Oral questions, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question to the Minister responsible for Renewable Resources. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister responsible in respect to the status of the N.W.T./Alberta Interim Water Quality Accord that is known as the trans-boundary water agreement. Can he advise this House as to whether that accord has been assigned, and whether or not there has been an agreement in place? Thank you.

Mr. Allooloo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The draft agreement with Saskatchewan has been completed, and has recently been released for public consultation. Several revisions have been made as the result of public comments. To date, these revisions need to be discussed with Saskatchewan. As with respect to negotiations with Alberta, we are moving more slowly than with Saskatchewan. The Alberta government has told us that they will not finalize the trans-boundary water negotiations, or conclude the negotiations, until they have reached an agreement with British Columbia. As for British Columbia, we have at this point, no negotiations or negotiating criteria has not been devolved. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Seeing that the Minister has not accomplished a trans-boundary water agreement with Alberta, and these basic negotiations have been going on for a couple of years, I believe, recognizing the amount of pulp mills that are being developed in the south, the Minister's stand, and I believe the Government's stand, is zero discharge into northern waters in respect to pollution. I would like to ask the Minister what measures is he taking to insure the residents of the Northwest Territories that our water quality is being maintained, since he does not have an accord? Thank you.

Mr. Allooloo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. At this point in time, we have, our government has, very limited resources to monitor. What we have done so far is we have a working relationship with the federal government in terms of monitoring the Slave River. Also, we have agreement with the Government of Canada to do cooperative management of recording the ecosystem of the MacKenzie River Basin, and this work is continuing, and it has conducted a public workshops in Yellowknife in December to seek stakeholders input into eight drafts of the master agreement. At this point, we are relying on the information that the Federal Government is able to get on the monitoring system that is done in Slave River as well as Mackenzie River. Thank you.

Oral questions, supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Mr. Speaker, since the Minister has indicated that he has limited resources, is he indicating to this House that he is solely depending on the federal government for assistance in ensuring that the water quality is maintained at zero discharge of emissions from all these pulp mills that are being developed in the south? Thank you.

Mr. Allooloo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We are working with the federal government, but the federal government has responsibility at this point to come up with the resources to do the scientific monitoring system. Although we are working with the federal government, our government is not the main government that puts up the bill for the monitoring. Thank you.

Item 5, oral questions. Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Mr. Speaker, is the Minister of Renewable Resources indicating to this House that the responsibility for the quality of water that is coming across the territorial borders into northern waters is the responsibility of the federal government? And that his Department is totally relying on the federal government to ensure that our quality is maintained for zero emission? Thank you.

Mr. Allooloo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I believe that the responsibility of ensuring that the water quality that is coming into the Northwest Territories is the responsibility of all governments. But, because of the limited resources, we are able to do limited work on the monitoring, and also we are working with departmental officials who have consulted with Justice and other jurisdictions involved. An information item will be provided to the Executive Council prior to announcing the G.N.W.T. position.

We are determining, at this point, Mr. Speaker, who is responsible and who should be footing the bill for monitoring and making sure that water quality does not lessen in the Northwest Territories.

Time for question period has expired. Item 6, written questions. Item 7, returns to written questions. Item 8, replies to opening address. Item 9, replies to budget address. Item 10, petitions. Item 11, reports of standing and special committees. Item 12, reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 13, tabling of documents. Mr. Koe.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to table, Tabled Document 88-12(2), an article from News/North dated Monday, August 31, 1992.

Item 13, tabling of documents. Item 14, notices of motion. Item 15, notices of motions for first reading of bills. Item 16, motions. Item 17, first reading of bills. Item 18, second reading of bills. Item 19, consideration in committee of the whole of bills and other matters. Tabled document 9-12(2), Strength at Two Levels; tabled document 10-12(2), Reshaping Northern Government; motion 6, discussion on "Sobriety Clause in Contribution Agreements"; committee report 10-12(2), Special Committee on Constitutional Reform Report on the Multilateral Conference on the Constitution; tabled document 62-12(2), Report on the Northwest Territories Operations at Expo '92 as at May 31, 1992; Minister's statement 82-12(2), Update on National Constitutional Reform Negotiations; committee report 17-12(2), Report of the Review of the 1992/93 Main Estimates; Bill 33, Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1992-93, with Mr. Nerysoo in the Chair.

Agreed. If Members recall we were on the item of general comments. After that reminder, I will take a 15 minute recess.

---SHORT BREAK

I would like to call this committee to order. When we concluded last night, we were dealing with general comments with regard to the budget. I would like to conclude that particular matter before we go on to Education. Are there any general comments? Then, if I might get into the matter of the report of the Standing Committee on Finance. I believe the item before us will be the Department of Education, and if I could ask the Minister if you have any general comments with regard to the budget item of Education. Mr. Minister.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, Members of the Legislative Assembly. As the new Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment Programs, I am pleased to present the 1992-93 main estimates for education.

