This is page numbers 471 - 489 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 education.

Topics

Committee Motion 26-13(7): Territorial-wide Tests And Evaluation Scheme For Grade Eleven Core Subjects (ece)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 487

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. Ootes, it is appropriate for you to request that we have a recorded vote at the appropriate time. It is so noted that your request has been made and there will be a recorded vote. Mr. Ootes.

Committee Motion 26-13(7): Territorial-wide Tests And Evaluation Scheme For Grade Eleven Core Subjects (ece)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 487

Jake Ootes

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

Yes, Madam Chairperson. In that case, I do request that we have a recorded vote at the appropriate time that this motion is dealt with.

Committee Motion 26-13(7): Territorial-wide Tests And Evaluation Scheme For Grade Eleven Core Subjects (ece)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 487

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

So noted. To the motion. Mr. Erasmus, as the mover of the motion, you can speak to the motion again if you wish. I am sorry, in committee of the whole, the rules are a little different than they are in the House. Point of order, Mr. Steen.

Point of Order

Committee Motion 26-13(7): Territorial-wide Tests And Evaluation Scheme For Grade Eleven Core Subjects (ece)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 487

Vince Steen

Vince Steen Nunakput

Thank you, Madam Chairperson. Madam Chairperson, I believe rules say that all the Members should be allowed to speak before another Member speaks twice to a certain subject and, furthermore, before they speak twice to a certain subject, should be at the discretion of the chair or of the committee.

Committee Motion 26-13(7): Territorial-wide Tests And Evaluation Scheme For Grade Eleven Core Subjects (ece)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 487

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. Steen. I believe that you are correct that the ability for a Member to speak twice is at the discretion of the chair. If you would like to speak to the motion prior to Mr. Erasmus speaking to it again, your point is noted and your point is correct. Mr. Steen.

Committee Motion 26-13(7): Territorial-wide Tests And Evaluation Scheme For Grade Eleven Core Subjects (ece)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 487

Vince Steen

Vince Steen Nunakput

Thank you, Madam Chairperson. Madam Chairperson, I do not wish to limit the Member's ability to speak but I did listen to his comments for ten minutes. Unless I can hear some new points to the comments and still address the motion, I am prepared to listen to some more, but I think that the fact should be taken into consideration that we are trying to move along here within the timelines. Not to restrict the ability of

the Member to speak but to speak to the motion. I would suggest to the Chair that the Member has had his opportunity to speak. Thank you.

Committee Motion 26-13(7): Territorial-wide Tests And Evaluation Scheme For Grade Eleven Core Subjects (ece)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 488

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. Steen. Your point of order is correct. It is the discretion of the Chair whether or not to recognize the Member again, and it is the responsibility of Member not to be repetitious but, unfortunately, until I have heard what Mr. Erasmus has to say, I would be unable to determine whether or not he is going to bring any new points with respect to this motion to the floor at this time. I would have to hear what he has to say before I could say that he is not bringing any new information to the motion. To the motion. Mr. Erasmus.

Committee Motion 26-13(7): Territorial-wide Tests And Evaluation Scheme For Grade Eleven Core Subjects (ece)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 488

Roy Erasmus Yellowknife North

Thank you, Madam Chairperson. Madam Chairperson, as I had indicated earlier, the intent of this motion is to have consistency across the Northwest Territories in the core subjects in grade 11. The reason for that is to ensure that students across the North receive the same education. Those students, Madam Chairperson, deserve the same education no matter where they live, and it is up to us to ensure that this can happen. The MLAs in this building were voted upon by their constituents to ensure that people are treated fairly and consistently no matter where they live. The Minister of Education, at least the former Minister of Education, Honourable Mr. Dent, who is now the Finance Minister, so he is a very Honourable Mr. Dent now. Madam Chairperson, the Minister of Education, the former Minister of Education has told us many times that most jobs now need a minimum of 16 years of education, I believe this is what he said. Sixteen years of education, Madam Chairperson. Sixteen years of education means that you have to finish high school and to be able to get into university or college and then you have to be able to have a good enough education so that you can complete your university or college program.

In order to prepare our students properly so that they can finish their university and college educations, we must ensure that when students move from one region to another, when they start a new program at another school, that they do not have to repeat a grade. Madam Chairperson, this, of course, will save money for this government in the long run which, I am sure, the Minister of Finance will be grateful for and the Minister of Education as well. Whoever the Minister of Education is in the future, because if students are able to go to university and finish their education without having to repeat their courses over and over, then that saves us money because they only have to go once and go straight through for four years.

