EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
I would like to have an opportunity at some point, to debate the member on the issue around criterion standard testing, criterion standardized tests because that’s not what I am saying at all. The criterion tests checks the criteria.
It checks to see what the basics skills have been learned.
Let’s use the hockey analogy for Mr. Tootoo.
If the Stanley Cup champions are the standard, you wouldn’t compare that standard and have players playing in the league in Iqaluit to be compared to them and do the same kind of standard tests that it should have for a professional NHL champions.
However, on a criterion test, you would be able to compare them.
On the criterion test you would say: “Can you shoot the puck?”
Is that the criteria?
“Have you mastered that skill?”
“Can you stick handle?”
“Can you do a wrist shot?”
“Can you skate backwards?”
That’s criterion testing.
The standardized testing is where you take a standard and you test against another standard.
By comparing the Iqaluit players to the Stanley Cup champions on a standard, would not make any sense because you are comparing apples and oranges.
If you took a standard mean or an average on a test for students in Alberta and tried to compare them against 15 schools in Northern Labrador, it wouldn’t make any sense.
However, if, in Grade 3, you did a criterion standard; can you add, subtract, multiply, and divide?
Can you write a full sentence with a subject and predicate?
That’s the kind, and if you don’t have those skills, then that’s where you test it and say what has occurred between kindergarten and Grade 3, but you don’t know your multiplication facts, that you can’t write a full thought sentence in Inuktitut with proper syllabics, and using the ‘qaaralaaq’ and using finals.
That’s the criterion standard.
That’s a criterion test.
So I endorse that and I think most of the educators and most of the teachers across Nunavut endorse criterion testing.
Most of the educators and most of the parents, and I believe when you look at education across Nunavut, have problems and issues with standardization and standardized testing.
By the way, Mr. Chairman, when I was at the last Minister of Education meeting, it came up where all of the jurisdictions were talking about it, and most jurisdictions are moving away from those types of standardized testing and trying to test to see if students in P.E.I. match the standard in Alberta.
They to do their criterion standards to make sure the basic skills and knowledge are in place.
That’s what we have been talking about doing, because the member is right.
That isn’t occurring right now.
So how do you know what skills have been learned in Grade 2, Grade 3 and Grade 4?
So by balancing it out and doing the testing in Grade 3, Grade 6, and Grade 9, will give you that cohort of knowledge and knowledge base because that’s the difference between standardized testing and the criterion skills testing that I have endorsed, and I believe that the majority of teachers in Nunavut, think is the best way to go.
Mr. Tootoo: Thank you, Mr. Chairman and I thank the Minister for clarifying that.
I think one of the things that has come up since this whole debate over the last few years on assessment testing of whatever type, is the fact that there isn’t really anything to assess it to out there.
I think that has been identified as a concern throughout the territory.
Are there any plans in place, or is it the department to start doing anything, other than looking at this criterion testing, to see if there is something out there that they can use across the territory in Nunavut in our schools at different levels of certain standards of things that should be met, whether you are going to school in Grise Fiord, Arviat, Kugluktuk or Iqaluit?
The member has said early in one of his statements that he would like to see the government recognize when there are issues, recognize when there are problems, and act on them and not try to hide from them.
That’s why we’re decentralizing the school services division into Panniqtuuq and we’ve actually identified these positions. The manager of school services, administration officers, the student assessment coordinator, the school program coordinator, so we can actually address, exactly what the member is saying because as I’ve just said, some of these issues, the criteria and standard testing for example, are not in place and we need to be able to do those types of assessments especially at the lower grades so you can succeed at the higher grades.
The Minister indicated these are new positions and as he is saying that this type of work wasn’t being done in the past, and as a result of concerns that have been raised over the last few years; it’s been identified as something that is required and positions have been created and identified to deal specifically with these issues. In particular, school programs review positions.
Is that something that is new that wasn’t being addressed before?
That’s a new position.
It is a new position.
Is the Minister saying that this is an area that hadn’t been addressed in the past through the whole last Education Act process, and what’s followed since then, that that has been identified as something that they should be looking at?
I think it’s safe to say that in the past, it had been done maybe, on an ad hoc basis.
