EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
I’m aware that there has been talk in regard to a caribou survey in Baffin Island. However, I think communities are still being consulted in the consultation stage. I would like to advise the member that we are working on a caribou strategy that will address the issues not only in Baffin Island but the entire territory of Nunavut in regard to caribou.
So it’s my understanding that they’re speaking to communities right now.
When can we expect to hear the commencement of the caribou survey in the Baffin region?
When do you expect to complete the consultations to the communities on the caribou strategy?
I’m not sure of the timelines right now, but I will look into that further and find the information out and provide it to the member.
Question 257 – 3(2): Polar Bear Management between Canada and Greenland (Arvaluk)
When I was asking questions to Minister Shewchuk, I could not ask these questions because these questions are in regard to polar bears from different angles.
I’m confused as to why the minister had established a reduction of ten polar bears per year for four years.
We have heard and we also know that there is a joint commission of four members and four members from Canada on the joint polar bear management commission, and they were trying to set up the quota system for the Davis Strait management zone.
I think that this coming spring, they will start holding meetings in regard to this.
Even before the joint commission made any recommendations to the minister, why reduce the number of polar bears by ten each year for four years?
I am sure that the member realizes that I did not make this decision on my own.
This decision was in the process for over a year through the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board.
All stakeholders were involved, all communities were involved, all regional wildlife organizations were involved, NTI was involved.
So this is a recommendation that came to me from NWMB.
Then what is the purpose of having this joint commission from membership from Greenland and Canada for reviewing the quota system for the recommendation to the government?
Under the land claims agreement, I suppose that the government is supposed to only be managing it and these DIOs are supposed to making plans for the purpose of setting the quota system, whether it’s for polar bear, or narwhal, or beluga, etcetera.
Why is this joint commission being ignored completely?
First of all, this joint commission is not being ignored completely. This joint commission was set up because of this very reason.
The member should know that Greenland has dropped their total allowable harvest to 65, when they were harvesting more than 150 bears annually.
So Greenland has taken their part and their interest in conserving the shared population and anything that moves forward from now on will be worked together.
The whole goal of this is to find out what the population estimate is for Baffin Bay polar bears and to provide all of the information so management decisions could be made.
The land claims agreement very clearly stated that DIOs, or Designated Inuit Organizations, such as HTOs, the RWOs that I mentioned, NWMB, will or shall determine what should be recommended to respective governments.
This doesn’t seem to be happening right now. Can the minister then assure me that there is no danger whatsoever that the land claims agreement is not breached?
I’m not sure what the member is pointing out here, but I do respect the land claims agreement very much.
The process is that the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board provides recommendations to me on all wildlife management decisions.
The interested parties that he states are all involved. They are membership on the NWMB and they are all consulted when decisions are made.
There needs to be a very clear, transparent approach to this joint management of wildlife because of the land claims agreement, because we have taken the responsibility as the Nunavut government to manage wildlife on behalf of the harvesters, who are also the beneficiaries of the land claims agreement.
It seems sometimes that we’re not all sure what’s going on with the government management system. They need to be clear on the table, not under the table.
Can the minister then assure this House that everything will be completely transparent and on the table when the process takes place down the road?
I can assure, from the government side, that things are transparent. I assure that the process, to my knowledge, is transparent.
I think we’re all working for the well-being of Nunavut and Nunavutmiut.
The joint commission is set up and all interested parties are on that commission and that is: Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, who is the motherhood of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement, and they agree to this joint commission being set up; the Qikiqtaaluk Corporation; and the regional Inuit associations have membership on there; and the government’s membership is on there. So all interested parties are involved and represented.
Question 258 – 3(2): Coal Mining in High Arctic – NIRB (Elliott)
My question is directed toward the Minister of Environment, the Hon. Daniel Shewchuk.
In regard to the Speech from the Throne of the federal government, Mr. Harper said that, “Our government will reform the northern regulatory regime to ensure that the region’s resource potential can be developed where commercially viable while ensuring a better process for protecting our environment.”
There has been a lot of work and talk lately about coal mining up in the High Arctic. I know that recently, NIRB, which is an institution of public government set up through the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement, and I know that the GN does not control the actions of this committee or this board, but I think that the Government of Nunavut is able to put submissions in requesting and putting their views forward.
Has the Government of Nunavut put forward any opinions as to coal mining up in the High Arctic?
I would like to refer this question to my colleague, the Minister of ED&T, Mr. Taptuna.
I appreciate that question from the Hon. Member of Quttiktuq. NIRB made a decision to reject the coal mining company that is up there, Weststar, to either amend or redo their submission to NIRB.
In that case, it is almost like a rejection of their proposal.
