Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have just a few general comments with regard to the Education Act. First of all, I want to thank the Minister, even though there are seconded many amendments in comparison to many other acts, for bringing forth this Education Act. I think the Education Act needed a total rehaul to address education in the north. There was recognition that the old act was archaic and it was probably very difficult to follow. The lines of responsibility were very unclear, once divisional boards were set up, because the act did not keep up to these amendments and changes.
Mr. Chairman, I know there have been many concerns about the initial act that was sent out, and I know the public meetings addressed many of those concerns; although, I did want to state that there were some concerns that still aren't addressed, according to my constituents. One was with respect to the inclusive schooling policy and the costs of inclusive schooling. This government could dream up and develop all the policies they want but if they can't ensure that departments have enough resources to give proper and adequate programs to students, then their policies aren't worth the paper they are written on.
There is a grave concern across the Northwest Territories about the amount of funding cut from education. I know there are grave concerns in my riding about the number of teachers that have to be laid off because of the lack of funding. These are the concerns that, even though policy development is being taken care of, it they don't have the funding and the resources