Oral questions. Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.
Debates of Oct. 2nd, 1997
Topics
Return To Question 566-13(4): Speech Pathology Services
Question 566-13(4): Speech Pathology Services
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1379
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Supplementary To Question 566-13(4): Speech Pathology Services
Question 566-13(4): Speech Pathology Services
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1379
Jane Groenewegen Hay River
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In a proposal from the Hay River Community Health Board for services in our community, in response to that, the Minister gave a similar explanation as Mr. Dent just provided on bussing, in that the community health board receives block funding and if they require those services, they would have to achieve that out of the existing funding. I am curious as to how the five positions in Yellowknife are funded. Are they funded specifically to provide services to regions? What portion of that funding provided to the Yellowknife pathologist would actually be determined for the South Slave region?
Supplementary To Question 566-13(4): Speech Pathology Services
Question 566-13(4): Speech Pathology Services
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1379
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Ng.
Return To Question 566-13(4): Speech Pathology Services
Question 566-13(4): Speech Pathology Services
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1379
Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As indicated, I do not know what the rationale or why it is that there are five positions with the Stanton Regional Board. As I indicated, I will find out more information on that particular issue and advise the Member accordingly. Thank you.
Return To Question 566-13(4): Speech Pathology Services
Question 566-13(4): Speech Pathology Services
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1379
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Oral questions. Mr. Henry.
Question 567-13(4): Resources Dedicated To Inclusive Schooling
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1379
Seamus Henry Yellowknife South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, the Honourable Charles Dent. Under the Education Act, schools are dictated to follow an inclusive education system for all students. Would the Minister please indicate what resources and funding his department provides to schools to assist in students with special needs? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 567-13(4): Resources Dedicated To Inclusive Schooling
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1379
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
The Minister responsible for Education, Culture, and Employment, Mr. Dent.
Return To Question 567-13(4): Resources Dedicated To Inclusive Schooling
Question 567-13(4): Resources Dedicated To Inclusive Schooling
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1379
Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the department provides more than $10 million a year in resources for councils across the territories in support of inclusive schooling. In addition, there is support for professional development for teachers and assistance in adaptive teaching strategies to help teachers understand how to best work with students who have special needs in classrooms. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Return To Question 567-13(4): Resources Dedicated To Inclusive Schooling
Question 567-13(4): Resources Dedicated To Inclusive Schooling
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1379
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Henry
Supplementary To Question 567-13(4): Resources Dedicated To Inclusive Schooling
Question 567-13(4): Resources Dedicated To Inclusive Schooling
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1380
Seamus Henry Yellowknife South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Has the Minister, through his department, received any concerns from schools and parents in particular that the resources that are provided are sufficient to provide the services for the Northwest Territories? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Supplementary To Question 567-13(4): Resources Dedicated To Inclusive Schooling
Question 567-13(4): Resources Dedicated To Inclusive Schooling
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1380
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Dent.
Further Return To Question 567-13(4): Resources Dedicated To Inclusive Schooling
Question 567-13(4): Resources Dedicated To Inclusive Schooling
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1380
Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there has always been a concern about the level of support for inclusive schooling. And in fact, throughout the budget reduction exercises, that is the only area in our formula which has increased every year, in spite of the budget reductions.
We see the need to support inclusive schooling as being one of the priorities of the department and because of that, we have managed within the formula for schools to increase the amount of money that goes to inclusive schooling each year. Yes, we have heard concerns raised by councils that the need for resources is growing quite significantly.
Further Return To Question 567-13(4): Resources Dedicated To Inclusive Schooling
Question 567-13(4): Resources Dedicated To Inclusive Schooling
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1380
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Henry.
Supplementary To Question 567-13(4): Resources Dedicated To Inclusive Schooling
Question 567-13(4): Resources Dedicated To Inclusive Schooling
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1380
Seamus Henry Yellowknife South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the Minister for that. If I heard the Minster correctly, he is telling me that the school boards have communicated to him that in fact they do need more resources, and over the years the amount that he has provided to school districts has increased.
