Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I sat in this Chamber yesterday and listened to the Honourable Joe Handley deliver an address to the people of the Northwest Territories and, on the surface, it painted a very rosy picture as to where we started from three years ago, where we are today and where we are going.
Mr. Speaker, the financial picture at a quick glance, depicts success stories on every front as to the great job we have done on spending the limited resources. Mr. Speaker, the finance Minster spoke of building partnerships, strong partnerships and all we have been able to achieve through those partnerships.
Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, not everyone would agree with our success stories and that all our partnerships operate in harmonious bliss.
For example, Mr. Speaker, I have on a number of occasions raised concerns about the dysfunctional partnership which exists within the South Slave District Education Council. This partnership has been referred to, Mr. Speaker, as "one born in hell" and indications are that things are not showing signs of improvement. To the contrary.
Mr. Speaker, the Minister boasted about increased spending in education of over $46 million dollars from 1999/2000 to 2002/2003 and another $8 million dollars added to Education Culture and Employment's budget this year to maintain this government's commitment to education.
Mr. Speaker, this represents a total budget of $210 million dollars for 2003/2004. Yet, Mr. Speaker, the Hay River DEA is forced to cut its already under funded budget by some six percent.
The Hay River DEA represents about 50 percent of students in the entire South Slave region, over 900 students. Yet, Mr. Speaker, they carry the same voting power as the smallest DEA with less than 100 students.
Mr. Speaker, on Saturday, February 8, Fort Resolution, Lutselk'e and Hay River Reserve outvoted Hay River and Fort Smith for the redistribution of some $190,000. To do this on the backs of Hay River students is deplorable and totally unacceptable.
Mr. Speaker, I have stood in this House on many occasions and advocated for a separate district education council for Hay River to protect the interests of Hay River students and the largest student population in the South Slave. Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Education....