Culture, total O and M, $8.256 million. Agreed?
Debates of March 5th, 1993
Topics
Committee Motion 78-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 5
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 771
The Chair John Ningark
Committee Motion 78-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 5
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 771
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Schools
Committee Motion 78-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 5
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 771
The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. Schools, total O and M, $136.685 million. Mr. Dent.
Committee Motion 78-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 5
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 772
Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. As I understand it the task for special needs funding is in this activity. I believe it is about $8.6 million. Could I get some detail as to how that level of funding was set? Why is it $8.6 million and not $6.6 million or $10.6 million? Is there a formula used based on how many special needs children are in the Northwest Territories?
Committee Motion 78-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 5
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
March 4th, 1993
Page 772
The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. Mr. Nerysoo.
Committee Motion 78-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 5
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 772
Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Most of the funding is allocated through formula. I would like to ask Mr. Devitt to explain the formula.
Committee Motion 78-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 5
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 772
The Chair John Ningark
Mr. Devitt.
Committee Motion 78-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 5
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 772
Devitt
Mr. Chairman, the majority of special needs funding, under this activity, is determined by formula. I will briefly indicate the categories of funding, and we could provide additional information on the formula if requested. There are categories for special needs consultants, teachers and assistants. Funding is also provided for other O and M to cover travel, supplies and some funds for training. Thank you.
Committee Motion 78-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 5
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 772
The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. Mr. Dent.
Committee Motion 78-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 5
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 772
Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Does the department have any statistics to indicate what proportion of the total school population are special needs children?
Committee Motion 78-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 5
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 772
The Chair John Ningark
Mr. Nerysoo.
Committee Motion 78-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 5
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 772
Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta
We are now beginning to assess this information throughout the Northwest Territories and for each particular school. We are hoping to have this information concluded by the end of April, 1993.
Committee Motion 78-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 5
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 772
The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. Mr. Dent.
Committee Motion 78-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 5
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 772
Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Does the department feel the number is in the ball park of more than five per cent, more than ten per cent or more than 15 per cent? You have approximately five per cent of your schools budget in special needs funding. Does the department believe, right now, that this is in proportion to the population?
Committee Motion 78-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 5
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 772
The Chair John Ningark
Mr. Nerysoo.
Committee Motion 78-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 5
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 772
Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta
I do not want to put anyone in a difficult position, nor do I want to put my Cabinet colleagues in a difficult position in terms of making some of their decisions. I can tell you that from our initial assessments and from our historical experience, we are probably working approximately 50 per cent of the actual needs in terms of financial resources to accommodate the numbers which we presently know about. We cannot be specific until we can conclude the actual assessment which I spoke about earlier.
Committee Motion 78-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 5
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 772
The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. Mr. Dent.
Committee Motion 78-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 5
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 772
Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I take it from the Minister's last response then that you believe you are receiving approximately 50 per cent of the funding of what is required to adequately deal with the present situation. If, for instance, the Department of Health community health profile for Fort Simpson is accurate, and that there are indeed 25 per cent of the region's children either FAS or FAE impacted, what is the implication in terms of your department? How are you going to deal with it? How are you going to deal with the fact that we may be looking at 25 per cent of the school population with special needs?
Committee Motion 78-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 5
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 772
The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. Mr. Nerysoo.
Committee Motion 78-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 5
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 772
Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta
There are probably three considerations when we are dealing with this particular matter: the need to assess the needs; the need to address the specific programs which would be required to address the individual; and from that we would be able to address what it would cost to provide those services to those individuals, both in terms of numbers and the extent of the program we have to offer. Until we have the assessments completed, it is very difficult for us to say that we need X amount of money as compared to the dollars we have now, or for that matter it could be far more in terms of the dollars we would require. Only after our assessments are concluded can we better address this particular matter with the honourable Member.
Committee Motion 78-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 5
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 772
The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. Schools, total O and M, $136.685 million. Agreed?
Committee Motion 78-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 5
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 772
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Committee Motion 78-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 5
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 772
The Chair John Ningark
Details of grants and contributions. Grants, $12.567 million. Mr. Patterson.
Committee Motion 78-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 5
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 772
Dennis Patterson Iqaluit
Mr. Chairman, I would like to know how the department is proposing to administer the child care program which is coming on April 1, and in which activity will it be placed? I apologize, Mr. Chairman, the question has already been asked.
Committee Motion 78-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 5
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 772
The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. Details of grants and contributions. Grants, $12.567 million. Agreed?