EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
That information will be provided to the members.
Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you, Mr. Chairman for allowing me one more.
Yesterday, I believe I asked a question regarding the search and rescue 200-hour tax exemption.
Does that only apply to the individuals that are out searching?
This is for anyone who is helping with the search and rescue activities.
It’s very good to hear.
The reason why I asked this question is because every time we do search and rescue in our community, the search and rescue team are not the only people who do work. Even women bake bannock and dry clothes. Young people in Baker Lake also provide support all night long refuelling and preparing qamutiqs.
This tax exemption is going to be very beneficial for the people who work on search and rescue. I am very pleased to hear about that.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Mikkungwak. (interpretation ends) I believe (interpretation) that was just a comment.
Hon. Minister, if you wanted to answer. If he wants to make a comment.
Let me remind the members that we are on page J-7 in English and G-7 in Inuktitut.
Branch Summary. Community and Government Services.
Protection Services. Total operations and maintenance to be voted. $6,006,000.
Turn the page to J-8. In Inuktitut G-8.
Ms. Angnakak. Anyone who would like to ask a question, please raise your hand ahead of time.
One of my areas of interest is proper waste management methods.
On February 28, your department issued a request for information for potential planning for solid waste management methods for the Nunavut territory.
The RFI closed March 28. What were the results of this request for information? When do you expect that a final report and a set of recommendations will be produced?
The RFI has just closed and we are now in the process of evaluating the report and the recommendations from the report.
Once we have the final report after our evaluation and that, we certainly would be willing to share the information in that report with the Legislative Assembly.
Are you saying then, Mr. Green, that you would be able to table the report at our next sitting?
Hon. Tom Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Yes.
Your department’s draft 2014-17 business plan indicates that one of the goals for the 2014-15 fiscal year is to continue the development of a long-term infrastructure plan for Nunavut.
When is this plan expected to be completed and tabled in the Legislative Assembly?
I’m sure this can be completed by the end of this fiscal year.
Chairman (interpretation): Sorry. (interpretation ends) Was that deferred to Mr. Green?
Apparently, I wasn’t paying attention it’s Friday afternoon. (interpretation) I’m sorry.
Taima?
Moving on, Mr. Hickes.
I didn’t expect to get up so soon.
Mr. Chairman, in the priorities in the business plan on page 157, the very first priority listed under last year’s 2013-14 was continuing to explore P3 opportunities in infrastructure.
Specifically mentioned was it’s feasibility as a means to address upgrades to solid waste infrastructure across Nunavut.
We’re all experiencing some of the solid waste challenges that are going on in Iqaluit currently.
Is this proposal alive for one, and two, is it a territorial-wide anticipated project or is it community-by-community based?
Hon. Tom Sammurtok: If I may, I’d like Mr. Green to respond to that.
The investigation that we’ve been doing to explore P3 options for addressing the solid waste sites across the territory. We were looking at the territory as a whole in terms of being able to address this.
One of the challenges for this territory to proceed with exploring P3 options for infrastructure is that it restricts our ability to be able to invest in this type of infrastructure. It’s something that we’ll still continue to explore P3 options and other options that we can invest to address the long outstanding issues with the current solid waste sites.
I thank Mr. Green for that information.
Mr. Chairman, in 2014-15 priorities listed on page 158 it has exploring the value of a standard repeat design of building new GN and municipal buildings.
Mr. Chairman, I believe we’ve talked about this in the past on having king of a “cookie-cutter” model in communities across our territory.
I also see that same priority in the year after.
Is there a list of different building designs or building uses that are being explored under this model, Mr. Chairman?
The reason why it is like that is because we have to be prudent with our resources. Through you, Mr. Chairman, I’ll ask Mr. Green to respond to that question.
We’re exploring options right now.
We have a couple situations where we did repeat designs for fire halls. We also had a couple situations where we investigated options for health centres, in using the repeat design.
We’re certainly in discussion with the Department of Education to take a look at how we can use repeat designs going forward to try to attempt to reduce the design costs for some of those facilities.
This is an ongoing process that we just recently started to explore.
So if I understand it, a repeat design model will alleviate a lot of the design costs in infrastructure building in Nunavut. What is the range of design costs for different types of buildings that we current spend money on?
Hon. Tom Sammurtok: If I may, I defer that question to Mr. Green.
On average, we pay about eight to ten percent of the total construction costs for design of new facilities.
