EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to be here today to discuss Nunavut Arctic College’s 2009-2010 main estimates and business plan.
This is a critical government investment in training Nunavutmiut for employment.
I look forward to your questions, comments, and discussion.
Do you have any officials that you would like to bring to the witness table?
Hon. Daniel Shewchuk: Yes, please, Mr. Chairman.
Sergeant-at-Arms, please escort the witness in.
Before we begin, for the record, minister, please introduce your witness.
Although we know who he is, the people out there need to know.
I didn’t quite get the translation on it, but I think I know what you said.
I would like to introduce you and the members to the witness on my right, Mr. Dan Vandermeulen, President of Arctic College.
Mr. President, welcome.
The Co-Chair of the Standing Committee on Oversight of Government Operations and Public Accounts would like to make opening comments.
Mr. Fred Schell, you may now proceed.
As the Co-Chair of the Standing Committee on Oversight of Government Operations and Public Accounts, I am pleased to make opening comments as we begin deliberations on the budget of Nunavut Arctic College.
Mr. Chairman, this is the first time that Nunavut Arctic College’s budget and business plan have been presented for review in this House independent of the Department of Education.
This is a reflection of the designation of ministerial responsibility to two different ministers.
The GN’s proposed contribution of $21.8 million to the college for 2009-2010 is almost exactly $1 million more than the funding approved in 2008-09 through the Department of Education’s main estimates.
It should be noted that the Government of Nunavut’s base funding contribution to Nunavut Arctic College represents just over 60 percent of the college’s total budget.
While government departments have a fiscal year ending on March 31, the college’s fiscal year ends on June 30, similar to many other publicly-funded colleges across Canada.
The college gets nearly a third of its funding from third party sources, which may not be identified or finalized until after the GN’s budget process is completed.
During last year’s 2008-09 budget review process, the college’s five-year 2007–2012 corporate plan was provided to Members of the Legislative Assembly.
The 2009-2010 Business Plan for Nunavut Arctic College is the first such document to be presented for scrutiny in the Legislative Assembly and is similar to departmental formats.
The standing committee is aware that the government’s new Public Agency Council is undertaking a new process where the government and the agency in question will establish a Memorandum of Understanding to set out priorities and goals for the year.
Committee members encourage the Minister responsible for Nunavut Arctic College to work with the Minister of Education to jointly determine those priorities.
Mr. Chairman, as noted by my colleague, the Co-Chair of the Standing Committee on Social Wellness, both the Department of Education and Nunavut Arctic College continue to deliver programs related to adult learning.
While the committee recognizes that having separate ministerial responsibilities for different aspects of adult learning is a new development, members stress that ongoing communication is important to ensure that no Nunavummiut fall through the gaps when seeking to access opportunities for education and training.
One example of where close coordination relating to adult education will be critical is in the establishment of a university-level facility in the north.
Recent news reports indicate that Nunavut Arctic College has signed an agreement with its counterparts in the Yukon and the Northwest Territories to establish the legal foundation for a university north of 60.
Given that the Department of Education’s new Education Act includes a schedule referred to as the Universities and Degree-Granting Institutions Act, the standing committee urges the Minister of Education and the Minister responsible for Nunavut Arctic College to collaborate on this initiative and keep members updated.
Nunavut Arctic College programs are delivered at the community level through the community learning centres.
The CLCs play a critical role in enabling community residents to improve their skills as well as to prepare for opportunities in education or employment.
Committee members have noted that, on occasion, adult educator staff at the CLCs do not appear to have the necessary qualifications or certification to teach.
The standing committee encourages the minister and his staff to ensure that hiring for these positions takes into account the necessary skills, expertise, and cultural awareness that are necessary for adult educators to have.
It has been noted that for two of the three regional centres, the CLC is located within the main Arctic College campus.
Members urge the minister to consider the benefits of having standalone CLCs in communities such as Iqaluit.
Mr. Chairman, other community infrastructure needs include the ability to access distance education possibilities.
