This is page numbers 909 - 930 of the Hansard for the 12th Assembly, 5th Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was chairman.

Topics

Further Return To Question 410-12(5): Minister's Meaning Of "qualifications" Of Students
Question 410-12(5): Minister's Meaning Of "qualifications" Of Students
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 919

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Final supplementary, Mr. Arvaluk.

Supplementary To Question 410-12(5): Minister's Meaning Of "qualifications" Of Students
Question 410-12(5): Minister's Meaning Of "qualifications" Of Students
Item 5: Oral Questions

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James Arvaluk Aivilik

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I cannot see how he can say a divisional board has any business whatsoever to decide on behalf of the student what kind of course that student should be taking in high school. The CECs and divisional boards' responsibilities are to accommodate students to give them an education along the standards given by the Department of Education, to accommodate the students so that they may take a proper course if they wish to prepare themselves either for Arctic College, university or other trade schools. My question to the Minister is that the parents or the education administrators -- meaning CEC or divisional board -- do not really know what is the best for that particular student who may be entering grade ten, 11 or 12, if he should take 10, 20 or 30 courses. Can the Minister tell the House that these students who want to take academic courses will be accommodated to the best extent possible, rather than given the run-around, telling them this course is not available in Pond Inlet, Coral Harbour or elsewhere? Would they be accommodated to the best of their ability? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 410-12(5): Minister's Meaning Of "qualifications" Of Students
Question 410-12(5): Minister's Meaning Of "qualifications" Of Students
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 919

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Minister of Education, just before you proceed, if I could remind Members to keep your preamble as brief as possible. Minister of Education.

Further Return To Question 410-12(5): Minister's Meaning Of "qualifications" Of Students
Question 410-12(5): Minister's Meaning Of "qualifications" Of Students
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 919

Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I don't have a problem with the suggestion made by the honourable Member. However, I do say this, that the decision to offer courses and the subjects that are taken by particular students are really the choice of the student. We are prepared to offer, according to the curriculum that is offered which includes academic programs to those students who require them. We will do the best we can in trying to provide the best service possible to those particular students.

If the choice is such that it becomes difficult, then we have to find the alternatives by which we can offer those programs to those students. I just want to advise the honourable Member that the only difference that students will be able to identify, in terms of academic or general, in future, will be the subjects on their transcripts. In other words, if they are 10, 20 or 30, that will be the basis. There will only be one diploma that says you graduated and the basis on which you are considered academic will be the subjects on your transcripts at the end of the year.

Further Return To Question 410-12(5): Minister's Meaning Of "qualifications" Of Students
Question 410-12(5): Minister's Meaning Of "qualifications" Of Students
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 919

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for Amittuq, Mr. Allooloo.

Titus Allooloo Amittuq

Thank you, Madam Speaker. To the Minister of Education. I would like to ask the Minister a question. He told me, during this session, that his department won't help a student from my constituency to be educated to any degree. So the parents end up having to pay for their kid's education, totally, even though the kid is an aboriginal person. Could the Minister tell me if there is any government policy that would assist parents in sending their kids to the south, even though there may be grade 12 education in the community in any language? Thank you.

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Minister of Education, Culture and Employment Programs, Mr. Nerysoo.

Return To Question 411-12(5): Policy To Assist Parents In Sending Their Children To Southern Schools
Question 411-12(5): Policy To Assist Parents In Sending Their Children To Southern Schools
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 919

Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Just to indicate to the honourable Member, that I think he should first advise the House that Cabinet did make a decision on one particular case to support a student who was in the Member's constituency, in providing some financial support.

Secondly, there's no existing government policy that will allow us to support students to travel to southern institutions. Our policy is that we will develop programs in the Northwest Territories to the best of our ability. It's our first priority that our students attend quality programs in the Northwest Territories. That is the present policy, that was the policy before I was Minister and I believe it is a good policy.

Return To Question 411-12(5): Policy To Assist Parents In Sending Their Children To Southern Schools
Question 411-12(5): Policy To Assist Parents In Sending Their Children To Southern Schools
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 919

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Allooloo.

Supplementary To Question 411-12(5): Policy To Assist Parents In Sending Their Children To Southern Schools
Question 411-12(5): Policy To Assist Parents In Sending Their Children To Southern Schools
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 919

Titus Allooloo Amittuq

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I know of a government policy that would assist parents if they are living in Yellowknife and Iqaluit if the parents would like to send their kids south. I thought it was government policy that the government would assist you to the tune of $5,600 if you're from Yellowknife and $5,800 from Iqaluit. Isn't that a government policy to help students to go to high school? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 411-12(5): Policy To Assist Parents In Sending Their Children To Southern Schools
Question 411-12(5): Policy To Assist Parents In Sending Their Children To Southern Schools
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 919

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Minister of Education, Culture and Employment Programs, Mr. Nerysoo.

Further Return To Question 411-12(5): Policy To Assist Parents In Sending Their Children To Southern Schools
Question 411-12(5): Policy To Assist Parents In Sending Their Children To Southern Schools
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 920

Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I'm not aware of the existence of that policy. I don't believe there is one. I will review the matter, however, I can advise the Members of this House that I don't believe that policy exists.

