further to my left, who has been here with me since the other day is Mr. Levy, who is looking after our capital estimates.
Do you want to go clause by clause on these Capital Estimates on 9-8.
Kitikmeot, total 7 million 785 thousand dollars.
Chairperson (interpretation): Total buildings and works, 29 million 70 thousand.
Chairperson (interpretation): Equipment and acquisitions.
I guess we have gone on to equipment and acquisitions here.
I just want to, for my information I guess, ask if there is a policy or guideline that was followed to get to this point.
I will ask him to be more specific.
Does he have two questions on the last part on the school busses for two communities.
Mr. Havioyak: I guess in general on this page.
Just for my information, I would like to know if there was a policy in place before these were put into this capital.
We didn't understand exactly what he was talking about.
For the two school buses we have a policy and we were questioned previously in the Legislative Assembly about whether or not we had a policy to back up these acquisitions.
We have a policy on acquisitions for transportation.
We always have money set aside in the Education department for school buses.
These buses are designed for kindergarten to grade 12 and will be used for transporting them from home to the school.
The policy that is used to acquire these school buses depends on the student ratio to figure out whether those communities do need a school bus.
Those were taken care of by the district regional education boards.
They identified their needs so it is under the jurisdiction of the Department of Education.
You are speaking to the 29 million 70 thousand dollars.
Mr. Havioyak do you have any further questions for the Minister.
You mentioned the student ratio.
Could I get information on that one.
What you meant by ratios. What's the ratio, I guess, in general.
Hon. Peter Kilabuk: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
The factors that I gave in my response, current funding is based on the average school size and the community distance between home and the school factor.
Attached to that there is also a student dollar amount, a per student dollar amount in the formula.
Dollar amounts.
Are you saying there's a dollar and then you divide by the number of students. Is that what you meant.
That's the formula that we use to determine if a community qualifies to acquire these assets.
Mr. Havioyak: I'm not sure if I'm getting the answer.
Maybe just for example to make it clearer.
Let's say one student per, and you got so many dollars is that, I'm not sure I'm getting the message.
Maybe it's me not getting it but I'm just saying for one student you have so many dollars.
I'm not getting it clear.
I'm sorry Mr. Chairman.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Havioyak. Minister Kilabuk.
As I said yesterday, the formula used for the acquisition of equipment, it's very difficult to understand exactly.
If it's okay with you Mr. Chairman I'd like to have my staff member answer this question.
The formula as the minister has mentioned is complicated.
It has a combination of factors in it.
One of them is the number of kindergarten to grade 12 students in the community.
Another is the average school size, meaning there's, depending on the numbers, it is designated as a small or a medium or a large school.
There's also a community distance factor which means the distance between the school and what's considered the outskirts of town and, as the minister also mentioned, there's a per dollar student figure.
But all of those are measured together and depending on the combination of those four factors, you may or may not get a contribution for busing.
For example, I was asked for an example.
A small community like Grise Fiord, because of the small size that would cancel out continuing with the formula and adding up the number of students and using that per dollar figure.
So, all of those factors together are considered and that is what is then contributed to the region for re-distribution for busing.
Mr. Havioyak: Thank you for the answer. Maybe I should leave it here.
Maybe we can discuss it further in your business plan.
It was just brought to my attention, but maybe we’ll go into more details then from there so I will leave it at that.
Just for clarification too I guess. Are these new budgets for the community or are they for replacements.
These are to replace the old buses, these two buses are too old and they're going to be replaced because of their age.
I don't want to sound like I am against these projects, I am for it.
I am just trying to get information here.
Just a comment I guess.
The two communities already have buses, whereas the other communities don’t have any buses at all at this point.
I guess I’m just trying to say there are also other communities that are requesting buses and here we are replacing the two in those communities, but which is okay.
But in the future I’m, just for the record, for you to think about, maybe go to every community first before you go getting a replacement.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you Havioyak.
Hon. Peter Kilabuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I understand the member's comment.
We are just replacing two old buses and I understand his comment.
We’ll keep that in mind.
