This is page numbers 241 - 272 of the Hansard for the 13th Assembly, 7th 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 chairman.

Further Return To Question 89-13(7): Policies To Assist Small Business
Question 89-13(7): Policies To Assist Small Business
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Oral questions. Final supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

Supplementary To Question 89-13(7): Policies To Assist Small Business
Question 89-13(7): Policies To Assist Small Business
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David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In regard to the review, there is, I believe, a case where Tetlit'zheh Construction is now having to try to resolve this case of the construction of the school in Fort McPherson. I thought this project was going to happen and now, from what I can make of it, they are having to go to arbitration because they cannot sit in the same room with the Department of Public Works in Inuvik. Can the Premier also consider looking at that issue?

Supplementary To Question 89-13(7): Policies To Assist Small Business
Question 89-13(7): Policies To Assist Small Business
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Antoine.

Further Return To Question 89-13(7): Policies To Assist Small Business
Question 89-13(7): Policies To Assist Small Business
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes.

Further Return To Question 89-13(7): Policies To Assist Small Business
Question 89-13(7): Policies To Assist Small Business
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Oral questions. Mr. Ootes.

Jake Ootes

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions will be for Mr. Miltenberger, the Minister of Education. Teachers today are facing increasing workloads and greater expectations from society. At the same time, they have been under pressure with decreasing salaries and less opportunities for professional development. Their issue is not just about salaries, Mr. Speaker. Teachers need to feel that they are valued and that their professional concerns are addressed. I wonder if the Minister could tell us, considering the situation of competing issues and competing jurisdictions for teachers elsewhere, such as the south, the provinces and other countries for that matter, how we are going to retain and attract teachers? My specific question is, what measures are now in place to retain and attract teachers?

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

The Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Miltenberger.

Return To Question 90-13(7): Recruitment And Retention Of Teachers
Question 90-13(7): Recruitment And Retention Of Teachers
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Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this is an issue of growing concern. The Member's question is in regard to what is currently in place. What is currently in place is the benefit package we have. The position we have as a government in terms of housing and recruitment that goes on through the boards and DECs is what is currently in place.

Return To Question 90-13(7): Recruitment And Retention Of Teachers
Question 90-13(7): Recruitment And Retention Of Teachers
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Ootes.

Supplementary To Question 90-13(7): Recruitment And Retention Of Teachers
Question 90-13(7): Recruitment And Retention Of Teachers
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Jake Ootes

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

I am sure the Minister will agree, and I realize he is in a tough position on this matter because it is dollar-related, to try and keep a happy workforce. I am sure it is very difficult, but the government is the government and they have to address these issues. I guess my next question, then, relates to what programs the Minister is initiating to remedy the forecasted potential teacher shortage and the dilemma experienced throughout the country? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 90-13(7): Recruitment And Retention Of Teachers
Question 90-13(7): Recruitment And Retention Of Teachers
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 90-13(7): Recruitment And Retention Of Teachers
Question 90-13(7): Recruitment And Retention Of Teachers
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the collective bargaining process has been initiated between the government and the NWTTA, which will speak to the issue of benefits and pay. I have met with the department on the issue of retention and recruitment and I am aware, as the Member is, of the trends across the country in terms of the shortage of teachers, the intense competition. I am also aware that the level of applications for positions in the north has dropped. We are also trying to find out why there has been a lowering, as well, of people applying to join the TEP program itself to move towards a teaching degree.

We are taking steps to try to find out, in terms of recruitment and getting people into TEP, into our own teaching programs. We are going to be looking at, as I indicated with the collective bargaining process, the social programs. Ministers are going to be meeting on Monday, hopefully, if it goes as planned, and one of the issues on there for across the government is the issue of housing for professions such as teachers and nurses, to see how we can, in fact, look at that. We are taking steps, we are very cognizant of this issue, we are aware, very clearly, what is happening with the professions of nursing and that we, if trends continue, could be heading in the same direction to the same degree. We would like to be proactive before we get to that level. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 90-13(7): Recruitment And Retention Of Teachers
Question 90-13(7): Recruitment And Retention Of Teachers
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Ootes.

Supplementary To Question 90-13(7): Recruitment And Retention Of Teachers
Question 90-13(7): Recruitment And Retention Of Teachers
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Jake Ootes

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the Minister's effort in that area. I think it is a good indication of the concern by the government. Could the Minister also tell us if they will be addressing the issue of the wages and benefits package during the discussions or meetings that are scheduled? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 90-13(7): Recruitment And Retention Of Teachers
Question 90-13(7): Recruitment And Retention Of Teachers
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 90-13(7): Recruitment And Retention Of Teachers
Question 90-13(7): Recruitment And Retention Of Teachers
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The issue of wages and benefits will be dealt with through the collective bargaining process that is now underway between the government and the NWTTA and I am not in a position, because it is a bargaining process, to speak to that issue. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 90-13(7): Recruitment And Retention Of Teachers
Question 90-13(7): Recruitment And Retention Of Teachers
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Oral questions. Final supplementary, Mr. Ootes.

Supplementary To Question 90-13(7): Recruitment And Retention Of Teachers
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Jake Ootes

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There is an area, I believe, that the government can address and that is the area of working conditions. I wonder if the Minister could address the

issue of class sizes and the diversity of classes? I realize that may involve a money factor, but it is within the control of the department to be able to address the issue, certainly, and do some analysis. Can the Minister tell me if he will look at changing the working conditions? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 90-13(7): Recruitment And Retention Of Teachers
Question 90-13(7): Recruitment And Retention Of Teachers
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 90-13(7): Recruitment And Retention Of Teachers
Question 90-13(7): Recruitment And Retention Of Teachers
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Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the issue of working conditions, if my recollection is correct, is also referenced in the ministerial forum and relates, as the Member indicated, to pupil/teacher ratio and such. So, yes, that will be considered as we look at trying to move ahead on responding to those particular recommendations in the forum. Thank you.

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Oral questions. Mr. Henry.

Seamus Henry Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is to Mr. Miltenberger, the Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment. Mr. Speaker, I believe in the NWT we have among the highest pupil/teacher ratio in Canada, we have the highest level of special needs students in Canada, we have the highest level of illiteracy in Canada in our schools, we have the highest dropout rates in Canada and we have the highest suicide rates in Canada. Mr. Speaker, my question to the Minister is, are those statements an accurate reflection of the situations that we have in our schools in the NWT? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

The Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Miltenberger.

Return To Question 91-13(7): Education Conditions In The Nwt
Question 91-13(7): Education Conditions In The Nwt
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I believe I received the same letter from Mr. Sims with the same issues outlined and while I cannot speak directly to each one, I have no reason to doubt them from the briefings we have had as a government and as MLAs in regard to the specific topics mentioned by the Member. I believe, yes, we lag behind every other jurisdiction in Canada in terms of those social indicators. Thank you.

Return To Question 91-13(7): Education Conditions In The Nwt
Question 91-13(7): Education Conditions In The Nwt
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Henry.