This is page numbers 41 - 72 of the Hansard for the 13th Assembly, 8th 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 information.

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Further Return To Question 30-13(8): Addressing The Teacher Shortage
Question 30-13(8): Addressing The Teacher Shortage
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 54

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Ootes.

Supplementary To Question 30-13(8): Addressing The Teacher Shortage
Question 30-13(8): Addressing The Teacher Shortage
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 54

Jake Ootes

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We all know what the issues are on the table. I am wondering what we are doing in terms of the working conditions for our teachers, like class size, administrative support, resources and that sort of thing. What I want to know, is are we looking at that and are we comparing it to what teachers in other jurisdictions are getting? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 30-13(8): Addressing The Teacher Shortage
Question 30-13(8): Addressing The Teacher Shortage
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 54

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 30-13(8): Addressing The Teacher Shortage
Question 30-13(8): Addressing The Teacher Shortage
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Given the fact that we are in the process of negotiation in good faith with the teachers and this whole process is on its way to mediation and that the question that my colleague has asked was framed within the context of those negotiations, I am not able to reply specifically to that issue. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 30-13(8): Addressing The Teacher Shortage
Question 30-13(8): Addressing The Teacher Shortage
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 55

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Oral questions. Final supplementary, Mr. Ootes.

Supplementary To Question 30-13(8): Addressing The Teacher Shortage
Question 30-13(8): Addressing The Teacher Shortage
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 55

Jake Ootes

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Part of our program is the Teacher Education Program that we run here in the Territories that I believe is having some success. Naturally we want to build on that. I am wondering if the Minister can tell me what we are doing to promote that particular program because that has been touted as the principle means of us solving some of our problems here in the North and I think that is correct. Could the Minister tell me if they are initiating a program to promote that particular program in a more concerted effort?

Supplementary To Question 30-13(8): Addressing The Teacher Shortage
Question 30-13(8): Addressing The Teacher Shortage
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 55

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 30-13(8): Addressing The Teacher Shortage
Question 30-13(8): Addressing The Teacher Shortage
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 55

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Teacher Education Program is a very important program. There was a strategic plan done under the wise direction of the former Minister of Education now, the Minister of Finance, Mr. Dent, that laid out some of the issues that we are trying to deal with as well. It is the intent of the government, the Department of Education, along with the support of the Members, for example, to move towards degree granting, so that we can, in fact, get degreed teachers in the North, which is the goal. The diploma is the first step, but in actual fact the long range desired goal would be to have all our teachers be degreed teachers in the Northwest Territories. There are things being done to try and address that particular issue. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 30-13(8): Addressing The Teacher Shortage
Question 30-13(8): Addressing The Teacher Shortage
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 55

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Oral questions. Mr. Erasmus.

Roy Erasmus Yellowknife North

Thank you. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment. Earlier this year the Minister had met with the chairs from each of the NWTs Education Councils. There was a three day meeting that focused on the Report of the Minister's Forum on Education. The Minister had indicated at the time that special needs topped the list of issues that the chairs felt needed immediate attention. Also, that they were going to be getting together later on. What I am wondering is has the Minister implemented anything to address this need that was identified as the major area that needs attention? Thank you.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Return To Question 31-13(8): Addressing Special Needs In Nwt Schools
Question 31-13(8): Addressing Special Needs In NWT Schools
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The issue of special needs is probably one of the most important priorities that we are trying to address. I would like to point out to the honourable Member that we continue to work within the budget that was approved by this Assembly, but we are attempting to do things like this Best Practices document that I will be tabling later today to help bring teachers together and make schools aware of the innovative things that are being done across the Northwest Territories. We will be having a follow up meeting in early October in Rae with all the board chairs as a second step of our initial meeting to try move ahead and discuss further some of these issues.

Return To Question 31-13(8): Addressing Special Needs In Nwt Schools
Question 31-13(8): Addressing Special Needs In NWT Schools
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 55

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Erasmus.

Supplementary To Question 31-13(8): Addressing Special Needs In Nwt Schools
Question 31-13(8): Addressing Special Needs In NWT Schools
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 55

Roy Erasmus Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is a little difficult to hear the Minister. There is a bit of noise on this side of the House. Did the Minister indicate that he does not have any new money to put into the special needs area?

Supplementary To Question 31-13(8): Addressing Special Needs In Nwt Schools
Question 31-13(8): Addressing Special Needs In NWT Schools
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 55

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 31-13(8): Addressing Special Needs In Nwt Schools
Question 31-13(8): Addressing Special Needs In NWT Schools
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 55

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, what I indicated was that we are continuing to operate with the money that has been approved in this Legislative Assembly for the Department of Education, Culture and Employment. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 31-13(8): Addressing Special Needs In Nwt Schools
Question 31-13(8): Addressing Special Needs In NWT Schools
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 55

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Erasmus.

Supplementary To Question 31-13(8): Addressing Special Needs In Nwt Schools
Question 31-13(8): Addressing Special Needs In NWT Schools
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 55

Roy Erasmus Yellowknife North

Mr. Speaker, I was wondering what has been done to comply with the motion that had been passed earlier to put more money into the area of special needs. Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 31-13(8): Addressing Special Needs In Nwt Schools
Question 31-13(8): Addressing Special Needs In NWT Schools
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 55

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 31-13(8): Addressing Special Needs In Nwt Schools
Question 31-13(8): Addressing Special Needs In NWT Schools
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 55

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this issue is a continued topic of debate in Cabinet within the broader context of planning for the financial future of the Northwest Territories. But today I just have to repeat that we are operating within the funds that have been allocated to us, that there has been no new money added to the budget for education.

Further Return To Question 31-13(8): Addressing Special Needs In Nwt Schools
Question 31-13(8): Addressing Special Needs In NWT Schools
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 55

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Oral questions. Final supplementary, Mr. Erasmus.

Supplementary To Question 31-13(8): Addressing Special Needs In Nwt Schools
Question 31-13(8): Addressing Special Needs In NWT Schools
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Roy Erasmus Yellowknife North

Mr. Speaker, I just want to indicate that I am very disappointment that there has not been any effort made to comply with a motion from this House that is supposed to give direction to the Cabinet. We will just have to wait and see if they are going to try to do anything in this area. Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 31-13(8): Addressing Special Needs In Nwt Schools
Question 31-13(8): Addressing Special Needs In NWT Schools
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Question period is over. Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 31-13(8): Addressing Special Needs In Nwt Schools
Question 31-13(8): Addressing Special Needs In NWT Schools
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 56

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As Minister of Education, I am very aware of the motion in this House for more funding. With the issue of special needs, we are looking at what we are doing and how we do it so that we could hopefully improve on that. One example I can use is dealing with autistic children. There is an Autism Society in Yellowknife. I know, for example, in my community alone, there are at least three or four autistic children and they were, for the most part, not tied in as effectively as it could be. We are trying to connect those kinds of resources within the Northwest Territories within existing budgets to try to deal with some of these special needs issues. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 31-13(8): Addressing Special Needs In Nwt Schools
Question 31-13(8): Addressing Special Needs In NWT Schools
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 56

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Item 7, written questions. Item 8, return to written questions. Item 9, replies to opening address. Mr. Roland.