Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, one of the ways in which we are addressing the potential of any shortage of teachers is to improve our ability to train northerners to become teachers. As Members of this House will no doubt remember, I announced earlier this year an initiative which would focus on teacher education programs at the community level, particularly in the western NWT, which hopefully will lead to many more northern teachers in the course of the next three years. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Debates of Dec. 8th, 1998
This is page numbers 585 - 623 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
Return To Question 278-13(6): Canadian Teacher Shortage
Question 278-13(6): Canadian Teacher Shortage
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 596
Return To Question 278-13(6): Canadian Teacher Shortage
Question 278-13(6): Canadian Teacher Shortage
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 597
The Speaker
Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Ootes.
Supplementary To Question 278-13(6): Canadian Teacher Shortage
Question 278-13(6): Canadian Teacher Shortage
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 597
Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wonder if the Minister could tell us if the enrolment in the Teacher Education Programs, both here and in Nunavut, will meet anywhere the need for the projected shortcomings? Thank you.
Supplementary To Question 278-13(6): Canadian Teacher Shortage
Question 278-13(6): Canadian Teacher Shortage
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 597
The Speaker
Mr. Dent.
Further Return To Question 278-13(6): Canadian Teacher Shortage
Question 278-13(6): Canadian Teacher Shortage
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 597
Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I cannot say whether or not we will be able to meet any future shortfalls in the numbers of teachers available to teach in the Northwest Territories. To date we have not seen any problems with the numbers of applicants and we will have to monitor the statistics across Canada, in terms of available candidates, and see what develops. We have taken a very proactive approach in training northerners to be teachers and I think that, in the long run, that will be the best solution. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Further Return To Question 278-13(6): Canadian Teacher Shortage
Question 278-13(6): Canadian Teacher Shortage
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 597
The Speaker
Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Ootes.
Supplementary To Question 278-13(6): Canadian Teacher Shortage
Question 278-13(6): Canadian Teacher Shortage
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 597
Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wonder if the Minister could supply me a copy of the enrolment in the Teacher Education Programs that are in place across the north?
Further Return To Question 278-13(6): Canadian Teacher Shortage
Question 278-13(6): Canadian Teacher Shortage
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 597
Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake
Mr. Speaker, I am afraid that to find that information in my briefing book in the time that is allotted to me to answer that question, would be impossible. I could probably have the answer for the Member within a few minutes, but I will endeavour to provide it to him within the day. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Further Return To Question 278-13(6): Canadian Teacher Shortage
Question 278-13(6): Canadian Teacher Shortage
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 597
The Speaker
Oral questions. Final supplementary, Mr. Ootes.
Supplementary To Question 278-13(6): Canadian Teacher Shortage
Question 278-13(6): Canadian Teacher Shortage
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 597
Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wonder if the Minister could also tell me if the department is doing an analysis of present-day supply and demand, both in the Teacher Education Programs in the territories and what the future supply and demand will be here in the Northwest Territories, remembering of course that we want to be assured that the needs of the students in the territories will be met in future years? Thank you.
Supplementary To Question 278-13(6): Canadian Teacher Shortage
Question 278-13(6): Canadian Teacher Shortage
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 597
The Speaker
Mr. Dent.
Further Return To Question 278-13(6): Canadian Teacher Shortage
Question 278-13(6): Canadian Teacher Shortage
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 597
Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I can tell the Member that the department does keep track of the statistics across Canada in terms of supply and demand for teachers because it helps us to be aware of whether or not there might be a problem coming up. It would probably be of interest to the Member to know that this year, for instance, in the western Northwest Territories, the student growth in all of our schools was only .9 percent and future projections are that we will not see any growth at all in the total school population for some time in the western NWT.
In Nunavut they are projecting considerable growth in the school system. Given that, what we are looking at is compensating for natural teacher turnover, which for the past ten or so years has averaged about 20 percent a year. We can certainly provide the Member with what that means in the territories in terms of new teachers and an estimate of the number of teachers that will be trained through the Teacher Education Programs. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Further Return To Question 278-13(6): Canadian Teacher Shortage
Question 278-13(6): Canadian Teacher Shortage
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 597
The Speaker
Oral questions. Final supplementary, Mr. Ootes.
