EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
We are doing an RFP this spring for the maintenance of the causeway.
I agree that Iqaluit has no modern marine facility and requires one in order to provide safe anchorage for marine carriers.
The work that we are proposing for this year is to do the upgrade for what is currently there.
Chairman (interpretation): Than you.
I know that every year, an RFP goes out. Last year, it was very late. It came out in mid-July and that was really unfortunate.
People wanting to go out boating had to really literally go over boulders of rocks. I personally saw a boat come right off of the trailer because it was bouncing so much.
I think it was mentioned earlier that those are significant investments that people have in order to maintain their way of life and going out hunting. I think we all like that.
The thing that concerns is me is because there are so many boaters, and I’ll use the breakwater as an example, there are a lot of boaters and every summer, the number of boaters or boats needing to launch off or come back to Iqaluit are growing.
I know that personally, my husband and I have waited over an hour sometimes to get into the water. You are lining up and you are lining up through that road right across from all the public housing units.
The kids are everywhere. There are trucks going back and forth.
I think it would be proactive of the department to really go and take a look now before an accident is going to happen because of the number of people and kids going back and forth with trucks.
I think you really need to look at perhaps adding another, I don’t know what you call that, launch pad or whatever because with only one, it creates a huge backup.
Maybe if you want to meet with… . There’s a group that has started in Iqaluit and I’m sorry I can’t remember the name of the group, but I have communicated with them through Facebook.
These people are boaters who have the same concerns and they have been on their own. You know, they volunteer and they go around the beach area to clean up and try to move a few rocks.
It would be good, I think, for your department to meet with them and say, “How can we address some of your concerns?” Because you know what, I think some of those concerns are really doable; it just takes some organization.
Throwing $30,000 something, although that is a lot of money, every year, that’s about the amount that goes towards fixing up our limited marine infrastructure and I don’t think it’s enough. You need to put more into that.
Instead of just putting gravel down, we need to have something that will stay.
I would just like your thoughts and your comments on that, and if you can ask your department to meet with this group and with hunters or whoever wants to meet to talk about this and also to address the safety issue that I raised.
We have met with the group that the member is talking about.
We are always open to meeting anyone, actually.
I always have an open door approach and I can be approached at any time.
We have discussed ways in which to improve the work that is being done. Instead of waiting for the fall, this year we are putting an RFP out earlier in the spring.
We have discussed ways in which we can improve the work that is done there. Also, we are working on increasing the grants and contributions.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Minister Ell. Ms. Angnakak.
Can the minister share with us what came about from those discussions with the group? What are the next steps?
My deputy minister met with this group and I would like him to respond.
We were invited a few times and have actually sat down with the Facebook group that was formed in town.
Although they are not a formally recognized not-for-profit organization yet, I think that’s one of the things that the group recognize that they will need to do to maybe perhaps move towards things like next steps and identifying some of the things that they want to go after.
We have sat down with them on a few things to try and identify how we can best go forward.
We took some of their suggestions in, such as getting out the RFPs earlier for the maintenance of the marine facilities.
We also talked a little bit about things like safety. Having discussions with various other organizations such as the city will also be critical in addressing some of those safety concerns going forward.
This is very typical of the types of conversations that departmental officials will have with communities.
This isn’t unique to Iqaluit. There are quite a few other communities that are starting to see expanded growth in the number of personal boaters and the number of vehicles that are growing all the time.
We have committed to continuing to meet with not just the group here but all the communities that do continue to approach us on a regular basis.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Suvega. Ms. Angnakak.
Can I ask the minister or the department what they’re planning this year in regard to the RFP? What is it that you’re asking for? Are we asking for the same thing that we asked for last year to throw down some gravel or are we doing something a bit different this year?
We want to proceed with the regular things that we have, but we have room to consider.
The fund that is available for Nunavut is only $500,000, but if you approve this budget, it will increase.
Can the minister also look at the safety issues, especially around the breakwater issue?
Can you get somebody to really go and assess that, take a look and take pictures, to try and come up with a different way of maybe how boats are being launched into the water?
With only one, it really does create such a backlog and we don’t want it to get it to the point where somebody gets really hurt because that’s going to happen.
We have a lot of kids there. It’s in a very busy area with the coffee shop right there.
I really believe that it’s vital to take a look at the safety issue there too because it’s getting to that point. That’s all.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Ms. Angnakak. Minister Ell.
Hon. Monica Ell (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) Yes.
Chairman (interpretation): Moving on. Mr. Akoak.
