EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Since it’s an archaeological site or a historical building, I’m wondering if funding to preserve the building can be provided under the Culture and Heritage category, maybe from Heritage Canada or your department.
As we have mentioned before, anyone can make a proposal for funding from our department in relation to our programs.
An organization in your community or group or individual or the hamlet can propose funding from our department for these types of programs. If you can find someone to make a proposal, we can look at it.
I want to talk about this other issue when we have to do search and rescue. Let me start off by clarifying that in Inuktitut, Pinginnaqtuq is “worrisome” for humans who are on the land and who are overdue, but Attarnaqtuq is the term for objects that are becoming worrisome.
This is just an example of differences in Inuktitut, although there may be dialectal ones as well.
This is not related to the topic, but thank you.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Ningark.
I have no more names on my list. (interpretation ends) Branch Summary. Culture, Language, Elders and Youth.
Total Operations and Maintenance. $4,494,000. (interpretation) Do you agree?
We will go to F-8. (interpretation ends) Culture, Language, Elders and Youth. Branch Summary. Elders and Youth.
Total Operations and Maintenance. $2,279,000. (interpretation) Do you agree?
Under this item, the communities generally have elder and youth groups and committees.
I’m wondering, if the (interpretation ends) Hon. Minister Arreak, (interpretation) while he is responsible for the portfolio, will be informing these groups about the different programs that are available from the Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth.
These groups or committees generally don’t have enough information about the programs, so they don’t apply even when they have good ideas for projects for their groups.
So I certainly hope that information is made available to elder and youth groups about the programs available to them from your department, either through the hamlets or directly to these groups.
I’m asking this question as well as commenting on this.
Chairman (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Ningark.
We try to keep all communities informed about our available programs and services, and we also have a website that we keep updated.
Furthermore, pamphlets and brochures are produced a number of times per year on the different types of programs available from the Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth. Additionally, we send information on any new funding that becomes available to the groups in the communities from CLEY.
We try to utilize all available mediums that the public can access. We would like suggestions on where we need to make improvements. We will continue to use our current communication strategy.
Perhaps the brochures and pamphlets that you mentioned could be distributed to the communities, particularly elders and youth groups. For example, in Repulse Bay and Kugaaruk, they don’t have that type of information.
As I mentioned previously, we try to disseminate the information to the communities, and yes, I commit to continuing the practice of keeping communities informed.
I want to follow along with some of the questions that Mr. Ningark was asking because I remember asking questions about this last year.
We have heard different members’ statements and also different concerns about elders being able to write the proposals and different organizational skills.
Has there been any thought given to having almost like a board of directors that the Nunavut Housing Corporation is setting up, a board of directors for all of Nunavut to be able to have elders representing all across the territory on there to help them organize themselves a bit better, and then filter down to the communities?
Has there been any thought given to that idea?
Many elders are unable to write proposals and I believe an excellent place for them to get assistance is from the hamlet offices or Inuit organizations or individual Inuit in writing proposals.
We also have various experts who serve on the IQ committee and who attend meetings to speak to these issues, and they are available as well. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Could he tell me the name of that elders’ council that he’s talking about that represents elders from across the territory?
Yes, they are the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Committee, IQK.
In terms of some of the comments made in the opening comments about the 1-800 number for the hotline, I was wondering if the minister could explain if there are any possible changes to that.
Mr. Awa can clarify that issue.
There are 1-800 numbers operated by the department; one is for the elders’ hotline that is currently operating or responded to out of Iqaluit on a part-time basis because the person who is responsible for that 1-800 elders’ hotline is working on a part-time basis only. That concern was brought up, of course, because it’s part time.
So we are considering moving that 1-800 number to another location or assign it to a full-time person so that the service will be for longer periods, not only for half time that it is currently available now.
That is being considered right now, to move that responsibility to another division within the department.
Thank you for that answer, that’s good to hear.
When concerns come up, it’s not trying to fit them into a certain time period. I’m sure the elders want to talk about a concern they have right away.
The other question I had was the idea of… . In terms of tracking the types of phone calls that are received, are you planning on monitoring those?
Again, in the opening comments, I think the idea was to sort of shape… . If you can find out what types of phone calls you are actually receiving, then that could help with designing specific programs for elders to help with any concerns and issues that they have.
This is already occurring.
We are keeping track of the callers, where they are calling from, and the subject of their concerns. We are continually trying to keep it updated.
I have a question on the business plan. It states that a conference of elders and youth was going to be organized. I believe they recently held that conference last week.
