(Translation) Mr. Speaker, I will be reading slowly and also the interpreters will know that I will be interpreting slowly.

Committee Review

After the community consultation was complete, the committee met to review all of the comments made and issues raised during the public meetings. Each issue was addressed in one of three ways: as a potential change to the bill; as an issue addressed in the bill in any other way; or as something which was a valid concern but which could not be addressed through the act.

The committee then met with the Minister to raise general issues and to complete a clause-by-clause review of the bill. During the clause-by-clause review, the committee proposed a total of 85 motions to amend the bill, 83 of which were supported by the Minister. Of these motions, 63 represented changes in response to public concerns and 20 were technical in nature. As a result of these motions, the House will consider a revised bill, rather than the version tabled in the House in March.

Looking At The Act

The proposed Education Act is intended to strengthen community control of education in the north and redefine the roles and responsibilities throughout the system. The department contends that it is also designed to promote parental and community involvement in education and enable communities to develop a vision for their schools and for their children's learning that is consistent with their own values and particular circumstances.

Students, parents, the community, through the district education authority or through means such as advisory committees and public meetings, and educators are recognized as the key partners in education. Their involvement and participation in the education program is emphasized throughout the bill.

Bill 25 is structured to reflect the partnership approach emphasized by the Minister. Following the preamble, there are sections on interpretation, students and parents, educators, governance, the Minister and finances and, finally, regulations.

Mr. Speaker, I am going to turn this over to my colleague, the representative for North Slave, Mr. Zoe, to read the rest of the report.