As far as I know, there are a handful of organizations from down south that wanted that location where the gold deposit is to be preserved because there are fossils there and NIRB had rejected Weststar’s application.
I guess on behalf of the residents of the High Arctic, I know that is the way we would like to go.
We want to make sure that the fossils and the wildlife and everything that is there is preserved.
If I understand what the minister is saying, Weststar put in another application.
There was talk about working with researchers and jointly doing mining and exploration and at the same time, doing research and documenting what’s in that area.
As far as I know, they haven’t resubmitted a proposal to do any kind of project development there.
Just so I have it clear in my mind because I’m not really sure whether I heard a full… what is the government’s stance?
I know that the minister, in my first question, gave me a response as to what has happened and what has transpired, but what is the government’s view on this? Are they in favour of coal mining, are they rejecting the idea of coal mining, or are they of the idea of doing a partnership between the two?
At this time, I can’t state what our position is with the company. Mr. Speaker, we haven’t seen the full proposal or any indication of how in-depth that they’re going to work to develop this deposit.
But once NIRB makes a recommendation or a rejection, or sends a company back to fully amend their proposal, and when I say NIRB, that’s the Nunavut Impact Review Board, that has to be done.
As far as I’m concerned, this government’s position is with NIRB.
What I’m trying to get at is whether the government actually has a paper and has something written up that they have presented to NIRB in terms of the government’s position on this.
I think what I heard the minister say was that they will follow whatever NIRB says, so, at this point, if the minister could confirm that.
What I would like to do is be able to take something back to my constituents and say this is what the government is saying about what is going on in their area.
When a proposal is submitted to the Nunavut Impact Review Board, they reject it, ask for an amendment, or accept it.
Once it is accepted, NIRB’s direction to the proponent is to come up with a plan. Without a plan from the proponent, nobody has any position on the company.
Tabled Document 120 – 3(2): Swimming Pool Options Review (Ningark)
I wish to table today a copy of the swimming pool options review prepared by CGS Technical Service Division and I thank the Minister of CGS for giving me a complementary copy.
The reason I table it is that it’s fairly new; it’s dated February 19, 2010.
Tabled Document 121 – 3(2): 2009 Environmental Rights Act Annual Report (Shewchuk)
I would like to table the following document: 2009 Environmental Rights Act Annual Report.
Tabled Document 122 – 3(2): The Art and Artists of Arctic College (Elliott)
I am honoured to be able to table a copy of the wonderful work of our youth group in Arctic Bay. As MLA for Quttiktuq, I am very proud of their work.
Mr. Speaker, I am tabling a copy of the booklet entitled The Art and Artists of Arctic Bay, Nunavut.
I am impressed with our youth, their energy and interest in preserving the Inuit language. The production of this artist booklet was inspired by the Hamlet of Arctic Bay Economic Development Committee and the youth of Nunavut Youth Consulting with the intention of preserving Inuit language and culture through education and elder involvement. Thank you.
Tabled Document 123 – 3(2): 2008-2009 Nunavut Human Rights Tribunal (Peterson)
I would like to table the following document: 2008-2009 Nunavut Human Rights Tribunal.
Mr. Speaker, this document is in four official languages.
I strongly encourage all Nunavummiut who may feel that they’re discriminated against to contact Marion Love and her officials in Coral Harbour. I encourage the members, at the break, to speak to Errol Fletcher or Marion Love. I’m sure that they would be more than willing to explain some more about what their organization does.
Tabled Document 124 – 3(2): FPT Meeting of Council of Tourism Ministers (Taptuna)
I would like to table the following document: Federal/Provincial/Territorial Meeting of Council of Tourism Ministers.
Bill 22 with Mr. Okalik in the Chair.
>>House recessed at 15:14 and Committee resumed at 15:48
Members, in Committee of the Whole, we have the following item to deal with: Bill 22, Appropriation (Operation and Maintenance) Act, 2010-2011.
We would like to continue with the review of Bill 22 and the main estimates for the fiscal year 2010-11.
Today, we will commence with the review of the Department of Education.
Bill 22 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2010-2011 – Education – Consideration in Committee
Minister Tapardjuk, if you’re ready, you can proceed with your opening comments.
I am pleased to meet with the committee to discuss the 2010-11 Main Estimates and Business Plan for the Department of Education.
Mr. Chairman, education is our government’s common thread in engaging all Nunavummiut and realizing Tamapta’s goal of capable, healthy, and self-reliant citizens and communities.
We are improving education and training outcomes.
Dedication to lifelong learning will help to reduce poverty and provide the basis for Nunavut’s future by preparing our people to participate in and benefit from the many opportunities in our territory and beyond.