So, we feel having a position in place will help to alleviate and have consistency.
The other position I see here that is new is a teacher certification position.
Isn’t there a certain type of certificate that a teacher is required to have to be a teacher.
I’m just wondering what this teacher’s certification position is going to be doing.
Are they looking at changing their requirements to be a teacher or what?
The new qualified position is a position within the government but they would also be working closely with the Federation of Nunavut Teachers, to ensure the requirements under the current Education Act, as well as the collective agreements and regulations are adhered to under the salary option.
Is the department looking at changing any of the criteria for certification for teachers?
Again, teachers have to be regularly certified.
Part of that was held when we did the FNT conference here and that’s part of the certification program.
So, we haven’t looked at changing that.
G-17, Education Branch Summary.
We have a motion on the floor to report progress and it is not debatable.
Chairman: Those opposed.
Thank you, Minister and his staff.
Your Committee has been considering Bill 8 and the Main Estimates and would like to report progress.
Also, I move that this report of this Committee of the Whole be concurred with.
Orders of the Day for tomorrow, Mr. Clerk.
Announcement for tomorrow’s meeting of the Standing Committee Ajauqtiit at 9 am in the morning and a meeting of the Regular Member’s Caucus at 11 in the morning.
Orders of the Day for Thursday, March 3rd.
Report to Committee of the Whole  Third Reading of Bills
We will reconvene on Thursday, March 03, 2005 at 1:30 p.m.
Thursday March 3, 2005
Pages 1056 – 1136
Steve Mapsalak
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk
Minister of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth; Minister of Human Resources  Minister Responsible for
Sport Nunavut  David Alagalak
Hon. Leona Aglukkaq
Minister of Finance; Government House Leader  Liquor Licensing Board
Crown Agency Council
Hon. David Simailak
Minister of Economic Development and Transportation  Business Credit Corporation
Keith Peterson
Minister of Education; Minister of Energy; Minister Responisble for Qulliq Energy Corporation Minister Responsible for Nunavut Arctic College; Minister Responsible, Homelessness and Immigration
Premier; Minister of Justice; Minister of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs  Utility Rates Review Council
Joe Allen Evyagotailak
Minister of Community and Government Services; Minister Responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation
Tagak Curley
Hon. Levinia Brown
Deputy Premier; Minister of Health and Social Services; Minister Responsible for the Status of Women
Minister of Environment; Minister Responsible for the Workers' Compensation Board
James Arreak
(Uqqurmiut)
Opening Prayer 1056
Ministers’ Statements 1056
Members’ Statements 1058
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 1067
Oral Questions 1069
Written Questions 1086
Tabling of Documents 1087
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 1088
Report of the Committee of the Whole 1134
Orders of the Day 1135
Thursday March 3, 2005 1056
063 – 2(2): Community Constable Training Made More Accessible to Nunavutmiut (Okalik) 1056
064 – 2(2): Chemotherapy Closer to Home Initiative (Brown) 1057
065 – 2(2): Curriculum and Support Services Success Stories (Picco) 1057
139 – 2(2): Recognition of Muusi Kuuttiq (Tapardjuk) 1058
140 – 2(2): More for Non-Decentralized Communities (Mapsalak) 1059
141 – 2(2): Funeral and Burial Arrangements (Evyagotailak) 1059
142 – 2(2): Medical Travel Policy on Escorts (Barnabas) 1060
143 – 2(2): Recognition of Plan of Care Committees (Peterson) 1061
144 – 2(2): Parents Use Teachers as Punching Bags (Netser) 1062
145 – 2(2): Kivalliq Inuit Association By-Election (Brown) 1063
146 – 2(2): Thank Individuals in Taloyoak (Aglukkaq) 1063
147 – 2(2): State of Affairs at Nunavut Arctic College Report (Tootoo) 1064
148 – 2(2): Recognition of Historical Events (Curley) 1065
149 – 2(2): Ambassador Paul Cellucci – Recognition (Picco) 1066
185 – 2(2): Update on Credit Union (Tootoo) 1069
