EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
As the hon. minister had stated, you can review this as I became a member of the Legislative Assembly I’ve been continually talking about the safety issues in some of the communities. Especially during the summer time.
When you are considering this aspect I was wondering about the safety issues if you can include safety issues because Nunavummiut need to be in a safe environment especially when they go boating.
I understand the member. I also come from the marine area. Our community is along the marine area.
I know that marine infrastructure in the communities need to be developed.
Some of the communities have marine infrastructure but to shorten the response yes we can also consider that.
Will you be considering that also?
Yes in the future we will be considering that also.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Thank you.
Before I recognize the next member on my list, we will take a 10-minute break.
>>Committee recessed at 15:10 and resumed at 15:26
Welcome back. I would like to start the meeting.
The next person on my list is Mr. Hickes.
I would like to take Mr. Enook’s questions a little bit further with regard to marine infrastructure here in Iqaluit.
First, I would like to ask the minister how his department defines and determines financial sustainability as it relates to new marine infrastructure.
Hon. George Kuksuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I thank the member.
I would like to refer the question to Mr. Suvega.
Some of that is through existing studies for ports demonstrating need.
A lot of it is working in partnerships with hamlets, municipalities, the city, and of course, our federal partners in the departments and agencies.
So if I understand correctly then, was there a report done in the past on the feasibility from a financial standpoint for a deep sea port here in Iqaluit?
If it’s okay with you, I would like Mr. Suvega to respond to that question.
There have been previous studies and, I think, more recently with the City of Iqaluit a few years ago, the study that’s well known.
I do recall that report, which, in my opinion, quite clearly identified the economic benefit for the eastern arctic by having a port here in Iqaluit.
Would the minister be able to update me on the future plans of his department to develop port capacity here in Iqaluit?
He’s asking a question in regard to Iqaluit getting a deep sea port. Not today, but we will review it in the future.
I do appreciate the minister’s comment that it will be reviewed in the future.
I’m of the opinion that this has been reviewed numerous times over the past number of years.
How many further reviews is this port infrastructure in Iqaluit going to get before we see some traction on it?
As to what kind of port would be best for Iqaluit, we have reviewed various options. We have not identified an option that could be best used for the Iqaluit deep sea port.
I will leave that alone for the moment.
On page 184 of the department’s business plan in the priorities for 2013-14, it talks about the P3… my apologies. It talks about the implementation of the master plan, with the construction of the new airport terminal if funding is approved. As we all know, funding was approved.
I have risen in this House numerous times, and I’m going to bring it up again.
Has the addition of a jet walk been added to the plans for the Iqaluit airport terminal?
I’ll have Ms. Winmill respond to that question.
The final designs are being approved. A jet walk can be added in the future after consultation with the airlines, because they use combi planes, and are loaded from the back.
The jet walk won’t work for those types of planes. It is in the plans that it can be added at a later date, if and when the airlines switch their plans for not being combi.
As we are all aware, more and more planes are coming up with full passenger configuration.
Just recently as last week, I’ve had discussions with executives from both of the airlines.
They have shown some interest in exploring this option for their passengers to be able to get on and off in a dignified manner, especially for people with disabilities.
At the time that I originally asked about this during the Committee of the Whole during the capital, it was said that it would be determined by how many are needed and the airlines expressing interest in using them, will be determined at that time.
Has there been a cost analysis based upon installing at least one jet walk during the initial build, versus the anticipated costs of adding one on down the road, as the minister’s department has stated?
I would like Ms. Winmill respond to that question.
I’m not sure if the comparison was done, but I can look into it and get back to the member.
I would imagine that there would be a fairly significant difference in costs in doing it during the original construction.
I’ll move on to my next question.
In the priorities on page 185 for 2014-15, the third bullet talks about monitoring the P3 partner’s compliance with all provisions of the construction and operation plans for the Iqaluit airport, including Inuit employment and training provisions.
As we all know, this is a topic that I’ve up, not just in this minister’s department, but almost every minister that we’ve had appear before our committee.
During the capital Committee of the Whole, I got a response from one of the minister’s witnesses stating that they have “struck what we call an Article 24 committee” and that “They met for the first time last week.”
This was on March 10. “The representatives of the proponent, AILP, would be visiting” within the next week or a week after and “they will start the process of recruiting Inuit employees.”
Now this is almost three months ago, Mr. Chairman.
What type of activity has been done to secure Inuit employment on this project?
The airport project in Iqaluit is being worked on.
I can tell my colleague in regard to his question, it’s being monitored carefully to make sure they do their work properly and hire local and Inuit people.