I just have a question on page 197 of your business plan on the Northern Aviation Scholarship. I think that’s a $5,000 scholarship. I’m just wondering if that’s used up or do you get six people that apply.
If they’re pursuing an aviation-related career in the north, they can each receive 1 of 16 $5,000 scholarships.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. Mr. Akoak.
Is that just within Nunavut or can they go outside of Nunavut?
Hon. Monica Ell (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) It’s for Nunavummiut who are pursuing aviation-related careers anywhere.
Mr. Akoak: The reason I got to this is because I had one of my constituents that tried and got the scholarship of $5,000 and he was short $10,000. He had to look for more funding from somewhere else. If that does ever happen, I can now go back and ask for more scholarship funding?
This is for one student only, $5,000. That’s the limit per student.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Minister. (interpretation ends) Mr. Akoak is done. (interpretation) We’re on Economic Development and Transportation.
Total Operations and Maintenance, to be Voted. $28,516,000.
Let us go back to page K-3.
Total Operations and Maintenance, to be Voted. $68,000,101.
I’m sorry. Let me say it properly this time.
Total Operations and Maintenance, to be Voted. $68,101,000.
My colleagues, do we agree that the Department of Economic Development and Transportation is concluded?
Minister, as we conclude your department, if you have any closing comments, I give you the floor now.
I would like to thank my fellow MLAs for asking all the good questions about our programs.
I thank my officials for coming here and for being very helpful, as well as all the staff everywhere in the Department of Economic Development and Transportation.
I would also like to thank George Kuksuk, the previous minister of the department that I’m in now.
As we proceed, perhaps we will take a 10-minute break to prepare for the next department. We will return in 10 minutes.
>>Committee recessed at 18:09 and resumed at 18:25
Bill 16 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2015-2016 – Nunavut Arctic College – Consideration in Committee
We will be dealing with Nunavut Arctic College. The minister is ready now.
First of all, before we proceed, I would like to ask Minister Quassa, do you have officials that you would like to bring to the table?
Does the committee agree to bring the minister’s officials in?
Thank you, Sergeant-at-Arms. (interpretation ends) Hon. Minister, (interpretation) please introduce your witnesses.
To my left is Peter Ma, President of Nunavut Arctic College, and to my right is Marcelo Parungao, Financial Comptroller.
We will now proceed. I first give you the opportunity to make your opening comments, minister.
Hon. Paul Quassa (interpretation): Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman and my colleagues.
I am pleased to present to members today Nunavut Arctic College’s 2015-16 main estimates and business plan.
As members know, as we fully know, one of the priorities in Sivumut Abluqta is self-reliance and optimism through education and training. That is the key to starting it.
Nunavut Arctic College has a key role in advancing this priority.
The college’s total budget for 2015-16 is $47.9 million, which is a $2.5 million increase from the 2014-15 total budget of $45.4 million.
The majority of this increase in our proposal, $1.8 million, is from outside of the Nunavut government.
Total third party funding from outside the Nunavut government is $11 million.
The contribution from the Government of Nunavut of $32.6 million is slightly up from $32.2 million. The balance of the college’s revenues is from tuition and other sources totalling $4.3 million.
The total number of PYs will increase from 211.6 to 224.6.
Eight of the PYs are a result of Nunavut government funded third party agreements and out of that, five positions are funded through the Inuit Language Implementation Fund and three are funded for the delivery of the Early Childhood Education Program. The remaining five positions are to enhance student services.
The college will continue to deliver its core programs, such as the Nunavut Teacher Education Program and the Bachelor of Arctic Nursing Program.
For the older adults who are too old to go to our schools and they want to pursue further education, the Pathway to Adult Secondary School (PASS) graduation program will be expanding to additional communities.
(interpretation ends) Ongoing funding is a continual challenge for the college for its non-base funded programs, such as the Early Childhood Education Program and adult basic education programs.
Our partner, the Government of Canada, is a good partner, but either an annual funding proposal is required or longer term multi-jurisdictional proposals are needed to secure funding.
The Early Childhood Education Program, which includes an Inuit cultural component, will enhance the skill set and knowledge of daycare workers throughout Nunavut.
The college has submitted a 2015-16 funding proposal to the Government of Canada.
The three territorial colleges, in the fall of 2014, submitted a business case to the Government of Canada for pan-territorial funding for industry training.
It is anticipated that the Government of Canada will favourably receive this business case, which will replace adult basic education funding that is expiring in 2015-16.
The Pan-territorial Framework for Industry Training has been designed to respond to existing and emerging industry-specific requirements across the north, with an emphasis on collaboration and capturing efficiencies across the three territories.
