EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Mr. Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) I think my question was: when does the money flow to the student who has that forgivable loan? When does the money start going to the student?
That’s my question. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
My official will respond to that question.
The money flows to students once the applications or loans have been approved.
Mr. Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) So the student can have the money before the schooling starts down south for those that have this forgivable loan. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
If we’re talking about just FANS and they are going south to secondary education, in the event that all the applications, paperwork, and admission to the college or school are all in place, that’s when the money is distributed to a student.
What the career development officers do is try to help the students ahead of time so that when they go, they have funding with them, that they don’t go down there without any money.
That’s a concern that we have, to make sure that all the students and the colleges and universities are doing their paperwork and documentation so that we could disburse the money.
Mr. Okalik: Okay, that’s interesting.
From what I understand, for Inuit that do get a grant and are not eligible for that forgivable loan because they’re getting a grant, they wait up to two to three weeks after they have started their courses and they don’t get paid until all the paperwork, after they have been in school, has been provided. That could be up to 10 days and they don’t get any money through FANS.
Is there any way of adjusting that so that they’re not punished for being Inuit?
We really encourage people to take secondary education and I think everybody is.
When the person wants to go somewhere, we do what we can, but the FANS or the funders are not the only ones that need to do something. It’s also their admittance; they have the application in place and admittance to university or college or where they are going to go take the training.
Once everything is in place, we actually try to do applications by July. Now, there’s another issue. A lot of people are on holidays in July and August and that’s one of the issues.
Once everything is in place, that’s when they get their money. We try very hard to make sure that people are going with funding.
Mr. Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) The practice is just not fair for Inuit students.
A student is always struggling. I have been through it.
When you don’t have money, you need to eat and you need to buy books when you start your classes.
Those are expenses that you incur as a student.
Can this department adjust their practices and support students when they need it the most, when they incur the most costs at the beginning of their courses?
When they’re moving for the first time, they have to buy furnishings and those expenses.
Can the department look at adjusting their payment practices for these students that we claim we support?
It’s all outlined in the criteria when they can apply.
There are deadlines: July 15, November 15, and March 1.
We need to do something about my colleague’s concern, as far as I can see.
We will review that to see how we can improve it so that it applies equally to everyone in the same way, with no one being favoured over another.
It’s clear what my colleague said about treating everyone the same.
That can be amended and made better.
If that is amended, I would like to be notified in the House. I would like them to explain to the House how they amended the policy. It’s really inconvenient for the students.
Perhaps, in the fall session, I would like a report on what was done.
Yes, that will be the only way to go. We will make sure that we give you an update because I’m sure there is room for improvement in the FANS system. We do hear that there is a delay in receiving the actual funds, even though their application was approved.
I will make sure that I have the information and give you an update perhaps in the spring sitting.
I could give you further information and an update on that in the spring sitting.
I’m done with that for now.
Chairman: Branch Summary. Family Services. Career Development.
I just have a question for clarification, that is, if I’m understood.
Career Development is responsible for giving funds through FANS and provide other benefits. I have seen students who go through hardships when they go to higher education for a year or more.
There was a case of a student who had to take upgrading before they could take the preferred course. That happens to some students. They have to do an upgrading for a year or more before they can be eligible to go to their program of choice.
I’m specifically talking about the FANS program. With the FANS program, I think the student is eligible to receive the funding only if they’re going to go to school for two or more years.
Is there a policy stating that?
Yes, I believe I identified some of those items. If you will be submitting an application, there are specified days to apply before your courses start.
That is what I was trying to convey here.
In addition, the officials who administer this program are present and they can provide more details. Perhaps I will ask Ms. Vardy to supplement my response.
A student who is approaching post-secondary education can apply for FANS and we have the deadline of July 15 for fall programs, November 15 for winter programs, and March 1 for spring.
We try to communicate this a lot more to everybody so that they can submit their application, go through the process, as well as getting applications to other institutions as well because FANS approval is also dependent on other schools and getting information from NAC and universities down south.
We try to make that clear to the students.
We have career development officers who are really putting a lot of effort in providing this information out to students, existing students, and even to high school students.
Perhaps my question was muddled, but I was asking about the benefits provided to students wishing to take courses and whether or not limitations exist.
If their courses are over a period of two years or more, will the limit be imposed or will that eligibility to receive funding assistance be limited to a specified number of years?