It is never too early or too late for Nunavummiut to access the many educational and training opportunities around them and plan for their long-term goals.
The Department of Education is committed to building a territory of educated and empowered people with the skills to succeed.
Mr. Chairman, the Department of Education touches nearly every household in Nunavut, through early childhood care, kindergarten to grade 12 instruction, financial assistance for our post-secondary students, trades training and career development, and social assistance or benefits for our elders.
Mr. Chairman, in order to put our plans into action, we have put forward a budget of close to two hundred and seven million dollars for the 2010-11 fiscal year. This is an approximate increase of twelve million dollars over last year’s budget.
Mr. Chairman, the Department of Education has proposed funds in the amount of almost nine million dollars to carry out our work under the auspices of the Education Act and the Inuit Language Protection Act.
Of that money, $1.2 million will be used to staff 13 new person years (PYs) so that every school in the territory will now have a student community counsellor.
All students will now have an additional level of assistance and cooperation in helping them navigate through their educational journeys and make positive choices.
Increased funding for district education authorities, or DEAs, will assist with greater student success through programs, such as hiring more elders to work as cultural and language instructors in schools, implementing programs that teach students to be responsible for their own behaviour and create safe, welcoming, respectful, positive school environments, and providing assistance to DEAs so that they can manage students who cannot stay in the classroom with in-school suspensions that allow them to continue learning.
There is a large increase in funds for the inclusion of elders in our education system, as well as the production of a handbook for DEAs, to help guide their important work.
We have set aside more than three million dollars for these projects.
Mr. Chairman, the department is committed to following our duties under the Education Act and the Inuit Language Protection Act and making bilingual education a reality for the students of Nunavut.
We propose close to 1.6 million dollars in new funds for bilingual curriculum development, establishment of new assessment tools and strategies for classrooms, and language competency development.
We have hired new curriculum and school service staff and are developing curriculum and teaching resources for early childhood and K-12 programs.
As always, we will work in conjunction with educators and DEAs to provide ongoing training and supports to implement these new initiatives.
There is an increase of almost nine hundred thousand dollars for school operations.
This funding will assist language revitalization through the use of additional language instructors within our schools. There is also an increase for custodial staff in our new and expanded schools in Qikiqtarjuaq, Cape Dorset, and Sanikiluaq, as well as necessary school operations staff, including student support assistants and school secretaries.
I am pleased to announce that additional monies have been allocated to reflect salary increases as a part of the Nunavut Employees Union collective agreement.
My department is prepared to meet the salary obligations associated with our union agreements and we are pleased to offer our employees the increased compensation they deserve.
These increases total $2.6 million to our departmental budget.
Mr. Chairman, the Department of Education will provide an increase of $555,000 towards funding Nunavut’s licensed child care facilities.
We have changed the funding formula model to ensure greater support toward the operations and management of our facilities instead of attendance requirements.
This money will ensure that these daycares will see an increase of at least 10 percent to their operations and maintenance program contributions funding on April 1, 2010.
The last increase in funding for our child care facilities happened in 2000.
These new funds can be used for any operating expenses and will directly affect the youngest Nunavummiut.
To ensure that early childhood education is offered annually within Nunavut, the Department of Education has budgeted $200,000.
This funding will be given to a post-secondary institution that will help provide valuable professional development for early childhood educators.
Mr. Chairman, there are 9,038 students enrolled in Nunavut schools for the current school year.
All of these students and all of the students who will follow them in the years to come deserve the very best education our new Education Act will allow. As such, the successful implementation of Nunavut’s Education Act will take several years and requires the dedication and passion of many people.
Over the last year, we held a major workshop for all DEAs and school principals about the successful integration of the Education Act into their schools.
Departmental staff are now going into the communities to train the school staff more thoroughly.
As we continue to develop regulations and implement the mandatory areas for this upcoming year, the department is dedicated to thorough consultation with all of our stakeholders.
We are working with all of our education partners to engage and recognize the needs of our communities.
We are holding workshops in each community to smooth the progress of implementation with DEAs and school staff.
Mr. Chairman, the Department of Education, in partnership with Nunavut Arctic College, provides educator training opportunities across Nunavut. New training programs are being developed for school staff, including school community counsellor, student support assistant, and language certificate programs.
Teacher education programs now offered in 10 communities: Iqaluit, Pangnirtung, Cape Dorset, Qikiqtarjuaq, Pond Inlet, Rankin Inlet, Baker Lake, Cambridge Bay, Kugluktuk, and Kugaaruk.
These programs provide opportunities for our citizens to become active participants in community-based education and upholding Nunavut’s educational values and beliefs.
