Question Period Note: Post-Secondary Education in the North

• Our Government remains committed to supporting post-secondary education in Canada’s North.

• Through Budget 2019, our government has invested close to $13M over five years in the Dechinta Centre for Research and Learning.

• On October 23, 2020, we launched an independent Task Force on Post-Secondary Education in the North which will provide recommendations on how best to close the post-secondary education gap.

• Post-secondary education in Canada’s North is a key priority for Northerners and we are continuing to work with our partners to close the gaps in education outcomes, and provide ongoing learning and skills development opportunities, including Indigenous-based knowledge and skills.

The Arctic and Northern Policy Framework (Framework) was launched on September 10, 2019, following over two years of engagement and collaboration with Northerners and Canadians more broadly. The co-development of the Framework was also supported by roundtable engagements held with Arctic and Northern residents, youth and key experts and stakeholders, including industry, academics and non-governmental organizations.

The Framework sets out a long-term, strategic vision that will guide the Government of Canada's activities and investments in the Arctic to 2030 and beyond and will better align Canada's national and international policy objectives with the priorities of Indigenous peoples and Arctic and Northern residents.

The Framework is articulated around eight goals including to nurture healthy families and communities. As part of this goal, co-development partners to the Framework identified closing gaps in education outcomes in the North, as a key objective, specifically as it relates to post-secondary education..

Budget 2019 announced investments for the implementation of a suite of post-secondary education in the North initiatives in support of the shared priorities, goals and objectives of the Framework. The outcome of the investments within the suite of post-secondary education in the North initiatives will close the gaps in education outcomes; and provide ongoing learning and skills development opportunities, including Indigenous-based knowledge and skills.

The Task Force on post-secondary education in the North, will build on reports and findings already completed by Northern and Arctic stakeholders and provide recommendations on how best to close the post-secondary education gap.

The Dechinta Centre for Research and Learning is a unique and innovative land-based program offering accredited university courses in a number of fields. The Government of Canada’s investment will support the development, extension and maintenance of its suite of accredited post-secondary courses and support the transition to a full term program.

The Government of Canada’s investment to construct a new campus science building to help Yukon University undertake its transformation into Canada’s first university north of 60°. The new science building will facilitate teaching, applied research and technology development by providing collaborative space for academia, researchers and industry.

If pressed on Post-Secondary Education Investments in the North
• We know that post-secondary education in Canada’s North is a key priority for Northerners.

• This is why we are investing $1M over five years to ensure the Task Force on post-secondary education in the North succeeds.

• Through Budget 2019, our government has also invested $13M over five years in the Dechinta Centre for Research and Learning, and committed $26M over five years to support the construction of a new campus science building at Yukon University.

• Our Government is committed to continuing to work with our partners for the betterment of Northerners.

If pressed on the selection process of Task Force members
• On October 23, 2020, we launched an independent Task Force on Post-Secondary Education in the North which nominations were sought from our co-development partners to the Arctic and Northern Policy Framework including provinces and territories, Indigenous organizations, as well as women and youth.

• Since the announcement, work has been done on setting up a kick-off meeting with the Task Force members to begin discussions on a work plan.