Oral questions. Mr. Roland.
Debates of Nov. 13th, 1998
This is page numbers 407 - 438 of the Hansard for the 13th Assembly, 6th Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was nunavut.
Topics
Further Return To Question 217-13(6): Collective Bargaining Mediation
Question 217-13(6): Collective Bargaining Mediation
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 418
The Speaker
Question 218-13(6): Religious Education In Schools
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 418
Floyd Roland Inuvik
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question would be directed to the Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment. Mr. Speaker, following the Member for Hay River on the issue of religious education in schools, this issue has been brought up a number of times in my constituency as well, and recently at the Beaufort Delta Leaders Conference it was brought up again in the area of having religious education in the classroom.
Now we have heard the Minister say that outside of normal hours they can do that, but I want to refer back to when the committee went around regarding the education bill amendments. When this issue was brought up, a number of clergies came forward to me saying that they were told that they would still be provided the opportunity to continue under local programming which is spelled out in the Education Act. Now in fact it is being said that, fine you can do it, but after hours. Could the Minister confirm the fact that local programming is all outside of school hours or is it part of the school hour programs or functions? Thank you.
Question 218-13(6): Religious Education In Schools
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 418
The Speaker
The Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Dent.
Return To Question 218-13(6): Religious Education In Schools
Question 218-13(6): Religious Education In Schools
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 418
Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I have said previously to the Member for Hay River, religious education of a denominational nature must be provided outside of the hours of instruction within the school. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Return To Question 218-13(6): Religious Education In Schools
Question 218-13(6): Religious Education In Schools
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 418
The Speaker
Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Roland.
Supplementary To Question 218-13(6): Religious Education In Schools
Question 218-13(6): Religious Education In Schools
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 418
Floyd Roland Inuvik
Could the Minister inform us that at the time the public hearings were held, were there commitments made
to those that were concerned raising the issue of religious instruction in school, if they were at that time told that they would still be able to continue if the DEA, or at the time it would be a board of education, agreed to it? Thank you.
Supplementary To Question 218-13(6): Religious Education In Schools
Question 218-13(6): Religious Education In Schools
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 419
The Speaker
I am sorry, Mr. Roland, I have to rule the question out of order. This happened during the 12th Assembly, not this Assembly. Mr. Roland, supplementary.
Supplementary To Question 218-13(6): Religious Education In Schools
Question 218-13(6): Religious Education In Schools
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 419
Floyd Roland Inuvik
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Could the Minister inform us, if the district education council or district education authority of any region or community put forward and agreed with the notion of religious instructions once again being held in classrooms during the school hour and if time was available, would he support that initiative? Thank you.
Supplementary To Question 218-13(6): Religious Education In Schools
Question 218-13(6): Religious Education In Schools
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 419
The Speaker
Mr. Dent.
Further Return To Question 218-13(6): Religious Education In Schools
Question 218-13(6): Religious Education In Schools
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 419
Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I have stated, the Education Act is quite fair. As I understand, it was drawn up the way it was because of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Religious instruction can be offered in the schools, if that is the wish of the local community, but must be outside the hours of instruction. The hours of instruction are stipulated within section 126 of the Education Act. National instruction in a religion or religious instruction must be provided outside of those hours of instruction. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Further Return To Question 218-13(6): Religious Education In Schools
Question 218-13(6): Religious Education In Schools
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 419
The Speaker
Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Roland.
Supplementary To Question 218-13(6): Religious Education In Schools
Question 218-13(6): Religious Education In Schools
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 419
Floyd Roland Inuvik
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Under the issue of the Education Act and district education authorities and local programming, the Minister informed that under the act as he interpreted it, it could not be done, but if a district education or authority were to receive a different interpretation would the Minister then review his decision? Thank you.
Supplementary To Question 218-13(6): Religious Education In Schools
Question 218-13(6): Religious Education In Schools
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 419
The Speaker
Mr. Dent.
Further Return To Question 218-13(6): Religious Education In Schools
Question 218-13(6): Religious Education In Schools
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 419
Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In this case I would rely on the Department of Justice to provide the department with an interpretation as the final arbiter in this regard. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Further Return To Question 218-13(6): Religious Education In Schools
Question 218-13(6): Religious Education In Schools
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 419
The Speaker
Oral questions. Mr. Ningark.
Question 219-13(6): High Frequency Access In Kitikmeot
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 419
John Ningark Natilikmiot
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, again I report back to the Kitikmeot Leaders Forum that I attended about less than a month ago. My question is directed to the Premier. The Kitikmeot Leaders Forum recognizes the importance of search and rescue throughout the Kitikmeot region. We also understand, Mr. Speaker, the need for good secure communications in times of emergency. My question to the Premier is, will the Premier direct his staff to communicate with the Kitikmeot Leaders office in Cambridge Bay to perhaps work together with them to access a high frequency radio for the Kitikmeot regions to support use of search and rescue? Thank you.
Question 219-13(6): High Frequency Access In Kitikmeot
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 419
The Speaker
The Premier, Mr. Morin.
Return To Question 219-13(6): High Frequency Access In Kitikmeot
Question 219-13(6): High Frequency Access In Kitikmeot
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 419
Don Morin Tu Nedhe
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the Member raising the issue and I appreciate the concern. I, myself, have had the opportunity to travel out on the land. Communication is important. I will ask the right department to contact the leadership in your region to discuss the issue with them to see if we can come to some agreement, and how we can work together to solve that problem. Thank you.
Return To Question 219-13(6): High Frequency Access In Kitikmeot
Question 219-13(6): High Frequency Access In Kitikmeot
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 419
The Speaker
Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Ningark.
Supplementary To Question 219-13(6): High Frequency Access In Kitikmeot
Question 219-13(6): High Frequency Access In Kitikmeot
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 419
John Ningark Natilikmiot
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the Premier for the positive response. Will the Premier now communicate with the right department within a few days? Thank you.
Supplementary To Question 219-13(6): High Frequency Access In Kitikmeot
Question 219-13(6): High Frequency Access In Kitikmeot
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 419
The Speaker
Mr. Morin.
Further Return To Question 219-13(6): High Frequency Access In Kitikmeot
Question 219-13(6): High Frequency Access In Kitikmeot
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 419
Don Morin Tu Nedhe
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Next week. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 219-13(6): High Frequency Access In Kitikmeot
Question 219-13(6): High Frequency Access In Kitikmeot
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 419
The Speaker
Oral questions. Mr. O'Brien.
Question 220-13(6): Benefits For Keewatin Teachers
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 419
Kevin O'Brien Kivallivik
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in a letter that I received yesterday from the Keewatin teachers, a number of concerns were raised regarding loss of VTAs, the private accommodation allowances, some housing issues and classroom sizes. Mr. Speaker, my question to the Minister of Education is, can the Minister provide any assurances that these benefits will be reinstated or at least equivalent initiatives be implemented to make up the shortfalls? Thank you.
Question 220-13(6): Benefits For Keewatin Teachers
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 419
The Speaker
The Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Dent.