Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Good evening, Mr. Chairman and committee members. I am here today to present the 2002-2003 main estimates for the Department of Education, Culture and Employment. Mr. Chairman, the main estimates we are bringing forward today total $195.9 million. This covers operations and maintenance as well as amortization of our capital assets and represents a $12.5 million increase over last year.

This increase covers commitments including the NWTTA collective agreement increases, growth in school expenditures, and increases in supports for students. The estimates also include investments for Maximizing Northern Employment initiatives, revitalization of aboriginal languages and culture, income support benefits, and early childhood development.

I would like to thank the Standing Committee on Social Programs for their feedback and support during the review of our 2002-2005 business plan and our 2002-2003 main estimates. Their comments and insights have contributed significantly to these finalized plans.

Mr. Chairman, our main estimates support numerous goals outlined in Towards a Better Tomorrow. Some include:

• • a society which reflects the culture, language, and heritage of northern people;
• • a comprehensive early childhood system that leads to better beginnings for our children;
• • healthy schools that foster student achievement and success;
• • lifelong learning opportunities available to all community residents; and,
• • Northerners as full participants in the northern economy.

As outlined by Minister Handley in the Budget Address, as well as by the Social Agenda Working Group, the most pressing issue is not how much we spend in these areas, but whether or not our expenditures are having an impact. While we are anxiously awaiting the recommendations from the Social Agenda Working Group, we recognize the need to act on those items that can be addressed within existing budgets.

During the review of the department's business plan, the Standing Committee on Social Programs outlines the need for additional support to Northwest Territories day cares. Based on this and on meetings we have had with organizations and municipalities, we will be investing an additional $1 million in this area. This additional investment will provide direct support to operators by increasing subsidies, start-up and operations and maintenance funding. This will help ensure that children have access to quality care without undue hardship on their parents.

In 2002-2003, the department will continue implementation of its plan to fund school growth and to reduce the pupil-teacher ratio from 18:1 to 16:1 over a four-year period. The ratio is currently at 16.6:1 and will be reduced to 16:1 by the 2003-2004 school year. Funding for student supports is currently at 12 percent. Our plan was to increase this to 14 percent in the upcoming year. At the request of the standing committee, however, we have increased this amount to 15 percent for 2002-2003. This initiative will result in an additional estimated investment of over $2.7 million in schools in 2002-2003.

Over the past year, our government has supported increased involvement of Northerners in our growing economy through investments in Maximizing Northern Employment. We plan on continuing this initiative with investments in:

• • Student Success Centres, $180,000;
• • Expanded TEP Program delivery, $839,000;
• • Training in the oil and gas industry, $600,000;
• • The Northern Employment Support Program, $150,000; and,
• • Working with other departments such as Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development and the Executive on private partnerships, employment and training initiatives. We intend to focus our efforts in these areas so that small communities benefit as much as possible.

Mr. Chairman, we will be continuing our investment of $2.4 million in the Government of the Northwest Territories' Literacy Strategy to improve the network of literacy programs and services in the Northwest Territories. We will focus on the need to increase literacy levels in all official languages of the Northwest Territories and the need to provide multi-year funding for agencies that deliver literacy programs. We will work to implement an accountability framework that provides guidelines for measuring and evaluating the effectiveness of programs allowing for the release of timely and accurate results. Special initiatives will be in place to increase access to literacy programs for seniors, incarcerated and disabled clients.

Mr. Chairman, unfortunately not all members of our society are able to participate fully in economic pursuits that result in self-sufficiency. Based on this reality, and recommendations from the standing committee, we plan on reinvesting $1.5 million into income support. This reinvestment will cover a number of areas including singles accommodation, food benefits, disability allowances and seniors' home heating subsidies.

The state of the aboriginal languages of the Northwest Territories has been in decline for a number of years. I am sure that all Members of this House will agree that what defines us as a people is our culture and language is a key component of that culture. All Northerners have a role to play in improving the health of our aboriginal languages. We will continue to work closely with the aboriginal language communities and the Special Committee on Official Languages to promote and revitalize aboriginal languages. A new investment of $919,000 will help with the acquisition, maintenance and revitalization of aboriginal languages and culture. Initially, emphasis will be placed on language acquisition through programs that assist Northerners to learn their mother tongue.

For 2002-2003 capital, Mr. Chairman, the department will start construction of a new Aurora College academic/administration building in Inuvik. We will also complete renovation and addition projects for Princess Alexandra School in Hay River, the Helen Kalvak School in Holman, the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre and Aurora College residence units at Northern United Place. The coming year will also see design work start on an addition to the Chief Albert Wright School in Tulita and the renovation of Mildred Hall School in Yellowknife. A number of other smaller projects are also planned for 2002-2003.

Mr. Chairman, committee members, all the investments I have outlined support the goals of this government and the mandate of the Department Education, Culture and Employment. This concludes my opening comments. Thank you.