Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have opening remarks for the Department of Education, Culture and Employment.
The mission of the Department of the Education, Culture and Employment is to invest in and provide for the development of the people of the Northwest Territories, enabling them to reach their full potential, to lead fulfilled lives and to contribute to a strong and prosperous society. This supports the vision of the Government of the Northwest Territories, as outlined in Towards a Better Tomorrow, that will guide the government over the next four years.
The vision document, Towards a Better Tomorrow, outlines four key goals:
- • Healthy, educated Northerners making responsible personal choices for themselves and their families;
- • Strong and effective aboriginal and public governments operating cooperatively with no reduction in program and service levels as a result of implementing self-government agreements;
- • A healthy and diversified economy providing employment opportunities for Northerners in all communities;
- • An effective balance between development of our resources, socio-economic impacts, and preservation and protection of our natural environment.
These goals fit in with the five overall goals identified in the department's strategic update. These are:
- • strengthen and build overall knowledge and skills of northern people;
- • support economic development by preparing Northerners for all levels of employment:
- • enhance and protect aboriginal culture;
- • facilitate and contribute to community wellness;
- • promote participation in community and territorial governance.
To work toward these goals, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment proposes to spend $173,422,000 on programs and services for the 2000-01 fiscal year. These programs and services ensure that Northwest Territories residents have opportunities for life-long learning, beginning in early childhood and continuing on through the adult years. Our training programs prepare Northerners to take advantage of job opportunities in the resource sector and in the communities. Our income support programs help ensure a basic level of income for all Northerners, and our cultural and language programs help Northerners to retain their unique languages and identities.
The development of a healthy and educated population starts in the earliest childhood years. The earlier enrichment begins, the better prepared a child is for lifetime learning. The department is committed to developing a collaborative approach to children's programming which involves parents, the family, the community and other agencies and departments. To this end, we will work with the Department of Health and Social Services to develop and implement a territorial agenda for children.
In 2000-01, we will continue to participate in the National Child Benefit Program. As a result of increased federal funding in the NCB, an additional $210,000 investment in the Healthy Children's Initiative will help children reach their full potential by beginning life in as healthy a manner as possible. The money will be available to community groups to design and deliver integrated programs for children up to the age of six.
The next step in building a healthy and educated population is the school system. A responsive and vibrant school system forms the basis of culturally, socially and economically strong northern communities. Beginning this year, the department will implement a plan that will, over the next four years, reduce the pupil-teacher ratio in the NWT from 18:1 to 16:1. This alone will significantly enhance the quality of education available to students in Northwest Territories schools. At the same time, funding for student support will rise from its current level of 8.5 percent of the school contribution budget to 15 percent. This will enhance our ability to respond to student needs. These two initiatives will result in an additional $12 million investment in learning over the next four years. These changes were approved by the Assembly in legislation during March.
In conjunction with the increase in expenditures for student support services, the department undertook a needs assessment survey which is now nearing completion. The results of the survey will assist divisional education councils and school boards in identifying areas of greatest need and help ensure that the money being re-invested in education will reap maximum benefits.
For the last decade, the department has pursued a policy of implementing grade extensions In Northwest Territories schools. Northern students can now complete Grade 12 in the vast majority of Northwest Territories communities. This initiative has improved participation rates and graduation rates. We are now challenged with increasing course options at the community level. As a result of a Memorandum of Understanding I was pleased to sign last month with the Calgary Board of Education, an additional 30 online courses will be available in Northwest Territories schools this fall. Mr. Chairman, I expect this exciting development to be enhanced in the years to come.
Post-secondary studies are also an important element in building a healthy and educated society. As a result of changes approved by the Assembly in March, I am pleased to implement the re-design of the Student Financial Assistance Program. The revamped program will support efforts to develop a skilled and professional workforce by putting more money into the hands of Northwest Territories students. The revolving loan fund has been increased from $22 million to $33 million and the budget for the program has been increased by $500,000.
A healthy, educated northern population is an employed population. The career development directive, to be implemented in 2000-01, will ensure a seamless system of programs and services that allow individuals smooth and successful transitions from school and training into the workforce.
Mr. Chairman, there is no doubt that this is a very exciting chapter in the history of the Northwest Territories. Diamond mining and a renewed interest in oil and gas development are both having a significant impact on the northern economy. The GNWT, in concert with the private sector and aboriginal organizations, is supportive of development in the non-renewable resource sector. However, the government has made it clear that certain conditions must be met, if that development is going to take place. These conditions include maximizing employment and training opportunities for Northerners. The Department of Education, Culture and Employment will invest $1.3 million in programs that will provide training for entry-level jobs for Northerners in diamond processing and in oil and gas exploration and production.
One of the major challenges we face in preparing Northerners for employment is that many lack the basic educational and literacy skills needed to participate in training programs. I was pleased to have discussions with the Standing Committee on Social Programs on this important issue, and the committee's comments assisted me in going forward to obtain additional funding. To address this, we propose a $650,000 expenditure for the Community Skills for Work Program. This will be an amendment to the main estimates and I intend to introduce a motion to this effect at the appropriate time.
Youth employment is another priority of this budget. There is a $1 million expenditure for the continuation of a program many of you will have come to know as Working Together.
This budget also includes significant increases necessary to meet the growing needs of existing programs. These include:
- • $3.1 million to fund pay increases in the collective agreement signed with our teachers;
- • $3.2 million for increased superannuation payments;
- • $400,000 to pay for growth in income support programs;
- • $600,000 to pay for increased utility costs;
- • $600,000 to pay the lease for the student family-housing complex recently opened in Fort Smith.
Mr. Chairman, this budget reflects the commitment of the Department of Education, Culture and Employment to further the vision set out in Towards a Better Tomorrow. The mandate of the department is broad, with programs that take a person through a lifetime. I am confident that with these programs and proposed expenditures, this department can do its part in achieving our common vision. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.