However, an elder relayed their concerns to me about what occurred during that conference. They were sent to the conference and partook in the meeting. Their per diems were late in being processed.
Why is it that whenever we request elders to attend to these meetings, they are treated like an afterthought? It seems that they are not appreciated even though they are asked to attend. Why aren’t their per diems and honoraria processed beforehand?
I wonder how that occurred with this elder. The representatives we invited through our department were provided a per diem and remuneration, as per the information I have.
Mr. Tapardjuk (interpretation): Yes, I wanted to get to the bottom of this since the plan states there would be an elders’ conference. The elder who made the complaint stated that although they were away for more than two days, they were just paid $200. They were informed that no further transportation costs or per diem payment or even honoraria would be paid.
I feel that it is not acceptable to take advantage of the elders who were invited.
They leave a lot of useful information and knowledge, but they only receive a very small token of appreciation. I wanted to check into this to see if it is indeed the case.
While the elders were here for the entire time, we were paying them $150 per day for their per diem, incidentals, and a little bit for honoraria.
If we accidentally omitted any representative from their expense claims, we would like that information so that we can make payments to them.
I’m just passing on the information I received from an elder.
Our elders generally don’t misrepresent the truth and I have no reason to suspect that they are lying. I don’t have anything else to add. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Another thing to keep in mind is that these programs are for elders and youth and they are designed for people from Nunavut.
We have to remember who our audience is, as we have people in the gaps who require education, irrespective of their gender, who are adults but who need training. This is just a comment.
Branch Summary. Elders and Youth. Total Operations and Maintenance. $2,279,000.
F-9. (interpretation ends) Branch Summary. Culture, Language, Elders and Youth.
Total Operations and Maintenance. $6,277,000.
Mr. Ningark (interpretation): Thank you. I have one question in regard to this page.
In regard to Sport and Recreation, sometimes we’re asked by recreation teams or sports teams for financial support.
We want to provide funding to the teams for sport and recreation. Can the minister tell us if they provide information to the communities about funding that is available for sport and recreation in the communities?
Yes, that’s within our mandate and we try to provide this information to the communities. In the page we are reviewing, we identify a program for $3.6 million for this funding support.
The issue that has been brought up many times by other MLAs in the House during question period was the fact of smaller communities getting their fair share from Sport and Recreation.
My question is: what does your department do to ensure that smaller communities get their fair share of money from Sport and Recreation?
We are currently working to make improvements and we have made plans to that effect. Every time our departmental officials meet, they discuss these issues. Mr. Awa will supplement my response.
Yes, this issue has been brought up a number of times.
The Sport and Recreation Division has been consulting with stakeholders and sports organizations at the community level how to streamline or equalize or to be fair with our funding system for different kinds of sports.
That work has been in progress for a while; the consultation and input is still being gathered as we speak.
I am very positive that a new agreeable system will be in place next year so that the contributions or grants under Sport and Recreation would be fairer and more equitable for communities that are smaller and further away from major centres. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman: We will go to page F-10.
Total Operations and Maintenance. $5,530,000.
Chairman: We will go back to page F-3.
Total Operations and Maintenance. $27,892,000.
I’m not sure if this is due to ignorance, but I think the actual expenditures on the last figure are quite low.
I wonder whether or not this lack of expenditure is due to the lack of knowledge by the public of this program or whether the programs are not being implemented properly.
The 2009-2010 actual expenditures are quite low, which I am citing.
I would like the minister to provide that information to the public so that they could be informed about the grants and contributions. I’m not asking about this lack of knowledge of programs under his department.
Let’s try this again. (interpretation ends) Department Summary. Culture, Language, Elders and Youth.
Detail of Expenditures. Total Operations and Maintenance. $27,892,000.
Are we in agreement that we have concluded with the (interpretation ends) Department of CLEY?
I would like to ask Minister Arreak if he has any closing remarks.
Hon. James Arreak (interpretation): Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.
I also thank the members for asking questions.
We will now be able to resume the planning we are doing.
I also thank my two officials who were with me, as well as other staff who are not here but who worked hard in preparing these plans.
I also thank the officials who were appearing with you today.
Sergeant-at-Arms, will you please escort the witnesses out.
We will now proceed with Nunavut Arctic College. (interpretation ends) I would now like to ask the Minister responsible for Nunavut Arctic College, Mr. Shewchuk, to make his opening remarks.
Bill 01 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2011-2012 – Consideration in Committee – Nunavut Arctic College
I am pleased to be here today to present and discuss the 2011-12 main estimates and business plan for Nunavut Arctic College.