(interpretation) I had the opportunity in January to visit the trades and technology training centre, and I hope you understand what that means, in Rankin Inlet.
It was good to see the diversity of students attending classes in a variety of trades. Trades training continues to be an area of opportunity for Nunavummiut to enter the workplace because of the myriad of employment opportunities after they complete their courses in Rankin Inlet. The college is continuing to expand its suite of programs where possible to provide even more training possibilities.
As members know, Piqqusilirivvik, in addition to its facility in Clyde River, has satellite operations in Igloolik and Baker Lake.
We know that Nunavut is comprised of three regions.
Efforts are being made to identify opportunities to provide programming in the Kitikmeot region.
The college has recognized that its students are becoming more of a computer age generation.
This means that the college needs to identify how to increase bandwidth capacity to increase online course delivery. Distance learning has the advantage of allowing students to stay in their communities to receive their education.
(interpretation ends) One of the goals of the Government of Nunavut is to create a diversified workforce to meet the needs of communities and Nunavummiut.
As such, the college is looking into ways to expand its programming to provide appropriate training in pubic administration, to increase not only the number of public servants in management positions, but also to increase the likelihood of these individuals reaching senior positions, such as deputy heads.
This also contributes to the Government of Nunavut’s goal of achieving a representative workforce under Article 23 of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement.
Aside from program delivery in 2015-16, the college will be examining how it can continue to enhance its student services to ensure that the health and well-being of its students is maintained.
Academic success is both physical and mental well-being.
The college will be continuing its development of the Inuit Language and Culture Centre of Excellence.
The Inuit Language and Culture Centre of Excellence is part of the foundation for the eventual creation of a university college. The establishment of the Inuit Language and Culture Centre of Excellence will enable the college to:
Develop, maintain, and deliver quality, comprehensive, relevant Inuit language and culture curriculum;
Provide consistent best practice based instruction;
Provide a network of support, direction, and collaboration of Inuit language and culture personnel;
Maximize efficient use of human and physical resources; and
Provide an actively maintained accessible repository of resource materials.
(interpretation) As the college looks towards the future, it needs to consider securing long-term non-Government of Nunavut funding sources which would address the ongoing funding challenges noted earlier.
This means cultivating individuals, corporations, or foundations that will eventually become future endowers.
At our fall 2014 cabinet retreat, direction was provided to my officials to develop a discussion paper on the establishment of a university in Nunavut.
The college is preparing a discussion paper that will examine the pros and cons and possible options and models for the establishment of a university in Nunavut.
Some possible options are a standalone university, a university college, and possibly there are the three territories, the Yukon, the Northwest Territories, and Nunavut, where we considered a pan-territorial university, an Inuit Nunaat university, or a combination of these options.
There are a number of other considerations that will also need to be explored, such as a governance model, enabling legislation and infrastructure. Those are other considerations we have to keep in mind.
(interpretation ends) I believe in the importance of communication. Communication is important in order to ensure that the college facilities are utilized to the extent possible and Nunavummiut take advantage of the training and education opportunities available to them.
The board of governors has expressed the same desire and initiated a student stories contest. Students write and submit stories describing their experience at the college and how attending the college has impacted their lives. A prize is also going to be awarded.
(interpretation) The college has been examining how it can improve communication within the college to potential students and to the community at large.
I am confident that forthcoming changes will only serve to enhance communication.
Even though the college’s overall budget increase is minimal, I would like the members to know that a significant amount of future planning is being undertaken in 2015-16. This is the reason why I spoke about some of the aforementioned items.
Mr. Chairman, I would be pleased to answer any questions that members might have.
As the Chair of the Standing Committee on Social Wellness, I am pleased to make opening comments as we begin deliberations on the proposed 2015-16 budget of Nunavut Arctic College.
The Government of Nunavut’s proposed contribution of $32,625,000 to Nunavut Arctic College for 2015-16 is a slight increase over the contribution amount approved for 2014-15.
Nunavut Arctic College anticipates an overall budget of close to $48 million for 2015-16, including third party funding and other sources.
Mr. Chairman, Nunavut Arctic College plays an important role in preparing, training, and educating Nunavummiut for our economy, our public service, and our future.
The standing committee recognizes that the college will focus on training in early childhood education, strengthening Inuit language and culture components within several fields, as well as working closely with the government and other partners to improve employment opportunities for Nunavummiut through training and education.
Mr. Chairman, standing committee members have noted a significant need for training and certifying Nunavummiut in health and wellness careers, specifically in the area of mental health counselling and social work.