Given current technology limitations in our communities, this is not currently possible.
However, the standing committee believes that Nunavut Arctic College should be on the cutting edge of this issue.
For example, the Department of Health and Social Services made major investments in its telehealth system across Nunavut’s communities and that technology now facilitates the diagnosis of certain conditions, improves service delivery, and allows for videoconferencing and training opportunities.
Education is an important determinant of the well-being of Nunavummiut and improved access to the technology of today could be an important factor in preparing the professionals of tomorrow.
Pre-trades training in Nunavut’s communities is expected to open the door to many employment opportunities.
Members look forward to receiving an update from the minister on which communities will be receiving pre-trades training programs in 2009-2010.
For example, the community of Baker Lake, with ongoing mining development, has been expecting the announcement of a pre-trades program for some time.
Work has also been ongoing with the Nunavut Housing Corporation, the Department of Education, and Nunavut Arctic College on trades training and employment opportunities relating to the building of community housing units.
The committee is also looking forward to an update on this initiative.
Mr. Chairman, the standing committee looks forward to the opening of the Nunavut Trades Training Centre in Rankin Inlet.
Members were also pleased to note the proposed levels of Inuit staffing at this facility.
The committee also looks forward to regular updates on plans for a mine training facility.
Program delivery at the main campuses of Nunavut Arctic College continues to focus on training and education leading to careers in fields such as health and education.
Committee members are in full support of initiatives in these areas as they provide the opportunity for more Nunavummiut to be trained to fill such positions as teachers, social workers, mental health workers, and dental therapists.
The expansion of the Nunavut Teacher Education Program into communities is greatly anticipated.
Members also encourage the minister in his efforts to follow up on the experience of previous programs such as the law school and look forward to the government’s announcements in this area.
Mr. Chairman, the operations of the Nunavut Research Institute have received relatively little attention and scrutiny in prior years during the Legislative Assembly’s budget review process.
Now that Nunavut Arctic College is being considered as a standalone entity, there is greater opportunity to focus on this entity which falls under Nunavut Arctic College.
Members were pleased to note the federal government’s funding announcement to replace the existing and aging facility with a new building.
Members look forward to receiving updates on the research institute’s science and research work.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Schell. (interpretation ends) Very good comments. (interpretation) Before we proceed, I would like to remind members of the following: according to Rule 77(1), you have 10 minuets to speak, and according to Rule 77(2), subject to the discretion of the Chair, a member may speak more than once to a matter under discussion but not until every member wishing to speak has spoken.
I thank the Hon. Minister Daniel Shewchuk and the Nunavut Arctic College President Mr. Vandermeulen for attending and sharing the plans with the committee.
In your opening statement, you mentioned some pre-trades.
I want to ask the minister: what’s the current initiative in the pre-trades in the Kivalliq and Baker Lake?
Pre-trades courses have been offered in 2008-09 in the Kivalliq region in Arviat, Baker Lake, Coral Harbour, Rankin Inlet, and Whale Cove, and I can add to that. In the previous year, in the Kivalliq, there were courses in Repulse Bay, Coral Harbour, and Whale Cove in 2007-08.
Mr. Aupaluktuq: I thank the minister for that response.
I’m glad to hear that things are operating and going according to plan.
First of all, with a brief statement, we all know and it’s obvious that all education skills are vital and of great importance in order for people to become self-sufficient and as well as major contributors to the development of Nunavut by taking some leadership roles in the employment field and by learning some valuable skills.
I want to ask the minister: has the Nunavut Arctic College considered offering some pre-med programs or courses in areas such as chemistry, biology, and physiology to prepare Nunavummiut for post-secondary education in the medical field?
At the present, the only adult education offered in the medical field is in the nursing field.
However, as I have said to the members before, it’s very important to the Arctic College that communities are involved in the level of education that’s provided through the learning centers and on what the curriculum will be in a specific community. That input is very important to us.