Further Return To Question 278-13(6): Canadian Teacher Shortage
Question 278-13(6): Canadian Teacher Shortage
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 597
Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my final question is, has an analysis been done...
Further Return To Question 278-13(6): Canadian Teacher Shortage
Question 278-13(6): Canadian Teacher Shortage
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 597
The Speaker
I am trying to keep track, here, but I lost count. The Member for Yellowknife Centre has used up all of his supplementaries. Oral questions. Mr. Picco.
Question 279-13(6): Demands On Down Payment Pilot Program
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 597
Edward Picco Iqaluit
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of the Housing Corporation, concerning the new housing assistance plan. My question concerns the demand for the project to date. I wonder if the Minister could update us? Thank you.
Question 279-13(6): Demands On Down Payment Pilot Program
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 597
The Speaker
Thank you. The Minister of the NWT Housing Corporation, Mr. Arlooktoo.
Return To Question 279-13(6): Demands On Down Payment Pilot Program
Question 279-13(6): Demands On Down Payment Pilot Program
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 597
Goo Arlooktoo Baffin South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the project has been in existence for a little over a week now. We announced it on December 1st, but I must say the response from all across the Northwest Territories has been very positive and that there are many people who are interested in the program, whether in applying to try to get a grant or those who have houses to sell are very interested. I know there have been many inquiries to the Housing Corporation for the program. I do not have the exact number, but all I can say is that the response has been very positive and there is no question that this very popular program will probably soon outlive its budget. Thank you.
Return To Question 279-13(6): Demands On Down Payment Pilot Program
Question 279-13(6): Demands On Down Payment Pilot Program
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 597
The Speaker
Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Picco.
Supplementary To Question 279-13(6): Demands On Down Payment Pilot Program
Question 279-13(6): Demands On Down Payment Pilot Program
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 598
Edward Picco Iqaluit
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, are people allowed to use the newly announced program money and use it in conjunction with other programs that are available from the Housing Corporation? As an example, Mr. Speaker, using the Down Payment Assistance Program or the EDAP Program and using it in conjunction with the $15,000 that is available for the residents of Nunavut? Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Supplementary To Question 279-13(6): Demands On Down Payment Pilot Program
Question 279-13(6): Demands On Down Payment Pilot Program
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 598
The Speaker
Mr. Arlooktoo.
Further Return To Question 279-13(6): Demands On Down Payment Pilot Program
Question 279-13(6): Demands On Down Payment Pilot Program
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 598
Goo Arlooktoo Baffin South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The short answer is no, you cannot stack the two programs. I believe that the client, generally, if you are eligible for the EDAP Program, in terms of total dollars, that you are likely better off applying for that program, although the minimum amount of dollars that you can get through EDAP is $5,000, but the top end is substantially higher than that. Whereas the Minimum Down Payment Assistance Program is generally for those who will not qualify for EDAP. As I stated earlier, it is a flat $10,000 for the western Northwest Territories and $15,000 for the Nunavut region. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Further Return To Question 279-13(6): Demands On Down Payment Pilot Program
Question 279-13(6): Demands On Down Payment Pilot Program
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 598
The Speaker
Oral question. Supplementary, Mr. Picco.
Supplementary To Question 279-13(6): Demands On Down Payment Pilot Program
Question 279-13(6): Demands On Down Payment Pilot Program
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 598
Edward Picco Iqaluit
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, because of the demand that has been generated by this program, I am wondering if the program applies to the purchase of a single-family home or the Staff House Purchase Program, or for example, in Iqaluit right now where we are trying to develop a condominium market? Can the money be used for the condominium units? I wonder if the Minister could explain the availability of the program for what type of unit you can purchase. Thank you.
Supplementary To Question 279-13(6): Demands On Down Payment Pilot Program
Question 279-13(6): Demands On Down Payment Pilot Program
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 598
The Speaker
Mr. Arlooktoo.