186 – 2(2): Number of Outpost Camps Opening This Year (Mapsalak) 1070
187 – 2(2): Publishing of Medical Travel Policies (Barnabas) 1072
188 – 2(2): Polcies on Burial and Funeral Arrangements (Evyagotailak) 1073
189 – 2(2): Update on the Northern Strategy (Peterson) 1074
190 – 2(2): Consider Stabilizing Power Bills (Curley) 1075
191 – 2(2): Pimmaqsarvik Service Contract Negotiations (Netser) 1079
192 – 2(2): Update on Search and Rescue Locator (Alagalak) 1080
193 – 2(2): Difference of Power Rates in the Communities (Kattuk) 1082
194 – 2(2): Nunavut Arctic College Report Clarification (Tootoo) 1084
195 – 2(2): RFP Award (Barnabas) 1086
026 – 2(2): Status of Decentralization (Peterson) 1087
089 – 2(2): Workers’ Compensation Board Annual Report 2003 (Akesuk) 1087
090 – 2(2): Law Foundation Annual Report 2002 (Okalik) 1087
091 – 2(2): Victim Assistance Fund Report 2003-2004 (Okalik) 1087
092 – 2(2): Pension Administration Report for Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 2004 (Speaker) 1087
002 – 2(2): Invitation to Shell Canada Officials to Appear Before the Committee of the Whole (Curley) 1088
003 – 2(2): To Extend Sitting Hours Until the Item in Committee of the Whole is Concluded (Curley) 1118
Thursday, March 3, 2005
I would ask Mr. Evyagotailak to say the opening prayer.
Speaker (interpretation): Welcome Mr. Premier, Ministers and Members.
Minister’s Statement 063 – 2(2): Community Constable Training Made More Accessible to Nunavutmiut
The Department of Justice and the RCMP have held discussions on how to improve policing services for Nunavutmiut by increasing the number of community constables in the territory and redoubling our efforts to recruit more Inuit RCMP officers into the force.
As a result, the RCMP will be re-activating the Community Constable program by making the required training more accessible to Inuit.
Instead of requiring prospective candidates to travel to Regina to complete their training, the RCMP V Division will be offering the training program in Nunavut.
This coming April and May, candidates from across Nunavut will be brought to Iqaluit for a two week training session.
On their return to their communities, the candidates will then become community constables, with authority and skills above the level of a bylaw officer.
For some, this will be a stepping stone to becoming full members of the RCMP.
Mr. Speaker, this initiative is intended to improve policing services by bringing policing closer to the communities.
We hope it will lead to policing for Nunavutmiut by Nunavutmiut, by assisting the RCMP’s effort to make the force more reflective of Nunavut.
Minister’s Statement 064 – 2(2): Chemotherapy Closer to Home Initiative
I rise today to inform the Legislative Assembly of the latest development regarding all Chemotherapy Closer to Home initiatives.
A Nunavut team of health professionals met recently with the Senior Management Team of Cancer Care Manitoba.
The meeting resulted in a draft outline of all the components required to develop a proposal for a cancer care program clinic in Rankin Inlet for the Kivalliq region.
The proposed clinic will be in partnership with Cancer Care Manitoba, whose network has 16 Cancer Care programs servicing rural and remote parts of Manitoba.
A final draft of the outline has a target date of March 31st, 2005.
After approval by the Health and Social Services’ Minister, and the Cancer Care Manitoba board of directors, the Chemotherapy and related Cancer Care program in Rankin Inlet, it is anticipated to be operational by October 2005.
A key element of the proposal will be the training of physicians, nurses, pharmacists in chemotherapy administration.
This is planned for late summer of 2005 in Winnipeg at Cancer Care Manitoba.
Mr. Speaker, the Department of Health and Social Services strives to provide quality healthcare to all residents of Nunavut as close to home as possible.
Our goal is eventually to see all Nunavutmiut having improved access to cancer treatment in Nunavut.
Minister’s Statement 065 – 2(2): Curriculum and Support Services Success Stories
Today, I would briefly like to touch on the good work done by the Curriculum and Support Services Division of the Department of Education.