So if that was something that was important to a community, we would definitely consider something like that.
We have child support and a doctor in there.
Minister, under the Arctic College, I see there are different types of training - housing maintainer, oil burner mechanic, electrical and plumbing, carpentry, and so on.
But in every community at every level, there are people who want to have accountants.
How come we don’t see very often the General Accountant Certification Program under the college, or is it given under the Municipal Training Organization?
Those are questions on this page.
I think the member brings up a very good point.
I believe the accounting and management studies course is offered in Rankin Inlet and that is the only centre at this stage in time right now.
It is something that is important in communities that will require further review in the fact that it would entail travelling instructors to go to the communities to provide this type of course, which again comes with funding requests.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) I think the member is more focused on certified general accountants.
There’s not enough throughout the territory and in our government, it’s always a challenge. (interpretation) Are there any questions on this page?
No one has their hand up for N-3... oh, I’m sorry.
On page one of Minister Daniel Shewchuk’s opening comments, it states, (interpretation ends) “Communities: improving programs and services to communities.
I’m wondering if you could elaborate on that a bit more.
For a number of years, I have lived in Coral Harbour and I have seen a lot of adult education students basically learning how to fill out a résumé and there are no jobs available for that.
So I’m wondering if you could expand a little more on what sort of improvements that you are intending to do at the local level. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman: Very good question, Mr. Ningeongan. (interpretation) Can one of you try and answer that question?
Which one of you can respond to that?
I’ll refer this question to Mr. Vandermeulen.
Chairman: President Vandermeulen.
Mr. Vandermeulen: Thank you for that question.
Adult basic education is important in the communities. It’s often the program that opens the door to more training.
Through the partnership committees that we’re establishing with the Department of Education, we hope to start reviewing and then reforming the adult basic education curriculum so that it will be more targeted towards employment and towards enabling students to enter the career programs.
Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Vandermeulen. (interpretation) Mr. Ningeongan, did that answer your question?
I want to ask the minister or the President of Nunavut Arctic College: what is Nunavut Arctic College doing to retain Nursing Program graduates or enticing Nunavummiut to keep their skills in Nunavut and also, to offer the best service that we can in our own language?
It’s been said by some that a lot of our nursing graduates are going south.
I understand this may be under Human Resources or even Education, but I understand the Nursing Program is being offered at Nunavut Arctic College.
My question was: what is Nunavut Arctic College doing to retain Nursing Program graduates and keep them in Nunavut?
I believe that question is more directed to the Minister of Health and Social Services.
If you want to answer that question, you can try and do so, Minister Shewchuk.
Yes, I was going to say that. However, we are very committed and we want to train more nurses in Nunavut. I think the point that I can add is that the nurses that we’re training in Nunavut are trained at national standards and are accepted across this country for those good standards.
It’s a human resources matter with Health and Social Services to try and retain them.
We definitely encourage them to stay with us but again, that’s a choice of an individual person.
Chairman (interpretation): Are there any further questions?
We can move on to the page-by-page review.
Nunavut Arctic College. Total Operations and Maintenance. $21,881,000.
Chairman (interpretation): That’s the only page for the entire college.
Do you agree that the college is concluded?
We have completed the review of the main estimates for Nunavut Arctic College.
I would like to thank Minister Shewchuk and Mr. Vandermeulen for appearing before the committee.
Hon. Daniel Shewchuk: I do, Mr. Chairman.
I just want to say in closing that I would like to thank the committee for the consideration you have given to Nunavut Arctic College in this review of the 2009-2010 main estimates and business plan.
Thank you for your questions and I hoped that our answers helped inform you about college activities and the important role it plays in training for employment in Nunavut.
As I said in my opening comments, Nunavut Arctic College’s roots are in the communities.
Our roots are the community learning centres.
I invite each and every one of you to visit your local community centre and please share some of your experiences with the students and staff. Your personal success can be an example for our residents and students.
They will sincerely appreciate your visit.