Mr. Chairman, our career development officers, or CDOs, hold an important role in helping community members access the labour market and expand their career options.
Yet, the majority of Nunavut’s CDOs have no formal training in this field.
The Department of Education aims to change this and has begun work on a multi-year training strategy with our partners in the Department of Human Resources to provide CDOs with recognized professional development.
I am very pleased to announce that we have made great strides working with the Canadian Career Development Foundation to create a certification program and enhance service delivery to our clients.
I am very pleased to report another increase in applicants to the Financial Assistance for Nunavut Students (FANS) program, meaning there will be a need for forced growth funds in this area.
Mr. Chairman, to provide better service and accountability, the Department of Education is working on instating several databases to help maintain and keep track of our programs, services, and clients.
The Income Support Case Management System is successfully being used to deliver benefits to Nunavut seniors through a merged cheque process with the federal government.
The pilot of the system at the Iqaluit office is being evaluated to ensure it operates within the financial standards and guidelines set by the Government of Nunavut and the Department of Finance.
We hope to have it fully implemented across the territory as a phased-in approach over the next two years.
Currently, we are the only jurisdiction in the country operating in a manual environment. When this system is fully developed, it will address financial accountability issues outlined by the Auditor General of Canada.
Mr. Chairman, my department is also working on the development of a new student information system which will collect data on student attendance, achievement, and similar information for all grades from kindergarten to grade 12.
It will provide a more streamlined and accessible method for storing and retrieving this information.
The department is working closely with Nunavut Arctic College as it prepares for the opening of the trade training centre later this year to ensure the programs, facilities, and equipment meet national requirements and regulations.
Mr. Chairman, my department is continuously making improvements to our education and support programs.
As we move forward with the implementation of the Education Act, we continue to produce new Nunavut-relevant curriculum, improve Inuit language instruction in our schools, create new attendance policies, and provide support for the important role of elders in our schools. The department remains committed to promoting teacher training opportunities for Nunavummiut and working with the Nunavut Arctic College to produce a superior program.
As always, the Department of Education strives to increase training opportunities to produce skilled workers and become more self-sufficient here in our land. These are all positive steps in the growth of our territory.
The framework set out in the Tamapta Action Plan creates exciting and innovative opportunities for education in Nunavut.
I am eager to work with the committee and my colleagues to build capacity, enhance training and education opportunities, and expand the role of lifelong learning in Nunavut.
I think you’re going to have to take a break because those were quite lengthy opening comments.
We can now continue with our meeting.
I’m sure you will also want to invite some witnesses to go up to the witness table.
Do you have witnesses you would like to invite?
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, colleagues.
Sergeant-at-Arms, if you could escort the witnesses in, please.
On my left is my Deputy Minister, Kathy Okpik.
On my right is David Pealow, who is a controller for the Department of Education.
Yes, I do. I would also like to thank the hon. minister, as well as Ms. Okpik, as well as Mr. Pealow.
As the Chair of the Standing Committee on Social Wellness, I am pleased to make opening comments as we begin deliberations on the proposed 2010-11 budget of the Department of Education.
The Department of Education’s proposed 2010-11 operations and maintenance budget is $206.7 million, which is an increase of over $12 million from its 2009-2010 revised operations and maintenance budget.
While planned spending appears to increase across all branches of the department, the standing committee notes that the total number of positions in the department has increased by approximately 35 PYs from 2009-2010.
Members recognize that the implementation of the new Education Act, which came into force in July of 2009, requires additional staffing as new positions are added to the department, such as school community counsellors, language and cultural instructors, and elders as instructors in the classroom.
The current collective agreement between the government and the Nunavut Teachers Association expired in June of 2009.
The standing committee notes that the proposed budget takes into consideration anticipated increases in compensation and benefits to follow any new collective agreement that is negotiated with the Nunavut Teachers Association.
Mr. Chairman, as we review the Department of Education’s proposed operations and maintenance budget for 2010-11, the department’s 2010-13 business plan is also subject to scrutiny.
During the minister’s appearance before the standing committee to review the draft budget and business plans, members noted that the budget and business plan documents are organized in an inconsistent manner which can lead to much confusion during the review process.
The standing committee greatly appreciates receiving additional documentation from the government in the form of a companion guide in order to assist members in their review of the Department of Education’s proposed business plan and main estimates. Members further appreciate the government’s commitment to ensure a better correlation of information between the two documents in future budget materials.
The standing committee has noted that a number of initiatives continue to be undertaken as part of the implementation of the new Education Act.
Committee members are closely monitoring how the roles and responsibilities of the district education authorities and the DEA Coalition are evolving as a result of the new legislation.