Further Return To Question 411-12(5): Policy To Assist Parents In Sending Their Children To Southern Schools
Question 411-12(5): Policy To Assist Parents In Sending Their Children To Southern Schools
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 920

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Allooloo.

Supplementary To Question 411-12(5): Policy To Assist Parents In Sending Their Children To Southern Schools
Question 411-12(5): Policy To Assist Parents In Sending Their Children To Southern Schools
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 920

Titus Allooloo Amittuq

Thank you. It's unfortunate that the Minister doesn't know his own policy. The policy applies to French students. Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 411-12(5): Policy To Assist Parents In Sending Their Children To Southern Schools
Question 411-12(5): Policy To Assist Parents In Sending Their Children To Southern Schools
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 920

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Mr. Allooloo, there was no question there. This is oral question period. I would suggest that you make your comments under Members' statements. Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for Yellowknife South, Mr. Whitford.

Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I would like to direct a question to the Minister of Social Services. It deals with the matter of Greenway Holdings Limited that we heard about earlier on. I'm not quite clear on a couple of things, Madam Speaker, because I also received a document on the issue. I wanted to ask a question that relates to the termination or suspension of this contract. I would like to know whether or not the Department of Social Services has terminated this contract or has it just suspended the contract, pending the investigation that the Minister promised?

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Minister of Social Services, Ms. Mike.

Return To Question 412-12(5): Termination Or Suspension Of Hay River Group Home Contract
Question 412-12(5): Termination Or Suspension Of Hay River Group Home Contract
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 920

Rebecca Mike Baffin Central

Thank you, Madam Speaker. The contract was terminated on the recommendation of the regional superintendent by the deputy minister. Thank you.

Return To Question 412-12(5): Termination Or Suspension Of Hay River Group Home Contract
Question 412-12(5): Termination Or Suspension Of Hay River Group Home Contract
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 920

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for Yellowknife South, Mr. Whitford, did you have a supplementary? Supplementary, Mr. Whitford.

Supplementary To Question 412-12(5): Termination Or Suspension Of Hay River Group Home Contract
Question 412-12(5): Termination Or Suspension Of Hay River Group Home Contract
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 920

Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Thank you, Madam Speaker. It seems like this is sort of a fait accompli and there is no point in going in and doing something. It seems to be a personality conflict, if nothing else, and there doesn't seem to be anything of substance that says this company is not doing a good job. If it's a personality conflict, I wonder why they are terminating him without a hearing or an investigation, rather than looking into this matter first? Is this the way the government does business? I would like to know if this is already a dead issue.

Supplementary To Question 412-12(5): Termination Or Suspension Of Hay River Group Home Contract
Question 412-12(5): Termination Or Suspension Of Hay River Group Home Contract
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 920

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Minister of Social Services, Ms. Mike.

Further Return To Question 412-12(5): Termination Or Suspension Of Hay River Group Home Contract
Question 412-12(5): Termination Or Suspension Of Hay River Group Home Contract
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 920

Rebecca Mike Baffin Central

Thank you, Madam Speaker. The contract was terminated after many attempts to try to work cooperatively with the contractor and the area office. Since early December 1993, there has been only one child in the group home. The area supervisor, supported by his staff, recommended terminating the contract. The superintendent, once again, became directly involved in December 1993. Meetings were held with the contractor as well as with area office staff and the union vice president for Hay River.

A basic plan to keep the group home functioning was agreed to. All parties agreed to submit their concerns, documentation and recommendations, in writing, to the superintendent. This was done over the next few months with no improvement in the working relationship. On March 1, 1994, the superintendent flew to Hay River to meet with the contractor to discuss the contract. At that meeting, the contractor was informed by the superintendent that he was contemplating terminating the contract. On March 9, 1994, the superintendent informed the contractor he was intending to proceed with termination, as outlined in the contract.

On that basis, the contract with Greenway was terminated. These group homes cannot operate effectively without a close and cooperative working relationship between the contractor and the department. Otherwise, the children in care don't get the help they need. In this case, the social workers did not feel comfortable referring children to the group home and were finding other alternatives, such as foster care.

A new contractor will be sought as quickly as possible, in consultation with the affected MLAs. Yes, her contract has been terminated. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 412-12(5): Termination Or Suspension Of Hay River Group Home Contract
Question 412-12(5): Termination Or Suspension Of Hay River Group Home Contract
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 920

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Lewis.

Brian Lewis Yellowknife Centre

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. In the 11th Assembly, I worked very closely with Mr. Arlooktoo because there was fear that a very large, priceless collection of art that had been collected in Cape Dorset since 1958, would be destroyed. I heard today that in Pangnirtung there's been a major fire in the print shop. I would like to ask the Minister, again, about fire. Would the Minister tell this House if he has determined yet the extent of the damage as a result of this fire at the print shop in Pangnirtung?

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Minister of Safety and Public Services, Mr. Nerysoo.