Madam Chairman, there are other reasons why we need to ensure consistency, why we have to ensure a quality education for our students. We need leaders in the future. Those children out there, these young Pages, those are our future leaders. We need them to become MLAs. We need them to become chiefs, presidents of Metis locals, mayors of hamlets, cities, towns, band counsellors. In order to have a good leadership in the future, Madam Chairperson, we need to ensure a consistent quality education across the Northwest Territories. Madam Chairperson, the way that we wish to ensure this quality education across the Northwest Territories is to ensure that at the grade 11 level, that the core subject courses of math, social studies, and sciences have territorial department examinations. With that, Madam Chairperson, once again I would like to indicate that I will be voting in favour of this motion. I am sure the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment and the Minister of Finance will join me, as well as the rest of the Cabinet as I am sure they would also like to see a consistent, quality education across the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Madam Chairperson.

Committee Motion 26-13(7): Territorial-wide Tests And Evaluation Scheme For Grade Eleven Core Subjects (ece)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 488

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

To the motion. Question has been called. Mr. Erasmus.

Committee Motion 26-13(7): Territorial-wide Tests And Evaluation Scheme For Grade Eleven Core Subjects (ece)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 488

Roy Erasmus Yellowknife North

Madam Chairperson, I would like to request a recorded vote.

Committee Motion 26-13(7): Territorial-wide Tests And Evaluation Scheme For Grade Eleven Core Subjects (ece)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 488

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

Thank you. That has already been requested. We will have a recorded vote. The question has been called. All those in favour of the motion, please stand.

Committee Motion 26-13(7): Territorial-wide Tests And Evaluation Scheme For Grade Eleven Core Subjects (ece)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 488

Deputy Clerk Mr. Schauerte

Mr. Erasmus, Mr. Ootes, Mr. Henry, Mr. Rabesca.

Committee Motion 26-13(7): Territorial-wide Tests And Evaluation Scheme For Grade Eleven Core Subjects (ece)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 488

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

Thank you. All those opposed please stand. All those abstaining please stand.

Committee Motion 26-13(7): Territorial-wide Tests And Evaluation Scheme For Grade Eleven Core Subjects (ece)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 488

Deputy Clerk Mr. Schauerte

Mr. Miltenberger, Mr. Kakfwi, Mr. Antoine, Mr. Dent, Mr. Roland, and Mr. Steen.

Committee Motion 26-13(7): Territorial-wide Tests And Evaluation Scheme For Grade Eleven Core Subjects (ece)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 488

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

Thank you. I have the results of the recorded vote. The results are for, four, against, zero, abstentions, six. The motion is carried. Mr. Erasmus.

Committee Motion 27-13(7): Examination Of The Role And Mandate Of The Languages Commissioner
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 488

Roy Erasmus Yellowknife North

Thank you, Madam Chairperson. I move that this committee recommends that the role and mandate of the Commissioner of Languages be examined as part of the review of the Northwest Territories Official Languages Act.

Committee Motion 27-13(7): Examination Of The Role And Mandate Of The Languages Commissioner
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 488

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. Erasmus. The motion is in order. To the motion. Mr. Erasmus.

Committee Motion 27-13(7): Examination Of The Role And Mandate Of The Languages Commissioner
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 488

Roy Erasmus Yellowknife North

Madam Chairperson, a large part of the reasoning for this is in the committee report, however, I wanted to indicate that there is a feeling that perhaps the Languages Commissioner's role should be expanded and clarified so that he or she can promote languages as it is not now being done by the commissioner. There are a few things like that, that have to be looked at and also the act, indicates that the Official Languages Act, has to be reviewed by 2000. This is why we are making this recommendation. Thank you.

Committee Motion 27-13(7): Examination Of The Role And Mandate Of The Languages Commissioner
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 488

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

To the motion. Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? Motion is carried. Mr. Erasmus.

Committee Motion 28-13(7): Departmental Coordination To Develop Common Computer Systems And Platforms
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 488

Roy Erasmus Yellowknife North

Thank you, Madam Chairperson. I move that this committee recommends that the Department of Education,

Culture and Employment work in conjunction with other departments in the social programs envelope, to develop common information system strategies where possible and work with other government departments in developing common computer platforms. Thank you, Madam Chairperson.

Committee Motion 28-13(7): Departmental Coordination To Develop Common Computer Systems And Platforms
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 489

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. Erasmus. The motion is in order. To the motion. Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried. Mr. Erasmus.

Committee Motion 28-13(7): Departmental Coordination To Develop Common Computer Systems And Platforms
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 489

Roy Erasmus Yellowknife North

Madam Chairperson, I move we report progress.

Committee Motion 28-13(7): Departmental Coordination To Develop Common Computer Systems And Platforms
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 489

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. Erasmus. The motion is in order. It is not debatable. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried. Thank you. I will now rise and report progress.

Committee Motion 28-13(7): Departmental Coordination To Develop Common Computer Systems And Platforms
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 489

The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker David Krutko

Item 20, report of committee of the whole. Mrs. Groenewegen.

Item 20: Report Of The Committee Of The Whole
Item 20: Report Of The Committee Of The Whole

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Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, your committee has been considering Bill 17 and committee report 1-13(7) and would like to report progress with three motions being adopted. Mr. Speaker, I move that the report of the committee of the whole be concurred with. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.