Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We have some percentages here. Long-term Northerners make up seven percent of the teachers in our system. I do not have the numbers, but it is seven percent.
Debates of June 28th, 2000
This is page numbers 241 - 294 of the Hansard for the 14th Assembly, 3rd 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.
Topics
Committee Motion 8-14(3): Additional Semester Entitlements Under Revised Student Financial Assistance Program (carried)
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 281
Committee Motion 8-14(3): Additional Semester Entitlements Under Revised Student Financial Assistance Program (carried)
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 281
The Chair Leon Lafferty
Mr. Delorey.
-- Interjection
Committee Motion 8-14(3): Additional Semester Entitlements Under Revised Student Financial Assistance Program (carried)
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 281
The Chair Leon Lafferty
Minister Ootes.
Committee Motion 8-14(3): Additional Semester Entitlements Under Revised Student Financial Assistance Program (carried)
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 281
Committee Motion 8-14(3): Additional Semester Entitlements Under Revised Student Financial Assistance Program (carried)
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 281
The Chair Leon Lafferty
Thank you. Mr. Delorey.
Committee Motion 8-14(3): Additional Semester Entitlements Under Revised Student Financial Assistance Program (carried)
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 281
Paul Delorey Hay River North
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I think that somewhere along the line, the trouble we are in with teachers and nurses, and doctors, and the shortage in the labour force, somewhere we are going to have to put a lot of emphasis on keeping people in the North, regardless of whether they are aboriginal or long-time Northerners. I have a daughter who went to school for quite a number of years. As a matter of fact, about eight years, three of which were financially assisted by the government. The field that she was in was supported by the territorial government, but when she became fully qualified in that field and came back to the North with a great desire to work and live in the North, she was told outright that she would never have a full time job in her field in the North because of who she was. That creates a great problem for me. If we are going to encourage people to work in the North and to live in the North, we have to start thinking a little bit differently along those lines. I am all in favour for aboriginal advancement in jobs, but at the same time, I represent a lot of people who are not aboriginals but consider themselves Northerners. I think that we have an obligation to support and look after them as well. I would just like to hear the Minister's opinion in that area.
Committee Motion 8-14(3): Additional Semester Entitlements Under Revised Student Financial Assistance Program (carried)
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 282
The Chair Leon Lafferty
Thank you. Minister Ootes.
Committee Motion 8-14(3): Additional Semester Entitlements Under Revised Student Financial Assistance Program (carried)
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 282
Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We want to attract and retain all teachers, aboriginal or non-aboriginal. They are very important to our system. The turnover that we have has been fairly high and we are trying to address that whole area. I believe that there are opportunities for educators, be they aboriginal or non-aboriginal. My position is that they should be welcomed and we should do what we can to retain those individuals in the Territories. One of the areas that we have worked on, for example, the Teacher Education Program is open to aboriginal and non-aboriginal, short-term and long-term Northerners.
We have introduced a Teacher Induction Program to retain teachers in our system. It is a start on a system to ensure that the turnover is reduced, and that new teachers are made to feel comfortable in their new settings. That is meant for new teachers, be they new teachers from the south or teachers from our own education program. Thank you.
Committee Motion 8-14(3): Additional Semester Entitlements Under Revised Student Financial Assistance Program (carried)
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 282
The Chair Leon Lafferty
Thank you. General comments. Mr. McLeod.
Committee Motion 8-14(3): Additional Semester Entitlements Under Revised Student Financial Assistance Program (carried)
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 282
Michael McLeod Deh Cho
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I want to start by saying that I was pleased that the Minister recognized the need for training in the area of oil and gas. However, I was fairly disappointed that the amount placed in that category is fairly low, and does not seem to reflect the actual needs in terms of training for the Northwest Territories. It is probably a drop in the bucket of what we need. I asked this question to the Minister, but I would like to get reassurance that this is going to be an ongoing program on an annual basis and added to the base.
