Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, the Standing Committee on Social Programs reviewed Bill 5, An Act to Amend the Education Act, at its meeting on October 17, 2001.

Members would like to thank the Honourable Jake Ootes, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment and his officials who appeared before the committee during the public review of this bill.

Bill 5 will provide to an education body the power to dispose of personal property held by the education body and, subject to the approval of the Minister, the power to dispose of real property held by the education body. At present, while education bodies have the power to acquire such property, they do not have the power to dispose of it. This legislation will correct that oversight.

Because schools and other facilities are located on or form part of real property, the approval of the Minister would be required so that no facility is inappropriately transferred or disposed of.

This concludes the Standing Committee's comments on Bill 5, An Act to Amend the Education Act. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.