A number of different departments are involved, such as CGS, and people from the finance department as well.
They have a committee that consists of a number of different departments that look at the Iqaluit airport project.
It will be carefully monitored in response to your question and that will be done through the committee.
I understand about the creation of this committee and what its objectives are, and the minister has mentioned that there will be ongoing monitoring, but monitoring of what?
What are some of the target guidelines that are established under this contract?
They will monitor many aspects of it, the work they’re doing, the way they’re spending the money.
I would like Ms. Winmill to complete the response, please, if you don’t mind.
There are clear expectations laid out in the project agreement. That project or AILP need to be in compliance.
Committees are set up for different aspects, design-build, operations, Schedule 24, to ensure compliance with this agreement.
In this, there’s a certain percentage of Inuit employment that needs to be obtained in order for AILP to not incur financial penalties.
This agreement is structured to where they have to obtain at least those minimum targets.
If they go over, there’s not a bonus, but there is a penalty if they don’t reach the target.
Like I stated, the committees are set up to ensure that AILP is compliant with the terms and conditions laid out in the project agreement.
Would a copy of that agreement be able to be provided to this committee?
In addition to that, are the targets within that agreement overall percentage-based or are there different levels of employment, including management, supervisory, as well as general Inuit employment numbers?
I would like Ms. Winmill to continue with her response.
The project agreement is currently on the CGS website, I believe, but I’m sure we can make it available to the committee.
I believe it’s percentage-based and then it goes up every year in increments and… .
>>Missing audio due to technical difficulties
>>Committee resumed at 16:02
We’re back.
Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Your first time on the clock. Nice.
I believe, if memory serves me correctly, where I was going with my next question was: with the Inuit Employment Plan that is a part of this contract agreement, does it include different job levels with Inuit employment in different categories going up to management positions?
Ms. Winmill would like to respond to some of his questions and this one as well.
I’m not sure of the percentages, but I know that there is a component in Schedule 24 of this agreement that has a huge training component to it to ensure that people move up the ladder, so to speak.
One other part that was answered in the March 10 Committee of the Whole on capital was that the process of recruiting employees was going to be started at the end of March.
Given the competition this time of year for getting skilled tradespeople and skilled workers, especially in the construction industry, it’s always difficult.
How is hiring process going to date?
I would like Ms. Winmill to respond to this.
We don’t have any dealings with the day to day operations of controlling what it is that AILP does.
What I can guarantee is once operations resume on July 22 of this year that project has to meet certain targets, employment targets.
If those are not achieved then they will be penalized.
Will the Article 24 committee that was struck get regular updates from the AILP company?
I would like Ms. Winmill to answer this one as well.
Like I stated, there is a lot of competition especially for skilled Inuit workers in the trades fields.
A project of this nature is going to have a very large workforce.
Is one of the plans of this Article 24 committee to explore employment opportunities for trades people in outlying communities?
This is related to the previous question. I would like Ms. Winmill to respond to it as well.
Yes, I would assume so.
One thing I’ve learned sitting in this chair, and I’ve used it on too many occasions myself, is assuming something.
Would the minister’s departmental officials be able to get me some confirmation of that at a later date?
Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
Hon. George Kuksuk (interpretation): Yes we can present this at a later date.
I won’t keep the minister long because it has been a long two days for him.
On page 183 on the fourth bullet down I’m hoping this is just wording, but it says, “Complete major training initiatives for all airports maintainers.” And on the bottom it says, “The department was unable to complete this priority due to staffing challenges.”
Does that mean we have untrained airport maintainers?
In regards to the question from my colleague, can you please tell Mr. Suvega what paragraph and what page you’re referring to?
Chairman: Mr. Suvega, we’re on page 183, priority 2013-14.
Fourth bullet.
To some degree there is usually a little bit of turnover in multiple positions like these.
Whenever there is a vacancy, we try to ensure that training is quickly up to speed with all affected staff and where there are vacancies we try to best utilize our resources that are spread out throughout the territory.
The reason this sticks out in my mind is the word major, I can understand ongoing training and little bit of training when there are vacancies but when you put the word major in there, that implies that it is a major problem and can you just clarify that?
I would like Ms. Winmill to respond to that properly.
This has around to do with the inputting, I believe, of data in the SMS system.
So, the maintainers are to input that data themselves and that’s where the training falls in, from what I understand.
For clarity then, this major training is just to help these airport maintainers become data enterers?
Hon. George Kuksuk (interpretation): Mr. Chairman, I would like Ms. Winmill to respond to that.
It’s a little bit more than that.