That percentage also includes the monitoring of the construction of those facilities by the architects and engineers as a hope. The whole idea about repeat design is to see if we can’t bring this percentage down to, certainly not compatible with other jurisdictions because the logistics up North. Find some way that we can reduce this so we can have cost savings back to the GN. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Hickes: That sounds like a very good way of increasing our infrastructure by saving that kind of money.
Mr. Chairman, under the same category of priorities for 2014-2015, the second last bullet, it talks about updating existing major works construction contracts to incorporate lessons learned in best practices from the industry. What type of changes are being proposed to those contracts?
Hon. Tom Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) If I may defer.
At this point in time, our procurement department and our project management staff are working with the Department of Justice to go through the existing contracting documents, and trying to look at options where can find ways to standardize our contract and procedures development options in order find ways to reducing costs.
Right now this is still a work in progress, so we have the details of what the final contracting documents would look like.
Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Green. (interpretation) Moving on. Mr. Savikataaq.
On your business plan, the last bullet on page 157, implement a building commissioning program for all new major capital projects to improve quality control of all major buildings, components, and systems. Can the minister just explain what that means?
Hon. Tom Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) Again, if I may, I’ll defer that question to Mr. Green.
I just need some clarification. Which priority are you looking for? Is it on page 157?
Mr. Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes, the last bullet on 157 on your business plan.
Basically, the purpose of this priority is building in Nunavut is indeed different than building in more temperate climates. So we’re looking at good building practices that is intended to illustrate those differences. We are saying it to providing architects and engineering, building contractors and suppliers, facility operators, and operators with a comprehensive set of guidelines for building facilities in the North.
Just one last question and then I’m going to ask this one on behalf of all the councillors in Nunavut and some of the SAOs.
Can the minister please describe for accounting reasons, a road in the municipality depreciates?
I heard the answer to that one. However, I think I’ll defer to Mr. Gershom Moyo.
I’ll give a long-winded answer to that.
Since 2009, the Institute of Chartered Accountants has a standard that requires municipalities and all public sector institutions to depreciate capital assets, including roads.
As to whether a road actually does depreciate, I don’t I’m qualified to say.
However, we’re required to comply with the accounting standards.
It must be Friday afternoon. (interpretation) Let me remind everyone that we’re on page J-8.
Total Operations and Maintenance, to be Voted. $40,966,000. Do you agree?
We will go back to page J-3.
Total Operations and Maintenance, to be Voted. $220,757,000.
Are we agreed that the Department of Community and Government Services is concluded?
We finished that department quickly, as usual. (interpretation ends) Hon. Minister, (interpretation) as we conclude, if you have any closing remarks, I now give you the opportunity.
Hon. Tom Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you to my colleagues who are here.
With the things that we just said and the things that we discussed yesterday, we have work to do in the Department of Community and Government Services.
We don’t just deal with the communities. We also deal with the operations of the Nunavut government, so we always have work to do.
We will try and complete all the things that we just mentioned properly, and we would like you all to fully understand that we are committed to doing all the work that’s set out before us.
Chairman: Qujannamiiktauq, hon. minister. (interpretation) We have concluded the department.
We will proceed with the next department, which is the Department of Education.
As we set up the documents, we will take a 10-minute break.
>>Committee recessed at 14:25 and resumed at 14:50
Bill 02 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2014-2015 – Education – Consideration in Committee
We are ready to proceed. To all of the people of Nunavut that were waiting for us, anybody who was watching or listening, our apologies.
We had a power outage for a short while but the power is back and we can resume.
Minister Quassa, I’d like to ask you first before we get started would you like to have some of your officials with you at the witness table?
Yes, I would like my officials to be with me.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Quassa.
Do you all agree that we can allow the minister to have his officials at the witness table?
Sergeant-at-Arms, can you please escort the witnesses to the witness table?
Minister Quassa, so that we don’t make any mistakes as to who is with you, can you please introduce your officials?
With me this afternoon, on my left is Deputy Minister Kathy Okpik and on my right is the Finance Director, Mark Rose.
They will be with me here this afternoon.
Ms. Okpik and Mr. Rose, welcome to the Legislative Assembly.
Shall we proceed? Hon. Minister, if you have opening remarks the floor is open.
I say “good day” to my colleagues.
We are pleased to meet with the committee to discuss the 2014-15 main estimates and business plan for the Department of Education. The plans for the Department of Education over the next few years.
Our government believes that education is the foundation for a healthy, strong, and flourishing life in Nunavut. We are committee to taking actions that will lead to real and visible progress for Nunavut. We want to achieve that by providing quality education and training opportunities.
The Department of Education, guided by Qanuqtuurniq, which means being innovative and resourceful.
