Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a really hard time figuring how a department of this government can be gouging our municipalities a 16 percent administration fee over and above the cost of doing business. The money that goes to our municipalities comes from this government, so on top of what the municipalities have to pay for you delivering that service, there is a 16 percent administration fee on top of it. Has the Minister looked at the legality of previous agreements and this agreement to see which agreements have standing in this House? If so, has the Financial Administration Act been breached?
Debates of June 19th, 2002
This is page numbers 911 - 946 of the Hansard for the 14th Assembly, 5th 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 health.
Topics
Supplementary To Question 318-14(5): Water And Sewer Operations Agreements
Question 318-14(5): Water And Sewer Operations Agreements
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 931
Supplementary To Question 318-14(5): Water And Sewer Operations Agreements
Question 318-14(5): Water And Sewer Operations Agreements
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 931
The Speaker Tony Whitford
Thank you, Mr. Krutko. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Public Works and Services, Mr. Steen.
Further Return To Question 318-14(5): Water And Sewer Operations Agreements
Question 318-14(5): Water And Sewer Operations Agreements
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 931
Vince Steen Nunakput
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I will have the department do a review as the Member requests. We will get back to the Member with the information. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 318-14(5): Water And Sewer Operations Agreements
Question 318-14(5): Water And Sewer Operations Agreements
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 931
The Speaker Tony Whitford
Thank you, Mr. Minister. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Nitah.
Question 319-14(5): Psychological Assessments Of South Slave Students
Item 6: Oral Questions
June 18th, 2002
Page 931
Steven Nitah Tu Nedhe
Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister responsible for Education. Mr. Speaker, as we all know, in the Northwest Territories through the residential schools and the churches, there is a high consumption of alcohol resulting in FAS/FAE and dysfunction in the family circle. For that, we need psychologists in schools to deal with students who are problematic.
I am aware that the Yellowknife school boards share one psychologist. Can the Minister tell me, with the South Slave, in particular, the communities of Lutselk'e and Fort Resolution, where do they get their psychologist and how often do they go into those communities to do an assessment? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 319-14(5): Psychological Assessments Of South Slave Students
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 931
The Speaker Tony Whitford
Thank you, Mr. Nitah. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Handley.
Return To Question 319-14(5): Psychological Assessments Of South Slave Students
Question 319-14(5): Psychological Assessments Of South Slave Students
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 931
Joe Handley Weledeh
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, no, I am not sure where the South Slave Divisional Board gets its psychologists, or some of the other specialized services they may need. Some of those services are available through the Department of Education. Some are available through the Department of Health and Social Services. There are some private psychologists. They may have arrangements with any of those. As well, I want to point out again that we do provide 15 percent of our total contribution as inclusive schooling. That is meant largely to enable them to hire specialists, including psychologists, if that is their priority. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Return To Question 319-14(5): Psychological Assessments Of South Slave Students
Question 319-14(5): Psychological Assessments Of South Slave Students
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 931
Supplementary To Question 319-14(5): Psychological Assessments Of South Slave Students
Question 319-14(5): Psychological Assessments Of South Slave Students
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 931
Steven Nitah Tu Nedhe
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, with the lack of housing and other infrastructure in our communities, it is hard to get teachers, let alone psychologists. What the department needs to do in the Northwest Territories is an entire assessment of all the schools so that the boards can be properly tooled to deliver educational programs and services in our schools. Would the Minister commit his department to do a total assessment for all schools in the Northwest Territories? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Supplementary To Question 319-14(5): Psychological Assessments Of South Slave Students
Question 319-14(5): Psychological Assessments Of South Slave Students
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 931
The Speaker Tony Whitford
Thank you, Mr. Nitah. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Handley.
Further Return To Question 319-14(5): Psychological Assessments Of South Slave Students
Question 319-14(5): Psychological Assessments Of South Slave Students
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 931
Joe Handley Weledeh
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we do assessments on a random and an as-needed basis, but this is an item that I will ensure is put on the agenda the next time the directors of education for all of our boards meet, and let them decide how they might undertake something like this. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 319-14(5): Psychological Assessments Of South Slave Students
Question 319-14(5): Psychological Assessments Of South Slave Students
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 931
Supplementary To Question 319-14(5): Psychological Assessments Of South Slave Students
Question 319-14(5): Psychological Assessments Of South Slave Students
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 931
Steven Nitah Tu Nedhe
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, without mentioning names, I know of organizations that have been contracted by the Department of Education, Culture and Employment to do assessments in the schools. They have determined that there is a large number of students in most communities that have FAS/FAE and have only assessed a few. More assessments are needed.
