Bonjour, M. President. The various Francophone groups in the NWT were consistent in their message to the committee that the proposed legislation did not go far enough to address the rights granted to a French language education under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. In considering these concerns, the committee received additional legal opinions on the issue. As a result, a number of amendments were made during committee meetings to various parts of the bill. These amendments provided additional definitions or clarified the governance structures for French as a first language schools. The committee is satisfied that Bill 25, as it is now written, should address the requirements of section 23 of the Charter.

Part V - Role Of The Minister

Role Of The Minister

A major criticism of the proposed act was the wide-ranging powers of the Minister. The many references to ministerial authority did not seem consistent with the partnership approach and increased local authority cited in the preamble and statements about the new act by the Minister. A number of amendments made during the committee meetings addressed this concern. References to approval by the Minister for things like hiring superintendents and choice of language of instruction were removed from the bill.

As a result of these amendments, the committee feels that Bill 25 is now more reflective of local control over education and the Minister's role is more one of setting standards and curriculum and providing general policy direction.

Part VI - General

Regulations

The proposed act provides a framework for the Northwest Territories education system. However, the details of how things will really work are found in the regulations. A number of items found in the current Education Act are to be moved to regulations. Many presenters expressed a concern to the committee that leaving so much to the regulations did not ensure that the concerns of the public or the legislators would be addressed. The fact that regulations do not require approval of the Legislature or public consultation only strengthened the concerns. Members strongly agreed with the concerns about the regulations.

The committee was therefore very pleased with the Minister's agreement to an amendment which, for the first time in territorial legislation, places a requirement on a Minister to consult on the regulations in an act. The proposed act requires the Minister to consult with education bodies and, where appropriate, other interested parties on any new or amended regulations relating to the act. This consultation is to apply both to proposed regulations and on the actual drafts of regulations. The committee believes this amendment will ensure that the concerns of the public and education bodies will be heard and addressed in the regulation-making process.

Mr. Speaker, I will return the report back to our chairman, Mr. Whitford, for the committee's final remarks. Merci.