EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
I would like to also recognize the dedicated supervisors, trainers, and mentors who are key to making on-the-job training programs such a success.
Congratulations, Naya, and may your achievements encourage many other future Inuit leaders to follow in your footsteps. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Member’s Statement 413 – 3(3): Tribute to Johnny Tookalook (Rumbolt)
It seems far too often that we rise in the House to pay tribute to our elders who have passed away.
Sadly, Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an elder of the community of Sanikiluaq, Mr. Johnny Tookalook, who is being put to rest today.
Mr. Speaker, Mr. Tookalook was a Canadian Ranger for most of his adult life. He served on almost every committee in the community in different capacities and was an active member of the hamlet council until his final days.
Mr. Speaker, I ask all members to join me in extending our condolences to Mr. Tookalook’s family for their loss.
Member’s Statement 414 – 3(3): Constituents Receiving the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal (Ningark)
I rise today to congratulate four distinguished constituents in Kugaaruk and Repulse Bay who were recently awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.
Mr. Speaker, ceremonies took place recently in both communities to recognize four individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to their communities and Nunavut as a whole.
Mr. Speaker, Barthelemy Nirlungayuk and Jose Angutingungniq are well-respected elders in the community.
I’ve had the honour and the privilege of knowing both gentlemen for many years, and I can personally attest to their long years of service to the community as leaders and as mentors to our youth.
Mr. Speaker, Repulse Bay had the pleasure of hosting the Hon. Premier on the occasion of the ceremony to honour Paul Malliki and Gabriel Kaunak.
Mr. Speaker, as you know, Paul Malliki is a renowned artist. Among his many accomplishments is the work that he contributed to the design of the Mace that symbolizes the democratic authority of this House.
Gabriel Kaunak is recognized in Repulse Bay as an active resident in the field of community wellness.
Mr. Speaker, I ask all members to join me, through you, in recognizing these four individuals and distinguished residents.
I thank them for their contributions.
Member’s Statement 415 – 3(3): Social Promotion in Nunavut’s Education System (Schell)
I rise today to address an issue that has been raised by parents, by DEAs, and more recently by some students in my constituency.
The concern over “social promotion” within Nunavut’s education has been raised a number of times in the media and public response to a letter printed in Nunatsiaq News on this issue last November was overwhelming.
Mr. Speaker, I understand that the Department of Education prefers to use the term “continuous progress” when it comes to moving students from one grade to another regardless of what skills they have succeeded in mastering at each level.
Mr. Speaker, whatever name we put to the practice, it is nonetheless a practice which is doing a great disservice to the youth of Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, a couple of weeks ago, representatives from ITK’s National Centre for Inuit Education met with other education representatives here in Iqaluit to address the dismal state of education in the north.
Mr. Speaker, I believe it says a lot that we have a national committee drawing attention to this state of affairs.
Mr. Speaker, as you will note, when students reach high school and go into grades 10, 11, and 12, they are faced with departmental exams, exams which determine whether or not they have learned the material within the curriculum and can demonstrate that learning and earn the necessary credits to graduate.
Mr. Speaker, far too many of our students hit the brick wall of departmental exams and don’t make it over to the other side.
Our educational system, which includes the practice of “continually progressing” students all the way through grade 9, leaves them abandoned without the necessary skills to make it through high school.
Mr. Speaker, I call upon the government to seriously reconsider how the education system is treating Nunavut’s youth.
Member’s Statement 416 – 3(3): Successful Canadian Ranger Exercise (Oshutapik)
Good afternoon, my fellow Pangnirtung and Nunavut residents.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Canadian Rangers from Pangnirtung, Clyde River, and Qikiqtarjuaq for having successfully completed a recent exercise.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, rangers from the three communities travelled for over two days to the FOX-3 site.
This exercise included search and rescue training while they were at FOX-3, which is an issue that we have been discussing during the current sitting of the Legislative Assembly.
Mr. Speaker, the Canadian Rangers from Pangnirtung were:
Sergeant Ricky Kilabuk;
Corporal Peter Kilabuk, who is not a stranger to this House;
Ranger Cheete Kilabuk;
Ranger Anuga Michael;
Ranger Joseph Dialla; and
Ranger Patrick Kilabuk.
Mr. Speaker, the Canadian Rangers from Clyde River were:
Sergeant Levi Palituq;
Corporal Apiusie Apak;
Ranger Joavee Etuangat;
Ranger Joshua Kautuq;
Ranger Joamie Qillaq;
Ranger James Sanguya;
Ranger Simon Aapak; and
Ranger Jayko Enuaraq.
Mr. Speaker, (interpretation) I would like to ask for unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
(interpretation ends) Rangers from Qikiqtarjuaq were:
Master Corporal Jacupee Audlakiak;
Corporal Alan Kunilusie;
Corporal Johna Massee;
Ranger David Kunilusie;
Ranger Johnny Kunilusie;
Ranger Johna Keyutak;
Ranger Jaypeete Nukiguak; and
Ranger Pauloosie Keyutak.