We got the funding formulas for Nunavut K-12 students’ transportation.
Regular busing includes and it includes school busing.
In my community, it's a private contract providing the service and he provided excellent service to date.
There was always an issue, like safety, temperature extremes, hours of daylight and the hazards such as rabid foxes, wolves, you know and things like that.
Is the formula equal in every community in Nunavut, this policy, is every community in Nunavut treated equally according to this formula.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you Mr. McLean. Mr. Kilabuk.
Yes, we treat all the communities the same when we’re setting up the formula.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Minister.
My question, we'll probably be discussing buses for a bit.
You said earlier that it depends on how many students there are.
So how many students would the school need to have before a school gets a bus.
Hon. Peter Kilabuk (interpretation): Just to clarify.
We look at the school, the size of the school, the distance from the school to the general area of population, and the student ratio is what we look at Mr. Chairman.
Seven million 785 thousand dollars was approved under Kitikmeot region and then we went onto equipment acquisition.
We are under total buildings and works, 29 million 70 thousand dollars.
We need to approve it before we go on.
Is it agreed.
We have a couple of people that would like to say something.
Mr. Alakannuark (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman for giving me this opportunity.
The money that will be spent on equipment.
Is that money allocated from the capital estimates.
Where does that money come from.
This is from the surplus.
The money comes from the surplus.
Chairperson (interpretation): We are on total buildings and works, 29 million 70 thousand.
That is what we are dealing with.
If you have any questions regarding the total buildings and works.
Mr. Irqittuq (interpretation): The 29 million 320 thousand dollars.
I would like to ask a question under that item.
Chairperson (interpretation): Seven million 785 thousand was approved.
We were moving on to the next area.
If you want to be clear about where we are at, please stay in the House.
Total buildings and works, 29 million 70 thousand dollars.
Do you agree with the 29 million 70 thousand.
Chairperson: (interpretation): Okay. Equipment acquisition.
Total 250 thousand.
I think you were just asking if we, was it 9-5.
Under 9-8 you were asking about 29 million.
Do I understand clearly that needs to be approved before we move on.
Total buildings and works, 29 million 70 thousand.
The total capital expenditures are 29 million 320 but we're not there yet, so we're now on equipment acquisitions.
Total equipment acquisitions, 250 thousand.
Chairperson (interpretation): Turn the page, 9.9.
Are there any questions, we'll go back to 9.5.
Education Program summary, detail of expenditures.
Total capital expenditures, 29 million 320 thousand.
Chairperson (interpretation): Capital Estimates for Education.
Department of Education for 2001-2002.
It's completed.
Do you agree to start the main estimates.
Main Estimates 2001-2002 on page 9-5.
Details of expenditures.
We'll move onto 9-6.
Education Branch summary, total operations and maintenance, 736 thousand.
Chairperson (interpretation): Any questions or comments.
I'm not sure if I'm going to be asking a question under this item.
Maybe I should ask under 9.10 but if I make a mistake, you could correct me.
During the opening remarks the minister did not talk about income support.
The Income Support program, when they work through the hamlets, I think they provide 75% under the CIP with the Department of Sustainable Development.
Has there been a review under Department of Education to assist students, to have student summer programs, has there been a review done on having students working instead of just getting income support.
Chairperson (interpretation): It would be best to ask those questions, when we get to that area.
So if you have a question, when we get to that area, please raise it.
I think your question would fall on page 9-10.
You could bring that question up when we get to that area.
We are on 9-6, total operations and maintenance, 736 thousand dollars.
Chairperson (interpretation): Total expenditures, 736 thousand dollars.
Under contract services there's no money allocated for contract services.
Why would that be, Mr. Chairman, that's my question.
The contract services aren't provided under this department or under this area.
So that's why it wouldn't be included.
It's done in a different area.
You'll be able to see it on a different page.
We are now 9-6, 736 thousand has been approved.
Total operations and maintenance, 1 million 905 thousand dollars.
For the year 2001-2002, under contract services.
There's a figure of 154 thousand dollars. I was wondering Mr. Chairman, if I could ask a question.