EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Government, communities, teachers, parents, and students share responsibility for improving education outcomes to provide the best possible opportunities for the future.”
The review and improvement of the Education Act is a central objective of Sivumut Abluqta.
This was the purpose of the work of the Special Committee to Review the Education Act in 2014 and 2015.
I was pleased to join my fellow MLAs, George Hickes, Simeon Mikkungwak, Ms. Pat Angnakak, and Mr. Joe Savikataaq as we toured Nunavut and spoke with stakeholders for over a year.
The special committee acted as a voice for this Legislative Assembly. It made 23 recommendations with respect to student outcomes and operations, and directed that certain priority amendments be dealt with in the life of this government.
The recommendations focused on how to make our education system better, including making the delivery of programming more consistent to improve student outcomes no matter where they live in the territory or if they have moved between communities.
Mr. Speaker, by introducing Bill 37, the government is working to meet the recommendations of the special committee.
Prior to the review of the special committee, the Office of the Auditor General conducted a review of the implementation of the Education Act.
The findings of the report and its recommendations were comprehensive, and my department and I agreed in full with the changes that needed to be made.
In response to the recommendations, we have made great strides in our policies and programming with respect to curriculum, balanced literacy, and parental engagement.
However, there is still more to do and some of the work that was identified by the Auditor General requires legislative changes.
Bill 37 represents the changes needed to improve the implementation of the Education Act by making vital changes to how the system operates.
These operational improvements are common sense and based on the logic that students need a system that is consistently delivered, but also where there are clear avenues for local input, priorities and know-how.
(interpretation) In addition to the work of the special committee and the Auditor General, government consultation in 2016 guided the development of Bill 37 and resulted in major alterations to the proposals that were consulted on.
Public consultation is essential and I thank all members of the public, the district education authorities, and our education partners who participated.
The department hosted 10 public meetings in all regions of the territory.
By September 2016 the department had met with DEA representatives from across all regions and the vast majority of DEAs took the opportunity to send representatives to attend two separate consultation meetings.
All stakeholder organizations were consulted with during this time.
Officials from Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated and my department had lengthy and productive discussions over the course of the summer of 2016.
NTI made a series of formal written comments in regard to the work we were doing. My officials responded fully to NTI’s written submissions and many of their ideas are included in Bill 37.
We noted that many of NTI’s recommendations are non-legislative. My department has indicated to NTI that a robust and continuing working relationship will be required moving forward in order to collaborate on programming and policy initiatives.
This includes the ongoing work to develop an updated Inuit employment plan for educators and the implementation of that plan.
Mr. Speaker, the 2016 consultations made a difference and the feedback was incorporated throughout Bill 37. Feedback resulted in new proposals being added to the bill.
Many of the original proposals were modified to reflect local priorities and concerns, and some proposals were dropped altogether based on the second consultation process.
Mr. Speaker, we have made an effort to listen and learn from what we heard and Bill 37 responds to many concerns heard during the consultations.
New ideas that were incorporated include the creation of the DEA council to improve supports for DEAs and additional clarity about the purpose of locally driven enhancements to the education program, additional clarity about the purpose of locally-driven enhancements to the education program, additional clarity with respect to the processes and timelines for individual student support plans and related parental rights, as well as increased government accountability in reporting and communication with Nunavummiut on how the government is meeting the needs of students.
Mr. Speaker, I am not just speaking to the people of Nunavut; I’m speaking to my colleagues here as well.
As MLAs we have to properly review proposed legislation.
Mr. Speaker, I want to speak for a moment about why amendments to the Education Act are necessary.
We all know the purpose is to address and fix operational challenges that have existed since 2008, but also to establish an Act that is forward-looking. We also know that our government is big and we always have to keep that in mind.
The changes being proposed will increase consistency of delivery across the territory. Increased consistency in schools will improve the quality of education, resource development, and the ability to properly assess students and student outcomes.
Currently schools do not have the direction they need to effectively implement the bilingual education models.
Schools can choose how to deliver the model.
This lack of direction creates an unacceptable level of inconsistency between different schools, which impedes the delivery of the curriculum and impacts on how resource materials are developed, all of which impacts on student outcomes.
Bill 37 addresses this issue by providing a mechanism to the Minister of Education, working with the DEAs, so that the minister can give directions on how each bilingual education model is delivered. These directions will involve assigning the language of instruction for each grade and program of study, and it will help achieve much-needed consistency.
Currently in Nunavut we do not have standardized instruction minutes, which is the time spent on each program of study each week. It’s not explained very well in the present legislation. Bill 37 provides a mechanism to do this, which is an important step towards having better assessments to help track student progress and teaching quality.