How many years can a student take courses before reaching a limit? Is it three years or is it two years or however long the course is?
Is there a limit to the FANS program? I hope I am understandable here, as I am asking if there is a limit to funding assistance to our students.
The students will get paid from the time they start school to the end of the school year.
Do I now understand that when a student takes courses or work placement skill programs, if the schooling the student is taking runs for three years or less or surpassing three years, there is no limit?
If the student takes a three-year course, can they receive funding for the entire length of their course? Do I understand that correctly?
That is how the criteria is set. If a person wishes to take medical courses to attain a doctoral degree, it might last over five years.
It depends on the student’s choice and the length of time to complete their education. That is determination factor, not a set number.
Thank you for your response as it was clear and understandable.
This is just a clarification request so that it will be understood by the listening audience who are interested in taking courses.
Is it only if the individual requests funding assistance from FANS… ?
Let’s say that the student was going to school (interpretation ends) part time, (interpretation) which I don’t know the term in Inuktitut, does it disqualify them? If a course has intermittent periods in between modules, let us say, over a period of one year with several different courses throughout the year, does that make that student ineligible for funding assistance from FANS?
For everyone’s information, because we have employees out there, there’s an office in Arviat. If you’re going to be taking a course that’s divvied up into seminars, you will have to make sure you get the information about payment prior to beginning your school year.
There are many rules that we have to follow, but there are ways to go around it so that the student would get funds.
There are career development officers in Arviat and in some other communities where you can get all that information.
Yes, I have seen students who are in dire straits. This individual took a two-year program, but at the end of two years, they were no longer eligible for FANS. The program was for three years, so they were no longer eligible to receive any benefits from your department.
That was the question I had and now I know what the problem is and that it can be reviewed.
I have another question regarding income assistance while being a student. If they take a one-year course and if they fail at the end of the day, even though they didn’t drop out, does that mean they’re no longer eligible for support because they haven’t completed or they failed their course? I hope I was clear.
Hon. Johnny Mike (interpretation): I will refer this to my deputy minister.
Any person taking courses, where that student has never chosen to drop out voluntarily, will continue to receive income support for the remainder of the courses throughout the year.
This would apply even if the course or school semester dates were changed arbitrarily. The student has no choice in those types of matters, but it would require careful consideration, perhaps on a case-by-case basis.
Yes, I really wanted that kind of information. To take my question a little further, a student who is going to school for a year or more usually goes to the second year once the first year is done.
Even if they fail, are they still eligible to continue their education? Did I understand that correctly?
We would need to have a discussion with the student to determine the exact cause for failing.
If this student dropped out without a good reason or did not have good attendance, that would be a different story.
While that student is going to school and there are delays in between, he or she will continue to be provided benefits.
Mr. Mapsalak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) What if the student fails and wanted to do the same course?
I will refer this again to my deputy minister.
That’s why we have career development officers in some of the communities and we have office in Arviat so that people could know how they could go back to school and what was the reason. They were not studying or they were not attending school, is that why they failed? There are many things that can contribute to somebody that is failing.
That’s why we don’t have one answer today.
It’s very good if people can go to a career development officer. We also have websites for career development.
Because Family Services has different funding, there is other funding that is available. If this one was not available, another one is available.
There are many things. What I’m trying to say tonight is talk with career development because every situation is different.
Chairman: Thank you. Career Development. Following the list of names, Mr. Qirngnuq.
Somebody already asked the same questions I was going to refer to, so this is somewhere in between. It is a follow-up to my colleague’s question.
Usually after the completion of grade 12, students can go to higher education and continue their education. Being young, there’s little doubt that they have a career in mind. There are many career opportunities for young people.
Some require additional education for a number of years.
Could students look at the career options and decide which one they would like to head for?
Would it be possible for the school principal to help the student decide on their career options?
Following up on my previous comments on career counsellors in your community, if there are none in your community, students can approach income support workers.
There are many people interested in taking pre-employment training or job placement courses.
To use an example, several venues exist for students wishing to take Arctic College courses.
For pre-employment courses today, there are 969 Inuit students taking that route.
Further, within the adult education centres are another 506 Inuit students taking the same pre-employment courses.
There is a high number of students taking on-the-job training in Nunavut which total 56 people in 2015-16.
In Canada and Nunavut programs, there are also courses available in career advancement being taken by 111 students. There are different types of courses available.
