I do, Mr. Chairman. Thank you. I am pleased to present the main estimates for the Department of Education, Culture and Employment for 1997-98, which total nearly $286 million. The territorial government has three main priorities: to establish two new viable Territories by April 1, 1999; to improve economic conditions and to address social conditions. Our main estimates for 1997-98, as well as the department's long-term strategic objectives, support these key priorities.
I want to begin by discussing early childhood programs. We are striving to build a comprehensive early childhood learning system. Quality early intervention programs are essential for helping children develop the skills that will help them succeed in school and the community and later on in the workplace.
During the past year, the department has been co-operating with the Department of Health and Social Services to develop an early intervention policy framework. We have also been working on a funding system which will provide ongoing support for communities to offer comprehensive, integrated early intervention services for children "at risk" and their families.
I will be pleased to present to the Standing Committee on Social Programs, at its convenience, detailed information about the Healthy Children Initiative and plans for its implementation. The main estimates for 1997-98 include $3 million to be added to the funding already allocated for community-based early intervention projects to support this initiative.
Improving student achievement will also improve social conditions, as more northerners become prepared for post-secondary education, the job market and for everyday life. Local access to kindergarten to grade 12 programs is one of the critical components of improving student achievement. With the direction of communities and education bodies, the department plans to continue to extend grades so more communities will be offering grade 10, 11 and 12 programs. In 1997-98, school programs from kindergarten to grade 12 will be offered in 34 communities. The main estimates identify $300,000 for modifications to schools in small communities to accommodate grade extensions.
To address the facilities needed to support the delivery of school programs, the department will be planning, designing and constructing a new school in Pond Inlet, as well as renovating a number of school facilities. Classrooms will be added to schools in Paulatuk, Arctic Bay, Pangnirtung, Baker Lake, Taloyoak and Gjoa Haven to accommodate growing enrolments.
To improve student achievement, we need to know how students are doing in key subject areas and the kind of support they need to improve their skills and knowledge. The department is continuing to participate in the National School Achievement Indicators Program, which assesses students in the areas of math, reading and writing and science and soon will address their technological skills. As you know, the department recently received preliminary information on last year's science assessment. After we receive a detailed report in April, we will work with divisional education councils, schools, students and parents to develop a strategy to improve student achievement in science.
Mr. Chairman, about 60 percent of the department's money is spent on the school system. To meet our budget targets, contributions for schools must be adjusted. In 1997-98 total school contributions will continue to be capped, although student enrolment is expected to continue growing at about three to five percent per year as it has over the past several years. As a result, the amount of funding per student is being decreased. The department is working with education bodies to adjust the formula to better reflect fiscal reality while dealing with program requirements to the best extent possible.
More adults are returning to the public college system or schools to complete their secondary schooling and more are taking post-secondary education and employment skills training. This trend supports the government's priority of establishing two new viable Territories because it prepares northerners for the economic opportunities that both new Territories will offer. To enhance adult education, this year the department will be supporting capital projects to start construction of community learning centres in four communities and complete centres in two others.
Northern participation in the labour market will be enhanced this year through departmental initiatives to provide pre-employment training and support for workplace-based education. Specialized mine training and training for the construction industry are examples of initiatives that will continue this year. Funding for a one-year trial delivery of an engineering pre-technology program was provided to Aurora College in 1996-97. The department is currently negotiating with the college and expects that the program will continue during the coming year.
The Standing Committee on Social Programs has recommended that additional funding be added to adult education if the government runs a surplus in the next fiscal year. I am pleased the committee places such importance on adult basic education. The department will soon release a report on adult basic education in the NWT which will identify the continuing need for this service and how it can be sustained through partnerships between the territorial government and other funding sources. I will consult with my Cabinet colleagues on this issue and will be prepared to discuss it in more detail once the report is finished. I must point out that we are in much the same situation with the colleges that we are with the schools. The colleges account for almost $30 million of the department's expenditures. As a result, to meet budget targets, the colleges will also be affected. The main estimates I am presenting today include a reduction of more than $1 million in contributions to the colleges. Mr. Chairman, the colleges have tried to absorb this cut through reductions in support staff, but cannot accommodate it all in this way. As a result, some programs will be affected.
In 1996-97, the NWT Student Financial Assistance Program provided support to about two thousand post-secondary students. The demand for financial support for students to attend post-secondary institutions is expected to increase, but probably not at such a high rate as in the past. The department has reviewed this program and student financial assistance programs across Canada. I intend to provide you with a paper by the end of this session to stimulate discussion about how to ensure students continue to have access to post-secondary education and training programs. The discussion paper will suggest we look at such areas as student eligibility, the role of the family and community in assisting students, the relationship between student performance and on-going assistance, and co-ordination of the program with other training support programs, among other things.
Career development programs and services are critical to individual and community development in the north. Regional career centres work with partner organizations including businesses, schools, colleges and community organizations to provide career information and counselling services. To improve access and quality of counselling services, particularly in smaller communities, the department has developed a career counselling training program which will be delivered across the Northwest Territories this year.
To establish a broad framework for its programs and services and to ensure effective investment in priority areas, the department has prepared a labour force development plan. This plan will focus department expenditures on program and strategic initiatives in basic education, career services, skills development, employment services, income support and labour market information. The importance of joint ventures will be highlighted and responsibilities clarified between government and major labour market partners. The plan will also increase co-ordination of labour force programs and services through the development and support of effective labour market information systems.
Communities want more control over their social agendas and many see the design, delivery and management of the income support program as a first step. Last fall, more than 25 communities indicated they were interested in delivering income support. We continue to negotiate with these communities and during 1997-98, the department will encourage and support communities which opt to take over the delivery of this program.
One income support program has been the topic of much debate in the past few months. I am referring, of course, to the seniors' fuel subsidy. The department originally moved to eliminate the subsidy for two reasons. First, to reach our budget target. Second, in the past the subsidy was given to all home owners over the age of 60, whether or not the home owner was in financial need. I have reviewed the recommendation made by the Standing Committee on Social Programs regarding the seniors' fuel subsidy. There are elements of the recommendation that are workable, while other elements will be difficult to accommodate within our budget target. Following extensive discussions with Members of the Standing Committee and consultation with the Seniors' Advisory Council, I am proposing to continue the seniors' fuel subsidy.
-- Applause