Knowing what to enter and what information is required into the SMS system is quite extensive and I believe that’s where the training is required.
Now that I know we are all safe and it’s minor booking stuff, that’s fine.
And, this was mentioned by some of my colleagues on the same page, third bullet from the bottom, “Work with NAV Canada to identify community airports which would benefit from installation of a GPS system”.
Is your department drawing up the guidelines as to which communities will be first or is NAV Canada working on that and what criteria is being used to which communities will be the lucky ones to get a GPS system?
With respect to that, there was an answer earlier on but I will get Ms. Winmill to respond to that question.
Ms. Winmill: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. NAV Canada provides that equipment and they will be the ones coming up with the criteria to determine which airports and the order in which they will receive that equipment.
Is there any timeline for this project?
Hon. George Kuksuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I ask Ms. Winmill to respond to that.
I know, in our last meeting I had not long ago with NAV Canada, there is no specific timeline, they are trying to come up with the funds to install these.
I have no more names. Economic Development and Transportation.
Branch Summary. Transportation. Total Operations and Maintenance, to be Voted. $24,928,000.
Chairman: Back to K-3. Department Summary.
Economic Development and Transportation. Detail of Expenditures. Total Operations and Maintenance, to be Voted. $60,682,000.
Minister Kuksuk, do you have any closing comments?
I thank the Members of the Legislative Assembly for asking very good questions, even though I did not answer them all.
I am thankful to my officials there were here today. I would like to thank my officials for being here to respond to the questions of the members. I would also to work with the Members of the Legislative Assembly with respect to their questions.
Mr. Chairman, I would also like to say thank you very much to the interpreters that are behind the glass because I respond in Inuktitut.
We want to be able to let all the people to understand the questions and responses. I say thank you very much to the interpreters.
I would also like to thank an individual who has been a deputy minister for the department who is retiring at the end of the month, Bob Long.
Everyone knows who he is. We wish him a happy retirement.
I say thank you very much.
I am sure that within the days coming for people that are going back to their home communities I would like them to have a safe trip. We have been here for quite some times, and some of us want to get home.
I would now like to ask Minister Quassa: do you have officials that you would like to appear before the committee?
Bill 02 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2014-2015 – Nunavut Arctic College – Consideration in Committee
Hon. Paul Quassa: Mr. Chairman, yes, I do.
Chairman: Thank you. Does the committee agree to let the minister’s officials go to the witness table?
For the record, Minister Quassa, please introduce your officials.
Sitting to my right is probably no stranger to this House, the President of Nunavut Arctic College, Mike Shouldice, and to my left is Dean Eric Corneau of Iqaluit and Nunavut. Those are the officials here with me, Mr. Chairman. Thank you.
Chairman: Thank you. Welcome. Please proceed with your opening comments, Minister Quassa.
I am pleased to be here today to present and discuss the 2014-17 main estimates and business plan for Nunavut Arctic College.
I look forward to the opportunity to work together in advancing Sivumut Abluqta, especially as it applies to Nunavut Arctic College.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Chairman, the main estimates include the base contribution of $32,230,000, $3.99 million of it from tuition fees and other sources, and third party revenues of $9.2 million.
The increase in budget includes Pathway to Adult Secondary School graduation, PASS, of $74,000, additional three person years (PYs), two security officers, and a janitor for $255,000, and $700,000 in third party for the Inuit language implementation.
The main estimates are organized on the basis of our headquarters, the Nunavut Research Institute, and regional campuses.
Our business plan describes how the main estimates are applied in the college operations.
The Sivumut Abluqta plans set the specific goals of self-reliance and optimism through education and training. We want to enable Nunavummiut to enter into training and become trades apprentices and to complete their certification requirements on the job, support the labour force training, development, and employment through strategic alliance with sector partners.
Partnership with government departments, education institutions, and industry are especially important at Arctic College in meeting these goals.
Following these establishment of the Nunavut Trades Training Centre, Sanatuliqsarvik, Arctic College has solidified delivery in trades preparation programs and apprenticeship programs related to construction.
The college delivers three complete trades programs in Nunavut, including carpentry and oil burner mechanic to the red seal level, and housing maintainer journeyman.
Nunavut Arctic College will continue to develop and deliver mine training and heavy equipment training programs as we continue to expand its partnership with industry and government.
Arctic College continues to build capacity to deliver university level programs in Nunavut through degree partnership programs for nursing, teacher training, and transfer agreements for our diploma programs and advance standing for our students who continue a degree in southern Canada.