Committee Motion 8-14(3): Additional Semester Entitlements Under Revised Student Financial Assistance Program (carried)
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 282
The Chair Leon Lafferty
Minister Ootes.
Committee Motion 8-14(3): Additional Semester Entitlements Under Revised Student Financial Assistance Program (carried)
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 282
Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This funding is in the base funding, $500,000. I certainly agree with the Member that with the potential that is out there and the need that is out there, this will not address all the issues that are of concern to us and need to be addressed. We do have a proposal that is being worked on; the Non-Renewable Resource Strategy, in which we have identified funding to address the areas on a more comprehensive basis. Thank you.
Committee Motion 8-14(3): Additional Semester Entitlements Under Revised Student Financial Assistance Program (carried)
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 282
The Chair Leon Lafferty
Thank you. Mr. McLeod.
Committee Motion 8-14(3): Additional Semester Entitlements Under Revised Student Financial Assistance Program (carried)
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 282
Michael McLeod Deh Cho
Thank you. As I indicated earlier, the amount of $500,000 is not going to address all the issues. I am wondering how the Minister plans to disperse this money to all the regions in the Northwest Territories. How is this money going to be made available?
Committee Motion 8-14(3): Additional Semester Entitlements Under Revised Student Financial Assistance Program (carried)
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 282
The Chair Leon Lafferty
Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mr. Ootes.
Committee Motion 8-14(3): Additional Semester Entitlements Under Revised Student Financial Assistance Program (carried)
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 282
Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I will ask Mr. Cleveland to address that question.
Committee Motion 8-14(3): Additional Semester Entitlements Under Revised Student Financial Assistance Program (carried)
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 282
The Chair Leon Lafferty
Mr. Cleveland.
Committee Motion 8-14(3): Additional Semester Entitlements Under Revised Student Financial Assistance Program (carried)
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 282
Cleveland
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. As we discussed earlier, the oil and gas funding is being developed based on consultation with industry and also with our regions. We expect that the majority of the funding will be allocated through our regional offices and that the regional offices will work cooperatively with communities, industry, and the College to define and deliver the training. Thank you.
Committee Motion 8-14(3): Additional Semester Entitlements Under Revised Student Financial Assistance Program (carried)
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 282
The Chair Leon Lafferty
Thank you. Mr. McLeod.
Committee Motion 8-14(3): Additional Semester Entitlements Under Revised Student Financial Assistance Program (carried)
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 282
Michael McLeod Deh Cho
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Over the last couple of months, we have heard a lot of discussion on the potential development of a pipeline. There are a number of aboriginal groups that are very seriously looking at the concept of a pipeline. Is there any type of strategy being developed to try to deal with the training that would come with such a project or are the dollars currently earmarked as part of this $500,000?
Committee Motion 8-14(3): Additional Semester Entitlements Under Revised Student Financial Assistance Program (carried)
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 282
The Chair Leon Lafferty
Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mr. Ootes.
Committee Motion 8-14(3): Additional Semester Entitlements Under Revised Student Financial Assistance Program (carried)
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 282
Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. That is where we are dealing with the Non-Renewable Resource Strategy to address those specific needs.
Committee Motion 8-14(3): Additional Semester Entitlements Under Revised Student Financial Assistance Program (carried)
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 282
The Chair Leon Lafferty
Thank you. Mr. McLeod.
Committee Motion 8-14(3): Additional Semester Entitlements Under Revised Student Financial Assistance Program (carried)
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
June 28th, 2000
Page 282
Michael McLeod Deh Cho
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. In recognition that the whole sector of oil and gas is becoming a real focal point and there is a lot of training that is required, I think this government has recognized that. Looking at what is done in other areas in terms of training and incentive for teachers and nurses that have been provided incentive grants, is that something we can count on looking for in the near future for students that are planning to take post-secondary courses in institutions?
Committee Motion 8-14(3): Additional Semester Entitlements Under Revised Student Financial Assistance Program (carried)
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 282
The Chair Leon Lafferty
Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mr. Ootes.