This is page numbers 1341 - 1373 of the Hansard for the 12th Assembly, 7th 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

Committee Motion 70-12(7): To Add A New Clause 4.1 To Bill 25
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1370

Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Just for the comfort of Members, we had this discussion in committee and we understood the concerns that were raised. When we get to clause 126, we will be more specific about responding to the issue of hours. I want to advise the honourable Member, who probably knows the process that existed previously, that the matter of school calendars must be set and must meet standards. A certain number of hours will be translated into days to suit the jurisdiction or, for that matter, the hours.

Based on that, records are kept of instructional time for credit purposes. I think all of us should remain aware that the transferability between our high schools and post-secondary institutions -- universities, specifically -- is based on hours of instruction. In other words, they have to be satisfied with the hours of instruction. So, it's quite clear then, as a result of the number of hours a student spends on a particular course to reach a credit, success in a course is accredited accordingly.

The other point is, we set our elementary time also on hours. For instance: for issues like language of instruction, that would be 210 hours; another language, 90 hours; mathematics, 180 hours; science, 90 hours; social studies, 90 hours; physical education, 90 hours; practical arts, 60 hours; health, 60 hours; and, arts education, 60 hours. That is the basis upon which we make those calculations even now. That's the instruction that we give and the guidelines for time allocations for subjects from grade 1 to 9.

That was why we, Mr. Chairman...I raise the point that the way in which we are trying to amend this legislation could be done but it's the more awkward way of doing it. We could amend it in 126, that was proposing to provide an amendment for that particular purpose to address the concern that, I believe, is important for this Assembly to deal with. We're prepared to do it.

Committee Motion 70-12(7): To Add A New Clause 4.1 To Bill 25
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1370

The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Minister. The chair recognizes the Member for Natilikmiot who's going to speak to it at this point. To the motion.

Committee Motion 70-12(7): To Add A New Clause 4.1 To Bill 25
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1370

John Ningark Natilikmiot

Thank you. To the motion, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I believe the professional development days are not included in this particular motion, as it specifically states 190 instructional days. Who determines the number of schools days in a specific given area? If the education body is a public denominational body, then I believe that body should determine it. If the body is a private educational body, then I believe that will determine that area. If the student is home schooling, then I believe that the home will determine the number of days. That's my interpretation. Thank you.

Committee Motion 70-12(7): To Add A New Clause 4.1 To Bill 25
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1370

The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Ningark. To the motion. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Committee Motion 70-12(7): To Add A New Clause 4.1 To Bill 25
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1370

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Mr. Chairman, I support the motion, taking into account the clarification by the mover. I will indicate to the Minister that I do have a problem with his attempt to amend section 126, under the role of the Minister, because it's my understanding that this authority will be delegated to the

DEA and not as the responsibility of the Minister. They will determine the hours. What we're doing, I believe, is setting a framework for the number of instructional days which should be conducted. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Committee Motion 70-12(7): To Add A New Clause 4.1 To Bill 25
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1371

The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mrs. Marie-Jewell. To the motion. Mr. Minister.

Committee Motion 70-12(7): To Add A New Clause 4.1 To Bill 25
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1371

Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Mr. Chairman, the district education authority still has to receive the instruction on operations from the Minister in these particular areas. The calendars have to be approved. It would not take away from the authority but what it says is the board shall establish those hours of instruction.

I'm trying to be clear about this because the way in which we are trying to do this is not the acceptable way of transferring programs to universities or other institutions. That's the problem because it would be applicable throughout the system. It's not simply a matter of kindergarten to six or kindergarten to nine; 190 days would be a requirement through the whole system. Rather than allowing the boards, as well, to be flexible about the hours and the time, you're requiring them, without reviewing the regulations, to set specifically that time.

Committee Motion 70-12(7): To Add A New Clause 4.1 To Bill 25
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1371

The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Minister. To the motion. Mr. Koe.

Committee Motion 70-12(7): To Add A New Clause 4.1 To Bill 25
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1371

Fred Koe Inuvik

The dilemma we're in is the issue of powers and authorities between the Minister and the education authority. I would like to ask the mover, in terms of this particular motion, how did we come up with 190 instructional days? Why not 195 or 180? Why was 190 determined?

Committee Motion 70-12(7): To Add A New Clause 4.1 To Bill 25
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1371

The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Koe. I don't know if it's a fair question to ask, but Mr. Ningark.

Committee Motion 70-12(7): To Add A New Clause 4.1 To Bill 25
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1371

John Ningark Natilikmiot

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We are talking about a minimum of 190. If the given education board wanted to go beyond the minimum of 190 days, I think they are entirely welcome to do so. That's my understanding. Thank you.

Committee Motion 70-12(7): To Add A New Clause 4.1 To Bill 25
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1371

The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Ningark. Mr. Minister, do you wish to assist us on that?

Committee Motion 70-12(7): To Add A New Clause 4.1 To Bill 25
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1371

Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. That is one of the problems with the amendment and the legislation, because if you set a specific time, then you can't allow a future regulation to amend the legislation. There's no flexibility in the ability of any board to add hours or, for that matter, the problem that you have is that, based on instructional days, the question is -- and I raised this point earlier -- what are instructional days, because there is no definition.