We have recently negotiated advanced standing for the Environmental Technology Program with the University of Winnipeg, and are working with Red River College in collaborating in early childhood education.
The college continues to receive financial support from Royal Bank of Canada and our Municipal Training Organization and is working with Grant McEwen University and the Certificate General Accountant’s Association toward completing the Bachelor of Applied Business Administration.
The college is also seeking new university partnership for the Social Services Worker Diploma Program.
Arctic College actively continues to deliver the Nunavut Teacher Education Program and the University of Regina Bachelor of Education Degree at the community, partnership with the Department of Education.
Since 2006 83 individuals have graduated in the communities.
Based on the student enrolment at the community level, there is potential for an additional 64 Bachelor of Education graduates from the Nunavut Teacher Education Program by 2017.
There are currently 480 graduates of the Nunavut Teacher Education Program in Nunavut and 230 have completed their Bachelor of Education degrees.
Dalhousie University continues to work with our Nursing Program and most of the graduates continue as employees of the Government of Nunavut.
Arctic College is honoured to include Piqqusilirivvik as a division which highlights and recognizes the importance of teaching Inuit traditional knowledge and culture.
We will continue to deliver and develop programs in Clyde River, and other satellite sites in the regions in order to ensure that we reach as many individuals as possible and continue to the preservation and use of the Inuit traditions in the modern world.
With funding from Uqausivut, we are expanding the Interpreter/Translator Program to all three regions.
And also provide Inuktitut training to our trades, nursing, and teacher education students.
(interpretation) Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to be here today to discuss Arctic College’s 2014-17 main estimates and business plan. (interpretation) This is a critical government investment in reducing the gap between unemployed people and job opportunities.
Workforce development is a continued priority with Nunavut Arctic College under Sivumut Abluqta.
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 Nunavut Arctic College.
Mr. Chairman, the college’s total budget is made up of a base contribution from the Government of Nunavut, third party funding, and revenue from other sources such as tuition fees.
The Government of Nunavut’s proposed contribution of $31,204,000 to the college for 2014-2015 is a slightly increased amount from the contribution funding amount approved for 2013-2014.
Mr. Chairman, Nunavut Arctic College plays an important role in preparing training and educating Nunavummiut for economy, our public service, and our future.
Mr. Chairman, standing committee members have noted a significant need for training and certified Inuit language speaking staff especially in the areas of social work, early childhood education, and teaching and encourage the college to focus on course delivery options in this area.
The standing committee recognizes that there are challenges with respect to language with different dialects and a need for a standardized writing system when preparing course materials for use across communities and regions.
The committee encourages college representatives to work with officials from the Department of Culture and Heritage and the Department of Education, as well as the Inuit Language Authority to address these issues at the earliest opportunity.
The standing committee further recommends 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.
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.
Members are pleased with the ongoing success of the trades programs being delivered by the college and support the growth of technology, distance learning opportunities.
It has been suggested that more core training could be provided at the community level.
We will now proceed to the page-by-page review of the departmental estimates starting with page M-3.
Department Summary. Nunavut Arctic College. All the details are on pages M-I-1, M-I-2, M-I-3, and M-I-4.
When you talk about the Nunavut Trades Training Centre, you talk about three trades apprenticeship programs.
I’m wondering if there are any plans in expanding that in the near future.
We will be increasing this in terms of the electrical training. We will be increasing the trades program for the electrical training facilities.
I’m also wondering about the Environmental Technology Program that you recently negotiated advanced standing. I’m not so clear what that means, but does it make a change to the program? I understand that program is actually a very popular program.
Can you elaborate on what that really means and what impacts that will have on our program?
This is an excellent question because it is a very popular program.
It will make a step closer towards a university entrance program for anyone that would like to get into university level environmental technology courses.
Perhaps Mike Shouldice can elaborate on this, if it is okay with you.
The program itself will not change. What we are looking for is so that the students who have completed two years of our programs would be allowed to enter year three of a degree program in the south rather than having to retake year one and year two.
It is something we are doing with our diplomas at the college so that that gives them what is called advanced standing. So, the University of Winnipeg was the latest one that we’ve negotiated. We have several of them for other programs, as well, too.
And, thank you for that answer. That is very good to hear. It just makes sense to me.
I’m looking at the Social Services Worker Diploma Program. I guess my first question on this is, does this program exist already?
Relating to the Social Services Worker Diploma Program, it is presently being taught.
Even now, in Cambridge Bay, there is a course for that and up to today there has been a number of students who graduated this last spring.
This is already an ongoing program.
I would like to ask then, you are seeking new university partners for this diploma program.