I look forward to the opportunity to work together in advancing Tamapta, especially as it applies to Nunavut Arctic College.
The Tamapta Action Plan sets out two specific goals for Arctic College under the priority of improving education and training outcomes.
The first goal states, “Work on the Nunavut Trade School will continue until it is completed in time to allow the delivery of trades training in 2010. Subsequent initiatives will expand training capacity for mining occupations.
This will help individuals contribute to poverty reduction in the short term and provide them with tools for greater self-reliance in the long term.”
Trades training capacity in Nunavut significantly increased with the completion of the trades training centre in Rankin Inlet. The new training centre enables Nunavutmiut apprentices to complete training in the initial two levels of housing maintainer, oil burner mechanic, electrician, and plumber.
These main estimates include the last allocation of funding associated with the trades training centre.
Arctic College also offers four levels of carpentry and third level housing maintainer in Iqaluit.
The old training facility in Rankin Inlet will be used as a transition facility until an equipment training centre is completed some time in the future.
That centre will support the training of heavy equipment operators and the initial two levels of heavy duty and auto mechanic.
The new campus will consolidate several different buildings in Cambridge Bay of varying conditions from poor to good.
However, the community learning centre will remain unchanged.
It will provide appropriate space for more programs, such as teaching and nursing. The new campus will include the mine training centre.
This will enable Nunavutmiut to take the first two levels of millwright and welder and mine worker programs.
The new campus will also include accommodations for single students and a daycare.
These are currently in the design stage.
Combined with planning for new community learning centres in Grise Fiord, Whale Cove, and Iqaluit, the growth of Arctic College requires coordination and monitoring. These main estimates include $100,000 of ongoing funding for the position of coordinator of policy and planning.
The second Tamapta goal for Arctic College states, “Through Nunavut Arctic College and its partners, we will increase post-secondary opportunities in all occupational categories, from career training to professional education.”
Partnerships are especially important as Arctic College continues to build university capacity in Nunavut. According to the 2006 census, only 4 percent of Inuit Nunavutmiut aged 25 to 64 have some university compared to 28 percent of other Canadians.
Arctic College supports the September 2009 commitment of the territorial premiers “to examine options for the development of a northern university that would contribute to northern, social, economic and cultural development and provide opportunities for more northerners to obtain the education and research skills fundamental in today’s knowledge-based global economy.”
Subsequently on May 14, 2010, the territorial premiers committed to encourage “continued collaborative efforts to build on existing institutions and programs to develop northern capacity and a strong knowledge sector.”
Building more university capacity and more opportunities for professional education requires coordination and promotion. These main estimates include $100,000 of ongoing funding for the position of coordinator of university studies.
The Vote 1 main estimates account for the base contribution from the Government of Nunavut to Nunavut Arctic College. The increase from the 2010-11 estimates of $667,000 is due to forced growth funding of $467,000 for the new trades training centre. It also includes two new initiatives already mentioned: $100,000 for the coordinator of university studies and $100,000 for the coordinator of policy and planning.
The Vote 4/5 main estimates include the base contribution and third party revenues.
The main estimates are organized on the basis of our headquarters, Nunavut Research Institute, and the regional campuses.
Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to be here today to discuss Arctic College’s 2011-12 main estimates and business plan.
This is a critical government investment in reducing “the gap between unemployed people and job opportunities.”
There may be questions that we are unable to answer today, but we will be committed to doing our best and to get back to you.
Sergeant-at-Arms, please escort the minister and his official in.
(interpretation ends) Thank you. For the record, Minister Shewchuk, please introduce your witness.
I invite and have sitting beside me Mr. Dan Vandermeulen, the President of Nunavut Arctic College.
Mr. President, welcome to the committee meeting.
As the Co-Chair of the Standing Committee on Social Wellness, I am pleased to make opening comments as we begin deliberations on the proposed 2011-12 budget of Nunavut Arctic College.
The GN’s proposed contribution of $24,853,000 to the college for 2011-12 is approximately $667,000 more than the contribution funding amount approved for 2010-11.
The Government of Nunavut’s base funding contribution to the college will represent approximately 66 percent of the college’s proposed total budget.
During the minister’s appearance before the standing committee to discuss the college’s proposed budget, members had a number of detailed questions on the delivery of programs.
The standing committee appreciated receiving correspondence from the minister providing additional information on staffing as well as program availability and enrolment across Nunavut’s communities.
Mr. Chairman, Nunavut Arctic College is one of Nunavut’s Crown agencies. The accountability relationship between the college and the government is somewhat different than for line departments.
The importance of the college’s role in preparing, training, and qualifying Nunavummiut for our economy, our public service, and our future cannot be understated. It is therefore critical that the Minister responsible for Nunavut Arctic College work closely with his counterparts in the government to set priorities and give clear direction to the college.
Mr. Chairman, ongoing communication between departments and agencies is important to ensure that all Nunavummiut are supported in their efforts to access opportunities for education and training.
The standing committee also encourages the college to work closely with the government to share information and resources and to avoid duplication of effort.
For example, committee members noted that the college has developed a series of assessment tools in the areas of language proficiency and competencies and have suggested that these types of tools and resources could be shared with government departments and agencies, such as the Department of Human Resources, the Inuit Language Authority, and the Office of the Languages Commissioner.
As the government begins to fully implement the requirements of the Inuit Language Protection Act and the Official Languages Act, the need for qualified and certified language specialists will grow. Language professionals in the field of interpreting and translating will be in high demand.
The standing committee recommends that the college give consideration to increasing programs for the training and certification of interpreter/translators with specialization in such areas as parliamentary, medical and legal terminology.
The standing committee recognizes that the college delivers a wide range of courses and programs across the territory.
Committee members have noted, however, that program delivery options vary widely from region to region and encourage the college to work with entities, such as the regional Inuit organizations, to promote and support programs to meet the demand across all of Nunavut’s communities.
The standing committee is pleased to note the success to date of the newly opened trades training centre in Rankin Inlet and looks forward to updates on the development of the mine training campus in Cambridge Bay.
At the time of the standing committee’s review, members noted that the college has initiated a number of programs to increase qualification opportunities for Nunavut students in such areas as social work and accounting and will coordinate access to university programs in these and other areas.
While the committee applauds this initiative, members expressed the concern some students continue to require additional support to meet course requirements and standards or else they risk disappointment and drop out.
The standing committee is in full support of the college’s “training ladder” concept by which students can gain qualifications for entry-level employment that can be transferred to higher level certification if they wish to continue in their career development.
On page 2 of the hon. minister’s opening comments, fourth paragraph, I read and I quote, “According to the 2006 census, only 4 percent of Inuit Nunavutmiut aged 25 to 64 have some university compared to 28 percent of other Canadians.”
Yes, of course, I think that most of us can relate to that.
There are times when young people want to further their education, but it is not possible to do that in their community. You have to travel south in some cases, maybe in most cases, and you have to leave your family behind.
Mr. Chairman, maybe it’s time that we should start focusing on planning a university in Nunavut.
Mr. Chairman, my understanding is that the hon. minister talks about $100,000 for the coordinator of university studies and $100,000 for the coordinator of policy and planning.
Maybe this is the area that the coordinator of policy and planning now has to start focusing on.
Perhaps Nunavummiut who want to study can bring their family with them because it is hard when you’re young and you’re not able to bring your family and you’re staying away from your hometown and not only your hometown but also from the culture that you are used to since you were knee high.
So I think we have to start looking at more friendly, more sensitive to the needs of the students and I think that’s one part of it, if we can start to find more graduates from universities and other colleges in Nunavut.
Will the minister perhaps start focusing on… ? We know now that we’re not graduating or we’re not producing as many graduates as we would like to.
Maybe it’s time to start focusing on bringing education closer to home.
I would thank Mr. Ningark for that concern and comment, but I would like to comment on it because I think the issues that he brought up are very important.
You are absolutely right that we need to offer adult learning education to greater and higher levels in Nunavut, and that’s what we are trying to do in Nunavut Arctic College.
We do have challenges. However, we are very proud of the courses that we do offer in Nunavut Arctic College at present for adult students and we do provide them with family accommodation and daycares, and we’re sensitive to the issues and the needs that they have.
In regard to exploring the University of the Arctic, we are actively doing that, to inform you. The presidents of all of the territorial colleges and the deputy ministers of education are consulting in steps and avenues to work towards a university of the North.
We already have Nunavut residents that partake in the University of the Arctic, which is more global.
This year, we initiated our first university course online in Nunavut, a Nunavut Arctic course. The interest was so great that we couldn’t handle all of the students, really. We have 26 students from across seven communities who are taking this course.
We understand your point and we are moving forward as best as we can in that regard.
The University of the North and a university in Nunavut are very important to us as a government moving forward.
I have one more suggestion. Sport North is a very good role model because they are able to bring renowned hockey players to different communities and talk with students.