There would be a lot less confusion if it’s set up properly like this. That is what Bill 37 is trying to do. Being able to properly track student progress and teaching quality is fundamental so that we will know where our students are at.
Bill 37 also provides a mechanism to make school calendars more standardized than they are now. That’s what Bill 37 tries to do, but let us be aware that it does not take all control away from local communities in the development of their calendars.
It simply ensures that there are consistent and efficient opportunities to do high-quality teacher orientations and professional development. Teachers need to upgrade their skills as well. That would give us an opportunity to do that.
We have also known that grade 12 graduation day is not the same day across Nunavut.
We’re trying to see how we can set it up so that they can have graduations during the same time period.
(interpretation ends) Bill 37 ensures that there are clear roles and responsibilities for everyone working in the education system.
My staff and I recognized the consultation feedback that we did not propose the right balance of responsibilities between the district education authorities, schools, and department.
We have made many changes to our proposals so that Bill 37 strikes a better balance.
In response to the recommendations of the special committee and the Auditor General of Canada, the proposed amendments find an appropriate balance with respect to capacity, training, and specialized expertise for the roles assigned by the Education Act.
This will improve how our system functions and does not inappropriately constrain local input. Instead it focuses the work of DEAs (district education authorities) on the functions that their input is needed on: programs that will ensure local schools reflect local needs, priorities and values.
Bill 37 shifts responsibility to the principals for the implementation of the inclusive education provisions in schools.
Principals are expected to have the expertise needed to manage oversight.
DEAs, or district education authorities, are still given vital roles in ensuring parental rights for student supports.
Bill 37 also ensures that DEAs will know what is happening in their schools with respect to meeting the needs of their students so that they can advocate for their communities when the student needs are not being met.
Another example of a common-sense shift in responsibility is the proposal to make the department responsible for the administration of principal and vice-principal appointment panels.
Principals and vice-principals are government employees. Their employment rights are established in the Public Service Act, the government Human Resources Manual, and the Nunavut Teachers Association Collective Agreement.
The minister is responsible for compliance with all of these rules and therefore it is logical and common sense for the department’s human resource professionals to manage the administration of appointment panels to ensure that all rules are followed.
Bill 37 ensures that advocacy and capacity is strengthened for DEAs by establishing the DEA council, which will have the staff and funding needed to carry out enhanced responsibilities, including DEA training and support.
By establishing this organization in the legislation, there is an opportunity to ensure increased accountability for the spending of public funds and accountability for important issues, such as records management, protection of privacy, and council elections.
(interpretation) The department recognizes the hard work of district education authorities while at the same time noting the significant capacity and administrative challenges they face in our communities.
Legislative amendments will address this imbalance between responsibility and capacity while also respecting the benefit of local impact on schools and students.
This will improve operations across the territory in schools and at DEA meeting tables.
Language of instruction has been a much-discussed topic with respect to Bill 37. I recognize the concern amongst Nunavummiut, partners, and stakeholders that the amendments in Bill 37 will have an impact on the implementation of Inuktut as a language of instruction in the Nunavut education system. I want to briefly go over some of the reasons why I am proposing changes to the Education Act and the Inuit Language Protection Act.
Bill 37 establishes that a parent has the right for their child to be educated using Inuktitut as the language of instruction during the majority of instructional time.
If this change is made to the Inuit Language Protection Act, it means that more than 50 percent of instructional time must be in Inuktitut.
That’s what Bill 37 is proposing to do. It identifies what percentage of instructional time must be in Inuktitut.
This change is proposed for several reasons.
The proposed change provides a clear entitlement for Inuit language rights for Nunavut students, that being the right to have the majority of instruction in Inuktitut as the language of instruction.
Part of the purpose of this right is to make this right clear to all parents.
While we’re on this subject, for example, we will be increasing the use of Inuktitut as the language of instruction following the increasing number of Inuit teachers in the school system.
(interpretation ends) In Nunavut we have a bilingual education system and two languages of instruction in the classroom.
This is established in the 2008 Education Act and is a core policy recommendation in the 2000 Bathurst Mandate, the 2006 Berger report, and the 2015 Report of the Special Committee to Review the Education Act.
The proposed changes to the Inuit Language Protection Act establish the proper legal foundation for a bilingual education system that supports graduating students who are fluent in the Inuit language.
Nunavut’s bilingual education system is not quite ready for full rollout across all grades.
To address this, the Department of Education continued to work to revamp the Nunavut Teacher Education Program in collaboration with Nunavut Arctic College; the ongoing development of an updated Inuit employment plan in collaboration with NTI; and the implementation of that plan, which will increase the number of Inuit educators in our territory.
