Agreed.

---Agreed

Agreed.

---Agreed

Agreed.

---Agreed

Agreed.

---Agreed

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am ready and prepared, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Chairman, I would like to introduce the 1993-94 O and M estimates for my department.

As you know, the Department responsible for Education, Culture and Employment Programs was established in August of 1992. Two of the priorities of the new department will be improved public access to programs and services, and improved accountability to the public. To reach these goals, and to establish clear direction for the future, we are developing a strategic plan. Consultation with MLAs and the people and organizations affected by Education, Culture and Career Programs, will guide the development of our plan. I want to improve coherence among all activities of the department and ensure there are better links between resources and priorities. Consultation on our plan will begin this month, and I expect to be able to review a draft plan with you, as Members of this Assembly, this fall.

The department has already identified program areas which should be more accessible. This year, training and employment-related programs from other departments are being consolidated for delivery through career centres.

These "one-stop shops" will help people develop the skills they need to find a job, and will provide information on training programs, post-secondary education and student financial support. There will be a career centre established in each region during 1993-94. Similar services will be offered to people in smaller communities in a variety of ways.

This year we are also introducing a one-time $6 million program called "NWT Works." This initiative will provide funding for communities to promote, develop and select employment and training initiatives submitted by local individuals, businesses, band councils, co-ops, boards and committees. The program criteria and application packages will be sent to community governments later this month. As I indicated to Mr. Koe earlier, I am in the process of developing the packages and, in fact, have received the second version of that particular package this morning.

This year we are again proposing further extension of high school grades in communities where there is a need and the support of the community and the boards. Improved access to senior high school programs is essential if we want to see more students graduating from grade 12. To improve the quality and increase program options for students in remote communities, we are developing a distance education strategy which will enhance student learning.

Training northern educators is another strategy which is critical to improve the delivery of education. Aboriginal educators play a key role in culture-based schooling.

To plan for future needs and to make teacher training more accessible to more aboriginal people, we are re-shaping the structure and the delivery for teacher training. Plans are to offer community teacher education programs in the Beaufort/Delta and the north Baffin starting in September, depending on availability of funding from the Secretary of State or, for that matter, decisions that might be supportive of these two initiatives.

As I have already mentioned, improved accountability is one of my priorities. Evaluating divisional boards to ensure they are operating efficiently is one way of improving accountability. This year, the Baffin and Kitikmeot boards are being reviewed.

Arctic College is also working to improve accountability, and to ensure college programs meet the needs of students and employers. The college's trade programs will be reviewed this year, and the community administration certificate program will be evaluated. In recognition of the division of the Northwest Territories, the college is decentralizing into two institutions, one in Fort Smith and one in Iqaluit.

Further to improving our accountability, recommendations for restructuring the delivery of the language bureau's services to increase its effectiveness will be reviewed and implemented this year.

Local participation and control are essential if education and cultural projects are to meet the needs of northerners. Developing direction for the development of regional and community museums is also one of our priorities.

In 1993-94, cultural affairs programs will be reviewed in order to determine ways to increase support of local cultural projects and to enhance support to the arts. This year, radio and television services will focus on community services and broadcasting in aboriginal languages. In 1993-94 literacy projects in all official languages will continue to be supported with a continued emphasis on literacy in aboriginal languages. With our partners in education we will continue to emphasize and promote the important role parents play in encouraging their children to read through a special campaign called "read to me."

This year the Dene Kede curriculum, which is currently being piloted in the western Arctic, will be implemented in kindergarten to grade six. The department is also beginning the development of the curriculum for grades seven to nine. Inuuqatigiit, a new curriculum which will enhance and enrich the first language and culture of Inuit students, will be piloted this year. The fine arts curriculum for kindergarten to grade nine, and French as a second language curriculum, will also be piloted.

In conclusion, today I am presenting a budget of $199.451 million for the 1993-94 fiscal year, which represents a 4.5 per cent increase over the department's 1992-93 Main Estimates. The two areas in which the department is introducing new funding are grade extensions and the new community-based employment and training program, both of which I believe are key to helping northerners find jobs.

Most of the increase in this budget I am presenting is due to forced growth. For the past two years, school enrolments increased by approximately five per cent. An increase in students also results in an increase in teaching and support staff.

Similarly, the number of NWT students applying for funding to attend college and university has climbed steadily over the past several years, causing forced growth in the student financial assistance program.

Recognizing the importance of education, culture and career programs, I believe this is a responsible budget in these times of restraint. That, Mr. Chairman, concludes my opening remarks. I will answer questions respecting this particular budget once the Standing Committee on Finance has made their presentation. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am pleased to present the comments of the Standing Committee on Finance on the Department of Education, Culture and Employment Programs budget for 1993-94.

Mr. Chairman, it is clear to the committee that the department is working hard to develop a strategy to significantly improve success in education. We appreciate that. We have noted, particularly with respect to the $6 million employment fund, and for all education programs, that the department cannot simply provide funding and delegate totally to communities. Some communities need support and direction to create improvements in education and employment programs. We need to ensure that long-term benefits are realized and that initiatives do not become make-work projects.

The goal is to try to get meaningful programs working that will see people gain skills which will enable them to keep and obtain long-term jobs. Further, it appears to us that the department should sit on the community transfer committee, since training and employment issues are so critical to its success. We also note that the Government of the Northwest Territories is the only jurisdiction in Canada without a management training program tailored to its own civil service. We have noted this with the Department of Personnel and we urge the Department of Education to encourage them to move quickly in the development of a management training program. Government priorities should drive staff development, training and educational leave programs.

Mr. Chairman, the education budget is the largest, some 20 per cent of this government's resources. Continued improvement is an urgent matter. We must improve literacy and employment rates. We should be accessing available unemployment insurance commission, UIC, funds for training, literacy, et cetera. The pace of change in the communities should be accelerated. Parent and community involvement in education must be increased. This committee will continue to push the department to accomplish more and await the education strategy to be put forward in the fall. The committee would like to see teachers' performance reviewed along with that of their students. We would like to see all of our students meet established educational standards and promote consistency in education across the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Chairman, in concluding these comments, I will now put a motion to the committee. It is the only motion for this department.

Question.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Can the Minister provide us with a copy of his opening remarks? Before I proceed with general comments, perhaps the Minister would like to invite his witnesses in, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Chairman, yes, I would like to ask the permission of the Members of this Assembly to allow witnesses. I am prepared to provide copies of my opening statement to all Members of this House.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The deputy minister, Mr. Hal Gerein and the director of finance, Mr. Paul Devitt.