Career development officers can be approached for further information. There’s also assistance while taking grades 10, 11, and 12 in high school. School counsellors can also help prepare them.
Once they finish grade 12, they can also be provided counselling on where they may want to go to school.
There are many people available. It can be difficult sometimes to know where these professionals are situated, but there are social workers available in every community.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you very much. (interpretation ends) Branch Summary. Family Services.
Career Development. Mr. Joanasie.
My questions are not that numerous, but they pertain to the FANS program.
If you look at page D-9, it lists an amount under the Grants line item, Student Financial Assistance, of $7 million, but I don’t see any contributions listed.
Are these numbers specific to grants only, are they just loans, or are there contributions as well with larger amounts that students are eligible to apply? Are there any other funds provided outside of grants?
Ms. Vardy will respond to that question.
The student financial assistance is flowed through grants Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
On another matter, at the start of the last fiscal year on April 1, 2015, an announcement was made that the FANS program funding levels had been increased on a per student capita. It was increased to $6,855 to be provided to each student annually for textbooks and other learning materials that the student must pay for.
After this limit was changed, have you seen an increase in the numbers of applicants to this fund?
What about people who want to take social service courses under your department compared to last year’s figures?
Ms. Williams (interpretation): Yes, that is the situation as it stands. The FANS program used to have a limit of $3,700 in the past.
We requested an increase to that amount and it was approved by the Assembly to be increased to $6,855. It is fairly well equivalent to a 50 percent increase.
With respect to the member’s question about whether or not we have seen an increase in the number of applicants, what we can tell you is that to date, there are 346 students under this category, there are 153 students attending Nunavut Arctic College, and for the other institutions, there are 193 students taking courses.
These are broken down into more details, with female applicants totalling 259 students and male applicants totalling 87.
If you include the aboriginal students who have applied, they total 285 students. For non-Inuit who reside in Nunavut who have applied for funding assistance, there are 61 all together.
It’s hard to tell whether there was an increase and talking about who are continuing their education and on-the-job training, it’s a large number and that’s good to see.
Can you also say if you refuse some applicants for funding? Are there people who were refused funding and, if so, can you tell me the number?
Hon. Johnny Mike (interpretation): So that I don’t answer incorrectly, my deputy minister will respond.
I cannot tell you the number.
No one will be refused unless there is a reason.
Perhaps people can be refused if they had not completed grade 12 and the course he or she wants to take has a requirement.
There can be different reasons. We don’t refuse them just for the sake of refusal.
You provide funding of $6,855 per student. What about the expenses they have to pay to the schools like tuition and textbooks, as well as accommodations? If their expenses exceed that amount, what else can the students do?
The department has over $2 million for day-to-day living expenses as well as for school supplies, textbooks, and tuition. All together, there is $865,000, depending on the number of students.
For travelling expenses, some need to fly to attend university.
I can use the following example.
In 2015-16, we provided $8,564,000 to students.
Let’s say a student went to college and their tuition was $10,000 to $12,000. If the $6,000 is not enough, would the loan that was mentioned have to be accessed?
Hon. Johnny Mike (interpretation): My deputy minister will respond to that.
The student needs to know what their funding requirements are.
They can be provided help for tuition and all other expenses will be taken care of.
Prior to their travel and all preparations are completed, we will not let them leave with less money than they need.
Because of that, students need not be worried about applying for more funding in between.
If I can say it in English, (interpretation ends) people have to budget. Potential students will be assisted when they are going to a certain school in the south.
They have to do the budget. They have to learn to budget. They would get assistance for how to budget that.
I’m sure that if the money was short somehow, and if it was not misused, the cost of something had gone up, I’m sure that they could be assisted, but it depends on the case. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
This is with regard to student assistance. If the student has lived in Nunavut for less than a year, are they still eligible for that assistance?
For instance, there is an eligibility requirement for housing. Does the same thing apply for someone who just arrived to Nunavut by air? Can they apply and be approved?
The rule requires that students have to reside in Nunavut for one year.
For other programs, there is a three-year residency requirement for things like loans.
There are different loan programs available. In addition, there are forgivable loans which apply mainly to land claims beneficiaries.
There is a variety of loan programs available.
If students need certain funding, those rules would apply.
Part of my question about the FANS funding of $6,855 is this: is that taxable to the student? Are taxes deducted from that?
We do income taxes annually. Are taxes deducted from that?
Hon. Johnny Mike (interpretation): I’ll refer this to my official.