Finally, to establish standardized vocabulary for programs of study at all grade levels, particularly the upper secondary course level, standardized vocabulary is a central building block for Inuktitut instruction.
(interpretation) There are some important changes in Bill 37 that have not received much attention in public conversations or coverage about the bill.
I want to bring attention to the practical aspects of the bill that have been ignored and that I fear may not be considered fully. These aspects are the following:
The proposed amendments increase government accountability by ensuring that the government is consistently and thoroughly reporting on its work with respect to the implementation of bilingual education and inclusive education, and how it is meeting the language rights and support needs of students.
Those have not been considered fully.
It would be up to us to ensure that the information gets out there.
Bill 37, in response to consultation feedback from the Representative for Children and Youth, adds an affirmation to the Education Act of the territory’s commitment in the public education system and to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Bill 37 expands the role of skilled Inuit cultural experts to include people of all ages, not only elders.
The younger people, for example, can teach about hunting or sewing and they are now knowledgeable in all other aspects of the Inuit culture.
This measure will offer an avenue of increased employment in the communities and increased engagement, especially of young men and women who have mastered traditional skills.
Consultation feedback indicated that the role of the department in supporting the development of local education program enhancements must be clearly established in the legislation. The amendments do this and also bring greater clarity to the purpose and structure of local education program enhancements, something the 2008 legislation does not do. This will help guide the DEAs in their work to identify and develop these programs.
Bill 37 establishes clear timelines for development of individual student support plans.
An amendment in Bill 37 establishes that the minister, in addition to being required to establish territory-wide assessments of numeracy and literacy skills, would have the discretion to establish territory-wide assessments on any other learning outcome.
There were a lot of discussions taking place in regard to Bill 37 and there are still quite a number of questions. I would like everyone to know and I have indicated earlier that we are open. We have to be very open to the people out there before the bills are given assent.
We must have open dialogues in order to understand what’s happening.
I can say in English that (interpretation ends) I continue to be fully prepared to discuss and compromise on the proposed amendments.
I made this very clear in our letter to the standing committee of May 9, 2017.
At a minimum we should be able to say to Nunavummiut that we made an effort as a legislature to improve the Education Act.
(interpretation) I would also like everyone to know that there was a wide variety of discussion when it came to the review of the legislation and the recommendations of the Auditor General of Canada and the Special Committee to Review the Education Act. I’m just reiterating that we are open and as we indicated earlier, it still applies today that education is of utmost importance.
This is something we wanted to accomplish and we agreed that we would review the Education Act. We would like this to go ahead so that we can improve the Education Act. The people of Nunavut also wanted to see an improved Education Act.
We have to work together to create a better education system that operates efficiently and effectively. We can improve student outcomes to prepare young Nunavummiut to become social, economic and cultural leaders.
While we have this opportunity, let’s all try to take this issue seriously.
Chairman of the Standing Committee on Legislation, Hon. Tom Sammurtok.
Committee Report 030 – 4(3): Bill 25, An Act to Amend the Consumer Protection Act (Sammurtok, T)
I wish to report that Bill 25, An Act to Amend the Consumer Protection Act, has been reviewed by the Standing Committee on Legislation and that the bill, as amended and reprinted, is ready for consideration in Committee of the Whole.
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to waive Rule 68(6) and have Bill 25 immediately moved into Committee of the Whole.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) The member is seeking unanimous consent to waive Rule 68(6) and have Bill 25 immediately moved into Committee of the Whole.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Bill 25 is now before the Committee of the Whole.
Hon. Chairman of the Standing Committee on Legislation, Mr. Tom Sammurtok.
Committee Report 031 – 4(3): Bill 29, An Act to Amend the Motor Vehicles Act (Sammurtok, T)
I wish to report that Bill 29, An Act to Amend the Motor Vehicles Act, has been reviewed by the Standing Committee on Legislation and that the bill, as amended and reprinted, is ready for consideration in Committee of the Whole.
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to waive Rule 68(6) and have Bill 29 immediately moved into Committee of the Whole.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) The member is seeking unanimous consent to waive Rule 68(6) and have Bill 29 immediately moved into Committee of the Whole.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Bill 29 is now before the Committee of the Whole.
Item 13. (interpretation) Tabling of Documents. (interpretation ends) The Hon. Minister responsible for the Utility Rates Review Council, Hon. Monica Ell-Kanayuk.
Tabled Document 326 – 4(3): 2017 Utility Rates Review Council of Nunavut Annual Report (Ell-Kanayuk)
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Cambridge Bay, that Bill 29, An Act to Amend the Motor Vehicles Act, be read for the third time.
(interpretation) Where are we?
My apologies, colleagues.
I went ahead of myself.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to table today the 2017 Annual Report of the Utility Rates Review Council of Nunavut.
