Hear, hear.

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This is for the first time in 26 years. This significant change allows us to take our place at the table in developing, directing and leading education in our nation. I would like to recognize the work of my staff for helping bring this long overdue recognition to our territories.

Secondly, the council discussed and furthered its six-point action plan to reshape education in this country. One of the steps in this process is a regular series of national forums to bring together all interested groups and organizations, including government, business, labour, educational institutions, teachers, parents and student federations and associations, to promote dialogue on expectations and needs and to exchange ideas.

The first of these national meetings will be held in Montreal this coming May. Plans for the meeting were reviewed and additional direction was given. This forum, which will focus on the quality of education is a national first, and all Education Ministers are expected to play key roles in the discussions. Special attention will be paid to current best practices and education successes across the country under the sub-themes of: goals and outcomes; accessibility and mobility; and, accountability.

The five remaining points of the action plan are:

-the establishment of a national working group to examine curriculum comparability and possible joint initiatives in curriculum development;

-the continuation and expansion of the school achievement indicators program, adding assessment in science to the existing program which includes assessment in reading and writing and mathematics;

-a new joint project between the Council of Ministers and Statistics Canada to develop pan-Canadian indicators on education performance;

-a new Canada-wide focus on open learning and distance education, particularly in post-secondary studies; and,

-the development of new links and partnerships with national and governmental organizations, and with business, labour and appropriate federal departments and agencies.

As part of the meetings, the Ministers also hosted the Honourable Lloyd Axworthy, Minister of Human Resources Development Canada, and discussed issues such as the continuation of the stay-in-school program, possible changes to the Canada student loans program, the planned federal reductions to the national literacy program and the implications of reform of social programs on education.

Madam Speaker, as I have done before, I will continue to keep this legislature up to date on the developments and change in education on the national scene as we work to reshape, reform and improve our system of education. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Member for Deh Cho, Mr. Gargan.