I also invite each of you to support adult learning and training in your community by advising us on the program needs of your communities, and in particular, by helping us in identifying program support resources, such as potential classroom space and instructor housing.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman, very much. Thank you, members of the committee.
I would like to just thank Mr. Vandermeulen for being here with me.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Minister. (interpretation ends) I invite all of my colleagues to our wonderful campus here.
A lot of your constituents study at our campus here and they serve wonderful food for lunch and it’s very reasonable.
(interpretation) We are finally done with the college’s main estimates and I thank you.
Those opposed are outnumbered, so the motion is carried.
Sergeant-at-Arms, you can now ascertain our Speaker.
Just a reminder for tomorrow, a meeting of the Standing Committee on Social Wellness in the Tuktu Boardroom starting at nine o’clock in the morning.
Orders of the Day for June 16:
This House stands adjourned until Tuesday, June 16, at 1:30 p.m.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Pages 454 – 541
Opening Prayer 454
Ministers’ Statements 454
Members’ Statements 456
Returns to Oral Questions 460
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 462
Oral Questions 462
Tabling of Documents 473
Second Reading of Bills 474
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 475
Report of the Committee of the Whole 539
Third Reading of Bills 539
Assent to Bills 540
Orders of the Day 541
Tuesday, June 16, 2009 454
034 – 3(2): Justice Browne (Peterson) 454
035 – 3(2): Qulliq Energy Corporation Collective Agreement Signed (Tootoo) 455
036 – 3(2): Master of Education Leadership in Learning Graduates (Tapardjuk) 455
052 – 3(2): Further Support for a Child and Youth Advocate (Elliott) 456
053 – 3(2): Best Wishes to Constituents during Summer (Shewchuk) 457
054 – 3(2): Concerns with Capital Planning Process (Ningeongan) 457
055 – 3(2): Best Wishes to Constituents and Thanks to Assistants (Tapardjuk) 458
056 – 3(2): Sylvia Grinnell Bridge (Okalik) 458
057 – 3(2): Thanks to Members (Tootoo) 459
058 – 3(2): Message to Constituents and Family (Ningark) 459
Return to Oral Question 033 – 3(2): Status of GN’s Review of Business Development Centres (Shewchuk) 460
Return to Oral Question 046 – 3(2): Income Support Levels (Tapardjuk) 461
083 – 3(2): Spread of H1N1 Virus (Schell) 462
084 – 3(2): Spread of H1N1 Virus (Okalik) 464
085 – 3(2): Breast Cancer Screening in Nunavut (Elliott) 467
086 – 3(2): Plans to Replace Justice Browne (Okalik) 468
087 – 3(2): Quotes on Telehandlers (Schell) 470
088 – 3(2): Sylvia Grinnell Bridge (Okalik) 471
040 – 3(2): Nunavut Maternal and Newborn Health Care Strategy 2009-2014 (Curley) 473
041 – 3(2): Staking the Claim, Dreams, Democracy, and Canadian Inuit (Tapardjuk) 473
042 – 3(2): Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated’s Annual Report on the State of Inuit Culture and Society; Nunavut Health System 2007-2008 (Aariak) 473
043 – 3(2): Reporting Requirements for the Chief Executive Officer for the Nunavut Business Credit Corporation (Shewchuk) 473
044 – 3(2): Government of Nunavut’s Response to Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated’s Annual Report on the State of Inuit Culture and Society; Nunavut’s Health System 2007-2008 (Aariak) 474
045 – 3(2): 2007-2008 Annual Report of the Office of the Languages Commissioner (Speaker) 474
Bill 03 – Western Canada Lottery Act – Second Reading 474
Bill 01 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2009-2010 – Culture, Language, Elders and Youth – Consideration in Committee 475
Bill 01 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2009-2010 – Environment – Consideration in Committee 487
Bill 01 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2009-2010 – Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs – Consideration in Committee 504
Bill 01 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2009-2010 – Legislative Assembly – Consideration in Committee 522
Bill 02 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 1, 2009-2010 – Consideration in Committee 527
Bill 04 – An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act – Consideration in Committee 532
Bill 05 – Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2009 – Consideration in Committee 536
Bill 01 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2009-2010 – Third Reading 539
Bill 02 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 1, 2009-2010 – Third Reading 539
Bill 04 – An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act – Third Reading 539
Bill 05 – Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2009 – Third Reading 540
Bill 01 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2009-2010 – Assent 540
Bill 02 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 1, 2009-2010 – Assent 540
Bill 04 – An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act – Assent 540
Bill 05 – Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2009 – Assent 540
Good afternoon, Premier, Ministers, Members of the Legislative Assembly, and Nunavummiut. (interpretation ends) Item 2.
