The committee recommends, Mr. Chairman, that the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment proceed on a priority basis with the introduction of legislation to implement the establishment of two colleges for the Northwest Territories.

Organizational Structure

The standing committee also gave consideration to the current organizational framework for Arctic College, and the proposals for the structure of the proposed two-college system. Although operational problems exist, it is the standing committee's opinion that the current structure, consisting of a head office, regional campuses and community learning centres, is appropriate. The committee was informed that the Minister proposes to retain the current structure following the college split, and the committee supports this plan.

Strategic Planning

The Minister indicated, in his March 9, 1993, Minister's statement in the House that work had begun toward the development of a departmental strategic plan for Education, Culture and Employment Programs. Following consultation with interested groups over the summer, a draft plan was to be prepared for review in the Assembly in the fall of 1993. The Minister tabled a discussion paper, Towards a Strategy to 2010 -- Tabled Document 33-12(4) -- on November 30, 1993.

The standing committee questioned the Minister in September, 1993, as to his progress in this area. Members were concerned that very little concrete planning appeared to have been completed, notwithstanding that the tabling of the plan was anticipated in approximately two months. Although the Minister had announced the project in March 1993, the issue had been raised much earlier. In September 1992, the Standing Committee on Finance recommended in its Report on the Review of the Main Estimates, that a departmental education strategy be completed by October, 1993. This committee feels that, after a full year, much more tangible progress should have been apparent.

Long-Range Planning For Colleges

Throughout the standing committee's review, it became clear that Arctic College was functioning within constraints resulting from the lack of long-range planning by the Department of Education. As noted in the committee's interim report, the Arctic College board attempted to fill this policy "vacuum" through the development of a college strategic plan. However, by September 1993, the board had not received a formal response by the Minister, setting out which aspects of the plan, if any, were acceptable. The standing committee emphasized the importance of this response and was informed by the Minister and his officials in September, 1993, that the plan had been reviewed by the department. The department advised that the plan is considered to be conceptually sound, but that it needs further work in developing a framework so that it more directly relates to planning for physical infrastructure and operational funding.

The standing committee wishes to support the work that has begun on this issue. The standing committee continues to hold the view that strategic planning must be geared towards the needs of each of the colleges. This is important if each college is to fulfil the role that is clearly expected of them.

Recommendation 2

Therefore, this committee recommends that the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment table in the Legislative Assembly, a draft strategic plan for each of the proposed colleges prior to the introduction of the legislation to establish the new college systems.

Mr. Dent, I believe, is going to continue with the report, Mr. Chairman.