Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Colleges

The main estimates do not include a list of active positions for the colleges. This information would be a useful addition. We understand the colleges have the position numbers and they could be provided if a request was made. This information is essential for the committee and Members in tracking the overall impact of budget reductions to the colleges.

Labour Force Development Plan

The department has developed a draft Labour Force Development Plan. We think this plan is crucial. With no northern employment strategy, we spend millions of dollars but the focus is on numbers through the system, not on results. We hope the plan reflects a more proactive approach to working with the people we are developing, such as the students we support through student financial assistance. We are spending these dollars but not capitalizing on the product.

The department provided a briefing on the Labour Force Development Plan. While this provides a good base, it should be an integral part of the Northern Employment Strategy and closely linked to the Affirmative Action Policy. These vital connections to the overall strategy are not clear yet and must be established.

Tracking Results

We are concerned about how well education is able to measure the results of the dollars spent on education and training. The government seems to track statistics rather than results. There has to be a better way to determine if we are getting value for the money spent. Are people receiving a good education? What is the value of graduating from our system? How many people are graduating? What is happening when people attend post-secondary institutions? What is the connection between our graduates and their success in post-secondary education?

There should be a component of the Labour Force Development Strategy which emphasizes results. If we do not have benchmarks and track results, how will we know whether the programs are being effective? How will we know what efforts produce the best results for the people of the NWT?

Adult Education

Members still remain concerned about the level of funding for adult education. Education levels among aboriginal adults are very low. Until we can address this, we will not break the cycle of dependence, hopelessness and social problems. We recognize that there is only a certain amount of funding available to the department and the Minister has achieved what he believes is the best balance between different program areas.

The government is currently projecting a small surplus for 1997/98. By late July, the Minister of Finance should have a good idea of whether the departments will be on target. The committee would like to recommend that, if the government is on target by the end of the summer, some new funding be added to support adult education. We hope this investment will help reduce the pressure on other government programs.

Recommendation 8

The standing committee recommends that additional funding be added to adult education in September if the government variance reports at that time indicate the government will achieve a balanced budget for '1997/98.

Regional Librarians

The Minister proposed the elimination of two regional librarians. These two positions currently fill training and ordering functions for the whole territory. We were concerned with how these functions would be carried out and who would provide support to the many community libraries that these two librarians serve. The Minister has provided information demonstrating that existing staff will be able to handle the functions currently being carried out by the two librarians.

FAS/FAE

We raised the issue of FAS/FAE education and training for front line workers in the schools and in income support. The committee recognizes that there is some basic training in special needs offered to the teacher education program students and through Bachelor of Education programs. However, given the magnitude of the problem in the north, we think more needs to be done. With the $4.5 million in early intervention funding available, there is a perfect opportunity for the department to work with the FAS/FAE Strategy group to develop and deliver educational materials to those who are working with our children. This focused use of the money on an identified need would certainly be appropriate.

Recommendation 9

The Standing Committee recommends that early childhood intervention funding be allocated for the development of an education/training module on FAS/FAE, in co-operation with the FAS/FAE Strategy group.

Mr. Chairman, I would like to hand it back to the chairman of our Committee. Thank you.