Yes.

Thank you. Page 16-35, total department, $8.135 million. Mr. Patterson.

Mr. Chairman, I am aware there are a number of federal government programs in place and operating in the Northwest Territories for the training of aboriginal people. Pathways is one which I am aware of. What participation does his department have in the operation of these federally funded programs, such as Pathways?

Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you. We do not have much of a role to play. The decisions on the expenditure of the money is a matter between the federal government and the aboriginal people. We have been invited into those meetings because we are responsible for the delivery mechanisms in the Northwest Territories. They invite us to address those particular matters as well as to ensure we can accommodate the programs which they want to consider developing and improving.

Mr. Patterson.

I understand there are boards set up throughout the Northwest Territories to administer these funds. Does the department have any participation, ex officio or otherwise, on the Pathways' boards?

Mr. Nerysoo.

Yes.

Thank you. Mr. Patterson.

Could I get more detail regarding the department's participation on these boards? Is it at the staff level or through college personnel? How does it happen?

Thank you. Mr. Nerysoo.

It occurs through the staff and through the regional superintendents.

Thank you. Do you have any more questions, Mr. Patterson. Thank you. Total department, $8.133 million. Agreed?

Page 16-13, program summary, Mr. Patterson.

Mr. Chairman, I have a question about teacher discipline. Mr. Chairman, it seems to me there are problems in the Northwest Territories regarding the matter of teacher discipline. Could the Minister inform me as to who is responsible for disciplining teachers who occasionally misbehave in the classroom or otherwise? Who is responsible for this matter?

Thank you. Mr. Nerysoo.

The initial responsibility for disciplining teachers lies with the boards. If there are concerns with regard to this, I believe the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment Programs along with the Minister of Personnel are then involved in dealing with the matter of discipline.

Thank you. Mr. Patterson.

Does the Northwest Territories Teachers' Association have any responsibilities in connection with the discipline of members?

Thank you. Mr. Nerysoo.

I believe when the issue deals with the matter of professional conduct the NWTTA has the responsibility of addressing the particular matter or is a party to addressing this particular matter. There is an appeal process to deal with that. I am not sure if this has been the case. Probably the Member will indicate he has concern with this particular matter. I will say here that it is not normal for the Minister to get involved in professional associations. I have some concern about how the organizations have been conducting themselves when they are addressing this matter of professional conduct. It is a matter which has to be dealt with by the NWTTA. When an issue comes to us, we have amended the regulations to address that particular matter. I will provide a copy of the new regulations which deal with this particular matter. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Patterson.