Minister Keith Peterson.
Minister’s Statement 034 – 3(2): Justice Browne (Peterson)
On behalf of Nunavummiut, I want to extend my gratitude to Justice Bev Browne for her contribution to the Nunavut justice system for the last 20 years.
Mr. Speaker, this fall, Justice Browne will leave Nunavut to take up a new challenge as a member of the court in Edmonton, Alberta.
Justice Browne played a key role in establishing the only single level trial court in Canada.
This launched a unique system to Nunavut that enables justice to be provided in our remote communities.
Mr. Speaker, Justice Browne has worked hard at making the Justice of the Peace program successful.
Her leadership is commendable.
Today, Mr. Speaker, Nunavut has a court system that incorporates and embraces Inuit societal values.
There is a youth advisory panel that sits with the court to work as peers upon sentencing and elders continue to play an important role in our approach to justice.
Justice Browne was active in the development of the Akitsiraq Law Program and its graduates.
She was instrumental in the advancement of the Mental Health Diploma Program.
Justice Browne’s genuine and selfless dedication to the well-being of all Nunavummiut is an inspiration to the legal profession.
She will be always remembered for advancing the cause of justice in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly, please join me in recognizing the contributions that Justice Browne has made both professionally and personally for Nunavummiut.
Minister’s Statement 035 – 3(2): Qulliq Energy Corporation Collective Agreement Signed (Tootoo)
I am delighted to inform and enlighten my colleagues of the signing of the third collective agreement between the Qulliq Energy Corporation and the Nunavut Employees Union. The three-year agreement reinforces the importance of our most valuable asset, our employees.
Mr. Speaker, in addition, I would to thank the members of both the Qulliq Energy Corporation and the Nunavut Employees Union bargaining teams for their hard work and dedication. After just two rounds of bargaining, the agreement was reached and subsequently ratified.
Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would like to express how pleased I am with the accomplishments of the corporation and encourage the growth of a positive working relationship with the Nunavut Employees Union. We are committed to the retention of staff and a positive work environment enhances the effective and efficient supply of power to all Nunavummiut.
Minister’s Statement 036 – 3(2): Master of Education Leadership in Learning Graduates (Tapardjuk)
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): Good afternoon.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to share some exciting news with my fellow colleagues.
On July 1, 21 Inuit educational leaders from across Nunavut will graduate with a Master of Education Leadership in Learning degree.
Mr. Speaker, this is a truly momentous occasion, one that these graduates have dedicated their careers to achieving and for which they will now be rewarded.
This program is a unique partnership between the Department of Education, the University of Prince Edward Island, Nunavut Arctic College, and the School of Education, St. Francis Xavier University.
It has been delivered on a part-time basis over three years through face-to-face and distance courses.
With a focus on balancing western and Inuit knowledge, there is no doubt that they will now be in the forefront of educational leadership.
Mr. Speaker, elders were involved in all of the face-to-face courses and two Inuit Master of Education graduates co-instructed on six out of ten of the courses.
This program is founded in the principles of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit and has been delivered in the Inuit language as much as possible.
As we move towards implementation of the new Education Act and the Inuit Language Protection Act, it is essential that we increase the number of Inuit education leaders in our schools and education system.