The present definitions that we are trying to use are such that they are related to ours. Because, for instance, if you have 190 instructional days, that would mean 190 instructional days for kindergarten. We don't have 190 days for kindergarten students. That would be a full day of school for all kindergarten students. That's an example.

Committee Motion 70-12(7): To Add A New Clause 4.1 To Bill 25
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1371

The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Minister. I see this has taken on a whole life of its own. The chair recognizes Mr. Ballantyne.

Committee Motion 70-12(7): To Add A New Clause 4.1 To Bill 25
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1371

Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North

Thank you. It seems to me the dilemma here is twofold. One, we heard from people that they would like to see a fundamental number of days that should be taught every year actually in the act, not left to regulation. But I see the Minister's dilemma is that, if you say it this way, it doesn't give flexibility to do what some of the boards said to us that they want to have longer hours in the winter and shorter hours in the spring, for instance.

Here's the problem, though. In order to achieve what the committee wants to achieve and also to achieve what the Minister wants to achieve, I think we have to figure out, if we want the equivalent of 190 days, how many hours per day are we talking about and then just do the calculation in hours. I don't have a problem if we do it that way.

What I will ask now is, what is the Minister's concept of the number of hours that should be in a day, and maybe we can then come to some agreement about the combination of the two of them.

Committee Motion 70-12(7): To Add A New Clause 4.1 To Bill 25
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1371

The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Ballantyne. Mr. Minister.

Committee Motion 70-12(7): To Add A New Clause 4.1 To Bill 25
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1371

Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. For kindergarten, the maximum hours per day are three. I believe the midpoint is 5.25 hours for grades 1 to 6, and the midpoint is 5.5 for grades 7 to 12. In other words, it could go up.

Committee Motion 70-12(7): To Add A New Clause 4.1 To Bill 25
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1371

The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Mr. Ballantyne.

Committee Motion 70-12(7): To Add A New Clause 4.1 To Bill 25
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1371

Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North

Okay, then. Basically, what the Minister is saying is that rather than say 190 instructional days, what you will say in section 126 is 190 times three, 190 times 5.25 and 190 times 5.5. Right?

Okay, so that is one issue. The other issue Mr. Koe brought up is a separate issue altogether. It is whether or not, in the legislation, we set the minimum hours or leave it up to the boards to set the minimum hours. That's a philosophical debate. What we thought in the standing committee and what we have heard around this House is that every school in the territories should have a basic minimum standard, and if any school board wants to go higher than that, it's up to them. But that we all, collectively, all of us, the rainbow coalition...

---Laughter

...would set that basic minimum standard. There was some consensus in the committee that we would do that. If there is agreement for that philosophical basis then I don't have a problem with what the Minister is saying, to put it into ours. Because then you have a basic minimum, but you leave to the school board the opportunity to have some flexibility in the number of hours in a day. Thank you.

Committee Motion 70-12(7): To Add A New Clause 4.1 To Bill 25
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1371

The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Thank you. I can hardly wait for Hansard tomorrow. Mr. Minister.

Committee Motion 70-12(7): To Add A New Clause 4.1 To Bill 25
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1371

Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Mr. Chairman, just so it is clear, maybe what we need to do is give out a copy of the motion so that people can read what we had proposed at 126. It says, if you read it, yes, the Minister shall prescribe...its the suggestion

that we're making and the hours accordingly. In other words, there are no questions about the limitations.

In the authority, then, in 117, on (s), "in accordance with regulations established and advise the Minister the hours for the academic year...." The academic year will, in fact, take into consideration that component. That's what we're trying to do.

Committee Motion 70-12(7): To Add A New Clause 4.1 To Bill 25
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1372

The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Minister. To the motion. Mr. Koe.

Committee Motion 70-12(7): To Add A New Clause 4.1 To Bill 25
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1372

Fred Koe Inuvik

I would like to get some clarification. In the proposed motion we're saying that there will be a minimum of 190 instructional days. What I heard the Minister say is that if we pass this motion then the standard is set; that the schools will have to or will use 190 as a standard. I believe I heard the Minister say, then, that to go above that there have to be changes to regulations or can they go...The question I'm asking is can they go above the 190 if we set a minimum? Can that be changed by the district or divisional authorities, or are we encasing it in cement here?

Committee Motion 70-12(7): To Add A New Clause 4.1 To Bill 25
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1372

The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Koe. Mr. Minister.

Committee Motion 70-12(7): To Add A New Clause 4.1 To Bill 25
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1372

Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

All I can say is what this will obviously do in terms of the hours is be specific about the amount of instruction. I can also say though that it allows...The most flexible part is section 126, that is the most flexible to allow the discussion, but there will be specific hours that are set. There's nothing to suggest that there will be a limitation on adding additional time but it's all a matter of setting the calendar. Once those are combined then you can deal with the issue of the time that our children will be receiving instruction.