The curriculum staff division, in fact, has just published a catalogue listing materials published in 2000, to help our teachers bring Nunavut and Inuit values into the classroom.
The Sansimajut Catalogue was given to every teacher at the beginning of last week’s Federation of Nunavut Teachers’ Conference held here in Iqaluit.
Mr. Speaker, this is just a start.
Work will soon be underway for curriculum for teachers of Inuinnaqtun.
Both Inuktitut and Inuinnaqtun curriculum are a priority in the curriculum team’s aggressive four year plan.
Another part of the division, Student Support Services, has attracted national attention for its innovative work on inclusive education.
The Tumiit model on schools to provide appropriate education programs that are challenging and yet geared to students’ capabilities to ensure successful learning for all students.
This model is still in the progress of being adopted by our schools.
However, in a scientific paper prepared by Memorial University about inclusive models of education, Nunavut’s proposed approach was singled out as the model for consideration by the rest of Canada.
Mr. Speaker, I think it is clear that the Department of Education is striving for excellence in the fields of curriculum and special education and a good learning environment is an essential part of a life-long learning experience that we hope to offer the people of Nunavut today and in the future.
Member's Statement 139 – 2(2): Recognition of Moshi Kuuttiq
I am very proud and would like to announce in the House that in one of my ridings, the Nunavut Government has employed an individual from my riding.
Moshi Kuuttiq, is the first Inuk to have completed his education in being a biologist.
He is a carnivore biologist and completed her full training.
She will be working for the Department of Environment in Igloolik.
Moshi went to school in Ontario and got his bachelor degree in science at Carleton University.
I wish to recognize Moshi Kuuttiq who has completed his training and I urge all young Nunavutmiut to strive to get into these types of positions.
Member's Statement 140 – 2(2): More for Non-Decentralized Communities
I rise today to talk about the need to do more for our non-decentralized communities in additional to developing more Inuit relevant programs.
Mr. Speaker, in our commitment to building Nunavut’s future, Pinasuaqtavut, one of the objectives of the second Legislative Assembly, is to enhance economic opportunities and social programming in smaller communities.
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Justice said that one of the more positive programs in his department has been the outpost camps programs for rehabilitation of our adult inmates as well as young offenders.
Mr. Speaker, there is great potential to develop these outpost camps in our non-decentralized communities and I know there are already a number of outpost camps in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, I also believe that this type of rehabilitation programming is more effective than just institutionalizing our inmates.
Mr. Speaker, I was pleased to hear that Minister’s Statement on the department’s initiative of hiring Inuit as managers in the four main correctional institutions.
I wish to congratulate them as well.
Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time I will be asking the Minister some questions.
Member's Statement 141 – 2(2): Funeral and Burial Arrangements
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to draw my attention to issues that affect us all, our families, our friends and our constituents and all Nunavutmiut.
It is a fact that every human being on earth will eventually die.
That is not a pleasant topic to speak on.
It is often a painful subject, but it does no good to turn our heads away and ignore the issue.
We must be prepared to address them.
I know that one of my fellow members of the Legislative Assembly has written a number of letters and e-mails to ministers and departmental officials, asking for information on policies and procedures relating to death and burial for Nunavutmiut.
He has expressed his frustration at the lack of responses to date.
Mr. Speaker, it seems that there is a lack of consistent support for funeral and burial arrangements in Nunavut presently for those who pass away.
It is important that overall policies be established to assist families and communities at difficult times.
I understand that there are some specific circumstances where the government may assist with burial arrangements.
If a person was on income support and completely destitute at the time of their death, then the government may step in.
If the person dies after receiving medical care out of the territory, the government may step in so that the body can be returned home.
Some Nunavut hamlets provide caskets for community residents.
Speaker (interpretation): The member seeks unanimous consent to conclude his statement.
Mr. Evyagotailak (interpretation): I would like to thank all my colleagues for allowing me to finish my statement.
(interpretation ends) Some Nunavut hamlets provide caskets for community residents and do so out of their own budgets.
But, every hamlet is different and there is no general policy to make them provide this basic service.
Mr. Speaker, in my case, the extended family of the deceased person does their best to make the necessary arrangements.