In light of the request from school boards that more resources are required and there is a sufficient amount of monies being provided to follow-up and provide the requirements that are called for in the Act for all students, what is his department doing about this shortage? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Supplementary To Question 567-13(4): Resources Dedicated To Inclusive Schooling
Question 567-13(4): Resources Dedicated To Inclusive Schooling
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1380
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Dent.
Further Return To Question 567-13(4): Resources Dedicated To Inclusive Schooling
Question 567-13(4): Resources Dedicated To Inclusive Schooling
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1380
Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think I indicated in my previous answer what we are doing. We are increasing the proportion of the formula that applies to inclusive schooling and have done so every year. If the Member is asking me to magically produce more money, I cannot do that. The amount of money that comes to the department has been set by the Legislature and the allocation is such that we think the balance is the best we can make it right now.
As the Member will realize from the previous questions I answered, we are being pressured by councils to increase funding, to decrease the pupil/teacher ratio and to increase the support for bussing. The councils are telling us they need greater support in all areas and not just in special needs. What we have done is recognize that special needs students require greater support, and therefore, have moved money into that field. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Further Return To Question 567-13(4): Resources Dedicated To Inclusive Schooling
Question 567-13(4): Resources Dedicated To Inclusive Schooling
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1380
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Oral questions. Final supplementary, Mr. Henry.
Supplementary To Question 567-13(4): Resources Dedicated To Inclusive Schooling
Question 567-13(4): Resources Dedicated To Inclusive Schooling
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1380
Seamus Henry Yellowknife South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister has advised us that he does not have any additional funds. He also tells us that the school boards are telling him that they need more resources. The Minister provides direction to school boards through the Act on what is required and what is needed, as far as education for students.
Would the Minister consider changing some portions of the Act if he does not have the money to dictate that parts of the Act have to be followed? Would he consider changing some parts of the Act to the level of funding that he has? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Supplementary To Question 567-13(4): Resources Dedicated To Inclusive Schooling
Question 567-13(4): Resources Dedicated To Inclusive Schooling
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1380
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Dent.
Further Return To Question 567-13(4): Resources Dedicated To Inclusive Schooling
Question 567-13(4): Resources Dedicated To Inclusive Schooling
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1380
Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am tempted to just say no and leave it at that. However, I will say I think the approach was the proper approach and that within the monies available, our teachers and our councils are delivering services and dealing with the situation in the classroom far better than if we were to say they did not have to achieve a certain level of service. I think the children of the north deserve the level of service that is mandated in the Act, that all councils and the department have to work together to try and ensure that can be achieved. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Further Return To Question 567-13(4): Resources Dedicated To Inclusive Schooling
Question 567-13(4): Resources Dedicated To Inclusive Schooling
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1380
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. O'Brien.
Question 568-13(4): Regulations For Health Equipment
Item 6: Oral Questions
October 1st, 1997
Page 1380
Kevin O'Brien Kivallivik
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Minister responsible for Health and Social Services. Mr. Speaker, unfortunately, in my home community of Arviat this week, 10 year old Armand Kaviok died as a result of injuries after falling from his bicycle.
Mr. Speaker, my question to the Minister is, if ultrasound equipment was available in the health centre, is it possible that the seriousness of the injuries this boy suffered could have been diagnosed and possibly a life could have been saved? Can the Minister advise me as to whether there are any regulations in place that are legislated to ensure these types of equipment should be installed, or should be in place, in health centres across the north? Thank you.
Question 568-13(4): Regulations For Health Equipment
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1381
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
The Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Ng.
Return To Question 568-13(4): Regulations For Health Equipment
Question 568-13(4): Regulations For Health Equipment
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1381
Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am not sure if there is anything legislated that has to be supplied in respect to equipment in health centres. It is an unfortunate incident that the honourable Member refers to. Quite frankly, I do not think the availability of certain types of equipment would have changed the circumstances of the situation, not knowing the full details of the particular accident the honourable Member speaks of. Thank you.
Return To Question 568-13(4): Regulations For Health Equipment
Question 568-13(4): Regulations For Health Equipment
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1381
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. O'Brien.