Mr. Chairman, we are working hard to make our school system more responsive to the needs of our residents and, I believe, that people are developing a deeper commitment to schooling. Students are staying in school longer, and many who have left the system early are returning to continue their education. An increasing number of students, particularly aboriginal students, are going on to post-secondary education. Training programs such as the Apprenticeship Program and the Public Service Career Training Program continue to be well received. The number of full-time and part-time students enrolled in Arctic College has grown significantly in recent years.

Increased participation in education is a positive sign. This has been the result of specific initiatives of the partners in education and the department, and it is a necessary prerequisite for an effective educational system. Our ongoing work in developing indicators of educational outcomes, in collaboration with other ministries, other Departments of Education, and the Boards of Education will enable us to more effectively monitor the performance of the educational system.

We are well aware of and concerned about the depressed economic condition of the Northwest Territories, Canada, and, indeed, a good part of the world. With the increased participation of older students in the system, and the growing number of young children entering school, some forced growth expenditures in education have been unavoidable.

Today I present a budget that reflects the need to streamline and reduce, where possible, while maintaining the level of educational services available to northern residents.

Mr. Chairman, I would now like to highlight some of the main elements of the 1992-93 estimates, division by division.

1992-93 Main Estimates

The department's directorate and administration provides overall management and administrative support and recommends goals, objectives, and standards. In 1992-93, the directorate plans to continue to redraft the Education Act and to develop a strategic plan for education to the year 2010.

In 1982 a special committee of the Legislative Assembly completed the report "Learning, Tradition and Change in the Northwest Territories." These recommendations have guided the development of the education system over the last ten years. It is time to set new directions for the system that build on the framework provided in 1982.

Before we rush to change the educational system, we must know more clearly the questions that need answering and what kind of answers are acceptable to us, to our students, to our parents, and to our businesses. To start this process, I have sent Members of the Legislative Assembly a departmental report, "Our Students, Our Future: Planning for Success," which is a preliminary part of this planning exercise for schools. We intend to consult with education boards, and agencies, and the public, so we can work together to develop a strategy which will help us increase the quality and results of education programs and to meet new challenges.

I also recognize that the reshaping of our education system must be broad in scope, looking not only at kindergarten to grade 12, but also at the school to work transition, and at post-secondary education. If I am to serve the territories well as Minister, I need your advice and input to reshape our education system.

In 1992-93, the department will be reviewing programs and developing plans to increase the number of aboriginal educators in the workforce. To address the ongoing issue of language rights, a plan will be developed for the delivery of educational services to people holding rights under section 23 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Policy frameworks for senior secondary schooling and private training institutions will also be developed. The department will carry out functional reviews, and revise its organization to reduce spending, and to deliver programs more effectively. The directorate will see a decrease in expenditures for travel, contracts, and purchased services. This is reflected in a $60,000 decrease in the budget for other O&M.

The department will work closely with school boards to review school financing with respect to the impact of moving to monthly contribution payments, and to maintaining school quality.

The department will also complete a review and bring forward a directive on student busing in our school system for consideration as part of the school funding formula. We will also work to involve the school boards more fully in the process of planning to build new schools.

The department's schools branch is responsible for the delivery of school, special needs and residence programs; the development and implementation of an N.W.T. curriculum for K-9 schools; the implementation of senior high school curricula adapted from Alberta; and the delivery of training and professional support programs. Two school boards, eight divisional boards and a Board of Secondary Education are responsible for the delivery of school programs.

As I mentioned in my introduction, a good deal of the increase in the schools budget is forced growth due to the growing numbers of students coming into the system, and staying in the system longer.

For example, more students means we need more teachers in order to maintain the level of education. The number of teachers and classroom assistants required is calculated according to a formula based on enrolment from the previous year. Under this formula, another $1.4 million is required to fund 18.5 new teaching positions in 1992-93. The increase in enrolment also requires forced growth of $673,000 to increase the O&M and support staff for schools.

Other areas, such as special needs education, will require additional funding to meet projected increases in enrolment. Like other jurisdictions in Canada, schools in the N.W.T. are providing support for students with special needs so that they may be educated in regular classrooms with their peers.

While the increase in participation in the school system is encouraging, we would all like to see more students graduate from grade 12.

The research findings provided in the consultant's report, "Lessons for All," indicate that students would be more successful, and stay in school longer, if they pursued their studies in their home communities, with the support and encouragement of their families. By extending high school grades in selected communities, not only will we encourage students to stay in school, we will actually spend less per student, since we will not have to pay for accommodation in residences or home boarding.

