Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

---Agreed

The Chair John Ningark

The bill as a whole.

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

---Agreed

The Chair John Ningark

Does the committee agree that Bill 7, as amended, is ready for third reading?

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

---Agreed

The Chair John Ningark

Thank you. Bill 7 is now ready for third reading. I would like to thank the witnesses for appearing before the committee. Thank you very much.

It seems that we have run out of items this afternoon. Oh, Bill 2. The appropriate Minister in this case is Mr. Nerysoo. Do we have Mr. Nerysoo here? The Honourable Richard Nerysoo.

Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, the proposed amendments to the current Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Act reflect recommendations made by the Standing Committee on Agencies, Boards and Commissions to improve the trade certification process and to broaden the scope of the act to permit occupational certification.

The standing committee recommended that adjustments be made to the statutory role and meeting requirements of the board, that trade advisory committees be eliminated and that an alternate system of standards for workplace qualification be developed. The amendments proposed will reduce the number of standing committees and administrative structures while still encouraging a partnership between employers, employees and the government in designing and managing occupational standards.

For example, under the proposed Apprenticeship, Trade and Occupational Certification Act, provisions are being made to allow the board to meet at the call of the chair in consultation with the supervisor of apprenticeship; to remove the requirement of the board to hear and determine appeals relating to apprenticeship contracts; to allow the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment to establish appeal panels as recommended; and, to eliminate all provisions dealing with the establishment or function of trade advisory committees. Regulations under the Apprenticeship, Trade and Occupational Certification Act will be amended to allow trade examining boards to perform similar functions previously carried out by trade advisory committees but on a task-by-task basis. They will be required to provide reports to the Apprenticeship, Trades and Occupational Certification Board.

During the past few years, the apprenticeship program and other occupational certification programs have been under review across Canada. One of the key questions which has been asked has been how to take advantage of the success of the apprenticeship format and apply it to a broader range of employment positions. These discussions have led to a movement to support occupational certification. This concept involves the development of standards for various types of positions and stresses the protection of public health safety and security. As well, it promotes a trained workforce and increases the status and compensation for certified individuals.

Amendments to the Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Act will allow the board to issue certificates of competence in occupations other than designated trades and provide for the regulation of the training and certification of persons in occupations other than the designated trades. Designation of occupations encourages industry to develop and deliver training programs and to monitor standards of training and practice. Government will help facilitate training, provide information and other referrals. A schedule of designated occupations recommended by industry will be established under the new act and regulations.

The first occupation to be designated under the new act will be the occupation of trades helper, as some of you may know. Standards for this occupation have been developed by industry, and certificates are currently being issued on a pilot basis jointly with the NWT Construction Association to construction trainees on GNWT capital construction projects under the building and learning strategy. Seventy northerners have received training and certification to date. The provision to recognize other occupations will increase a northern skilled workforce.

Mr. Chairman, in closing, I would note that the amendments to this act have been prepared not only based upon the input of the Standing Committee on Agencies, Boards and Commissions, but also with the guidance of the members of the Apprenticeship and Trades Certification Board, itself. The board, as you may recall, is made up of both employer and employee representatives from across the Northwest Territories. We believe, Mr. Chairman, that the proposed amendments will strengthen and streamline our apprenticeship system as well as placing the Northwest Territories in the forefront of efforts to develop effective occupational certification in close cooperation with business and industry. Thank you.

With those introductory remarks I am prepared to deal with the bill after the comments by the Standing Committee on Legislation. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

The Chair John Ningark

Thank you, honourable Minister. On behalf of the Standing Committee on Legislation, Mr. Whitford.

Standing Committee On Legislation Comments

The Chair John Ningark

Thank you, Mr. Whitford. Before I open the floor for general comments I would like to ask the Minister, Mr. Nerysoo, if he would like to bring in his witnesses.

Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Yes, Mr. Chairman, if I could have the support of my colleagues.

The Chair John Ningark

Thank you. The honourable Minister is asking for the concurrence of the committee to bring in his witnesses. Agreed?

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

---Agreed