I believe it’s included in the tax and there are T4 forms that are issued to them.
However, because their income is very low, it’s less than $20,000 and there’s no payment that’s required for students.
Moving on to another topic, I have a question on page D-9 for Nunavut Sivuniksavut. For 2014-15, you provided them with $75,000 and there was no money allocated last year.
Is it because they never requested for that?
Ms. Vardy will respond to that.
There is continuing support for the Sivuniksavut program and that’s $175,000 that was issued this year. However, the reason why it doesn’t show in the main estimates document is because we were able to issue the money after we prepared the main estimates document.
We finalized the draft main estimates document around November and the money was issued for the NS program a month after.
Total Operations and Maintenance, to be Voted. $20,141,000.
Department Summary. Family Services.
Total Operations and Maintenance, to be Voted. $140,906,000.
Chairman: Do members agree that we have concluded the Department of Family Services?
Thank you, members, for approving these main estimates for the Department of Family Services.
We want to improve the department’s operations so that we can provide the services required by Nunavummiut.
I know that with your approval, it’s going to improve services to the public.
I understand the fact that you want support and I’m very grateful.
I know the department’s operations have not changed much for quite some time.
I know that the O&M for the department is going to enhance and improve its operations and services.
We still have not completed the department’s overhaul and we still have a lot to do in order to provide social services in Nunavut.
We will take a five-minute break before we proceed to the next department, which will be the Department of Finance.
>>Committee recessed at 19:10 and resumed at 19:17
Bill 13 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2016-2017 – Finance – Consideration in Committee
Chairman (Mr. Enook)(interpretation): Good evening.
We will be dealing with the Department of Finance.
At this time, I would like to ask Minister Peterson if he has officials that he would like to bring to the table.
I have two witnesses that I would like to have at the table with me.
Committee, the minister would like two witnesses at the table.
To my right is Chris D’Arcy, Deputy Minister of Finance, and to my left is Christine Bens, Director of Corporate Services.
Welcome to the House, Mr. D’Arcy and Ms. Bens.
I am pleased to discuss the 2016-17 main estimates and business plan of the Department of Finance.
This year, we are continuing to focus our energies on Sivumut Abluqta priorities and strengthening human resources management within the government.
The ethics officer assumed his duties on April 1, 2015. When a Government of Nunavut employee has concerns of impropriety or wrongdoing within the GN, there is now a mechanism in place for reporting these concerns.
Mr. Chairman, as you are aware, within six months from the end of the fiscal year, the ethics officer will provide me with a report as per section 53(1) of the Public Service Act.
That report will then be tabled in the Legislative Assembly.
Last year, we started working with departments to review and audit their grants and contributions policies and processes to ensure compliance with the Financial Administration Manual (FAM) and assure that the Government of Nunavut receives good value for money from grant and contribution recipients.
This work will continue into 2016-17.
Work also continues to address harassment in the workplace. Materials have been developed and distributed.
Deputy ministers and human resource coordinators have had information sessions and on February 12 to 16, our executive management team visited communities in the Kitikmeot and Kivalliq to provide seminars to Government of Nunavut managers.
The Human Resource Strategy was tabled in 2014-15 and a lot of work has already been done to implement it.
During the coming year, we will continue our work to update the directives in the Human Recourses Manual and continue our continuous improvement processes in staffing, employee relations, and job evaluation.
Mr. Chairman, last year, we updated five directives and we currently have nine more in the works. We have established directives for internal and restricted competitions, including competitions for beneficiaries only, the disclosure of wrongdoing, and staffing appeals.
We are expanding opportunities for student work experience and conducting a review to improve our Financial Internship Program.
This year, we have reassumed responsibility for the Liquor Licensing Board from the Department of Justice.
Finance is now solely responsible for all components of the Liquor Act. This transfer is effective April 1, but members may notice that the main estimates for the department were restated from last year with the inclusion of an additional $250,000 for the Liquor Licensing Board’s budget.
The Nunavut Liquor Commission will roll out a social responsibility campaign this year to inform and educate Nunavummiut on the responsible use of beverage alcohol.
An experienced consulting team, Context Research Ltd., has been selected to develop this campaign and work is currently underway.
Once again, we tabled the public accounts during the fall sitting of the House. This was the second time in Nunavut’s history and goes to show the continued steady improvements that we have made and will continue to make in the government’s financial management.