That's it. I quit.

---Laughter

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I take it that that is a number collectively, as Mr. Picco would say, Borg.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, the new Education Act will come into force on July 1, 1996, at the beginning of the 1996-97 school year. The new act is built on the principle that education is a partnership. The central role partnerships play in the school system is reflected in the process my department used to develop the legislation. The department consulted with partners such as interest groups and the general public for over five years.

The Standing Committee on Legislation first reviewed a legislative discussion paper on this act in December of 1994. It held extensive hearings to review the bill last May and considered and approved the new Education Act in June 1995. The act emphasizes the importance of communities, students and parents in this partnership. It gives authority to communities and enables communities to work together to deliver schooling more effectively. It focuses on students and emphasizes the importance of parent participation in education.

I am now bringing forward a bill to amend the new act. These amendments correct some minor drafting errors and inconsistencies and provide the changes that have resulted from consultation, as well as changes recommended by the Department of Justice to facilitate its implementation. You will note that, in some cases, we are correcting the French version of the act so that it corresponds to the English version.

We are also correcting minor errors in the English version, such as the name of the principal certification program. The need for some of the amendments was identified as the department consulted on the development of the Education Act regulations. As a result, we are proposing to make changes that will clarify the definition of "home schooling;" allow a new conseil to join an existing commission; and, allow education bodies more flexibility in how they select a new chairperson when the vice-chairperson resigns.

The bill also broadens some of the areas being regulated. For example, we are proposing to expand the powers respecting petitions, so that we can establish criteria for granting petitions and allow consultation with petitioners. The amendments also address problems in implementation, such as the need to register a student living outside of a district and the ability to enforce section 21, which deals with the registration of private schools.

The Standing Committee on Social Programs has also made some amendments to improve the clarity of the bill and I am pleased to note that they are also reflected in this bill.

Mr. Chairman, many people and organizations provided us with their insight and comments as we developed this legislation. I would like to thank our partners for providing us with written comments and the witnesses for taking the time to brief the standing committee on their views and concerns. I would also like to thank the Members of the standing committee and their staff for the time and effort taken to review this bill. I believe Bill 6 will improve the Education Act and allow us to implement the regulations we have drafted and sent out for comment. The new act supports one of this government's main priorities: to empower communities so they can be self-reliant, responsible and accountable. I believe the Education Act is a significant piece of legislation that will make the education system more responsive to the needs of students, parents and communities. Thank you.