It strives to provide quality lifelong learning opportunities to help improve learning outcomes for all Nunavummiut.
We all know that education begins with early childhood education and that is our plan.
Education continues with innovative bilingual kindergarten education through grade 12 programming and also quality learning opportunities that are targeted the growing workforce demand.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Chairman, last November, the Auditor General of Canada issued reports on education in Nunavut and safety in Nunavut schools and child care facilities.
We worked closely with the Office of the Auditor General for over a year to help them complete those reports.
We accepted all of their findings and we took action immediately to move forward with the Auditor General’s recommendations.
(interpretation) To help us deliver quality education and training to Nunavummiut, we are introducing several new initiatives in our schools.
In order to do this work, we have to put forward a budget of $184.2 million for the next school year.
(interpretation ends) The audit of education in Nunavut from the Auditor General of Canada has given us a clear indication of where we are at right now in implementing the Education Act.
The realization of bilingual education depends on effective implementation of the Education Act.
We want to move forward with implementing and this requires substantial consultation, planning, regulation development, training, and resource development.
We are seeking $400,000 annually for the next three years for the two Education Act implementation specialists reporting to the Education Act Implementation Coordinator.
These staff members will help develop the necessary resources, assist in providing training for school staff and district education authorities on compliance and implementation.
(interpretation) Since 2013-14, we have begun important initiatives that are helping us standardize our education system, and we have spent over $1 million to provide updated, standardized curriculum and resources and new literacy and assessment frameworks to be used in every school. This will also provide some of the strategies, tools, and resources to fully support students’ progress and success in an inclusive way.
We want to ensure that all students in every community receive a quality education that they deserve, and accurate reliable assessments to guiding and improving student learning, and assessing the overall effectiveness of our education system.
Research identifies looking into it; we have realized that the literacy skills in Nunavut are not up to par with the rest of Canada. Even students have reached grade 12, their literacy levels are lower.
(interpretation ends) One of our emerging strategies will be a literacy approach that uses balanced literacy. This is a comprehensive approach to literacy development that uses guided reading, guided writing, and word study through teaching by showing.
Teachers will model good reading and writing skills and word comprehension.
Students will practice what they have been shown and move on to independent learning when they are ready.
The Balanced Literacy Program uses levelled books.
In 2014-15 we are continuing to produce Inuktitut books for the guided reading series.
We are investing over $1 million with a local Inuit publisher to produce an extensive series of levelled books in Inuktitut.
We are investing $492,000 in 2014-15 to provide teachers with in-depth training on literacy acquisition so they have the skills to teach literacy at each level.
(interpretation) We all know that children begin learning long before they start school.
To support this, we will begin to use the Early Years Evaluation tool for our learners just entering Kindergarten.
The EYE tool will determine student progress and help plan supports when they enter grade one.
These assessments will be shared with parents to help them understand their child’s strengths and areas that need further development.
(interpretation ends) The early years are very important to a child’s development.
We support early childhood programs and services across Nunavut through various programs: licensed childcare facilities, the Healthy Children Initiative, and Young Parents Stay Learning, the district education authority early childhood education funding, and early childhood training.
To support these programs, we have budgeted $6.5 million for 2014-15.
This is an increase of $2.9 million from last year.
Immediately after the Auditor General released his report on safety in schools and childcare facilities we took steps to make changes to address the concerns raised in the report.
All children facility inspections have been completed and all facilities have a current licence.
In the last fiscal year, we ordered carbon monoxide detectors, complete facility first aid kits, and excursion first aid kits for all licensed childcare facilities. These safety items are being sent to the facilities this spring.
(interpretation) We have budgeted $834,000 in 2014-15 to assist licensed childcare facilities in government buildings to deal with the cost associated with building maintenance and the installation of enhanced security features so facilities will have secure, controlled entry.
The plan is to install a buzzer, video monitoring system at the entrance so that staff are aware of who is entering the facility and when.
We will be working with Community and Government Services to determine what security features are needed at each facility.
This type of controlled entry system is being piloted in Iqaluit schools in the fall of 2014.
(interpretation ends) Together with the Nunavut Teacher’s Association and the Coalition of Nunavut District Education Authorities, we have begun a family and community engagement campaign that builds on the theme, “Parents motivate, students participate, together we can graduate”.
Building on this theme, we are developing initiatives that will help us make sure that our students are in class on time, and mentally and physically ready to learn.
(interpretation) I look forward to working with the committee and my colleagues to improve educational outcomes so we are able to provide Nunavummiut with the best possible opportunity for the future.