Members strongly encourage the college to renew its focus on course delivery options in this area.
While the committee has noted the ongoing success of the Arctic Nursing Program, members encourage the college in its efforts to provide additional supports for new graduates and ensure that they receive the necessary instruction, mentorship, and assistance to truly succeed in filling nursing positions across our territory.
The standing committee continues to recommend that the college increase programs relating to language services and in particular, stresses the need for the development and delivery of Interpreter/Translator Programs and certification.
Members recognize that investments are being made in the college’s Inuit Language and Culture Centre of Excellence as well as in the Piqqusilirivvik Cultural School and look forward to receiving updates on progress in this area.
Mr. Chairman, community learning centres play an important role in the delivery of programs at the community level, enabling community residents to improve their skills as well as to prepare for opportunities in further education or employment.
The standing committee recognizes that there are significant challenges in delivering courses and programming to communities and regions using online distance learning. The standing committee encourages college representatives to continue working with officials from the Department of Community and Government Services and the Department of Education to find cost-effective solutions for providing sufficient bandwidth and satellite access for online learning opportunities.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Joanasie. (interpretation ends) Well read. (interpretation) If members have any general comments on the opening comments, I now give you the floor, but please note that the contents of the opening comments are covered in the branches of the college. If you have detailed questions, ask them under the appropriate branch.
If there any general comments, I now give you the floor.
There being none. We will go to page M-3.
Nunavut Arctic College. Total Operations and Maintenance, to be Voted. Mr. Hickes.
I would like to start off with one of the comments that were put in the business plan on IT bandwidth and satellite access for online learning activities. I was noting with some interest in the document that the minister tabled yesterday on enhancing adult basic education in Nunavut.
I noticed that there was a section in there that highlights some of the work that has been going on in the e-learning sector.
As the minister is, I’m sure, very much aware, I have brought this up with a couple of ministers of the challenge that we have in Nunavut of accessing suitable bandwidth, especially for education purposes, as I have spoken about in the House here.
What ongoing discussions are occurring?
As I stated to the Minister of Community and Government Services just a couple of weeks ago, there just doesn’t seem to be a light at the end of the tunnel for increasing bandwidth for Nunavummiut. Maybe if the Minister of Arctic College would be able to respond to that.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Hickes. Minister Quassa.
Hon. Paul Quassa (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I also thank my colleague for that question.
If it is okay with you, Mr. Chairman, we have another official who is sitting in the gallery and I would like to introduce her. Elaine Uppahuak-Prusky works with Nunavut Arctic College. She is one of the officials here and I just wanted to introduce her to my colleagues.
(interpretation ends) The college certainly has had discussions with Industry Canada regarding the bandwidth capacity.
Certainly, as the member stated very clearly, there are no short-term fixes at all for this issue and at this time, influencing the future direction of industry of policy is the focal point.
We certainly continue working with the Department of Community and Government Services to find ways to increase bandwidth capacity.
Again, because the college and the Department of Education share a core business network, we have agreed to work together to identify potential opportunities to maximize bandwidth usage and plan for anticipated future growth.
I don’t know if I specifically answered your question.
The minister may want to defer this to the Minister of Education, but one of the concerns that I have been trying to focus on and as the minister just alluded to, there is a focused bandwidth that is used for education purposes.
I believe, during Education’s appearance, I asked the minister a question on this topic. The response was that they were looking at scheduling different peak hours for different regions for different schools.
I realize that it’s not as simple to increase the bandwidth, but that seems like a fairly arduous task in itself to try and coordinate different schools across three time zones to achieve maximum availability of what bandwidth is available.
I can’t stress enough and I truly hope Industry Canada is paying attention to the proceedings and to this topic that I keep bringing up.
You had mentioned that you yourself had brought this to the attention of the Minister responsible for Industry Canada.
In the dialogue with the federal government, has there been any progress?
Hon. Paul Quassa (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) To see the light at the end of the tunnel, if you don’t mind, Mr. Chairman, I would like my president of Nunavut Arctic College to further respond to this wonderful question.
Mr. Ma, to the wonderful question.
Mr. Ma: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. As the minister has indicated, the lead is actually with the Department of Community and Government Services.
However, having said that, I had the opportunity in December, I think it was, to speak to some officials from Industry Canada that were here at the time. I was given a short presentation on some of the opportunities for Nunavummiut to participate in the workforce.
Thanks for reminding me to speak slow; I tend to get a little excited.
At that time, we had some discussions and basically, as the minister indicated, the view is that if we can influence their longer term thinking from a policy perspective, then we can kind of move forward.