Lifelong Learning: Post-Secondary Education (PSE) and Skills Development

Introduction

The objective for the second Lifelong Learning Sectoral Follow-up Session on Post-Secondary Education (PSE) and Skills Development was to provide input and discuss options to:

• Develop different definitions of success and recommended actions to achieve progress in post-secondary education and skills development priority policy areas (i.e. jurisdiction and control, access and integration, capacity building and sustainability, and research and curriculum development) relative to the Inuit, Métis, and First Nations, while ensuring that the unique challenges of urban Aboriginal people, Aboriginal women and Aboriginal people living in rural and remote locations are addressed; and
• Seek recommended actions within the priority areas to build and/or enhance collaborative relationships and systems to improve PSE and skills development outcomes for Aboriginal post-secondary learners and adults, including delivery mechanisms and results-based performance measures.

The November 18-19, 2004 Sectoral Follow-up Session on Lifelong Learning (post-secondary education and skills development) was the third in a series of sessions intended to fulfill the commitment made by Prime Minister Paul Martin at the conclusion of the April 19, 2004 Canada—Aboriginal Peoples Roundtable on Strengthening the Relationship. The sectoral follow-up sessions are to explore new and innovative ideas through which the Government of Canada and national Aboriginal leaders can work together to close the quality of life gap between Aboriginal peoples and all Canadians. In addition to lifelong learning, sectoral follow-up sessions on health, housing, economic opportunities, negotiations and accountability for results were held.

Following the distribution of the April 19, 2004 Canada – Aboriginal Peoples Roundtable Report, the Aboriginal Affairs Secretariat (AAS) within the Privy Council Office (PCO) established an overall planning committee to develop the proposed Sectoral Follow-up Sessions. The Planning Committee is comprised of:

• five National Aboriginal Organizations (NAOs) including the Assembly of First Nations (AFN), the Métis National Council (MNC), the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK), the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples (CAP), and the Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC);
• key federal departments and agencies that serve as lead departments or have related responsibilities, include Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC), Health Canada (HC), Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), Industry Canada (IC), Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS); and
• provincial and territorial officials.

A planning subcommittee, chaired by the lead department, in this case the INAC, is comprised of a similar combination of federal, Aboriginal and provincial/territorial members. The subcommittee applied the overall session planning guidelines established by the Planning Committee to the particular needs of the lifelong learning discussion. The planning subcommittee responsibilities included:

• identify policy priority topics, focus questions and the agenda to guide the discussion at the session;
• developing background papers to provide participants with an overview of key issues;
• identifying and selecting participants and observers (officials); and
• reviewing the Facilitators’ Report resulting from the sectoral session.

The five NAOs were given the opportunity to select 10 participants (i.e. five core and five sectoral experts) from their organizations and/or communities at all levels. The attached participants list (Annex B) indicates that there were approximately 99 participants in the Lifelong Learning PSE and Skills Development Follow-up Session. Aboriginal organizations and governments also designated observing officials, who attended to provide support to their selected participants and report back on the discussions. Each NAO had three officials, the federal government had up to 15 officials and the provincial and territorial governments divided a total of 15 official seats.

The results from the technical level discussions at the Sectoral Follow-up Session are contained in this Facilitators’ Report. The report was based on the flip chart notes prepared by the participants and facilitators during the session and on a template approved by the Planning Committee. Participants were clearly notified in workshops that all issues, options and/or recommendations must be recorded on the flip chart notes to be included in the final report of the session. All flip chart notes were transcribed verbatim and are contained in the web-link to Annex C of this report.

As a practical matter, it was not possible to reflect every idea placed on the flip charts during the breakout group in the narrative of this report. The facilitation team has attempted to draft the report in a manner that highlights the content of the flip charts as succinctly and objectively as possible. As a result, this report should be read in tandem with the detailed ideas contained in the flip chart notes.

As well, discussion at the session built on the content of background papers prepared in advance of the Lifelong Learning Sectoral Follow-up Session. In specific cases, this meant that recommendations that were included in the discussion papers were not always expanded on or discussed in the breakout session. It is therefore essential that this report be read in conjunction with the background papers.

All Facilitators’ Reports from the Sectoral Follow-up Sessions, and the Facilitators’ Final roll-up Report are intended to support and inform ongoing discussions leading to:

• a spring 2005 policy retreat between the Cabinet Committee on Aboriginal Affairs, national Aboriginal leaders, and provincial/territorial representatives ^{[ 1 ]} ; and
• the fall 2005 First Ministers Meeting (FMM) on Aboriginal Issues.

It is also anticipated that the participating governments and organizations may develop their own reports and analysis of the sectoral sessions. It is also understood that the brainstorming at the sectoral session in no way commits any particular government or organization to a discussion on any particular idea at upcoming political level forums.

1. Discussions are ongoing with provinces and territories regarding their participation in the planned spring policy retreat and this matter will be clarified as work proceeds toward this proposed initiative.

Table of Contents

The documentation contained on this website does not necessarily represent the views of any government or National Aboriginal Organization. The purpose of this website is to share information related to the Canada-Aboriginal Peoples Roundtable: background papers, Facilitator's sectoral and final reports, agendas and media announcements.

Top of page