I understand that with the support of the Office of the Public Trustee or a lawyer, funeral costs may be received through the individual’s estate.
As with any bureaucratic process, this can take a lot of time and when families and communities need to deal with arranging a funeral, they do not have a lot of time to spare.
Mr. Speaker, I urge the government to address this issue as soon as possible.
It is important that the Minister of Health and Social Services work their colleagues in Education, Community and Government Services and the Coroner’s office to put general policies in place.
Nunavutmiut deserve to be treated with dignity in life and in death.
It is time that our government gets them that last sign of respect.
Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time, I shall have questions on this issue.
Member's Statement 142 – 2(2): Medical Travel Policy on Escorts
Mr. Barnabas (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to follow up on some comments made by my colleague from Akulliq regarding the medical travel policy.
I raised this issue the last time we met.
The Minister of Health and Social Services assured me that unilingual elders traveling south for medical treatment should have an escort.
Yet, I’m still hearing of situations where elders from my communities of Arctic Bay, Grise Fjord and Resolute Bay are being sent south without an escort.
Mr. Speaker, I think there are five elders who have been sent south without an escort.
There was one recently who waited at the Iqaluit airport until 11:00.
He stayed at the terminal all night, not knowing where to go, even if he took a cab to go anywhere.
This past Saturday, another elderly unilingual lady was sent down south unescorted.
She also arrived at 11:00 at night and no one was there to meet him.
Nunavut residents, especially elders, should not be treated this way.
Mr. Barnabas (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker and my colleagues for giving me the privilege to conclude my statement.
Even the Minister of Health and Social Services has stated that they should not be treated this way.
But, these incidences are still occurring today.
Elders should not be left to look after themselves in a strange place where people do not speak their language.
(interpretation ends) Last November, the minister had indicated that she would ask her staff to publicize the policy to Nunavutmiut through the media and perhaps through the CBC.
That does not seem to have happened.
Mr. Speaker, the medical travel policy may exist, but it is obviously not being used the way it was intended.
I urge the Minister of Health and Social Services to make sure that her departmental staff are aware of the policy and apply it correctly.
At the appropriate time, I shall ask question on this issue to the Minister. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Member's Statement 143 – 2(2): Recognition of Plan of Care Committees
I am pleased to rise today to recognize the many people who volunteer their time to participate in the plan of care committees.
The Child and Family Services Act provide social workers with the authority to apprehend children who are in danger, often from the people who love them.
At the same time, the act provides mechanisms for community residents to work together to help parents and children come back together as families.
Plan of Care committees are made up of concerned relatives, neighbors and community residents who are willing to give up their time to help families and children in crisis.
It is not easy being a committee member.
The committees meet every two to four weeks with families to talk with them about their problems, work with them to set goals, encourage their progress, and to listen to their hopes for a better future.
Very often, it can be an emotional and stressful experience to all committee members.
Mr. Speaker, I didn’t fully appreciate the tremendous value of the plan of care committees until I was approached by a social worker to participate in one.
Two fellow residents, an RCMP officer and a Government of Nunavut official were also asked to participate.
We were asked to participate as community residents, not in our official roles.
The parents endorsed our participation.
I am pleased to tell the house that our plan of care committee was successful in helping the family to reunite.
It is ultimately the parents who deserve the most credit, because of their commitment to bringing their family together again.
It is with this in mind that I ask the house to join me in recognizing all plan of care committees and other people, including social workers in our communities, who work with children and families.
Mr. Speaker, I encourage Nunavutmiut to open their hearts to help families and children when they need it.
Strong loving and support of families are the backbone of our communities.
Member's Statement 144 – 2(2): Parents Use Teachers as Punching Bags
Yesterday, in my Member’s Statement, I read out the difficulties of being a student.
Today, I want to read the story written by a teacher, (interpretation ends) entitled “Parents use Teachers as Punching Bags”.
I am a school teacher and I am fed up with being used a punching bag.
Too many times and too often, teachers and principals are abused by parents.
The form of abuse are verbal and physical or threats or all of the above.
We accept it because we have children to look after and educate.
I have observed children disagreeing amongst themselves.