However, because more students are expected to stay in the system, we project an overall cost increase of $975,000 for 1992-93. This is necessary if more students are going to complete secondary school. This initiative will help to build strong communities and enhance local accountability for education.

The increase in students entering regional high schools from smaller communities has put pressure on student residences and home boarding programs.

The department is obliged to fund student accommodation and to ensure this program provides effective student support and supervision. This year the department needs an additional $52,000 to operate residences. During 1992-93, the school's branch will take a number of steps to tailor school curriculum to the needs of our students. Support materials for the northern studies curriculum will be devolved and implemented in all the schools of the N.W.T. Work on the elementary Inuktitut curriculum will be started. Dene Kede, the new curriculum on Dene culture and language, is being piloted this fall. The divisional boards have identified five communities which will take part in this: Snowdrift, Fort Providence, Rae, Fort McPherson, and Yellowknife. English and social studies curriculum are to be implemented in the elementary grades, while the new sciences and industrial technology curriculum is to be introduced in junior high. We will also begin in June, a high school social studies curriculum. Despite the forced growth, we have identified some areas in which we can reduce costs. Since 1985, eight divisional boards of education have been developed. The last region to establish a divisional board was at South Slave, which came into operation in July of this last year.

While the boards were being established, the department provided support for the development. However, as divisional boards gained experience, and develop expertise in regions, the need for support has decreased. The department recommends that $50,000 allocated for board development be eliminated from the department's budget. The department will still provide services to assist in boards development where required. The total increase in school's activity from revised 1991-92 estimates to 1992-93 is five percent, or over $6 million. The advanced education grants of the department administers the N.W.T. Apprenticeship Program, Public Service Career Training Program, Training on the Job Program, Employment and Post-secondary School Financial Assistance Programs, monitors and sets standards for continuing education, as well as being responsible for providing advice to the Minister on direction and financing on Arctic College. As more students progress through the school systems, greater demand will be placed on Student Financial Assistance Program, to help them pay for secondary education. Although the number of non-aboriginal students receiving funding under the program has fluctuated slightly over the years, there has been a steady rise in numbers of aboriginal students receiving funding. In 1991-92, there was an increase of almost 13 percent. The department projects that aboriginal enrolment will increase by a further 15 percent in 1992-93. To help meet this need, the department is reducing the education leave, and Northern Leaders in Training Programs and proposing an increase over $1 million dollars to the Student Financial Assistance Program, which is accessed by a wider group of people.

Over the past two years, the Public Service Career Training Program has been restructured to place greater financial responsibility on the employing department. This has allowed advanced education to reduce its cost by $300,000. In cooperation with the G.N.W.T. Human Resources Development Committee, the department plans to review and restructure training programs and services to address government needs in a number of areas. In order to create more training opportunities for residents, the department is developing a strategy for using the government's capital projects to train northerners in the construction industry in partnership with the Department of Public Works and the N.W.T. Housing Corporation.

To further aid the development of a northern workforce, the department wishes to establish six regional career centres by providing resource materials and career counselling training. The department is negotiating a three year Labour Force Development Agreement with the federal government, which will provide $3.4 million for course delivery, and $2.2 million in training allowances for the Northwest Territories this year.

By working together with the federal government, and taking advantage of federal funding, we will improve the delivery of training and employment programs. Again, the department has looked for places to reduce costs. In the past, the department has entered into contribution agreements for labour force development projects with a variety of organizations. We proposed to discontinue these contributions as a cost saving measure. The advanced education activities has decreased one percent, or about $290,000 from the revised 1991-92 estimates.

Arctic College delivers adult and post-secondary education specifically geared for the northern workforce. The college offers technical, vocational, university transfer, basic skill upgrading, and literacy programs. These programs are offered at six campuses, in many communities throughout the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Chairman, I can report that the college has received over 700 applications this year for programs at Thebacha Campus. Other campuses report similar high numbers for applications. This shows an increasing number of people are looking to the college to provide them with the skills necessary to pursue further education and career opportunities. Over the years, some duplications of services has developed within the Arctic College system. There are a variety of reasons for this, including requests from clients for services at the local level, as well as historical precedent to maintain structures which are no longer cost efficient. In keeping with these times of restraint, it is proposed that the college reduce its expenditure by about $1.2 million over the next two years through reorganization. The department and college will work together to provide a planning and funding frame work for continuing education and training in the Northwest Territories. Arctic College will be a key partner in the development of long term strategy for education.

In conclusion, the current economic climate combined with increased pressure on the educational system, has created a number of challenges in this budget. We have attempted to reduce our costs where we can, and to put our resources into programs which benefit the greatest number of students. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you. General comments, Standing Committee on Finance, Mr. Dent.