The commitment made by the Minister is not strong enough. There is more that is needed. If we are going to take advantage of the economic opportunities and prepare our students for the economy of the day, we need to do more. Can I get a stronger commitment from the department that they will do an assessment this summer so we can start planning for next season? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Supplementary To Question 319-14(5): Psychological Assessments Of South Slave Students
Question 319-14(5): Psychological Assessments Of South Slave Students
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 931
The Speaker Tony Whitford
Thank you, Mr. Nitah. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Handley.
Further Return To Question 319-14(5): Psychological Assessments Of South Slave Students
Question 319-14(5): Psychological Assessments Of South Slave Students
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 931
Joe Handley Weledeh
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I will make a firm commitment that we will look at this issue. I will ask the department to include this concern in the business planning, as we begin that process. It is a serious issue, Mr. Speaker. We take seriously our need to ensure that our young people get a good education and are able to take the jobs that our strong economy will bring to them. So yes, we will include it in our initial business plans at least, and let the committees deal with this issue in more detail. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 319-14(5): Psychological Assessments Of South Slave Students
Question 319-14(5): Psychological Assessments Of South Slave Students
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 932
Supplementary To Question 319-14(5): Psychological Assessments Of South Slave Students
Question 319-14(5): Psychological Assessments Of South Slave Students
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 932
Steven Nitah Tu Nedhe
Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. I am looking forward to seeing those in the business plans this fall, but I would like to see what can be done this summer so they could go to the communities and speak to the parents and speak to the students, so we can use proper information to include in the business plans.
Supplementary To Question 319-14(5): Psychological Assessments Of South Slave Students
Question 319-14(5): Psychological Assessments Of South Slave Students
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 932
The Speaker Tony Whitford
Thank you, Mr. Nitah. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Handley.
Further Return To Question 319-14(5): Psychological Assessments Of South Slave Students
Question 319-14(5): Psychological Assessments Of South Slave Students
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 932
Joe Handley Weledeh
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we have to recognize the rights and the responsibilities of the boards. I have to work through them. As I mentioned, I will ensure it is on the agenda when our directors and superintendents of education get together, but I cannot commit to doing something in other people's backyard without talking to them. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 319-14(5): Psychological Assessments Of South Slave Students
Question 319-14(5): Psychological Assessments Of South Slave Students
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 932
The Speaker Tony Whitford
Thank you, Mr. Minister. The time allocated for question period has ended. Colleagues, before we proceed to the next item, I would like to direct your attention to those present in the visitors gallery of the military attachés and individuals from the different parts of the world who are serving as attachés in Canada. They are currently on their way across the three territories. They are on their way to Whitehorse, and then I believe on their way to Iqaluit. Please welcome them to our Legislative Assembly.
-- Applause
Further Return To Question 319-14(5): Psychological Assessments Of South Slave Students
Question 319-14(5): Psychological Assessments Of South Slave Students
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 932
The Speaker Tony Whitford
Thank you, and welcome attachés. Item 7, written questions. I have the attention of the honourable Member for Range Lake, Ms. Lee.
Further Return To Question 319-14(5): Psychological Assessments Of South Slave Students
Question 319-14(5): Psychological Assessments Of South Slave Students
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 932
Sandy Lee Range Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to go back to item 6. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Further Return To Question 319-14(5): Psychological Assessments Of South Slave Students
Question 319-14(5): Psychological Assessments Of South Slave Students
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 932
The Speaker Tony Whitford
Thank you. The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent to return to item 6, oral questions. Are there any nays?
Further Return To Question 319-14(5): Psychological Assessments Of South Slave Students
Question 319-14(5): Psychological Assessments Of South Slave Students
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 932
Some Hon. Members
Nay.
Further Return To Question 319-14(5): Psychological Assessments Of South Slave Students
Question 319-14(5): Psychological Assessments Of South Slave Students
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 932
The Speaker Tony Whitford
We have several nays. You do not have unanimous consent. Item 7, written questions. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko.