EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Increased offerings in chemistry, mathematics, physiology, and anatomy type courses will strengthen the academic preparedness of students and increase the number of northern graduates.
The main estimates include the base contribution of $25.6 million, $3.9 million from tuition fees and other sources, and third party revenues of $8.5 million.
“Through Nunavut Arctic College and its partners, we will increase post-secondary opportunities in all occupational categories, from career training to professional education.”
Partnerships with government departments, educational institutions, and industry are especially important at Arctic College in meeting these goals.
Arctic College continues to build university capacity in Nunavut.
The college received financial support from the Royal Bank of Canada and our Municipal Training Organization and is working with Grant MacEwan University, Algonquin College, and the Certified General Accountants Association toward completing the Bachelor of Applied Business Administration.
Arctic College has also been successful in seeking matching funding from Baffinland Resources for the delivery of the diploma year of the Environmental Technology Program in Pond Inlet.
Arctic College continues to expand the delivery of the NTEP program at the community level in partnership with the Department of Education.
Based on the current student enrolments at the community level, in the next two and a half years, there will be 62 new Bachelor of Education graduates from the Nunavut Teacher Education Program.
In this partnership with Education, work is also underway for program development on the middle school teacher training requirements.
In adult basic education, the college continues to work with the Department of Education and has received federal funding to support the development and delivery of a Nunavut Mature High School Graduation program.
In the health field, a new program for licensed practical nurses has been developed and will be delivered in September 2012 in Iqaluit.
Following the establishment of the Nunavut Trades Training Centre, Arctic College has solidified delivery in trades preparation programs and apprentice programs related to construction.
These main estimates seek the further development and delivery of mine training and heavy equipment training programming as the college continues to expand its partnerships with industry and government.
Currently, Arctic College is working with CGS for the purchase of the training simulator which will be installed and ready for training in 2012-13.
Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to be here today to discuss Arctic College’s 2012-13 main estimates and business plan.
Workforce development is a continued priority with Nunavut Arctic College.
Hon. Daniel Shewchuk: Yes, I would, Mr. Chairman.
Sergeant-at-Arm, please escort the witnesses in.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Minister, for the record, will you please introduce your witness to the House.
I am very happy to have with me here today, and I can say it is official now, and I think there was a press release today that Mr. Mike Shouldice is the permanent President of Nunavut Arctic College.
On behalf of the House, it is indeed our pleasure to welcome you as the new president. (interpretation) Does the chair of the standing committee have any comments?
I, too, would like to welcome Mr. Shouldice and the minister. (interpretation ends) As the Chair of the Standing Committee on Social Wellness, I am pleased to make opening comments as we begin deliberations on the proposed 2012-13 budget of Nunavut Arctic College.
The GN’s proposed contribution of $25,614,000 to the college for 2012-13 is approximately $716,000 more than the contribution funding amount approved for 2011-12.
Mr. Chairman, I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the recently announced funding boost from the federal government for adult basic education programs at Nunavut Arctic College.
Over the next five years, $11 million in funding will be a significant investment in advancing the careers and opportunities of Nunavut’s adult learners.
Mr. Chairman, the role of Nunavut Arctic College in preparing, training, and qualifying Nunavummiut for our economy, our public service, and our future continues to be important.
The standing committee encourages the college to continue working closely with the government and other partners to identify and access opportunities for training and education, share information and resources, and to avoid duplication of effort.
The standing committee recognizes that Nunavut Arctic College delivers a wide range of courses and programs across the territory.
Community learning centres play a critical 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.
Committee members have noted that opportunities and levels of support differ from region to region and recommend that the minister work with Nunavut Arctic College officials to address any perceptions that one region benefits more than another.
The standing committee is pleased to note the college’s ongoing success with such initiatives as the trades training program and in areas such as nursing and teacher education.
Committee members encourage the college to look at opportunities for partnerships to deliver programs in smaller communities as well as in the regional centres.
As the government and other entities fully implement the requirements of the Inuit Language Protection Act and the Official Languages Act, the need for language services will grow.
The standing committee recommends that the college give consideration to increasing programs relating to language services.
Before we proceed with general comments, I would just like to remind members of Rule 77(1) and Rule 77 (2).
I’m sure you can recite the contents of these rules and that is why I’m not reading them.
At this time, are there any general comments on the minister’s opening comments?
Mr. Tapardjuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I also welcome Minister Shewchuk and the new President of Nunavut Arctic College, Mr. Shouldice.
Nunavut Arctic College has been very beneficial to adults who wish to advance their learning and I fully support that.
I am very appreciative for the work that is being done. I’m sure that Nunavut Arctic College doesn’t provide funding to the sealskin preparation and sewing program.
In my community of Igloolik, I am very proud of our community learning centre.
At the appropriate time during the page-by-page review, I will be asking questions if they will be provided with more funding or who would provide additional funding.
There are various programs, such as the sewing program and the fur and design program, and these are very important for the future.
Mr. Chairman, as I peruse the minister’s opening comments, it sounds as if Nunavut Arctic College will place a greater emphasis on the issues he mentioned with respect to the Nunavut Teacher Education Program as well as other courses, such as the Inuktitut language program currently under design, or even within the interpreter training program or in translation work.
When the Minister of Justice appeared before the committee, he spoke to the challenges they face with translator/interpreters who are trained in legal terms by the lawyers. Once they are qualified, they lose them to other organizations, probably because of their increased proficiency.
The Minister of Justice, I believe, has to work harder and has to be encouraged by the members to do that.
However, it is also apparent that more could be done through the college, just like it was done with the training of lawyers under the Akitsiraq Law School program.
There were only a handful who completed the training and passed their bar exams, but whenever people are taught properly with respect to legal terms and in translating them into Inuktitut, it will enable them to provide this very essential service.
We all know that currently, many Inuit are still unilingual and cannot function in English here in Nunavut. We will be required to provide this service for many more years to come.
Once the Education Act comes into force and graduates are fully bilingual, as that seems to be the vision, this endeavour will still take a number of years to complete.
Prior to its enforcement, we have to be quite respectful and mindful of the need to provide services in Inuktitut here in Nunavut, particularly services that our government provides.
With these matters in mind, Mr. Chairman, I will direct my questions when we reach the page-by-page review.
At this time, I am only commenting on the minister’s opening comments. I don’t see anything mentioned about these issues and I believe the minister has to respect them as well.
General comments to the minister’s opening comments.
Mr. Ningark (interpretation): Yes, I also have a short comment on the opening comments, Mr. Chairman.
Here in Nunavut, many people are interested in starting up their own businesses, but due to the lack of funding geared towards… .
I forget what the term is in Inuktitut for (interpretation ends) general accounting and business administration. (interpretation) Due to their lack of training in these two areas, many Inuit who want to start up businesses face this barrier and furthermore, it is this barrier that holds back those who want to start businesses.
I am quite content with the opening comments of the minister, particularly on page 2 in the first paragraph, where it recognizes this need and that they will work in conjunction with universities on training, financial accounting, and perhaps business accounting and general accounting.
Therefore, I urge them to do just that.
If I am in error, you can correct me.
I am very pleased that we have an institution such as Nunavut Arctic College, which many people attend to increase their capacity.
We also hear about hardships that these students experience while attending courses here in Nunavut.
Some students have spouses who are able to provide financial assistance, but the majority of students face financial hardship as they try to improve their education and future opportunities.
We know that better educated individuals are able to get better paying positions.
A matter that I deliberate upon on occasion is that although we know that we don’t always meet our students’ financial requirements as they prepare for their careers, many people wonder whether or not the courses they are taking are relevant to the positions that will open here in Nunavut.
Further, students have the discretion to choose the programs they want to enrol in and I am aware of that as well.
However, I wonder whether the college incorporates future career opportunities that may surface, whether it is in economic development, mining, tourism, or other sectors.
Does the college make plans that incorporate future developments that are on the horizon? That is my first question.
Hon. Daniel Shewchuk: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I thank Ms. Ell for that question.
Nunavut Arctic College is very proud of the programs it delivers.
I can tell Ms. Ell that we do consult with communities on an annual basis on what programs are chosen and what programs they want offered in specific communities. So yes, we are. We are also working with private industry, the mining industry, and we’re open to working with all industries to develop programs that will enhance career development for all Nunavutmiut.
Do you have general comments? Ms. Ell.
Ms. Ell (interpretation): I don’t know if the floor is open for general comments to the opening comments, but I would like to ask a question that I asked previously.
Sometimes when students go back to school, they face difficulties.
The majority of the students know how to budget. Do you provide training on helping the students learn how to budget?
That is my first question, Mr. Chairman, if I’m coming across clear.
Again that is a very good question.
I can advise Ms. Ell that yes, all students who come into the Nunavut Arctic College system are orientated with personal budgeting management.
General comments or questions to the opening comments.
I don’t think we will have the opportunity after this.
Being the member for Chesterfield Inlet and Coral Harbour, I would like to congratulate Mr. Shouldice for his new appointment as being the permanent President of Nunavut Arctic College.
I just wanted to state that, Mr. Chairman.
During the standing committee appearance, I told him that the position sure fits him.
I am very pleased that he has been appointed.
We will go to page M-3.
I would like to ask them a question. (interpretation ends) Your business plan addresses initiatives to increase Inuit employment in management positions. Have you achieved any success in this area?
Are any of the new positions at the regional campuses being filled by beneficiaries?
Minister Shouldice…Shewchuk.
I’m promoting you already.
You’re demoting me already.
Mike, want to switch chairs?
Mr. Shouldice: No, thank you.
I thank the member for that question. I am very happy to say that of the eight management positions we have at Nunavut Arctic College, we have one vacant but four of them are filled by beneficiaries.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Minister. Ms. Ugyuk.
Ms. Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) The college funding for language programs include interpreter/translator diplomas, which is projected to increase slightly from 2011-12. What additional support and resources will be provided to the interpreter/translator diploma programs and the Inuit language programs?
To get a very good perspective on this, I think I’ll have President Shouldice answer this question. Could I have the member repeat the question? He never heard the question.
Chairman: Ms. Ugyuk, please.
Ms. Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) The college funding for language programs, including interpreter/translator diplomas, is projected to increase slightly from 2011-12. What additional support and resources will be provided to the interpreter/translator diploma programs and the Inuit language programs?
Chairman: Qujannamiik for clarifying or repeating your question.
Mr. Shouldice.
Mr. Shouldice: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I’m finding the page.
Hon. Daniel Shewchuk: Mr. Chairman, could I please ask the member for what page she is looking at or referring to.
Chairman (interpretation): Ms. Ugyuk, please tell us what page it is on.
Ms. Ugyuk: Business plan pages NAC-8 to NAC-10.
Chairman: I believe Ms. Ugyuk (interpretation) meant to say NAC-9 and NAC-10. (interpretation ends) Did you get that, Mr. Minister?
NAC-9 and 10.
I’ll turn it over to Mr. Shouldice.
Chairman: Mr. Shouldice.
Mr. Shouldice: I’m just looking at the figures. There is a minor increase stating that the increase is most likely just in terms of… . There are no specifically identified increases in the department and those would be just the forced growth costs or increases to salaries and things like that.
In the enhancements to the college, they were specifically for other tasks.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Shouldice.
Ms. Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) The Inuit Language Authority, which is an independent public agency established under the Inuit Language Protection Act, will be taking the lead on Inuit language issues. Your draft business plan proposed to “Conceptualize and develop an Inuit Language and Culture Centre” in 2012-13.
How do you foresee the two entities working together?
I’ll have the president answer that question. Thank you.
Yes, we are asked, as other departments, to prepare an implementation plan for increased services and training for the Inuktitut language. That’s in the planning stage that we have submitted through to EIA at this stage.
The plan of the college in the future is to look at a centre of excellence for language and education.
What we’re looking at right now is taking the assets that already exist in the college, such as the Nunavut Research Institute, for example, the research capacity of that with students. There is an oral history project in Igloolik which would contribute to that. We have the Nunavut Teacher Education Program, which is training teachers to teach in Inuktitut.
In terms of putting that centre together, what we’re trying to do is to develop a plan that would best coordinate all of those assets for us and then allow us to tie our publication section of the college with our research section and with our training section.
I would like to thank the witness for giving clear answers.
I would also like to ask a question on adult learning at Arctic College.
There are programs like the Nursing Program, teacher training, hairdressing, lawyer training, and financial training.
We now hear that the government is using a lot of money for computers, telehealth, and informatics. We’re going to be hearing more information on what is happening with the students and what their activities are. That kind of information, along with electronic documents, will be entered into computer databases.
Can the minister explain fully why the college doesn’t provide training on information technology?
It could result in jobs for Inuit and is very important today.
We are absolutely committed to adult learning across Nunavut and at all levels, whether it is A/B learning or a college diploma or degree learning.
I’m not sure where the member is stating that we don’t involve computer training because we do. There is a computer introduction course that is involved with most courses. We also do have a separate entity on a computer course on its own.
Maybe if I could clarify myself. Can the minister clearly explain why Nunavut Arctic College is not heavily promoting information technology programs when we will certainly need qualified staff to manage all of these major and important computerized data systems, as I listed before?
I would just like to advice the member that we do have a one-year certificate course in informatics technology offered here in Iqaluit too. We are getting involved in more informatics technology learning in all of our centres with new online learning that we’re developing.
Ms. Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) Will they be delivered in the two other regions, Kivalliq and Kitikmeot?
As I stated before, it is offered in Iqaluit and the future plans are to expand it to other regions.
I would like to thank them for responding to my questions. (interpretation ends) The college has received federal funding to develop cyber-links so that our community learning centres can take advantage of distance learning over the Internet.
Can the minister update this House on how many community learning centres are currently able to access courses on the Internet?
I am very happy to be advised by the president that, I believe, online learning is capable.
The capability is there to offer in 24 of the 25 communities. I believe the only community that is not hooked up to have online learning is Sanikiluaq.
I thank them for their responses. (interpretation ends) As any present day parent will know, our children are learning computer skills and technology faster than we could ever imagine.
Can the minister describe how he works with his counterpart, the Minister of Education, to promote future carriers in computer and information technology?
I can only advise the member that Arctic College works very closely with the Department of Education, other entities, other private industry, and other stakeholders involved.
Actually, I would like to get the president to expand on that.
Ms. Ugyuk. (interpretation ends) I’m sorry. Mr. Shouldice.
Mr. Shouldice: Thank you.
There was a $5 million grant from the federal government about three years ago to put fibre optics into all the communities.
At that same time, the college was able to purchase and put new sets of computers in all of the adult centres.
We had a strategy where we replaced all of the computer systems in the community learning centres. We put in a new library package of learning materials in the community centres and some furniture that’s necessary to go with that.
Tied with the KIP money, or the Knowledge Infrastructure Program, we’re now able to be on the community services network, which is what the Government of Nunavut has.
All of the communities have the ability to do distance learning at some level.
The high-speed Internet that we now have is from the Canadian Space Agency and it is called the Ka-band.
It’s styled differently than the Qiniq system in the north in that Qiniq is very broad in its signal, but the Ka-band actually pops up to the satellite and then comes directly down to the community.
I understand from them that it’s because of the physical placing of the satellite that Sanikiluaq does not have that service yet, but all the other communities do.
It’s very much like stovepipes of information up and down.
This network is working. We’re testing it right now back and forth. You know, there are lots of bugs with it technically that we’re just solving.
At the same time, the college is also developing online courses for delivery in a variety of areas.
We have a consultant in right now working with this new federal money that’s going to be able to describe what we are lacking technically, what we lack for in-house staff expertise.
So we should be in good shape, I’m thinking, by the springtime to know what does that look like for us technically. The system with the Ka-band is extremely fast. Everything has its limitations.
We’re going to try and pilot several courses, such as the Nunavut teacher education project and adult basic education.
We’re going to try to pilot various things in the next couple of years.
We think that we should be able to start to move to have a division within the college that will be responsible for distance delivery.
That is a necessity because we need to push more and more and more to the community level of programs at the certificate and diploma level because not everyone can come into the campus.
Welcome, Mr. Minister. I am very pleased with your opening comments.
I would also like to welcome Mr. Shouldice, who had been in Rankin Inlet for a very long time.
I have two specific questions, one regarding the trades school and if you could give us an update on that. It just opened not too long ago. It’s a very beautiful building.
It’s got equipment and is a very modern facility. I am very proud of that building. It was just opened last year.
I would like to know how many trade sector programs are being offered and how well they are running or if the number of students has decreased or if there have been any students who left mid-course. I would like an update on the students and how it’s going.
I’m sure Mr. Shouldice can provide a full response as the school has now operated a full year, I believe.
I would very much love to hear how the students are doing.
Hon. Daniel Shewchuk: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I thank Mr. Curley for that comment and question.
We are very proud of the trades school and the programs that are offered, the initiatives taken there, and the number of students who are taking different programs there too.
The Government of Nunavut is very proud of establishing that trades school.
There are specific programs that are being taken by many students. The industry is proud of it and is incorporated into it and has partnership into it.
As for the detailed number of students and their specific programs, I’ll turn that over to the president.
Thank you, Mr. Curley, for your kind comments.
The centre opened up in 2010. This is the second year of operation.
Capacity would be about 88 students. We run between 45 and 60 students.
The four main areas are oil burner mechanic, housing maintainer, electrical, and plumbing that we’re working with right now.
One of the interesting things that we have been looking at is where the students are coming from. There’s concern, of course, that they will be primarily from Rankin Inlet, but of these students who were registered this year in the permanent programs, half are from outside the Kivalliq region. Of those in the Kivalliq, one in five of them is from Rankin Inlet.