Mr. Speaker, decentralizing Arctic College into two separate college systems was one of the directions which followed from the report, Reshaping Northern Government. Today, I would like to bring the Members of the Legislative Assembly up-to-date on the college's decentralization plans.
The college is planning to establish one college system in Nunavut, with a head office located in Iqaluit, and another in the western Arctic, with its head office in Fort Smith. Decentralization should be complete by June, 1994.
The structure of the two new colleges will be streamlined. In Nunavut, the college will serve the Kitikmeot, Keewatin and Baffin regions. In the western Arctic, the college will include the Inuvik, Fort Smith and Yellowknife regions. Each college will be incorporated and directed by a board of governors.
Decentralization will not jeopardize the college's ability to deliver a high level of programming to its students. The board of governors has directed the college president to develop and monitor decentralization and its impact on programs. This plan will include a model for the two college systems, legislative changes, a description of their boards and their relationship to government, and the possibility of future agreements between the two institutions. Although there will be two separate colleges with their own programs, I will ensure links be established between them to help them run their programs efficiently.
The college's decentralization plan will be aligned with the strategic plan for the Department of Education, Culture and Employment Programs. The department's reorganization will also recognize the need to provide support for college-related programs.