Mr. Chairman, I am happy to respond to questions from the committee with respect to the Department of Education.
Does the Committee Chair of Social Wellness have any opening remarks?
As the Chair of the Standing Committee on Social Wellness, I am pleased to make opening comments as we begin deliberations on the proposed 2014-15 budget of the Department of Education.
Mr. Chairman, the Department of Education’s proposed 2014-15 operations and maintenance budget is $184,200,000, which represents a slight increase over last year’s restated budget.
The standing committee notes that additional funding will be allocated to the ongoing implementation of the Education Act, including investments in curriculum resources and assessment development, as well as the renewed focus on early childhood programming and the safety and security of childcare facilities.
Members are aware that a new collective agreement with the Nunavut Teacher’s Association has been in the final stages on negotiation we look forward to the agreement being finalized. Changes to the budget may occur in the areas of compensation and benefits as well as such initiatives as teacher training and professional development.
Mr. Chairman, the new Department of Family Services delivers various programs and services that focus on education and training opportunities for adults and the related supports and services.
At the same time, the Department of Education offers a number of programs aimed at supporting adults who wish to improve their educational qualifications, such as attaining a high school diploma under the new, PASS initiative.
The members encourage the minister and his officials to work closely with their counterparts and the Department of Family Services to ensure that all of the adult Nunavummiut receiving services or attempting to receive services related to furthering their education or career opportunities are supported.
Members look forward to regular updates on programs achieved under the Nunavut adult learning strategy and in collaboration with Nunavut Arctic College.
Mr. Chairman, the Department of Education’s renewed focus on early childhood education is very welcome.
In response to the recent report by the Auditor General of Canada on the safety of schools and childcare facilities in Nunavut, members are aware that the department is making efforts to ensure that all facilities are safe for children, students, and staff alike.
In some communities the availabilities of day care spaces is a concern and it will be important that adequate support is provided to maintain and increase the number of available childcare spaces.
Members for the support initiatives to provide additional training for early childhood education staff to deliver enhanced programming through such agencies as district education authorities.
Members agree that education begins well before children enter the school system and look forward to reviewing the results of the Early Years Evaluation Tool, which will help assess children who are entering the school system for the first time.
Mr. Chairman, the delivery of kindergarten to grade 12 schools in Nunavut is critical to ensure the future success of our young residents.
Concerns raised by members of the Legislative Assembly and others in recent years have focused on the fact that many of Nunavut’s high school graduates do not appear to have the basic skill sets especially in the area of reading, writing and arithmetic that are necessary for continuing towards the career of their choice.
Members appreciate the minister’s commitment to addressing the levels of academic programming that are offered across all of Nunavut’s schools and communities.
The standing committee looks forward to regular updates on the implementation and evaluation of the department’s new student assessment tool and given that these tools are used in other jurisdictions anticipate a comparison with academic standards across other Canadian jurisdictions will eventually be possible.
Mr. Chairman, the standing committee recognizes that achieving the objective of full bilingual education in Nunavut as required by the Education Act faces many challenges including the varying levels of language competence that children bring with them.
The availability of bilingual educators and the lack of linguistically and culturally relevant resources.
While the standing committee applauds the department’s proposed investment in publishing new Inuit-language materials for schools, members caution the minister to ensure that dialectical differences are appropriately recognized and reflected.
The standing committee notes that DEAs have a range of roles and responsibilities with respect to the delivery of education in their communities.
Members look forward to hearing about collaborative efforts involving education staff, students, parents, and DEAs, especially in the area of promoting school attendance.
Members have suggested that full consideration be given to the different types of incentives that promote good attendance.
Mr. Chairman, one area that deserves specific attention is the importance of breakfast programs in Nunavut schools.
Members fully recognize the extreme dedication and extra effort made by teachers, volunteers, and community members to ensure that children coming to school receive a nutritious meal before starting their day.
Children who are rested and fed are in a much better position to learn and progress.
Members strongly encourage the minister and his staff to work with funding agencies as well as with their counterparts in the departments of Health and Family Services to support the delivery of breakfast programs in all Nunavut schools.
Mr. Chairman, the standing committee looks forward to the department’s new student information system being fully implemented across all of Nunavut’s communities.
This system will compile information from student records as well as enrolment and attendance data and will allow improved evaluations in such areas as attendance, skill assessments, and achievement levels.
Members support the department’s investments in literacy development as well as in additional training for student support teachers.
Members anticipate that the student information system will also allow for the improved recording, monitoring, and analysis of students’ progress within individualized student support plans.
Chairman (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Joanasie.