Tabled Document 327 – 4(3): Correspondence Dated May 9, 2017 to the Chair of the Standing Committee on Legislation (Quassa)
I am tabling today a letter sent to the Chairman of the Standing Committee on Legislation regarding Bill 37, An Act to Amend the Education Act and Inuit Language Protection Act.
The Hon. Minister responsible for the Qulliq Energy Corporation, Mr. Mike.
Tabled Document 328 – 4(3): Qulliq Energy Corporation Waste Oil Management Report (Mike)
I am pleased to table today the QEC’s Waste Oil Management Report.
Tabled Document 329 – 4(3): Qulliq Energy Corporation Contracting, Procurement and Leasing Activity Report for 2015-2016 (Mike)
Hon. Johnny Mike: Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to table today the QEC’s Contracting, Procurement and Leasing Activity Report for the fiscal year 2015-16.
Tabled Document 330 – 4(3): Qulliq Energy Corporation Iqaluit Hydroelectric Project Report (Mike)
I am pleased to table today (interpretation ends) the QEC’s Iqaluit Hydroelectric Project report. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Tabled Document 331 – 4(3): Excerpt from 2003-2004 Business Plan of the Department of Education (Okalik)
I am tabling today an excerpt from the 2003-04 business plan of the Department of Education, which I encourage all members to review with care.
Members will note that the department’s budget for curriculum, program development, and student support increased from $3,211,000 in the 2002-03 fiscal year to $4,771,000 in the 2003-04 fiscal year.
As I recall, quite a lot of curriculum material was developed during this time period.
Bill 47 – An Act to Amend the Legal Profession Act – Second Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Arviat South, that Bill 47, An Act to Amend the Legal Profession Act, be read for the second time.
Mr. Speaker, this bill amends the Legal Profession Act to provide the Law Society of Nunavut with additional rule-making powers to provide for a rules committee and to regularize rules made by the society since April 1, 1999.
All those in favour. (interpretation) Thank you. (interpretation ends) Opposed. (interpretation) Thank you. (interpretation ends) The motion is carried and Bill 47 is referred to the Standing Committee on Legislation.
The Hon. Minister for Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs, Mr. Peter Taptuna.
Bill 48 – An Act to Amend the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act – Second Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member of Aggu, that Bill 48, An Act to Amend the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, be read for the second time.
Mr. Speaker, this bill makes various amendments to the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act. In particular it provides an application of the Act to municipalities, the anonymity of applicants, and the making of regulations respecting the disclosure of the remuneration of a member of a public body.
Bills 25, 27, and 29 with Mr. Mikkungwak in the Chair.
>>House recessed at 17:11 and Committee resumed at 17:39
Chairman (Mr. Mikkungwak): Welcome back, everyone. (interpretation) People of Baker Lake and Nunavut who are watching and listening to the proceedings, welcome.
I would now like to call the committee meeting to order. (interpretation ends) In Committee of the Whole we have the following items to deal with: Bills 25 and 29.
We wish to commence with the review of Bill 25, followed by Bill 29.
Are we in agreement that we first deal with Bill 25?
Bill 25 – An Act to Amend the Consumer Protection Act – Consideration in Committee
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you very much. (interpretation ends) I would now like to ask the Minister of Community and Government Services, Mr. Savikataaq, if he has officials that he would like to appear before the committee.
To my right is Jodi Durdle-Awa. She’s the director of policy for CG&S.
To my left is Thomas Ahlfors. He works for Justice and he’s a legislative drafter.
Welcome to the witnesses.
You can now proceed with your opening comments, Mr. Savikataaq.
Bill 25, An Act to Amend the Consumer Protection Act, is the result of an ongoing commitment by the Department of Community and Government Services to update Nunavut’s consumer protection legislation so that Nunavummiut are provided the same level of consumer protection as consumers in other Canadian jurisdictions.
I have worked closely with the Standing Committee on Legislation to ensure that any concerns that they may have, have been addressed. I am happy to have the opportunity to outline the proposed changes in this bill before the House today.
The major changes to the legislation under these amendments include cheque-cashing fees and unfair business practices.
At this time I would be pleased to respond to any questions you may have.
As Chair of the Standing Committee on Legislation, I wish to make some opening comments as the Committee of the Whole begins its consideration of Bill 25, An Act to Amend the Consumer Protection Act.
As members will recall, Bill 25 received second reading on October 25, 2016 and was referred to the Standing Committee on Legislation for consideration.
Mr. Chairman, Bill 25 proposes to introduce new provisions to the current legislation that are intended to provide further protection for consumers in the following areas: relief from unconscionable loan transactions, protection from unfair business practices, and regulation of cheque-cashing fees.