Mr. Speaker, I would also like to take this opportunity to join with those who have expressed condolences to the family of the late Corporal Donald Anguyoak, who died while on ranger duty last month near Gjoa Haven.
Member’s Statement 417 – 3(3): Federal Sovereignty Initiatives in the High Arctic (Elliott)
I rise today to express concerns regarding the status of federal sovereignty initiatives in the High Arctic.
Mr. Speaker, as you know, I have risen in this House on many occasions to highlight the importance of a strong and sustained national commitment to the High Arctic.
Mr. Speaker, I have also addressed the importance of ensuring that this national commitment recognizes and acts on the need to promote arctic sovereignty on different levels, including the human dimension of arctic sovereignty.
Mr. Speaker, recent reports in the national news media indicate that the Department of National Defence is facing budget cuts that will directly and negatively impact on its plans for enhancing its presence in the High Arctic.
Mr. Speaker, I have paid tribute on a number of occasions to the courageous members of the Canadian Rangers and the Canadian Armed Forces who participate in federal sovereignty exercises in the High Arctic.
As you know, Mr. Speaker, I’ve had the opportunity to witness first-hand their commitment, skill, and dedication to their duty.
Mr. Speaker, it has recently been apparent that the federal plans for a new facility in Arctic Bay/Nanisivik are being scaled back because of cost concerns.
It now appears that the long-awaited arctic patrol vessels will be delayed and that new infrastructure for Resolute Bay will not be going ahead.
Mr. Speaker, you will also understand my concern regarding the impact of these budget cuts on the urgent need to enhance federal search and rescue capacity in the north.
Mr. Speaker, as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Quttiktuq, I have welcomed a number of federal leaders to the constituency which I have the honour of representing in this House.
Mr. Speaker, at each opportunity, I have emphasized the importance of addressing the unique challenges facing my constituents and the high cost of living and doing business in the High Arctic.
Mr. Speaker, it would now seem that federal departments are experiencing what my constituents have endured for many years.
Mr. Speaker, we all recognize that fiscal constraints affect every level of government in the country.
However, I would like to conclude by asking a question: what price is too high to pay for a strong, secure, and sovereign nation?
Member’s Statement 418 – 3(3): Appreciation to the Department of Community and Government Services (Ningeongan)
I rise today to thank my colleague and his officials from the Department of Community and Government Services for addressing a longstanding issue in the community of Chesterfield Inlet.
Mr. Speaker, a number of old Ministry of Transport buildings had been sitting unused and abandoned in Chesterfield Inlet for a long time. Over the years, the community had tried a number of times to remove the buildings but with no success.
A significant factor was the presence of asbestos in the structures.
Mr. Speaker, last fall, despite a few delays and some additional expense, the Department of Community and Government Services did a fine job of safely removing the asbestos and demolishing the buildings.
As the buildings were close to the school and residential areas, it was important that the job be done well.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend the Department of CGS for a job well done. On behalf of the community of Chesterfield Inlet, I would like to thank the minister and his staff for seeing this long-overdue project through to completion.
I am ecstatic to recognize an individual in the Gallery. Her name is Naya Maurice. I imagine her father, John Maurice, is extremely proud of her, which is understandable.
Now to share some information about John, her father, he volunteers to coach the local figure skating club and is a long-time resident of Iqaluit. He was also a teacher for many years.
I also wish to recognize Ms. Pauline Alainga, who is an original Iqalummiuq.
I also acknowledge the other visitors at this time.
Question 531 – 3(3): Update on Repulse Bay High School (Ningark)
I wish to direct my question to the Minister of Education, and I want to express my appreciation to her for her attendance in November with several members. We were in Repulse Bay, where a community feast was held in honour of Gabriel Qaunaq and Paul Maliki. I am grateful for her attendance at that event.
While we were in Repulse Bay, she made an announcement, which I appreciated, that the future high school will be planned. It was unfortunate that the building of the high school was delayed last year.
We were able to get two trailers, and she said that the high school for Repulse Bay is being planned. So the question I have is: what’s the status of this planning?
I appreciate my colleague, who really welcomed us in Repulse Bay, as well as the mayor of Repulse Bay and the community of Repulse Bay.
As he said, the planning is being done at this point and they would like to make an addition, as my colleague knows, but when they did more study or further review, it was obvious that they will need a new high school.
The planning is proceeding and it is in the design phase at the moment. This will be dealt with in 2013-14 and we have requested for the funds for this project.
I appreciate the Premier for coming to the community and even though we have slightly different dialects, especially in Inuktitut.
When you said that it wants to be worked on, is it going to be actually worked on? Can you give me a clear answer, please.
A study is being done to see what the design should be and the funds will be requested for 2013-14.
My second supplementary question is: (interpretation) is it definite that it will be dealt with in that fiscal year?
The high school in question… . Actually, the population of Repulse Bay is booming, especially in comparison with communities of the same size. In some of the other schools, the student body is shrinking, but that is not the case with Repulse Bay, where the student body is growing rather rapidly.
We are cognizant of the issues and we understand the situation and the urgency of the situation as the Department of Education.
At the current time, the ratio of use stands at 147 percent. The school student capacity sits at 263, but the number of enrolled students stands at 388 students.
This highlights the fact that the demographics are growing quite rapidly. Furthermore, the two standalone portable buildings in temporary use are to alleviate the overcrowding situation at the school.
We are aware that this is a high priority challenge we are facing related to the schools bursting at the seams and we recognize it.
Question 532 – 3(3): Social Promotion in Education (Schell)
Mr. Speaker, earlier in my Member’s Statement, I called upon the government to reconsider the practice of social promotion within Nunavut’s education system.
From comments in the media and elsewhere, I understand that officials from the Department of Education prefer to use the term “continuous progression” instead of “social promotion.” Can the minister clearly explain what the difference is between these two terms?
The students who end up in the higher classes still have to undergo testing prior to the passing.
Perhaps to highlight, if the students don’t complete their exams or get a passing grade, at the current time, they aren’t progressed to the higher grades.
(interpretation ends) If I may say it in English, I know two of my relatives who have not completed the exam required to complete a particular portion of the courses so that they are able to complete the exam.
Currently, the department is reviewing student assessment, evaluation policies and practices.
I appreciate much of the feedback that we received from the citizens of Nunavut in regard to what they feel and how they think about social promotion and whatnot.
There are four areas that we are concentrating our efforts on and these are: improving grade 12 outcomes, building made-in-Nunavut approaches, dealing with barriers to successes at school, and making schools more accountable.
Student assessment is rather a complex issue. The new Education Act preamble supports learning to be continuous and our current policy reflects this.
There may be some circumstances where retention is suitable with particular students, but Education feels that it should not be a regular procedure.
Section 15 of the Education Act states that the school team is responsible for determining the promotion of students. The school team is made up of the school administration, a student support teacher, the school counsellor, the classroom teacher, and the parent of the child.
No child is left behind without decision of this team.
I was talking to a teacher that had been teaching in one community for over 16 years. He had stated to me that there were a couple students that only showed up 10 percent of the time and they had no choice but to move them to the next grade. This is from grade 1 to grade 9, so I don’t understand where she gets this group that they’re talking about because the teacher definitely brought this forward and didn’t want to move the student forward, but he had no choice.
He was informed by the DEA that he had to.
As I noted in my statement, no matter what term we use to identify the practice, the Department of Education moves students up from grade to grade, and this is from grade 1 to 9, regardless of whether they have completed all the grade levels or even showed up for school at each stage.
Can the minister explain why the practice of continuous progress or social promotion, whichever she wants to call it, is preferable rather than ensuring that children have mastered the skills required at each grade level before moving them up to the next grade?
Hon. Eva Aariak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you for the question from my colleague.
I know and I am glad that the member mentioned attendance.
Attendance is a very important factor to successfully complete the grade that a student is required to complete.
A student has to attend regularly so that the lessons that a student is to learn are being learned.
The system that the Department of Education is currently implementing is based on continuous progress where students learn materials in each subject area as they are ready, regardless of their age.
This process involves assessment and careful recordkeeping of what students have learned so each teacher knows where to start instruction.
It could mean that in the next grade, if the student is lacking in certain portions of the lessons that were taught in the previous year, then it is ensured that the student is not missing a portion of the lessons that he or she missed.
Both parents and students have come to me to express some very serious concerns that once students reach grade 10, they are unable to pass the most basic exams. In my opinion, this is a direct result of the “continuous progress” or “social promotion” practice.
Can the minister explain how students are expected to continually progress when they face departmental exams have not acquired the skills or knowledge necessary to pass the tests and progress to the next stage?
The Department of Education is very committed in ensuring that the students learning in our schools are progressing well and on par with the rest of Canada’s education system.
The department will continue to review current research and advances in other Canadian and international jurisdictions in order to provide the best possible support to school staff, parents, and ultimately, the students.
As the Department of Education, we are working on improving grade 12 outcomes, ensuring that the Nunavut curriculum is recognized across Canada, working with western provinces and territories so that the expectation of what students learn in Nunavut is similar to other parts of Canada.
Curriculum in Nunavut now is accepted by 21 universities in Canada.
I am not that concerned about students in grades 10, 11, or 12.
My concerns are from grade 1 to 9. If they haven’t gone to school and learned the proper skills there, they cannot pass grades 10, 11, and 12.
Will the minister commit to reconsidering, from grade 1 to 9, the Department of Education’s practice of “continuous progress” or “social promotion” and bring in practices that will truly support our students to succeed?
My concern is all grades. My concern is that each student graduates in all of our schools, and that is something that is believed by the members of our communities, parents, and of course, the schools.
From before kindergarten or before kindergarten, one of the reasons why we are concentrating so much on early childhood education initiatives is so that the child will have a greater start at kindergarten when they start to be engaged in learning activities before kindergarten. It is very important that we have a sound education system.
Of course, the Department of Education is listening to the concerns that are raised by parents and I am not dismissing any of the concerns that the parents raised about how they have been experiencing with their own children and whatnot.
That’s why I said that there are reviews on student assessment and evaluation policies and practices being conducted right now to ensure that our education system is forever improving.
Question 533 – 3(3): Arctic Council Task Force on Arctic Marine Oil Pollution Preparedness and Response (Enook)
I say “good afternoon” to people of Pond Inlet and people of Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Minister of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs.
Mr. Speaker, the Department of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs is responsible for coordinating the GN’s activities with respect to such international bodies as the Arctic Council.
In 2011, the Arctic Council established a Task Force on Arctic Marine Oil Pollution Preparedness and Response, which was on May 12 in Nuuk.
This task force was assigned the responsibility of developing an “international instrument on Arctic marine oil pollution preparedness and response.”
I also thank my colleague for that question.
Yes, during our visit to Greenland in 2011, I was quite happy to attend that meeting.
At the time, the Swedish delegation had the chairmanship, and while Sweden held the chair, the Nunavut government partook in the negotiations.
As an example, if I were to say the title in English, it’s (interpretation ends) the Arctic Council Working Group and Task Force. (interpretation) This is the committee where our Nunavut government is involved in and our government will continue to be involved in the activities of the Arctic Council. (interpretation ends) The GN will continue to be actively involved in Arctic Council activities leading up the eighth ministerial and will determine its level of participation as the meeting dates approach.
(interpretation) Our GN officials attend these meetings in this capacity whenever meetings are held and where negotiations are taking place over this issue.
Mr. Enook (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker (interpretation ends) In October of 2012, Canada’s Minister for the Arctic Council held a round-table discussion in Iqaluit concerning a program for Canada’s upcoming chairmanship of the Arctic Council.
Can the minister advise me what priorities the Government of Nunavut has raised with respect to the issue of arctic marine oil pollution preparedness and response?
The Government of Nunavut supports the recommendations in the arctic marine shipping assessment and calls for its full implementation.
Of course, as the member alluded to the arctic marine area, it is an integral part of Nunavummiut culture and economic way of life.
The changing climate will bring increased shipping traffic to the Arctic and arctic states, and arctic people must be prepared to ensure that the arctic people and the environment are protected.
The arctic marine shipping assessment includes recommendations that, if implemented, will help ensure that increased arctic marine traffic will not put arctic people and the environment at risk.
The Government of Nunavut supports the recommendations in the arctic marine shipping assessment and encourages its full participation.
Our officials are in continuous dialogue with the importance of addressing potential arctic spills in our marine areas.
Mr. Enook: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation) I have raised the issue of oil spill preparedness on a number of occasions.
Can the minister indicate how the Government of Nunavut will work with the Arctic Council and the Government of Canada to ensure that our communities and residents are kept informed of actions and decisions taken in this area?
This is very important and it is very important for the people of Nunavut because we cannot be in danger on the land or in our waters.
There are negotiations at this time with the federal government to give information to the people of Nunavut and we would like the people of Nunavut to be in the area.
We know that the Arctic Council deals with all different kinds of issues.
Will the minister commit to providing a comprehensive update to the Legislative Assembly during the upcoming spring sitting concerning the work of the Arctic Council and its impact on Nunavut?
Hon. Eva Aariak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I said, I will keep the members updated on what is happening in regard to the Arctic Council’s work.
Question 534 – 3(3): Recreational Infrastructure in Nunavut (Oshutapik)
Mr. Oshutapik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are for the Minister of Community and Government Services.
As the minister will recall, I asked him questions on June 6, 2012 concerning the status of improvements to Pangnirtung’s community arena that would allow for a longer ice season.
At that time, the minister informed me that Pangnirtung was “on the priority list.”
Can the minister update me today on the status of improvements to Pangnirtung’s arena?
As I said to the member in this House, Pangnirtung was on our priority list. It is still on the priority list for improvements to the arena and that is the way it is at this time.
Mr. Oshutapik: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In recent years, there have been discussions in the Legislative Assembly about the use of thermosiphon technology to improve arenas across Nunavut and extend the ice season.
Can the minister confirm that this technology will be used for Pangnirtung’s arena?
We would like to be able to install that technology for the improvement of the arena in Pangnirtung.