This is page numbers 1400 - 1440 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 74-12(7): To Amend Clause 7 Of Bill 25, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1420

Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you. I'll ask Ms. Joyce to answer.

Committee Motion 74-12(7): To Amend Clause 7 Of Bill 25, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1420

Joyce

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Either the parent or the principal may initiate the request and, as far as who is assessing the student, Mr. Koe is correct that it would be professionals who would assess the student.

Committee Motion 74-12(7): To Amend Clause 7 Of Bill 25, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1420

The Chair John Ningark

Thank you. To clause 9 of Bill 25. Agreed?

Committee Motion 74-12(7): To Amend Clause 7 Of Bill 25, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1420

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

---Agreed

Committee Motion 74-12(7): To Amend Clause 7 Of Bill 25, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1420

The Chair John Ningark

Thank you. We shall move on to clause 10. I have Mr. Ballantyne and Mr. Koe. Mr. Ballantyne.

Committee Motion 74-12(7): To Amend Clause 7 Of Bill 25, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1420

Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North

Mr. Chairman, this clause gives us some concern and probably needs some clarification by the Minister. If the clarification is not enough to resolve the issue, I have an amendment. The problem here is, we want to make sure that if, for instance, in a different district a program is not offered and it is decided it would be in the best interest of the student to go to Yellowknife, Fort Smith, lqaluit or whatever, the way it's worded now, the receiving board is responsible for providing accommodation. Our feeling is that it should be very clear that the board from which the student comes that should be responsible.

I'll give you a number of reasons: one, there are financial implications of that; second, I'm sure the parent and the student would be much more comfortable if they had the responsibility to choose where the kid is going to stay. I think it's unfair to put this responsibility on the board to which the student is coming. It has been stated many many times that here in Yellowknife we welcome students if programs aren't offered in other communities or regions. But, it should be very clear that it is the responsibility of the student's home district to: one, pay for it; and second, to have the responsibility to make sure the student has proper accommodation.

For many reasons, it makes a lot of sense. I wonder if the Minister can clarify here. We need a little bit of light on this particular section. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Committee Motion 74-12(7): To Amend Clause 7 Of Bill 25, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1420

The Chair John Ningark

Qujannamiik. Minister Nerysoo.

Committee Motion 74-12(7): To Amend Clause 7 Of Bill 25, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1420

Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'm going to make general comments on the comments that have been made and then ask Mr. Gerein to give you some of the specifies. How we deal with the matter of accommodation is based on the departmental directive on community senior secondary schooling. Part of it deals with ensuring that, whenever we make a determination for students to go from one region to another, part of the decision includes the matter of fiscal resources and agreement by which another board will assume responsibility for students coming in from other jurisdictions.

At this particular time, we provide each divisional board with resources for accommodation in their formula arrangement. So, if they're prepared to send students to other divisional board jurisdictions, they have to assume responsibility to provide the resources for those students to the receiving board jurisdiction. I just want to make that clear. The policy is very clear about that. I will not only provide you with a copy of the inclusive schooling policy, but also a copy, at some time, of the senior secondary schooling policy. It is very clear in that document that this matter has to be dealt with. Mr. Gerein.

Committee Motion 74-12(7): To Amend Clause 7 Of Bill 25, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1420

The Chair John Ningark

On the specific aspects of the document, Mr. Gerein.

Committee Motion 74-12(7): To Amend Clause 7 Of Bill 25, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1420

Gerein

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. As well, in actual effect, what happens is where the host board receives several students who wish to come from a board who is sending the students, the host board and receiving board may wish to agree on a set of guidelines they would use for selection of home boarding parents. They could advertise and those people in the community who would like -to offer home boarding services to students can apply. The originating board can screen those and offer a list of homes to the students who wish to attend outside of their home jurisdiction. It actually works quite well in practice, Mr. Chairman, thank you.

Committee Motion 74-12(7): To Amend Clause 7 Of Bill 25, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1420

The Chair John Ningark

Thank you. Clause 10. Mr. Ballantyne.

Committee Motion 74-12(7): To Amend Clause 7 Of Bill 25, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1420

Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North

I understand how it works, it's just that I'm not 100 per cent clear about the wording that was chosen. If that's so, why does it then state that the education district where the senior secondary education program is offered shall provide the student with accommodation? Why doesn't it go the other way around? Here, if someone wants to change the policy, the act really gives that responsibility to the receiving board and not to the sending board, as it were.

Committee Motion 74-12(7): To Amend Clause 7 Of Bill 25, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1420

The Chair John Ningark

Thank you. Mr. Minister.

Committee Motion 74-12(7): To Amend Clause 7 Of Bill 25, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1420

Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you. I will ask Ms. Joyce to clearly explain that particular matter.

Committee Motion 74-12(7): To Amend Clause 7 Of Bill 25, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1421

The Chair John Ningark

Thank you. Ms. Joyce.

Committee Motion 74-12(7): To Amend Clause 7 Of Bill 25, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1421

Joyce

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. According to the policy, the reason that the receiving policy, as Mr. Ballantyne has pointed out, is referred to in this section is because that's the district that will be receiving the funding, through the funding formula, for the accommodation. There is an agreement between the district authorities and it is this body that actually receives the accommodation funding to accommodate those students.

Committee Motion 74-12(7): To Amend Clause 7 Of Bill 25, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1421

The Chair John Ningark

Thank you. Clause 10, Mr. Ballantyne.

Committee Motion 74-12(7): To Amend Clause 7 Of Bill 25, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1421

Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North

It will probably work right now, but what happens if, for instance, because of government cutbacks or whatever, the formula changes and not enough money comes with a student? Then, according to this, it would still be the responsibility of the receiving board to provide accommodation. The question is, the amendment we have -- and we had some problems with an amendment the other day, so I don't want to throw something on the floor here and mess up the whole process, that's why I wanted to talk a little bit about it --which the Minister has seen a copy of, has the same wording, but it just changes it around so that the sending board has the responsibility, as opposed to the receiving board.

I'll rephrase the question: what is the problem with putting an amendment in that says that, just to clarify it? I think this would clarity it for the long term.

Committee Motion 74-12(7): To Amend Clause 7 Of Bill 25, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1421

The Chair John Ningark

Thank you. Mr. Minister.

Committee Motion 74-12(7): To Amend Clause 7 Of Bill 25, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1421

Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Well, I will ask Mr. Gerein again to respond.

Committee Motion 74-12(7): To Amend Clause 7 Of Bill 25, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1421

The Chair John Ningark

Mr. Gerein.

Committee Motion 74-12(7): To Amend Clause 7 Of Bill 25, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1421

Gerein

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The originating board or the sending board receives all the funding for the student and they're required to reach agreement with the host board as to the education and accommodation of the student. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Committee Motion 74-12(7): To Amend Clause 7 Of Bill 25, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1421

The Chair John Ningark

Qujannamiik. Clause 10, Mr. Ballantyne.

Committee Motion 74-12(7): To Amend Clause 7 Of Bill 25, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1421

Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North

Yes, so if the sending board, the home board, where the student is starting off receives that funding, wouldn't it make sense to change the act around to say that it would be that board that would be responsible for funding the accommodation, as opposed to the host board? Then there's absolute clarity. Is there a problem with that? Because if there's no problem, then I'll move that amendment and nothing changes, except it's very clear that it's the responsibility of the sending board to provide the accommodation. Of course, they will work out whatever arrangement and the receiving boards can give a list, or whatever.

Committee Motion 74-12(7): To Amend Clause 7 Of Bill 25, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1421

The Chair John Ningark

Thank you. Mr. Minister.